Interesting Look At West As Trading DeadLine Nears - Hoops World

Who's Getting Traded: The West

By: Preetom Bhattacharya Last Updated: 1/23/10 6:09 PM ET | 5648 times read


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January and February are trade season in the NBA – conversations about what is needed to take teams to the next level and others about cutting costs to make free agent runs are happening every GM's office across the league.

As such, several players find themselves in the crosshairs of these conversations and should consider having their bags packed within the next few weeks because they're on their way out. Yesterday, Alex Raskin looked at possible trade candidates in the Eastern Conference; today, here's the list of possible Western Conference movers:

Dallas Mavericks
- Josh Howard – With what amounts to an expiring $10.9-million contract (next year is a team option that the squad he's traded to probably will not exercise), Howard is certainly a player that is eligible to be moved. Howard's name has been linked to several teams as it is, but the most recent and enticing rumor involves the Mavs offering Howard to the Sacramento Kings for Kevin Martin. Dallas is looking for some stability at the two-guard in addition to some overall depth to fortify their bench.

Denver Nuggets
With a strong desire to pick up another big man that they can use as defense against the other elite Western Conference teams, the Nuggets are likely to get as creative as they can to do so. Linked to Indiana's Jeff Foster and even Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, the Nuggets will continue to scan the horizon to see if there is anything they can do to add some more talent. The squad does have a fairly large trade exception of $3.7-million from a Steven Hunter trade that they could use as well.

Golden State Warriors
- Speedy Claxton, Raja Bell, and Devean George – The Warriors are interested in adding significant talent either at the trade deadline or during the summer. Claxton's expiring $5.2-million contract in combination with Devean George's $1.8-million figure (also expiring) and Raja Bell's expiring $5.2-million salary makes it a bit more possible for them to make such a move. GM Larry Riley has already told Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle that the team needs to add major talent, like what they have in Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette. The combination of these deals could certainly bring in a third star next to Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette. Theoretically, Andris Biedrins should be that third star, but with Don Nelson's wing-oriented offense, another player could be needed on the wing to fortify the Warriors for next season.
- Vladimir Radmanovic – Radmanovic, brought over in the Stephen Jackson trade, has another year left on his deal because of an Early Termination Option, but he could find himself on the move if the Warriors hope to open a bit more capspace by trading for an expiring deal. Should the Warriors not trade their expiring deals (listed above) for talent, they could opt simply to open up the space by moving Radmanovic.

Houston Rockets
- Tracy McGrady – Already on the shelf, the Rockets won't let McGrady's league-high expiring $22.8-million go to waste. With Trevor Ariza, Chase Budinger, and Shane Battier manning the wing, the Rockets are fine in that area, but they need some serious help down low. Miraculously, the Rockets have stayed in contention for playoff positioning; now it will be interesting to see if the team can add talent to increase their playoff push for support in Clutch City. McGrady has been already linked in talks to the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls.

LA Clippers
- Marcus Camby – The Clippers are still barely in the hunt for a playoff spot and as long as that is the case, Camby can be considered "safe" to stay in LA. After Blake Griffin's season-ending surgery, it seemed likely that Camby would stick around, but should the Clippers continue on their losing ways, coach/GM Mike Dunleavy would be smart to move a desired commodity in Camby for some added talent. There is no pressure on him to do so, though – the Clippers will have some cap space to make their moves in the summer as well, but they could start their shopping early by moving Camby.

LA Lakers
- Adam Morrison – The never-used Morrison has a $5.2-million expiring contract and the Lakers will almost certainly be shopping him in the hopes that they can procure some more talent for their championship push. The team's biggest weakness is their bench, which has played inconsistently throughout the season. Potentially moving Morrison for a bench contributor could end up costing the Lakers in both luxury taxes and long-term payroll – both things they don't care about if they get the bling.

Memphis Grizzlies
The suddenly-resurgent Grizzlies have been rumored to be dangling one of their first-round picks in the hopes of picking up some bench support. The team has been linked to Dorrell Wright (Miami) and Ronnie Brewer (Utah), but no current players on the roster have necessarily been rumored in exchange for either. There was talk about the team moving Rudy Gay, but that seems less likely now.

Minnesota Timberwolves
All the rumors out of Minnesota are essentially meaningless. GM David Kahn has consistently made it clear that major moves won't go down during the season, as the "evaluation" process continues. Recent rumors of an Al Jefferson trade have been shot down (unless Kahn is lying through his teeth to both the media and his own players) and with so many expiring contracts, the Wolves are more likely to let this season run its course and figure things out in the summer.

New Orleans Hornets
- Sean Marks, Ike Diogu, and Devin Brown – All three have relatively small contracts that could be moved for smaller salaries so that the Hornets can get under the luxury tax threshold. Their expiring deals may be attractive to some teams looking to cut payroll before the summer's free-agency bonanza.
- Morris Peterson – After falling off the radar when completely removed from the rotation, Peterson has started to get some playing time again, leading many to believe that he's being shopped. Coach/GM Jeff Bower has said that Peterson has earned his way back to playing time, but the old vet should be prepared to move.

Oklahoma City Thunder
After acquiring Eric Maynor, it seems most likely that the Thunder will hold pat this trading season. With their core group of players locked up and plenty of capspace available in the summer, the Thunder will only make a move if an absolute bargain falls onto their laps. Right now, that doesn't seem like that is going to happen.

Phoenix Suns
- Amar'e Stoudemire – Without his contract extension and the possibility that he wants a max deal, Stoudemire could be too demanding for the Suns to pass the opportunity to move him. He's got an Early Termination Option for next season, so the Suns could risk losing him for absolutely nothing. That probably isn't something Steve Kerr is looking to do. Even Stoudemire is resigned to his reality, recently telling media outlets that he wouldn't be surprised if he's moved.

Portland Trail Blazers
- Andre Miller – A classic case of buyer's remorse, the Blazers may be looking to already deal their free agent acquisition of the summer. Miller hasn't been happy in Portland since the beginning of the season and the team may not have been the best fit for him. After an in-practice shouting match that probably was overblown by the media, it seems a little more likely the Blazers would be willing to move Miller if they can get something attractive in return. His deal isn't too long, but it is a bit pricey, so it could be tough to find a partner.
- Travis Outlaw – His expiring $3.6-million deal could be moved to gain some depth for the Blazers, who have been ravaged by injuries. He has some value across the league and his salary makes him very easy to move.

Sacramento Kings
- Kevin Martin – Although it's really hard to imagine that the face of the rebuilding franchise will be moved, the reality is Martin is sitting in a situation that doesn't necessarily look like it is getting better at all. The possible pairing of Tyreke Evans and Martin in the backcourt is enticing, but the length of Martin's contract might force Kings' execs to move Martin so they can rebuild around their new face: Evans. Offers will be pouring in for Martin – if one of them hits the right chord, Martin will be moved.
- Kenny Thomas – The flip side of the coin, if the Kings decide to pursue talent rather than sell it, Thomas' $8.7-million expiring deal could bring back some serious talent for the Kings to use going into next season.

San Antonio Spurs
- Roger Mason, Matt Bonner, and Michael Finley – These three expiring deals could give the Spurs a new weapon to add to their bench. They are unlikely to move any other pieces at this time – as a team still sitting atop the standings and with their championship aspirations still intact, the Spurs will look to use their expiring deals, meaning one or all three of these guys should be ready to be traded.

Utah Jazz
- Carlos Boozer – With his future in Utah in doubt, the Jazz almost certainly are looking to see what they can get for their talented big man. His expiring deal leaves the Jazz with plenty of options to get something for him before he walks for nothing.
- Ronnie Brewer – It is a little bit less likely that the Jazz look to move their athletic shooting guard, but teams will show interest in him, tempting the Jazz to at least see what they can get for him.