The NBA season is in full swing and the push for the playoffs is beginning. Some teams like the Pacers, Heat, Spurs, and Thunder are clear contenders. But other teams might be looking for an extra push to help them compete. And then there are always the few teams that are destined for the lottery and are looking to trade away any players of value. The Sacramento Kings have already made the first big trades of the season, first trading for Derrick Williams and just recently Rudy Gay. As the season advances, and we get closer to the trade deadline you will hear more and more talk about possible trades. Here are five players who are currently on the trading block.
Omer Asik, Center, Houston Rockets
Last season Asik had a career year as a starter for the Rockets. While starting in all 82 games Asik averaged 10 points, 11 rebounds, and one block per game. Asik is a great defender and an excellent rebounder and possess an above average offensive game. However, this offseason the Rockets signed the best center in the NBA in Dwight Howard. Howard immediately took Asik’s starting spot and it has drastically reduced his playing time. Asik has said many times that he wants to start and he has even requested a trade. All signs are pointing towards Asik being traded but up until recently Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey has had a very high asking price on the talented big man.
The list of teams interested in Asik’s services is very long, as it should be. Many teams have been thrown around as possible destinations for Asik and these teams include; New Orleans, Boston, Atlanta, Portland, Philadelphia and Cleveland. For a while it seemed that the most obvious destination would be Portland. They are a team hoping to compete in the West and in need of consistent play at the center position.
But so far the Blazers have been playing at a very high level and so has their center, Robin Lopez. Just recently the Blazers stated that they have no interest in Asik. Another name that has been thrown around is the Boston Celtics. They have some young and talented players that could be intriguing to the Rockets. However I feel that the most realistic landing spot is Atlanta. The Rockets are looking for a talented power forward and the Hawks have just that in Paul Millsap. An Asik for Millsap swap would be very beneficial for both teams and seems relatively possible.
Zach Randolph, Forward, Memphis Grizzlies
Just recently, rumors had surfaced that the Grizzlies are shopping the talented big man. Since joining Memphis in 2010, Randolph has been one of the more productive power forwards in the NBA. He is an excellent scorer and rebounder and has been a very important part of the Grizzlies success. However, times have changed and Memphis is currently struggling to keep up in the West.
With star center Marc Gasol still recovering from injury the Grizzlies badly need some help. Randolph is 32 years old and has an $18 million salary this season. The Grizzlies badly need help offensively as they currently rank 26th in the NBA in points per game. If the Grizzlies were able to shed Randolph’s contract and get some more offensively gifted players they could quickly pull the trigger on a trade.
The team most mentioned in trade rumors for Z-Bo is the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are currently trying to stay in the hunt for the playoffs in the West and could use an extra veteran player, especially with the injury to Anthony Davis. The most logical trade here would be a swap involving Ryan Anderson and Zach Randolph. Anderson would provide an excellent offensive spark to the Grizzlies while Randolph could hold down the fort until Davis can return.
Dion Waiters, Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers
Since being selected fourth overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Waiters career has been a disappointment. He showed great flashes his rookie year, averaging 14 points, three assists, and two rebounds per game. These are promising numbers for a rookie. Unfortunately,
Waiters has not improved at all since last year. The only thing that has improved in his game is his shooting percentage.
Waiters lack of production has been so poor that the Cavs have benched him in favor of rookie Matthew Dellavedova. Waiters has expressed his unhappiness in his situation in Cleveland and has gone as far as requesting a trade.
Waiters is still a very young and talented player and he can provide some good production to the right team. He could be a very attractive piece to the right buyer.
The most possible landing spots for Waiters are Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Each of these teams have suffered from poor play at the shooting guard position and could use a player like Waiters. The Bulls are needing a spark after the injury to Derrick Rose and they could use Waiters.
The Bulls could also be looking to dump the contract of Luol Deng, who is looking to leave Chicago after this season. The 76ers have suffered from very inconsistent play from the shooting guard position and they have a plethora of picks to offer. They might also be looking to trade Evan Turner as he is in the last year of his contract.
Luol Deng, Forward, Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have struggled mightily since Derrick Rose went down with an injury. The Bulls have still be able to limp into the playoffs, but they have no real hope of contending.
Even though Derrick Rose recently said he would not want to be part of a rebuilding effort that might be the Bulls best option.
Only two of the Bulls starters are under the age of 28, and with the fear of another injury to Derrick Rose, the Bulls would be wise to try to add some more young talent.
Deng currently has $14 million left of his contract and he has expressed interest in exploring the free agent market.
The Bulls couldn’t afford to let Deng walk away for nothing.
If the Bulls were able to trade Deng for some younger talent of some draft picks they would find themselves with more flexibility and some promising young talent.
Up until last week the most possible destination for Deng was the Sacramento Kings. They have numerous guards who possess a score first mentality. But the Kings just recently traded for Rudy Gay and I doubt they are in the market for another small forward. Now it looks like the most possible destination is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dion Waiters is currently disgruntled in his new role on the bench and the Cavaliers desperately need help on the wing.
Kyle Lowry, Guard, Toronto Raptors
Lowry has been having a great season so far and he is a large reason why the Raptors are managing to stay afloat. Lowry currently has one year left on his contract and if he continues to play at such a high level, he could find himself a nice payday.
When the Raptors traded Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings they received a talented point guard in Greivis Vasquez. Vasquez is a pass first point guard who averaged nearly 10 assists per game last season.
The acquisition of Vasquez makes Lowry expendable and the Raptors would be smart to sell when Lowry is playing at such a high level.
There are many teams that could use a veteran point guard like Lowry and I imagine the Raptors have plenty of options.
The most obvious destination would be the New York Knicks. The Knicks are in dire need of a point guard, especially with injuries to Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni.
The Knicks don’t have a whole lot to offer. They have two talented young wing players in Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr.
They could also offer a future first round draft pick if the asking price was truly that high. Bottom line is that the Knicks would need to give up most of their future if they hope to be able to compete in the present.
Another team that could be interested in Lowry’s services are the Chicago Bulls. They badly need offensive production, especially from the guard position. If the Bulls hope to truly stay alive in the East they could certainly use Lowry as a rental until Rose can get healthy.