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20 NBA Trades That Will Go Down Before the 2015 Deadline

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20 NBA Trades That Will Go Down Before the 2015 Deadline

Deron Williams — Even with the NBA Trade Deadline not until February 19, it can never be too early to start talking about trades. Teams and their general managers are always looking for ways to improve their team and trades are the best and easiest way to do that during the season. Now that the season has tipped off, let's look at the 20 NBA players most likely to be dealt this season.

Even with the NBA Trade Deadline not until February 19, it can never be too early to start talking about trades. Teams and their general managers are always looking for ways to improve their team and trades are the best and easiest way to do that during the season. Now that the season has tipped off, let's look at the 20 NBA players most likely to be dealt this season.

20. Lance Stephenson to Miami Heat

20. Lance Stephenson to Miami Heat

Stephenson's stock has plummeted through the early going of the 2014-15 season. After being a triple-double threat on a nightly basis for the Pacers last season, the volatile forward has regressed since joining the Hornets this offseason. Charlotte is feeling buyer's remorse and are looking to cut their losses and ship Stephenson elsewhere. The Miami Heat have been rumored to have interest in the still just 24-year-old Stephenson.

19. Deron Williams to Sacramento Kings

19. Deron Williams to Sacramento Kings

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports just recently reported on this juicy rumor. The Nets clearly aren't a real threat in the East, so they've begun the process of shopping their high-priced stars. Kings' new owner Vivek Ranadivé clearly wants to make a splash and isn't afraid to make moves, as evidenced by the firing of coach Mike Malone. Talks would reportedly send Darren Collison, Jason Thompson, and Derrick Williams back to Brooklyn.

18. Al Horford to Golden State Warriors

18. Al Horford to Golden State Warriors

Rumors swirled this off-season after it became known Atlanta shopped the big man before last season’s trade deadline. Horford is returning from a torn pectoral muscle injury and with a team-friendly contract, he is sure to be a hot commodity on the trade market. Could Horford replace David Lee and be the last piece the Golden State Warriors need to make a serious run at the Western Conference title?

17. Michael Carter-Williams to Sacramento Kings

17. Michael Carter-Williams to Sacramento Kings

Last year’s run-away Rookie of the Year winner seems like an unusual player to see in trade rumors, especially for a team in the middle of a historical rebuild and glaringly obvious tank job. The 76ers are looking to acquire even more high-value draft picks and know their young point guard could net them a bounty of picks from a team looking to add a young star. A team looking to get better in a hurry like Sacramento should make a run at MCW.

16. Roy Hibbert to Cleveland Cavaliers

16. Roy Hibbert to Cleveland Cavaliers

Hibbert’s sudden decline last season from elite NBA center to playoff no-show was baffling. The Indiana Pacers could be looking to regroup with the injury to Paul George forcing them to take a step back. The 7’2” big man could use a change of scenery and who better to help him regain his old form than LeBron James?

15. Jeff Green to Washington Wizards

15. Jeff Green to Washington Wizards

The third Celtic to appear on the list, Jeff Green is bound to be a target for the many teams looking for help on the wing. A solid secondary option with the ability to play multiple positions, Green is an asset to any team looking to make a postseason run. In a weak Eastern Conference, an addition like Green could help an up-start team like the Washington Wizards become a true contender.

14. Jared Dudley to Toronto Raptors

14. Jared Dudley to Toronto Raptors

Milwaukee Bucks’ swingman Jared Dudley brings that always-needed tenacity and grit to whatever team he suits up for. With good size and the ability to stretch the floor, he is a perfect bench player for a contending team. With the Bucks at least a few years (and that’s being kind) away from contending, they will look to deal Dudley. After the Raptors playoff run last year, expect them to add a piece like Dudley.

13. Gerald Green to Brooklyn Nets

13. Gerald Green to Brooklyn Nets

There are simply too many bodies in the Phoenix backcourt. With Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas, and Goran and Zoran Dragic, there aren’t enough minutes to go around. The Suns would be prudent to trade from their collection of riches and acquire at least a draft pick or two for the high-flying Green. The Brooklyn Nets, in need of bench help and some athleticism (among many other things), are a sensible match.

12. Amar'e Stoudemire to Charlotte Hornets

12. Amar'e Stoudemire to Charlotte Hornets

The most overpaid player in the league, Amar'e Stoudemire needs to get out of New York. Stoudemire and his contract have been untradeable for years. Now in the last year of his contract, there may finally be a glimmer of hope for new Team President Phil Jackson and the Knicks. A rebuilding team like the Charlotte Hornets looking to shed the $23 million in the offseason are their only hope.

11. Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland Cavaliers

11. Timofey Mozgov to Cleveland Cavaliers

The Denver Nuggets center quietly put up a good season for coach Brian Shaw. Height and size will always be coveted and Mozgov would have a long list of suitors should he hit the open market. While Mozgov is a favorite of Brian Shaw, the Nuggets should trade the 7-footer to a big-man-needy team like Cleveland and acquire some young assets for the future.

10. Taj Gibson to Minnesota Timberwolves

10. Taj Gibson to Minnesota Timberwolves

It looked as if Taj Gibson might finally get the chance to start and have a breakout season when Carlos Boozer was amnestied by the Bulls. Enter Pau Gasol. With Joakim Noah and Gasol locked in at the frontcourt positions, Gibson could hit the block. Swapping Gibson for a scoring guard would be a good move for the Bulls. Which leads us to…

9. Kevin Martin to Chicago Bulls

9. Kevin Martin to Chicago Bulls

Kevin Martin has thrived in the 6th man role for years. Martin’s scoring ability and outside shooting are a perfect fit for the Bulls. While Martin is known for his inability to play any defense (seriously, no defense), Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls should be able to mask it. With Derrick Rose looking like his old self, the Bulls should scare LeBron and the Cavs.

8. David Lee to Orlando Magic

8. David Lee to Orlando Magic

The double-double machine is the only weak link in the Golden State Warriors impressive starting five. Lee’s big contract has made him difficult to trade ever since Golden State realized they had overpaid for the Florida product’s services. While being overpaid and having some defensive limitations, Lee is still a stats machine, especially for a weaker team like Orlando.

7. Gerald Wallace to Toronto Raptors

7. Gerald Wallace to Toronto Raptors

Gerald Wallace’s days as one of the most underrated stars in the NBA are over. At 32 years old and with a $10 million contract, the veteran won't be easy for the Celtics to move. With Boston no longer a serious threat to contend in the East, they will be looking to acquire young assets and draft picks. Toronto is looking to take the next step towards contention and with a glaring need on the wing, the Raptors are the perfect landing spot.

6. Chase Budinger to Houston Rockets

6. Chase Budinger to Houston Rockets

The former Arizona Wildcat star has slowly put up a solid career through his first five years in the NBA. His size, athleticism, and outside shot make him a perfect 20-minute player off the bench for a contending team. In need of bench help, the Houston Rockets should bring Budinger back to where his career first started.

5. Kevin Love to Los Angeles Lakers

5. Kevin Love to Los Angeles Lakers

The Cavaliers are off to a terrible start and while it’s probably still a little too early to go into full-blown panic mode, it’s not too soon to start talking about Kevin Love. Love has not fit in with Lebron and Kyrie Irving and has the choice to opt out of his contract after this season. He has expressed interest in signing with the Lakers and it would be smart for the Cavaliers to trade Love instead of losing him for nothing in the offseason.

4. Andrei Kirilenko to Utah Jazz

4. Andrei Kirilenko to Utah Jazz

The Russian forward has played only 30 minutes so far this season for the struggling Brooklyn Nets. A reunion with the Utah Jazz has been rumored to be in the works. The only thing making the way past his prime Kirilenko a valuable asset is his $3.3 million expiring contract.

3. Kenneth Faried to Golden State Warriors

3. Kenneth Faried to Golden State Warriors

The Denver Nuggets are struggling and just about every player on the roster is on the trade block. The franchise apparently is not crazy about Faried as a player and the recent contract extension they gave him was mostly due to the fact he is a big fan favorite. The Warriors are a real contender and acquiring Faried might put them right with the Spurs in the Western Conference

2. Aaron Afflalo to Chicago Bulls

2. Aaron Afflalo to Chicago Bulls

If Derrick Rose can stay healthy, and that’s a big if, the Chicago Bulls are the favorites in the East with LeBron and the Cavaliers struggling mightily. Jimmy Butler has been incredible so far this year, but there’s a spot off the bench open for a shooting guard. Afflalo fits in with Coach Thibodeau’s style of play and could be another piece to the puzzle to get the Bulls out of the East.

1. Javale McGee to Cleveland Cavaliers

1. Javale McGee to Cleveland Cavaliers

As has already been stated a couple times and has been reported again recently, the Cavaliers are looking to add some size. Anderson Varajeo has been solid so far this season, but behind him in the rotation, Cleveland needs some big man help. McGee seems to always be on the trade block and just about everyone is available on the Nuggets roster.

Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. Like him on Facebook.

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