NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Deals That Should Happen Before the 2015 NBA Trade Deadline
The 2014-15 NBA season is more than halfway complete, All-Star weekend is among us, and the trade deadline is approaching. Numerous NBA teams will be looking to improve their rosters via trade, while others will be looking to trade away their talent and save money for salary cap reasons.
Here are five trades that should happen before the NBA trade deadline.
1. Reggie Jackson for Mario Chalmers
Reggie Jackson has been the big name on the trade rumor mill lately. The Oklahoma City Thunder aren't benefiting greatly or getting enough value for Jackson's services now that Russell Westbrook is back in the lineup. Adding Mario Chalmers could give the Thunder a reliable 3-point shooter. As for the Miami Heat, they too aren't really getting enough value for Chalmers' services as he is being asked to ball distribute more than shoot.
Swapping Chalmers and Jackson could be a great thing for both teams and players. Jackson would get a lot more playing time, and the Heat need a point guard, as they do rank 29th in team assists. Chalmers would be a great option with the Thunder playing alongside Kevin Durant.
2. Luis Scola (and a 1st round pick) for Goran Dragic
Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic has been in trade rumors all season long, especially by the Los Angeles Lakers. This is the final year of Dragic's contract, until he has a player option. Why risk him leaving for no value in return? And why trade him within the Western Conference? The Suns defense ranks 28th in points allowed this season.
Insert Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers know defense, it's what they do. Odds are the Suns won't be able to get their hands on Roy Hibbert or David West, but a man by the name of Luis Scola could surely help. The 34-year-old big man from Argentina is averaging a career high 11.1 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. A very underrated player who could only help the Suns anemic defense. Scola previously played on the Suns for just one season in 2012 when he shot 78.7 percent from the free throw line and averaged 8.9 rebounds per 36 minutes. The Suns would of course have to get a draft pick in return for Dragic's services.
3. Amar'e Stoudemire for Norris Cole
The New York Knicks are rebuilding. It's not time to fully give up on Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher and the triangle offense, but changes are needed. Amar'e Stoudemire has been a good player for the Knicks, but he'll never be as good as the expectations of his contract. With Jose Calderon likely on his way out, trading for 26-year-old Norris Cole is just another way to get younger and build for the future.
If the Knicks wanted to clear up even more cap space, they could even include Calderon and try and get back a draft pick in return with this trade. Stoudemire won't turn the Heat into instant champions, but he could do some damage playing alongside Chris Bosh.
4. Jeremy Lin for Kirk Hinrich
The Los Angeles Lakers have been shopping Jeremy Lin over the last month but with no success. The "Windy City" could be a good fit for Linsanity. Derrick Rose will always have first command of orchestrating the Chicago Bulls offense, but he's injured so often and misses time because of health. Adding Lin for point guard depth and bench play could be a great low risk decision, especially because Lin has an expiring contract this year.
For the Lakers, adding Kirk Hinrich could only help. Hinrich is an average perimeter shooter who will "only" make $2.8 million next season.
5. Carmelo Anthony for Nick Young (and a first round pick)
What an epic blockbuster trade this would be. What makes this trade so great is that both the Lakers and Knicks, and both Nick Young and Carmelo Anthony would come out winners. The Knicks have barely benefited from even having Anthony on the roster making it out of the first round of the playoffs just one time since Anthony arrived five years ago. It's pretty similar to Herschel Walker with the Dallas Cowboys -- why keep him when you're not winning and you can get value?
This trade would be particularly difficult because Anthony would have to waive his no trade clause.
A change of scenery could be great for Anthony. In return, the Knicks could try and get Nick Young. Young isn't a superstar, but his contract has him making roughly $16 million over the next three seasons. That's a lot less than what the Knicks are paying Anthony. Because Anthony is the superior player, the Knicks may even get a draft pick in return.
The NBA Trade deadline is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. EST
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