By Cory Elfrink - Email Cory
Coming into this off-season there are plenty of haves and have-nots. Many GMs are seeking to shake up their rosters and attempt to get under the luxury tax. Here we will break down the teams that own the best and worst trade pieces this off-season
The 9 Worst Collections of Trade Pieces
1. Cleveland Cavaliers Team Salaries
After sparse competition and a couple of miracle performances by LeBron James, the Cavs found themselves in the NBA Finals. After warming up they were quickly brought back to reality.
Everyone knows LBJ needs more help, but where will it come from? No GM wants to touch Hughes (3yrs, $38.5m), Ilgauskus (3 yrs, $32.5m) or Snow (2 yrs, 14.1m) given their expensive deals and mediocre production. What makes it even worse is they are approaching luxury tax levels with only 12 men on the roster and they have no draft picks to add cheap, young talent.
Gooden may draw some interest, but it’s hard to imagine him helping any team more than he could help Cleveland.
2. Indiana Pacers Team Salaries
Troy Murphy (4 yrs, $42.3m), Mike Dunleavy (4 yrsm S37.6m), and Marquis Daniels (3 yrs, $20.7m) all have long high salaried deals and there is no demand for these players. Jermaine O’Neal and Jamal Tinsley are commanding some trade interest, but at $21.4 million and $6.9 million over the next three and four years respectively, both are going to be hard sells.
While Danny Granger is a player most GMs covet, the rest of the roster is irrelevant.
3. Philadelphia 76ers Team Salaries
Simply put, there are no attractive, available players on this roster. Andre Miller cannot be moved after showing the glue he brought to the young 76ers. Even Billy King is not foolish enough to shop Andre Iguodala, who is one of the most exciting young stars in the league.
Samuel Dalembert is the type of player teams would want but he’s owed $43.8 million dollars over the next 4 years.
4. Miami Heat Team Salaries
Pat Riley enters this off-season with eight players coming back next year earning combined salaries approaching the luxury tax threshold. Furthermore, the roster is getting old, the average age is 29, and no one knows for sure if Alonzo Mourning will be back.
Shaquille O’Neal is the biggest enigma of this group. He was not his dominant self last year, and appeared to be out of shape all season. He is due $60 million over the next 3 seasons so many feel he is untradeable. However, I would like to think the Knicks, Lakers, Celtics, and Pistons might be interested. A new city and a new challenge may be exactly what the Diesel needs to strive to be his best.
Antoine Walker had his worst season out of many and he’s due $17.9 million over the next 2 years before his team option kicks in.
Jason Williams is in his last season and Riley would be smart to hold onto him his last season. Because of Alonzo’s indecision, he is not on the market, and I can’t foresee there being much demand for Michael Doleac.
Wade is due $57.7 million over the next 4 seasons and he is obviously the guy to build around. But Wade needs younger, more athletic troops to lead so Riley has to consider all possible trades.
5. Denver Nuggets Team Salaries
This could be one of the most interesting teams this off-season. They don’t have a PG and they have five huge contracts in Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, Nene, and Marcus Camby. Martin sat out almost all of last season after his second micro-fracture knee surgery. To make matters worse, it looks as if he will never again give 100% effort in Denver.
J.R. Smith has a friendly contract and scored more than 15 per game before last season’s all-star break. Since Iverson’s arrival, he is faced with limited opportunities in Denver’s lineup. Also, we certainly cannot forget the baggage of his fatal car wreck which he may face manslaughter charges for.
Linas Kleiza would be attractive to many teams, but George Karl is a big fan and it doesn’t appear he will be shopped.
Could Iverson be back on the block? Who would be interested?
6. New Jersey Nets Team Salaries
The Nets will make a strong offer for Vince Carter, but Carter knows his elusive championship cannot be found in New Jersey. If they don’t bring back Carter, look for Jason Kidd to go up on the market. Kidd had an incredible postseason but it’s still hard to justify paying him $40 million over the next two years. While the Nets should get some good talent back, they will likely have to take on another bad contract as well.
Jason Collins remains one of the most overpaid players at over $6 million per year.
I would imagine there’s a lot of interest in young Nenad Krstic after a coming out against Shaquille two years ago in the playoffs and a strong start to last season before getting hurt. However, the Nets could not afford to move their only contributing big man.
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