NBA's top trade candidates

YAHOO SPORTS

MARC J. SPEARS

Most NBA players who signed contracts during the past offseason become eligible on Saturday to be traded. What that means: With a much larger pool of players available for deals, NBA general managers will start spending a lot more time on the phone in the coming weeks.

"It's about to heat up on Dec. 15," one Eastern Conference general manager said. "Conversations are definitely happening because once Dec. 15 comes, the pool increases. You've heard a lot of rumors about Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani. The names are only going to grow on Dec. 15."
From conversations with several NBA executives, here's a list of players whose names figure to frequently surface in trade talks between now and the league's Feb. 21 deadline for deals.

Andrea Bargnani

Andrea Bargnani: Toronto Raptors, 27, PF-C
Contract status: Three years, $33.25 million remaining. Player opt-out in 2014. Due 5 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Bargnani is sidelined with elbow and wrist injuries, tempering his short-term value. He hasn't lived up to the hype and injuries have been a concern throughout his career. Still, the young 7-footer can score and remains a sharp 3-point threat.
"Toronto definitely wants to move Bargnani," one NBA GM said.

Marshon Brooks: Brooklyn Nets, 23, SG
Contract status: Making $1.1 million in second year of rookie contract.
Buzz: Brooks had a sensational rookie season averaging 12.6 points. But with the addition of Joe Johnson, Brooks has averaged just 6.2 points through his first 14 games this season. Sources said the Nets dangled Brooks in offseason trade talks, but his low contract number makes it difficult to get much of a return for him in a deal.
"They are one of the rare teams that can afford to keep their team at a championship level financially," an NBA GM said. "For them, the development of young players isn't important because they can overspend."

Andrew Bynum: Philadelphia 76ers, 25, C
Contract status: Making $16.1 million in last year of contract.
Buzz: Bynum is still experiencing left knee pain that has kept him from making his debut with the Sixers, but is hopeful he can return sometime in 2013. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season and was expected to command a five-year contract approaching $100 million. His health problems threaten to substantially reduce that number.

One NBA general manager said the Sixers have been making trade inquiries about adding a starting caliber center.
"They got to be a little panicked now," one GM said. "They could get a really interesting deal for him. I could see them doing that."

Jose Calderon: Toronto Raptors, 27, PG
Contract status: Making $10.5 million in last year of contract. Due a 10 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Calderon has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate for years and has been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers in the past. Raptors starting point guard Kyle Lowry is expected to be sidelined another week with a partial tear to his right triceps muscle, but that shouldn't keep Calderon from being shopped.
"I believe 100 percent that they're trying to trade him," one GM said.

Tyreke Evans: Sacramento Kings, G-F, 23
Contact status: Making $5.2 million in final year of contract year. Will be a restricted free agent at end of the season.
Buzz: Evans recently had a positive conversation about his future with Kings general manager Geoff Petrie, a source close to the guard said. Evans thinks the franchise could match any offer sheet he potentially signs next offseason and would prefer to return to the Kings to prove he is a franchise player. But can the Kings afford him?
"If they can't pay him, they'll just move him," one GM said.

Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol: Los Angeles Lakers, 32, PF
Contract status: Making $19 million this season and due $19.2 million next season. Due a 15 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Gasol was nearly dealt to the Houston Rockets last year and continued to be the center of trade whispers. The Lakers, however, aren't expected to seriously consider any deals for him until after he returns and gets a chance to play with Steve Nash, who is also currently sidelined. If a move does happen with Gasol, it will likely be much closer to the trade deadline.
"I believe that the message being conveyed to wait and see with Nash is accurate," one GM said.

Tyler Hansbrough: Indiana Pacers, 27, PF
Contract status: Making $3.1 million in final contract year. Will be restricted free agent at end of the season. Buzz: Hansbrough is averaging career-lows of six points, 4.2 rebounds and 16.1 minutes, but could be a good frontcourt addition for needy teams. By moving Hansbrough, the Pacers could potentially add a wing player to help soothe the loss of injured small forward Danny Granger.
"I'm surprised they haven't been playing him," one GM said of Hansbrough.

Gerald Henderson: Charlotte Bobcats, G-F, 25
Contract status: Making $3.1 million in final contract year. Will be a restricted free agent at end of the season.
Buzz: Henderson averaged 15.1 points last season and seemed to be coming into his own. A foot injury early this season, however, forced him to miss 13 games. The Bobcats have since primarily started rookie Jeff Taylor instead and a league source said the team is open to trading Henderson.
"If they don't look like they can afford him, they are probably going to move him," one NBA GM said. "They were playing their best basketball when he was hurt."

Kevin Love: Minnesota Timberwolves, 24, PF
Contract status: In first year of a four-year, $60 million contract. Can opt out after the 2014-15 season.
Buzz: In an interview with Yahoo! Sports NBA columnist Adrian Wojnarowski, Love recently questioned the direction of the franchise under owner Glen Taylor and general manager David Kahn. Love isn't happy about not getting a five-year maximum contract, and some teams might try to explore acquiring him from Minnesota.
"I don't think that's a match that is permanent in Minnesota," a rival assistant GM said. "I'm not saying they're shopping, but if they can get the right deal they would look at it. And I don't think he wants to be there."


Paul Millsap: Utah Jazz, 27, PF
Contract status: Making $8.6 million in final contract year.
Buzz: The Utah Jazz are in the playoff hunt and have two starting big men in the last years of their deals in Millsap and Al Jefferson. Utah also has two talented young big men in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Any big move by new general manager Dennis Lindsey, however, could disrupt Utah's playoff hopes.
"I would think they would more likely trade Millsap over Jefferson because he is going to be harder to keep," one GM said. "He's made less money than Jefferson and he will go to the highest bidder."

Timofey Mozgov: Denver Nuggets, 26, C
Contract status: Making $3.1 million in last year of contract. Will be a restricted free agent at end of the season.
Buzz: Of their three centers, the Nuggets are most willing to part with Mozgov, who has proven in his short NBA career and Olympic play that he is a serviceable big man. The Nuggets probably won't try to re-sign him with two other free agents on the horizon: guard Andre Iguodala and reserve swingman Corey Brewer.
"It's logical because they have three centers and it's hard for [coach George] Karl to play them all," one NBA GM said. "The Nuggets are not a big revenue-generating team and they're not going to pay the tax."

Anderson Varejao: Cleveland Cavaliers, 30, PF-C
Contract status: Has $27.1 million remaining over final three years of contract. Due 5 percent bonus if traded.
[Also: Carmelo Anthony is 'day-to-day' with ankle injury]
Buzz: Varejao is having an All-Star season, averaging 14.3 points and 14.8 rebounds through 22 games. Cleveland, however, has one of the NBA's worst records so teams will at least ask about the availability of Varejao, whose stock is rising by the day.
"He is a target for trade, but I don't think Cleveland wants to trade him," one GM said. "There is a distinction between players teams might want to move and players teams want to have."

Derrick Williams: Minnesota Timberwolves, 21, F
Contract status: Making $4.8 million in second year of rookie deal.
Buzz: Williams has had a disappointing career in Minnesota after being selected second overall in the 2011 draft. The highest draft choice in franchise history has been earning DNP-CDs or short-minute stints under coach Rick Adelman. Both sides would be happy with a move.
"They will move him in a heartbeat if they could," one rival team executive said. "I don't think the coaches are that high on him. You have to get something for him now because the longer he sits, the more people think he can't play."

112288

Hi,
For the Celtics, I'd say:
a)Love
b)Millsap
c)AV
d)Hansbrough
e)Mozgov

Of course, there're 2 questions: who they have to give for one of those players and will their current team agree.

AK

Sinus,

I was reading today that we dropped considerably from being #1-5 in the NBA from 2007 - 2011 in defending the 3pt arc where we are now in the 20's something. Also look at how much is scored in the paint in games when we do guard the 3pt line.

This tells me something. We are in a no win situation with the current talent. If we defend the arc with our guards and forwards we become weak at the 4/5 position. If our defense collapses into the paint we are become vulnerable at the arc.

We got to get KG back at power forward and get someone who can defend the 5 position, enough with the experiment at center with KG! KG can handle power forward even at his age because of the limited minutes they are currently giving him.

Hansbrough is a tough SOB and that is something we have lacked at center since Perkins. Not sure if we are limited to Western Conf teams to trade with but I also like Varejao from Cleveland. How about big Al Jefferson of Utah........Last year of his contract, could be moved for less talent since he will be gone next year for sure.

112288

Hey, here's a trade everyone would love to see happen. And it works financially as of December 24:

Lakers give Gasol and a future draft pick (to sweeten the deal)

Timberwolves give Love, Berea and Amundson

Deck the Halls!

Sam

Sam is that a joke? why would Timberwolves do it? we have more young assets that Wolves could be interested in than Gasol.

Cow,

Partly a joke. Partly the fact that the Lakers brass has a history of successfully making one-sided deals. And partly because the Lakers have a better chance at offering something of value than the Celtics (whom I've seen mentioned in possible trades for Love).

Anyway, the one center I'd most like the Celtics to get is Varejao. Yes, part of the reason is because I've finally learned how to spell his last name. But I believe he would offer precisely the lively body the Celtics need at the center position with KG moving to PF and part-time center. His 14 boards a game (a lot of them offensive), ability to run the court, and interior defense would be perfect.

I've read that the Cavaliers are looking for a bunch of young prospects in return for Varejao. Here's a trade that works financially with no waiting period:

Celts get Varejao

Cavs get Lee, Sully, Melo and Joseph (and maybe even a draft pick)

Sully returns to Ohio to help fill the rebounding void left by Varejao's departure. The Cavs rid themselves of Varejao's contract (which seems to be their goal), keep developing Zeller at center, add to their versatility at wing with Lee, and procure a really good prospect in Joseph plus whatever they might see in the project named Melo.

Aside from Varejao, the Celtics get open slots to add vet minimum free agents (hopefully at PG), 10-day contracts, DL players, etc. over the rest of the season. Moreover, Doc wouldn't be forced to go small so often and yet he'd have added quickness up front.

C: Varejao, KG, Wilcox, Collins
PF: KG, Bass, Green, Wilcox
SF: Pierce, Green
SG: Bradley, Terry, Barbosa
PG: Rondo, Barbosa, Terry

Sam

Sam I love that trade, Verejao would be the perfect fit, a legit big, he has length, mobility, tenacity, our defense would rock again. Doc has definitely fallen in love too much with smallball.

sam wrote:Cow,

Partly a joke. Partly the fact that the Lakers brass has a history of successfully making one-sided deals. And partly because the Lakers have a better chance at offering something of value than the Celtics (whom I've seen mentioned in possible trades for Love).

Anyway, the one center I'd most like the Celtics to get is Varejao. Yes, part of the reason is because I've finally learned how to spell his last name. But I believe he would offer precisely the lively body the Celtics need at the center position with KG moving to PF and part-time center. His 14 boards a game (a lot of them offensive), ability to run the court, and interior defense would be perfect.

I've read that the Cavaliers are looking for a bunch of young prospects in return for Varejao. Here's a trade that works financially with no waiting period:

Celts get Varejao

Cavs get Lee, Sully, Melo and Joseph (and maybe even a draft pick)

Sully returns to Ohio to help fill the rebounding void left by Varejao's departure. The Cavs rid themselves of Varejao's contract (which seems to be their goal), keep developing Zeller at center, add to their versatility at wing with Lee, and procure a really good prospect in Joseph plus whatever they might see in the project named Melo.

Aside from Varejao, the Celtics get open slots to add vet minimum free agents (hopefully at PG), 10-day contracts, DL players, etc. over the rest of the season. Moreover, Doc wouldn't be forced to go small so often and yet he'd have added quickness up front.

C: Varejao, KG, Wilcox, Collins
PF: KG, Bass, Green, Wilcox
SF: Pierce, Green
SG: Bradley, Terry, Barbosa
PG: Rondo, Barbosa, Terry

Sam

Sam,

Even though there have been some rumors of Minnesota wanting to join Gasol with Rubio, Minnesota would be crazy to include Love in a trade for Gasol.
Without Love, LA would not take Minnesota's other players.

I think Cleveland will ask for a kings ransom for Varajeo.
Cleveland is not looking to shed Varajeo's very reasonable salary. Cleveland has only about $28m in guaranteed salaries next season.
With Lee having a sub-par year, having a 4 year contract and since Cleveland drafted a SG(Waiters) with the 4th pick in the 2012 Draft, I doubt they would be interested in Lee. Gortat, Pekovic or Nene might be more realistic options for Boston. (Just my opinion).

Hi,
I would take Gortat over AV - no doubts. From what I saw of him in Cle his athletic and hustling abilities way ahead of his BB IQ.
To answer Sam's suggested trade - can we keep Sully. He can develop into a very good PF.

AK

tjmakz wrote:

sam wrote:Cow,

Partly a joke. Partly the fact that the Lakers brass has a history of successfully making one-sided deals. And partly because the Lakers have a better chance at offering something of value than the Celtics (whom I've seen mentioned in possible trades for Love).

Anyway, the one center I'd most like the Celtics to get is Varejao. Yes, part of the reason is because I've finally learned how to spell his last name. But I believe he would offer precisely the lively body the Celtics need at the center position with KG moving to PF and part-time center. His 14 boards a game (a lot of them offensive), ability to run the court, and interior defense would be perfect.

I've read that the Cavaliers are looking for a bunch of young prospects in return for Varejao. Here's a trade that works financially with no waiting period:

Celts get Varejao

Cavs get Lee, Sully, Melo and Joseph (and maybe even a draft pick)

Sully returns to Ohio to help fill the rebounding void left by Varejao's departure. The Cavs rid themselves of Varejao's contract (which seems to be their goal), keep developing Zeller at center, add to their versatility at wing with Lee, and procure a really good prospect in Joseph plus whatever they might see in the project named Melo.

Aside from Varejao, the Celtics get open slots to add vet minimum free agents (hopefully at PG), 10-day contracts, DL players, etc. over the rest of the season. Moreover, Doc wouldn't be forced to go small so often and yet he'd have added quickness up front.

C: Varejao, KG, Wilcox, Collins
PF: KG, Bass, Green, Wilcox
SF: Pierce, Green
SG: Bradley, Terry, Barbosa
PG: Rondo, Barbosa, Terry

Sam

Sam,

Even though there have been some rumors of Minnesota wanting to join Gasol with Rubio, Minnesota would be crazy to include Love in a trade for Gasol.
Without Love, LA would not take Minnesota's other players.

I think Cleveland will ask for a kings ransom for Varajeo.
Cleveland is not looking to shed Varajeo's very reasonable salary. Cleveland has only about $28m in guaranteed salaries next season.
With Lee having a sub-par year, having a 4 year contract and since Cleveland drafted a SG(Waiters) with the 4th pick in the 2012 Draft, I doubt they would be interested in Lee. Gortat, Pekovic or Nene might be more realistic options for Boston. (Just my opinion).

Celtics could have had Pekovic if they hadn't drafted JR Giddens. He went one pick after Giddens.

Mistake.

Doesn't Varajeo have a history of getting injured alot?






Rosalie




/

steve

We also passed on DeAndre Jordan in that draft, JR Giddens was such a wasted pick.

cow

cowens/oldschool wrote:steve

We also passed on DeAndre Jordan in that draft, JR Giddens was such a wasted pick.

cow

Mario Chalmers would have been a good backup point guard for Rondo. Could've had him too. And Goran Dragic would have been a terrific backup. He went 15 picks later. Omer Asik went the pick after DeAndre Jordan but can't fault the Celts for not picking him (or Jordan) since, at the time we had both KG and Perk. But it woulda been nice and we would have had amazing depth in the frontcourt.

Sinus,

Go to "NBA Trade Checker" and figure out whom you'd trade for Varejao. Keep in mind that any Celtics players you'd readily part with are almost certainly not major trade bait although they can potentially be included for salary equalization purposes.

Sam

Interesting what Steve 3344 stated about passing up Omer Asik and DeAndre Jordan because we had Perk and KG.

Let's focus on this. Somewhere along the line Danny and management decided they for some reason could not pay their center position (PERK) $8million + a year and so they traded him only to get players from the scrap heap for less. This bugs me......and you get into the old saying...."penny wise...pound foolish".

So they get JON for what $6M and change......you telling me you could not find an additional $2m for Perk! So you got a washed up center who I always believed to be a soft player. Then they try to cheap their way out of their center position with Shack with $1M.

Management has been scrambling to correct their misguided move of trading Perk and now the...."Chickens have come home to roost"!!!!!!!!!

112288

112288,

Danny didn't decide he couldn't pay $8 million for the center position. Their current center makes far more than that. He decided he couldn't pay $8 million for the limited skills the center named Kendrick Perkins had to offer.

Sam

sam wrote:112288,

Danny didn't decide he couldn't pay $8 million for the center position. Their current center makes far more than that. He decided he couldn't pay $8 million for the limited skills the center named Kendrick Perkins had to offer.

Sam

In my humble opinion, in retrospect, with the kind of basketball we've witnessed since Perk was traded, I'd now judge the trade a mistake. And I wish we could have a do-over.

If we did a poll, I wonder how many here would nix the trade if they could go back in time. Of course, we have no idea if Perk would've re-signed with us but OKC gave him a new deal at an average of $8 million a year through 2014-15.

Sam,
I'm not sure I understand your reply. But if you mean that the Celtics don't have many players they can trade and other teams'd be interested in, I agree 100% I was just asking can they keep Sully...One can ask, it doesn't cost anything.
This, I guess, brings us to sort of, kind of "to be or not to be": 2 paths. Path A is to keep all the "younglings", develop them, see if they can bring the team to the contender level in a few years. This, of course, means to let PP and KG go quietly into the sunset. Path B is to trade those youngsters for a paint protector and hope he will get into the grove before playoffs and see if they go all the way to the top.
I guess we have to see which way Danny goes. In one month or 2 months.

AK

steve3344 wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:steve

We also passed on DeAndre Jordan in that draft, JR Giddens was such a wasted pick.

cow

Mario Chalmers would have been a good backup point guard for Rondo. Could've had him too. And Goran Dragic would have been a terrific backup. He went 15 picks later. Omer Asik went the pick after DeAndre Jordan but can't fault the Celts for not picking him (or Jordan) since, at the time we had both KG and Perk. But it woulda been nice and we would have had amazing depth in the frontcourt.

the NY Giants had 3 all pro caliber DE's when they drafted JPP, how'd that work out? Danny rolled the dice on 2 wings that are out of the NBA, it happens....alot of GM's passed on Jordan and Asik. If we had either right now, we'd be in a great position as KG would have been making them even better as he did with Perk.

Sam,

Talent is in the eye of the beholder.................Everyone can plainly see Perk was worth $8million per.

Perk was a monster on defense and helped clear the paint. He did an unbelievable job on Howard and Bynum.

As far as Perk goes.......Danny needs a wooden cane, a pair of dark colored glasses........and a tin cup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

112288

P.S.

They are paying a 37 year old who is far better power forward then a center.......ya that makes a whole lot of sense........and that is my two cents.........drop it in Danny's cup for me!!!!

In 3 years....long after Pierce and KG are long gone - Jeff Green will be the starting 3 here in Boston, running with Rondo and scoring 18 to 20 ppg.

Perk will be an end of the bench player getting 10 mpg.

MrK,

My point is not if Perk was or was not the guy for center which I say he should have been for $8M.........the point is, Danny and management were playing cheap ball for a legit center.......opting for over the hill cheaper centers like Sheed, JON, Shack, Steamer rather the securing a very important position with talent.

Ya you may have to eat some cap money but they also knew they were clearing a lot of cap space this year.

Jeff Green will be a good player for us for the next 8 years or so, but the Celtics have a hole to fix.

Ya....move KG to center.......ok........but it is like squeezing a balloon........you squeeze one side and another side pops out......you move KG to center.......but now you sacrifice defense and size at the power forward position.

112288

mrkleen09 wrote:In 3 years....long after Pierce and KG are long gone - Jeff Green will be the starting 3 here in Boston, running with Rondo and scoring 18 to 20 ppg.

Perk will be an end of the bench player getting 10 mpg.

and he may have added another ring or 2 as a valuable role player on a championship team, I don't know about you, but I've always loved players like that.

Sinus,

I wasn't actually trying to make a point. I was suggesting that, if you want to keep Sully, you might go to the Trade Checker to determine how you might configure a trade for Varejao without including Sully. It's actually a very interesting exercise and teaches me a lot (e.g. the fact that it's not just pure salary that's considered in equalizing trade value). Although I don't post a lot of potential trades on the board, I frequently go to that site just to play "for instance" while wishing I made the kind of money general managers make.

Sam

Sam

There are certainly some intangibles that you cant put a "stat" number to....that Perk brought to the table. I would have loved to keep him AND started to build towards the future. But when a player of the caliber of Jeff Green is made available, as a GM of a team that is coming off 20+ years of futility - you have to think not just about the short term, but longer term.

DA made the right move in signing Jeff Green IMO