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15 NBA Players Who Will Get Traded But Shouldn’t in 2015

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By @MichaelTerrill

15 NBA Players Who Will Get Traded But Shouldn’t in 2015

NBA Trade
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The NBA trade deadline is a little over a week away, which means the rumor mill is going to heat up to intense levels. With all of the talk of certain players being dealt prior to Feb. 19, it is easy to get lost in the commotion. The good news is RantSports is here to help. Here are the 15 NBA players who will get traded at the deadline but shouldn’t.

15. Brandon Bass, Celtics

Brandon Bass, Celtics
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15. Brandon Bass, Celtics

Brandon Bass, Celtics
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Brandon Bass is averaging 9.6 points per contest in 50 games (11 starts) this season. Despite 31 losses, the Boston Celtics are still in the running for the No. 8 seed in the lowly Eastern Conference. Even though there are plenty of suitors looking for a quality power forward, dealing Bass, who has turned around his career in Boston, would completely eliminate depth at the position.

14. Thaddeus Young, Timberwolves

Thaddeus Young, Timberwolves
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14. Thaddeus Young, Timberwolves

Thaddeus Young, Timberwolves
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the dismal Minnesota Timberwolves are going to have a fire sale at the trade deadline. It also won’t be a surprise if they deal Thaddeus Young. However, that doesn’t make it any more right. The 26-year-old is playing very well for a last place team. But, the main reason the Timberwolves shouldn’t trade him is because he’s the type of player the franchise can build around.

13. Greg Monroe, Pistons

Greg Monroe, Pistons
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13. Greg Monroe, Pistons

Greg Monroe, Pistons
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The Detroit Pistons are a completely different team in the second half of the season. More importantly, they are climbing the Eastern Conference standings at a decent pace. Even though power forward Greg Monroe is a free agent at the end of the season, the Pistons have a good shot at re-signing him. Trading him is a likely choice, but the reality is getting rid of him will only hamper the progress they’ve made since getting rid of Josh Smith.

12. Luol Deng, Heat

Luol Deng, Heat
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12. Luol Deng, Heat

Luol Deng, Heat
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The Miami Heat are currently on pace to clinch a playoff berth. However, that will change quickly if they go ahead with the trading of Luol Deng. The small forward is averaging 14.3 points per game, which is third on the team. Losing a veteran presence in the locker room could be devastating for the Heat, especially with Wade’s injury status constantly up in the air. Despite the Heat not being contenders, dealing Deng won’t give them a chance.

11. Ty Lawson, Nuggets

Ty Lawson, Nuggets
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11. Ty Lawson, Nuggets

Ty Lawson, Nuggets
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It’s safe to say Denver have failed to meet expectations in 2014-15. With that said, trading Ty Lawson is most definitely not an answer to solving their problems. In fact, it’s safe to say he’s the last person they should get rid of at the trade deadline. He leads the team in points per game (16.6) and he ranks second in the NBA in assists per game (9.9). It’s understandable that Denver wants to rebuild, but dealing Lawson is a terrible idea.

10. Wilson Chandler, Nuggets

Wilson Chandler, Nuggets
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10. Wilson Chandler, Nuggets

Wilson Chandler, Nuggets
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Wilson Chandler is someone the Nuggets could trade before Lawson, but he’s still someone they shouldn’t get rid of. He has an incredibly favorable contract next season for the production that he’s giving, which is reason enough to see what his presence can give the team going forward. The temptation to trade Chandler is certainly there given how many teams are inquiring about him. But, his production needs to stay.

9. Chris Andersen, Heat

Chris Andersen, Heat
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9. Chris Andersen, Heat

Chris Andersen, Heat
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On the surface, the Heat ridding themselves of Chris Andersen looks to be a good idea. His average of 5.4 points per game is far from ideal. However, he is second on the team in blocks per contest (0.49) and third in rebounds per game (5.0). More importantly, he carries with him a solid veteran presence that knows what it takes to win a championship. Plus, he’s worth more to the team now than what they would get for him in return.

8. Miles Plumlee, Suns

Miles Plumlee, Suns
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8. Miles Plumlee, Suns

Miles Plumlee, Suns
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Miles Plumlee has been linked to trade rumors for quite some time. At this point, it would be a shock if the Phoenix Suns ultimately decided to hold on to him. Despite his minutes and statistics taking a dive in his second season with the Suns, he still could prove to be a valuable asset to the team. With center Alex Len out through the All-Star break with an injured ankle, Plumlee has thrived in the starting role.

7. Reggie Jackson, Thunder

Reggie Jackson, Thunder
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7. Reggie Jackson, Thunder

Reggie Jackson, Thunder
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Reggie Jackson gives the Oklahoma City Thunder great production off the bench that is easy to look over. He’s a solid passer with above-average ball-handling skills and speed. Even though he could better serve a team that doesn’t have as much to offer at the guard position, the Thunder would be better off keeping him past the trade deadline. It especially holds true if they plan on making a run up the Western Conference standings.

6. Deron Williams, Nets

Deron Williams, Nets
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6. Deron Williams, Nets

Deron Williams, Nets
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Like many players on the Brooklyn Nets, Deron Williams is likely to be gone by the trade deadline, which is music to the ears of many. On the contrary, Williams has plenty to offer the Nets if they can ever manage to find a way to get their act together. Sure, the injuries are a big-time scare and his numbers have taken a dip, but Williams has shown the ability to be a legitimate performer when the opportunity presents itself.

5. Goran Dragic, Suns

Goran Dragic, Suns
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5. Goran Dragic, Suns

Goran Dragic, Suns
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With Goran Dragic headed for free agency at the end of the season, many would assume the Suns would part ways with him. However, the chances of Phoenix re-signing him in the offseason are so great that it doesn’t make sense to let him go now, especially when his high productivity on offense is giving the Suns hope that a playoff berth is well within their grasp. There is plenty to gain in trading him, but a playoff run is worth keeping him.

4. Jordan Hill, Lakers

Jordan Hill, Lakers
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4. Jordan Hill, Lakers

Jordan Hill, Lakers
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It’s safe to say the Los Angeles Lakers are going nowhere fast this season, which is why many expect them to unload like the sinking ship that they are. With that said, it is far from necessary to get rid of Jordan Hill, who leads the team in rebounds per game (8.0) and has flashed potential on offense. The soon-to-be unrestricted free agent has a bright future no matter where he lands. But, for the Lakers’ sake, they better hope they retain him.

3. Roy Hibbert, Pacers

Roy Hibbert, Pacers
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3. Roy Hibbert, Pacers

Roy Hibbert, Pacers
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The Indiana Pacers are eager to make a move at the trade deadline. The reality is they should be buyers, not sellers, especially with Paul George inching closer to a return. With the Eastern Conference as bad as it is, the Pacers are certainly in the running for a No. 7 or No. 8 seed. Of course, that will only happen if they keep their defensive weapons, which mainly includes big man Roy Hibbert.

2. Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls
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2. Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls

Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls
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The Chicago Bulls need to start taking advantage of the easy Eastern Conference. With Taj Gibson engulfed in trade rumors, it’s hard to imagine he stays put at the deadline. On the other hand, messing with their infrastructure, especially a quality player off the bench, could prove to be costly. Gibson provides depth, ability to start and he’s an asset around the basket on both sides of the court.

1. Jamal Crawford, Clippers

Jamal Crawford, Clippers
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1. Jamal Crawford, Clippers

Jamal Crawford, Clippers
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Even though Jamal Crawford has been heavily involved in trade rumors and it appears the Los Angeles Clippers are prepared to pull the trigger on a deal, it would be a devastating mistake for them to trade him at the deadline. As good as the Clippers are at scoring, they have very limited options off the bench. Of course, that is with the exception of Crawford, who has been dominant in that role. Plus, he’s a leader and a great defensive player.

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