There is a little over a month left in the NBA season before the trade deadline, and with multiple playoff spots still being there for the taking, plenty of activity will come on February 18. By this point each team has been revealed as either a legitimate contender or not, and that will of course account for their action come trade time. With the salary cap set to explode, there will likely be many expiring contracts on the move and teams with already bloated payrolls looking for players already under multi-year deals. These are 10 NBA players who must be traded in 2016.
10. Nick Young
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsNick Young is such an incredible liability on the offensive end that it might be impossible for the Los Angeles Lakers to move him. The Lakers have their worst offensive rating with him on the court, and their best with him off, which is not surprising considering he's shooting just 37 percent from the field and dishing out less than one assist per game.
9. Ryan Anderson
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY SportsThe New Orleans Pelicans' season has been a total disaster. After hiring new head coach Alvin Gentry, they were a sleeper pick to make a playoff run, but due to injuries and terrible defense they are currently 11-24. Ryan Anderson's contract is expiring and after New Orleans just paid big men Omer Asik and Anthony Davis big salaries, they likely won't be willing to do the same with Anderson. Their best move is to trade him.
8. Kenneth Faried
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY SportsThe Denver Nuggets are in full rebuild mode and need to get better on defense, so trading a player the caliber of Kenneth Faried could fetch them not only a draft pick but a piece that can contribute. Faried has been the subject of trade rumors for years and with new head coach Mike Malone in place set to build around rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, it's time for a change.
7. Terrence Jones
Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsTy Lawson is the Houston Rocket player whose trade status has been speculated about the most, due to his poor play but Houston will be able to get back more for Jones. Trading Lawson would mean throwing in the towel on the season, and if they do that they may as well trade Dwight Howard too. Jones has an expiring contract and Houston likely won't want to pay both him and Howard this summer.
6. Brandon Jennings
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY SportsBrandon Jennings was linked to trade rumors since before he even returned from injury, and his play in the six games since coming back have exposed why the Detroit Pistons should trade him. He's averaging less than 20 minutes per game and Reggie Jackson has made him completely expendable. Jennings is still young though and with an expiring contract he will be easy to move.
5. Kevin Martin
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY SportsKevin Martin has fallen out of favor with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as his minutes have decreased this season, down to just 24.3 per game. Trading Martin will be difficult as he is signed through next season and it's not for cheap, but all reports suggest that Minnesota is determined to move on from him.
4. David Lee
David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsDavid Lee must have thought that going to the Boston Celtics would mean a fresh start and maybe even thought he could regain his All-Star level form. Instead he has been lost in the shuffle amid the crowded Boston frontcourt, averaging just 15.7 minutes per game. The Celtics should trade Lee, as he is reportedly upset with his role anyway.
3. P.J. Tucker
Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY SportsThe Phoenix Suns are a nightmare right now and could be in fire sale mode come trade deadline time. P.J. Tucker is not a part of their future and right now he is taking minutes away from youngsters like T.J. Warren and Archie Goodwin.
2. Markieff Morris
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY SportsMarkieff Morris publicly demanded a trade over the summer from the Phoenix Suns after his brother Marcus was traded. He appeared to have come to an understanding with the team as the season began, but then came the towel throwing incident. He clearly doesn't want to be here, and his play leaves the Suns no reason to want him around. The Markieff Morris era is done in Phoenix.
1. Joakim Noah
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY SportsThe Chicago Bulls sent a message to Joakim Noah when he was moved to the bench this season, he's not part of the team's future. Noah is averaging his lowest minutes total since his rookie season, as his offense is struggling mightily. With his free agency summer coming up, Chicago would be doing Noah a favor by giving him a change of scenery.
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