15 NBA Trades That Will Definitely Go Down During the 2015-16 Season

15 NBA Trades That Will Definitely Go Down During the 2015-16 Season

By Chipper Murphy

September 18, 2015

NBA Trades That Will Definitely Go Down During the 2015-16 Season

Markieff Morris Phoenix Suns — Perhaps no league amasses more rumors than the NBA. We are talking about Kevin Durant’s free agency now. Heck, we have been talking about it for years. But trade talk is always fun, too. Especially when it is a frustrated player like Markieff Morris or a star like DeMarcus Cousins. Here are 15 trades that will definitely go down this season.

Perhaps no league amasses more rumors than the NBA. We are talking about Kevin Durant’s free agency now. Heck, we have been talking about it for years. But trade talk is always fun, too. Especially when it is a frustrated player like Markieff Morris or a star like DeMarcus Cousins. Here are 15 trades that will definitely go down this season.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio to Brooklyn Nets

Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves

15. Minnesota Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio to Brooklyn Nets

Ricky Rubio Minnesota Timberwolves — Trade rumors have been swirling around Ricky Rubio for awhile. It seems like it's only a matter of time. He's never going to be the star Minnesota hoped to build around. Fortunately they lucked into that guy with Andrew Wiggins. The nasty part is that contract. Rubio is signed through 2018-19 and makes between and million each season. It's a long shot. But Brooklyn doesn't have a PG and they have big salaries to work with.

Trade rumors have been swirling around Ricky Rubio for awhile. It seems like it's only a matter of time. He's never going to be the star Minnesota hoped to build around. Fortunately they lucked into that guy with Andrew Wiggins. The nasty part is that contract. Rubio is signed through 2018-19 and makes between and million each season. It's a long shot. But Brooklyn doesn't have a PG and they have big salaries to work with.

14. Washington Wizards PF/C Nene to the Golden State Warriors

Wizards Nene

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14. Washington Wizards PF/C Nene to the Golden State Warriors

Nene Wizards — Nene is a great option off the bench at the PF position to give Draymond Green a break. He can also play the 5 on the court with Green at the same time. He has a big deal at million, but it's expiring.

Nene is a great option off the bench at the PF position to give Draymond Green a break. He can also play the 5 on the court with Green at the same time. He has a big deal at million, but it's expiring.

13. Miami Heat SF Luol Deng to the Los Angeles Lakers

Miami Heat Luol Deng

13. Miami Heat SF Luol Deng to the Los Angeles Lakers

Miami Heat Luol Deng — Justise Winslow and Gerald Green can both play the SF position. Winslow will surprise Miami and they will want to make room for him to get more minutes. It makes sense for LA to use Deng as a stopgap (his deal is expiring) because it gives them flexibility to move Nick Young.

Justise Winslow and Gerald Green can both play the SF position. Winslow will surprise Miami and they will want to make room for him to get more minutes. It makes sense for LA to use Deng as a stopgap (his deal is expiring) because it gives them flexibility to move Nick Young.

12. Miami Heat PF Josh McRoberts to the Washington Wizards

Miami Heat Josh McRoberts

12. Miami Heat PF Josh McRoberts to the Washington Wizards

Miami Heat Josh McRoberts — After losing Paul Pierce via free agency, the Wizards had to scramble for Jared Dudley. He gives Washington the ability to let Porter move over to the PF and play small ball. McRoberts gives the Wizards more shooting. Dudley isn't enough. Not when you need the three point shot to win.

After losing Paul Pierce via free agency, the Wizards had to scramble for Jared Dudley. He gives Washington the ability to let Porter move over to the PF and play small ball. McRoberts gives the Wizards more shooting. Dudley isn't enough. Not when you need the three point shot to win.

11. Denver Nuggets PF Kenneth Faried to the Toronto Raptors

Kenneth Faried Denver Nuggets

11. Denver Nuggets PF Kenneth Faried to the Toronto Raptors

Kenneth Faried Denver Nuggets — I've always thought that Kenneth Faried would be more effective as a sixth man than as a starter. In Toronto he would have the chance to be that effective change of pace sixth man from starter Patrick Patterson. Toronto was swept in the first round of the playoffs by Washington. They could stand to make a blockbuster move like this. The current crop they have isn't winning a championship and "The Manimal" could be the missing piece.

I've always thought that Kenneth Faried would be more effective as a sixth man than as a starter. In Toronto he would have the chance to be that effective change of pace sixth man from starter Patrick Patterson. Toronto was swept in the first round of the playoffs by Washington. They could stand to make a blockbuster move like this. The current crop they have isn't winning a championship and "The Manimal" could be the missing piece.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves PF Anthony Bennett to the Milwaukee Bucks

Anthony Bennett Minnesota Timberwolves

10. Minnesota Timberwolves PF Anthony Bennett to the Milwaukee Bucks

Anthony Bennett Minnesota Timberwolves — After drafting Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves have a logjam in the frontcourt. Moving Bennett will solve that problem. Milwaukee needs a big man who can shoot. As a young team, they can afford to take a flier on the former No. 1 overall pick.

After drafting Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves have a logjam in the frontcourt. Moving Bennett will solve that problem. Milwaukee needs a big man who can shoot. As a young team, they can afford to take a flier on the former No. 1 overall pick.

9. New York Knicks PG Jose Calderon to the San Antonio Spurs

Jose Calderon New York Knicks

9. New York Knicks PG Jose Calderon to the San Antonio Spurs

New York Knicks Jose Calderon — At some point, the Knicks will want to start someone else at the PG spot. Calderon is pointless as a backup in New York. The Spurs won't mind taking on Calderon's regrettable contract because they are in win-now mode.

At some point, the Knicks will want to start someone else at the PG spot. Calderon is pointless as a backup in New York. The Spurs won't mind taking on Calderon's regrettable contract because they are in win-now mode.

8. Miami Heat PG Mario Chalmers to the Utah Jazz

Mario Chalmers Miami Heat

8. Miami Heat PG Mario Chalmers to the Utah Jazz

Mario Chalmers Miami Heat — Chalmers seems to be the odd man out in Miami. After a season-ending injury for Dante Exum, the Jazz will need help in the backcourt. They won't be able to do any better than Mario Chalmers.

Chalmers seems to be the odd man out in Miami. After a season-ending injury for Dante Exum, the Jazz will need help in the backcourt. They won't be able to do any better than Mario Chalmers.

7. Los Angeles Clippers SG Jamal Crawford to the Memphis Grizzlies

Jamal Crawford LA Clippers

7. Los Angeles Clippers SG Jamal Crawford to the Memphis Grizzlies

Jamal Crawford LA Clippers — This is the kind of move that the Grizzlies should make. They have come so close to the Finals, but they proved last season that they don't have that dynamic bench scorer. Although he was down last year, Crawford still scored 15.6 PPG. And Doc Rivers would love to have Jeff Green in case Paul Pierce falls apart or Lance Stephenson blows up again.

This is the kind of move that the Grizzlies should make. They have come so close to the Finals, but they proved last season that they don't have that dynamic bench scorer. Although he was down last year, Crawford still scored 15.6 PPG. And Doc Rivers would love to have Jeff Green in case Paul Pierce falls apart or Lance Stephenson blows up again.

6. Chicago Bulls PF Taj Gibson to the Detroit Pistons

Chicago Bulls Taj Gibson

6. Chicago Bulls PF Taj Gibson to the Detroit Pistons

Chicago Bulls Taj Gibson — Speaking of logjams in the frontcourt, Chicago's is even bigger than the one in Minnesota. Gibson has been the subject of trade rumors for years and it is time for him to be moved. The Bulls drafting Bobby Portis made it seem like they were heading in that direction.

Speaking of logjams in the frontcourt, Chicago's is even bigger than the one in Minnesota. Gibson has been the subject of trade rumors for years and it is time for him to be moved. The Bulls drafting Bobby Portis made it seem like they were heading in that direction.

5. New Orleans Pelicans PG Jrue Holiday to the Brooklyn Nets

New Orleans Pelicans Jrue Holiday

5. New Orleans Pelicans PG Jrue Holiday to the Brooklyn Nets

New Orleans Pelicans Jrue Holiday — The Nets desperately need a point guard and should be willing to take a chance on the oft-injured Holiday. They should put the entire roster on the table, sans Brook Lopez, as well.

The Nets desperately need a point guard and should be willing to take a chance on the oft-injured Holiday. They should put the entire roster on the table, sans Brook Lopez, as well.

4. Detroit Pistons PG Brandon Jennings to the Chicago Bulls

Brandon Jennings Detroit Pistons

4. Detroit Pistons PG Brandon Jennings to the Chicago Bulls

Brandon Jennings Detroit Pistons — A legitimate backup for Derrick Rose's inevitable injury would be huge for the Bulls. It would also give them one of the best bench scorers in the league and his contract is expiring in case the experiment fails. He doesn't fit in Detroit long-term with Reggie Jackson now the future at the point guard position.

A legitimate backup for Derrick Rose's inevitable injury would be huge for the Bulls. It would also give them one of the best bench scorers in the league and his contract is expiring in case the experiment fails. He doesn't fit in Detroit long-term with Reggie Jackson now the future at the point guard position.

3. Brooklyn Nets SG/SF Joe Johnson to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Brooklyn Nets Joe Johnson

3. Brooklyn Nets SG/SF Joe Johnson to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Brooklyn Nets Joe Johnson — Despite their long but eventually successful negotiations with J.R. Smith, the Cavaliers can still be better. Johnson is a more consistent scorer than Smith and he can give Cleveland another veteran presence in the locker room. He also has the potential to go off for 30 points on any given night.

Despite their long but eventually successful negotiations with J.R. Smith, the Cavaliers can still be better. Johnson is a more consistent scorer than Smith and he can give Cleveland another veteran presence in the locker room. He also has the potential to go off for 30 points on any given night.

2. Phoenix Suns PF Markieff Morris to the Sacramento Kings

Markieff Morris Suns

2. Phoenix Suns PF Markieff Morris to the Sacramento Kings

Markieff Morris Suns — It's a tough call between Sacramento and Indiana. Both could use a big man with some offensive game. I will go with Sacramento because it has more assets to offer Phoenix. Indiana is an older team. The addition of Morris would make Sacramento significantly better and give Willie Cauley-Stein time to learn on the bench.

It's a tough call between Sacramento and Indiana. Both could use a big man with some offensive game. I will go with Sacramento because it has more assets to offer Phoenix. Indiana is an older team. The addition of Morris would make Sacramento significantly better and give Willie Cauley-Stein time to learn on the bench.

1. Los Angeles Lakers SF Nick Young to the Oklahoma City Thunder

Nick Young Lakers

1. Los Angeles Lakers SF Nick Young to the Oklahoma City Thunder

Nick Young Lakers — Oklahoma City needs a backup for Durant. Young will take some scoring load off the starters' shoulders. The Lakers have no room for him. The situation hasn't worked out because they expect too much from him.

Oklahoma City needs a backup for Durant. Young will take some scoring load off the starters' shoulders. The Lakers have no room for him. The situation hasn't worked out because they expect too much from him.

Chipper Murphy is a Beat Writer for the New York Knicks on www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy “Like” him on Facebook.

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