15 NBA Rookies Who Could be Traded at the 2015 Deadline
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The NBA has experienced several groundbreaking trades already, about a month and a half prior to the trade deadline. The common belief around the league is that the several minor deals are merely foreshadowing a hectic trade market inching closer and closer to March 1. This is partly due to the fact that a multitude of teams are perhaps one final piece away from solving the jigsaw puzzle, boosting them into contention.
15. Julius Randle
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15. Julius Randle
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Julius Randle is undoubtedly the most untouchable member of the Los Angeles Lakers, aside from Kobe Bryant of course. So much so that Mitch Kupchak refused to deal him for Rajon Rondo when given the opportunity. However, amidst a strenuous rebuilding plan, the Lakers may be increasingly willing to deal Randle for an established player before the trade deadline. Rumors have already surfaced that Los Angeles could explore deals for their 2015 pick.
14. Shabazz Napier
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14. Shabazz Napier
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The Miami Heat were Shabazz Napier's biggest fans entering the 2014 Draft. In fact, Pat Riley traded up two spots to acquire Napier after he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets 24th overall. Unfortunately, Napier has yet to establish himself as a capable NBA player with both Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole holding down the point guard duties. Miami has been heavily involved in trade rumors, making Napier a viable trade piece.
13. Jordan Clarkson
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13. Jordan Clarkson
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Second-round draft picks rarely survive roster cuts, let alone earn playing time. Luckily for 46th pick Jordan Clarkson, the Lakers have fallen victim to the injury bug once again, presenting him with the golden opportunity to showcase his skills. Clarkson lucked his way into the starting lineup, and has proved he fully deserves to be in the NBA. If Los Angeles does explore its options, Clarkson could be the tipping point in any negotiations.
12. Doug McDermott
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12. Doug McDermott
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A serious knee injury has sidelined the former Creighton star, Doug McDermott, for about twenty games now. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has had his work cut out, organizing the myriad of lineups accounting for the vast number of injuries the Chicago Bulls have suffered as a whole. As a result, even when McDermott is cleared to suit up, he'll find it extremely difficult to nudge his way back into the fairly definite rotation.
11. Adreian Payne
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11. Adreian Payne
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The Atlanta Hawks have officially emerged as one of the top teams in the NBA. A close knit bunch, the Hawks have developed an unbreakable bond that has evidently translated to the floor as this team's passing is unmatchable in this day and age. Despite their Eastern Conference leading record, Atlanta could certainly use some insurance at the forward position, which would likely spell the end of Adreian Payne with the Hawks.
10. P.J. Hairston
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10. P.J. Hairston
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Underachieving has been a common theme throughout the entire Charlotte Hornets franchise this season. Nobody has performed up to par including stars like Al Jefferson, Kemba Walker and Lance Stephenson in particular. Additionally, 26th pick P.J. Hairston has really struggled to find a consistent role on in Charlotte averaging a mere 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
9. Noah Vonleh
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9. Noah Vonleh
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Noah Vonleh was projected to go as high as No. 3 in the 2014 NBA Draft, so the Hornets were ecstatic when he just so happened to drop all the way to No. 9. However, head coach Steve Clifford was seemingly not very thrilled with the selection, as he has continually buried the big-man in his lineup. Vonleh has appeared in seven contests this season, so don't be surprised if he winds up on the trading block.
8. Kostas Papanikolaou
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8. Kostas Papanikolaou
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The Houston Rockets are no strangers to the rumor mill. Since the season began, the front office has managed to make two major acquisitions, trading for Corey Brewer and signing the ousted Josh Smith. Still, Houston possesses the fifth seed in the brutal Western Conference. Several veterans are being dangled on the trade block and the Rockets have the pieces to pull off a deal starting with rookie swingman Kostas Papanikolaou.
7. Bojan Bogdanovic
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7. Bojan Bogdanovic
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The Brooklyn Nets are an absolute atrocity. Atlanta has the right to swap first-round picks with Brooklyn this year, while the Boston Celtics own the Nets' 2016 and 2018 first-rounders as well. Basically, rebuilding is not an option, especially with a log jammed salary cap. So, when the team finally throws in the towel, trading the core three, expect Bojan Bogdanovic to be forced in as a deal sweetener.
6. Zach LaVine
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6. Zach LaVine
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Flashes of brilliance, followed by episodes of sheer incompetence have defined Zach LaVine's young career. The lottery pick stemming from UCLA, LaVine caught the attention of NBA scouts because of his incredible jumping ability and mind-boggling athleticism. Positionally, LaVine is a tweener: too big to run the point, but too thin to compete against opposing shooting guards. When Ricky Rubio returns, LaVine will likely be isolated.
5. Cleanthony Early
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5. Cleanthony Early
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Phil Jackson has sent ripples throughout the NBA scene in past weeks, shipping out J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers with next to nothing in return. The main goal is to shed the most amount of salary possible, the next domino appearing to be Jose Calderon. Calderon's remaining two years is less than favorable, so throwing in Cleanthony Early may be necessary for any deal to arise.
4. K.J. McDaniels
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4. K.J. McDaniels
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The 32nd overall pick in the 2014 draft, K.J. McDaniels has proven to be quite the savvy businessman in his brief professional career. The shooting guard negotiated a one-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, banking on himself to earn a much heftier payday come the summer. Well, he's succeeded thus far, on track to net a hefty contract. If Philadelphia is not prepared to offer a substantial contract, they are better off trading him now.
3. Nerlens Noel
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3. Nerlens Noel
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Nerlens Noel is an abominable offensive player. He's not a polished finisher whatsoever and his thin frame presents a glaring weakness on the opposite end of the floor. Yes, he's only 20-years-old, recovering from a torn ACL, but he's also a center, not a power forward. Don't forget Joel Embiid will return next season and playing an Embiid-Noel duo in the front court must be avoided at all costs.
2. Nik Stauskas
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2. Nik Stauskas
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To no fault of his own, Nik Stauskas was drafted way too soon and by the wrong team. After drafting a shooting guard last season in the lottery, the Sacramento Kings opted to draft the one-dimensional Stauskas instead of Vonleh and Elfrid Payton who would have been the more logical options. Stauskas is barely averaging three points per game and is likely a repeat of the whole Jimmer Fredette fiasco.
1. Joel Embiid
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1. Joel Embiid
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The consensus No. 1 pick in 2015 appears to be Duke big-man Jahlil Okafor. Although Philadelphia is not guaranteed the first pick, there is a very high chance that the franchise does in fact land it at the end of the day. Therefore, dealing Embiid, to the Knicks for example, in exchange for their likely top-3 pick, would almost guarantee the acquisition of Okafor. Throw in Embiid's alleged maturity issues and he's almost a guaranteed goner.
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