NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony and 20 Bold Predictions for the Trade Deadline
The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching. February 24 marks the final day teams can make trades and roster adjustments for the stretch run and ensuing postseason.
There are superstars with uncertain futures, and role players with unknown destinations. The talk always heats up this time of year and rumors are born. Some will prove true while others will never pan out.
Join B/R as we take a look at 20 deadline predictions that very likely could go down before February 24.
Cleveland Trades Antawn Jamison
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The 34 year-old Jamison has hinted at retirement following the 2011-2012 season considering that's when his contract runs up. However, taking into account the magnitude of the Cavaliers' 8-32 losing season, one might expect some changes in Cleveland, starting with last season's trade deadline pick up, Antawn Jamison.
Several teams could be in the hunt for Jamison who still carries starter-level talent.
Orlando Extends Jason Richardson
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The Orlando Magic traded for Jason Richardson last month in hopes of getting back to the NBA Finals. Richardson's contract runs up at the end of the season, and Orlando has yet to express that they plan on extending Richardson. However a deep postseason run from Richardson and the Magic could change the minds of the Magic front office.
Chicago Acquires Tony Allen
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The Chicago Bulls need someone to play the two-spot for their run at a title. Memphis' Tony Allen could be an excellent fit as a defensive minded player who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Allen has had some off court problems with the Grizzlies as of late and a change of scenery before the deadline would be good for both parties.
Minnesota Fires Kurt Rambis
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Minnesota has already compiled 32 losses half way through the season. At the end of the day head coach Kurt Rambis will be held responsible. Minnesota has a promising young core with players like Kevin Love and Corey Brewer, however the direction of that talent must be questioned at this point.
Portland Acquires Anthony Randolph
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With injuries to Greg Oden and Marcus Camby, the Portland Trail Blazers are in need of a big man. Luckily for them New York just happens to have one sitting on the bench. The Knicks' Anthony Randolph showed end-less potential in Golden State and would bring some versatility to Portland's roster.
Washington Trades Kirk Hinrich
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Since Kirk Hinrich was yet to produce since he was acquired by the Wizards this past off-season. Hinrich was a steady hand at point guard for the Bulls before the trade and has many NBA teams believing he can provide a similar effort for them. Don't be surprised if a team like Dallas, or another contender takes a pass at Hinrich given Washington wants to part ways.
Carmelo Gets Traded To New York
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The potential Carmelo Anthony trade to New Jersey has been on the table for weeks but finally got turned down by Nets' ownership. Anthony controls whether or not a trade happens considering it's his decision to sign an extension with his new team. Given Anthony's desire to play in New York for the Knicks, he will ultimately kill any other deal by declining an extension.
With New Jersey out of the picture, watch for Melo to make waves in the big apple.
Richard Hamilton Stays Put In Detroit
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Richard Hamilton has sat out of the Pistons' last few games due to his ongoing disagreement with the Detroit front office and coaching staff. Hamilton is expected to be history if the Pistons can take part in the much-talked about Carmelo Anthony trade. Given the current likelihood of that trade happening, zero, Hamilton could be calling the motor city home for a few more months at least.
Portland Trades Rudy Fernandez
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Trail Blazers' guard Rudy Fernandez has never fully developed into the scorer Portland hoped he would be. Though Brandon Roy's knee issues have given Fernandez more minutes, the Spaniard still doesn't look like a long-term option at shooting guard. Portland could deal Fernandez before the deadline in hopes of shoring up it's roster and making a run at the postseason.
Chauncey Billups Remains a Nugget
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Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey was a package deal, and one of those packaged players was Denver point guard Chauncey Billups. At this point the trade is dead, and Billups is content in his hometown of Denver.
Chris Kaman Swapped For Tayshaun Prince
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Chris Kaman was an all-star last season, however rookie Blake Griffin has emerged as Los Angeles' No. 1 guy and 22 year-old DeAndre Jordan has set himself apart from other centers in the league. Kaman could be seen as expendable as the deadline approaches. Tayshaun Prince would be a good pick up for the Clippers if they decide to trade Kaman.
Phoenix Trades Josh Childress
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Phoenix signed Josh Childress this past off-season with hopes that they would be bringing in a swingman who could also lock down the opposition's best scorer. Unfortunately for Suns fans this never happened and now Phoenix is stuck with Childress' slightly over-sized contract. Expect the Suns to try to move Childress, even if they just dump him for salary cap relief.
New Jersey Trades Troy Murphy
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Troy Murphy is one piece the Nets would like to move before the February deadline. Murphy was expected to be traded via the Carmelo Anthony trade that has since been terminated, causing a three-team roster shakeup. Murphy has been excused from the team so expect him to be out sooner than later with the Nets.
New York Trades Kelenna Azubuike
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Azubuike is one of the best trade prospects out there at the moment. His contract runs up at season's end making him a good pick up for teams in trouble with the salary cap. Azubuike is also a decent role player who could improve a roster. Expect the Knicks to use Azubuike somehow in the Carmelo Anthony trade sweepstakes.
Utah Resigns Andrei Kirilenko
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Talk of Kirilenko to New Jersey has been heating up recently given New Jersey's owner Mikhail Prokhorov is also Russian. Though, if you know Utah's franchise like I do, one would be hard-pressed to imagine the Jazz trading away one of their better defensive players and versatile play-makers. Utah will likely resign Kirilenko either before the deadline, or at season's end.
Houston Will Not Resign Yao Ming
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What a shocker. Yao Ming's contract runs up at the end of the season with the Houston Rockets. His latest injury slew has kept him from the team for some time now. Ming has hinted at retirement so it should come as no surprise that his time in Houston is numbered.
Milwaukee Trades Corey Maggette
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Milwaukee's Corey Maggette is producing just over 11 points per game for the Bucks while the team is currently on the hook for $9.6 million for his services this season. Maggette's production hasn't been what Milwaukee had hoped as they are several games under .500 already this season. A Maggette trade wouldn't be out of the question.
Dallas Trades For Al Harrington
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Though Al Harrington's contract is a major turn off to potential trade suitors, one team could use the veteran forward. The Dallas Mavericks have experienced devastating injuries to forwards Caron Butler and Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki is back in the line up but Butler won't be back until May at the earliest. Dallas has shown interest in Harrington and may make a move for him.
Boston Will Move One Of It's Big Men
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The Celtics have plenty of bigs to throw at Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh this postseason. But do they have too many? Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, and Kendrick Perkins are three quality centers that might make minutes tight come playoff time. Boston also has Kevin Garnett and Glen Davis, who play bigger than they actually are on defense. I wouldn't be surprised if one of those centers gets traded by the deadline in exchange for some better chemistry on defense.
Orlando Signs a Big Man
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Orlando might need to give Dwight Howard some help if they are too make a deep playoff run this spring. After trading back up center Marcin Gortat to Phoenix last month, the Magic look a little thin down low. I don't know how likely it is that they could snag one of Boston's bigs, but names like Troy Murphy among others are out there.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
