Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon

by **bobheckler** Fri Dec 15, 2017 2:47 pm

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/eight-nba-players-who-have-a-real-chance-to-be-involved-in-trade-rumors-soon/

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon

Dec. 15 marks the day that teams can begin trading their newly acquired free agents

by Chris Barnewall
@ChrisBarnewall
Dec 14, 2017 • 8 min read

Dec. 15 is known by many fans as the unofficial start to NBA trade rumor season. It's the day that players who signed new contracts in free agency can be traded by the team they signed with. Is that big target from the offseason not working out well? Put him on the block and see what's out there. Need salary cap filler in a larger deal? Throw in that minimum-contract veteran who never plays.

There's a handful of players this season who are not working out in their current situation, playing well enough to earn interest from another team or just taking up salary cap space on a team looking to blow it up.

Here are eight players who could be coming up in trade rumors very soon:

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 2067693

Nerlens Noel C / Mavericks

Nerlens Noel and the Mavericks seem prime for a breakup. The fourth-year big man was forced to take a qualifying offer this summer when he wasn't able to reach a deal with Dallas as a restricted free agent. Now he rarely plays, and when he does get on the floor, it's only for a brief period of time. The highlight of his season involves eating a hot dog at halftime.

When Noel becomes available he would be a popular option for a young rebuilding team that is willing to take a risk on him. Someone like the Hawks or Bulls wouldn't be the worst destination for him to just get playing time in. However, with him set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, any deals involving Noel are going to have minimal return for Dallas.

It wouldn't be surprising to see Noel on the move, but expect something any deal with him going down closer to the trade deadline. Dallas doesn't appear to be in any rush to move him and it's still a little too early for teams to be thinking about rental players.

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 1622539

George Hill PG / Kings

George Hill and the Kings have been an absolute disaster together. Hill is reportedly unhappy with Sacramento because he was expecting the team to win. The Kings are unhappy with him because his play has just been dreadful. His on-floor net rating is a minus-12.9, he doesn't play defense and his offense has fallen off across the board. This is a far cry from the player that entered last offseason looking for a max deal after a great season with Utah.

With the Kings moving further with De'Aaron Fox and Frank Mason there's less room for Hill. He's in need of a major change of scenery and the Kings, who have struggled all season, could flip him to a good team for assets. He would also fit in well on teams within the playoff picture but not completely out of it yet. The Wizards or Nuggets are two that come to mind.

This is something that feels like it will happen sooner rather than later. The fit with Hill has been awkward from the start and there's no need to wait on this any longer. Just cut bait while it's still possible.

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 2067660

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SG / Lakers

Kentavius Caldwell-Pope is having a really good season so far for the Lakers. However, it's hard to see him as part of their long-term plans. Caldwell-Pope signed with Los Angeles to prove to teams he was worth the hefty contract he was asking for last offseason. While he hasn't proved to be worth that, he's shown that he can be a quality defender and a solid 3-point shooter.

Most of the scenarios that involve Caldwell-Pope being traded are salary related. If the Lakers have a chance at a superstar in a trade then they would move him to create the space for it, or they could just move him in a smaller deal to create the space for another trade.

The Lakers have made it clear they want to use their salary cap next season on a superstar or two so it's hard to see them moving Caldwell-Pope for anything besides salary. He isn't really worth the risk of a rental, but if a playoff-hopeful team really needs some perimeter defense then the Lakers might be willing to listen

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 1992834

Dion Waiters SG / Heat

When Miami doubled down this summer on last season's late success there was always risk something like this could happen. The Heat have been painfully average to bad all season long and they don't have much flexibility. Dion Waiters has said publicly he isn't a bench player so the Heat aren't going to have much luck making changes with him.

The Heat have the potential to blow everything up and start over. If they do that, one of the bigger names that could be on the move is Waiters. He's turned into a really solid creator and shooter. The over-the-top confidence aside, Waiters can help a good team win games. Someone in need of a sixth man role, or just a wing that isn't afraid to shoot, would be smart to give Waiters a look.

With Waiters on a brand-new, four-year contract it would be very risky to make a move for him. He'd need to go to a contender or potential contender. Building or re-building teams aren't going to risk assets on a long-term deal they didn't give out. This would be a deadline day deal.

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 2067695

Kelly Olynyk C / Heat

Like Waiters, Kelly Olynyk is in the same situation where if Miami chooses to blow it up he could be on the move. He showed in Boston that he's a capable big man. He's good at what he's good at and not much else. He's a surprisingly good defender and he provides at least a little floor spacing.

Olynyk is only being moved if the Heat go full firesale. He's also on a four-year deal, making him rather difficult to move. However, if the Heat are just trying to hit the reset button then they'd be willing to take on more smaller contracts to move a larger one like Olynyk's.

Unfortunately for Olynyk, this means he could end up on an even worse team. He's the exact type of player a team that is just trying to unload contracts would trade for. However, considering the circumstances needed to move him, it feels unlikely that he gets moved this season.

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 555957

Ersan Ilyasova SF / Hawks

Ersan Illyasova is a stretch big man that has played pretty well for the Hawks. He's shooting 37 percent from 3-point range and is putting himself in all the right spots. Considering how bad the Hawks are, they will gladly move anyone on their roster if it means they can get an asset of some kind in return.

However, most teams know what Illyasova is and aren't going to give up too much for him. He's more likely to be a player that gets involved in a larger trade. When teams need to make a three-team deal work they'll sometimes throw in a random veteran, like Illyasova, to make the salary work.

Illyasova could be moved really at any time. It just depends on what's going on in the rest of the NBA.

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 1622533

Danilo Gallinari SF / Clippers

It would be stunning to see Danilo Gallinari, one of the Clippers star acquisitions over the summer, actually be moved mid-season, but that's just how Los Angeles' season has gone. The Clippers have faced a multitude of injuries to key guys. They've turned it around a bit as of late, but the season may already be lost cause for them.

If the front office decides that enough is enough, then Gallinari is someone they could flip midseason and blow everything up. He's a talented veteran, albeit injury prone, but any good team would be interested in his services. He'd provide the ability to draw free throws and create for himself. Something that any team could use.

A Gallinari deal feels unlikely, but if it were to happen it would probably be around the trade deadline. Maybe earlier if the Clippers completely fall apart by January.

Eight NBA players who have a real chance to be involved in trade rumors soon 1755191

Ekpe Udoh C / Jazz

Ekpe Udoh probably isn't being moved. He isn't even the most likely big man to be moved on his roster. That said, he hasn't been playing much since Rudy Gobert returned from injury. The plus-minus genius can help out anyone, no matter the roster he's on, so fit doesn't matter. It just depends how Utah values him.

If a team calls up the Jazz with a good offer for Udoh, knowing he doesn't play much, then it's possible they consider a deal involving him. When teams have a good player that isn't playing it's always smart to turn that into another asset of some kind, or just get value out of a good player.
This feels like a deadline deal. The Jazz have no reason to even consider trading Udoh right now and the teams that would need someone like him probably haven't realized it yet.

Here is a full list of newly acquired players who can be traded after Dec. 15.

Atlanta Hawks

Luke Babbitt
Dewayne Dedmon
Ersan Ilyasova
Mike Muscala

Boston Celtics

Aron Baynes
Gordon Hayward
Shane Larkin
Daniel Theis

Brooklyn Nets

Tyler Zeller

Charlotte Hornets

Michael Carter-Williams
Julyan Stone

Chicago Bulls

Justin Holiday

Cleveland Cavaliers

Jose Calderon
Jeff Green
Kyle Korver
Derrick Rose

Dallas Mavericks

Maxi Kleber
Nerlens Noel
Dirk Nowitzki
Jeff Withey

Denver Nuggets

Paul Millsap

Detroit Pistons

Reggie Bullock
Langston Galloway
Eric Moreland
Anthony Tolliver

Golden State Warriors

Omri Casspi
Kevin Durant
JaVale McGee
Zaza Pachulia
David West
Nick Young

Houston Rockets

Tarik Black
Nene
Luc Mbah a Moute
P.J. Tucker
Troy Williams

Indiana Pacers

Bojan Bogdanovic
Darren Collison
Damien Wilkins

Los Angeles Clippers

Danilo Gallinari
Marshall Plumlee
Willie Reed
Milos Teodosic

Los Angeles Lakers

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Tyler Ennis

Memphis Grizzlies

Mario Chalmers
Tyreke Evans
Ben McLemore
Wayne Selden

Miami Heat

Udonis Haslem
James Johnson
Jordan Mickey
Kelly Olynyk
Dion Waiters

Milwaukee Bucks

None

Minnesota Timberwolves

Jamal Crawford
Marcus Georges-Hunt
Taj Gibson
Shabazz Muhammad
Jeff Teague

New Orleans Pelicans

Tony Allen
Ian Clark
Darius Miller
Rajon Rondo

New York Knicks

Ron Baker
Michael Beasley
Tim Hardaway Jr.
Jarrett Jack
Ramon Sessions

Oklahoma City Thunder

Nick Collison
Raymond Felton
Patrick Patterson

Orlando Magic

Arron Afflalo
Khem Birch
Shelvin Mack
Jonathon Simmons
Marreese Speights

Philadelphia 76ers

Amir Johnson
J.J. Redick

Phoenix Suns

Alan Williams

Portland Trail Blazers

None

Sacramento Kings

Vince Carter
George Hill
Zach Randolph

San Antonio Spurs

Pau Gasol
Rudy Gay
Manu Ginobili
Joffrey Lauvergne
Brandon Paul

Toronto Raptors

Alfonzo McKinnie
C.J. Miles

Utah Jazz

Jonas Jerebko

Royce O'Neale
Thabo Sefolosha
Ekpe Udoh

Washington Wizards

Jodie Meeks
Mike Scott

bob

.

by **RosalieTCeltics** Sat Dec 16, 2017 5:06 pm

So I say swing for the fences and go for Durant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If not him, who???????

HaHa

by **Phil Pressey** Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:31 pm

I would trade for Rondo and Olynyk. They already know the system. They would fill most of the current needs.

I would do something. The injuries are exposing the lack of real depth with Hayward and Morris out.

Although Cowens might freak out if Olynyk returned.

My logic is this team is too close to glory, has too decent a chance this year right now to not give these guys some reinforcements, especially Al Horford.

The ball movement has been awful and we are thin upfront.

And it doesn't have to be Rondo and Olynyk. I'm a nostalgic sort of Celtics fan. Yet, they are the level of talent I am thinking of, not Durant or Anthony Davis. A monster trade would gut the team and could easily backfire. Just trade Rozier or Smart, draft picks and any of the scrubs who may or may not become ex-scrubs.

by **bobheckler** Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:39 pm

Phil Pressey wrote:I would trade for Rondo and Olynyk. They already know the system. They would fill most of the current needs.

I would do something. The injuries are exposing the lack of real depth with Hayward and Morris out.

Although Cowens might freak out if Olynyk returned.

My logic is this team is too close to glory, has too decent a chance this year right now to not give these guys some reinforcements, especially Al Horford.

The ball movement has been awful and we are thin upfront.

And it doesn't have to be Rondo and Olynyk. I'm a nostalgic sort of Celtics fan. Yet, they are the level of talent I am thinking of, not Durant or Anthony Davis. A monster trade would gut the team and could easily backfire. Just trade Rozier or Smart, draft picks and any of the scrubs who may or may not become ex-scrubs.

Phil,

If Danny traded for Kelly that loud thud you would hear repeatedly would be Cowens punching his head through drywall.

I've said many times that trades open opportunities for the Celtics even if the Celtics are not one of the original principals. The Avery Bradley trade is a good example. Detroit got lucky before of something that had nothing to do with them. We signed Hayward and the salary cap was lower than expected and so Danny was forced to do something.

One player that could easily be moved it Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers are not making the noise they hoped to this year, Jordan Clarkson is good enough to start and KCP is not traveling with the team for the next 25 days because he can't leave town because of a DUI conviction. Now would be a good time for the Lakers to move him. For the record, I don't think KCP is what we need, I am not suggesting Danny should go after him.

bob

.

by **112288** Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:10 am

KELLY O is on a 4 year deal. Who would want to carry him and his limited skills for that length of time.

He is past tense!

112288

by **wideclyde** Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:08 pm

Olynyk would look good on this year's Cs roster if he had been able to ever become even reasonably consistent in his play. Of course, this is why Ainge let him go without even an offer.

He is still not consistent in Miami, and is certainly paid too much for too long of a period of time for the Cs to even think about looking his way.

112288 is correct in designating Olynyk as "past tense".

by **112288** Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:12 pm

PATRIOT NATION!

112288

by **NYCelt** Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:52 pm

Anyone get the feeling 112288 is a Patriots fan?

by **Phil Pressey** Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:58 pm

wideclyde wrote:Olynyk would look good on this year's Cs roster if he had been able to every become even reasonably consistent in his play. Of course, this is why Ainge let him go without even an offer.

He is still not consistent in Miami, and is certainly paid too much for too long of a period of time for the Cs to even think about looking his way.

112288 is correct in designating Olynyk as "past tense".

I thought Danny let Olynyk go because he needed the money to sign Hayward. Sorry if I'm wrong. I agree he was inconsistent, but the same could probably be said of most players.

Danny brought back Antoine Walker? So maybe the anti-Olynyk people should brace themselves just in case it happens. Rondo coming back would be pretty funny, too. Half of the fan base would probably lose their minds. To those people, I would say it's just a game.

by **bobc33** Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:58 pm

NYCelt wrote:Anyone get the feeling 112288 is a Patriots fan?

Isn’t everyone a Patriots fan??? I don’t see how any football fan anywhere could dislike the Patriots.

Well, except for ..............
.......
.......
.......
....... affraid

by **Sandpd** Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:57 am

Phil Pressey wrote:
wideclyde wrote:Olynyk would look good on this year's Cs roster if he had been able to every become even reasonably consistent in his play. Of course, this is why Ainge let him go without even an offer.

He is still not consistent in Miami, and is certainly paid too much for too long of a period of time for the Cs to even think about looking his way.

112288 is correct in designating Olynyk as "past tense".

I thought Danny let Olynyk go because he needed the money to sign Hayward. Sorry if I'm wrong. I agree he was inconsistent, but the same could probably be said of most players.

Danny brought back Antoine Walker? So maybe the anti-Olynyk people should brace themselves just in case it happens. Rondo coming back would be pretty funny, too. Half of the fan base would probably lose their minds. To those people, I would say it's just a game.

Danny traded Bradley for Morris to make the cap $ work in order to sign Hayward. The C's were going in a different direction and Olynyk was not part of their plans, particularly at the amount of $ he was looking for. The one constant for him is that he's inconsistent, which can't be said of Horford, Irving, Tatum, or Brown. Whenever he had a good game, you could almost guarantee that he'd be a non-factor the in very next game. That same kind of play is happening with him in Miami.

Although Rondo had some productive play during his formative yrs. with the C's, towards the end of his tenure here, the writing was on the wall that he and the C's were not going to be dancing partners in the future. He was looking for a max. contract and the C's weren't about to offer one. He is a ball hog that can distribute the ball but cannot shoot very well. I was exasperated so many times when he would just nonchalantly walk the ball up the court with no sense of urgency. His defense was overrated - his steals were often a consequence of his defensive coverage getting beat and him swiping the ball from behind. He's has shown to be a head case at times with coaches, teammates, and officials, e.g., his demonstrative outburst with Rick Carlisle in Dallas. A demeanor that had an adverse effect on his salary/contract negotiations. Rondo would not be a good fit for the C's. Their style of play - ball movement and distribution is the polar opposite of his ball control style. I'm happy for him that he has somehow controlled his ego for now to find a niche, but not with the C's. He's a time bomb that is liable to go off at any moment.

Rondo was one of my favorite players when we had the "Good Rondo", but looking back in retrospect, I think that he was that motivating force (deterrent) as to why Ray Allen left the C's and never looked back. KG was the one of the few teammates that could talk any sense into him when Rondo would go into his many infamous locker room tirades.

by **hawksnestbeach** Mon Dec 18, 2017 12:53 pm

I assume Kelly O. is priced beyond his value, but if it came to pass, having Rondo back for a playoff run would be great, IMO. I think when we saw Rondo last spring, picking us apart in the playoffs, we got an idea what we can still do in crunch time... Of the list at the top, I like Noel. He may be a lost soul who will never reach his potential, but if he's cheap, he might thrive in green with a great coach. Hawk

by **RosalieTCeltics** Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:02 pm

Rondo is never coming back here. What a disruption that would cause. He had his shot, blew it, had dollar signs in this eyes and a definite ego the size of the Grand Canyon. Brad tried as hard as he could but Rondo just did what HE wanted to do on the court. Talk about the ball sticking in one player's hands, he would pound the heck out of that ball, leave six seconds left on the ball and pass to someone who would miss a last second shot because he refused to follow the game plan. He did the same thing in Dallas, only he ran into Rick Carlisle. He benched him and the Cuban shipped him out of town.
WHY IN THE HECK WOULD WE WANT HIM BACK?? TALK ABOUT A SHIP THAT HAS ALREADY SAILED

My question is : since I do not see his name listed on the tradeable list, I gather Morris is here for the year?
I keep reading that he is unhappy coming off the bench and with this injury to his knee, should he be replaced?

by **RosalieTCeltics** Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:05 pm

I know there are a few Pat's fans here, but I am sure that not all Boston Celtics fans are Boston/NE fans of other sports.

However, 112288, Yes, how about those PAT'S!!!!! Pure luck yesterday. God must be a Patriots fan!!!

by **Phil Pressey** Mon Dec 18, 2017 3:39 pm

You guys have convinced me Olynyk is overpriced. I just looked again at his stats and his assists to turnovers have never been good. A point goes to stats and against the eye test. His free throw shooting has also been extremely inconsistent for someone so good at all other types of shooting. I guess if Olynyk was paid Morris money, it might make sense, but he makes too much to compensate for bad points.

Rondo. I am sticking with the idea he would be a great pickup. He has become a very good three point shooter. He is still an expert at generating assists with few turnovers. I am not so quick to pile on him for anything that happened here or in Dallas. He deserves credit imho for sticking up for the Bulls as a team when Butler and Wade decided to throw everyone but themselves under the bus.

I sincerely believe Rondo tried his best to adapt to Stevens' system for the short time they were together. It's just very difficult to teach old dogs new tricks. It takes time. He is only being paid $3.3 million. His contract runs out this year. There would be no risk. He is now 31 and I imagine he wouldn't mind backing up Kyrie on a team that could head to the Finals and possibly steal a title.

Rondo was spectacular against us last year before getting hurt. His free throw shooting still sucks, but that seems to be about it. I bet Scal would love him back.

I would be willing to risk that Rozier wouldn't haunt Danny if he was traded. So a Rozier for Rondo trade could potentially be a little move that could make the C's a lot better for a second unit.

If Morris got healthy and played with Rondo on the second unit, and Brad staggered Horford, Tatum and Brown in a way that they end up playing a lot with those two guys, I think that could solve the problem of the C's not producing start to finish good games.

I truly believe a few tinkering moves by Danny could make a world of difference. I understand that when specific players are discussed, it gets tricky between eye tests and stats, contracts, fits, differences with opinions, etc..

As for being a Boston fan, I lived most of my life in New England and specifically Massachusetts, although the first five baby years were in other states within NE. I have always supported all four pro teams along with Boston College some years (I loved Barros, Bagley and Michael Adams) and some UMASS for the refuse to lose years.

I only now watch the Celtics. I am glad to not be as obsessed with sports while becoming an old man. The Red Sox 2004 kind of was it for me. What else needed to be accomplished for Boston sports? I respect that others still follow closely the Patriots. I just went a different way. For me, it is all about the Boston Celtics. It's not that I couldn't care less about the other teams, well, I guess I couldn't. I admit it. Time continues, people change. The Celtics are all the sports food I need.

by **mrkleen09** Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:54 pm

Where is the NONE OF THE ABOVE lever? Someone pull that one for me.

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