Andrea Bargnani
Now that DeRozan is the face of the franchise, and the Bargnani experiment is losing the patience of Toronto fans, the Raptors may look to move their former #1 overall pick. Bargs was underwhelming as the team's primary option for the 2010-11 season, but with the lockout looming nothing is imminent. In Orlando, he wouldn't have to rebound next to Dwight Howard and could kill teams from range by straying out to the three-point line to receive kick-out passes from a double-teamed Howard. San Antonio has had a good history of starting low-energy, shooting centres next to Tim Duncan, and Denver or New Orleans could also be a good fit.
Andrew Bynum
When Bynum took his Lakers jersey off while leaving the floor in Dallas after being ejected for a blow to JJ Barea that was called "bush league," I thought it might be the last time he removed the purple and gold. With calls to "blow up the team," the Lakers may take offers for their talented big man. Young, talented, injury prone, but oozing with potential when he's healthy, he's the kind of player Chris Paul needs to work with in the middle like he did with Tyson Chandler a few seasons ago (Okafor moves to PF), and it might entice Paul to stay in New Orleans. The Heat would love to have a centre of Bynum's quality to fill the lane, and the Raptors could move Bargnani to PF if they had Bynum to rebound, defend and grow with the young team.
Vince Carter
Does Vince want to win? Or, does Vince just want to get paid? A team like the Bulls would give Vince the ability to cement his legacy on a championship-potential team. The Bulls would whip him into shape, unlike the Knicks where Vince would stay unmotivated (especially on defense).
Baron Davis
Where can Baron Davis stay motivated? Not in Cleveland with new #1 pick Kyrie Irving. Davis was motivated when he was having fun with Blake and the kids in Clipperland. He may be similarily motivated working with the young core of the Raptors and sending lob passes for DeRozan, Sonny, and the Johnsons.
Monta Ellis
His scoring could be used in Minnesota, which will need the points this season, or in Phoenix's aging backcourt that likes to run.
Rudy Gay
After the Grizzlies cinderella playoff run this 2011 postseason, without leading scorer Rudy Gay, speculation was that the club felt they played, perhaps, better without him and he could be traded for another asset. Gay would be a great fit on the Lakers to replace Ron Artest with some real talent and potential. He could also help give some size and scoring punch to the Houston Rockets backcourt. Both the Rockets and Lakers have decent trading chips.
Rip Hamilton
This mask-wearing veteran needs to find his way out of the mess in Detroit. He is still serviceable and could be a good veteran presence on the Chicago Bulls. He could start, but would also be happy to come off the bench as long as he is respected and given the minutes he deserves (something he didn't get in Detroit), and has a crack at another championship to keep him motivated.
Devin Harris
The Jazz say they want to hold on to their point-guard they got in exchange for Deron Williams, and drafted Enes Kanter rather then Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker so it looks like they want to keep Devin in the picture. Utah is a good fit for the one-time all-star Harris, but Toronto would be able to provide him the minutes, and the touches, and make him a part of the franchise rebuilding project.
Dwight Howard
Dwight is too good for any one team to hold on to him. I would love if he stayed in Orlando, but players move to find a winning situation midway through their careers if their drafting team can't impress them. Howard could do some real damage teaming up with Amar'e in the Knicks frontcourt, but without the rich getting richer, I think Howard would be a stabilizing presence on Detroit who could use a competent defender in the paint again.
Andre Iguodala
This 6'6" forward-guard combo is athletic and plays tremendous defense. He helped team USA to a win in the World Championships last summer. It is rumored the Sixers are looking for trade partners. He has been linked to deals for Golden State's Monta Ellis, and LA's Lamar Odom. The best place for Iggy might be the vacant SG spot in Chicago, where his defense would shine and he would provide Rose with a second option. He could also fit with the LA Clippers to round out their young core, or on the NY Knicks where he would be able to run and also be a defensive compliment to Melo and Amar'e.
Steve Nash
The Suns say they're keeping him, but that just seems like speculation. Not much is certain yet in terms of finances and the potential lockout so the Suns and Nash have agreed to stay tight-lipped until anything is resolved. Nash has been linked to a few potential trade scenarios, but they're just dreams. One has him rejoining former head coach Mike D'Antoni and running mate Amar'e Stoudemire in New York, where Nash has lived for years, to take over from Chauncey Billups. Miami also needs a crafty and reliable PG, and the rumors persist that Nash wants to come to Canada (and he does), he just wants to win a championship first.
Greg Oden
This big man can't get a break. And now his contract is up. He owes Portland big-time for sticking with him, and he is acquainted very well with the team's medical staff so he should stay, but he would be a good experiment and a worthwhile chance to take for the Atlanta Hawks who are one piece away, the Toronto Raptors while they wait for Valencuinas, or the Detroit Pistons with lots of trading chips and not much to lose.
Tony Parker
I hope he spends his career in San Antonio, and he's the youngest of the Big 3 of Duncan-Ginobili-Parker. The Spurs shouldn't break up their trio until Timmy retires. Parker has been rumoured to Toronto, and he'd be an interesting fix at 29 years old, where he'd also have the immediate impact Raptors fans are craving.
Josh Smith
If the Hawks plan to go in another direction, this athletic but unrefined 6'9" small forward may end up on another roster. His poor shot selection and lack of rebounding focus make him expendable, but could be an asset for certain teams. New Jersey would be a spot willing to pay him, and he's a high enough impact player to keep Deron Williams happy. Smith may also be able to find his niche as a compliment to the loaded backcourt of the run-and-gun Golden State Warriors, or as a more-mobile option in the frontcourt for the Utah Jazz.
JR Smith
This dynamic scorer needs to find a place that could use his scoring punch and can give Smith major minutes. His unpredictability would be exposed and he could develop as a player with the responsibility of being the go-to scorer on a young team like the Charlotte Bobcats or the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Devin Gray
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