Best Options on the NBA Trade Block
Hey guys, glad to be back on my regular schedule. With the NBA trade deadline coming up, I am going to be writing a few pieces in the coming weeks of what I think will happen. Today I will be focusing on the best options that will be available at the deadline. Here are some honorable mentions to start off.
Honorable Mentions: Marco Belinelli, Nicolas Batum, Zach Randolph, Derrick Favors, and Tyson Chandler
10 Kent Bazemore- Atlanta is the worst team in basketball so it’s safe to say they’re going to be selling off. Bazemore is one of their better assets. He’s a solid scorer and shooter who can also pass a little. But issue with him is that he’s owed 48 million over the next 3 seasons.
9 Jordan Clarkson- With the Lakers pretty much out of the playoff picture, their goal for the rest of the season is clearing up cap room for free agency this summer. While Clarkson is a solid young player, he isn’t part of the Laker’s future. Clarkson is a combo guard who could add a lot of depth to a contending team if he’s traded.
8 Nerlens Noel- Noel has fallen out of favor with his second team as he’s become a reserve player. Considering that he’s in the final year of his contract, Noel is a player that has “low risk, high reward” potential. While his offense still isn’t there, he’s still an elite shot blocker and low post defender. Plus if it doesn’t work out, he can just walk out the door.
7 Bobby Portis- The Bulls have a log jam in the frontcourt and of course are trying to lose a few more games. Bobby Portis should be on the block as he could add a lot of depth to a true contender. Portis does struggle on defense but is still a very capable scorer and rebounder.
6 George Hill- After signing a big deal in the offseason, Hill has been a bit of disappointment in Sacramento. Despite that, Hill is still a valuable trade chip because of his veteran leadership. He could be a good fit with Nuggets if the Kings want to trade him.
5 Julius Randle- I am a big fan of Julius Randle but it looks like his days are numbered with the Lakers. Kyle Kuzma has surpassed him on the depth chart and it doesn’t appear that the Lakers want to pay Randle. He could a valuable chip because he could help a contending team now and for many years to come as he’s only 23.
4 Evan Fournier- With the Magic in competition for the worst record in the league, it’s safe to say they are selling off. Evan Fournier is their most valuable asset that they would be willing to trade. He would bring a decent haul back as Fournier is under contract and is a fantastic shooter.
3 Tyreke Evans- Evans is coming back from dead with a very good season in Memphis. Not only does he look like he with the Kings, he looks better with his improved shooting. Considering he’s only under contract till the end of the year and only making 3 million dollars, there will be a lot of contenders after him.
2 Nikola Mirotic- Mirotic is in the same situation as Bobby Portis as the Bulls have a log jam in the frontcourt. The reason why I have Mirotic than Portis is because of his scoring. He’s scoring a career high 17.3 points per game and is shooting 45% from beyond the arch. With a reasonable contract, teams will be after Mirotic.
1 Marc Gasol- While there are no true superstars on the block, Marc Gasol is the closest thing to it. With Memphis at the bottom of the league, it looks like it may be time to move on from the face of the franchise. Despite his age, Gasol is still a top 30 player in the league and could change the tide on the race for the Finals.
Written By: Steven Santoro (SVS_1993)
