With the 2015-2016 season beginning and many teams already played nine to ten games, we will look at what players could start to see their names appear on the trade block sooner rather than later. Although trades this early on in the season are rare, we should expect the unexpected when it comes to a few of these teams.
Kevin Martin: Of all the candidates listed, Kevin Martin is the most likely to be moved. Martin is averaging 17.7 points per game, while shooting 43.5% from the field, and 28.6% from three. Although Martin is shooting below his career average from three(38.5%), he will still have value to a contender looking for a veteran shooter to boost their playoff or championship aspirations. Martin will still have another year on his deal after this season, so this can be looked at either as a positive or negative. Compared to what most wings are getting in free agency now, Martin can be seen as a cheap addition, but they have to bank on his three point shooting returning to form. Teams like Memphis, Utah, and Charlotte could all look to add another shooter for their playoff hopes. Memphis is the most desperate of those teams, as their lack of ability to stretch the floor will likely cost another another chance at a championship. WIth the Timberwolves in rebuilding mode, and Martin taking minutes from LaVine, Minnesota might let Martin go for cheap just to focus on their younger core.
Jerryd Bayless: With the early injury to Michael Carter-Williams, Bayless has been a good asset for the Milwaukee Bucks. Bayless, playing as a combo guard, is averaging 12.1 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, while shooting 42.7% from the field, and 47.4% from three. Milwaukee is struggling early on, as they cannot defend as well as they did last season. Many fans are fine with another .500 season or worse, as last season was such a surprise, just as long as Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo are being developed. Bayless is in the last year of his deal, and with his salary being at only $3 million he would be a cheap addition for a team looking for some assurance a the guard positions. Divisional foes, Chicago and Indiana could be interested in Bayless, as both teams could look to add a veteran scorer, who can stretch the floor. Chicago has the only team built capable of beating Cleveland in the Eastern Conference. Adding Bayless would add yet another weapon to combat the bench of Cleveland, led by Mo Williams. Milwaukee would not likely demand much for the veteran guard, probably just a future draft pick.
Ryan Anderson: Stretch-fours are always in demand. This offseason, Anderson got into great shape, and that is appearing on the court. Anderson is averaging 17.0 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.2% from the field, and 36.4% from three. Anderson has always been injury prone, but with New Orleans struggling early, they could look to part with the old core, in order to build around Anthony Davis in a better way. Almost any team could use an addition like Anderson, but I think the three teams in most dire need of his skill set are Indiana and Utah. Indiana was already battling depth issues with their bigs, but with the recent injury to Myles Turner(expected to be sidelined at least four weeks), Indiana could be looking to add a veteran big to boost their scoring and depth at the position. Anderson would provide the third or fourth scoring option, Indiana desperately needs to remain competitive in the early stages of the season. Due to his success this season, Anderson might not be a cheap addition, but a young player and draft pick should be able to get the deal done.
Darren Collison: Although Collison is a good sixth man for the Sacramento Kings, they once again do not look to be going anywhere in the Western Conference. Rumors are swirling of George Karl being on the hot seat already, after his recent clash with DeMarcus Cousins. Collison has missed a few games due to injury, but should be back in the lineup by the end of this week. He’s averaging 15.8 points per game and 5.2 assists per game. With the Rondo experiment not yet blowing up, and him posting two triple doubles early on, Sacramento could look to keep him long-term and use Collison to trade for more assets. Collison could be used by a few playoff contenders looking to boost their bench. A return to Dallas could be the best match-up of any teams, as Dallas could use another scorer. Although Dallas does not have much to offer in a trade, a future draft pick could land Collison. With Collison on their roster, Dallas would have to worry less about Deron WIlliam’s health, and have already played in the system, the transition should go a little more smoothly for Collison.
By: Mac Crowe, @Mac_Truck17
NBA Source Today 