Since we are getting closer and closer to the trade deadline, I figured I’d share with you some of my favorite situations with players that I think we could see traded. Will any of these guys actually become members of new teams? Only time will tell.

Ray Allen. As noted in The Ref’s Power Rankings, Ray Allen’s tenure in Boston could be over. Boston has lost 6 of their past 8 games, and are definitely limping into the All Star Break. There are rumors that the locker room morale isn’t where it needs to be, and players aren’t playing hard for each other. The most rumored deal places Allen in Chicago, in return for Kirk Hinrich. I love this deal if I’m Chicago, but not really, if I’m the Celtics. Kirk has two years left on his deal after this season, at close to $9 million per. Ray’s deal expires ($19 million) expires after this year. Looking at the numbers, Chicago would have to throw in players to bring the figures closer together. Boston would probably like to see an expiring contract (Jerome James’ $6 million) and another solid player (John Salmons??) to pull the trigger on this deal. Another team I could see taking interest in Allen is Utah. I’d be surprised to see Boston deal Allen, but this is the NBA.

Andre Iguodala (3yrs;$50 mill)/Elton Brand (3yrs;$48 mill)/Sam Dalembert (1yr;$12 mill) NOTE: All salaries next to the players’ names are after this season. It’s unfair for me to mention any of these players without mentioning the other, and that is solely because of the size of their contracts. In the case of Dalembert, he only has one year left on his contract after this season, however he has a trade kicker which gives him more money ($2.9 million) if he is traded! This makes dealing Sammy especially hard, but the Kings are interested. They have Kenny Thomas, the ex-Sixer, who is making $8 million in the last year of his contract, along with plenty of young talent. Someone would have to be thrown in to even the salaries. Brand is the guy I think it makes most sense from a Philly perspective to trade, but is least likely to actually get traded. This is solely due to the three years he still will have remaining on his contract after the season, and his iffy play this year. Whether or not Brand gets traded will revolve around what Philly is willing to take in return, which wouldn’t be much. Lastly we have Iguodala, the prize of these three. I think Philly can easily trade Andre, but again, it will come down to what they want in return. They’ve reportedly said they do not just want expiring contracts, so that kills the T-Mac talk. In my eyes, it doesn’t make sense to trade Andre, unless it’s for expiring contracts. Looking at next year’s draft, Philly will be in the draft range to draft Evan Turner, Wesley Johnson, or Al-Farouq Aminu — all guys in the build of the SG/SF position. Why not clean house and start young? Either way, I’d like Philly to actually put forth a plan!

Antawn Jamison (2yrs; $28 mill)/ Caron Butler (1yr; $10.5mill). Jamison and Butler are both coveted by many teams and we all know why. Both of these guys are underrated players, who put in solid statistics every year. The more coveted of these two has to be Butler, because his contract is well worth how he plays, and it expires after next season. If I’m a team looking to acquire Iguodala, why not look at Butler where you’d give up less, for practically similar results. Both of these guys are short term moves, which are why I see these guys being dealt to a contender if they are traded. I’ve heard rumors of Caron Butler to Chicago. This makes more sense to me. The Wizards need a new point guard, and Kirk Hinrich would love a shot at running the show. Jamison has been linked to Houston, and Cleveland, where in both situations, the Wizards would receive cap relief for the off season. In Jamison’s case, LeBron wants him…so they’ll probably get him. Another player to keep in eye on in the trade market from the Wizards is Brendan Hawyood.

Kevin Martin. There has been some speculation that the Kings are dangling Kevin Martin. In my eyes, they better be. Tyreke Evans are Martin just aren’t playing well together in a way that creates victories. When Martin doesn’t play, the Kings win. When he does, they lose. Shooter and I were dangling the idea of Martin for Carlos Boozer, but I doubt we see that pop off. However, I think Martin will be dealt at the deadline…even though I have NO IDEA with what team haha. It’s just a gut feeling I have. Behind Evans, the Kings are in line to become more of a fast break style team. Martin doesn’t fit that mold as well as I thought he would.  Martin has 3 years and $36 million left on his deal after this season. Coupled with Kenny Thomas, the Kings could be in good position to acquire a big name like Boozer or Amare Stoudemire. Just remember when he’s traded, you heard it here first.

Devin Harris. Of the players I’ve listed on this post, Harris is probably the least likely to be dealt, however I think he should be traded ASAP. Devin Harris was amazing last year, averaging  21 points and 7 assists per game, while this year he’s back to 15 points and 6 assists per game. He’s had some injury issues this year, but Devin has turned from a player I enjoyed watching and respected, to a player I no longer care for. And it’s simply because his team has 4 wins, and doesn’t seem to care. This guy was a good enough player last year, where he won 10 games on his own. This year, he’s just become an extra reason for the Nets to lose. If the Nets get the first pick in the draft, then he’s definitely gone. But I wouldn’t even wait until then. The reason I love Brook Lopez and CDR are because they look like they’re going to cry after losing each game. They want to win that bad. He has 3 years and $27 million left on his contract after this season, so he’s definitely movable. Supposedly the Lakers have inquired, so if I’m the Nets, I’d take Adam Morrison, Jordan Farmar, and some picks. Both have options to become free agents after the season, freeing up even more space. Again, I doubt the Nets make the deal, but it’s one I would like to see if I was a Nets fan. Fortunately I’m not.

Now you probably see that I left off centered discussions surrounding Tracy McGrady, Carlos Boozer, and Amare Stoudemire, among other prominent trade rumors. And that’s because none of these players being traded would really excite me. Not one of these guys play defense, or have been past the second round of the playoffs. Go Sixers! LeBron.

-G