Today we gather here to present some quality trading options for all 30 teams this offseason. I'm only listing the players that could really use a change of scenery due to not getting playing time or being on rebuilding teams or whatsoever. Of course, there are plenty more players worth trading, and not every team has a player they absolutely need to trade, but this list (along with a previous Eastern Conference one) should highlight several players who could benefit immensely from a trade and could become real contributors for their new teams if dealt this offseason.
Enjoy!
GUARDS
Devonte Graham (San Antonio Spurs)
Like many other ball hogging scoring guards, Devonte Graham showed this year he can post big numbers, even if not efficient ones. At age 26 and becoming a RFA, he topped 30 PPG in his fourth season in the league, but only posted a 50.5% True Shooting. But, unlike players like Terry Rozier, Graham seems to be able to shoot slightly better and also has a solid 3pt stroke. His role on a better team should definitely change, but there is room for a young combo guard with good scoring skills in a better team than the Spurs, who are in complete rebuilding mode.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves)
One of the most intriguing upcoming free agents in the following offseason, NAW is the kind of high risk, high reward player that non-star teams should be all over. If it hits, he would become a deadly scorer. If it misses, he’s far too inefficient to being handled the keys to an offense. Minny aren’t playing him now, which signals they either don’t want him back or are trying not to attract attention towards his UFA. But they certainly should be willing to entertain S&T talks instead of risking losing him for nothing, and he at least has the potentials of being a true game changer for any team if it works out.
Elie Okobo (Utah Jazz)
One of 3 players from the Jazz to feature in this list, Okobo got paid over 8M by Kevin in the offseason to play a total of around 215 minutes this season. He clearly has more talent than that and could help a team in need of scoring and shooting. Given Utah’s financial struggles and other perimeter options, Okobo could be dealt for very cheap. Worth a flier for teams looking to develop some talent on a rebuild (only 25 years old) or retool (already fully develop and ready to contribute).
Hamidou Diallo (Portland Trailblazers)
Everyone knows how attached Tim is to his projects, and Diallo is a successful one. He came in as an inefficient player who couldn’t find court time on Utah and Sacramento and developed into a 18 PPG scorer on 47% FG. However, Portland lacks a PF badly and is in play for some strong backcourt talent in next draft, which could lead them into moving Diallo for a starting caliber big.
WINGS
Joe Ingles (Houston Rockets)
What was thought to be a perfect marriage ended up becoming a real mess. Ingles’ season struggles carried on to the Rockets after bad stings with Phoenix and Washington earlier this year. Given Houston’s lack of flexibility and need for depth, IF any contender believes on Joe finding his shot and remaining an elite man defender, a sign and trade for multiple pieces of lesser individual quality could be on play this summer.
Daniel Hamilton (Utah Jazz)
The versatile wing who can legit play 1-4 on both sides of the court has been at Utah for a long time already. After experiencing some success with solid playoff trips, they have become a dysfunctional team with no synergy and too many offensive initiators. Hamilton could land Utah a pretty good haul on a S&T and help it balance a very talented yet underachieving roster.
BIGS
PJ Washington
Acquired on the deadline deal that sent Khadeem Allen to Denver, Washington hasn’t found consistent playing time with the Nuggets. He’s a solid, relatively young big who can help teams in need of rebounding, while providing adequate D and efficient shooting. If Denver is not playing him, it shouldn’t be opposed to moving his 8M salary for cap relief. This is a low risk, high reward player for teams in need of a rotation big.
Dragan Bender (Utah Jazz)
Is Bender a big wing or a stretch big? Whatever he is, he’s got a lot of talent. But on a team full of offensive options like Utah (Hamilton, Mitchell, Simmons, Wilson, just to name a few), he doesn’t get to be the point forward he can be. Utah is pretty disfuncional right now and Bender surely is one of a few trade candidates for them.
Donta Hall (Sacramento Kings)
The Kings have their starting PF for the next decade in MPJ. Grant Williams has emerged as a top bench option for him. And Bol Bol’s elite defense and shotblocking are too important for their system. That means Hall, a former 7th pick entering his 4th season will again have very few opportunities to shine. Maybe someone will give him a try if the price is cheap enough.
Henry Ellerson (Phoenix Suns)
The idea of having Ellerson playing off Shaq and Taylor was probably a good one. With Tatum now on board, not so much. Phoenix should bring in tough D, shooting and rebounding around Tatum, and Ellerson isn’t particularly great at any of those. He can board and D some, but what he does best is to score in efficient ways, and a change of scenery with more available shots could have him blossom offensively once again.
Zhou Qi (Phoenix Suns)
Qi is an elite rim protector and can rebound some as well. That said, he has some trouble staying on the court and is an average rebounder at best for a starting level C. Phoenix shouldn’t be thrilled to paying Qi 10M per year if they aren’t planning on using him next to Tatum to bring in more defense, and so far Lawson has been the choice at C.
