NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Gilbert Arenas, Andre Iguodala and Carmelo Anthony
NBA trade rumors are set to go into full gear next week with Carmelo Anthony, Andre Iguodala and Gilbert Arenas the biggest names purportedly out there.
Players who signed deals over the summer are eligible to be traded on December 15th. That means that dozens of players who were previously unavailable will be on the market. This opens up the options for every team and makes the trade market considerably larger.
Some players have outlived their welcome while others are simply not a good fit on their current teams. Let's break down some of the biggest names on the market and see who is likely to be moved and those likely to stay put.
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
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All is quiet on the Carmelo Anthony trade front.
However, with the Nuggets looking like a first-round exit, the team may be forced to go into action and move Anthony before it's too late.
The Nets are apparently out of the running with Anthony unwilling to sign an extension with the team.
Marc Stein of ESPN reports that there are some teams out there willing to make a deal without Anthony putting pen on paper. That would make it easier for the Nuggets to move Anthony in the event that he cannot be convinced to stay.
The Anthony trade drama isn't likely to end soon. This situation looks like it's going to draw itself out until the very last minute.
Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
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The Gilbert Arenas trade rumors appear to have subsided for the time being.
Orlando was considered the prime destination for Arenas, with Vince Carter considered the main piece of any deal.
Otis Smith—Orlando's GM—has a strong personal relationship with Arenas stemming back to their days together in Golden State, and he could be one of the few front office executives willing and able to handle Arenas and his baggage.
Arenas' injury history and crippling contract are huge roadblocks in any deal, but Arenas has been quiet and playing well.
While trade talks involving Arenas are quiet for now, they may very well start up again sometime between mid-December and the February trade deadline.
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers
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Rod Thorn—the 76ers GM—refuted reports that the team was shopping Andre Iguodala. Thorn stated that he was "trying to ascertain the value of all of our players. Big difference."
While Thorn's statement rings true—to a certain extent—it sounds more likely that he's actually shopping the talented swingman.
Even Iguodala seems to see the writing on the wall and believes that it won't be long before he's wearing new threads.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have come up in the discussion, but they don't have many valuable assets that would entice the 76ers.
However, the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and even the New York Knicks do. All those teams have been rumored to be interested in Iguodala and any potential deal would likely happen with one of them.
Bill Walker, New York Knicks
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The New York Knicks are purportedly in the market for a backup point guard.
The team has Toney Douglas, but he's more of a combo guard looking to shoot first and pass second.
Raymond Felton has been playing heavy minutes this season, and the Knicks don't want him to wear down over the course of the season.
With Bill Walker wasting away on the bench, he would be better suited as a trade asset. Walker played great last season and he's sure to bring some value back on the trade market.
Johnny Flynn is set to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup. With all the point guards on their roster, the Knicks may pursue New York-born Sebastian Telfair.
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
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Steve Nash trade speculation will run rampant all season long.
Phoenix has made it clear that they have no intention of trading him away, but it's always a possibility.
For the time being, shelve this as conjecture.
J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets
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J.R. Smith was once thought to be the Denver Nuggets' primary trade chip—aside from potentially losing Carmelo Anthony—this season. He has an expiring contract and head coach George Karl and he have been at odds for years now.
However, Smith and the Nuggets front office appear to have an amicable relationship.
Smith was quoted saying, "I want to stay here the rest of my career...Yeah, sure. I wouldn't want to play for anybody else.''
The Nuggets' Vice President of Basketball Operations, Masai Ujiri, reciprocated the love, saying, "That's what we want. We like J.R. I told you that in training camp.''
Even George Karl has been praising his commitment to practice and his strong play as of late.
For now, consider J.R. Smith no longer a trade chip, but a staple of the Nuggets' future.
Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings
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After wasting away on the bench, Jason Thompson was promoted to the starting lineup.
To me, this seems less like a vote of confidence and more of a way to showcase his talents to entice a potential trade suitor.
Thompson has been inconsistent, but he's shown flashes of brilliant play.
The Kings were already turned down by the Hawks when they offered Thompson for Jeff Teague, so the team will have their sights elsewhere.
Late last season, the Kings were supposedly in the midst of a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats. That deal could be revived with the Bobcats in dire need of size up front. Kwame Brown does not cut it.
The most intriguing name popping up in trade rumors with the Kings is the Houston Rockets' Aaron Brooks. Brooks is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, the Kings need a point guard and the Rockets are looking for some size.
If only things were that easy. Brooks is likely to fetch a much higher price tag, and that's where Thompson can be paired with...
Carl Landry, Sacramento Kings
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Carl Landry's recent demotion from the starting lineup could be a permanent move.
Sam Amick of AOL Fanhouse reports that Houston has a significant interest in bringing Landry back into the fold.
With DeMarcus Cousins not on the trading block, Landry fits right into a potential deal between the two teams.
Antawn Jamison, Cleveland Cavaliers
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As of now, it appears that Antawn Jamison's name is not on the trading block.
However, he makes $13.6 million this season and $15.1 million next season. Quite the price tag for a sixth man.
With the Cavaliers looking like a long shot to make the playoffs, Jamison will likely find himself being shopped around the league at some point before the February trade deadline.
O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
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O.J. Mayo has not adapted well to his role as the Grizzlies sixth man. His numbers are down all around and speculation has been widespread over a potential trade.
ESPN's Marc Stein reported the other week that "The stronger suggestion you hear from the personnel grapevine these days is that Mayo is not available."
Even if he's not officially on the market, Mayo is no stranger to the trade market. He was almost traded to the Golden State Warriors along with Hasheem Thabeet for Monta Ellis last season.
It seems inevitable that Mayo will be eventually traded. The Grizzlies have a lot of money invested in Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, with a large extension in store for Marc Gasol next year.
Mayo has also made it no secret that he desires to play in a large market, and Memphis does not fit the bill.
Troy Murphy, New Jersey Nets
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Things have gotten downright contentious in New Jersey between head coach Avery Johnson and Troy Murphy.
Murphy has actually seen some playing time lately, but it's far from anything substantial and he has done little to contribute in that time.
Murphy has a huge expiring contract and he's still capable of contributing to a team. It's just a matter of who's willing to pay the price.
This situation likely won't be settled until the trade deadline nears as no potential suitors have come up, but they will eventually start calling.
Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks
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Jamal Crawford was rumored to be a prime trade candidate because of his unhappiness with the Hawks organization and his lack of a contract extension.
However, with the injury to Joe Johnson, it's unlikely that the Hawks would trade their best remaining offensive option.
Crawford will undoubtedly see an expanded role going forward, but that could all change once Johnson is healthy.
Until Johnson is back in the lineup, consider any unofficial trade chatter regarding Crawford nothing more than speculation.
Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
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Zach Randolph has been pushing for a contract extension for some time now.
The Grizzlies supposedly offered Randolph a three-year, $40 million extension, but nothing came of the reported offer.
With the Grizzlies investing a ton of money into Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, and Marc Gasol likely to receive a pricey extension, Randolph seems to be the odd man out.
The Detroit Pistons have been mentioned as a potential trade partner. The deal makes sense for the Pistons as they have a glaring hole in the middle and could really use Randolph's round mound.
Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
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For the third time this season, Richard Hamilton was ejected from a game for arguing.
Hamilton is having a poor season with the Pistons and it doesn't look like he'll make any sort of consistent impact for Detroit. He has a crippling contract, and it's unlikely that a team would be willing to shoulder the load.
The stalled sale of the Detroit Pistons will make things even harder for the team to move him.
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons
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Tayshaun Prince, on the other hand, would be a much easier player to move.
Prince has an expiring $11.15 million contract and he's still capable of making an impact, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.
If the rumors of a potential deal between the Pistons and Grizzlies are in the works, Prince would likely be the main piece in that deal.
Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trail Blazers
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Rudy Fernandez has said everything to try to get himself out of Portland, but has had little to no effect.
Fernandez's future with the organization is tricky to gauge.
Portland has a serious concern with Brandon Roy, and the matter doesn't look to be going away anytime soon.
It looks like Portland will hold onto Fernandez as insurance in case Roy is forced to miss a significant amount of time.
Eddy Curry, New York Knicks
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Eddy Curry is supposedly in shape and ready to play, but Mike D'Antoni is not willing to play the big man even with a need for some size up front.
The Knicks would like to use his massive expiring contract as a potential trade chip, but there have been no takers.
Including Curry in a deal for Carmelo Anthony is the ideal scenario, but that option is off the table for now.
If the team cannot find a taker for the obese center, they may just cut ties and waive him.
