NBA Trade Speculation: The Most Expendable Player for Every NBA Team

The NBA lockout continues with seemingly no end in sight.

While we can continue to keep hope alive, it is sad when we receive more news about players playing in summer league games as opposed to their own NBA teams.

Although the lockout is in full effect, if there is a point that business resumes, it will be time to make moves.

Every team has one or two players that they will have to get rid of in order to get better, especially in a short amount of time depending on how long the lockout lasts.

Here is a look at each team’s most expendable player. 

Atlanta Hawks: Jason Collins and Marvin Williams

Although Josh Smith is talked about in most of the trade rumors for the Hawks, both Marvin Williams and Jason Collins have under performed for the team.

Collins has never been that dominant in anything. Despite being seven feet tall, he only averages four rebounds and just under four points a game for his career.

Williams is twice the problem. Not only has he not lived up to the hype he had since leaving North Carolina in 2005, he's come with an expensive price tag.

Smith is perhaps the team's top trade chip. But he is also one of the team's best.   

Boston Celtics: Jermaine O’Neal

O’Neal was once an all-star who could shoot, rebound and block shots.

Thanks to injuries and low production, O’Neal is now just another big man.

Although he played well in the playoffs against the New York Knicks, O’Neal is way past his prime. 

Charlotte Bobcats: DeSagana Diop

Diop is known more for his presence in the post as opposed to scoring and rebounding. 

Kwame Brown put up better numbers than Diop in nearly every category. 

Another factor that makes Diop expendable is Tyrus Thomas returning from to the team. 

Doip's price tag and the fact that he has not done great since entering the league in 2001 are also good reasons to see him go. 

Chicago Bulls: Keith Bogans

The Bulls could have been one shooting guard away from the NBA finals.

Although Keith Bogans started every game for the Bulls last season, he did not perform like a started. Averaging four points in the regular season and five in the playoffs isn’t enough to cut it.

Bogans is an OK three point shooter, as well as good on defense. But he is not the starting shooting guard the Bulls need. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: Baron Davis

Right when Davis was finding good rhythm with LA Clippers star Blake Griffin, he gets traded to Clevland.

The Cavs are clearly in a rebuilding phase. Taking Kyrie Irving with the No. 1 pick doesn't look good for Davis.

Sure, they could make it work starting off, but just how long will it take before Irving is in the starting position and Davis is wanting out?

Dallas Maveracks: Corey Brewer

For somebody who was traded, then waived in the same year, Brewer still ended up with a championship ring. 

Despite being on the championship team, Brewer is one of the players that did not do much to get the team there. 

Denver Nuggets: Al Harrington

Harrington is not a bad player by any means. 

The problem is that the Nuggets are rebuilding and he could get lost in the shuffle. 

If Denver resigns Kenyon Martin and Nene, it would mean Denver would have a surplus of big men.

Harrington is a better shooter than both guys, but he could be seeing yet another team because his shooting ability could benefit another team.  

Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton

Hamilton was one of the best Detroit players during their championship run in 2004.

Sadly, much has changed since then.

Hamilton has been injury prone, had a falling out with his former coach and is not getting any younger. 

When he's hot, he can be one of the best shooters in the NBA. But last season saw some of the lowest numbers in his career. 

It could be time for the Pistons and Hamilton to part ways. 

Golden State Warriors: Andris Biedrins

Although Andris Biedrins has had a couple of OK seasons with Golden State, he has never really lived up to his full potential.

Averaging close to only eight points and eight rebounds, Biedrins has only played one full season since coming to the NBA in 2004.

Even though Monta Ellis has been in trade rumors over the past year, Biedrins is a better option to get rid of.  

Houston Rockets: Hasheem Thabeet

When Hasheem Thabeet played for the UConn Huskies, he was able to put up big numbers in rebounds and blocks, and even did some decent scoring for a defensive minded player. 

Since entering the NBA, Thabeet has been plagued with injuries and hasn't been able to find the same success. 

Thabeet has yet to play a full season, and could just be another draft bust. Houston should look to trade him while they have the chance. 

Indiana Pacers: James Posey

Thanks to clutch shooting and defense, Posey has helped two teams win NBA championships. 

Now with Indiana, Posey is coming off of the bench to provide much of the same. 

The issue is, he hasn't played all that much this season and he has a high price tag. For the production that he has put out the last couple of years, Posey is not worth the price. 

Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman

Although he has been one of the best players for the Clippers since being drafted to the team in 2003, Kaman has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. 

Kaman is not a bad player. He can get you a double double on a good night and is underrated. 

But his high contract and being injury prone could be a risk for the up and up Clippers. 

It may be hard to let go of Kaman, but it may be the best option for the Clippers to grow. 

Los Angeles Lakers: Luke Walton or Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum has only played one full season since entering the NBA in 2005.

Injuries plus attitude problems have caused Bynum to look like more of a problem for the Lakers than help.

Walton, on the other hand, just has not had much production coming off of the bench for the Lakers.

Although he's been with the team since 2003, Walton's career average is only five points per game.

Memphis Grizzlies: O.J. Mayo

OJ Mayo is a decent shooter for the Grizzlies. 

But after having a falling out with coach Lionel Collins, getting into a fight with fellow Grizzly Tony Allen and being suspended 10 days for testing positive for a banned substance, Mayo has become more of a problem than help. 

He has a lot of talent that another team could take advantage of. 

Miami Heat: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

After spending his entire career in Cleveland, Zydrunas Ilgauskas chose to leave the team for the Miami Heat. 

Sure, it wasn't the big free agent signing that LeBron James and Chris Bosh had with the team, but Big Z still had something to offer the team.

The only problem is, although he's a good shooting big man, Ilgauskas was not able to get the numbers he was once capable of.

At age 36, Ilgauskas is in a bad position on a team that should be looking to get a little younger and quicker. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Shaun Livingston

Shaun Livingston has been in the league on and off since 2004. 

In that time, he has yet to play a full season and has only averaged seven points and nearly four assists per game. 

These may be OK numbers off the bench, but there could be a better options for the Bucks for a back up guard. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Any Big Man Not Named Kevin Love

The T-Wolves are basically made up of point guards, power forwards and centers.

The one with the most job security right now is Kevin Love. 

Love has improved each year he's been in the league and has lived up to his expectations. Besides him, it is a toss up who the T-wolves could let go. 

New Jersey Nets: Travis Outlaw

Outlaw put up nine points and four rebounds for the Nets. 

These are OK numbers when you're coming off the bench. The problem is, Outlaw has also started for the team, and he is being paid the type of money that should be played to a better player. 

Some have called Outlaw the Least Valuable Player in the NBA. Although that can be debatable, the Nets should move Outlaw for someone of better value. 

New Orleans Hornets: David Andersen

The New Orleans Hornets are another NBA team that could go many different options. 

Chris Paul has been in many trade rumors and most likely won't re-sign with the team. 

David West, another star player for the team, has been out with injuries on and off and is currently a free agent. 

The Hornets will be in a rebuilding phase one way or the other, so no one is safe from being traded. 

New York Knicks: Chauncey Billups

"Mr. Big Shot" is not a bad player by any means. 

Billups is a great point guard, but he never really wanted to leave his home town of Denver. 

On top of that, talks of Steve Nash or Chris Paul possibly being traded to New York has to lead one to believe Billups time with the team could end sooner than later. 

Also, the team could free up some cap space by letting him go. Although he is 34, Billups would make a great addition to any team. 

Slide 21: Oklahoma City Thunder: Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson has seen a drop in production over the last couple of seasons. 

His lowest point came after he was traded to Oklahoma City.

The problem with Robinson here is he falls behind in the rotation after Russell Westbrook and James Harden. 

Because of this, it could be better if the team got rid of Robinson for someone the team could use more. 

Orlando Magic: Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas was once the star guard for the Washington Wizards. 

Injuries and off the court issues have led Arenas to become a bench player for the Orlando Magic. 

Arenas could possibly still put up big numbers if he was a starter, but he's also a big risk and has a huge contract. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Marreese Speights or Andres Nocioni

Although Andre Iguodala has been the trade talk of the town for the 76ers, two players they may want to consider letting go of are Marreese Speights and Andres Nocioni. 

Speights actually went down last season, averaging just five points and three rebounds. 

Nocioni has also seen a drop in production, averaging a career low six points last season. 

Both players have potential, but there could be better options out there for Philadelphia. 

Phoenix Suns: Josh Childress

With aging stars Steve Nash and Grant Hill on the last legs of their careers, and Vince Carter slowing down in his as well, the Suns should look to get younger in the future. 

The one young player that shouldn't be a part of their plans is Josh Childress. 

Childress chose to play in Europe over the NBA from 2008 to 2010 because he was offed more money. 

Since coming back to the league, he has only averaged five points and two rebounds per game. 

Portland Trail Blazers: Marcus Camby

Marcus Camby has always proven to be a valuable asset on the defensive end, when healthy. 

Camby has been able to be a good leader for the Trailblazers, but he is 37 years old. 

He has also been injured a lot throughout his career. 

The Trailblazers may be better served trying to find a younger player to fit their team for the future.

Sacramento Kings: Francisco García

The Kings are a young team who could really use as much experience as they can get. 

It's hard to really tell what player is expendable on this team.

You could get rid of Francisco García, who has not put up the best numbers in the league. But unless they could get someone half way decent and more experienced than him, then it could be the same situation.  

San Antonio Spurs: Antonio McDyess

The Spurs need to get young and fast. 

Although Tony Parker was in trade talks during the NBA draft, the Spurs chose to keep him and move the younger George Hill.

Both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have are getting up in age, but it would hard to imagine the Spurs letting either player go. 

Antonio McDyess is the oldest player on the team at age 36. Although he has played some big minuets for the Spurs, he is not what he used to be, and now could be the time to put him on the trade block. 

Toronto Raptors: Linas Kleiza

The Raptors are another team that could use a lot of help.

Filling the void of Chris Bosh has not been an easy task for the team, and things have not gotten any easier.

Linas Kleiza was suppose to help fill that void, but an injury kept him out for the better part of last season and will force him to sit out some next season.

Because of this and his price tag, he could be the idea person to trade from the team.  

Utah Jazz: Mehmet Okur

Okur was one of the best players on the Utah Jazz before he started to get injured. 

Okur's size, toughness and scoring ability made him a big threat to opposing teams. 

If he can come back from injury and perform, then he will be worth keeping.

But if he can not perform up to par, or if they want to free up cap space, then it will be time for the Jazz to part ways with him. 

Washington Wizards: Rashard Lewis

Rashard Lewis is one of the highest paid players in the NBA. 

He is also one of the most undeserving of the money he makes. 

Don't get me wrong, when he isn't hurt, he can put up some decent numbers. But not the type of star player numbers that his price tag says he should be making. 

Lewis just doesn't live up to the amount of money he makes. The problem with getting rid of him is finding a team who is willing to take on the budget.