15 NBA Players Currently On the Trading Block

By Seth Lassen

15 NBA Players Currently On the Trading Block

Roy Hibbert Pacers — It’s bright and early in the NBA season, but it’s never too soon for trade talk. Trades won’t start going down until closer to the trade deadline in February and as we approach the deadline, the amount of chatter will only increase. From stars and big names to role players, here are 15 NBA players on the trade block right now.

15. Josh Smith

Josh Smith Pistons

15. Josh Smith

Josh Smith Pistons — Can someone please convince Josh Smith to stop shooting threes? OK, now that that’s out of the way … The Detroit Pistons have one too many players at the power forward and center spots. With Greg Monroe, emerging star Andre Drummond and J-Smoove suiting up, Stan Van Gundy needs to make a move. The inconsistent Smith is the best bet to be shipped elsewhere.

14. Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters Cavaliers

14. Dion Waiters

Dion Waiters Cavaliers — The third-year guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers was supposed to take the next step in his development last season after a promising rookie campaign. After only marginal improvement, Cleveland could look to move Waiters in a package for a big man to help out LeBron and company.

13. Iman Shumpert

Iman Shumpert Knicks

13. Iman Shumpert

Iman Shumpert Knicks — There’s a new sheriff in town and that sheriff, new Team President Phil Jackson, has 13 championship rings. The intriguing 6-foot-4 shooting guard Iman Shumpert is one of the few pieces with trade value on the Knicks. Phil Jackson has showed already he won’t be shy to make moves and Shumpert could be dealt to bring in Jackson’s own style of player.

12. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo Celtics

12. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo Celtics — The trade speculation surrounding Rajon Rondo seems to never end. Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge reiterated again recently he has no plans to move his starting point guard. After drafting guard Marcus Smart, giving guard Avery Bradley an extension this summer, and with Rondo on the last year of his contract, expect the Rondo trade talk to only heat up as the deadline approaches.

11. Nikola Pekovic

Nikola Pekovic Timberwolves

11. Nikola Pekovic

Nikola Pekovic Timberwolves — The Minnesota Timberwolves had one of the more compelling frontcourts in the NBA the past few seasons with Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic. With Love now gone, Minnesota is clearly in the midst of a youth movement. The emergence of Gorgui Dieng toward the end of last season and Minnesota’s desire to run may contribute to Pekovic suiting up for a new team by the deadline.

10. Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova Bucks

10. Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova Bucks — With last year’s No. 2 pick Jabari Parker immediately getting the starting nod, Ersan Ilyasova has to begin wondering where he fits in. The constantly injured Ilyasova is an intriguing player for teams. His ability to make opposing big men leave the paint to defend his outside shot is a valuable quality in today’s NBA. The Turkish forward will be a trade target primarily for his ability to stretch the floor.

9. Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon Pelicans

9. Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon Pelicans — The once-star shooting guard for the Clippers and the key piece in the Hornets-Pelicans’ Chris Paul trade, Eric Gordon has fallen on hard times. Gordon has played in more than 45 games just once since the 2010-11 season, while on the court has seen his production drop in every season since. In a loaded backcourt with Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, Gordon is on the block.

8. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes Warriors

8. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes Warriors — The once highly-touted University of North Carolina recruit seemed to breakout in a big way during the second round of the NBA Playoffs during his rookie season. In what was supposed to be a continuation of that breakout series against the Spurs, Barnes regressed in his second year in the league. The Warriors moved Barnes into the starting lineup in hopes of rejuvenating him, but one has to wonder if they are actually showcasing him.

7. Gerald Green

Gerald Green Suns

7. Gerald Green

Gerald Green Suns — After acquiring Isaiah Thomas from Sacramento this offseason and drafting Tyler Ennis in the first round, there are too many quality guards (if there is such a thing) in Phoenix. Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic are already entrenched in their starting roles and Thomas is going to get his minutes off the bench. The Suns would be wise to trade from their collection of riches and acquire at least a draft pick or two for the high-flying Green.

6. David Lee

David Lee Warriors

6. David Lee

David Lee Warriors — The double-double machine is the only “weak” link in the Golden State Warriors impressive starting five. New head coach Steve Kerr has stated his desire for a “stretch-four” and while Lee occasionally knocks down the mid-range jumper, stretching the floor is simply not his game. The emergence of Draymond Green and a healthy (for now) Festus Ezeli will make it easier for general manager Bob Myers to move Lee.

5. Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin Timberwolves

5. Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin Timberwolves — The dynamic scoring machine that is Kevin Martin keeps churning along. While he may not be the 20-plus-point scorer he once was, Martin is still a reliable outside shooter and someone opposing teams have to pay attention to. Martin is a perfect fit for a team looking for a scoring punch off the bench.

4. Corey Brewer

Corey Brewer Timberwolves

4. Corey Brewer

Corey Brewer Timberwolves — The third, and still not last, Minnesota Timberwolves’ player on this list, Corey Brewer had his best season in the NBA last year. Averaging 12.3 points per game on 48 percent shooting, Minnesota would have no problems finding a trade partner for the athletic Brewer.

3. Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert Pacers

3. Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert Pacers — The seven-footer out of Georgetown may have disappeared in last season’s playoffs, but Roy Hibbert is still a big name in NBA circles. After last year’s disappointing late-season collapse and Paul George’s potentially season-ending injury, the Pacers will look to take a step back and reload.

2. Randy Foye

Randy Foye Nuggets

2. Randy Foye

Randy Foye Nuggets — Randy Foye is one of those players who seem to have been around forever and you never know which team he’s on. Well he’s on the Denver Nuggets now (his fifth team) and at age 31, he’s still putting up pretty decent numbers. Denver acquired Aaron Afflalo this offseason and that could push Foye out the door. A team in need of a scoring guard who can run an offense if need-be could make a run at Foye.

1. Chase Budinger

Chase Budinger Timberwolves

1. Chase Budinger

Chase Budinger Timberwolves — The fourth and final Minnesota Timberwolves player to hit the trading block is the oft-injured Small Forward Chase Budinger. After playing a combined 64 games the past two seasons, Budinger is not a part of the future in Minnesota. Flip Saunders and his youth-movement should result in Budinger changing his address.

Share On Facebook

Share