Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Andre Iguodala and Others On The NBA Trading Block
With January now over, NBA trade rumors have begun to heat up. With the All-Star game and trade deadline fast approaching, teams are trying to make decisions on if it's worth to make a last-gasp push for the playoffs and buy big, or sell out, and begin to rebuild for next year. Here we review some of the NBA's biggest names who may be on the move in the not-so-distant future.
Carmelo Anthony
1 of 10
Melo has been on the trading block since the infamous (or famous depending what team you're a fan of) toast at his wedding this summer. The NBA was dominated with the Melo to Nets rumors for weeks, but it seems as those are officially dead.
So, what to the Nuggets and Melo do from here? Melo knows the Nuggets will be able to offer him the most money if he's not traded during the season, and the Nuggets know it's not easy for a guy to leave millions on the table. At the same time, the Nuggets watched LeBron James walk away from Cleveland last season, and got nothing in return. While there are teams that would welcome Melo's services, his questionable attitude, and stated desire to play for one team (the Knicks), coupled with the hectic front office of the Nuggets, has made a trade very difficult to complete.
Verdict: He'll stay in Denver, and the Nuggets will try to swing a sign-and-trade over the offseason. The Nuggets are a talented team, and the Lakers have been very beatable this season. With the Mavs struggling without Caron Butler, Denver has a chance to make a run in the playoffs, which may be enough to sway Melo to stay. On top of that, the Knicks don't feel inclined to make a deal with Denver, as they believe Melo will sign with them once he hits free agency, and the Knicks don't want to part with any combo of Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Landry Fields.
Steve Nash
2 of 10
The future first-ballot Hall of Famer is still one of the best point guards in the game. But Phoenix is a team in transition, and currently tenth in the West. Though they're only 2.5 games out of the eighth spot, and have played better of late (winners of seven of their last ten), Nash is due 10.3 million this year, and another 11.7 next season. Nash, who will turn 37 in a week, is still putting up great numbers (17 and 11), and would be a huge help to many teams trying to make a push for the playoffs. If the Suns struggle before the deadline, Nash may be the final casualty of a team that was only two games away from reaching the NBA Finals last season.
Vince Carter
3 of 10
Carter has already been traded once this season, but VC may be on the move again. Carter, who's contract calls for a team option that would pay him $18 million next season (no team would ever take that), is essentially an expiring contract. Still a capable scorer who can sell merchandise and put fans in the stands, Carter is no longer the high-flying All-Star of years past. But if you're a team like the Chicago Bulls, he seems like a much better option than say, Keith Bogans.
Andre Iguodala
4 of 10
Iguodala has been rumored to be on the move for years. The 76ers are rebuilding, but in the East, a team can rebuild and still make the playoffs, a position that Philly finds themselves in. Currently the seventh spot in the East, the 76ers hold a 1.5 game lead over the Bucks (the ninth seed), but find themselves five spots back of the sixth spot (the Knicks). Basically, the seventh spot is the best Philly has a chance of getting, and that would mean a match-up most likely with the Miami Heat. So for Philly, is it worth it to keep Iguodala and his massive contract (due nearly $58 million through 2013-2014) for a chance to make the playoffs, or try to unload him, most likely miss the playoffs, but start off anew?
I think, though it may be a tough sell, that Philly needs to move to trade Iguodala, as he's too much of a drain on the salary cap. I could see the Mavericks making a bid to get him, as they've really struggled without Caron Butler in their line-up, and Iguodala would be a huge pick-up for them.
OJ Mayo
5 of 10
It's been a tough season for Mayo, who lost his starting job to a rookie, got in a fight with teammate Tony Allen, and is now suspended by the league for ten games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. Though the Grizzlies are only a game out of the playoffs, they may deem that the distractions Mayo bring to the table outweighs his positives, and ship the former Rookie of the Year runner-up.
Samuel Dalembert
6 of 10
The Kings are basically already eliminated from playoff contention, and are in re-building mode. Obviously Dalembert won't be a key factor in that. Teams (Knicks) who need a defensive-minded veteran center. Kings want to shed salary, and maybe pick up young talent. I'd be shocked if Dalembert is still in Sacramento after the deadline.
Richard Hamilton
7 of 10
Rip hasn't played since January 10th, and hasn't started since December 17th. Pistons head coach John Kuester has said the team has gone in a different direction, which is the politically correct version of saying "He's benched, and we're going to try and trade him." Hamilton, who turns 33 on Valentine's Day, is a veteran SG who's still a good shooter, but has struggled with injuries the past few seasons. The Pistons would take basically anything in return to get rid of Hamilton's contract, and a team who needs a SG (Mavericks, Bulls) may take a chance on Hamilton regaining his old form.
Gerald Wallace
8 of 10
Wallace is an extremely talented player who's a fan favorite in Charlotte. The Bobcats have rebounded after a sluggish start, and are currently the eighth and final seed in the East, but Charlotte owner Michael Jordan is dealing with financial issues, and Wallace is due over $30 million over the next three seasons, and is the Bobcats highest paid-player. Wallace- an excellent athlete who's dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career- has already missed nine games this season, and has seen his numbers drop across the board from his career-highs last season.
Mo Williams
9 of 10
The Cavs are miserable, and have not been helped by point guard Mo Williams injuries and struggles this season. Williams could be a key role player on a playoff team, and is a former All-Star. But the Cavs, losers of twenty in a row, and thirty of their last thirty one, should start shedding salary as quickly as possible, and basically any offer for Williams that saves them money should be considered a plus.
Devin Harris
10 of 10
Harris was rumored to be one of the main players in the deal to bring Melo to Jersey. While Harris is talented, he's clashed with head coach Avery Johnson before, he's struggled with injuries the last couple of seasons, and the Nets seem nowhere closer to making the playoffs than they were last year. If the Nets can pick up extra picks, or use Harris as a main piece to bring in the big-ticket item to help them acquire a face to the franchise before they move to Brooklyn, they'll do it.
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