NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony, Jeff Green and Friday's Trade Buzz
The trade rumors continue to swirl around Carmelo Anthony and others as the Feb. 24 trade deadline inches closer and closer.
Nothing big has gone down since the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards shuffled their rosters. Despite hundreds of rumors since, nothing has actually materialized.
Contenders are looking to bolster their chances. Teams with free-agents-to-be are looking for a return on them instead watching them leave for free. Bottom-feeders are looking for future salary cap relief.
What will happen to 'Melo? Is Oklahoma City's Jeff Green up for bidding? Is Ron Artest on his way out of Los Angeles?
Here is the latest buzz in the NBA trade world.
Teams Are Showing Interest in Jeff Green
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Oklahoma City forward Jeff Green is reportedly drawing interest from around the league. The Thunder are in the market for a big man, so they are interested in moving Green to satisfy that need, but its options for a trade partner are limited.
The Thunder chose not to sign Green to a contract extension before the deadline, ensuring that he will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The team apparently feels that Green's value could decrease after a new collective bargaining agreement is in place.
It's difficult to gauge Green's value to Oklahoma City after this move. Is it just prudence to try and retain a key player at a cheaper price? Or do the Thunder find Green expendable, and would they consider trading him this season?
There is no doubt that the Thunder love Green. He's versatile, young and athletic. However, he often finds himself undersized as a 6'9" power forward. Kevin Durant plays a perimeter game as a small forward, often negating his 6'9" frame.
Starting center Nenad Krstic is 7'0", but, outside of backup center Serge Ibaka and backup power forward Nick Collison, the team lacks a physical big man. Upgrading in that area is key to Oklahoma City's championship hopes now and in the future.
The best option would be Cleveland's Anderson Varejao. But is a Varejao that is out the rest of the season with injury worth Green? Cleveland would love to acquire a soon-to-be free agent. But the Thunder should look elsewhere to fill its big man defensive needs.
Check out Chris Bosh and the Top 15 Fake Tough Guys in Sports to see who the Thunder should stay away from.
Andre Iguodala Expected To Stay in Philadelphia
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The prospect of the Philadelphia 76ers trading star forward Andre Iguodala is diminishing, according to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Iguodala has been a trade focus for two seasons now, but has yet to be moved. It seems like the 76ers are less and less willing to trade their best player.
The rest of the league is hesitant as well. Philadelphia wants more for Iguodala than other NBA teams are willing to give up. Iguodala is a great player, but he's a really good player on a bad team. There isn't another consistent scoring option for Philadelphia.
There are two reasons that Philadelphia's actions are baffling: one, Philadelphia shouldn't be overvaluing Iguodala after just drafting Evan Turner with its first-round pick and holding Andres Nocioni on the bench. They already have competent—not equivalent, competent—replacement options on the roster. Two, Iguodala isn't even the best small forward on the trade market. Indiana's Danny Granger is a superior and likely a more available target for other teams.
Iguodala will be halfway through his six year, $80 million contract at the end of the season. Granger is in the second season of a five year deal worth $15 million less. Granger averages 6.3 more points per game than Iguodala.
Iguodala is a solid player, but he is at best a No. 2 on a decent team and a No. 3 on a championship contender. Granger could be a No. 1 on some decent teams and a No. 2 on a contender.
Read NBA Trade Rumors: Each Team's Biggest Questions Heading Toward the Deadline to learn more about the 76ers' trade possibilities.
Raymond Felton Key Piece in Knicks Acquiring Carmelo Anthony
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The rumors now say that the Denver Nuggets require Raymond Felton as part of the New York Knicks' package to acquire Carmelo Anthony.
That pretty much includes every player on every roster in some trade rumor involving Carmelo Anthony. It seems like anybody can pick any player and say that he is the key player in any deal expected to go down.
But New York shouldn't shy away from making that deal, especially if it is looking to sign Chris Paul in 2012. The Nuggets would likely include point guard Chauncey Billups, giving New York a very solid player to run their offense.
Raymond Felton has developed into a near-All-Star point guard and should have the confidence to change teams and continue his terrific play. Denver would be pleased to receive such a player for Anthony instead of watching the superstar walk for nothing in the summer.
As for the Knicks, acquiring 'Melo and Billups at least keeps the team's status quo, but more than likely improves it by a couple of seeds in the playoffs. The offense wouldn't have to change too much, although it would likely flow through Anthony rather than through Amar'e Stoudemire.
Billups can be bought out after the season for $3.7 million. But why wouldn't New York keep him around for one more year to bridge the gap until Paul can sign?
Check out Carmelo Anthony to New York Knicks: Winners and Losers of Rumored 3-Way Trade to see who would benefit from the previously rumored swap.
Lakers Contact Bobcats About Trading Ron Artest
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It looks like the Ron Artest trade rumors have turned into Los Angeles actively shopping their small forward.
According to sources in cahoots with ESPN's Ric Bucher, the Lakers contacted the Charlotte Bobcats to see if the two sides could make a deal centered around Artest. The Lakers would like to receive either Stephen Jackson or Gerald Wallace in return.
Both Jackson and Wallace are more valuable offensive commodities than Artest and neither is as far behind defensively as they may have been at one point. Artest can still make himself a premium pest when he applies himself, but he is not the lock-down defender that he built his career as.
Jackson is the best scorer of the three and at least provides length on defense. Artest's 36.6 percent three-point shooting is superior to Jackson's, but he attempts three less long distance shots per game.
Having said all that, Wallace is the better value for the Lakers. He scores, rebounds, plays solid defense and shoots a respectable 31 percent from three. Taking a third or fourth-place role could help Wallace flourish.
Read LA Lakers Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons the Charlotte Bobcats Should Avoid Ron Artest to see why the Bobcats should nix such a deal.
Carmelo Anthony Says He'd Consider Extenstion with Denver: Really?
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Carmelo Anthony said Wednesday that he would consider signing an extension with the Denver Nuggets if he was not traded by the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
Sure, Anthony would consider it—for about a half hour.
Carmelo knows exactly where he wants to end up next season. That would be New York. He's made it abundantly clear that he wants to be a Knick and hopefully bring Chris Paul along in 2012.
Signing with the Nuggets wouldn't be a bad idea. Denver has treated Anthony well and any qualms among fans, management and player would be forgiven with an extension. It's a team that can continue to contend in the Western Conference. But it won't win it as long as San Antonio and the Lakers are playing at their current levels.
The best case scenario for Anthony is to play out the season with Denver. Lots of praise has to be sent his way for how he has handled the circus all season long. He's never had a foot-in-mouth moment with daily opportunities to do so. Play out the year with the Nuggets, and then sign as a free agent with the Knicks.
Anthony should finish his Denver tenure and welcome a clean slate in New York next season.
Move to New York, however, and Anthony gets a new platform. Join forces with Amar'e Stoudemire with the opportunity to continue building and 'Melo is suddenly playing for a team that is an NBA championship contender.
Check out NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons the Knicks Should Pursue Chris Paul Over 'Melo to see why the Knicks should have a different priority.
