Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw finally got some sense and put Kenneth Faried back in the starting lineup. The Nuggets have a crowded front court so it makes sense they would be looking to trade someone, just not Faried. Early this season there was speculation that Faried was being shopped, but those rumors have seemed to die down over the past few days.
It seems like every year the Boston Celtics are involved in trade talks, and this year is no different. Rajon Rondo hasn’t played this season, yet his name has surfaced in trade rumors. Rondo is the only player remaining from the championship team, so it would behoove the Celtics to keep him around. Rookie head coach Brad Stevens could use all the help he can get.
A week ago it seemed like Iman Shumpert was as good as gone. Now J.R. Smith is back on the bench and Shumpert is back at his natural position, shooting guard. Shumpert is the best prospect the New York Knicks have so they aren’t going to trade him unless they get an offer they can’t resist. If he does get traded it will be because he is part of a package deal with Amar’e Stoudemire.
Take your pick, Rudy Gay or DeMar DeRozan. The word out of the Toronto Raptors front office is that anyone is available except for young big man Jonas Valanciunas. The two names that keep popping up are Gay and DeRozan, although it’s unlikely Gay gets traded because of the $36 million he is owed over the next two seasons. DeRozan’s contract isn’t friendly either -- $38 million over the next four seasons -- but he is a promising young player who has shown steady improvement throughout his career.
Charlie Villanueva's tenure with the Detroit Pistons has been forgettable. He averaged only 15 minutes per game last season and has only played in one game so far this season. He is in the last year of his contract, so teams who lack front court depth could take a gamble on him.
The Sacramento Kings are loaded in the backcourt. Head coach Mike Malone recently inserted rookie Ben McLemore into the starting lineup alongside Greivis Vasquez, while Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Thornton have been coming off the bench. Jimmer Fredette, the former 10th overall pick, has only played in four games this season. Somebody has to go. It’s not clear who it will be, though Fredette seems like the obvious choice.
The writing is on the wall for Derrick Williams. The former 2nd overall pick is averaging five points per game this season while playing a career low 15 minutes per game. There is no question that he has potential, but the Minnesota Timberwolves apparently don’t want to wait to find out. He is still on his rookie contract, so a playoff bound team could snag him for cheap.
The New York Knicks are suffocating under the salary cap, thanks in part to the contract they generously bestowed upon Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010. Regarded as one of the worst contracts in NBA history, the Knicks have been trying to trade Stoudemire for years but have been unsuccessful thus far. This might be the year they finally convince another team to take on his hefty contract.
Danny Granger used to be the franchise player for the Indiana Pacers. Injuries have hobbled Granger over the past few seasons, and the emergence of Paul George has pretty much spelled his departure. He is set to return from a calf injury in the next few weeks, and if he stays healthy he could help another team tremendously. He is also in the last year of his contract, so trading for him is not a huge risk.
Things have been disastrous for Omer Asik ever since Dwight Howard came to town. He demanded a trade in the offseason, and it took the Houston Rockets' top brass to convince him to stay. Head coach Kevin McHale experimented with starting Asik and Howard at the same time, but that clearly didn’t work. He’s hardly played over the last five games; it’s only a matter of time before the Rockets and Asik part ways.
Get our content customized for you directly to your inbox!
