Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Five NBA Trades That Should Still Happen
The upcoming NBA season is among the most anticipated in history. That anticipation is largely a product of the flurry of moves made by teams this offseason. The list of blockbuster transactions that took place is long: James and Bosh to Miami, Amar'e to New York, Boozer to Chicago, Jefferson to Utah, Lee to Golden State, Shaq to Boston, and there were many more.
The news did not stop after those moves were made. Speculation over the possible departures of Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony from their respective squads also provided some excitement. There is still the possibility that they will be moved and I believe there are a few other big names that could use a change of scenery.
Carmelo Anthony to Chicago Bulls
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LeBron James changed the culture of the NBA this summer. There is no getting around it. Superstars all over the league now want to be a part of a “super team." If Carmelo Anthony joined the Bulls they would definitely be that.
For this trade to be anywhere near worth it for Denver, the Nuggets would have to receive at least one future first-round draft pick. Denver may also ask for Joakim Noah but it would not be wise for Chicago to pull the trigger on such a deal. Losing Noah would cause severe damage to Chicago’s defensive identity.
The Bulls should offer Luol Deng, James Johnson, Taj Gibson, and at least one first round pick. Denver would get a serviceable replacement for Anthony in Luol Deng, an oozing-with-potential power forward in Taj Gibson, and two wild cards in James Johnson and the draft pick.
Chris Paul to Orlando Magic
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When rumors regarding Chris Paul wanting out of New Orleans first began to surface this summer, one of the teams that much of the chatter swirled around was the Orlando Magic. Again, if this actually happened it would mean another “super team."
This potential trade stalled for a few reasons. New Orleans couldn’t seem to get enough young talent in return and no one wanted to take on Emeka Okafor’s enormous contract. I think New Orleans would be wise to consider this trade: Chris Paul, Emeka Okafor, and Peja Stojakovic for Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson, Marcin Gortat, Brandon Bass, and draft picks.
New Orleans would be able to unload two horrible contracts (Okafor and Stojakovic), bring in an immediate seat filler in Vince Carter, get a talented young point guard in Jameer Nelson, and a couple big men with the potential to be effective down low.
Orlando gets Chris Paul (no explanation needed for how that would help). Okafor could team with Howard to make the best interior defense in the league and Stojakovic would fit nicely in Orlando’s three-point happy offense.
All that being said, it looks like the possibility of Paul being moved anywhere seems pretty small considering New Orleans already shipped out there talented, young backup point guard Darren Collison.
Rudy Fernandez to New York Knicks
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Rudy Fernandez has made it pretty clear that he wants out of Portland. On top of that Portland doesn’t really need him. They have plenty of talent on the wing with Brandon Roy, Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum, and Luke Babbitt.
New York would have to give up a young player who is arguably better than Fernandez in Wilson Chandler. However, they may still make this move because Portland would have to throw in another young player like Jeff Pendergraph or Dante Cunningham to make the salaries match.
Fernandez would likely start at shooting guard for New York and would fit nicely in Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo scheme.
Andre Iguodala for Monta Ellis
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Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner are very similar players. Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry are similar players. Both teams seem willing to put their futures in the hands of their young studs.
Iguodala would fit in nicely in Don Nelson’s run and gun offense where he could create plays for others in the open court and also finish at the rim. Monta Ellis would remind Sixers fans of a young Iverson. He’s an intense competitor and can flat out score.
Jamal Crawford to New York Knicks
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This trade happening would largely depend on whether or not New York could get Rudy Fernandez. New York would give up Eddy Curry’s expiring contract along with a draft pick.
Crawford would return to New York as a very capable scorer who would likely start at shooting guard. Atlanta would acquire an expiring contract (which has become a valuable commodity in today’s NBA) and a draft pick while losing an already disgruntled star.
Just for Fun
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Andrei Kirilenko’s expiring contract and draft picks for Danny Granger, and Jeff Foster.
Gilbert Arenas for Vince Carter.
Andrew Bynum for Chris Paul.
Carmelo Anthony for Shane Battier, Jared Jeffries, and draft picks.
Carmelo Anthony for Danilo Gallinari, draft picks, and Eddy Curry’s expiring contract.
