Dare You to Move
Most of the players below won't be moved before the Feb. 24 deadline, and only one or two might end up with the Knicks, despite Isiah Thomas' reported interest in every player in the league. Why let that stop us from crafting unlikely trade scenarios?
The Expensive Free Agents: still in or reasonably close to their prime, these players find themselves on the cusp of professional freedom and a robust new contract, forcing their current teams to explore the possibility of cashing them in now rather than risk them walking for free.
Antoine Walker Many believe the Hawks acquired Walker for the express purpose of trading him at the deadline, expiring contracts being the NBA equivalent of free beer. If that's the case, they've positioned themselves for a nice windfall, given that Walker, in addition to his attractive contract, has the added bonus of actually being a really good player. Atlanta will likely take the best offer available, unless they see shinier deals available in a sign-and-trade this summer.
Zydrunas Ilgauskus Welcome, incoming Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, here's item number one on your agenda: a 30-year-old one-time All-Star with a history of foot problems who isn't now, and won't ever be again, your team's best player. He averages about one rebound per foot of his lumbering 7'3" frame, and he'd like $60 million or so over the next 5 years. Oh, and the 20-year-old you invested half a billion in thinks you should keep the big guy around, and he's only three years removed from free agency himself, so you might want to keep him appeased. So, what's the word, boss?
Michael Redd Redd is playing his upcoming free agency for all its teasing potential, telling Milwaukee he just loves being a Buck while offering suggestive quotes about his ties to Cleveland. Hey, how's the last hometown hero who joined the Cavs doing? Milwaukee has shown a masochistic tendency to panic and trade players they think they don't deserve - they broke up with Ray Allen before he could leave them - and they may let that sabotage their relationship with Redd as well.
The Old, and Soon to Expire: these are curmudgeons whose contracts are up after this season, making them appealing to teams seeking financial relief or no-strings playoff flings.
Gary Payton The cranky old point guard salvaged a terse marriage of convenience with the Celtics this year, but neither player nor team wishes it to continue past this summer. Payton's family remains on the West Coast, and he would love to rejoin them, and in all likelihood will when he becomes a free agent. That leaves Boston in the position of losing Payton - and Chris Mihm and Chucky Atkins, the primary players they sent to L.A. to acquire him - without long-term compensation. Payton's reputation, and trade value, will never recover from his embarrassing year with the Lakers, but teams like Minnesota and Sacramento might be interested in a veteran with Finals experience, especially since they'll have no financial obligation to him past the end of the playoffs. Boston will not be winning anything this year, and a first-round pick or a decent youngster might be enough to rent the Glove's services.
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