Although the majority of NBA transactions have already taken place this free agency season, that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of player movement around the league. Now we enter the period where teams need to make some salary magic happen to sign all of their shiny new toys, and that means more players are certain to be on their way out the door. Who are the most likely candidates to call a new team home next season? Let’s take a look at the 5 NBA players who could still be traded before the season starts.
Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat
Recent reports indicate that the Miami Heat have made Mario Chalmers available for trades. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise given the recent moves at the point guard position, and the fact that Chalmers just hasn’t lived up to expectations. “Rio” had a great run as the point guard of the LeBron James-era of the Heat, but given an expanded role he just didn’t emerge like the team hoped. Now, with Goran Dragic running the show, and promising youngsters Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson backing him up, Chalmers and his bigger contract might be on their way out. Miami seriously hopes to avoid paying the luxury tax repeater penalty, and moved Shabazz Napier in an effort to move under the line as well. Trading Chalmers would get them closer, and would unclog a cluttered backcourt in the process, so don’t be surprised if he is on his way out.
Nick Young, Los Angeles Lakers
A Nick Young trade might be less likely, but Young is seemingly always on the trading block. Given the direction Los Angeles is heading, it’s easier to justify unloading Swaggy P and his gigantic contract. The Lakers want to get younger, and Young is neither young nor improving any time soon. We know what he is, and Los Angeles would be wise to explore their younger options to emerge in the post-Kobe Bryant era. As it stands, Young is still more likely than not to remain in Los Angeles, but all it takes is one interested suitor who needs scoring in bunches – something the Lakers just addressed for cheaper by acquiring Louis Williams.
Brandon Jennings, Detroit Pistons
Things sure have changed in Detroit since Brandon Jennings was injured and sat out the rest of the season last year, and I’m only talking about things that happened on the court. Since then, the Pistons signed Reggie Jackson and then re-signed him to a 5-year, $80 million contract to be their point guard of the future. So, where does that leave Jennings? In this writer’s opinion: on his way out the door. The Sixers desperately need a point guard and should be considered a trade target, and Jennings still needs some time to recover. However, it was made pretty clear that Jackson is the direction Detroit wants to go in the near future, and that could spell the end for Brandon Jennings in the Motor City.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Call this one more of a gut call, but it’s hard to imagine Carmelo happily playing out his last few years of decent basketball on this dumpster fire of a team. The Knicks will not be much better than last season, even if he is healthy all year. News that Melo was going to team USA mini-camp may have excited Knicks fans to see him healthy and re-dedicating himself, but I don’t think it works out quite as well as they think it will. Do you think Anthony is going to be happy after playing with the best players in the country for a couple weeks, and then returning to whatever mess is going on in New York? I don’t think so. I think Carmelo lasts maybe into the first half of the regular season, but I wouldn’t honestly expect him to stay in NYC for much longer than that. If he does stay, then that would be a fairly clear indication that he is content playing out his days in the Big Apple. I just don’t think a competitor like him would want to do that.
Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors
Finally, the most (?) surprising addition to this list is Harrison Barnes. Barnes is coming off a season where he finally took over the starting small forward position and helped the Warriors win a championship. With that said, the money is starting to get tight in Golden State, and with a huge contract to Stephen Curry coming down the pipeline, they might look to make space with what Andre Iguodala proved would be fairly replaceable. Barnes is still a valuable asset to this team, and for that he could fetch a higher price, but don’t think the Warriors are resting on their laurels going into their title defense season. They know the rest of the league is gunning for them now, and Barnes is as close to a weak link as it gets on that starting five, given his role as an undersized four. This call is more out there as well, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Warriors were kicking the tires on moving him, nor would I be surprised to see him on another starting roster next year.