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2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout

The NBA Lockout has frozen everything exciting about the offseason; no trades, no free agency, no "The Decisions." And depending on what is negotiated by the owners and players in a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the rules of free agency and trades could forever be altered; especially if a discussed hard salary cap is in fact instated.

Once the lockout does end, there should be a plethora of moves both in free agency and via trades as teams will likely have to scramble to fill out their rosters before the season begins. Here is a look at the five players most likely to be traded whenever the lockout does come to an end.

Chris Paul:
With David West and Aaron Gray opting out of their contracts prior to the NBA lockout, the Hornets now only have six players on the roster for next season and that includes restricted free agent Marco Belinelli. With the salary cap expected to drop, the Hornets figure to have little flexibility in free agency to surround Chris Paul with better talent and convince Paul to re-sign.

I think the Hornets' best play is to follow suit with what the Nuggets did this past season. Denver traded Carmelo Anthony and obtained some solid pieces in return rather than risk losing him via free agency and getting nothing in return. If Paul does not commit to an extension, New Orleans needs to deal Paul in hopes of adding depth, youth, future cap space and draft picks to help with the re-building process. Also expect them to shop Emeka Okafor as well, possibly involving him in any deal with Paul since Okafor is scheduled to make more than $40 million the next three seasons.

Michael Beasley/Anthony Randolph:
By drafting Derrick Williams with the second pick in 2011 NBA Draft, the Timberwolves created a logjam at the forward spot. As a result, Michael Beasley and/or Anthony Randolph will likely be dealt once the lockout is resolved. Neither play has great trade value, but Minnesota should be able to land a role player and possibly a second-round pick in return. If I were general manager David Kahn (and thank goodness I'm not), I would try to package the pair together, possibly with another player in hopes pulling off a 3-for-1 type deal and adding a young veteran who could become the starting shooting guard or center.

Chris Kaman:
Assuming the Clippers re-sign restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, they will have the luxury of carrying two capable starting centers on their roster. With Chris Kaman in the final year of his contract and unlikely to sign an extension, they should actively look to trade him with the hope of landing a starting small forward in return. A Kaman for Andre Iguodala rumor has been floated out there, and with several teams searching for a starting center, Los Angeles should be able to move Kaman.

Ramon Sessions:
With Kyrie Irving the future of the franchise, the Cavaliers will look to deal one of their veteran point guards. Since Baron Davis has an ugly contract with two years at about $27.7 million remaining, he is unlikely to be dealt. Sessions will be more desirable since his contract is relatively affordable seeing that he is only due $8.75 million over the next two seasons. He would be a solid option for a team in need of a backup point guard and the Cavs should search for an upgrade on the wing with any potential trade partner.

SunsFan 07-06-2012 02:18 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.183 (total posts: 1)

Why the MOTHERF U C KING LAKERS!!!!!NASH WHY!!!!

CJ 07-05-2012 07:11 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

Again Banks is clueless, claiming Eric Gordon has already re-signed with New Orleans.

Also the 'Clippers' weren't involved in the Marvin Williams/Devin Harris trade. Does this guy even proof read anything he writes?

Atrocious.

abe 07-05-2012 08:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.87 (total posts: 1)

walt eric gordon is signing with the suns not the hornets

Ben Wallace 07-04-2012 06:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.153 (total posts: 1)

To be totally honest, Henson and Zeller wouldn't be any better than Meyers Leonard. They are all going to bust.

C-3PO 07-04-2012 05:27 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.234 (total posts: 1)

Eric Gordon signed an offer sheet with the Suns dumb @ss, New Orleans has yet to match that offer, so he didn't resign like you said.

Geiger 07-03-2012 07:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.66 (total posts: 2)

The Nets are not out of the running for Dwight and are offering a package of Humphris, Lopez and Brooks with draft picks..Its sad to even hear the Nets entertain that idea, but it very well could happen.

A team to look out for is the Lakers..an offer of Bynum, Artest and the Odom exception for Howard and Turkaglus monster contract is a win-win for both teams.

Geiger 07-03-2012 07:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx3.66 (total posts: 2)

@CJ 07-03-2012 04:33 am xxx.xxx.xxx.104 (total posts: 1)

121

So basically you're asking Walt to fire one "clueless" dumbass for another? lol Whats the point?

Rise Above

CJ 06-30-2012 04:54 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

213

107

Paul Banks, yet again showing how clueless he is. Almost every other draft analyst has the Rockets' with a positive ranking. This clown does understand that the Rockets are likely to make trades, with all the assets they've compiled?

I agree that Meyers Leonard is probably going to be a bust, but you can't call Portland a 'loser' for stealing the 6th pick from the Nets.

How about a 'loser' ranking for the Cavs for reaching so much for Dion Waiters? Or trading all their other picks for another likely bust in Tyler Zeller? But Banks has a 'man crush' (not that there's anything wrong with that) on Waiters, so he'd never mark the Cavs down.

Fire this guy Walt, I'll work for free!

Ben 06-25-2012 09:00 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.254 (total posts: 1)

So....Henson is overrated because he has trouble keeping and putting on weight and strength. And you stated that size and strength is everything in the nba for a big. But....isn't Davis just as if not more lanky and undersized than Henson....? And Henson is only one year older and both have similar wingspans? Just a thought..

@Live 06-22-2012 10:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.15 (total posts: 1)

You are an idiot, you apparently don't know how basketball trades work, its all about salary dumping. IN the NBA you are either rebuilding, championship contender, or youar e going to stay consistently medicore. They were never going ot win a championship with Okafor and Ariza taking up that much money on their books.

Live 06-22-2012 04:28 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.80 (total posts: 1)

Washington - B
Hornets - Big fat F

Sure the Hornets is going to waive Lewis and relieve cap space to sign Gordon to a longer deal and draft Anthony Davis but so what! They let go a great defensive guy that can hit 3s here and there. They got NOTHING in return for Ariza and Okafor but a 2nd rounder. I didn't like what the Hornets got in return and it was a bad deal IMO.

Vince 06-19-2012 04:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx3.99 (total posts: 1)

It was a play on words, not a pun. More importantly, know who else couldn't bench press 185 pounds at the NBA Combine? This one player called Kevin Durant.

Ben 04-15-2012 09:06 pm xxx.xxx.xxx7.65 (total posts: 1)

I like how only one of these players actually got traded

Omar 03-23-2012 04:20 pm xxx.xxx.xxx6.60 (total posts: 1)

its a good thing i was wearing sartight white with built in neon when i went to the Super bowl. they almost didnt let me on the field:) and on a side note.. i feel bad for Slash:/

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2011 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

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