NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony and 20 More Who Could Be Dealt by the Deadline
Is Carmelo Anthony still playing for the Denver Nuggets?
Based on all the speculation surrounding an impending Melo trade, you'd think he'd already been moved.
Well, he hasn't...at least not yet.
It seems likely that he'll be out of Denver by this February's trade deadline. If that doesn't happen, he'll almost certainly sign elsewhere in the offseason as a free agent.
All the NBA trade chatter has surrounded Melo lately, but he's not the only one that could be on the block.
Anthony Randolph
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We hear over and over that Anthony Randolph is full of natural talent and potential. However, in his third NBA season, he still hasn't been able to show us much.
He's barely sniffing New York coach Mike D'Antoni's rotation. He's appeared in just 13 contests and is averaging eight minutes per game.
Many people around the league still feel like Randolph could be a solid NBA player, but it's becoming more and more obvious that his future won't be with New York.
Troy Murphy
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This offseason, I thought Troy Murphy was one of the best, unheralded free agent signings. For some reason, he simply has not clicked with New Jersey head coach Avery Johnson.
For his career, Murphy averages nearly 12 points, nine rebounds and 30 minutes per game. This season, he's been playing just 16 minutes a game.
Murphy's size, natural rebounding ability and outside shooting are all assets that many contenders may come calling for around the February deadline.
Antawn Jamison
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Antawn Jamison is without a doubt the best player on one of the worst teams in the league. He was inexplicably held out of Cleveland's starting lineup at the start of the year by coach Byron Scott.
Since he's returned to his role as a starter, Jamison's been very productive. That should lead to an increase in his trade value.
Cleveland needs to rebuild now, and the aging Jamison will not be a part of the Cavs' future.
Richard Hamilton
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The Pistons brass should have scrapped this team a long time ago. They had a good run a few years back, but after the Iverson for Billups experiment completely backfired, they should have done whatever they could to begin rebuilding.
As is the case with a lot of players on this list, Hamilton's massive contract will be difficult to move. However, some team may be desperate enough to take him off the Pistons' hands around the deadline.
Tayshaun Prince
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Tayshaun Prince falls into the same category as Hamilton. The Pistons should have looked to move him a couple years back when he had more trade value.
His contract is pretty hefty, and there may not be too many teams that would be able to take on his deal.
I do think Prince still has a decent amount to offer some team. He plays solid perimeter defense and brings a lot of intangibles to the game.
Chris Duhon
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The Orlando Magic have already made some big trades this season, but they may not be done.
They could still use a backup center after dealing Marcin Gortat, and Chris Duhon has become nearly expendable after the acquisition of Gilbert Arenas.
Luke Ridnour
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There have been trade rumors involving three Minnesota point guards.
One team that is reportedly interested in Ridnour is the New York Knicks. He would be a great backup to Raymond Felton.
Jonny Flynn
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Jonny Flynn had a very solid rookie campaign, but he's struggling to find his way back into the Timberwolves rotation following an injury.
He could be a solid backup for a lot of different teams.
Sebastian Telfair
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Yet another Minnesota point guard who faces the possibility of being traded.
Telfair has never developed into the star some thought he might be coming out of high school, but he's become a solid NBA role player and teams looking for a backup point guard may be interested in his services.
Corey Brewer
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The Timberwolves have a decent amount of individual talent, but they can't seem to put it all together. They're looking to move some of the pieces that don't fit right now, and Corey Brewer may be one of those pieces.
Jamal Crawford
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Jamal Crawford wants a new contract, he also wants to start. In regards to that wishlist, he may go 0 for 2. His green light to shoot isn't quite as bright under Hawks new coach Larry Drew as it was under Mike Woodson, either.
Crawford can still bring a lot to a team. He's explosive and can still get hot from the outside. Some team in need of a shooter may look to add him.
Joel Przybilla
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Joel Przybilla is a solid big man who plays good defense and rebounds well. As I mentioned before, the Blazers may look to move some veterans if they're still out of the playoff picture in February.
There are some contenders who need some size, including the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.
Stephen Jackson
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Expectations weren't really high for Charlotte this year, but they've still managed to be disappointing.
They'll likely be heading in a different direction soon, and may be able to get a couple good players and/or picks in exchange for veteran wing Stephen Jackson.
Baron Davis
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Baron Davis hasn't come close to living up to his contract in Los Angeles yet. This season may be the worst of his once lustrous (though he has been playing a bit better lately) career.
The Clippers should have a bright future with Eric Gordon and rookie Blake Griffin (who is already one of the league's top power forwards).
If Baron Davis can't show that he's motivated to stay in shape and bring his A-game every time the Clippers take the floor, he may have nothing to do with Los Angeles's bright future.
Yao Ming
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Yao Ming may not play another minute in the NBA. It's sad what injuries have done to his career.
If he does play again, there's a decent chance it may be somewhere other than Houston. They've invested a lot in Yao, and at this point I'm not sure they can afford it anymore.
Andre Miller
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A couple years ago, the Blazers looked like a team that would be competing for a title by now.
A nearly unbelievable amount of injuries have led to talks of a possible rebuilding in Portland. They may look to move some of their veterans around the deadline if they're still out of the playoff picture.
Andrei Kirilenko
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Andrei Kirilenko is on a huge expiring contract. He does a lot of little things for the Jazz, but most feel he hasn't been earning his money for a few years now.
A lot of general managers like to acquire expiring contracts around the deadline, and Utah may be able to pick up a couple decent younger players in exchange for this one.
O.J. Mayo
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Mayo's career in Memphis got off to a pretty hot start. In his first two seasons, he played in all 164 games, started 163 of those, and averaged 18 points per contest.
This year, he's fallen out of favor, and more recently, out of the starting rotation. Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has decided to go with rookie Xavier Henry as his starting shooting guard.
Mayo is now reportedly on the trading block. As is the case with all rumors, some are denying, while others insist the reports are accurate.
Two teams that are reportedly interested are the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.
J.R. Smith
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Carmelo Anthony is not the only member of the Denver Nuggets that may be working for a new boss soon.
J.R. Smith's relationship with Denver head coach George Karl has never been particularly strong, and this year is no different.
If Melo leaves, the Nuggets will likely go into a full-scale rebuilding effort and Smith probably won't be a part of their future.
The Bulls are in the market for a starting shooting guard and J.R. Smith could fit in well alongside Derrick Rose in Chicago's backcourt.
Chris Paul
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The Hornets got off to a very hot start, and all the Chris Paul trade rumors vanished. They've come back down to Earth now, and if the Hornets continue to struggle, they could be out of the playoff picture in a few weeks.
If that happens, don't be at all surprised if the CP3 trade rumors resurface.
Carmelo Anthony
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This much seems clear: Carmelo Anthony will not be a member of the Denver Nuggets for much longer. The only real question seems to be: Will he be traded this year, or will he sign as a free agent in the offseason?
Assuming he is traded, the Nuggets will likely begin full-scale rebuilding. Don't be surprised to see them look to move Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin and Al Harrington as well.
The clear frontrunner for Melo's services is the New York Knicks. However, don't be surprised if one or two teams throw their hats in the ring and try to make things interesting. One dark horse could be New Jersey. One dark, DARK horse could be the Dallas Mavericks.
