Rudy Gay Trade
I actually do like this move for the Kings. Everyone they gave up was a bench player, outside of Vasquez. Vasquez though can be easily replaced by the emerging Isaiah Thomas. And they did this to acquire Rudy Gay, who can finally provide them with consistent scoring from the outside. If personalities can mesh (looking at you Cousins), this could be a beneficial move. I think this will also take pressure off McLemore to be an immediate star and give him more room to operate and grow. I thought this was also smart because they don't have to wait until free agency in the summer and hope somebody picks them over another team (which wouldn't happen easily). And due to a terrible start and lack of depth, they will still be bad enough to be in the mix for an all-important Top-6 pick in the loaded draft.
As for Toronto, you could see why this happened. They are clearly moving on and unloading big contracts. It started with Bargnani during the summer, now Gay, and rumors are that Lowry may be next to go. They've already cleared over 20 million that they can now spend on a great free agent class this summer. They also have some nice young talent already (DeRozan, Jonas, etc.), if they decide to keep them around. So I guess I like this for them also (long-term).
As for those trade targets mentioned on ESPN:
Omer Asik
This wasn't just mentioned in the ESPN article because it's actually been discussed ever since Howard signed there. I could see this coming a mile away. The real news is that the Rockets stated clearly he is being traded, and will be gone by December 19th (so anybody they get can be traded by the real trade deadline). The question now is, who will they trade him to and what are they targeting? Most think they should target a power forward (particularly a stretch-4), but with Terrance Jones emerging and Chandler Parsons still able to play that spot (in my opinion), I'd rather see them target a defensive wing. They don't have anyone who can play defense against top wing players so that's more of a need. The problem I see is that many defensive wings are either guys that won't be traded, or they are on teams that already have good center (there is one exception on this list below). So I do think that the best offer they get will be for a power forward. An interesting trade partner could be New Orleans, who could send Ryan Anderson to Houston to re-unite him with Howard, and then New Orleans could play Asik at the 5 and Davis at the 4... but that won't happen. More than likely, it could be the next guy on the list...
Paul Millsap
In the weakened East, Millsap seems too important to me to put on the trade block. But Atlanta is looking to the future, and the Hawks have to do something in order to better their chances of actually competing with the top teams in the years to come. Millsap's salary is not intimidating at all, so many teams would love him. One possibility I already mentioned would be using Millsap to get Asik, because this would allow Horford to play to 4 like he was drafted to play. I'd be interested if I'm Chicago though, because Millsap is an upgrade over Boozer and Gibson (and much cheaper than Boozer) also.
Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer
Speaking of Chicago, the Bulls are in the middle of a lost season right now with Rose injured again. I think it's time to trade your overpaid assets, and start building a younger, better team to surround Rose when he returns next year. Deng is a great trade asset because his contract is up this summer and you could get young players/picks in return. Teams pushing for the playoffs (like Cleveland or Washington) could use a guy like this for one year, then still be free to spend this summer on long-term options. I bring up Boozer because he's clearly not the power forward of their future, but he's making over 15 million. He would be a much tougher player to trade, but if they could find a buyer (maybe Charlotte who could shed the expiring contract of Ben Gordon), I'd pull the trigger. This would at the very least free them up to spend big money this summer... Chris Bosh would be a nice fit over the summer for example.
Dion Waiters
After a locker room argument with Irving and Thompson, Waiters is rumored to be on the block. I just mentioned Luol Deng as someone Cleveland may be interested in, and that would make sense for both sides. Many teams would be interested in a great, young scorer, if he really is up for grabs. For example, OKC could finally get a replacement for Harden/Martin if they wanted, although they seem to be doing fine already.
Greg Monroe
Monroe could be on the block if the Piston's decide they don't like the Smith/Monroe/Drummond frontline experiment. It's getting better, but it's still limited. Of the three, Monroe would be the most likely to be traded, because his contract ends after the season and the other two are locked up. If he is up for grabs, I'd look for a wing player, particularly one that could stretch the floor and open things up in the paint.
Zach Randolph
Randolph is yet another big name that will see his contract end after the season. This makes him attractive to teams looking to add help for a playoff push, but also for teams in a rebuild looking to free up money for the summer. Memphis should consider making a move because their playoff chances are lessening daily, and they don't have a roster to truly compete even if they made it.
Iman Shumpert
With the Knicks sputtering out of the gate, you'd think changes will be coming. Shumpert would have enough appeal that they could get something good in return. He's a very good wing defender, so maybe he's the guy Houston could target with Asik. With Tyson Chandler injured, Asik could really help turn things around. Just saying...
Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner
With Philly clearly looking to the future, trading away assets are only beneficial if they could good options for the future in return. With Hawes and Turner having career years, this is the best time to put them on the block. So while I wouldn't actively search for a trade, I'd listen if people offered. If they don't get anything they like, then keep them as role players moving forward.
Danny Granger
Granger wasn't mentioned on the ESPN article, but I'm adding him to this blog anyways. His contract is up after the season which does make him a decent trade asset. I thought before the season the Pacers should have traded him, now it's much harder due to another injury (although he could be back this week). But another solid scorer for the bench (that is cheaper, younger, and healthier) could help down the stretch for Indiana. Maybe they could target Waiters...
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry
The last two on the list are more players from the Raptors. Similar to the Rudy Gay trade, Toronto is looking to clear up money, and would love to add picks. Lowry makes the most sense of the two here, because DeRozan could be apart of the future there in my opinion. So we'll have to see.
Who else did I miss? Let me know!
By: The Sports Guys
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