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I want to see a CM Punk-like title reign.
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Ya'll remember when he was just as thirsty for the 10th rebound during his first triple double?“@gswscribe: Curry is now a rebound from a triple-double: 19 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds”
Top fire-sale candidates
Which veteran players should potential playoff teams try to acquire?
Updated: November 5, 2013, 1:50 PM ET
Trade Candidates
ESPN NBA Insider, Amin Elhassan shares his picks for best "fire sale" trade candidates who could be dealt from lottery teams to contenders.
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Early-Season Surprises
It's early, but we have a pretty clear idea of which teams are playing for now (a playoff berth, division title, shot to win it all) and which teams are playing for later (a better draft choice in June, accumulation of draft picks in general, cap space). As the season progresses, we will start to see that divide grow, and the "win now" teams will seek to strengthen their rosters in the short term by engaging in trade talks with the "win later" teams.
For the "win nows," it's an opportunity to acquire a veteran who can step in and contribute right away; for the "win laters," it's a chance to acquire some future value (young player, draft pick) for someone who can't help the cause at the time being. An excellent example of this dynamic in action was the trade of Marcin Gortat from Phoenix to Washington in exchange for the injured Emeka Okafor and a first-round draft choice. While Gortat is a productive big in this league, he isn't good enough to alter the Suns' fortunes on his own, and as such is more valuable to a team like the Wizards, who are fighting to make the playoffs this season.
In a season like 2013-14, with probably the most parity at the top of the league in decades and a significant number of teams planning on not competing from Day 1, we can expect there to be a "fire sale" on vets who can contribute.
Here are 10 players who might be highly coveted during fire-sale season.
Philadelphia 76ers
Thaddeus Young | 3 years, $28.2 million
Evan Turner | 1 year, $6.7 million
Spencer Hawes | 1 year, $6.6 million
Young is an athletic tweener forward who can space the floor a bit, put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. He's inconsistent from 3-point range, but some of that has to do with the Sixers' past philosophy under Doug Collins, which has probably stunted his development in that aspect. He's not a good rebounder and he struggles defensively with his size disadvantage, but if paired alongside a dominant defensive big (for example Dwight Howard), his flaws can be masked while his strengths are magnified. Young's deal is a bit of a turnoff, with three fully guaranteed years remaining at more than $9.3 million average annual value (AAV), but he might be the perfect fit for a team looking to go over the top.
Turner has been a disappointment as a No. 2 overall draft choice, but much of that has to do with the poor fit he's had in Philadelphia. As a ball-dominant wing, he's had to play off the ball alongside Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday. Given the reins of the offense, Turner has opened the season with gaudy numbers, but has a penchant to hold the ball too long on offense, looking for his own shot before conceding to pass, and defensively, he gets lost off the ball repeatedly.
At this point, he's best suited as an off-the-bench offensive focal point. Ultimately, making a move for Turner might represent more of an investment in the future of a 24-year-old once deemed the draft's second-best prospect. Turner's $6.7 million deal expires at the end of the season, and he becomes a restricted free agent, giving the team some flexibility as to what to do with him. Hawes is a high basketball IQ big who can space the floor out to the 3-point line and operate out of the high post effectively. He's a good passer and can knock down the elbow jumper with consistency. He's also a decent rebounder on both ends of the floor, and is a solid positional team defender, although he can sometimes be overwhelmed by more physical opponents. He can't be a defensive anchor, but as a solid big who can protect the glass and facilitate offensively, he's definitely got a market. His $6.6 million deal expires at the end of the season, so he can serve as a rental.
Denver Nuggets
Andre Miller | 2 years, $9.6 million ($7 million guaranteed)
It is premature to name Denver as a fire-sale retailer, but if the season goes south for the Nuggets, look for Miller to be one of the prominent names shopped. Denver is stocked at point guard with Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson, and Randy Foye is able to slide over in a pinch, as well. Meanwhile, Miller is an aging playmaker who doesn't factor into the team's future. While he's not a spacing option and is a defensive liability, Miller is a high basketball IQ passer who can play off the bench (or step into a starting role if necessary) for teams looking to add another facilitator. He's not a long-term option by any stretch, but he can help a team that's lost a point guard to injury. His salary declines from $5 million to $4.6 million next season, and only $2 million of that is guaranteed, so a team could divest itself of his services if needed.
Orlando Magic
Jameer Nelson | 2 years, $16.6 million ($10.6 million guaranteed)
With Orlando in full rebuild mode and toying with the concept of playing rookie Victor Oladipo at point guard, Nelson is extremely expendable. He's more of a scoring guard out of the pick-and-roll who can make plays, and has been a solid 3-point shooting option over his career. He sometimes exhibits tunnel vision on offense, and defensively his size can be a liability, but he's an excellent locker room guy as a vocal leader with a winning pedigree, and can be a solid backup point guard who can replace an injured starter. Ironically, Nelson himself was once replaced (by Rafer Alston) in a fire-sale deal when he injured his shoulder midseason, a move that proved fruitful for the Magic as they made the NBA Finals.
Like Miller, Nelson's salary declines next season (from $8.6 million to $8 million), with only a $2 million guarantee.
Boston Celtics
Courtney Lee | 3 years, $16.4 million
Keith Bogans | 3 years, $15.9 million ($5.1 million guaranteed)
While there will be a number of teams interested in the services of Rajon Rondo once he returns from injury, that sort of deal is more of a blockbuster trade that changes the complexion (and offensive philosophy) of the receiving team.
In the meanwhile, Lee is an athletic, defensive shooting guard who has been a very good 3-point shooter over his career. His on-ball defense and off-ball awareness make him an excellent complement to a team trying to shore up perimeter defense woes, and his perimeter shooting makes him a threat opposing defenses have to respect. Lee's guaranteed salary moving forward might prove to be a stiff price for some, but he's a vet who can help a team win now and continue to contribute in the future.
For the more frugal shopper, there is an alternative in Bogans. At this point in his career, he's not the defender Lee is, and his 3-point shooting isn't as proficient, but he's a hard-nosed defensive wing who can knock down a wide-open corner jumper. His contract carries a zero percent guarantee past this season, meaning a team looking for a quick fix can cut him after the season with no further liability, or even seek to flip him to another team looking to shed salary.
Phoenix Suns
Channing Frye | 2 years, $13.2 million
One of the preeminent stretch bigs prior to missing the entire 2012-13 season due to a heart condition, Frye still is trying to regain his stamina and timing, not to mention his touch. When healthy, he's an elite 3-point shooter, and he's done a good job of slowly expanding his game to include one-dribble pull-ups versus hard contests and mid- and low-post shots over smaller defenders.
Defensively, he's an underrated post defender and an average defensive rebounder, but he probably would benefit from playing alongside an athletic defensive big. If he can show a return to form, Frye's manageable contract ($6.6 million AAV) and skill set will make him a hot commodity in the fire-sale market.
Utah Jazz
Marvin Williams | 1 year, $7.5 million
Brandon Rush | 1 year, $4 million
Despite being a chronic underachiever, Williams still holds value as a versatile, athletic wing. He's an inconsistent 3-point shooter, but has shown the ability in the past to be a good one. Likewise, he was once a good midrange jump-shooter, but his numbers have lagged in recent seasons. He's an above-average rebounder for a wing, and when he puts his mind to it, he can be a solid defender. His price point is a little high for a player who doesn't really have any one thing that he does very well, but it is an expiring deal.
Rush is a high-level wing defender who is also a very good 3-point shooter. A torn ACL early last season has kept him sidelined for almost 12 months, and teams will be looking to see if he has retained his lateral mobility and explosion. Once he is medically cleared, expect Utah to start to showcase him, using his length and IQ on premier wing scorers in the league to drum up his value. Rush definitely can be a contributor to a team with aspirations of winning in the short term, and owns a very reasonable, expiring deal for $4 million.
Exactly. You would want a backup PG who could offset against Curry's weaknesses, specifically ball handling and pace control, etc. Instead you have a less talented player with the SAME weaknesses as Curry.I remember wanting Miller before we traded for Jarrett Jack. It's early but I am disappointed with Douglas with how he's handled the ball during meaningful minutes. He's had garbage time mostly but every time he comes in he seems to turn the ball over right away.
That was a sick pass.Curry's under the leg pass!!