As free agency is about to begin, there could be a lot of trades to make room for other players, or trying to replace a player they had lost. Here we will look at six names to look out for in trades during this years free agency.
Names To Watch
Buddy Hield, SG, Kings
Potential Suitors: Mavericks, Pistons, Bulls, Spurs
Overview: Buddy Hield has been unhappy in Sacramento for quite some time now and a trade seems inevitable at this point. Originally I had the 76ers on the list and not the Mavericks, but after trades to acquire Danny Green and Seth Curry I think it’s safe to say they filled their needs at that position. Hield is now in the first year of his extension and will under contract until he’s 30, so you’re essentially trading for the rest of his prime and the contract is certainly more team-friendly deal with his projected salary declining every year. If Sacramento does decide they want to trade him they will have no problem finding suitors.
Prediction: Mavericks
Aaron Gordon, PF, Magic
Potential Suitors: Thunder, Timberwolves, Knicks
Overview: The Magic have been trying to trade Gordon dating back before the deadline last year. They planned on dealing him to the Warriors, then Jonathan Isaac and Al-Faruq Aminu both suffered season-ending injuries, which for a team who was trying to make the playoffs put them in an awkward position. Then turned down a trade with Portland prior to the draft. While they have hesitated to pull the trigger up until this point I doubt they finish the off-season with him on the roster.
Prediction: Timberwolves
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, Spurs
Potential Suitors: Lakers, Kings, Pistons, Thunder
Overview: Lakers have rumored to be interested in DeRozan. Not sure why, he is most certainly not a good fit for Lebron and Davis–assuming Davis re-signs. However, with DeRozan accepting his option, the task for the Spurs is to dump his salary. He’s certainly far from the worst player, but $28 million for a guy who’s peak was a fringe All-Star in the Eastern Conference when the conference was at it’s lowest point is tough sell for a lot of contending teams.
Prediction: Kings
LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Spurs
Potential Suitors: Kings, Pistons, Thuder
Overview: Arguably one of the worst contracts in the sport. Obviously it wasn’t always like that with Aldridge, but this past year made it very clear he was no longer playing up to his contract. The team in the bubble looked so much more fluid offensively without him. This will be an even tough task because DeRozan still is playing well. Aldridge isn’t.
Prediction: Pistons
Russell Westbrook, PG, Rockets
Potential Suitors: Clippers, Wizards, Pistions, Hornets, Bulls
Overview: Of all the bad contracts that exist in the NBA, this is probably the one I want. Because at least with this player you’re getting an All-NBA level talent. I would say the biggest reason why Westbrook isn’t getting the high-level interest you’d expect for a player of his caliber is his contract and an apparent nagging quad injury that made it hard for him to play back-to-back games and missed the first four games of their playoff matchup against the Thunder. Which is concerning for a guy who is 32. However, there will be a market for him and even if he goes to a less formidable team like the Bulls or Wizards, he will make them a playoff contender, especially in a conference that is very top-heavy.
Prediction: Bulls
James Harden, SG, Rockets
Potential Suitors: 76ers, Nets
Overview: As mentioned the 76ers addressed the shooting guard position with trades that got them Danny Green and Seth Curry. But this ain’t Buddy Hield. This is James Harden. A Top-5 player in the entire league. Constantly in the MVP race. He has a great relationship with the new President of Basketball Operations, Darly Morey. However, he also has a great relationship with new Nets assistant coach, Mike D’Antoni. If I’m Houston I just sit back and enjoy the bidding war between these two teams to see which one can offer the most for one the best offensive player this game has ever seen.
Prediction: Nets
