NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, O.J. Mayo and More
There is just over a month left before the NBA trade deadline on February 24, and we have already seen a number of big moves made.
The biggest of the big was Orlando reshaping its team to acquire Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu.
There are still some moves to be made, including rumors of Orlando possibly making another move.
The biggest name out there is Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. For a couple days this week it looked like he was on his way to New Jersey in a massive 15-player, three-team deal. That deal seems to be at a standstill now, and there is no telling if it will be brought back to life.
The Phoenix Suns have been struggling mightily and need to make some moves to ensure their future. Will they even consider trading Steve Nash, who is by far their most popular and beloved player?
O.J. Mayo seems like he is on his way out of Memphis. He has been banished to the bench and hasn't responded well to the move. A change of scenery could be in order for the former No. 3 overall pick. Does anybody want him?
We have updates on these guys and a number of other players who could find themselves traded at some point sooner rather than later.
Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets
1 of 10
The Carmelo Anthony saga is starting to reach ridiculous levels.
First, there was a massive 15-player, three-team deal with Denver, Detroit and New Jersey that would send Anthony to the Nets, but that has been stalled for now.
Now there are reports that the New York Knicks are trying to partner up with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Nuggets to get Anthony to New York.
One thing we think we know is that Anthony is going to leave Denver one way or another. He might get traded during the season, and the odds remain in New Jersey’s favor. He could stay with the Nuggets for the remainder of the year and leave via free agency this summer.
It seems improbable that he won’t get moved before the trade deadline. A few days ago New Jersey looked like the favorite. Right now the Knicks could be the leader in the clubhouse.
Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
2 of 10
With the Phoenix Suns fading from contention fast, they will have a big decision to make regarding their MVP point guard.
The organization doesn’t seem like it wants to move him, but if things keep going the way they have been, there may not be a choice.
There are a number of organizations that could use him. The most interesting among them is Oklahoma City. According to ESPN.com, if they could make a deal work with the Suns to acquire Nash, they would move Russell Westbrook to shooting guard.
That could make them the most dangerous team in the league, depending on what they would send to Phoenix.
O.J. Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
3 of 10
O.J. Mayo has had rumors surrounding him almost as long as Carmelo Anthony. Unlike Anthony, Mayo seems to be a bit easier to move.
The latest word is that the New York Knicks are interested in acquiring his services. They are trying to make a three-team deal work between Denver, Memphis and themselves.
In the deal the Knicks would acquire Anthony and Mayo. It’s unknown if the deal will happen because we still don’t know where things stand with the proposed three-team deal between Denver, New Jersey and Detroit.
Andre Iguodala, SG, Philadelphia 76ers
4 of 10
The more time goes by, the more likely it seems that Andre Iguodala will be a member of the Philadelphia 76ers for the remainder of the season.
He missed seven games with an injury. He came back earlier this week and didn’t look very good. He still doesn’t seem healthy, and his trade value has never been lower.
For a team like Philadelphia that needs to rebuild, trading its most valuable asset when his value has never been lower doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Barring a big turnaround in the next month, Iguodala will probably be in Philadelphia for at least the remainder of this season.
Al Harrington, PF, Denver Nuggets
5 of 10
It must be tough to be Al Harrington right now. Sure, he is making a lot of money with Denver, but they want to get rid of him. He wanted to sign with New Jersey this past offseason, but they didn’t offer him a deal.
Now his contract is the sticking point in the three-team deal that would send Carmelo Anthony to the Nets.
Denver wants New Jersey to take Harrington in the Melo deal. The Nets don’t want the four years and $28 million that he has left on his contract.
It’s unknown if this will be a huge snag that prevents the deal from getting done or just a minor speed bump. If the Nets really want Carmelo, you have to believe they will take Harrington to make it happen.
Anthony Randolph, PF, New York Knicks
6 of 10
Though Anthony Randolph is not really being used in the New York Knicks rotation this season (averaging two points and two rebounds in eight minutes per game), he is young enough and athletic enough for a team to take a chance on him.
Plus, a rumor on ESPN.com suggests that he could be traded for a first-round draft pick to give the Knicks more assets to land Carmelo Anthony.
There is a report in the New York Post that says the Knicks have “a contingent deal in place with Minnesota to trade Randolph for a Timberwolves 2011 first-round pick.”
Maybe it’s just the teams blowing smoke, or maybe there is something to it. We will likely find out very soon.
Chauncey Billups, PG, Denver Nuggets
7 of 10
Lost in the shuffle of the Carmelo Anthony talk is the fact that Chauncey Billups will likely be moved by Denver as well. Even if there is no Carmelo deal, Billups could be dealt somewhere before the deadline.
He might be moved to New Jersey alongside Carmelo. It’s just a matter of whether or not that deal, which has been talked about most of this week, will happen.
Billups will likely have his share of suitors because of his leadership skills, and he’s still producing at a relatively high level, though his shooting has taken a big hit this year.
He could make a nice addition for a team that is close to making the playoffs but needs another piece to push it over the top.
Chris Kaman, C, Los Angeles Clippers
8 of 10
In case you hadn’t noticed, the Los Angeles Clippers are winning games, and they have one of the most exciting players in the association in Blake Griffin.
One player who has been rumored to be leaving for a few months now is center Chris Kaman. He has only played in 10 games this season due to injury, and his trade value is likely low at the moment as a result. That said, Clippers owner Donald Sterling will flip anything just to save money.
Plus, another factor working against Kaman staying in Los Angeles is DeAndre Jordan playing so well. His numbers have improved each month this season, and he is six years younger and much cheaper than Kaman.
There is no specific destination for Kaman right now because his value is low, and no one is banging down the door to get a hold of him.
Devin Harris, PG, New Jersey Nets
9 of 10
New Jersey’s young point guard has been rumored to be traded for basically the better part of a year. He seems to be one of the key pieces to getting Carmelo Anthony into a Nets uniform.
If the big three-team deal happens, Harris would go to Denver, though that might not be his final destination this season.
ESPN NBA reporter Marc Stein has reported that Dallas has talked about bringing Harris back. It’s all speculation right now because the Carmelo deal has to happen first. But at this juncture it would be a surprise to see Harris in New Jersey for much longer.
Troy Murphy, PF, New Jersey Nets
10 of 10
Take anyone on the New Jersey Nets roster and basically put his name in the trade rumor mill. The franchise wants Carmelo Anthony, and it will mortgage almost everything to get him.
Enter: Troy Murphy.
He is only averaging about four points per game in 18 games played this season. However, he has one big thing working in his favor: an expiring contract. That makes him extremely valuable to teams looking for a trade.
Detroit really wants Murphy and that expiring contract. He is one of the big reasons that the Pistons are in the Carmelo deal in the first place.
