NBA Trade Speculation: Potential Trade Chip Each Team Could Move This Summer
With the exception of the seven teams currently remaining in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, every other team is already look towards the summer with an eye on not only free agency but also some potential trades that could help improve their team.
Free agency isn't always easy. Not every team has the money and cap space to sign a big-time free agent, meaning the next way to improve their roster is through a trade of some kind. As a wise man once said: "you have to give talent to get talent."
So, with that in mine, let's take a look at each team and one player who they could potentially use as a trade chip this summer in order to improve their roster.
Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith
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The Hawks currently have seven players under contract for next season while a number of players, such as Hilton Armstrong and Jason Collins, are set to become free agents.
Joe Johnson (and his $123 million-dollar contract) and Al Horford aren't going anywhere.
The team may lose Jamal Crawford, who is a free agent, but they could replace him with Jeff Teague. Teague has shown a lot of potential thus far in the playoffs.
The Hawks best move might be trading Smith, who is due $26 million over the next two years, to bring in some less-established, yet cheaper player to fill some holes on the roster.
In doing so, they would shed some payroll and give themselves more flexibility,
Smith's value is at an all-time high right now, so the Hawks might be wise to cash in.
Boston Celtics: Avery Bradley
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Assuming Ray Allen exercises his player option, the "Big 4" of the Celtics will be back and ready to make another run, regardless of what happens in this years playoffs.
The team also has both Jermaine O'Neal as well as Shaquille O'Neal under contract for next season, but it's hard to imagine anyone wanting them via trade.
The Celtics' first priority will be to lock up Jeff Green this summer.
That leaves Boston with just one other player under contract: Bradley. He was a first round pick just last year and would be a nice piece for a rebuilding team.
Charlotte Bobcats: Stephen Jackson
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The Bobcats, who seem to be in rebuilding mode, took a step in the right direction when they traded Gerald Wallace prior to the trade deadline this past season.
Jackson, who is owed $19 million over the next two seasons, should be the next player shipped elsewhere.
Chicago Bulls: Luol Deng
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Deng might be a tough sell due to the fact that he is still owed $40 million over the next three years.
But the Bulls desperately need a shooting guard and they could use Deng to acquire one.
Should they move Deng, they would still have Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer, both of whom could step in and split time at the small forward position.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Antawn Jamison
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Jamison, who has one year remaining on his contract, will be a hot trade commodity for a few different reasons.
When healthy, Jamison is still a very solid player who can contribute in a variety of ways for a winning ball club.
Furthermore, he would be a low risk for any team because he has an expiring contract.
In return, the Cavaliers could continue to stockpile draft picks and young, yet undeveloped talent.
Dallas Mavericks: Dominique Jones
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The Mavericks are going to have a very busy off-season.
There first priority will be to re-sign both J.J. Barea as well as Tyson Chandler. Both Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry will be back, so the team should be good shape yet again.
However, the Mavericks also have a few terrible contracts.
Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood are two players who are both owed a ton of money for multiple years, and it doesn't seem likely that any team would be interested in either player.
Dominique Jones is a player that could draw some interest from other teams and might be a good chip to use in an effort to acquire another established veteran looking for a chance to make a run at the Finals.
Denver Nuggets: Raymond Felton
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Ty Lawson is the future at the point guard position for the Nuggets, and Felton is an expiring contract who can be used to in a trade to help fill some other holes on the roster.
His time in Denver will be short-lived.
Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton
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Hamilton has had enough of the Pistons and the Detroit organization probably feels the same way about him.
Both sides would love to find a potential suitor here, but it will be difficult because Hamilton is still owed $25.3 million over the next two years.
That is a lot of money for a veteran who is clearly on the decline.
Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis
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Ellis has been rumored in trade talks in the past, and those rumors are sure to continue this summer.
Many people have wondered for a while now whether or not Ellis and teammate Stephen Curry can co-exist and play effectively alongside each other.
The Warriors may want to go in a new direction and build the team more around Curry,
If so, Ellis would be an extremely hot commodity.
He is only owed $33 million over the next three years, which is very reasonable for a player who averaged 24.1 points per game this past season.
Houston Rockets: Courtney Lee
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Lee is still a very promising young player who excels on the defensive end of the floor.
He is also a decent contributor on the offensive end of the floor and his really improved his jump shot.
Houston has a number of players that fit that profile, however, and Daryl Morey is always active on the trade front.
Lee would be an attractive option for a number of teams because his contract is relatively cheap and he has some big game experience already in his young career.
Indiana Pacers: Brandon Rush
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The Pacers are another team that is going to have a good amount of flexibility and cap space this summer.
They have a number of players whose contracts will be expiring soon, including Mike Dunleavy and T.J. Ford.
The young Pacers showed some serious potential in the postseason, and appear to be just a few pieces away from becoming a serious contender.
The emergence of Paul George means that Indiana can make Brandon Rush expendable in hopes that they can add another big body up front.
Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman
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The Clippers would love to unload Kaman and the $12.7 million he is owed next season, as they have the young DeAndre Jordan ready to go at the center position.
Jordan is a restricted free agent this summer, but there is no way the Clippers will let him get away.
The Clippers have already discussed trades with multiple teams involving Kaman, and most recently were rumored to be in serious discussions with the 76ers.
In return, they would receive Andre Igoudala as well as a few other pieces. The Clippers are clearly trying to move Kaman.
Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum
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Any deal that the Lakers make involving Dwight Howard will almost certainly include Bynum.
He is a young big man who the Magic could build around, and we have still to see him at his best.
It is also impossible for the Magic to get fair value for Howard, but Bynum and some other pieces would be a very solid return.
Memphis Grizzlies: O.J. Mayo
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This one is fairly obvious, because O.J. Mayo was almost traded to the Pacers at this year's deadline.
In fact, he was. The only problem was that the trade wasn't made in time and the two teams couldn't get it in by the deadline.
The Grizzlies will use the offseason to find a deal involving Mayo, and this one should be done with plenty of time left before the deadline.
Miami Heat: Chris Bosh
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This one is very unlikely, although you never know if and when Dwight Howard becomes available.
The Heat have very little in terms of trade value, and players like Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller aren't likely to draw interest from other teams.
Bosh has been somewhat of a disappointment in his first year with the Heat, and the team may be tempted to move him if another superstar becomes available.
Milwaukee Bucks: John Salmons
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Michael Redd's contract will finally expire for the Bucks, but he is one of the few players that won't be on the books for next year.
Milwaukee doesn't have too many players who are prime trade candidates, due to both salaries and ineffectiveness, but there may be a few teams interested in John Salmons.
Salmons is a very good role player who can come off the bench and contribute offensively, and has some playoff experience as well.
MInnesota Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio
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Let's face it: Rubio is never going to want to play in Minnesota.
So, with that in mind, Rubio has become a trade asset for the Timberwolves more than anything else. But there will be plenty of teams interested if the 'Wolves decide to try and trade him.
Plus, if the Timberwolves win the draft lottery and acquire the No. 1 pick, they could draft Kyrie Irving to become their point guard of the future, and it would allow them to move Rubio without hesitation.
New Jersey Nets: Brook Lopez
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Much like Andrew Bynum, Lopez isn't likely to be on the move this summer. Except if it is for Mr. Howard.
The Nets have been looking to give Deron Williams a reason to re-sign with the Nets, and bring Howard aboard would be a great one.
They would form a very scary duo, and the Nets would suddenly become one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
If it took Lopez to get Howard, so be it. It's a no-brainer.
New Orleans Hornets: Jarrett Jack
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After Chris Paul, the Hornets roster is slim pickings.
The teams first priority should be to re-sign either Carl Landry or David West, or even both. After that, they don't have too many pieces they could move to make improvements.
Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza both make more money than they are really worth, and there really isn't much value anywhere else on the roster.
Jack might be the only player that other teams would have interest in.
New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire
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There have been rumors that the Knicks may be contemplating trying to trade Stoudemire to the Magic for Dwight Howard.
That is a deal that would make a ton of sense for the Knicks, and it would also give the Magic a superstar to replace Howard.
Besides that, Stoudemire isn't going anywhere.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Nate Robinson
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Since being traded to the Thunder from the Boston Celtics, Robinson has only appeared in four games, playing just a total of 30 minutes.
It's safe to say the Thunder don't need Robinson, but some other teams may be interested in his services.
Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard
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If it were up to the Magic, this would be an entirely different story.
But if Howard makes it clear to them that he won't be signing an extension with the team, their best move would to move him for the best package they can get for him.
As hard as that may seem to accept for Orlando fans, it's better to come away with something rather than nothing.
Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Igoudala
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It seems like Igoudala has been a part of various trade talks for the last several years.
This summer, a trade may actually finally happen.
The latest rumor has Igoudala heading to L.A. to join the Clippers in exchange for Chris Kaman.
Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash
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The Suns are in more of a rebuilding mode than anything else. Aside from the point guard position, they need help all over their roster.
By dealing Nash, they could acquire several young pieces that would help them build for the future, and it would also allow Nash to chase a title elsewhere with a contender.
The Suns are going nowhere quick, so it would be better for everyone if the two sides parted ways.
Portland Trail Blazers: Rudy Fernandez
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The Blazers will have a whopping four players that will make over $10 million next season, so they won't have much to work with in terms of flexibility.
Fernandez, however, has had an inconsistent career with Portland and could probably use a change of scenery.
He is an outstanding shooter, the type of player that is always in demand, so a number of teams are sure to have interest.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins
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The Kings don't really have much in the way of trade chips, but that could change if the organization decides they are already sick of Cousins' act.
A number of teams, however, would love to take a chance on the talented yet immature big man.
San Antonio Spurs: James Anderson
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Assuming George Hill and Gary Neal are off limits, who else is there on the Spurs roster that would be a viable trade piece? Richard Jefferson? Yeah, right.
Toronto Raptors: Jose Calderon
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Since the Raptors are currently trying to re-build, they should try to unload Calderon and his contract (due over $19 million over the next two years), and turn the reigns of the team over to Jerryd Bayless.
Utah Jazz: Raja Bell
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Bell, still known as one of the best defensive players in the league, is due about $6.7 million over the next two years, but the Jazz could use him to try and acquire a much-needed scorer who can play on the wing.
They need a player who can space the floor and create some room for their talented front line.
Washington Wizards: Jordan Crawford
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In 26 games with the Wizards, Crawford averaged 16.3 points per game, but also shot a dismal 39 percent from the field.
The Wizards have plenty of offensive weapons, but what they need is to bring in a few players who can contribute on the defensive end of the floor.
Crawford is relatively cheap and has shown he can score in bunches, so a number of teams would be very interested.
