Star power is a necessity to compete for championships, but big-name players don’t automatically result in success. And while talent is imperative, not every location or role is conducive to bringing out the best of an individual.
Sometimes, a trade is worth exploring for both sides. We’re looking at 10 easily recognizable NBA players who could be on the move, whether due to impending contract issues, organizational unrest or an ill-fitting role.
As much as we’d like to organize a superstar-packed roster with LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Joel Embiid and Russell Westbrook, that’s not realistic. We’re focusing on players who legitimately could be traded this season.
DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
At their best, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis are a court-wrecking duo. New Orleans is hanging around the Western Conference’s final postseason spot, but it’s unlikely the team climbs higher than sixth or seventh. The Pelicans simply don’t have enough talent surrounding the frontcourt stars, and the contract Cousins will demand this summer could prevent that from changing soon. He might not ever win a championship, yet Cousins is the type of talent a team doesn’t want to lose for nothing. New Orleans might decide that draft capital and cap flexibility to build around Davis is better for the franchise moving forward.
Goran Dragic, Miami Heat
Miami is a good team. Between injuries and inconsistency, however, the Heat are not a great team. The franchise could decide to make a bold move to escape mediocrity, dumping Goran Dragic as the first step in a mini-rebuild. After scoring at a career-high rate last season, he’s contributing the second-highest mark of his career this year. Dragic’s overall efficiency has dipped, but he’s still valuable on and off the ball thanks to his attacking ability and shooting range. Since he won’t command $20 million annually on his next contract, an interested team could get three years of Dragic if he exercises a player option in 2019-20.
Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz
One of the more intriguing underrated storylines is how Derrick Favors performed when Rudy Gobert was injured. Favors averaged 16.5 points on 61.0 percent shooting and 9.3 rebounds during that 11-game stretch. Although it feels like he’s been around for a long time, Favors doesn’t turn 27 until the summer of 2018. This should be the Georgia Tech product’s prime. Unless the Jazz commit to him as the small-ball center in non-Gobert minutes, they’re not using Favors in his best spot. Should that change, by all means Utah should keep him. But if not, Favors deserves a chance to shine elsewhere.
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
General manager Chris Wallace said the team has “no intention” to trade Marc Gasol. Before the season, the Grizzlies probably had no intention to fire David Fizdale, either. Nevertheless, just 19 games into the campaign, the head coach was canned. Let’s say things don’t improve as the trade deadline approaches. Gasol is signed through 2018-19 with a player option for the following year, so his value is still high. There will be worse moments to trade Gasol. He would bring a healthy return for Memphis, which must determine if the fastest path to contention is going all-in on the loaded 2018 draft.
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder might render this conversation useless. Despite hovering around .500 so far, Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony are still learning how to play together. If they figure it out, OKC will be a lower-tier contender. But the organization must be prepared for the alternative, where a frustrating season sours George on the team’s future. Rumors of George going home to Los Angeles would undoubtedly resurface. Similar to the situation in New Orleans with Cousins, the Thunder would hate to lose George for no return. If this Big Three doesn’t work out, OKC could get ahead of the inevitable and pad the roster around Westbrook.
Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Orlando understandably slow-played extension talks with Aaron Gordon, but the hesitancy is going to cost the Magic one way or another. The forward has emerged as more than just a bouncy athlete, showing off a more diverse offensive arsenal while securing rebounds at a career-high clip. Fellow NBA teams have probably seen enough to offer Gordon a max contract in restricted free agency. The question is whether Orlando, after waiting four years for this breakout, feels this is sustainable. If not, then the Magic should engineer a trade before arriving at the moment they’ll need to pay Gordon as a key building block for the future.
George Hill, Sacramento Kings
During the summer, the oft-criticized organization (deservedly so) earned praise for bringing in George Hill on a three-year deal. Of course it’s become one marquee acquisition that hasn’t worked out. After thriving as a complementary piece throughout his career, Hill has struggled in his time as the guy in Sacramento. Matching a $20 million salary may be the biggest challenge, but he would be an immediate upgrade for several true contenders. As a bonus, not only could Hill return to previous form, the Kings could commit to De’Aaron Fox and Frank Mason without hesitation. It’s a win-win.
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are nearing a juncture when they must decide if Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Danilo Gallinari are a long-term championship core. Otherwise, Jordan could be headed to a new location because of his impending player option. At risk of watching him leave next summer, an injury-riddled LA team could dive into a rebuild that assures a high 2018 selection. The Clips aren’t going to survive the upcoming months without Griffin, and the fear of losing Jordan would at least bring in additional draft capital and/or young talent.
Nerlens Noel, Dallas Mavericks
Once the Philadelphia 76ers sent Nerlens Noel to Dallas, the promising center starred. He contributed 8.5 points and 6.8 assists per game while standing out as one of the Mavericks’ best players. But after a contentious contract discussion in the offseason, Noel held a minor role until thumb surgery sidelined him. It would be absolutely stunning if the Mavs even wanted to re-sign him. That doesn’t mean the 23-year-old isn’t valuable, however, considering LeBron James reportedly wants to team up with Noel. In the right situation, Noel could thrive. That is clearly not in Dallas.
Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
Whenever Kemba Walker steps off the court, Charlotte’s offense leaves right along with him. According to NBA.com, Walker-led units sport a 108.4 offensive rating and 55.6 true shooting percentage. As soon as he hits the sideline, those numbers plummet to 91.4 and 47.8, respectively. Plenty of teams could use and All-Star guard, and a $12 million contract over the next two seasons only adds to Walker’s value. But the Hornets would receive less in return if they want until 2018-19, since an expiring deal offers no guarantee of future control. We’d love to see Walker on a real contender in his prime.