With the NBA trade deadline just over a month away (Feb. 20), rumors of players on the proverbial block are predictably widespread.
The likes of Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets big man Omer Asik represent two of the familiar names.
James Johnson and Donatas Motiejunas are a couple of the lesser-known assets.
So far, Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng moving to the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Jordan Crawford going from the Boston Celtics to the Golden State Warriors have been the only marquee transactions.
The swapping of Jerryd Bayless, Courtney Lee and cash considerations can’t really say the same.
But who comprises the list of remaining players on the block—headline-grabbing or otherwise?
Let’s take a look at the current top-10 best trade pickups in the NBA.
Dishonorable Mention
J.R. Smith, Shooting Guard, New York Knicks
The player mentioned the most in trade talks actually qualifies as the least valuable.
J.R. Smith is averaging career-lows in shooting percentage (36.1), player efficiency rating (10.3) and offensive win shares (negative-0.3).
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year cannot score consistently, has an ugly guaranteed contract and is a locker room killer. He prefers untying opponents’ shoe laces over contributing with the basketball.
New York will have its hands full making any sort of deal with the embattled Smith.
10. Mike Dunleavy, Small Forward, Chicago Bulls
From classless to class personified—this list gets underway.
Mike Dunleavy is a savvy veteran who plays both ends of the floor. His 1.3 offensive win shares and 1.5 in the defensive category are proof positive.
The 6’9’’ three-point specialist is shooting 41.2 percent from downtown in his primary role for Chicago this season.
Dunleavy’s versatility at positions two through four increases his value even more for a potential contenting squad.
We’ll also give a quick shout out to teammate Kirk Hinrich.
The Bulls backcourt leader is an all-effort defensive point guard who has little left in the tank offensively (see: 1.3 DWS vs. negative-0.1 OWS, 7.9 PPG). Yet, his name maintains a constant presence in the rumor mill.
9. James Johnson, Small Forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Wait, James who?
Yes, the well-traveled James Johnson is a certifiable unknown outside of inner NBA circles.
But the 2009 former first-round pick actually has minimal time logged on his basketball odometer. He is fresh, yet experienced enough with 234 games to his name.
Johnson, 26, offers an efficient 8.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.7 BPG as a bench player. General managers cannot help but admire his 20.4 PER, explosive athleticism and workable $680,263 salary.
This is a low risk, affordable piece for any teams in search of added depth to their front line.
8. Andre Miller, Point Guard, Denver Nuggets
One must trust established history over recent transgressions with this latest entry.
Andre Miller is one of the most respected players in the Association. He is a leader both on and off the court.
The recent verbal spat with Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw (and subsequent benching) is most certainly an aberration when it comes to Miller’s character.
Miller would bring nine years of floor-general postseason experience to any contending suitor. The veteran point guard averaged 15.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 52 career playoff games (39 game starts).
His current stat line of 11.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.3 AST, 45.8 FG% should serve as an attractive asset off the bench.
The Warriors, Knicks and Dallas Mavericks were former potential landing spots. It remains to be seen where Miller will end up moving forward.
7. Gordon Hayward, Small Forward, Utah Jazz
Out of respect to the venerable Bill Simmons, we’ll put this one at No. 7.
Gordon Hayward is in the process of producing career-highs across the board.
The 23-year-old small forward rocks a 17.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.3 SPG stat line in 2013-2014.
His accuracy from the floor has declined from last year but his career-best 17.2 PER indicates that Hayward must continually compensate for the last-place Jazz. Utah is simply bereft of proven talent.
With the return of star point guard Rajon Rondo to the Celtics, Hayward reuniting with head coach Brad Stevens could very well materialize in Boston as a one-two punch.
Throw in a lottery pick in this year’s draft (Boston currently sits at No. 12 in the East), and the Celtics might just have the starting pieces to a playoff contender.
Hypothetical scenario or not, Hayward qualifies as a high-value asset any way you slice it.
6. Eric Gordon, Shooting Guard, New Orleans Hornets
For those seeking scoring production from the backcourt, look no further.
Eric Gordon currently brings 16.5 points per game to the table. His accurate shooting from distance (41.9 percent) and overall (45.1 percent) boost his above average player efficiency rating of 16.7.
The issues with Gordon are his defensive shortcomings and unsightly $30-plus million owed over the next two seasons.
New Orleans also might hold onto Gordon with point guard Jrue Holiday going down with a stress fracture in his leg. Otherwise, Gordon is a name prominently featured on the trade block.
5. Omer Asik, Center, Houston Rockets
We certainly know that even the most casual sports fan has heard mention of this name.
Omer Asik has been involved in trade talks ever since Dwight Howard arrived in Houston on July 13.
The 7’0’’ fourth-year center remains a hot commodity because of his proven rebounding and interior defending as an everyday player.
Omitting a injury-filled, tumultuous 2013-2014 campaign, Asik led the NBA last season with 956 total rebounds. He tallied 11.7 per game (No. 3) and boasted an impressive 3.5 defensive win shares.
If opposing GMs can look past his $15 million salary next year, Asik would improve any squad in need of a big-time paint presence.
4. Paul Gasol, Forward/Center, Los Angeles Lakers
Even at 33 years of age, this two-time champion is still getting it done.
Pau Gasol maintains an impressive average of 16.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 3.4 AST, 1.4 BPG as the best player on a rebuilding Lakers squad. He still operates with an all-around skill set on both ends of the hardwood in spite of perpetual trade-filled distractions.
It is certainly true that Gasol has lost an obvious step when running the floor. His trade value—along with what LA is seeking in return—has diminished as a result.
But Gasol cracks the top five because he boasts the third-highest player efficiency rating on this list (17.6).
The accomplished vet is not yet done producing at a high level in this league.
3. Thaddeus Young, Power Forward, Philadelphia 76ers
Once a promising upstart, Philadelphia soon realized its identity as a bottom-five, tank-worthy club.
The 76ers have come back to earth after racing to a 3-0 record and beating the defending champion Miami Heat. Their recent loss on Friday to Miami dropped them to 13-26 and 13th in the awful Eastern Conference.
Thaddeus Young, for his part, has been involved in trade rumors since the very beginning.
Young is another career-high contributor with his 17.6 PPG and newfound three-point stroke (34-of-87, 39.1 percent). He also grabs 6.6 RPG and a personal-best 1.9 APG and 1.8 SPG from the power forward position.
Young’s lofty 18.1 PER will entice many an NBA suitor as long as he remains a block-occupying 76er.
2. Evan Turner/Spencer Hawes, Small Forward/Center, Philadelphia 76ers
Let the fire sale rage onward.
We’ll begin by fleshing out a simple equation showing that two heads are better than one. The combined production of Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes lines up on the left, with Young’s numbers on the right.
33.4 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 BPG > 17.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.5 BPG
31.6 Player Efficiency Rating > 18.1 Player Efficiency Rating
3.7 Win Shares > 2.6 Win Shares
Two Expiring Contracts > Two Years of $9.6-plus Million
So instead of acquiring a formidable—but expensive—power forward, a team can land versatile young talent at both the small forward and center position. Turner is realizing his first-round potential (19.0 PPG), while Hawes is a seven-footer that can rebound and shoot from distance (43.7 three-point percentage).
Attention NBA, the 76ers are fielding offers.
1. Kyle Lowry, Point Guard, Toronto Raptors
This is a point guard driven league, is it not?
Kyle Lowry is the premier floor general on the market.
Lowry has compiled a career-best 16.0 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.7 SPG on 43.0 percent shooting and 39.8 percent from distance. He is also fairly active on the boards with an eighth-best 4.1 RPG among his positional brethren.
He nearly cracks the overall top 20 with his fifth-highest 19.8 PER among point guards.
Lowry further ranks 10th in total three-point field goals, ninth in assists per game and sixth with 5.9 win shares.
The 2006 first-round selection seemed destined for either Golden State or the Sacramento Kings earlier in the season. But the Raptors have kept winning and currently sit all the way up at No. 3 in the East (20-18).
Will GM Masai Ujiri still part with the impending free agent?
If so, Lowry will satisfy a guard-needy team and net Toronto a hefty purse in return.
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