NBA Trade Deadline: Look Around The League

Everyone is chasing Golden State, who had 3 representatives at this weekend's ASG (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Here's hoping you’re enjoying the All-Star game hangover, where the entertainment has been consumed and everyone is waiting for things to go back to a normal schedule. There was an exhilarating 3 point contest between (Splash) brothers, and one of the best dunk contests we’ve seen since Toronto had the best dunker in NBA history representing for their franchise. But amidst the jubilation and celebration there are quiet undertones of business transactions being proposed and (perhaps) completed.  Keep in mind that in addition to all the NBA players staying in Toronto this weekend, there were executives up there too.  With the trade deadline looming on February 18^th, any moves will need to be made quickly.  And with Golden State completely dominating the league, perhaps even the better teams will be looking to make a splash.  So this Look Around the League is dedicated to trade rumors. It’s like High School gossip, but without the messy lunch period squabble.

Howard could be moving teams...again. Photo:Doug Pensinger Getty Images Sport

Dwight Howard

The biggest name on the block (see what I did there?) is Dwight Howard.  The former defensive player of the year and MVP candidate is averaging his fewest points per game since his rookie season, and has had trouble staying healthy upon returning from injury. He’s still a beast on the boards and has nights where he looks like his athletically dominant self.  He has a player option (meaning he can extend the length of his current contract for what would be $23 million salary for next season), or opt out and hit the free agent market.  With his injuries, it is difficult to say exactly what the most prudent course of action is for the big man.  If he exercises the option, there is a real chance he would be maximizing his pay for that year and would audition for the following year with a better season.  But it is precisely because of his health issues that Howard may want the stability and peace of mind that comes with a long-term deal now, for what will more than likely be the final big contract of his career.

Potential Suitor(s): Miami Heat, Boston Celtics

Al Horford

The Hawks are just a game out of third place and yet there is a consistent buzz that the All-Star could be on the move.  He’s still a versatile scorer and quality defender playing at an awesome level.  His contract is up at the end of the year, so the usual complications with uncertainty about the future will arise for any team looking to add him, but any time a player of this caliber is a legitimate acquisition target, a discussion is merited.

Potential Suitor(s): Boston Celtics

The Wake Forest product, Jeff Teague, could be on the move. Photo: Getty Images

Jeff Teague

Teague is a slick, athletic point guard in a league that nearly demands that a championship team have talent at the position.  Moreover, Teague is better than any point guard that will be available in free agency this summer.  He is locked into making  8 million dollars next year, he’ll be a bargain next season once the increase in TV/internet money increases the salary cap.  His fate may depend on whether the team moves away from Horford. If Horford is moving, the team that won 60 games last year may be signaling a rebuild.

Potential Suitor(s):  Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic

Rudy Gay

He’s quietly averaging 18 and 7 on 50% eFG (2^nd highest of his career).  His contract gets more palatable as the salary cap increases. He’s got a stigma of improving a team only after he is dealt, but a seasoned scorer with big time talent could help some ball club go from good, to a contender.  It’s all an arms race with Golden State, anyway.

Selfishly, I don’t want Gay to leave. I LOVE this team. DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo just work on a real, and natural level. Their transition defense is awful and they turn the ball over way too much, but…I mean, come on it’s Rondo, Boogie, and Rudy Gay all under one roof! Of course I’m going to root for these guys, they’re damn near the Major League of the NBA. Please don’t break up this team, Vivek. Please.

Certain teams will be mentioned frequently on either side of trade talk; either because they have assets and want to dramatically improve their team right now, or because they have resigned themselves to the fact that this isn’t their year.  With that in mind, here is a list of teams that could be looking to make a deal come the deadline.

One or both of these guys may be gone by the EOB Thursday Photo: Kim Klement, USA Today Sports

Orlando Magic

There have been reports that Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris are available for the right price.  The right price, in Orlando’s parlance, is probably an established player that can shoot in the backcourt.  While Oladipo and Elfrid Paryton are capable players, the backcourt combo can struggle at times to space the floor . Moreover, the Magic have compiled young talent, but still lack any significant veteran presence. Eventually, this team wasn’t going to be able to take their entire young core with them to prominence, now is as good a time as any with their glutton of forwards to move one or two for the benefit of the franchise.

Houston

Dwight Howard has already been discussed, but when a head coach comes out and says that  his team is broken, there is a good chance the squad will look different before and after the trade deadline. This team that was a Western Conference Finals participant last season is now “not on the same page” and would miss the playoffs if they started today. Life came at Houston fast.

Isaiah Thomas will need help if the C's are to improve

Boston

A potential suitor comes in the form of the Boston Celtics, with lots of draft picks and David Lee’s salary to trade, they are loaded with attractive assets for any other big talent acquisition the young team would need to improve. Despite its history of excellence in the league, the franchise is having a difficult time with luring free agents to go there.   That realization led management to acquire assets for the possibility of bartering a star-studded future for a realistic attempt at present relevancy.

Cleveland

I didn’t include the Kevin Love rumors because I really have a hard time with the idea of them moving him.  They just gave him a lucrative deal, but with rumors of Horford and perhaps an outside chance of Blake Griffin (not included in-depth here because of the repeated strong, albeit conspicuous denials by Clippers management) being available, a comparable set of talent and skill seems to be at least sort of feasible. Even without a Love blockbuster deal, they have been linked in talks with the Kings’ Ben McLemore.  The  3^rd year player is posting career high shooting percentages while posting career low minutes numbers. He is an athletic wing player capable of knocking down the three, a valuable asset for any team that has eyes on beating the Warriors.

Atlanta

It’s amazing that a team that won 60 games last season may be thinking about a rebuild, but here they are.  There are rumors that everyone except Millsap is available.  They may realize that they have maxed out their potential with this roster and desire a completely different look.  Can a team a game out of third place already be giving up? Is this the new NBA where it’s championship or bust for half the league?

Denver

The Nuggets have been spinning their wheels for years.  They had a nice run awhile back following the Melo trade, but the pieces have stopped working in concert.  Forwards Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari have been mentioned around the league, but essentially anyone but rookie Emmanuel Mudiay and surprise play-maker Will Barton seem to be available.  Keep an eye on this squad as they look to figure out how not to be an annual “also ran” candidate.

The NBA trade deadline is like second Christmas to basketball fans.  Maybe your team will get the gift of an All-Star under the tree. There is even a website where youcan propose trades to really get yourself into a tizzy. It’s important to keep in mind now that the college basketball season is nearly over and the talent has started to thoroughly be assessed, that the draft picks being floated about as assets are more real in terms of who they may represent.  Before that was a nameless, faceless top 10 pick your team was sheepishly brandying about, now it may be Buddy Hield your team is giving up on. That makes a difference, and makes the potential trades all the more tantalizing.

What's Next for my Team? Everything NBA Draft

The NBA combine was last week, and the lottery was just about an hour ago.  While personal workouts for teams still will help determine where guys will ultimately be going, having a compiled list of players, rankings, and draft position may help the fan in you figure out who your team should acquire.  For all combine results go to Draft Express for results from drills.  If you’d like a game-by-game breakdown of their collegiate career, visit Sports Reference.

Lottery Draft Position:

1) Cleveland Cavaliers

2) Orlando Magic

3) Washington Wizards

4) Charlotte Bobcats

5) Phoenix Suns

6) New Orleans Pelicans

7) Sacramento Kings

8) Detroit Pistons

9) Minnesota T'wolves

10) Portland Trailblazers

11) Philadelphia 76ers

12) Oklahoma City Thunder

13) Dallas Mavericks

14) Utah Jazz

*=Denotes Foreign player who did not play college basketball in United States

Top Ranked Players

Cody Zeller (PF/C)

Mason Plumlee (C)

Victor Oladipo (SG)

Ben McLemore (SG)

Alex Len (C)

Trey Burke (PG)

Shabazz Muhammed (SF)

Otto Porter Jr. (SF)

Nerlens Noel (C)

Anthony Nennett (PF)

*Dario Saric (Forward)

ACC Players

Reggie Bullock (UNC)

Mason Plumlee (DU)

Seth Curry (DU)

Erik Green (VT)

CJ Leslie (NCSU)

Lorenzo Brown (NCSU)

Richard Howell (NCSU)

Kenny Kadji (UM)

BREAKDOWN BY POSITION

Point Guards

Michael Carter-Williams (SYR)

Shane Larkin (UM)

Lorenzo Brown (NCSU)

Trey Burke (MICH)

Pierre Jackson (BAY)

*Dennis Schroeder (GER)

Peyton Siva (LOU)

Erick Green (VT)

This is an incredibly point guard rich draft.  It’s the deepest position in the league and it only looks like it will get deeper.  The top tier talent in this draft that has been universally classified as weak, but several teams could find a starter or rotation contributor in this pool of players.  Looking at the Final four teams in the NBA Draft, the point guard position is clearly a valued one.  Having someone to run your offense and be an extension of the head coach is vital when the possessions drop and points are more difficult to come by. 

Here, there are a variety of players and styles to choose from.  Michael Carter-Williams is arguably the player with the most upside out of the group, he left Syracuse as a sophomore and has the length (6’ 5”) to pressure and bother opposing guards.  In the game vs Michigan in the NCAA tournament his opposing guard (National Player of the Year Trey Burke) to 1/8 shooting on what was clearly his worst game of the tournament. Shane Larkin (who tested out as the best athlete at the position at the combine) is a combination of explosiveness and guile.  He’s a deadeye shooter from the perimeter (40% from three) and has experience running a talented team.  Larkin kept a talented UM team happy, perhaps he could do the same with a litany of stars.  As a projected late 1^st round pick, would fit in perfectly with the LA Lakers.  He could learn under Steve Nash while playing heavy minutes to spell the vet over the course of the season.  Add to that his shooting ability to help space the floor for a couple of bigs, and Larkin would be a perfect fit for the team.

An intriguing prospect is combo guard Erick Green.  While he led the nation in points per game, he was also the leader in assists on the team.  Moreover, the Hokies were bottom-dwellers in the ACC and every defense keyed on him.  The fact that he was able to be successful with minimal talent surrounding him while being the focus of every opposition’s defense, speaks volumes about his ability.  Some scouts may be concerned that he isn’t a “traditional” point guard, but Green has insisted he scored simply because he was often the best option on an anemic offense.

My sleeper at this position is Lorenzo Brown. The point guard out of NC State is an intriguing prospect.  He has only played the position for two years, and is still learning.  But at 6’5” and superior court vision (Brown had 9 games of double digits assists), Brown can grow into the position.  Brown has shown a propensity for hard-nosed defense and, despite his average foot speed, could be a good perimeter defender immediately in the league with his size.

Shooting Guards

Ben McLemore (KU)

CJ McCullough (Lehigh)

Glen Rice Jr. (NBDL/GT)

Tim Hardaway Jr (Michigan)

Victor Oladipo (IU)

In the age of combo guards (Steph Curry, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook) CJ McCollum is arguably the best of the draft.  Before his foot injury sidelined him for the last half of the season, he was averaging nearly 24 points as the lead guard for Lehigh.  His personal workouts will be key, to see how healthy he is, and to see how he does against top competition.  Even with the success of Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard and Curry, teams may be hesitant to draft a guard from a smaller school that played lesser competition.

Glen Rice Jr. is an interesting case, specifically for his path to the draft.  After he finished at Georgia Tech, Rice went directly to the NBDL.  Because he is not yet 22, and had not gone through the draft process, Rice was eligible to be drafted.  Despite not getting much playing time early, Rice averaged 25 points per game in the finals of the Developmental League.  In a draft full of assets with question marks, Rice may be the closest thing to a sure bet.  He is already a professional, and the developmental league is considered a higher level of competition than college.  Rice is extremely athletic, and has shown the potential to be able to knock down his jump shot consistently.

The highest ceiling of this position belongs to either Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo.  Freshman sensation McLemore had brilliant games this season at KU, going for 30+ points three times.  He’s an athletic 6’4” guard who finishes extremely well around the basket and can knock down the outside shot.  McLemore struggled on the road, and had some memorably bad games in the NCAA tournament when the level of competition ratcheted up.  But as a freshman, a lack of consistency won’t dampen his draft position much.  He has been projected as high as a number 2 pick going to the Bobcats.  Another rumored player the Bobcats could be targeting is Oladipo.  When he first came to IU he was a raw player from basketball factory Dematha high school.  Since then he has developed a competent offensive game and even a solid jumpshot to accompany his smothering defense.  His high ceiling is due more to his intense work ethic, than natural ability.  He has been compared to Dwyane Wade because of his size 6’ 4” and explosive leaping ability, as well as his defense and shot blocking prowess.  Wade’s handle was better, but the fact that the junior has worked so hard to improve over his tenure at IU is a comforting thought to general managers moving forward.

My sleeper for this position (indeed, this draft) is Tim Hardaway Jr.  At 6’6” he has good size and no gaping holes in his game.  Despite his poor postseason play, Hardaway has shown the ability to shoot, defend, and finish at the cup.  He impressed in workouts with his ability to create his own shot, as well.  Moreover, being the son of an accomplished NBA, Hardaway is keenly aware of the work ethic necessary to be a pro.  Previously picked to be as late as a second round pick, Hardaway’s combine scores impressed NBA decision-makers and could have him moving up draft boards.  It will be interesting how attractive this “safe” pick will be as we near the draft in June.

Centers

Nerlens Noel (UK)

Kelly Olynyck (GU)

Alex Len (UMD)

Gorgui Dieng (UL)

Cody Zeller (IU)

Mason Plumlee (DU)

Despite what pundits have been claiming as the death of the big man, three of the final four teams competing for an NBA championship have an All-Star caliber Center roaming their lanes.  The position hasn’t stopped being important, it’s just less glamorous than it used to be.  Perhaps that’s why Zeller has tried to repackage himself as a stretch four, and Plumlee was classified as a forward by ESPN despite playing exclusively at the center position during his career at Duke.

Dieng (who was recovering from a foot injury and did not participate in any physical drills at the combine) and Noel are considered the best defensive prospects at the position because of their length and ability to get to opponents’ shots.  Dieng has showed the ability to set the pick and knock down the free throw line jumper.  Noel is a defensive stalwart, but is still fairly raw offensively.

[Sidenote: Noel is in a VERY interesting position in terms of this draft.  With his ACL tear, he won’t be ready to play until around Christmas.  With the robust talent that will reportedly be available in the 2014 draft, there have been rumors that some teams would select Noel knowing that he would not contribute much next year, allowing the team to get back into the lottery.  Essentially, the line of thinking is that by selecting him (perhaps with the first pick in the draft) a team would be able to get two lottery picks in the upcoming drafts and really make a difference for a struggling team.]

You’ll hear the words “upside” and “potential” about a million times before the draft is done.  Alex Len could be the personification of those ideals.  A talented big from UMD, he has shown a penchant for scoring in the post.  Physically, he still needs to grow into his body and will probably struggle/see limited minutes in his first season.  But he made some headlines when he proclaimed that in a decade he’d be the best player that came from this draft.

On the opposite end of the “potential” conversation is Olynyck.  He stayed all four years at Gonzaga, and developed his body and game.  While he is no fantastic athlete, he is extremely skilled.  Moreover, with the success of Marc Gasol, he could become a quality defender despite never averaging more than a block a game.  He may be the safest pick further down in the draft.

Forwards

Otto Porter Jr. (GU)

*Dario Saric (Croatia)

Shabazz Muhammad (UCLA)

*Giannis Antelokuonmpo (G

Anthony Bennett (UNLV)

Cj Leslie (NCSU)

*Rudy Gobert (France)

The forward position is the most talent shallow of all the positions.  As with so many things NBA draft, the impact that these prospects will have depends on fit.  Otto Porter Jr. was the best out of the crop, and was far and away Georgetown’s best option.  He was a Naismith Player of the Year candidate most of the year.  The most striking part about his game wasn't his ability to score, but his passing ability.  None of his numbers will jump out as jaw dropping (16 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists) because of GU’s style of play.  But if he were put in a position to work off ball (perhaps with the Cleveland Cavaliers and their two ball-dominant guards), he could aid a team immediately, while covering up his own deficiencies in creating his own shot and getting to the rim.

Shabazz Muhammad came into his freshman year as one of the top picks in this year’s drafts.  One of the most heralded HS players in the last decade came into his sole college season out of shape (due to injury) and didn’t impress early.  While he finished the season well (with averages of 17 points per game and 5 rebounds) he never displayed his former dominance that some scouts had predicted when he was first going to UCLA.  Adding to the detractors' ammunition was his addition to his age. It turned out that Muhammad was older than scouts previously thought and will be 21 once the NBA season starts despite only playing one year of collegiate basketball.

Anthony Bennett shows a lot of promise at the Power Forward position.  He is capable of putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket.  He also played at the center position at times, and has the ability to score with his back to the basket.

Keep an eye on Kenny Kadji out of Miami.  He is older (25) but shot well from the position and looks to be NBA ready.  He isn't a great athlete, but shoots well outside for a big and played in an NBA-style offense with heavy pick and rolls.  Kadji is a projected late 1st/2nd round pick.  Given the right situation for a contender, he could thrive because of his ability to stretch the defense and allow his teammates to cut and drive to the basket. 

CJ Leslie has been the most mercurial talent in the country this year.  Leslie could be described as “Jack of all trades, master of none.”  He has a solid jumpshot, can create off the dribble, and (despite his wiry frame) has a good array of post moves. As multi-talented as he is, there were games where he seemed disinterested and completely withdrawn.  He reminds me a lot of Jeff Green when he came out of Georgetown; he, too, was prone to bouts of indecision and ineffectiveness early in his career. 

  

Here is a complete list of all of the participants of the NBA Combine. For a point of reference, 29 of the 30 top picks in last year’s NBA draft participated in the combine.

PLAYERS

·         Trevor Mbakwe (F-Minnesota)

·         Colton Iverson (F-Colorado St.)

·         Seth Curry (G-Duke)

·         Isaiah Canaan (G-Murray St.)

·         Jeff Withey (C-Kansas)

·         Kenny Kadji (F-Miami)

·         Mason Plumlee (F-Duke)

·         Ryan Kelly (F-Duke)

·         Glen Rice Jr (G-Georgia Tech)

·         Richard Howell (F-North Carolina St.)

·         Erick Green (G-Va. Tech)

·         Brandon Paul (G-Illinois)

·         Peyton Siva (G-Louisville)

·         Jackie Carmichael (F-Illinois St.)

·         Brandon Davies (F-Brigham Young)

·         Solomon Hill (F-Arizona)

·         Mike Muscala (F-Bucknell)

·         Erik Murphy (F-Florida)

·         Nate Wolters (G-S. Dakota St)

·         Kelly Olynyk (F-Gonzaga)

·         Carrick Felix (G-Ariz. St)

·         Allen Crabbe (G-California)

·         Andre Roberson (F-Colorado)

·         Ray McCallum (G-Detroit)

·         Victor Oladipo (G-Indiana)

·         Tim Hardaway Jr (G-Michigan)

·         Phil Pressey (G-Missouri)

·         Lorenzo Brown (G-North Carolina St.)

·         C.J. Leslie (F-North Carolina St.)

·         Tony Snell (G-New Mexico)

·         Reggie Bullock (G-North Carolina)

·         Deshaun Thomas (F-Ohio St.)

·         Jamaal Franklin (G-San Diego St.)

·         Gorgui Dieng (C-Louisville)

·         Shane Larkin (G-Miami)

·         Dewayne Dedmon (F-Southern California)

·         B.J. Young (G-Arkansas)

·         Pierre Jackson (G-Baylor)

·         Otto Porter (F-Georgetown)

·         Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G-Georgia)

·         Cody Zeller (F-Indiana)

·         Ben McLemore (G-Kansas)

·         James Ennis (G-Long Beach)

·         Alex Len (C-Maryland)

·         Adonis Thomas (F-Memphis)

·         Trey Burke (G-Michigan)

·         Michael Carter-Williams (G-Syracuse)

·         Myck Kabongo (G-Texas)

·         Steven Adams (C-Pittsburgh)

·         Ricky Ledo (G-Providence)

·         Nerlens Noel (F-Kentucky)

·         Archie Goodwin (G-Kentucky)

·         Grant Jerrett (F-Arizona)

Shabazz Muhammad (G-UCLA)