One Trade Every NBA Team Could Make Before the 2015-16 Season
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It’s September in the NBA and not much is going on. Teams are waiting for training camp to start. What are fans waiting for? A trade would be nice. This offseason had tremendous free agent action and the trade rumors have been equally large, but for the most part nothing has come from them. With that frustration in mind, let’s look at one trade each team in the league could make.
Atlanta Hawks: Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack to Washington for Martell Webster and Ramon Sessions
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Atlanta Hawks: Mike Scott and Shelvin Mack to Washington for Martell Webster and Ramon Sessions
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There are rumors that Atlanta wants to cut ties with Scott since his well publicized off the court problems. They need help on the wing since DeMarre Carroll's departure, and Webster would give them that security. Mack for Sessions is about matching the money, but neither player is a difference maker.
Boston Celtics: Evan Turner and pick to OKC for Steven Adams and Andre Roberson
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Boston Celtics: Evan Turner and pick to OKC for Steven Adams and Andre Roberson
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Boston is weak inside defensively aside from Amir Johnson. He could use some help, and Steven Adams will give him plenty. The Celtics have draft picks to spare. Evan Turner's expiring contract should be very attractive to OKC as a backup for Kevin Durant -- especially since he can spell Westbrook at the point as well.
Brooklyn Nets: Joe Johnson to Memphis for Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Matt Barnes and Beno Udrih
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Brooklyn Nets: Joe Johnson to Memphis for Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Matt Barnes and Beno Udrih
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Joe Johnson was linked to Memphis for awhile last season, and the trade almost happened on draft night. The Nets managed to get rid of the Deron Williams contract, and Johnson’s horrible deal is next. Despite Johnson not being worth his deal, he would be a difference maker for a contending team like Memphis.
Charlotte Hornets: Marvin Williams to Lakers for Nick Young
Chuck Hayes-USA Today Sports
Charlotte Hornets: Marvin Williams to Lakers for Nick Young
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Yes, the Hornets would be taking a big risk. Young isn’t exactly reliable and his contract is unfortunate. But dumping Williams should be worth it, and Charlotte could use some scoring, even from Young.
Chicago Bulls: Taj Gibson to Detroit for Brandon Jennings
Benny Sieu- USA Today Sports
Chicago Bulls: Taj Gibson to Detroit for Brandon Jennings
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This might be an even bigger risk, but it's about time Chicago took one. Eventually Rose will go down and it will be good if they can replace him in the starting lineup with a scorer. And if it doesn't work out, his contract expires anyway.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao and pick to Clippers for Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox and Cole Aldrich
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao and pick to Clippers for Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox and Cole Aldrich
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I still think Cleveland could use another scorer on the wing despite the re-signing of J.R. Smith. And Crawford’s ability to handle the ball at the point will help for offense from that position. Varejao is expendable.
Dallas: Zaza Pachulia and Raymond Felton to Minnesota for Nikola Pekovic
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Dallas: Zaza Pachulia and Raymond Felton to Minnesota for Nikola Pekovic
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Dallas desperately needs offense from the center position and as reliable as Pachulia can be, Pekovic is an upgrade. Pekovic has become expendable with Towns being drafted and the emergence of Dieng.
Denver: Kenneth Faried to Sacramento for Darren Collison and Ben McLemore
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Denver: Kenneth Faried to Sacramento for Darren Collison and Ben McLemore
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Denver should blow the whole thing up, start over and build around Mudiay. Yes, the salary cap is exploding, but Faried is still not worth that salary. He is only 25, but I believe he has already hit his ceiling as a player. Sacramento would be fools to do this trade. So yeah, it's the Kings. This one could happen.
Detroit Pistons: Brandon Jennings to Memphis for Jeff Green
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Detroit Pistons: Brandon Jennings to Memphis for Jeff Green
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Jennings has an expiring contract and almost certainly will not be re-signed by Detroit after the Reggie Jackson deal. Memphis could use a better backup than Beno Udrih, and Jeff Green was a flop for them. He will thrive with the three-point loving Stan Van Gundy.
Golden State: Marreese Speights and Brandon Rush to Miami for Josh McRoberts
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Golden State: Marreese Speights and Brandon Rush to Miami for Josh McRoberts
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You can't sign everybody, and that seems like it will be the case for the Warriors and Marreese Speights. McRoberts seems like a large step down from Speights, but he was banged up and just had an off year. When he is on he can make threes and pass.
Houston Rockets: Marcus Thornton to San Antonio for Jimmer Fredette
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Houston Rockets: Marcus Thornton to San Antonio for Jimmer Fredette
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Houston never should have signed Marcus Thornton. He will hurt their offense with his shot selection and shoot himself right out of the rotation anyway. I realize San Antonio may never do this. And yes, how many "changes of scenery" is Jimmer going to get? Well, I still think he can be a solid player in the league and Houston is the place for him. Not San Antonio. I know. Blasphemy!
Indiana Pacers: Chase Budinger and Toney Douglas to Denver Nuggets for Randy Foye
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Indiana Pacers: Chase Budinger and Toney Douglas to Denver Nuggets for Randy Foye
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Indiana needs a guard who can shoot the three and Foye is career 38 percent shooter. Budinger can play with Danilo Gallinari.
Los Angeles Clippers: C.J. Wilcox, Pablo Prigioni and Chuck Hayes to New Orleans for Norris Cole
Russell Isabella- USA Today Sports
Los Angeles Clippers: C.J. Wilcox, Pablo Prigioni and Chuck Hayes to New Orleans for Norris Cole
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After lengthy negotiations, Norris Cole came back to New Orleans on the qualifying offer. He almost certainly won't be back next year. He would be the best backup that Chris Paul has had in L.A.
Los Angeles Lakers: Nick Young to Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green
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Los Angeles Lakers: Nick Young to Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green
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Both teams should just want to move these guys. Young doesn't fit in L.A. anymore, and Green needs a change of scenery after last season in Memphis.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jeff Green to Clippers for Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox and Chuck Hayes
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Memphis Grizzlies: Jeff Green to Clippers for Jamal Crawford, C.J. Wilcox and Chuck Hayes
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In case you hadn't picked up on it, I really think the Grizzlies should and will trade Jeff Green. Ditto for the Clippers and Jamal Crawford.
Miami Heat: Josh McRoberts and Tyler Johnson to New York for Jose Calderon
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Miami Heat: Josh McRoberts and Tyler Johnson to New York for Jose Calderon
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The Heat really need to give Dragic some help after dumping off Napier. Calderon has a terrible contract, but it's a risk that a win-now team can take -- especially when they only expect him to come off the bench. They would probably like to avoid trading McRoberts, but if I were the Knicks that's who I would want.
Milwaukee Bucks: Miles Plumlee and O.J. Mayo to Orlando for Channing Frye
Mark J. Rebilas- USA Today Sports
Milwaukee Bucks: Miles Plumlee and O.J. Mayo to Orlando for Channing Frye
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Milwaukee could really use a big man who can shoot the three, and Channing Frye is one of the best in the game. With the impending emergence of Aaron Gordon and Tobias Harris playing the four, Frye becomes less important.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic to Memphis for Courtney Lee, Matt Barnes and a pick
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Minnesota Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic to Memphis for Courtney Lee, Matt Barnes and a pick
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Pekovic's important presence in the rotation will go down this season. Minnesota could use a player like Courtney Lee to help them at the SG position.
New Orleans Pelicans: Luke Babbitt to Houston for Marcus Thornton
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New Orleans Pelicans: Luke Babbitt to Houston for Marcus Thornton
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The Pelicans should keep their roster the same, but Thornton would be an upgrade over Babbitt.
New York Knicks: Cleanthony Early and Lou Amundson to Orlando for Andrew Nicholson
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New York Knicks: Cleanthony Early and Lou Amundson to Orlando for Andrew Nicholson
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Cleanthony Early has not proven anything for New York. Andrew Nicholson is a good risk for the Knicks, because his contract is expiring and he is a young shooting big.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams, D.J. Augustin and Steve Novak to Phoenix for Markieff Morris
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams, D.J. Augustin and Steve Novak to Phoenix for Markieff Morris
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Phoenix will have to trade Morris. They will need to get something back for him, and Steven Adams is filled with potential.
Orlando Magic: Channing Frye to Detroit for Jodie Meeks
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Orlando Magic: Channing Frye to Detroit for Jodie Meeks
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I'm not sure anyone needs a three-point shooting guard more than Orlando. Meeks' contract becomes more tolerable with the salary cap explosion.
Philadelphia 76ers: Robert Covington to Chicago for E’Twaun Moore and a pick
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Philadelphia 76ers: Robert Covington to Chicago for E’Twaun Moore and a pick
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Covington showed that he has talent, especially as a three-point shooter. All Chicago will have to do is give up a pick and E'Twaun Moore. Philly isn't looking to keep Covington or most of their roster long term.
Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris to New Orleans for Ryan Anderson
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Phoenix Suns: Markieff Morris to New Orleans for Ryan Anderson
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If Phoenix is going to trade Morris, which it looks like they will, they should do it right. That means trading him for something in return. Ryan Anderson is very effective as a scorer and a shooter. He can stretch the floor for Phoenix and will be a great complement for Tyson Chandler.
Portland Trail Blazers: Chris Kaman to Dallas for Devin Harris
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Portland Trail Blazers: Chris Kaman to Dallas for Devin Harris
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Dallas is desperate for center help, and Damian Lillard could seriously use a backup.
Sacramento Kings: Omri Casspi and Caron Butler to the Lakers for Nick Young
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Sacramento Kings: Omri Casspi and Caron Butler to the Lakers for Nick Young
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Nick Young is a huge upgrade over Casspi, and Butler is a very Laker type player.
San Antonio Spurs: Matt Bonner, Reggie Williams and a pick to New Orleans for Norris Cole
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San Antonio Spurs: Matt Bonner, Reggie Williams and a pick to New Orleans for Norris Cole
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The Spurs' rotation is great. Where they could use some help though is at the backup point guard position. Cole will be traded, and I feel like the Spurs could pull this one off.
Toronto Raptors: James Johnson and Bruno Caboclo to Sacramento for Darren Collison
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Toronto Raptors: James Johnson and Bruno Caboclo to Sacramento for Darren Collison
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The addition of DeMarre Carroll means James Johnson's value goes down. If the Raptors can use him to swing a backup point guard like Darren Collison they definitely should. They need one after the Greivis Vasquez trade.
Utah Jazz: Trevor Booker to New York for Jose Calderon
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Utah Jazz: Trevor Booker to New York for Jose Calderon
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With the loss of Dante Exum and all of the pressure on an unproven Trey Burke, the Jazz may want a safety net in Calderon. Booker will be an attractive expiring contract to the Knicks.
Washington Wizards: Nene to Orlando for Channing Frye and Dewayne Dedmon
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Washington Wizards: Nene to Orlando for Channing Frye and Dewayne Dedmon
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Despite the addition of Jared Dudley, the Wizards do not have enough shooting. Frye will solve those issues, and then Dudley won't have to play as much at the PF and can stick to his natural SF position.
Chipper Murphy is a Beat Writer for the New York Knicks on www.Rantsports.com . Follow him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy “Like” him on Facebook.
Chipper Murphy is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.