NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players Who Need a Change of Scenery to Rescue Careers

The NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching. Teams league-wide are starting to take a closer look at their rosters to figure out where everyone should be and what their trade value is. Some guys are better off in the cities they are in, but there are others who could use a change of scenery. Whether it be limited minutes, a team that is going nowhere or just a chance to start over. For some NBA players the grass is greener on the other side. Here's a look at 10 players who are being dealt, or should be dealt, to rescue their careers.  

10. Danny Granger, SF, Indiana Pacers

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 11: Jeff Teague #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reaches for a steal against Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers at Philips Arena on December 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

The Issue

Basketball hell.

The Story

Danny Granger isn't dying in Indiana, but the Pacers might be dying with him. The situation looks awfully familiar to the situation they had with Reggie Miller. Always good enough to compete, but never good enough to win it all.

The Solution

Don't know if there is a great one that makes sense. Perhaps selling him to New Jersey for a draft pick and Derrick Favors. It's not a perfect marriage, but it does make sense.

9. Aaron Brooks, G, Houston Rockets

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Aaron Brooks #0 of the Houston Rockets celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the Boston Celtics on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rockets defeated the Celtics 108-102. NOTE T

The Issue

Diminished role.

The Story

Brooks was suspended just the other day for walking off the court during the fourth quarter of the Rockets game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The team's sixth man has seen diminished minutes this season and has missed a fair amount of games due to an ankle injury. Brooks is seeing his situation with the Rockets continue to get tense, and leaving might just be the thing he needs.

The Solution

New York Knicks. It appears that the Knicks have interest in the point guard. Of course, with Raymond Felton there, the Knicks would be asking Brooks to play the same role he's playing now, unless the Knicks are willing to dump Felton. This could make sense, considering the Knicks have shown interest in trying to acquire New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul. So bringing Brooks in to keep the seat warm until Paul gets there (of course, they'd have to re-sign him) could be a solution.  

8. Elton Brand, PF, Philadelphia 76ers

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 21: Elton Brand #42 of the Philadelphia 76ers watches from the bench as his teammates take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 121-76. NOTE TO USER: User

The Issue

Going nowhere.

The Story

Elton Brand was a guy the 76ers were excited to sign and then didn't want anymore. This year, however, Brand is playing better, averaging 15 points and eight rebounds a game.

However, with the 76ers, he's going nowhere. What he needs to do is find his way onto a contender to give his career the life it needs. The only problem is he has three years and about $45 million left on his deal. At $15 million per, it's going to be hard to find a taker.

The Solution

There are a couple of places Brand could look to. If the 76ers were willing to take on the contracts of Drew Gooden and John Salmons, then Milwaukee could be a good fit. If the 76ers are just looking for a salary dump, then they can deal the expiring contracts of Mike Dunleavy and Jeff Foster, which would make sense because there is still so much other money coming off the books in the next two years. Either way, these trades would help Elton.  

7. Rip Hamilton, SG, Detroit Pistons

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 24: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons drives the ball up court in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 24

The Issue

Broken relationship with the Pistons.

The Story

There was a rumor that Rip was going to be dealt to Philadelphia in the offseason for Elton Brand, but the Pistons couldn't pull the trigger. They wish more than anything they had that back. Rip is unhappy with the Pistons, and they are just as unhappy with him. As long as he stays in the Motor City, he is never going to play much. He needs to get out while he still has a couple productive years left.

The Solution

Trying to find a good place for him to land is difficult for two reasons. First, he's 32, which means he's seen a lot of miles. The others is that he's got three years left at  $12 million per.

One option is the Cleveland Cavaliers. They need a guy who can score while they rebuild. Rip could be that guy in Cleveland for the next couple of years. If they got rid of Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker and some change they could bring in Rip to help weather the storm. It wouldn't get him looking at the Finals, but it's way better than being inactive.

6. Stephen Jackson, SG, Charlotte Bobcats

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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 08: Stephen Jackson #1 of the Charlotte Bobcats reacts to making a basket against the Washington Wizards during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 8, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

The Issue

Dead team.

The Story

The Bobcats might tell you that they are happy with Jackson, but they would dump him in a heartbeat if they could. Look, the Bobcats want to get rid of Jackson, but they want real value for him. Jackson should want out so he can finally play on a team that has a shot.

The Solution

Dallas. They desperately want a shooting guard who can give them the scoring that guys like Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler can't. Of course, that doesn't mean they have the pieces. They could give Charlotte their first round pick plus the expiring, or soon-to-be expiring, contracts of Jones, DeShawn Stevenson and Barea—or something close to that. They wouldn't have to get a third team involved, and Jackson could make a new name for himself on a contender.  

5. Kevin Love, C, Minnesota Timberwolves

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves wipes his face in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Timberwolves 96-93. NOTE TO USER:

The Issue

Dead team.

The Story

Kevin Love should just ask Kevin Garnett how much success you can have in Minnesota. The reality is Love is the best player on a bad team. Without him, they are hopeless. With Minnesota, Love is hopeless. Getting out and on to a contender would do wonders for what should be a miserable mood once the reality sets in that Minnesota is never winning.

The Solution

The Los Angeles Lakers. OK, full disclosure, I realize this is probably unrealistic for a ton of reasons, but it would make sense to both teams in a perfect world. Andrew Bynum is an injury waiting to happen, but he's got a lot of upside. Love is a workhorse and comes really cheap, so L.A would love that. According to the ESPN Trade Machine you could, even with the disparity in their contracts, do this trade straight up. Sure, Bynum loses, but the Lakers don't.

4. Ron Artest, SF, Los Angeles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts on defense after a San Antonio Spurs basket during a 89-88 Spur win at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

The Issue

Unhappy in L.A.

The Story

Although reports are coming out now that Artest is just so excited to be in L.A, the reality is that he probably needs out. It's been rumored that he's unhappy in the offense, and when he's not getting to shoot the ball it affects his desire defensively. As long as this continues to go on, he'll be unhappy, cause more problems and be blamed more when the Lakers struggle. Artest needs out badly.

The Solution

Houston Rockets. Artest had a good relationship there, and they would be more likely to get him involved in the offense than the Lakers. The Lakers could give up Artest and try and get Luis Scola. He would cost the Lakers more years but wouldn't be nearly the distraction Artest could become.

3. Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the NBA game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

The Issue

Can't win in Phoenix.

The Story

The Suns swear they are not trying to trade Steve Nash, and Nash swears he doesn't want to go anywhere, but the reality is that, unless Nash packs up and leaves, he's going to spend the last couple years of his career in a rebuilding mode. That isn't the way most players would prefer to go out.

The Solution

Atlanta. No, this might not get Nash the championship that he is looking for, but it would give him a chance, and the Hawks too, to threaten to go to the Finals. The Hawks are interested, as reported by ESPN's Marc Stein. Giving up some value with a player like Mike Bibby would give Phoenix a chance to start transitioning over to life without Nash and would give Atlanta a chance to compete while that window is still open.  

2. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on as he warms up for the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USE

The Issue

Gaining a bad reputation.

The Story

The longer the Carmelo Anthony saga continues, the more that gets written about it and the more that Anthony looks worse. While I personally think he only wants to go to New York, and that New York should wait until he's a free agent, if they wanted to push the issue, they could.

The Solution

New York Knicks. The Knicks could offer Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph and the expiring contract of Eddie Curry. The Knicks would get their man (albeit without a point guard), the Nuggets would get two solid pieces in return and the cap room to focus their attention on Nene. It would also keep the need for a third team out of it.

1. O.J Mayo, SG, Memphis Grizzlies

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies puts up a shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

The Issue

Is going nowhere in Memphis.

The Story

O.J Mayo seems to just be sinking deeper. He was suspended for using a banned drug and has already been pushed back to the sixth man on the team. It's not that Mayo has necessarily earned a starting spot, but it's that he might never get the shot in Memphis.

The Solution

Chicago. The Bulls are in need of a shooting guard to help them offensively. They could package a deal with either Ronnie Brewer straight up or a combo of James Johnson and Keith Bogans. Of course Memphis might not feel that was quite the value they were looking for, but it's a start. Either way, Mayo to the Bulls makes sense.