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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.

MaliceAtThePalace 03-09-2012 01:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.201 (total posts: 1)

Stephen Jackson is a phenomenal teammate. Just ask Ron Artest back in '04.

Sean Shearier 03-09-2012 12:27 am xxx.xxx.xxx.117 (total posts: 1)

133

great site lots of information. Please check out www.walloffamesports.com

Mike again 12-25-2011 02:01 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2)

Lakers got Mavs first rounder this year for odom

mike 12-25-2011 01:56 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 2)

you still have the clippers owning the twolves pick

Joe 12-23-2011 11:05 am xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1)

Walt, I dont think you understand what the Amnesty Clause does. The contract doesnt count against the payroll, but you still have to pay the player. You dont just get out of the contract for free. There was no point in using it on Rashard Lewis, because he can still at least play. Even if you are paying him a ton of money, he can still give you decent minutes. Plus, next year, he is a huge expiring that can be used as a trade chip.

Pete 12-23-2011 01:45 am xxx.xxx.xxx.167 (total posts: 1)

Dude Wizards don't amnesty Lewis because if they did, they would be significantly below the salary cap floor imposed on teams, forcing them to spend a bunch of money on an extremely weak free agent class. Makes sense that they wouldn't amnesty him because of that.

Walter 12-23-2011 12:11 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

142

Ugh, what page is that on? Editing at 3 am apparently isn't a good idea.

Oh, and I'm always up this late during football season. My Russian gypsy neighbors are surprisingly quiet.

Peter 12-22-2011 04:25 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.62 (total posts: 1)

Walter - Aren't you an English major? Or should I say, Engrish major?

"However, if Davis plays with a chip on his shoulder, he provides the Knicks with a much-needed veteran experience in the backcourt, and unlike Mike Bibby, can still productive in the downside of his career."

All kidding aside, you're doing a great job with this website.

BTW, what are you doing up at 2:55 AM? Are the Russians keeping you up? Or are you trying to spy on the hot neighbor next door?

Walter 12-22-2011 02:55 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 10)

Sorry about that. It was my fault (editing error). I posted the wrong logo. It's fixed.

Fitz 12-20-2011 08:03 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2)

Dude can you please correct that Davis for Bass trade. Bass plays for Orlando, not Dallas. It is the most annoying thing seeing that big of a mistake on an otherwise good website

Fitz 12-19-2011 02:58 am xxx.xxx.xxx.242 (total posts: 2)

Bass plays for Orlando. Therefore Glen Davis is going to Orlando. Can you please correct this already

Bro 12-16-2011 10:44 pm xxx.xxx.xxx0.89 (total posts: 1)

The Pistons bought out Rip Hamilton's contract so they could still use their amnesty on Ben Gordon. I was hoping that the Pistons wouldnt resign Tayshaun Prince so we could land the first pick of the draft and get a stud to join our young core of Greg Monroe, Austin Daye and Brandon Knight. But, the Pistons are stupid so they will rely on bums like Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon to win us out of a good draft pick and stay mediocre.

Also... 12-16-2011 11:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

The Pistons bought out Rip's contract, and didn't use their amnesty clause yet. God willing, Ben Gordon is next to go.

What an idiot 12-16-2011 11:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx6.44 (total posts: 4)

Way to keep on your trades, Paul and Dave!

Brandon Bass has been with the Magic for awhile now, kinda shocking Walt would let someone so in-ept write for his site.

rossfelhofer 12-16-2011 01:16 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.43 (total posts: 1)

the clippers are not done in free agency yet, they are going to have to sign another big man

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