NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony and More
Although the official trade deadline isn’t until February 24th, many teams have already begun shopping their star players.
Reportedly, the Nuggets have accepted that Carmelo Anthony will not sign the three-year $65 million extension they offered, and management has resigned to trade him now rather than risk losing him for nothing.
However, ‘Melo is not alone on the trade market.
Amongst the most discussed names are Aaron Brooks, Steve Nash and Andre Iguodala.
But where will these superstars land? When will the first domino topple? Which teams are expected to be buying and who is selling?
For all that and more, read on.
Carmelo Anthony
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The Denver Nuggets are beginning to come to grips with the conclusion that many of us made weeks ago; Carmelo Anthony is not returning to the team next season.
Not wanting to risk losing their superstar for nothing—a la Cleveland and Toronto last season—the Nuggs will almost definitely deal away their franchise player.
Anthony has made it very clear that his preference is New York, but if he is traded elsewhere will he sign an extension?
The Nets offered this year's third overall pick, Derrick Favors, plus expiring contracts and two first round picks for the former ‘Cuse star.
If Anthony were reticent about signing an extension, most teams would be hesitant to deal away such valuable assets. Just like the Red Sox and Adrian Gonzalez, whoever lands Anthony will need to ensure that he remains in the fold for years to come.
His willingness to only play in New York could give the Knicks more leverage in trade talks.
One possible deal that would work financially would send the Knicks Anthony in exchange for Eddy Curry’s expiring contract, Wilson Chandler and Anthony Randolph.
New York doesn’t have draft picks after dealing them away for cap flexibility, but they have a plethora of young talent.
Almost any trade for Anthony would involve Curry’s contract as a starting point, but other potential trade chips could involve Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, Toney Douglas and Bill Walker.
Chauncey Billups
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If Anthony gets dealt it’s a fair bet that veteran Chauncey Billups would follow suit.
If the Nuggets opted to trade away their star and begin their rebuilding process, there would be little reason to keep their 34-year old point guard.
Despite a down year in production (15, 2 and 5 on 35% shooting), there would be no shortage of suitors if Billups were placed on the trade block.
Billups has two years remaining on his contract at a total of just over $27 million, but should draw interest from the Magic.
Honestly, there won’t be many other legitimate suitors, which is shocking based on Billups' track record. Most of the league’s potential playoff teams have a point guard or don’t have the expiring contracts to offer (Miami for example).
A trade of Billups for Jameer Nelson and Mickael Pietrus works, although I’m not sure either team would be enthusiastic about their haul. Orlando gets a short-term upgrade at point guard while Denver would get younger with cap relief.
It’s not a sexy trade but it may be necessary if Orlando wants to compete in the East.
Billups is a floor general who can stroke the three ball, making him the perfect fit for the Magic offense.
Andre Iguodala
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In the midst of a down year (14, 6.5 and 6) we have constantly heard rumors of an Andre Iguodala trade.
The 6’6" forward has a unique skill set, but as Sixers management has slowly learned, he cannot be the focal point of a winning team.
Now, after drafting Ohio State’s Evan Turner, Philly has a logjam at the small forward position with the rookie Turner, Jodie Meeks, Thaddeus Young, Andres Nocioni and Iguodala.
While a trade seems logical to most fans, Sixers president Rod Thorn told the Intelligencer that the team was, “trying to ascertain the value of all of our players. Big difference."
Iguodala has a whopping four-years and $56 million contract that greatly stifle his trade value but I would be surprised if Iguodala wasn’t dealt before the deadline.
Many teams, including the Knicks, Rockets and Cavaliers would be interested in acquiring the walking YouTube clip and could be willing to overlook his massive price tag.
If the Rockets get involved, they have a great combination of young talent and expiring contracts which make them the favorite to land AI in my book.
An offer involving Jared Jeffries' expiring contract plus some combination of Jordan Hill, Courtney Lee and draft picks should please both teams.
Houston could add a star without giving up a rotation player while Philly would get younger and add cap flexibility.
The Rockets are 2.5 games out of the playoffs now but a line-up of Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, Andre Iguodala, Luis Scola and Brad Miller/Yao Ming would be a surefire playoff team.
Steve Nash
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While Steve Nash has expressed very little interest in leaving Phoenix, the rumors surrounding him have picked up nonetheless.
At 36, many would expect Nash to want one last title run but he would be unable to do so with the Suns.
Phoenix lacks the pieces to make a real playoff push, and the team would be wise to deal away their franchise player in an attempt to re-build.
On Tuesday I suggested a trade that would send Jameer Nelson, Pietrus, Brandon Bass, Ryan Anderson and picks to Phoenix for Nash and Hedo Turkoglu. While I still believe that is one of the more balanced trades and a win-win for both sides, allow me to offer an alternative.
A swap of Nash for Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph and Bill Walker could be great for both teams.
Not only would the Knicks acquire arguably the game’s premier passer, they would do so without surrendering the pieces needed to acquire Carmelo Anthony. The Suns would get significantly younger at point guard with Raymond Felton, who is having an unbelievable season in the Knicks' up-tempo system (18.6 and 8.6).
While Randolph is still a work in progress, the Suns could use a big man with potential—Hell, they could use just about any big man to help shore up their shoddy interior defense.
I’d be curious to see whether Knicks fans would agree to this trade based on Felton’s stupendous start.
Aaron Brooks
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Another player drawing some attention is the Rockets' Aaron Brooks.
The pseudo-Chris Rock doppelganger is only 25 and is averaging 16 and 5 per game and has drawn interest from multiple teams including the Kings.
This season, defensive-minded point guard Kyle Lowry has been terrific for Houston and has sported a better +/- than the former Oregon Duck.
In fact, of the top five player combinations for the Rockets, Brooks does not appear until the 11th permutation.
With a shrewd GM like Daryl Money, Houston will try to capitalize by dealing a player with great statistics but limited real life value.
One writer for Bleacher Report speculated that the Kings would deal their most recent first round pick, DaMarcus Cousins, in exchange for Brooks.
The idea is interesting considering Sacramento’s stockade of big men and Cousins’ problems with head coach Paul Westphal, but the Kings are high on Cousins and would almost definitely retain their rookie center.
An interesting possibility would be Aaron Brooks and Jared Jeffries' expiring contract for Jason Thompson, Francisco Garcia, Hassan Whiteside and draft picks.
The Kings would get out from under Garcia’s contract (3 years left at $5.5 per) and acquire a 25-year-old point guard who can shoot the rock—a perfect pairing for the driving and penetrating of Tyreke Evans.
For Houston, this would be another in a long line of crafty deals. The Rockets would add two young big men and Sacramento’s draft pick (which would almost definitely be in the lottery whether it be this year or next).
Houston showed they were willing to eat a bad contract in exchange for draft picks and that could once again be a possibility this season.
Andre Miller
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With injuries plaguing the Blazers, the team has struggled. Between Oden’s season-ending injury and Brandon Roy’s knee problems, the team is not where they would like to be.
If Roy’s knee continues to bother him and is forced to miss any stretch of time the Blazers season could quickly be derailed and the 34-year-old Miller could draw a lot of interest from playoff teams, although perhaps they would use him in a back-up capacity.
Look at all the playoff teams and you immediately see a solid point guard—Even Jameer Nelson is a quality player.
There are just upgrades available via the trade.
One option for Miller is in Houston. If the Rockets do in fact trade Brooks, they could use help at the point. A deal of Shane Battier’s expiring contract plus Chase Budinger could be enough to pry Miller away from Portland.
More likely than not though, Miller will play out the season in Portland.
Richard Hamilton
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The Pistons have said time and time again they would not trade Richard Hamilton, but at a certain point something has to give.
Hamilton has three years left on his contract at just over $12 million per season.
At this point, it’s tough for me to imagine that many teams would be interested in a 34-year-old mid-range shooter who is only hitting at a 40 percent clip on the season.
The Pistons should have dealt Hamilton over a year ago when he still had some value, but now they are stuck.
The team is paying Ben Gordon over $10 million per season over the next three years while Villanueva will make over $7 million per year over that time.
This team is swamped with bad contracts and may have to attach one of their promising young players if they hope to shed payroll.
Sebastian Telfair
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Telfair could be on his way out the door in Minnesota whether it’s via trade of waivers. Johnny Flynn will be returning to the line-up shortly and the former Lincoln High star should see his minutes all but vanish.
Considering how the Knicks have been looking for a low cost back up for Raymond Felton, Telfair could be the perfect option.
The Brooklyn born guard has averaged 8 points and 4 assists this season and could be swapped for the injured Kelenna Azubuike and a future second round pick.
Gilbert Arenas
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The Wizards owner Ted Leonsis has made it clear that Gilbert Arenas is not going anywhere after hearing a rumor involving Agent (formerly known as) Zero to the Magic.
Interesting statement considering Arenas’ contract is amongst the most un-tradeable in the game.
The 28-year-old guard is averaging 17 points and 5 assists per game, but his preposterous contract will pay him just over $80 million for the next four seasons.
It would be best if we put every Arenas rumor to rest, because that bloated contract is not going anywhere.
Jamal Crawford
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In the last season of a contract that pays him $10 million, Jamal Crawford wanted job security. Last year’s sixth man of the year, wanted to sign a contract extension while the Hawks were unwilling to comply.
Now it seems like Crawford wants out.
One rumored deal involves Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons. Basketball writer Sekou Smith detailed a potential swap of Jeff Teague and Jamal Crawford for Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum.
To me this deal is illogical for Detroit. They already have a host of overpaid shooting guards who can do nothing but score, so why add another?
Also, Will Bynum is a promising young point guard and Jeff Teague has the talent if he could just earn the minutes. What would these teams accomplish by swapping the two?
Expect Crawford to stay with Atlanta unless he starts publicly complaining. In that case, he could be dealt for another expiring contract.
Rudy Fernandez
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Fernandez has been the subject of trade rumors since early in the off-season when he demanded a trade out of Portland.
Feeling that his play-making abilities were not being utilized, Fernandez was the subject of trade rumors with Boston, Chicago and New York this off-season.
He even went so far as to threaten leaving the NBA for Europe.
According to ShamSports.com, Rudy still has two years left on his current contract, which at one point the Spanish-born guard was threatening to sit out.
Fernandez’s production has dipped for the second straight season, but there have been almost no rumors involving the athletic shooting guard.
Playing only 18 minutes per game, expect Rudy’s frustration to grow before forcing a trade out of Portland.
Antawn Jamison
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Many have speculated that because Antawn Jamison has been relegated to the bench he is a likely trade candidate, but there has been no credible information that would lead me towards that conclusion.
J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao form a far superior defensive front-court, while Jamison provides the offensive firepower off the bench.
The Cavs will likely be a big player on the trade market, but based on owner Dan Gilbert’s comments they will be buyers, not sellers.
O.J. Mayo
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Ovinton J’Anthony “O.J.” Mayo is in an interesting conundrum.
The 23-year-old shooting guard averaged 18.5 points per game as a rookie and looked like a future star in this league. An athletic two guard, Mayo had range on his jumper and one of the smoothest games in the league.
This season the former USC Trojan is averaging only 12 points per game in his role off the bench and has failed to crack double digits in each of his last four games.
Barely playing 20 minutes per game, one has to imagine there is trouble brewing behind the scenes for the Memphis Grizzlies.
This team spent heavily on Rudy Gay and Mike Conley to preserve their nucleus, but is Mayo a part of their future?
Right now the answer to that question is no, and Mayo appears to be one of the more interesting trade chips available.
Mayo still has two years left on his contract plus a third year as a team option, making him a very valuable asset. My prediction is that a young team trades away one of their better veteran big men to land Mayo.
He may not be great defensively, but Mayo is a smooth operator with a great feel for the game.
O.J. Mayo for Carl Landry straight up would be an interesting trade, but I’m curious what you think.
I encourage everybody to play around with the ESPN trade machine and find the best options for some of these players, then post your ideas in the comments section for discussion.
