Non-Carmelo Anthony NBA Rumors: 10 Other Players Who Could Be Traded
To date, Carmelo Anthony has absolutely dominated the post-LeBron James NBA free agency discussions. But the discussion need not be so limited.
As we get closer to the Collective Bargaining Agreement's expiration date, more and more NBA teams (especially those in financial trouble) will certainly be looking to shed payroll.
With so many trades being fueled by financial considerations alone, the competitive balance of the NBA stands to shift even more so than it already has in one of the wildest offseason's in league history.
It was just a few short years ago that Kobe seemed destined to head to Chicago, so let's take a look at some guys who could be donning a new uniform sooner rather than later.
Ethan Norof is a writing intern for Bleacher Report, follow him on Twitter.
10. Aaron Brooks, PG Houston Rockets
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Brooks really came alive for the Rockets last season and blossomed into an electric point guard. Although he's more of a scorer than a distributor, Houston embraced Brooks' talents in a season where they constantly searched for offensive production.
One of the best three-point shooters in the league, Brooks' quick release allows him to combat the bigger defenders that are assigned to him. Arguably the MVP of the team in 2009-10, AB wants a contract extension after winning the Most Improved Player Award (can't blame him), heading into an uncertain future.
With the Rockets hesitant to hand out lucrative extensions after the Tracy McGrady fiasco, Brooks is a guy who could bring back enormous value in a trade for the Rockets. If they fall out of contention early, look for Houston to explore all options.
9. Kevin Love, PF/C Minnesota Timberwolves
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After seeing a very uneven distribution of playing time under new coach Kurt Rambis last season, Kevin Love's 2010 outlook doesn't appear to be much different.
With GM David Kahn bringing in just about every European big man that he could, and Rambis' own admission that Love will have to work for a starting spot even with the departure of Al Jefferson, Love could quickly find his way onto a new team before the trading deadline.
In desperate need for a legitimate starting shooting guard (sorry, Cory Brewer), should the T-Wolves decide to abandon Love's ship, his value around the league should bode well for an intriguing return.
A poor man's David Lee, Love is a definite NBA talent who will most likely need a change of scenery to ever allow his game to fully develop.
8. Jason Richardson, SG Phoenix Suns
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While the Suns are certainly in no rush to slash payroll, this is a team that could fall out of contention quickly this season.
Should Phoenix decide to become a seller, Richardson's $14-plus million deal will certainly be the first item on the agenda for the front office. An impending free agent, Richardson's expiring deal should certainly prove extra valuable for those teams looking for little risk heading into an uncertain offseason.
While J-Rich meshes nicely with Alvin Gentry's coaching style and the Suns' style of offense, the team could certainly use help along the front line and there is bound to be an intriguing offer or two.
7. Baron Davis, PG LAC
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Although Baron's rather bloated contract greatly detracts from his trade value, Davis may find his way out of L.A. sooner than he expects.
New coach Vinny Del Negro has already called out his starting point guard on his conditioning this offseason, and it appears that Davis' lax attitude toward the matter isn't sitting well.
This is not the first time that there have been rumors of Davis giving it less than 100 percent, so maybe a trade out of Hollywood would get him to focus more on basketball than making movies.
The team traded a future first-round pick to draft PG Eric Bledsoe (Kentucky) in the middle of the first round, so that just fans the flames of the brewing B-Diddy fire.
6. Zach Randolph, PF Memphis Grizzlies
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Coming off of a monster campaign, Randolph is looking for a similar payday to what Pau Gasol received from the Lakers (three years, $65 million). In order for that to happen, Z-Bo is going to have to find a new team.
Memphis owner Michael Heisley has a very strong reputation as a penny-pincher. We're talking about the only owner in the league who refused to pay his most recent draft selections (Xavier Henry and Greivis Vaszquez) the traditional 120 percent of slot value.
Now with Rudy Gay staying with the Grizz thanks to a max contract extension, there isn't a whole lot of money to be thrown around. Coming off arguably his most prolific season since entering the NBA, it's no wonder Randolph wants to get paid.
Z-Bo would certainly bring back at least a couple of nice pieces for the Grizz given his talent level and enormous expiring contract.
5. Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trailblazers
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It's a bit surprising that Fernandez hasn't drawn any Brett Favre comparisons with all of his recent waffling.
Now back on the stance that he doesn't want to play for the Portland franchise, Fernandez has put himself between a rock and a hard place. Although some teams have been rumored to already have interest (Celtics, Knicks) new GM Rich Cho is playing hardball with the disgruntled European.
Truly a player who is valued differently by almost every NBA team, the Blazers would be wise to find the right opportunity and move him before his stock sinks lower.
They're going to need all the help that they can get in a loaded Western Conference, so perhaps moving Rudy for a big man wouldn't be the worst idea.
4. Carl Landry, SF/PF Sacramento Kings
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Bullet in the leg? No problem. Teeth knocked out during the game? He goes right back in.
Carl Landry is quickly becoming an NBA iron man and has impressed quite a few teams around the league with his unique skill set. Although he is a bit undersized at just 6' 9" and 250 lbs, Landry has asserted himself as a very reliable option in the front court.
The Kings drafted big men DeMarcus Cousins and Hassan Whiteside, and they already have big men Omri Casspi and Jason Thompson in the fold, so what does that mean for Landry?
Don't be surprised to see him donning a new uniform sometime in the near future, as his services will be very valuable to some team looking to make a late-season push.
Maybe the most underrated player in the league, should the Kings decide to deal him, he will certainly bring back a nice return.
3. Jamal Crawford, SG Atlanta Hawks
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Still searching for a franchise point guard, Atlanta and its fans continue to be haunted by the choice to select Marvin Williams over Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
Crawford, who has played both guard positions for the Hawks, is a rather intriguing trade candidate. While some nights he looks like an All Star, other nights he looks like...well, not as good.
Scheduled to make just over $10 million in the final year of his current contract, the Hawks will surely look to shop him around the league as the season gets underway, if not sooner. With All-Star big man Al Horford in line for a serious raise, the team could certainly use the extra cash.
An absolutely electric scorer who is capable of draining buckets in bunches, Crawford's talents are sure to be desired by some team looking for that enigmatic spark off the bench.
2. J.R. Smith, SG Denver Nuggets
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Smith has always been a great talent, but it's been his temper and unpredictability on the court that have led him to fall in and out of favor with the Nuggets.
After being drafted straight out of high school, Smith played his first two seasons with New Orleans before being traded to Denver with a (very) brief stop off in Chicago in between.
Garnering a "bad boy" reputation hasn't done as much for his skills as it has for his hip-hop connections (Young Money Athletes), but nonetheless Smith has steadily improved since joining Denver and has thrived in a sixth man role.
One of the most athletic and explosive players in the league, Smith is capable of exploding for 40 points on any given night. There should be plenty of teams that call Denver with offers, and Smith could very well be moved before the opening tip of the season.
1. Antawn Jamison, PF Cleveland Cavaliers
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So much for that experiment.
After being acquired at the deadline last season from the Wizards, Jamison failed miserably to mesh with LeBron. Showing signs of age and deterioration, Jamison is no longer the perimeter shooting threat that he was earlier in his career.
At this point, the former Tar Heel is nothing more than (another) overpaid big man who is the Cavs rather unexciting No. 1 option on offense. While he is certainly no slouch, it's clear that his consistent days of 20 & 10 are behind him.
If the Cavs decide to go into a complete re-building process, which is very possible, Jamison's massive contract is one huge stumbling block for the team to overcome.
He's owed just shy of $29 million over the next two seasons, so while the Cavs will probably have to take on another bad contract, it may very well be worth it to address multiple needs on the roster.
