It is that time of the year that trade rumors tend to fly around. December 15 is the first day clubs can trade players who were signed this off-season, which helps fuel some of the trade rumors. Contenders try to improve their shot at winning and bad teams try to sell off pieces to acquire young players and draft picks. Let us take a look at players who are on the NBA trade market.
A Look At Players On The NBA Trade Market
John Wall and Bradley Beal
Ever since the 2016-17 season, things have been rolling downhill for the Washington Wizards. Intent on building a contender around John Wall and Bradley Beal, they gave a big contract to Otto Porter in the 2017 off-season. After that, they signed big man Dwight Howard. All this adds up to a poor 11-17 start to this season. As a result of the current situation, Wall or Beal may be available on the trade market.
Trevor Ariza
The Phoenix Suns have Trevor Ariza on a one-year deal worth $15 million. They currently sport the worst record in the NBA at 4-24. This being the case, keeping Ariza around does not serve any purpose moving forward. The trending rumor has Ariza going to the Los Angeles Lakers. As per Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are trying to find a third team to take on the contract of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Meanwhile, the Suns are looking to come away with a young player and a draft pick from any trade involving Ariza.
Sources: Lakers trying to acquire Suns forward Trevor Ariza in a three-team deal. https://t.co/EzgOxFem60
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 10, 2018
J.R. Smith
On November 20, an article came out saying J.R. Smith believes the Cleveland Cavaliers are tanking. Since then Smith has not played at all. The former Sixth Man of the Year has a contract that pays him $14.7 million this season. However, it is only partially guaranteed for next year.
Marc Stein has reported the Houston Rockets are interested in Smith. Houston is struggling to find wing defenders to replace Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute and would take a flyer on Smith.
Damyean Dotson
The Detroit Pistons have built a team around Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, but have had poor and inconsistent guard play all year. Luke Kennard is shooting 46 percent from the field and the next highest percentage from a guard is Ish Smiths 41 percent. According to Stefan Bondy, the Pistons have targeted Damyean Dotson. He is currently averaging 11.1 PPG and 4.1 RPG while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three.
Markelle Fultz
The former first pick of the 2017 draft has fallen out of favor with the Philadelphia 76ers organization. There seems to be no room for Fultz on this team and in order to succeed, he needs a new home. The Suns are a logical destination for Fultz because they have no decent point guards. However, reports are they have no interest in bringing Fultz aboard.
Darren Collison or Cory Joseph
Both Darren Collison and Cory Joseph will be free agents at the end of the year. Joseph plays 26 minutes a game while Collison plays 28 minutes a game. Neither are game changers and moving one of them will open up playing time for rookie Aaron Holiday. Both Joseph and Collison can be productive bench players down the stretch for a good team that lacks depth.
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