NBA Trade Speculation: 1 Player on Each Team Who Won't Be Back Next Year
With the NBA draft class potentially a soft one and the free-agent pool low on big-ticket players, trades could become a major storyline of this offseason.
Teams looking for impact roster moves may be forced to deal established pieces in order to get the new additions they’re looking for.
Which players are most prominently on the trade block? Read on for the veteran on each team least likely to be back for 2011-12.
Boston Celtics: C Jermaine O’Neal
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Most of the Boston roster is up for free agency, so they’re not all that likely to be active in the trade market. If they are, they’d love to exchange creaky C Jermaine O’Neal for a younger model.
The market for injury-plagued, 33-year-old centers isn’t likely to be strong, so Boston may not be able to move O’Neal regardless of their intention.
New Jersey Nets: C Johan Petro
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The Nets aren’t any too attached to most of this season’s roster, and reserve center Johan Petro could be one of the non-free agents to depart. Petro’s 7’0”, 247-lb frame makes him an appealing prospect, but after five NBA seasons, he’s shown little potential to develop into a starter.
The Nets have much better young talent in the post, so Petro will likely be shipped out for help at another position.
New York Knicks: PG Chauncey Billups
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Although Chauncey Billups’ knee injury was probably the last straw in the Knicks’ playoff duel with Boston, he’s no guarantee to be back in New York next year.
Billups will be 35 next season, and the Knicks (who have Toney Douglas as one replacement option) may try to move him while he still has significant trade value, even though they re-signed him for the 2011-12 campaign.
Billups is a proven winner and still a dangerous shooter, so even if he’s not a sure-fire starter anymore, he should attract some interest from PG-needy clubs.
Philadelphia 76ers: SF Andre Iguodala
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One of the biggest obstacles to Philadelphia’s rebuilding efforts is the exorbitant amount of money they’ve invested in Andre Iguodala. The three years and $44.15 million remaining on his contract have the team’s hands tied, and they’d love to unload him and gain some roster flexibility.
Iguodala has plenty of talent, just not enough to merit his salary. Teams in the market for small forwards (the Clippers, say?) might be convinced, if the Sixers offer the right package, to take on his salary.
Toronto Raptors: C Andrea Bargnani
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The Toronto Raptors are a rebuilding project by any definition, and it’s hard to see anyone on their roster as untouchable. Center Andrea Bargnani led the team in scoring this season, but his poor rebounding (5.2 per game) and defense may prompt the club to move him.
Bargnani carries similar caveats to many other European big men, and the large supply of those in this year’s draft pool may hurt his trade value.
Chicago Bulls: SG Keith Bogans
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The Bulls seem like one of the least likely teams to make a move, even if they do get upset by Atlanta in the Eastern semis. The big question for Chicago has been the lack of offense after Derrick Rose, so defensive veteran Bogans may be the likeliest candidate to move.
He’s inexpensive and a hard worker, so the Bulls could probably find interested parties, but do any of them have higher-scoring guards they’d be willing to part with?
Cleveland Cavaliers: PG Baron Davis
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After the Cavaliers’ dreadful 2010-11 season, there aren’t many players on the roster whom other teams are likely to want. One exception could be veteran PG Baron Davis, acquired at the trade deadline last season.
Davis could be packaged with draft picks to bring in some established talent, but his fate may depend most on Cleveland’s lottery luck. Landing the top pick (likely Duke PG Kyrie Irving) would make Davis immediately expendable.
Detroit Pistons: PF Charlie Villanueva
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The rebuilding Pistons need players they can count on over the long haul, and Charlie Villanueva has looked like anything but. His five-game suspension (four to be served at the start of next season) for an altercation with Cleveland’s Ryan Hollins could be the last straw for Villanueva in Detroit.
The suspension and Villanueva’s well-earned reputation for not playing defense won’t make him a very attractive trade chip, but Detroit should be able to get something for him from a team that likes his scoring punch.
Indiana Pacers: SG Brandon Rush
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The Pacers have cornered the market on long, lean swingmen who can score, and that might make Brandon Rush superfluous even with Mike Dunleavy a free agent.
Paul George’s emergence as a defensive presence (the one glaring hole in the Pacers’ pool of wing players) makes Rush (who hasn’t yet shown much on the defensive end) expendable.
Rush has some value as an instant-offense type, so while he won’t command a high price, the Pacers should be able to find a buyer for him.
Milwaukee Bucks: SG Corey Maggette
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The Bucks are hoping to improve the league’s worst shooting team (43 percent from the field), and shot selection has never been Corey Maggette’s strong suit. Add in the defensive struggles that have limited Maggette’s playing time under defensive-minded Scott Skiles, and Maggette could be moved.
Maggette has value as a role player to a team that can tolerate his limitations, so Milwaukee shouldn’t be too hard up for buyers.
Atlanta Hawks: PG Kirk Hinrich
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Youngster Jeff Teague has been something of a revelation against Derrick Rose and the Bulls, which could make veteran Kirk Hinrich expendable. Hinrich will have just one year left on his contract in 2012, so the Hawks could try to move him before they lose him.
As this year’s trade deadline showed, there are plenty of teams looking for PG help, and Hinrich is still more than capable of providing it.
Charlotte Bobcats: SG Stephen Jackson
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The Charlotte Bobcats effectively declared rebuilding with their trade-deadline dismissal of Gerald Wallace. As the team looks to move forward, pricey SG Stephen Jackson could be the next to go.
Jackson is owed $19.31 million over the final two years of his contract. He’s a dangerous scorer (though nothing special in other areas), and that should be enough for some team to bite on him.
Miami Heat: SG Mike Miller
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The Heat were rumored to be shopping Mike Miller at this season’s trade deadline, obviously without success. The sharpshooting guard has battled injuries this season and never established himself as a viable complement to Miami’s Big Three.
If the Heat lowers its asking price, don’t be surprised to see Miller headed out before next seasons.
Orlando Magic: PG Gilbert Arenas
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Rumors are swirling about whether the Magic will move Dwight Howard rather than lose him in 2012 free agency, but there’s no certainty that Howard won’t re-sign in Orlando. Whether he goes or not, the Magic wouldn’t mind unloading the unhappy (and expensive) Gilbert Arenas.
Arenas has three years and $62.4 million left on his contract and has clashed with coach Stan Van Gundy over playing time. He could be a tough sell unless he’s packaged with Howard, but Orlando will likely make a push to unload him.
Washington Wizards: PF/SF Rashard Lewis
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Acquired in the Gilbert Arenas deal, Rashard Lewis is one of Washington’s elder statesmen heading into 2011-12. Unfortunately, he’s gone from being a dangerous scorer to an 11.7 ppg player last season, and doesn’t bring a whole lot of value beyond his shooting range.
Lewis has struggled to find the right NBA offense for his skill set. If some team thinks they might have it, Washington could get a nice return for him.
Denver Nuggets: PG Raymond Felton
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Coming off a career year, Raymond Felton’s potential trade value has never been higher. With Ty Lawson also having played well at PG for the Nuggets, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Denver to convert Felton into help at another position while keeping the less expensive Lawson.
Felton’s speed and improved court vision would make him the best point guard available until Chris Paul becomes a free agent. He could bring an impressive price in a trade.
Minnesota Timberwolves: SF Michael Beasley
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The rebuilding Timberwolves seem to have found their identity in double-double machine Kevin Love. As they build around the blue-collar Love, a one-dimensional scorer like Michael Beasley could become a liability.
Beasley averaged 19.2 points per game last season, so his value could be inflated at the moment. Minnesota may be able to entice a team looking for scoring help to pick him up.
Oklahoma City Thunder: PG Nate Robinson
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The forgotten man in the Kendrick Perkins trade, Nate Robinson has yet to play in the postseason for Oklahoma City. Even with Robinson nursing a surgically repaired knee, it's hard to believe he wouldn’t have gotten on the floor at all if he were in the Thunder’s long-term plans.
Robinson is a role player, but he’s proven he’s good at what he does, so any team that needs a dedicated perimeter scorer off the bench will be interested if the Thunder’s asking price is reasonable.
Portland Trailblazers: PG Andre Miller
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Despite many rumors that Andre Miller was on his way out of Portland, he wasn’t moved at the trade deadline. That doesn’t mean, however, that he’ll be a Blazer in 2011-12.
Miller serves the same purpose as an expiring contract because his $7.8 million salary for next season comes off the books if he’s waived by June 29. Any team interested in clearing cap space could pursue Miller to further their cause.
Utah Jazz: C Mehmet Okur
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With the Jazz frontcourt belonging to Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap, long-time center Mehmet Okur becomes the odd man out. He missed almost all of this season with a back injury but doesn’t really have a job to return to when he’s healthy again.
Okur is an established quantity, a good shot who can pull opposing centers away from the rim. Utah could get a nice return for him if teams aren’t scared about a recurrence of the back problems.
Golden State Warriors: SG Monta Ellis
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The Warriors need lots of help on defense, and neither of their starting guards (Monta Ellis and Steph Curry) is much of a weapon on that end. Curry could still develop, but Ellis has been in the league five years and is probably as good as he’s going to get.
Ellis is a prolific scorer who should command a fairly high price in spite of his lack of defensive acumen.
Los Angeles Clippers: C Chris Kaman
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The development of DeAndre Jordan has made veteran Chris Kaman a luxury as a $12.2 million backup. With Jordan needing to be re-signed as a restricted free agent, the Clippers could easily decide they no longer have the money to keep Kaman around.
Kaman’s name has been mentioned in trade talks for a couple of years now, and there’s certainly interest around the league in an experienced center who can score and rebound, even if not at All-Star levels.
Los Angeles Lakers: C/F Pau Gasol
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Pau Gasol was invisible throughout the Dallas sweep, especially on the defensive end. With the chances good for sweeping roster changes in L.A., expect Gasol to be the top name on the trade block after his wretched postseason.
There should be an appreciable market for Gasol, who is still only 30, despite his reputation for playing soft.
Phoenix Suns: SF Josh Childress
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Athletic swingman Josh Childress has many virtues, but three-point shooting isn’t one of them. Childress’ lack of touch from the outside made him a poor fit in the Phoenix offense, where he averaged a career-low 5.0 points this season.
Childress is a better player than he showed in 2010-11. The Suns could get a player better suited to their approach for a bargain price.
Sacramento Kings: SF/SG Omri Casspi
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Sacramento’s acquisition of swingman Marcus Thornton at the trade deadline took a huge bite out of Omri Casspi’s playing time. The second-year guard, understandably, wasn’t happy with the change, and Sacramento could easily ship him out rather than listen to him gripe next season.
Casspi has been a bench player and occasional starter who hasn’t had much opportunity to show what he can do in his two NBA seasons. Teams looking for SG help on the cheap could pursue him.
Dallas Mavericks: SF Corey Brewer
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Corey Brewer has played sparingly for the Mavs in the postseason and could still become a valuable player on somebody’s roster with his defense and athleticism. With Dallas hoping to bring back both Caron Butler and Rodrigue Beaubois next season, though, Brewer will likely be lost in the shuffle.
Dallas won’t get a lot for Brewer, who has yet to establish himself in an NBA rotation, but they should find some team willing to take a flyer on him.
Houston Rockets: C Brad Miller
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The Rockets will likely be reconstructing the center position regardless of whether they can re-sign Yao Ming, and 12-year vet Brad Miller is unlikely to be kept around. Miller doesn’t likely have the minutes left in him to spell the injury-prone Yao, but he could be a valuable reserve in a more limited role for a contender.
As long as the Rockets keep their asking price reasonable, they shouldn’t be hurting for suitors for Miller.
Memphis Grizzlies: SF Rudy Gay
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The Grizzlies’ stunning playoff run becomes even more remarkable considering that they’ve done it without injured Rudy Gay. Once considered the defining star of the team, Gay’s absence during the best run in franchise history likely makes him expendable.
Gay won’t even turn 25 until August and has enormous athletic ability with room to develop his skills on both ends of the floor. He should attract plenty of attention if Memphis shops him.
New Orleans Hornets: PG Jarrett Jack
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If the Hornets think they’ll lose Chris Paul in free agency, he jumps to the top of their trade list. Otherwise, New Orleans doesn’t have a lot of expendable players but could consider upgrading Paul’s backup, Jarrett Jack.
With a number of point guards potentially available by trade or sign-and-trade, it wouldn’t be implausible for the Hornets to swing a deal, but only if they felt they could get a player who would fit better than the workmanlike Jack.
San Antonio Spurs: SG Danny Green
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Unlike the Lakers, the Spurs aren’t likely to blow up the roster after their surprise playoff exit, but the aging team may not have many title runs left in it. With the youth movement having already brought in George Hill and Gary Neal, D-League signee Danny Green could be the odd man out.
Green has played minimally (28 career games) at the NBA level, but he’s only 23, so the Spurs might be able to find a taker.
