7 NBA Players Who Should Get Traded This Season

Image via Getty/Jason Miller

With Bradley Beal's recent extension in Washington, Kevin Love is probably the biggest name expected to be dealt this season. Both the Cavs and Love are saying they don't want to make a move, but let's be honest, this is probably going to happen. The Cavs are in the middle of a rebuild and Love could help a contender. The Cavs will likely hold out until they get the best deal possible, but it would be shocking if he's not moved by the deadline. Portland comes to mind as a clear fit, but the Cavs would likely love (no pun intended) for a market to develop for the All-Star forward. 

This might be an overreaction, but after watching the Pelicans first game of the season, I'm not sure how much Lonzo Ball is in the team's plans. He only played 25 minutes and barely got any run in the second half of the game before coming back in for overtime. Ball is still under contract for two more seasons, which should help set a market for the young PG. With a number of guards on the roster, it looks as though Ball and the Pelicans might be better off going in different directions. 

Yes, we know that Chris Paul's contract might be seen as unreadable, but we just don't see him lasting the entire season in Oklahoma City. And with Bradley Beal off the market, a team like the Miami Heat make a lot of sense for a destination for Paul, who was traded for Russell Westbrook over the summer. If CP3 comes out and starts the season on a good note, the trade rumors will only intensify up until the deadline. 

The Detroit Pistons have playoff aspirations this season but if things go left, would anyone be shocked if they dangle Griffin in trade talks? With the NBA pretty wide open, a contender could look to Griffin as their missing piece and make a big splash. Could the Miami Heat look to pair Griffin and Jimmy Butler? Could be an interesting move. 

The Spurs make the playoffs every single year, but could this year be the season they don't? Say things fizzle out, would they consider moving DeMar? While DeRozan is far from a perfect player, he could certainly help a contender get over the hump. Would be interesting to see what Pop and company might be able to get for the former All-Star. 

Two things stuck out to me last night watching the Raptors kick off their NBA championship defense against the Pelicans. First was that Kyle Lowry is forever a king in Toronto. That man went through some shit and came out the other side a champion and those fans will love him forever. Second is that he might be the second best PG on the team after FVV. Yes, Lowry just signed an extension, but that actually makes him more valuable in a trade because a team wouldn't just be taking him on as a rental. If things start to go sour up North, it would be very interesting to see if the Raptors move Lowry. 

We started this list with a Cleveland Cavalier and we're ending it with one. Tristan Thompson is currently in the final year of his contract, which means the Cavs will likely look to move him at some point this season. It's unclear what the market would be for TT, but his reboudning alone would help a contender in the playoffs.