NBA Trade Rumors: Latest on Andre Iguodala, Carmelo Anthony and Others
Things are heating up in the NBA and not just because Miami has won eight games in a row. There was a little story that came out yesterday involving Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
Whether Carmelo goes to New York this season is anyone's guess, but it certainly looks more and more likely that he will end up there in 2011.
In addition to the Carmelo rumors, there are a number of high-caliber, high-impact players who are either on the trading block right now or will be at some point before the trade deadline.
So, which guys will end up getting traded and which guys are more speculation then anything else? Read on to find out the answers.
Carmelo Anthony, F, Denver Nuggets
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It really shouldn't have come as a surprise when reports came out this weekend that Carmelo Anthony told someone in the Nuggets organization that he will only sign an extension with the New York Knicks. He has made it clear for about the last year that he wants to play in New York.
Still, it's pretty gutsy of any player to tell their current team where he wants to be. The New York fans appreciated Melo's love as they greeted him with a standing ovation during the Nuggets-Knicks game on Sunday.
It's doubtful that Carmelo will get traded in season because Denver is competing for a playoff spot and trading their best scorer wouldn't help them. However, if the right kind of deal were to come along they would have to entertain the thought of trading him.
The Nuggets would likely be looking for first round picks and a really, really good young player or two in return for him. That's why the Knicks don't really fit as a trade partner, they have the draft picks but not the talented young player on the roster to pull off a deal.
The Nets would be more likely to land Anthony in a trade because they have a lot of good, young talent on the roster plus their new owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, wants to make a splash and ignite the Nets fanbase.
Andre Iguodala, G, Philadelphia 76ers
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Word going around is that Andre Iguodala has not been put on the trade block...yet. The 76ers haven't started taking offers for their best player as of right now.
However, with all the speculation, and the team being in the awful state that it's in right now, it's becoming more and more apparent that Philadelphia will entertain offers for Iguodala.
The 76ers need some change in the organization because they are going nowhere fast. Add to that the fact that Iguodala makes over $12 million and it's easy to understand why Philly will look to trade him. They need to rebuild that once proud franchise and the quickest way for them to do that would be to trade Iguodala and get a good package back for him.
Maybe the 76ers view him as their franchise player still and won't want to deal him. Maybe they think that trading their most popular player will further alienate their already frustrated fanbase.
Either way, Iguodala's time in Philadelphia is probably coming to an end very soon.
There are plenty of teams that can always use another scorer come playoff time. Someone will likely step up and make an offer that the Sixers can't refuse.
Gilbert Arenas, G, Washington Wizards
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The Wizards would love nothing more then to get rid of Gilbert Arenas and his mega-salary. Doing so will be easier said than done because of his past. As everyone knows, he missed most of last season serving a suspension for keeping guns in his locker at the Wizards arena.
There is one team that has been linked to Arenas since his return: Orlando. The Magic GM Bill Smith has a history with Arenas and believes in his character. Plus, Arenas is a naturally gifted scorer, something that Orlando is seriously missing on their team.
It's a long-shot that Arenas gets moved but at the very least there is some team out there that has shown an interest and could make a deal work out with Washington.
Baron Davis, G, Los Angeles Clippers
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Remember back when Baron Davis signed with the Clippers and Elton Brand was going to join him and things were going to turn around for the "other" Los Angeles team?
Boy, that was a long time ago, Brand ended up signing with the 76ers and the Clippers have been, well, they've been the Clippers.
Apparently, their owner, Donald Sterling, has been taunting Baron Davis from his seat. Reportedly, he said, "Why are you in the game? Why did you take that shot? You are out of shape!"
It doesn't appear that Davis is asking out of LA, though who could blame him if he did with such a classy owner. Donald Sterling hates to spend money and Davis makes a lot of it.
Davis has battled injuries this year and would likely have to prove he is healthy before a team takes a shot at him.
Marcin Gortat, C, Orlando Magic
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Orlando has not officially made their backup center, Marcin Gortat, available. However, he is making a lot of money to come off of Orlando's bench and teams will always give up more than they normally would for even a mediocre big man.
Plus, Orlando has fallen behind Miami in the southeast division. The Magic have some serious problems, they need a scorer and they need one badly. If Orlando wants to get back to the Finals they know that they need a real scoring threat.
I don't know if Gortat would net a big-time scorer but he certainly could bring back something that Orlando can use to improve their team.
ESPN has reported that a number of teams have called about the Magic's backup center but that he hasn't been made readily available.
OJ Mayo, G, Memphis Grizzlies
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OJ Mayo has been a disappointment since being drafted in 2008 and he has regressed this year. He has been taken out of the starting rotation for the Grizzlies and moved to the bench.
He is only in his third full season and the Grizzlies might be reluctant to get rid of someone who is so young and has a lot of potential. However, he has really fallen out of favor in Memphis.
There are quite a few teams that would take a chance on a 23 year old shooting guard with good potential. There are rumors that he could be used in a three-team trade that could help facilitate a Carmelo Anthony trade.
Drew Gooden, F, Milwaukee Bucks
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Milwaukee is hanging around in the east, even though they are only 9-13. Their GM, John Hammond, seems to have delusions of grandeur saying that all the Bucks have to do is "get healthy." Far be it from me to judge a man who has forgotten more basketball than I will know but he is nuts.
The Bucks aren't going anywhere this year, they have no offense at all and a lot of expensive players on their roster. Among those players, Drew Gooden could be a candidate to get traded because he has size and has been an effective player in the past.
It falls on Milwaukee and if they think that they are contenders this year. If they do, they probably won't trade Gooden. If they fall far enough down the ladder, they will likely realize that they would be better off dealing Gooden.
Elton Brand, F, Philadelphia 76ers
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If Philadelphia were to go into a full-blown rebuild mode by trading Andre Iguodala, it would make sense that they would look to trade Elton Brand. He has three years and $51 million left on his contract and he has been playing really well this season.
The problem that has come up for teams, according to ESPN.com, is that when they ask about Iguodala, they are being told that they will have to take Brand with him. That's a lot of money for teams and a lot of years for teams to have to give.
Maybe the 76ers will realize that they can get more by dealing both guys separately, but if they continue with their current stance it's doubtful that either guy will get moved.
JJ Hickson, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
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JJ Hickson came into the year with a lot of promise. He was given a starting spot on the Cavaliers and was going to be a key component to their rebuilding process.
He hasn't lived up to that billing and has been taken out of the starting rotation. He is posting decent numbers, 10.7 points and 5 rebounds per game, but hasn't made the most of his opportunities.
Now that he has lost his starting spot he is angry and the Cavaliers could trade him. They could probably get something decent back for him since he is only 22 years old and has room for improvement. Since he is only 22 years old, the Cavaliers would likely be reluctant to deal him.
Anderson Varejao, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
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You could probably fill this list with everyone on the Cavaliers team who is making more than $5 million a season. Anderson Varejao is only making $7 million this season and he is a very solid player. He doesn't do anything great but he is gritty and plays hard and has size.
By trading Varejao the Cavaliers could get a key piece of their future, be it in the form of a solid young player or a future draft pick. Right now, this Cavs franchise, and their fans, need anything that they can get to give them hope for the future.
It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, decides to make a move for Anderson Varejao because he can help a number of teams.
Corey Maggette, F, Milwaukee Bucks
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Another Bucks player makes the list, this time it's Corey Maggette. He is a guy whose production has really fallen the last few years, he has gone from averaging 22 points per game in 2007 to 12 points this year.
He still has some value out there because he was an all-star caliber player not too long ago. Like the situation with Drew Gooden, it comes down to whether or not Milwaukee views themselves as contenders. If they don't, he will likely be moved to teams that are looking for a quality small forward. If they do, he will probably stay in Milwaukee for the rest of the year.
Chris Paul, G, New Orleans Hornets
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Chris Paul's name has been thrown around a lot for most of the summer and it's creeping up again in the winter. It was more likely he would be traded over the summer when the Hornets ownership situation was in dire straits and they were looking for cap relief.
Now, with the NBA taking over control of the team, Paul will likely remain in New Orleans at least through this year. He is so valuable to that franchise and it makes sense for Paul to stay there, at least until the NBA is able to sell them.
If a new owner comes in and wants to overhaul the franchise the easiest way to go about that would be to trade Chris Paul.
His name gets thrown around but it would take an overwhelming package of players and draft picks, and probably a small miracle to go along with that, in order for him to actually get traded.
