NBA Trade Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers and Five Teams Facing a Fire Sale
From the obvious, like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors due to departing stars, to the not so obvious, there are a few teams who will probably be involved in multiple trades in the coming months in order to start planning for the future.
The best way to build a team in the NBA today is through the draft and by signing young players, and there are a few teams in the league right now who will need to completely blow up their nucleus in order to put their hopes for the future into a brighter spot.
Teams will then, most likely, trade away their bad contracts along with a player who could help a contending team for a draft pick or two, and maybe a guy in his early 20s who is buried on the depth chart.
So, here are the top five teams that will most likely be shouting, "OH MY GOD, WE'RE HAVING A FIRE...sale."
5. Washington Wizards
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The Wizards have a few players that could help out a contending team given the right circumstances, and considering that the team is already looking toward the future and are sitting with six wins two months in, they will probably have no problem trading anyone under 25.
The only problem with the Wizards, however, is that not many of their players have attractive contracts, which could take away a bit of their luster.
Players Potentially on the Move
Gilbert Arenas
The biggest problem with Arenas, besides the whole "he drew a gun on a teammate" thing is his horrendous contract. He is still due about $80 million over the next four seasons, depending on whether he takes his player option in the final two seasons (he'd have to have a gun to his head not to). Nonetheless, he still should get his tires kicked in early February.
Kirk Hinrich
It's probably more likely that they end up trading him next year in his contract expiration year, but there is always a chance they move him this season for the right price. He is nearly 30 and is not in the future plans of this team.
Other Possibilities
Yi Jianlian: He's young but his career seems to be going nowhere. They'll probably be able to sell him on height alone. Josh Howard. If he comes back and plays well he'll be easily moved.
Hilton Armstrong: Another guy they could sell just because of his height.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks are a team that could possibly have another second half run, but right now it looks more likely that they will end up trading away at least a few players by February.
They are sitting at 10-14 in the Central Division and have almost no chance of winning that division, with the Bulls a mortal lock for the top spot with or without Joakim Noah.
They could still easily make the playoffs, but playing the No. 7 or No. 8 seed for three or four years can get aggravating to the fans, and leaving them wanting more.
Players Potentially on the Move
Corey Maggette
An aging, slightly overpaid veteran who is a decent defender and an even more decent (is it possible to be more decent? Whatever. I stand by it.) shooter.
Drew Gooden
I would bet my house on Gooden being traded barring an injury. He was traded at the 2008 trade deadline, the 2009 trade deadline and the 2010 deadline. Teams continue to overvalue his rebounding and ignore his incompetence...well pretty much everywhere else.
Michael Redd's Expiring Contract
He's due a stupid amount of money this season, plus he can still hit a three (probably, I don't think he's taken a shot since the beginning of last season) and his contract will free up gajillions of dollars for whatever team wants to give up a pick for it.
Earl Boykins
Five teams in four years says that he's easily moved. His small contract means he could easily be thrown in to make salaries match only to be bought out a month after his trade.
3. Detroit Pistons
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None of the pieces in Detroit seem to fit together. They can win a handful of games, and maybe even squeeze into the playoffs with a handful of luck and a streak of wins, but it isn't likely.
Their team is one of the most boring in the NBA and is in the bottom third in attendance, sitting at 8-18.
Players Potentially on the Move
Tayshaun Prince
If there was a slam-dunk trade out there, it's Prince. If you get him and he can't revert to his old self, then so be it; his contract expires this season and it won't be a huge loss. But if you can get him and he does go back to being a great defender and shooter (he's only shooting this season) then you just won the trade deadline lottery. It may take a bit more to get him, however.
Rip Hamilton
Hamilton has a pretty ugly contract, but there isn't much gamble in trading for him. He is still a great defender, and he is still a good shooter, rebounding from a bad season from beyond the arc last year. Anyone willing to pay him won't be disappointed.
Will Bynum
A pretty good point guard who hasn't gotten a shot to truly show his mettle playing behind Rodney Stuckey for three years. He's got a small contract and would be more easily had than Stuckey, who is three years younger.
Jason Maxiell
Another guy with a contract that isn't excellent, but it's not too bad either. He's shown flashes of great play, but has been buried on the depth chart.
2. Toronto Raptors
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Toronto is going nowhere fast and loading up on draft picks is the only way to turn things around in the next few seasons.
They are struggling in the East and along with the other teams on this list they should end up getting rid of at least a few players by February.
Players Potentially on the Move
Peja Stojakovic
$15 million on an expiring contract will make teams salivate over trading for him in order to sign some free agents this summer, and Toronto should be willing to move him. He is 33 and has no future on this team.
Jose Calderon
He has an ugly contract, but he is a great point guard. After starting for most of the past three years, he was put into the backup role due to an injury that let Jarrett Jack shine and they haven't gone permanently back to him since. He's a good facilitator and a good passer while boasting a good three-point shot.
Leandro Barbosa
Two years left on his contract with one being a decent player option makes him pretty desirable. He's a sweet shooter and a good defender and has sixth-man potential...possibly a starter at some point given the team.
Reggie Evans
One of the strangest players in the league who makes a name for himself by grabbing every loose ball he sees (including Chris Kamen's). He's a great defender and an even better rebounder with an expiring contract, oozing with trade possibilities.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
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With the exception of maybe two players, nobody on this team is safe from being traded.
This team is mired in the bottom of the league with six wins and has no chance of grabbing a playoff spot this season (even though I got a bit caught up in the win over Boston in the season opener) and should be looking to blow up the roster at any point.
The only players that they may hesitate to trade are Daniel Gibson and JJ Hickson, both of whom are young, promising players in the organization.
Players Potentially on the Move
Mo Williams
As long as he is not forced to be one of the top two options on a team, Williams is a great point guard. He can shoot, he can facilitate and he is a smart player with a high basketball IQ. He's got decent options on his contract for the next two seasons that he may or may not pick up.
Anderson Varejao
While it is a long time to pay for an energy guy off the bench, being guaranteed for the next four seasons, there isn't a better energy guy in the league. He would be a great pick-up for a team with an older bench or that just needs some good energy during the game.
Jamario Moon/Anthony Parker
They are basically the same guy with the same contract and are both 80 percent out of the door in Cleveland. They can shoot threes in crunch time and both have expiring contracts. Parker is a better shooter while Moon is a better defender and better athlete.
Antawn Jamison
Unfortunately for the Cavs, they are probably stuck with this guy due to his $30 million contract due over the next two seasons. If a team gets desperate, however, strange things could happen.
