The 15 Best NBA Players on the Trading Block and Five Who Aren't Going Anywhere
The Orlando Magic have already made their big move, essentially overhauling their team by acquiring three key players in Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu.
It remains to be seen whether these moves will help or hinder the Magic, but one thing that is not in question, it was a major move.
The gauntlet is thrown. Who else is looking to make moves, and what are they offering? Who are the major players still with major pieces? And who is getting rumored to move that will stay?
Following is a list of five players whose names are getting thrown out who aren't going anywhere, and the 15 best players who may be moving somewhere.
Not: 5 Baron Davis
1 of 20
I'm sure the Clippers would love to move Baron Davis, but I'm not sure that anyone wants to take him and his 13 million dollar contract.
When the team owner sits on the sideline and heckles the player, it doesn't exactly jack up his trade value either. Davis isn't going anywhere because no one is going to want to take him.
No sooner do I publish this article that I see that Michael Jordan is trying to work a deal to land Davis. I guess it just goes to show, the NBA trade market is unpredictable.
Not 4: Antawn Jamison
2 of 20
If Jamison proved anything last year, it was that if your team is one player away from the NBA title, he's not the player.
His contract is not expiring so I don't see anyone wanting to pick up his contract, and I don't see anyone thinking he's going to be the one who gets their team over the top. Jamison is staying put.
Not 3: Luol Deng
3 of 20
While many have suggested that Deng's contract is horrible, he's really been living up to it this year and finding his comfort zone in the Thibodeau led Bulls team.
He's the third man on offense and the first man on defense. His value to the Bulls has really grown, and for his contract I just don't see where the Bulls are going to pick up more value by trading him than keeping him.
Not 2: Josh Smith
4 of 20
Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks stat-sheet-stuffer, has been rumored to be on the trading block.
I've scoured the internet to find a valid trade rumor involving him. It all seems to have started with ESPN's Chad Ford but that was mere speculation. There is nothing to indicate that the Hawks want to move him.
Not 1: Steve Nash
5 of 20
There are two reasons that I don't see Steve Nash moving anywhere.
First, I don't believe that the Suns want to get rid of him. They filled their biggest need in obtaining Marcin Gortat. That tells me that they were trading to get a player, not relieve themselves of one.
The second reason is that when I look at the contenders in the NBA who might be looking to make a trade, I don't see anyone who is only a point guard away from contention.
People want to send him to the Knicks, but the Knicks don't have a need there. Raymond Felton is probably the biggest surprise producer of all the free agent signings.
Block 15: Brendan Haywood
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When Brendan Haywood came to the Mavericks at last year's trade deadline he was playing the best ball of his career.
For whatever reason this year, not so much. He's averaging five points and four boards a game. That's not a lot of production considering the $50 million contract that Haywood just signed.
Believe that Mark Cuban would love to get that contract out of Dallas, especially if he can work out a deal that outdoes fellow billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov.
Block 14: Jason Thompson
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Jason Thompson's minutes have been going the wrong way for a first round pick in his second season.
His recent move back into the starting lineup is temporary.
He has a lot of potential but it's not all being realized, and DeMarcus Cousins competing for time with him doesn't bode well for Thompson. While Cousins might be having more problems right now, in the long run the higher pick was spent on him, so that makes Thompson the expendable one.
He's shown enough that he would be worth a lottery pick at a minimum. There's a good chance that the rumors surrounding Thompson are true
Block 13: Tayshun Prince
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Tayshun Prince has shown he can be a step-up performer in the postseason and he is a premier defender. There are a lot of reasons to want him on your team if you hope to contend.
On top of that, he's got an expiring contract.
It's not impossible to conceive him going to a team like the Knicks where a third option and a shut down defender would make them a contender if the Carmelo deal never works out.
Block 12: J.R. Smith
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Putting it bluntly, if J.R. Smith is not in a trade together with Anthony, he will be a Chicago Bull by the end of the season.
It's apparent the Bulls want to make a trade for him, and the only reason he's not in the Windy City already is that he may be part of a bundle with New Jersey or New York.
If he's not a part of that trade, he'll be on the next flight to Chicago.
Block 11: O.J. Mayo
10 of 20
Don't believe that Memphis wants to "hold the Mayo." Whatever Memphis is saying, they weren't hoping that Mayo would be on the bench in his third season.
He's not panning out the way they wanted and at this point he offers more value to the Grizzlies as trade bait than as a player. I'm sure there are no shortage of teams willing to get in a bidding war over a guy with the talent of Mayo.
Block 10: Richard Hamilton
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Don't think for a minute that Rip's 35 last night didn't catch any GM's eyes.
It's clear that he wants out of Detroit, and it's also clear that Detroit is shopping him around. They are going to want young players and/or picks for him, but there has to be a buyer out there that's willing to take a shot on someone with a ring.
Specifically, don't rule out another Orlando Magic trade. Don't look for him to go to Chicago though. The only contract piece they have is Deng, and they aren't going to dig one hole to fill another.
Block 9: Chauncey Billups
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It's looking more and more like the Denver Nuggets are going to enter into rebuilding mode.
Chauncey's sizable contract is not part of a long term future. Particularly if the Nets are involved in a 'Melo deal, look for Chauncey to come with him.
Money is not really a concern with the Nets.
Block 8: Jamal Crawford
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$10 million expiring contracts are always inviting.
Atlanta clearly needs to make a move to keep up with not only Miami, Boston and Orlando, but also Chicago and perhaps even New York.
They haven't done anything to get better, and standing pat is clearly not an option for a team that hasn't been making it very far in the playoffs in spite of their regular season success.
Crawford is their best trading piece in the sense that it would the best chance to upgrade for the money.
Block 7: Troy Murphy
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Troy Murphy was the "big signing" for the Nets. Now he's just a big contract.
You know they were expecting a bit more than 3.5 points and 4.3 rebounds from him. We also know that his career averages are a lot better than that. If the Nets make a deal for 'Melo then Murph will be a part of it.
Block 6: Devin Harris
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Devin Harris is a legitimate NBA point guard and if the Nets pull off the trade for 'Melo, then he too will be a part of it.
He's got more than a few years ahead of him in the NBA and would be a decent player to build around. I'm sure that Harris would rather be a part of the Nets with Melo though.
You have to feel a bit for the guy who plays with the worst team in the NBA and then when they become legit, is traded away to make it legit only to go to the new rebuilding team.
Block 5: Elton Brand
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Elton Brand is having something of a resurgence to his career.
The 76ers are going with a youth movement. Everything seems to be pointing towards an Elton Brand move.
There's always a take for a big man who can score in the post, defend the rim and grab boards. With the right team, Brand could be the difference to get to the next round in the playoffs.
While this is pure speculation, I could see him ending up with a team like the Mavericks. Houston is another team that could afford him and has a need for a big man with Yao shut down for the year.
Block 4: Stephen Jackson
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Stephen Jackson is a very versatile player and is the extra edge that some teams need to become bonafide Championship contenders.
At only $8 million his contract is not too exorbitant.
There are two reasons that teams could hesitate, age and attitude. At 32-years old he's no pup. He also has his history (cough) brawl (cough).
Most of that should be far enough behind him though. If J.R. Smith doesn't work out, Chicago could be a potential destination for him.
Block 3: Gerald Wallace
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Outstanding defense? Check. Capable offense? Check. Reasonable contract? Check. Recently resigned coach on a team that's ready to rebuild? Check.
There are enough reasons to want a guy like Wallace around that Michael Jordan's phone is probably getting some serious rings, and it's not about his underwear.
Between trade pieces like Wallace and Jackson in the offing there will be a deal with Charlotte announced before the deadline.
Block 2: Andre Iguodala
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Andre Iguodala is an outstanding player. He's not an elite player, but he is an outstanding player.
He's a number two guy. He's not going to lead a team to the promised land, but he sure can help you get there. In short, he's a Caleb, not a Joshua.
There are plenty of teams that could use his services and are willing to give the 76ers what they ask for.
Block 1: Carmelo Anthony
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Was there any doubt?
The question isn't whether Anthony will be traded but when and to whom. I would say that he's not going to Chicago. It's either going to be New Jersey or New York.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Dallas though. If he does end up in the Big D then there's also the possibility that he sticks around. It's clear he wants to win and in Dallas he'd have the pieces to do that.
