NBA Trade Rumors: 15 Best Players On the Market Not Named Carmelo Anthony
Believe it or not, Carmelo Anthony is not the only player available on the NBA trade block.
With the likelihood of any potential Melo deal most likely having to wait until closer to the Feb. 24th deadline, there are bound to be at least a couple of moves made prior to the heavily rumored mega deal.
Although some of these players don't carry the same weight as Carmelo and his unique skill set, there's little doubting that they could all find new homes in the very near future.
Kelenna Azubuike, SG New York Knicks
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Azubuike reached the midway point of the season without appearing in a single game and ironically has become a more attractive trade chip to potential details.
Because insurance will now pickup 80 percent of Buike's deal, any team that deals for him will only be on the hook for a minuscule fraction of his salary.
Despite coming off of major reconstructive knee surgery, Azubuike has proved to be a very capable perimeter player when healthy and is surely a welcome addition to any playoff contender looking for help on the wing.
Kirk Hinrich, PG Washington Wizards
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Hinrich had been somewhat of a savior in Washington during the early part of the season when rookie John Wall was hurting.
But now? Not so much.
With Washington clearly going young and in the early stages of a re-building process, the emergence of Wall and shooting guard Nick Young have left Hinrich in the dust.
He could still serve as a starting point guard on several squads, but his $8 million salary for next year may be a potential stumbling block for teams that are financially strapped.
Stephen Jackson, SF Charlotte Bobcats
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Despite the Bobcats being in a playoff spot as of right now, there is nothing to be satisfied about considering a rather uninspiring 17-24 record at the midway point.
With a new coach in Paul Silas already taking over the controls and the emerging offensive play of point guard DJ Augustin, veteran forward Stephen Jackson could be on his way out.
S-Jax has really struggled on the offensive end this season and has seen his numbers drop across the board.
With two years and around $20 million left on his deal after this season, it's going to be tough to sell the veteran, and the Bobcats might have to absorb another unfavorable contract in any trade to make it work.
Chris Kaman, C Los Angeles Clippers
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Chris Kaman who?
That's what Clippers fans are beginning to wonder in Los Angeles after watching the spectacular play of DeAndre Jordan.
The injury to Kaman may have been a blessing in disguise for the Clippers, as it forced a seemingly raw Jordan into heavy action. He has responded in a very big way, and his impressive play paired with backup Ike Diogu's success have made Kaman an afterthought in LA.
Unfortunately, he's owed $30-plus million over the next three years (including the current season), and any potential trade scenario involving Kaman has the Clippers taking back some dead weight.
Tayshaun Prince, SF Detroit Pistons
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Prince has always been an intriguing talent, but it seems he's been wasting his time in Detroit over the last couple of seasons.
Much like a few of his teammates, Prince and head coach John Kuester have not exactly seen eye-to-eye in many scenarios on the bench, and it seems that a divorce would benefit all parties involved.
With an $11 million contract set to expire at season's end, Prince is looking like a valuable trade chip to any team looking to increase financial flexibility heading into next year.
Mike Dunleavy, SF Indiana Pacers
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Dunleavy just hasn't been able to get it going since coming back from knee surgery.
However, much like the aforementioned Prince, it's not exactly his skill set that interested teams are after.
With a $10.5 million price tag set to expire at the conclusion of the campaign, any team that has Dunleavy coming off the books can allocate that money in a more effective manner.
It's sad to think that 2007 may go down as the best season of the young man's career.
Chris Duhon, PG Orlando Magic
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With several reports indicating that the Magic are attempting to deal a backup guard for a backup big man, it seems like only a matter of time until Duhon's days in Orlando come to a close.
With the acquisition of Gilbert Arenas to backup starter Jameer Nelson, Duhon has barely gotten off of the bench.
He's played a combined 12 minutes in his last 16 games, and it seems likely the team can pluck some big man off the end of someone's bench in exchange for the veteran point guard.
Troy Murphy, PF New Jersey Nets
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Murphy can't seem to crack a Nets rotation that features a raw rookie Derrick Favors and journeyman Kris Humphries at the power forward spot.
With head coach Avery Johnson and Murphy possessing an inability to get on the same page, the team has arranged Murphy to stay away from the club until the front office can workout a trade.
Despite a $12 million expiring contract, interest has been rather sparse around the league for the overrated Murph.
Chauncey Billups, PG Denver Nuggets
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Although his inclusion in a potential Carmelo deal has cooled, Billups still understands that he is a strong possibility to be moved before the deadline.
It's no secret that coach George Karl is a big fan of exciting second-year man Ty Lawson, and he's viewed as the eventual heir to Billups' throne.
Even if he isn't included in an Anthony blockbuster trade, Billups could be moved to a playoff contender looking to acquire a veteran point guard for the stretch run of the season.
OJ Mayo, SG Memphis Grizzlies
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No matter how many times the front office insists that Mayo is a part of the future in Memphis, almost anyone looking at the situation has to be at least a little skeptical.
With coach Lionel Hollins' refusal to play him with the starting five, instead choosing to bring him off the bench as a sixth man, it has really hurt Mayo's statistics this season.
Despite the obvious drop off in production, Mayo is an extremely talented shooting guard who is capable of scoring in bunches. He would bring back a fairly strong return, and perhaps the Grizz would finally be able to set the distraction aside.
Anthony Randolph, PF New York Knicks
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Randolph hasn't been able to crack two NBA rotations in his short career, so is that a reflection on him or the coaching staff?
Regardless, it's clear that despite the immense talent that Randolph possesses, he's not going to make much noise in New York.
With the slender Randolph still plenty young and loaded with insane potential, the team should be able to flip him for a first-round pick to a desperate team like the Pacers or Timberwolves.
Richard Hamilton, SG Detroit Pistons
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Another member of the Pistons squad that can't seem to get along with head coach John Kuester, Hamilton's falling out of favor has been very apparent over the last couple of weeks.
In what could quickly turn into an Eddy Curry type of scenario where Rip winds up on the bench more often than on the court, a trade would definitely be in the best interest of both parties so the talented swingman can move on to the next stage of his career elsewhere.
With the type of prolific production that he's provided consistently in his career, there should be at least a few nibbles on the open market.
Carl Landry, PF Sacramento Kings
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Despite Landry really elevating his level of play after joining the Kings last season, it's now being reported that the team would like to deal the gritty veteran.
With a very reasonable salary at $3 million this season and his deal coming off the books at year's end, there's no reason to think that the Kings should have any trouble finding a partner.
However, if the team hopes to move him anytime before right before the deadline, they may have to back down from their initial demands, which was reportedly at least a first-round pick in next season's draft.
Yao Ming, C Houston Rockets
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Surprised to see Ming's name as a possible trade candidate? You shouldn't be.
With a massive $17 million contract ready to expire, Yao might actually be the most attractive trade chip on the market despite the fact that he'll be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Like Azubuike, Ming has the majority of his contract covered by insurance this season, and it's no secret that the struggling Houston franchise would love to create some increased financial flexibility.
A dark horse to land Carmelo Anthony, Yao would be expected to be included in any major deal that the team may choose to make.
Steph Curry, PG Golden State Warriors
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New co-owner Joe Lacob is not one of those quiet guys who just sits and watches from the sidelines.
He's been very vocal about turning around a sinking Warriors franchise, and he isn't afraid to start re-building immediately.
While he has more or less stated that Monta Ellis is all but untouchable in trade talks, he hasn't given the same glowing endorsement to the second-year Curry.
Admitting that his numbers have been seriously down since his electric rookie year, Lacob has stated that although he's not actively looking to break up the backcourt duo, he'll listen to any offer that might intrigue him.
It's unlikely that Curry finds himself as part of a blockbuster trade, but there's always that last-minute team that comes with a very significant offer to make a big time postseason push.
