In the final two weeks before the Feb. 18 trade deadline, we areexpecting to hear trade chatter increase immensely. At the moment,though, things are a little quiet, according to the NBA generalmanagers I've spoken with this week.
One factor appears to be the looming battle over the next collectivebargaining agreement, with negotiations expected to start soon. Infront offices around the league, the feeling is that owners will fightfor major concessions from the players in the next CBA, perhaps even ahard salary cap. With the uncertainty over the new CBA and the economy,some GMs are taking a cautious tack.
In addition to cap considerations, there is another perennial issue:Teams ask for a lot in early trade talks and often don't feel a senseof urgency until the final hours before the deadline. As one GM toldme: "There aren't many teams that are willing to give teams cap reliefthis year. And the teams that are willing to do so are asking for a lotin return. I'm not willing to give up an All-Star to save money. Butthat's what they want."
Still, despite the posturing and rhetoric, there are plenty of names inplay right now, and plenty of reasons to expect trade talk to heat upsoon.
Here are 20 players who could be changing uniforms by Feb. 18, according to GMs and others around the NBA:
Impact players most likely to be moved
Stoudemire
1. Amare Stoudemire, PF, Suns
In the Stoudemire saga, all of the following are true:
A. The Suns are trying to trade him;
B. The Suns are trying to sign him to a long-term extension;
C. Stoudemire is talking about "opting in" to the last year of his contract.
Let's break it down:
The Suns are still in active trade talks for Amare, with discussionsinitiated by both the Suns and other teams. The latest is that the Sunshave talked to the Philadelphia 76ers about a swap of Stoudemire plusfiller for Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert.
While there are a lot of deals the Suns wouldn't do, this is one inwhich they're interested. It's the Sixers that are holding up theprocess, I'm told. While nothing's imminent, if Philadelphia GM EdStefanski sees an opportunity to unload Dalembert and thinks Stoudemireis the best player he can get, things could get hot quickly.
TRADE OF THE WEEK
Amare Stoudemire is a hot name in trade talks. Where might he land? Here's a potential deal for the Suns.
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At the same time, the Suns are planning to make Stoudemire a contractoffer in the next few days, according to a source close to thesituation. As in every contract negotiation, the contract terms (yearsand dollar amount) are the main obstacles -- while Stoudemire mightwant a max contract, that's not what the Suns want to offer.
But I've been told there's another snag: Stoudemire wants a commitmentfrom owner Robert Sarver that the Suns will continue to spend to getback into contention. Stoudemire doesn't want to commit to a teamthat's going to be in the lottery in future years. So unless the Sunsblow Stoudemire away with their offer, they'll reach an agreement onlyif he is persuaded that the Suns are committed to further spending.
Another twist: Stoudemire came out Wednesday claiming that he wasleaning toward not exercising the early termination option on hiscontract. While he talked about the financial benefits of doing so(he's due $17.7 million next season in the final year of his contract),there's another reason Stoudemire went public about this: He wants somecontrol over where he might be traded to. Philly -- a struggling teamthat sees Stoudemire as more an asset with a potentially expiringcontract than as a cornerstone -- would likely be less interested ifStoudemire were planning to play out his contract. Therefore, whenStoudemire heard about the possible trade with the 76ers, he expressedhis reservations about being traded to Philadelphia by going publicwith his musings about staying with his contract. In other words, he'ssending a warning to teams that might see him as nothing more than anexpiring contract.
That aside, it seems likely Stoudemire will exercise his option toterminate his contract. If he doesn't, he's betting that he can (A)stay healthy and (B) fare well under the next collective bargainingagreement, which might be the rules of the game that shape Stoudemire'snext contract if he doesn't exercise his option this year. Given hisinjury history and the determination of the owners to tighten up thenext CBA, that's a huge risk.
Murphy
2. Troy Murphy, F, Pacers
The Pacers are struggling and looking to the future for hope. They werepoised to potentially trade Jeff Foster, but with Foster likely now outfor the season, their focus moves to Murphy. With a number ofcontending teams interested in him, the Pacers seem to be in the rightplace to make a deal.
While Murphy may be overpaid, there are few bigs in the league who canrebound and spread the floor the way he can, which gives him value to anumber of teams. The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to be the team withthe most interest. If the Cavs can't land Antawn Jamison, Murphyappears to be their second option. At a minimum, the Pacers likely willbe able to get back expiring contracts and one asset (either a draftpick or J.J. Hickson) for Murphy.
Hinrich
3. Kirk Hinrich, G, Bulls
The Bulls will have salary-cap space this summer, and they want more.If they can trade Hinrich and/or John Salmons for expiring contracts,they can make a pitch to both LeBron James and Chris Bosh this summer.Can you imagine a team with James, Bosh, Derrick Rose, Luol Deng andJoakim Noah?
I guarantee you Chicago exec John Paxson can, and if Bosh isn't tradedbefore the deadline, the Bulls appear to have a chance make it happen.
In the past few weeks, both the Celtics and the Lakers have showninterest in Hinrich. The Celtics could do a deal that would send RayAllen for both Hinrich and Salmons, providing Boston ballhandling anddepth on the wings and giving Chicago new hope for this summer. In anycase, given all the chatter about Hinrich, I think the chances he'll bea Bull after Feb. 18 are increasingly slim.
Butler
4. Caron Butler, G/F, Wizards
For weeks we've assumed that Antawn Jamison is the Wizard most likelyto be moved, but that's not true, according to GMs who have hadconversations with the Wizards. They say the team is reluctant to moveJamison, a franchise cornerstone.
Butler, on the other hand, is very much available, and the Wizardsshouldn't have much trouble finding interest: Butler has only one yearremaining on his contract and he can still play, at age 29 (he turns 30on March 13).
One issue that could slow negotiations is the fact that the Wizardsdon't want to just give Butler away; they want both cap relief and ayoung asset. But that might be a heavy price in this market.
Iguodala
5. Andre Iguodala, G/F, Sixers
I've struggled to accept the idea that the 76ers would give awayIguodala, their best player, no matter how desperate they are to cutpayroll. But in NBA front offices, the word is that he is very muchavailable. Of course, Philly's hope is to get rid of the contract ofSamuel Dalembert in such a deal.
A source told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Houston Rockets haverecently renewed discussions with the 76ers about a deal involvingIguodala and Dalembert for the expiring contract of Tracy McGrady.And as I reported above, the Suns have also entered the mix, offeringAmare Stoudemire for Iguodala and Dalembert. The Cavs and DallasMavericks have explored Iguodala deals as well.
Slowing discussions at the moment is the fact that the Sixers reallywant to get some talent back in such a deal. The Rockets have playersto offer, and the Suns might be willing to throw in Leandro Barbosa,I'm told.
So while the Sixers are motivated to move Iguodala, I think it's goingto take more than an expiring contract to land him in the end.
Prince
6. Tayshaun Prince, F, Pistons
The Pistons continue to be very active in trade discussions regardingPrince. While the team would prefer to move Richard Hamilton, I don'tthink they're going to be able to find a home for him given hisenormous contract.
If the Pistons can swap Prince for some help in the paint, they've gotto do it. There has been a growing focus on a potential CarlosBoozer-for-Prince swap. With both teams struggling to find anothertrade partner, will they ultimately fall into each other's arms?
Allen
7. Ray Allen, G, Celtics
Recently, Allen's name has surfaced in a number of rumors and potentialdeals for such players as Monta Ellis and Kirk Hinrich, and the Celticsare not denying that an Allen trade is a possibility.
On Wednesday, Celtics president Danny Ainge told a Boston radio stationthat it was "unlikely" that the team would trade Allen, and privately,a source in Boston is saying the same thing. But with the Celticsstruggling, and with Allen holding a desirable expiring contract,trading him looks like Boston's best chance to refresh the team'sefforts to contend for a title this season and beyond.
Robinson
8. Nate Robinson, G, Knicks
After a stint in Mike D'Antoni's doghouse, Robinson is playing againand playing well. In fact, the word is that he's moving into thestarting lineup.
Consider it an audition for his next home. The Knicks will move Nate ifthey can, especially if they can do so in a package deal that rids themof the contract of Eddy Curry or Jared Jeffries so the team can clearmore salary-cap space for the summer.
Jamison
9. Antawn Jamison, F, Wizards
Three weeks ago, Jamison appeared to be the player most likely to betraded. But the word from a number of GMs is that the Wizards arereluctant to trade him, particularly to the rival Cavs.
"They want a lot for him," one GM said. "A lot. Jamison is a goodplayer, but he's old and makes a lot of money. No one is giving up afuture superstar in return."
Dalembert
10. Samuel Dalembert, C, Sixers
For the most part Dalembert has been paired with Andre Iguodala intrade talks with the Rockets, Suns and Mavs. But there is a fair shareof interest in Dalembert himself. Yes, he is overpaid, but his contractexpires in 2011, he is a defensive force and he can run the floor.
While his 15 percent trade kicker is a problem, expect interest tocontinue to grow. Sacramento might be at the front of the line, givenits trade assets and need for a defensive center.
Howard
11. Josh Howard, F, Mavericks
Howard, at age 29, is having the worst season of his career and hasstruggled to play alongside Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion. But otherteams have interest because his contract has a team option for nextyear, which means a team can acquire him now and decide this summerwhether to keep him as player, hold on to him as a 2011 expiringcontract or decline the option and take the savings right away.
The Raptors and Kings have been rumored to have the most interest.
Martin
12. Kevin Martin, G, Kings
The Kings continue to say they want to get a good look at how well starrookie Tyreke Evans and Martin can coexist. But so far it hasn't beenpretty: Sacramento is 2-13 when Martin and Evans have started in thebackcourt together.
Martin has played better lately, but the team was 14-18 when he was outwith an injury. So ultimately, I think the Kings will be willing todeal. The team is still under a financial crunch and this is no longerMartin's team.
A deal of Martin and Andres Nocioni for Ray Allen, for instance, would give the Kings great payroll flexibility going forward.
Jefferson
13. Al Jefferson, PF, Timberwolves
Timberwolves president David Kahn insists that Minnesota has no interest in moving Al Jefferson.
Other GMs around the league are equally convinced that Jefferson isavailable for the right offer, especially if the Wolves can get a bigman in return.
14. Devin Harris, PG, Nets
With New Jersey hitting bottom and Harris having a very disappointing season, the Nets have explored trading him.
If the Nets knew they could get John Wall in the draft, they wouldprobably trade Harris now. While they would consider moving him anyway,the latest word is that the Nets are planning to hold on to Harrisuntil they see what happens in the May 18 draft lottery, when the Netswill likely have a 25 percent chance of getting the top pick.
Bosh
15. Chris Bosh, PF, Raptors
There is a growing consensus that Bosh is staying in Toronto, untilthis summer, at least. Several sources around the league have said thatBosh trade talk has stalled in the past few weeks, thanks in large partto the Raptors' recent success on the court. The team is winning, andBosh has been terrific.
The Raptors are currently fifth in the East and hoping for biggerthings this season. With the Raptors on a roll, if Bryan Colangelobelieves he has a chance to keep Bosh, then the incentive to move himnow (instead of this summer) is reduced. And it sounds like Colangelois gaining confidence that he can persuade Bosh to stay.
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Expiring contracts
Ilgauskas
1. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C, Cavs
Cleveland might be the most motivated team in the league to do a deal,given that the stakes include a title this season and keeping LeBronJames this summer.
They want a stretch 4 and have an extra big with both Ilgauskas andShaquille O'Neal on board. Another team could acquire Big Z's expiringcontract (nearly $12 million) and might be willing to waive him,allowing him to rejoin the Cavs.
McGrady
2. Tracy McGrady, G, Rockets
While it's unclear what McGrady has left as a player, his contractmakes him a superstar at the trade deadline: A team trading for T-Maccan wipe $22 million off its 2010-11 books.
The Rockets are still trying to figure out how to use this asset -- isit a trade piece or an expiring contract to benefit their own capsituation?
The hottest McGrady rumor involves the potential acquisition of AndreIguodala (along with Samuel Dalembert). If they can get a player ofIguodala's talent for McGrady, that might be too much for the Rocketsto pass up.
Boozer
3. Carlos Boozer, F/C, Jazz
The Jazz would move Boozer, but the offers they've heard haven't beenenticing enough. The team is red-hot, Boozer is playing well and hisexpiring contract will help the Jazz reduce payroll next season, sothere is no reason to give him away.
To make a deal, Utah would like a quality starter in return. While therumor mill has focused on a Boozer-for-Tayshaun Prince trade, bothsides say there's nothing to it.
Given all the factors involved, it seems likely Boozer will remain with the Jazz until the summer.
Haywood
4. Brendan Haywood, C, Wizards
With the Portland Trail Blazers, the Houston Rockets and other teams inneed of a big man, it could be Haywood, not Butler or Jamison, whodeparts the Wizards first. Washington needs more than just cap reliefto move Haywood's expiring contract, but not much more.
5. Kenny Thomas, PF, Kings
After a quick takeoff, the Kings have fallen back to earth, and theystill want to cut payroll. They've been trying to move Andres Nocioni,with Thomas' $8.8 million expiring contract as bait.