NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players You May Not See on Your Favorite NBA Team Next Week
As the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaches, we have to start considering the possibility that the team you love might not look the same in a week’s time. The reality is that there are plenty of teams who want to make moves. Whether it’s to dump a salary, upgrade in talent, or just get value before someone walks into free agency, the NBA could be very active in a week.
Many of the players you know and like could be on their way out of town. There are still a lot of things in motion, but rest assured there will be movement somewhere. Here’s a look at 10 players you might love who may not be playing for your team by next week.
10. Chris Kaman, C, Los Angeles Clippers
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Why He Could Be Dealt
The Clippers are really in love with the job that DeAndre Jordan has been doing while Kaman has been out with an injury. There is a market for Kaman, so getting him out of L.A, not to mention his contract, could improve them for the future.
Where He Could Be Going
Detroit is a place that has been thrown around. There have been talks of dealing Kaman for Tayshaun Price straight up. The Clippers, however, are reluctant to do that because they seem to like the role he is in now.
Where He Will End Up
There’s a good chance that Kaman stays in L.A for now. It’s likely that he’ll be gone before the start of next season, but one week won’t be enough time to find a suitable trade for the center. They’ll need to find someone to make the money right.
9. O.J Mayo, G, Memphis Grizzlies
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Why He Could Be Dealt
The Grizzlies are not getting what they hoped out of Mayo, and in turn, are not using him much at all. Mayo has upside which has drawn interest from teams.
Where He Could Be Going
There are three teams that have shown interest: the Bulls, the Rockets, and the Lakers. The Bulls need a two-guard bad and Mayo has a workable contract and is young. The Rockets have talked about getting rid of Courtney Lee for Mayo, and the Lakers would love to see Mayo help them take some of the scoring pressure off of Kobe and Gasol.
Where He Will End Up
If he goes anywhere, he’ll end up in Houston. The problem with both the Bulls and Lakers is that the Bulls are unwilling to give up what the Grizzlies want, and the Lakers don’t have anything the Grizzlies want. Memphis has made it clear they want a solid addition to their roster in return for Mayo. Houston is the only team that would offer them that.
8. Ramon Sessions, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Why He Could Be Dealt
This guy has come out of nowhere. Two weeks ago no one was buzzing about Sessions, but now ESPN’s Chris Broussard is tweeting that Sessions is drawing interest from several teams. Cleveland doesn’t see Sessions as a big piece to their puzzle and if they can get big value for him while he’s hot, they’ll be more than happy to do that.
Where He Could Be Going
New York, Portland and Atlanta are all interested in him. New York could be a good fit, especially if they are going to lose Felton in a proposed Melo deal. The Blazers are in the middle of a rebuilding project and at the very least Sessions would give them some insurance for Brandon Roy, and Atlanta could be looking to replace Bibby.
Where He Will End Up
Cleveland. It’s possible that he gets dealt to the Knicks, but Cleveland may have just found a real gem in Sessions and he could now turn into part of their rebuilding efforts. His contract is very nice and so it won’t be hard for Cleveland to convince themselves to keep Sessions.
7. T.J. Ford, PG, Indiana Pacers
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Why He Could Be Dealt
Darren Collison has made T.J. Ford completely expendable in Indiana. Given the fact that Ford is a free agent after the season, it would make sense that Indiana try to get whatever they can get for him.
Where He Could Be Going
Atlanta. The Hawks like Ford and could be interested. He is a player who is good out on the break and could help them get out and run more.
Where He Will End Up
Indiana. He would be a nice fit in Atlanta, but they don’t have the money or the players to match up with Indiana. They are looking for a nice player down low to add to the equation. The Hawks don’t have a long term answer for them. Bank on this team letting Ford walk in the offseason.
6. Rip Hamilton, G, Detroit Pistons
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Why He Could Be Dealt
Well it’s clear that neither Rip nor the Pistons seem to want to continue their relationship. Truthfully, the Pistons have been trying to trade Rip all season, but with 2 years and $25 million left on his contract there hasn’t been anyone interested in taking him.
Where He Could Be Going
Anywhere. That’s the interesting part of it all. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported that Hamilton is willing to give up a significant portion of the contract he has if the team will buy him out and let him go elsewhere. If this happens than just about anyone could grab him; including Cleveland, Chicago and Boston.
Where He Will End Up
Boston is said to have the most interest in him, but he’d be coming off the bench. If he was willing to sign cheap with Chicago he could be a perfect addition there. It’s not likely he’d want to go to Cleveland while they rebuild.
5. J.R Smith, G, Denver Nuggets
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Why He Could Be Dealt
The Nuggets look to be in rebuilding mode as they prepare for the departure of Carmelo Anthony. There are several teams interested in Smith and the Nuggets don’t see him as an essential part of their future, especially when they may be able to get a big man in return for him.
Where He Could Be Going
New Orleans has shown interest in him because they are looking to go deep into the playoffs to show Chris Paul why he should stick around. The Bulls are looking for that shooting guard, and could offer Taj Gibson to get Smith.
Where He Will End Up
It’s hard to think that the Nuggets won’t deal him, but it’s hard to find a place for him. New Orleans is more likely to make a deal as long as the Nuggets aren’t asked for something outrageous like David West. The Bulls could part with Gibson, but he’s a huge part of their second unit, and with Boozer's injury history it’s good for him to be around.
4. Devin Harris, G, New Jersey Nets
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Why He Could Be Dealt
The Nets are not happy with him. According to NorthJersey.com the Nets have not been happy with his level of play as well as his commitment to the team. They think he’s still got enough upside to get value for him.
Where He Could Be Going
Portland. The Blazers are interested in Harris and would ship out Andre Miller. The only snag, according to ESPN.com, is that the Nets also would like to ship out Travis Outlaw, but the Blazers would want Anthony Marrow.
Where He Will End Up
Portland. The Blazers really like Harris and his deal would allow them to get rid of Miller and Joel Przybilla. If the Carmelo Anthony deal falls through, this one would seem like a no-brainer.
3. Stephen Jackson, SG, Charlotte Bobcats
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Why He Could Be Dealt
Simply speaking, he’s not in the plans for the Bobcats. He’s a 10 year vet with a sizable contract ($16 million over the next two years). They are looking to get back quality in return and Jackson would probably like the opportunity to play for a team that has a shot at winning.
Where He Could Be Going
Dallas is interested in him; so is Chicago. Chicago is a shooting guard away from taking that next step to a truly elite team. Jackson is a veteran, so he could fit in right in and could handle the pressure of a deep playoff run. He could also take some of that pressure off of Rose.
Dallas is in need of a shooting guard as well. Ever since Caron Butler went down, the Mavs have been looking for someone to replace him. Jackson works in Dallas for the same reasons that he works in Chicago. Dallas also has the trading chip of young guard Rodrigue Beaubois as well.
Where Will He End Up
Look for Dallas to get him. They have the expiring contract of Butler to give up which means Charlotte won’t have to take on big money. Chicago doesn’t have anyone they’d want to give up to get Jackson, especially not with that contract. If Dallas offers Beaubois, they could have a done deal.
2. Nene Hilario, C, Denver Nuggets
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Why He Could Be Dealt
It appears that Carmelo Anthony isn’t the only person who wants out of Denver. Nene is reportedly unhappy with the Nuggets singular focus on Melo. He has an opt-out clause in his contract after the season and is likely to exercise it.
Where He Could Be Going
New York or Houston. Houston is said to be high on Nene as a replacement for Yao Ming. New York needs someone to help take the scoring and minutes load off of Stoudemire.
Where He Will End Up
Houston seems to have far more interest than anyone else. They would also be willing to sign him to an extension which make them far more attractive to Nene. If he goes anywhere look for him to be dealt to Houston.
1. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets
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Why He Could Be Dealt
As if this needs to be explained any further but Anthony is a guy looking to walk at the end of the season. If he really wanted to stay in Denver he would have signed the contract extension. The Nuggets know they have a week to get good value for him or they’ll get nothing.
Where He Could Be Going
New York, New Jersey, Houston, Los Angeles Lakers. There is no shortage of teams that are interested in Melo’s services. New York is always the front runner because they could trade for Melo without another team involved and they seem to be the place where Melo wants to go. New Jersey has some pieces too, but those talks have been on and off for quite some time. Houston has no one they are tied to so everyone is on the table, it’s just a question of if he’s will to sign an extension to stay in Houston.
The real intriguing player is L.A. The Lakers have Bynum who is an attractive trading chip, especially if the Nuggets lose Nene in the offseason.
Where He Will End Up
New York. This is a fruitless endeavor. Melo wants to go to New York. The Knicks will end up giving them whatever they have to in order to get the deal done. Everyone else here is a smokescreen.
