This is my favorite time of the year in the NBA. This is trade season. Teams that are vying for position are looking to improve there roster and move up in the standing by upgrading talent, making their roster more cohesive, or simply getting “cancer” out of the locker room. Problem is no one ever talks about the other side.
It is very rare that we see a trade where we think both teams win. I don’t think there are any stupid GM’s in the league (excluding David Khan). So why would some of these teams make some of these trades? It’s the all powerful dollar. With the new CBA rules taking effect this year we will potentially see quite a bit of movement.
Here is a list of the most talented players on the market and why:
- Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies) – This is strictly a money move. Unfortunantly, the Griz are a championship contender with their current roster intact. Ever since Memphis has started taking in trade offers (which are leaking online) the team has spiraled out of control and their winning percentage has taken a dive.
- Amare Stoudemire (New York Knicks) – This is a trade that the Knicks had tried to make all summer. Stat can be a beast and has been an All Star five times, but he is no longer New Yorks savior, and hasn’t been since Melo arrived. The Knicks would literally be willing to take nothing back for him at this point. This is addition by subtraction.
- Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers) – Danny Granger has been the face of the Pacers since Jermaine O’Neal left town. He has been there best consistent scorer and is a great locker room guy. So, why would the Pacers trade him? Paul George is why. He is a younger version of Granger and with Granger missing most of the year he has blossomed. This trade would be made to create more cohesion. The Pacers need shooters, and that is what they would want back for Granger.
- Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks) – The reason he would get traded is simple. The fans love him when he is playing smart, but most of the time he is a stupid as a Lil’ B song. He is a talented defensive player, and a great athlete. If he can land on a team with a coach that can help him develop the mental aspect, he could be great. Oh yeah, his contract expires at the end of the season.
- Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers) – Let me be clear, this trade will be talked about a lot, but I don’t think it will happen. No team is trying to take on 19.3 million in salary for the next year and a half for a “has been”. I think Gasol can still be effective, but honestly he makes it hard for me to argue that he isn’t washed up. I think the Lakers keep him at least until the summer, just in case Dwight walks away in free agency (he won’t).
These are the trades that will be talked about the most, but there are always trades that come out of nowhere. I can’t wait to see what happens. What do you want your team to get?