Carmelo Anthony NY Knicks: 10 Other Deadline Moves That Could Be More Important
With the news that Carmelo Anthony had been dealt to the New York Knicks as a part of a three-team, 12-player deal that sent draft picks and players rocketing across the NBA, the dominant story of this year's trading season has officially drawn to a close.
But that doesn't mean there aren't other potentially impactful deals out there; far from it, in fact.
We're bringing you 10 players whose names have been bandied about in trade talks for months now. Some of them might get dealt, some might not. But given the price they're on the block for, or the kind of talent they're bringing to the table, these guys could wind up being more valuable to a contender down the stretch than Melo will be for the Knicks.
10. Rip Hamilton To The Celtics
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Rip Hamilton needs out of Detroit. The one-time Pistons standout has taken the court for the team once since January 12, and is allegedly battling an injured groin, but claims to be okay.
But where will he go? One possible landing spot at the deadline could be Boston, where the Celtics would sure like someone of Hamilton's pedigree to back up Paul Pierce at small forward, now that Marquis Daniels is hurt.
However, like anything in the NBA, it's not that easy. On top of lacking the necessary pieces to pull off a trade for Hamilton, the Pistons seem likely to cut the veteran at some point before season's end, making it unlikely that the Celtics would pay for something they could get for free later on.
It's just as possible that nothing happens for Rip until the offseason, and he stays trapped on the Pistons' bench for now. But if he leaves, his scoring touch would prove incredibly useful for a contender, at a fraction of the price that Melo cost the Knicks.
9. Al Harrington To The Mavericks
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I was as shocked as many pundits when I saw Harrington's name not included in the Carmelo Anthony trade; for most teams, the underacheiving small forward had been a requirement to take the talented Anthony out of Denver.
But don't think that means the Nuggets aren't still trying to get out from under Harrington's albatross of a contract; in fact, the team is actively trying to deal the forward and his five-year, $33 million contract.
And this isn't to say Harrington's not a good player; as recently as 2008-09, he was averaging better than 20 points and six rebounds per game. And for the Mavs, he'd prove to be an excellent ancillary scorer and rebounder, filling a big need for them. But, considering his contract, age and history, odds are good that the Mavericks and their crazy owner take a pass on this one.
8. Chris Kaman to The Pistons
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The man who once carried the title of "Worst Hair in the NBA" has returned from injury, and is once again subject to rampant rumors of his imminent departure from Los Angeles.
This time, Kaman's landing place is somewhat surprising: Detroit. There have been rumblings of the Clippers sending their center to the Pistons for Tayshawn Prince, in a deal that would provide the Pistons the interior size they have desperately needed this season.
Given the Clippers' glut of bigs, and the fact that Kaman has struggled with head coach Vinny del Negro's system, it seems likely that he's heading out of Los Angeles at some point, and if he winds up in Detroit, you can bet he'll be an extremely valuable piece for them.
7. Raymond Felton Out Of Denver
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Just as quickly as the Nuggets grabbed Raymond Felton from the Knicks, the rumors of his imminent departure have started, and given the importance of the point guard in the NBA, he could wind up having a bigger impact than Anthony has in New York.
Why? Because Felton could provide the impetus for New Jersey to send their star point guard Devin Harris to Dallas, and Harris landing in Dallas would provide the Mavs with exactly what they need: a promising, young point guard capable of running a team.
If that doesn't scare Western Conference teams, I don't know what will.
6. Marvin Williams For a Point Guard
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The Atlanta Hawks are in the market for a point guard more capable of running their offense than Mike Bibby, who's showing his age more and more every game.
Their trade bait? Marvin Williams, a 24-year-old out of North Carolina, who's averaging 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds this season for the Hawks.
So far, there are no takers, but if they get someone to bite (like Philadelphia or New Jersey) the Hawks' new point guard could have a colossal impact on the Eastern Conference race.
5. Gerald Wallace To Portland, Houston
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Wallace, a nine-year veteran out of Alabama, is having another decent season in Charlotte, averaging 15.5 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Bobcats this season.
That kind of production has attracted attention from teams like the Rockets and Blazers, both of whom could use another rebounder and scorer in their lineups.
If Gerald gets moved, expect him to have an immediate impact on whoever he joins, particularly if he heads to Houston.
4. O.J. Mayo To Houston
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Mayo has been a serious disappointment in 2010-11, even losing his starting spot in the Grizzlies lineup. But the 23-year-old winger has still flashed the potential that led scouts to christen him "the next LeBron James" at times, and has upside left to reach.
The Rockets could sure use a go-to scorer, having to rely on role-players and secondary cast members for production, and have expressed interest in the onetime star-in-the-making.
If Memphis' price is right (and right now, it doesn't sound good), Houston could get a potential impact player for much less than the Knicks had to pay for 'Melo.
While Mayo's not on Anthony's level, he's just what the Rockets need, and could be a big boost for them down the stretch.
3. Nene Out of Denver
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Finding productive big men is one of the toughest tasks in basketball. So when you find one, and one that's unhappy with his current situation, you tend to start trying to get him.
This is exactly what's going on in Denver as we speak. Center Nene has been voicing his desire to leave Denver for some time now, and multiple teams have sent offers for the productive big man, despite his health concerns over the years.
If he winds up somewhere like, say, Oklahoma City, he could have a profound impact on that team, giving them their best true post presence since they were in Seattle. And that post presence could be enough to push the Thunder back into the title picture.
2. Stephen Jackson To Dallas
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Despite his advanced age, Jackson is still one of the NBA's most prolific scorers. He's got a touch for finding the basket, something the Dallas Mavericks could use, as they've lacked a strong secondary scorer since Josh Howard went wacko and got traded to Washington.
However, like everything related to Jackson, it's not that easy. He's been running his mouth all season, and has picked up more technicals than any other player in the league, meaning he's out of the lineup more than most players.
The Mavs seem unwilling to take a risk on the tempramental scorer, but if they change their minds before Thursday, he could provide the boost they need to put them over the top and into Finals contention.
1. Devin Harris To Portland Or Atlanta
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Harris is still the biggest name on the trading block at this point, given his scoring touch and distributing skills, averaging 15 points an 7.1 assists per game in 2010-11. He's looked like a star for several years now, and wants out of New Jersey.
If he winds up in either Atlanta or Portland, he represents a massive upgrade in the teams' potential to make a deep postseason run, particularly for the Blazers. The price tag isn't all that steep, considering the impact that Harris would make for his potential new squads, vaulting them not just into the playoffs, but into contention for postseason glory.
Harris will be somewhere new, and if things play out right, there's an excellent chance his skills prove more valuable to his team than almost any other move made by any team this season.
