NBA Rumors: Carlos Boozer and 10 Players Teams Want to Trade ASAP

With the NBA Draft nearly a week in the rearview mirror, NBA trade rumors are starting to heat up. Of course, the impending NBA lockout could put a damper on the offseason proceedings, but that won’t stop fans from speculating.

Whether it be for salary cap relief or a desire to improve, many high-profile players are reportedly on trading blocks across the league. While it is certainly difficult to differentiate legitimate rumors from manufactured ones, some obviously make more sense than others.

Although many of trades rumored to occur on draft night didn’t come to fruition, it doesn’t mean that those players are off the table. In fact, the draft further muddled the situations of many of the players rumored to be on the move.

Here are 10 players teams want to trade as soon as possible.

Ben Gordon, G, Detroit Pistons

According to Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press, guard Ben Gordon could be on the way out after Kentucky guard Brandon Knight fell to the Detroit Pistons with the eighth pick in the NBA Draft. The selection of Knight leaves the Pistons with a glut of guards, including Gordon, Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey.

While Hamilton could also possibly be moved, Gordon might be more attractive to potential suitors, as he is younger and makes slightly less money than Hamilton, although his contract is longer. One option Sharp discussed in his article is a buyout. He predicted that if the salary cap is altered in the new NBA collective bargaining agreement, teams could be granted a “one-time contractual amnesty.” This would allow the Pistons to cut bait with any one player they wish without financial repercussions against the cap.

If things go the way Sharp believes they will, the Pistons may be able to trade one of Hamilton or Gordon and buyout the other. This would leave Detroit with Charlie Villanueva as the only albatross on its payroll. Whether it is possible or not, the Pistons would love to dump Gordon onto another team before next season.

Ramon Sessions, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com speculated that guard Ramon Sessions could be on the trading block if the Cleveland Cavaliers were to draft Kyrie Irving out of Duke. The Cavs did, in fact, take Irving, and they are now left with a logjam at the point guard position. Not only are Irving and Sessions currently on the roster, but veteran and former All-Star Baron Davis is as well.

Cleveland’s backcourt certainly isn’t big enough for the three of them, and one will almost assuredly be shipped out of town. Irving obviously isn’t an option, which means either Sessions or Davis will likely be donning new colors during the 2011-12 season. Both Sessions and Davis are signed through the 2012-13 season, but with Sessions making roughly $10 million less than Davis per season and being seven years younger, he is clearly the more moveable commodity.

Sessions previously showed some flashes with the Milwaukee Bucks and was very effective in a timeshare with Davis last season. He would definitely be attractive to developing teams in need of a point guard, such as the Atlanta Hawks.

Chris Kaman, C, Los Angeles Clippers

According to a Los Angeles Times article by Lisa Dillman, the Los Angeles Clippers have been dangling center Chris Kaman as trade bait, possibly in a deal for Philadelphia 76ers wingman Andre Iguodala. Kaman was injured for much of last season, and even when he did play, he took a backseat to Blake Griffin in terms of being an offensive option.

The fact remains, however, that Kaman is a former All-Star at a position that is quite scarce in terms of quality players. When you consider that Kaman also has an expiring $12.2 million contract attached to him, it is easy to see why many teams would take an interest in him. It isn’t likely that the Clippers would be willing to dump Kaman just for the sake of doing it, but they could fill other needs in a trade involving him.

The Clippers’ biggest need is a wing to form a formidable scoring trio with Griffin and Eric Gordon. Kaman becomes expendable because not only is there a slim chance that the Clippers will be able re-sign him after next season, but DeAndre Jordan made great strides as an interior presence last season as well. Kaman should certainly be able to garner Los Angeles something of value in a trade.

Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks

In a recent article, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports suggested that forward Josh Smith might be willing to move on from the Atlanta Hawks should a trade present itself. The Hawks may not be actively shopping Smith at the moment, but if they wish to improve, they will have to move some salary off the books eventually.

Smith is coming off perhaps his best season as a pro, but with two years and $25.6 million left on his contract, he may be the easiest player on the roster to trade. The ridiculous deal Atlanta handed guard Joe Johnson (five years and $110 million remain on his contract) has really hamstrung them in terms of roster moves.

Johnson is an excellent player to be certain, but he shouldn’t be making elite-player money. With that in mind, Johnson is probably immoveable, making Smith a sensible trade option. Trading Smith will almost definitely make the Hawks worse in the short term, but it might be necessary if they hope to contend for a title in the long term. If the Hawks do decide to hang onto Smith, the chances of re-signing him following the 2012-13 season are slim, making a trade quite possible presently.

Andris Biedrins, C, Golden State Warriors

Rusty Simmons reported in a recent blog post at sfgate.com that the Golden State Warriors turned down a trade offer from the Houston Rockets that would have sent center Andris Biedrins to Houston in exchange for bigs Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet. While that may lead some to believe that the Warriors have no interest in moving Biedrins, I think it has more to do with them not particularly liking the return.

Both Hill and Thabeet were high draft picks, but neither has shown any indication that they are going to live up to their potential. If the Warriors were to receive the right offer, I doubt they would have any reservations with regards to dealing Biedrins. Although Biedrins once showed great promise, he has certainly regressed in recent years. When you add in the fact that he has three years and $27 million remaining on his contract, trading Biedrins could finally give Golden State the opportunity to move toward being a playoff team.

The one caveat with trading Biedrins is that it isn’t yet known what new head coach Mark Jackson’s feelings are on the player. He did recently imply that size isn’t a necessary factor when it comes to a successful team, so one might infer that Jackson would be willing to part ways with Biedrins. If the Warriors are eventually offered a usable piece in exchange for Biedrins, I think they will take the bait.

Marcus Camby, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Anne M. Peterson bandied about some trade rumors involving the Portland Trail Blazers in a recent Mail Tribune article. In the article, Peterson suggested that center Marcus Camby could possibly be had in a trade. That thought would make sense on many levels for a Portland team that is looking to enter the Western Conference’s upper echelon.

At 37 years old, the oft-injured Camby doesn’t have a great deal of time left in the NBA, and with just one year at $9 million left on his contract, he could be attractive to some contending teams seeking an interior presence. Also, Greg Oden is due an $8.8 million qualifying offer next season. Despite the fact that Oden has been plagued by injuries over his young career, every indication is that Portland will qualify him.

It’s difficult to say exactly what is missing from the Blazers that would make them an elite team, but with Camby’s salary off the books, they would have some breathing room to add another piece. Camby either leaving Portland or retiring following next season is practically a foregone conclusion anyway, so trading him would be a smart move on Portland’s end.

Andre Iguodala, F, Philadelphia 76ers

As it currently stands, the Philadelphia 76ers are stuck as a low-tier playoff team in the Eastern Conference. With their backs against the wall in terms of the salary cap, there is little room for improvement unless a drastic move is made. According to Peter Vecsey of The New York Post, the Sixers may very well be willing to make a drastic move in the form of trading forward Andre Iguodala.

Trading away Iguodala would be sensible, as while he is a good player, he is probably paid more than he should be compared to his contributions to the team. Iguodala has two years and $28 million left on his contract, as well as a player option in 2013-14. If the Sixers are serious about moving up the ranks, trading Iguodala for a package of players and picks might be the way to go.

The 76ers will also have to make some room if they hope to lock up both Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner long term. Iguodala’s incredible athleticism and defensive acumen make him an attractive option for many organizations, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, who may have been dangling Lamar Odom and Chris Kaman respectively. The Sixers certainly aren’t desperate to move Iguodala, but they hold all the chips in a potential trade that could net them some great assets.

Lamar Odom, F, Los Angeles Lakers

After an incredibly disappointing playoff run this past season, it appears as though the Los Angeles Lakers have grown complacent and stagnant. With that in mind, it makes sense that the Lakers may be in the market for making a trade to shake things up. With Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum firmly entrenched, the most logical player who could be on the move is forward Lamar Odom.

According to a sports.gather.com blog post by Larry Seely, the Lakers are trying to dangle Odom in a few deals, including one for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and one for Philadelphia 76ers wing Andre Iguodala. Trading Odom would be a case of giving up something of value in order to get something of value. He is an important piece to the Lakers, but with just one year left on his contract (as well as a team option), he is their best trading chip.

It may be difficult for the Lakers to part with Odom, but there is really no other option if they wish to make some changes. Odom could be a nice addition for several teams, as he has good size and versatility and can thrive as a starter or a sixth man coming off the bench. I think there is a good chance that Lamar and his wife Khloe will be calling a new locale home next season.

Richard Jefferson, F, San Antonio Spurs

After having a nice bounce-back season for the Spurs in 2009-10, forward Richard Jefferson seemed to revert back to form in 2010-11. He performed well below his career averages in points, rebounds and assists, and averaged just 6.5 points per game in the Spurs’ first round loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. With San Antonio trading for the draft rights to Kawhi Leonard on draft night, it’s obvious that they are looking to go in a different and younger direction at small forward.

The Spurs’ lack of confidence is clear if you a recent article by Mike Monroe on mysanantonio.com. In the article, Monroe said that the Spurs insisted that any trade involving point guard Tony Parker would involve Jefferson as well. If the Spurs view Jefferson as nothing more than a throw in, then they can’t possibly have any plans for him in the future.

Jefferson has two years and $19 million remaining on his contract, as well as an $11 million player option for the 2013-14 season. With that said, it could be extremely difficult for the Spurs to find a suitor for Jefferson. If they realistically hope to trade him, it is more than likely that they will have to add something more of value to the trade to go along with Jefferson. They also shouldn’t expect to get much in return. Any deal involving Jefferson would likely be a pure salary dump for the Spurs, and I think they’re okay with that.

Carlos Boozer, F, Chicago Bulls

It looks as though the Chicago Bulls are already beginning to regret the hefty contract they gave forward Carlos Boozer last offseason. After a postseason in which he averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game, many Bulls fans are questioning whether he can get the job done on the big stage. With four years and roughly $60 million left on his contract, his presence also prohibits the Bulls from making significant changes.

Devon Alexandre of midwestsportsfans.com recently reported that the Bulls are searching for potential trade partners in a move involving Boozer. His contract may not be attractive to most teams, but Boozer was certainly effective during the regular season and could substantially help teams who lack a scoring punch in the paint.

The continued progression of forward Taj Gibson almost makes trading Boozer a no-brainer for Chicago provided they can strike a deal that makes sense. If the Bulls can find a team with a glut of two guards to trade with, Boozer could absolutely be on his way out of the Windy City.