NBA Trade Rumors: A Player on Every Team Who May Have to Pack His Bags
As the NBA All Star weekend culminates, the official trade deadline surge is ready to commence. We’re counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until Thursday’s trade deadline when we find out who’s officially going to pack their bags.
Until then, it’s all rumors and speculations. As we carefully analyze each and every team and player, while also wondering if the Denver Nuggets and Carmelo Anthony will ever agree on a trade, these players on every NBA team may as well start packing their bags early because they could very well be on the move if a team comes knocking at their franchise’s door with the right trade proposal.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers: Daniel Gibson
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Gibson is one of the best offensive players the Cavaliers have.
Have you seen the roster?
That’s not saying much.
The Cavaliers need to start over. Gibson is not going to help this team and if they can clear up some cap space, acquire a younger player or draft pick, they might as well do so. Gibson could be a threat off the bench for a contender and most of them should be looking at a possible trade for this three-point specialist.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jonny Flynn
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I’m still scratching my head wondering why the Timberwolves ever drafted Flynn in the first place.
I’m actually glad it backfired on them, since maybe they’ll learn from their silly mistakes.
Flynn is expendable with Ricky Rubio coming to the NBA next season to dominate the point guard position.
Flynn is still adjusting to the NBA, and he has been reportedly shut down the past few games due to fatigue. Yeah, I bet, considering it looks like he's about to pass out!
I still think he can be an explosive player off the bench to spark some second units. He’ll attack the basket and of course will dish the rock.
28. Toronto Raptors: Leandro Barbosa
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Oh, Barbosa plays in Toronto. Who knew!?
“The Brazilian Blur” used to be one of the most explosive players in the league. He can regain his reputation if he can get out of Toronto and put on a team that could actually use him correctly. Barbosa would be an excellent sixth man for a contender and has an expiring $7 million contract, which makes him arguably the best rental on the market nobody is talking about.
With his quick hands and quicker feet, Barbosa would not only assist a team on the way to a possible Championship, but would also be a lot of fun to watch in the process!
27. Sacramento Kings: Samuel Dalembert
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As we all expected, the Kings are out of the playoff race.
I feel bad though, I thought they had some potential with Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins to actually do better this season but Evans’ injuries set this team back.
Maybe next year.
The Kings have Dalembert’s $13 million expiring contract, size and defensive prowess to dangle in front of a bunch of contenders. He’s one of the best potential trade pieces on the market. The Kings might as well get something in return.
26. Washington Wizards: Kirk Hinrich
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Why the Wizards ever traded for Kirk Hinrich, I’ll never know. Yet it could help them out this season if they can get some pieces for this veteran point guard. It’ll be difficult, though, considering his hefty contract the next two seasons. Still though, Hinrich is an excellent point guard and could even start for some Championship contenders. *cough*Lakers*cough*
Hinrich has great passing ability and court vision. He can even knock it down from behind the arc too. Hinrich is an underrated player stuck in a terrible situation. Washington has no need for him with rookie sensation John Wall taking over in Washington.
Washington was able to relieve themselves of Gilbert Arenas, it’s time they do so with Hinrich.
25. Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman
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It was rumored Clippers owner Donald Sterling heckled Chris Kaman. Okay, so why is this former all-star center still on the roster? There are plenty of teams who need a big man of Kaman’s caliber. Kaman is a good defender and scorer and of course, the size is what matters here.
Kaman makes a lot, but it’s only for two more years. He’s a great rental and then can be used as a bargaining chip next season as he’ll have an expiring contract.
Blake Griffin is a superstar and his emergence has helped DeAndre Jordan improve, which makes Kaman expendable.
24. New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris
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The Nets are heading nowhere. Fast. Devin Harris is constantly injured and really, even when he’s healthy, he’s not as good as people want to make him out to be. He had a ton of promise in Dallas and then he was traded away for Jason Kidd. Amazingly, the Mavericks haven’t really skipped a beat, have they?
Whereas, the Nets are still a bottom of the barrel team with a terrible outlook for the future, considering everyone wants to play in New York, and not New Jersey right now. Nobody even wants to wait for the Nets to get to Brooklyn.
If the Nets can get something for Harris, they might as well do it already, regardless if they get Carmelo Anthony or not. Stock up those draft picks!
23. Houston Rockets: Brad Miller
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Teams across the league will be looking to add size up front as they head into the postseason. Miller is on a cheap three-year deal and although not a very good defender, has great size and shooting touch outside of the post, as well as inside.
Miller is a veteran big man who at least knows how to defend most of the other bigs in the league at this point in his career. Houston has no need for a veteran like Miller at this point and should ship him away for an expiring contract or a draft pick if they can get it.
22. Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince
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Prince’s contract is set to expire and this veteran is wasting away in Detroit while he can be helping a contender solidify a Championship in June. Prince is still one of the best defenders this league has to offer and is an efficient scorer with great intangibles.
Joe Dumars should at least try to get some pieces in return for Prince, an excellent veteran piece, who will surely be the missing piece to the Championship jigsaw puzzle for one lucky team. A host of teams need a player of his Championship caliber.
21. Golden State Warriors: Vladimir Radmanovic
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As teams eye the playoffs, Radmanovic is actually a legit trade piece for three reasons:
1. He’s a big body who can be used down in the post to pick up fouls.
2. He has a $6.8 million expiring contract.
3. He has great range for a man his size.
With these three reasons, a Championship contender could add an affordable piece to come off the bench and stretch the floor.
20. Milwaukee Bucks: Michael Redd
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The Bucks are looking to get back to the postseason and I believe they will as they gain chemistry and steam the rest of the season. This team will heat up with Brandon Jennings finally healthy. He’s a superstar. The team still needs help up front and could use a better backup point guard.
Redd has an $18 million expiring contract, which rebuilding teams looking for cap relief this offseason will covet the next few days. Redd’s days in Milwaukee are numbered, they might as well try to get something in return for his useless body for the remainder of the season.
19. Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash
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Steve Nash, really?
Yeah, two-time MVP Steve Nash.
The Phoenix Suns are going nowhere. They made a silly trade with Orlando, which has done nothing for the team overall. They won’t make the playoffs this year, or next, with this current team. Nash is wasting his remaining great years on a terrible team. The least Phoenix could do for Nash to show their appreciation to their superstar is to ship him off to a playoff contender this season as they rebuild.
18. Charlotte Bobcats: Stephen Jackson
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Jackson is one of the most underrated players in the league. He is a great veteran leader with very good all around offensive skills, as well as very good defensive skills. Jackson is a complete player and would do wonders on a Championship contender.
He is stuck on a middle of the pack Bobcats team, which will not even make the playoffs this year. Jackson has an affordable three-year contract and any team in the playoff hunt would be lucky to have him the rest of the way and the remaining two seasons.
17. Memphis Grizzlies: OJ Mayo
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OJ Mayo went from being a starter with superstar potential to a potential starter with declining star potential to being suspended 10 games for violating the NBA’s substance abuse policy.
Awesome.
A shame though, the Grizzlies may be forced to keep Mayo now that Rudy Gay is injured and could potentially miss the remainder of the season.
Even worse for Memphis, they traded Kevin Love for Mayo immediately after drafting Love.
Think they wish they could have a do-over?
Yeah, me too.
Mayo can still become a superstar in this league as he has very good basketball instincts and shooting touch. On a fast paced team like Phoenix or New York, Mayo could become a superstar overnight.
Unfortunately for Memphis, it won’t happen for them.
16. Indiana Pacers: Mike Dunleavy
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Dunleavy is a fine player but doesn’t do anything too well. He’s an expendable piece for the Pacers who, somehow, are in the playoffs if the season ended today, during the All Star break, which would just be really, really weird. Dunleavy has an attractive $10 million expiring contract, meaning the Pacers could use that to acquire a power forward or shooting guard as they push to, at least, stay with the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
15. Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko
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Kirilenko never deserved the contract he received and now it is finally about to come to an end. With Jerry Sloan abruptly resigning, I don’t buy the Utah Jazz as a playoff team despite them having a bunch of players I like. With that said, they might as well use his expiring $17 million contract to their advantage and acquire pieces to help them compete the remainder of the season.
Kirilenko is a fine defensive specialist, but he doesn’t offer much else and besides, he’ll probably get injured in a month or so.
14. Philadelphia 76ers: Jason Kapono
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Kapono could actually be an integral piece to a title contender given his excellent three-point prowess. Kapono, with a $6.6 million expiring contract, would be a fantastic rental for a Championship contender. A host of teams would love to have a three-point specialist coming off the bench to spark the team.
13. Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony
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We know Carmelo really doesn’t want to stay in Denver. He’s wanted out for months now. Anthony is a top 10 player in the league with excellent scoring ability from the perimeter and isn’t afraid to attack the basket. He has a good post game and his rebounding has gotten better over the years.
There’s really not much that needs to be said about Anthony considering the “Melo-drama” has gone on since July.
12. New York Knicks: Danilo Gallinari
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Oh, so you actually thought you were safe, Gallinari? Not anymore. You’re the most attractive trade piece not named Amar’e Stoudemire because everyone thinks you might actually become the next Dirk Nowtizki.
Don’t get me wrong. I like you and all, but you’re expendable for a proven scorer and legitimate star.
Hey, you’ll probably want to come back to New York in two years anyways!
Gallinari is a sharpshooter and he’s starting to understand he needs to attack the hoop more. He can play good defense. He’s a great piece to have, but for this Knicks team and its fans, he’s not the right piece for where they want to be as soon as April.
11. New Orleans Hornets: Trevor Ariza
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Ariza is a very talented and athletic player who has good leaping ability and excellent defense. Needless to say, I was upset when the Knicks traded him. Ariza has bounced around this league from coast to coast and if the Hornets want to make a real push in the playoffs, they may have to get rid of their defensive specialist. Ariza is on an affordable contract and still has upside to his game with even better coaching.
10. Atlanta Hawks: Jamal Crawford
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Jamal Crawford is one of the best sixth men in the NBA, yet the Hawks will be bumped in the first round with their roster as it stands right now.
Marvin Williams can’t be moved and it is doubtful that any team would really want to trade for Mike Bibby.
Jamal Crawford has a $10 million expiring contract and, of course, a happy trigger to take over as the man on a team looking to shed cap space for the offseason and tanking the rest of the way.
The Hawks might miss Crawford in clutch time, the only props I’ll ever give to Crawford… ever. But hey, that’s why Joe Johnson makes the big bucks, right?
9. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Miller
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Andre Miller is a good point guard. He’s just not a great point guard. The Trail Blazers could use a more explosive point guard or, at worst, move Brandon Roy to the point. This would allow Portland to pick up another piece to the ever evolving jigsaw puzzle that is the Portland Trail Blazers.
Joel Przybilla is another option, given his $7 million expiring contract, but give Portland’s long history of injuries to their centers, they may want to just keep him around for the postseason and let him walk while receiving zilch in return.
As teams gear up for the next great free agency period in 2012, Miller is an attractive point guard given his solid talent and affordable two-year contract.
8. Orlando Magic: Jason Richardson
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I’m sure the Magic would love to trade wannabe sharpshooter Gilbert Arenas considering he truly is a zero, but Jason Richardson is the next piece the Magic would most likely be given up. The most attractive piece, after Dwight Howard, of course, would be Brandon Bass, but they cannot afford to give him up given their lack of size up front.
Jason Richardson has a $14 million expiring contract. Even moreso, he still has enough star power and offensive ability to put some butts in seats for a struggling franchise for the remainder of the season.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder: Morris Peterson
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The Thunder needs a big man if they want to advance through the playoffs. Morris Peterson is a useless piece this season considering James Harden’s emergence this season. Peterson’s role in the playoffs off the bench would be filled by Harden or Thabo Sefoloshoa, depending on who is in the starting lineup and who is in the bench. Peterson at least has a $6 million expiring contract, which is attractive for sellers by the deadline.
6. Chicago Bulls: Ronnie Brewer
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The Bulls signed Brewer, but they need an upgrade at shooting guard. The Bulls are in position to win a Championship with Derrick Rose playing at an MVP level in his third season. Brewer is an attractive piece considering he is still young and Chicago may like to see how he develops, but they do not have the time to wait.
Brewer is on an affordable contract and has a ton of potential on both sides of the ball. If the Bulls want to upgrade, they may be forced to trade him now.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum
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The Lakers, for some odd reason, have taken the stance that Andrew Bynum is almost untouchable now.
Wow.
Do the Lakers know how to add mystique to a player or what!?
Andrew Bynum has about as many great performances as he does costly injuries throughout his six-year career. It’s time the Lakers surrender their stance. He is not going to be a great center, especially if he can’t stay healthy, which he has proven throughout his career. If the Lakers want to win this season, they need to trade Bynum for a top tier player if a team will bite, because this Lakers team will not turn it on in the postseason.
4. Miami Heat: Mike Miller
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The Heat still need depth up front and in the back court. A veteran point guard would be ideal but a defensive center would be even better.
It is difficult for the Heat to trade considering so much money is poured into the “Big Three” of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Udonis Haslem is supposed to return before the playoffs begin and the man who will do the dirty work for this team, which mean he is invaluable come playoff time.
Now that James Jones is a proven three-point threat after winning the three-point contest during All Star Weekend, Mike Miller is the most expendable piece. It’s going to be tough to trade Miller considering his lengthy contract and now inability to stay healthy, on top of him not ever being that good of a player. Miller was brought in to be a three-point specialist. Since he has been overtaken by Jones and can’t stay healthy, he is now expendable.
3. Dallas Mavericks: Caron Butler
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Mark Cuban is desperately trying to field a Championship contender. This team is actually better equipped for a Championship than the one that lost to the Finals in the Heat back in 2006.
Butler would have been an important piece to the puzzle, had he been able to stay healthy. He says he could return from his knee injury for the postseason as he is now pain free, according to ESPN Dallas, but he is too much of a gamble for these Mavericks to depend on.
Butler may not be healthy, but he is still an excellent center piece for trade negotiations considering he has a $10 million expiring contract. Plenty of teams in the rebuilding phase would love to clear up cap space by acquiring Butler.
2. Boston Celtics: Nate Robinson
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The Celtics brought back Nate Robinson this season to come off the bench and provide a huge spark of offensive. Nate can handle the rock, is not selfish enough to refuse to pass it off but still doesn’t have the maturity of a veteran Celtic.
Still, Robinson would be a worthy spark plug to keep. However, the Celitcs may be forced to trade Nate as he has the most offensive talent and star power on this Boston bench. He also has an affordable contract but the Celtics should be looking to bring in even more size after losing the Finals to the Lakers last year due to the lack of size on the front court.
1. San Antonio Spurs: Richard Jefferson
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Richard Jefferson is the most expendable piece in the Spurs’ starting lineup.
He has an affordable contract, although he never has, in my opinion, been a worthy player of any of his deals.
Jefferson, at this point in his career, is not going to help a team in any one single area. He is an average defender and scorer, and doesn’t have any rebounding or passing skills either. Jefferson was a wasted experiment for Gregg Popovich and these San Antonio Spurs so if they can find a way to shed his contract, it’ll be a great move for their future.
