Originally Posted by Chad Ford

With the trade deadline just a little over a month away, GMs and league executives are reporting a high volume of trade calls. ...

After talking with teams throughout the league, here's a look at 10 impact players who could be changing uniforms by the Feb. 21 deadline.

Impact Players Most Likely To Be Moved (Ranked from most likely to least likely to be traded)


1. Josh Smith, F, Hawks
Smith has been on the trade block for several years, but the Hawks always pull back at the last second. Once again Smith is the talk of the NBA after he was thrown out of practice Tuesday and suspended for Wednesday's game against Brooklyn. His agent says Smith is frustrated, but hasn't demanded a trade.

The Hawks have been fielding calls, but have been reluctant to trade him because they believe Smith's presence in Atlanta could be a powerful lure for Dwight Howard this summer. But with Howard's situation up in the air, the time seems right for the Hawks and Smith to move on. Dallas, Houston, Boston, Milwaukee, Toronto and the Lakers are all potential suitors. The biggest question is: What is the price tag for a mercurial forward who is entering his prime and will be a free agent this summer?

5. Marcin Gortat, C, Suns
The Suns are a mess and there's no clear way to fix this team right now. They parted ways with coach Alvin Gentry on Friday, but Gentry wasn't the person who put together this mismatch of assets, and it's highly doubtful any coach is going to make a major turnaround. The Suns are going to need to make some trades. The truth is there aren't a lot of players on their roster with a ton of trade value.

Gortat may be the exception. Teams are always looking for tough, productive big men. If the Suns decide to blow things up and try to collect young assets, I think they can get a draft pick and a young prospect in return for Gortat. Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta are all on speed dial.

8. Eric Bledsoe, PG, Clippers
The Clippers don't want to trade Bledsoe. Not only has he been a terrific sparkplug off the bench for them, he's also been valuable insurance for those occasions when Chris Paul is out with injury. Furthermore, Bledsoe is even better insurance should Paul decide to bolt for another team this summer when he hits free agency.

The problem is there is almost no chance that Bledsoe is wearing a Clippers uniform next year. A restricted free agent in the summer of 2014, he will get a major offer from a team under the cap and the Clippers already know they won't be able to afford to match it. With so many teams coveting Bledsoe, the Clippers could get some terrific assets in return -- either now or this summer. But with his stock probably as high as it's ever going to be, now may be the time to make a deal. It's a very tough call, but a number of GMs I spoke with are convinced that at the end of the day the Clippers will try to get some value in return for him before the deadline.


9. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kings
Several GMs have told me that their calls to the Kings about Cousins' availability are being rebuffed. With the team currently for sale, it makes sense that president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie's hands are tied, even if he wants to trade Cousins.

The reason he's on the list is because Cousins seems like he's one more incident away from forcing a trade. Given his background and desire for a new team, that's not out of the question. There are a lot of teams, including the Mavs, Rockets, Celtics and Suns, ready to help take Cousins off the Kings' hands.


10. Rajon Rondo, PG, Celtics
Rondo actually sat atop our trade list last year and ended up going nowhere. President of basketball operations Danny Ainge has been out front this year claiming it doesn't make sense to move Rondo or any of the other Celtics veterans. They're going for a championship. Fair enough. Other GMs around the league report the Celtics are looking to shore up their team with a veteran big man.

However, I'm also hearing that Ainge has been quietly exploring other options should his quest to strengthen his team fail. If a team offers significant young assets for Rondo or Paul Pierce, this might be the year the Celtics finally blow things up.

Originally Posted by Bogg

Unless Atlanta wants to give up Horford and Teague for a package built around Rondo in order to keep Josh Smith happy go all-in on the Dwight Howard chase, I don't see a good trade that sends out Rondo and helps Boston right now. I'd love to undo the mistake that was trading for Jeff Green, but he's got negative value right now and it's not worth giving him away just to get rid of his cap figure. Unless Memphis or LA wants to move Rudy Gay or Pau for a package based around some mixture of Green, Bass, Lee, and/or possibly Terry he's probably here for the long haul as well.

Originally Posted by Bogg

I want to believe that the Clippers are saving Bledsoe to trade for a borderline all-star swingman this summer. Healthy Danny Granger immediately springs to mind, and Paul Pierce would be a perfect fit if they're trying to win now(although you'd have to route either Bledsoe or Rondo to a third team).

Originally Posted by Bogg

I want to believe that the Clippers are saving Bledsoe to trade for a borderline all-star swingman this summer. Healthy Danny Granger immediately springs to mind, and Paul Pierce would be a perfect fit if they're trying to win now(although you'd have to route either Bledsoe or Rondo to a third team).

Originally Posted by R-Star

If I'm Indy I'm not trading Granger for Bledsoe. Indy needs a starting quality SG, not another point guard.

Originally Posted by E.H. Munro

The Clippers really don't have the salary pieces to make that deal. Their anchor contracts are all vital and their mid range deals are not easily movable without materially damaging their title chances. They will need to move Bledsoe for someone making rookie scale, I believe.

Originally Posted by Diable

They really aren't under pressure, because he's still going to be an RFA and the chances are that they work something out with anyone who wants to overpay him.

Originally Posted by Bogg

Trade Granger for Bledsoe and pieces. Sign Tony Allen to go with George, West, and Hibbert. Play ALL the defense.



Granger's a $14 million expiring next year. Caron Butler's expiring contract and Bledsoe get you up over $10.5 million and at that point it's just a matter of adding some salary filler.


EDIT:



Bledsoe has one more year on his rookie contract. They have some time to figure out the right deal.

Originally Posted by R-Star

I don't know. The Pacers struggle enough on offense without plugging Tony Allen into the starting lineup. Plus George Hill while not an allstar is playing very good basketball and fits the team perfectly.

The only reason anyone wants to consider moving Granger is because he pushes George back to the 2 and no ones sure how that will affect his game.

If we were to trade him I'd like to do it for a slashing guard who plays closer to the rim like DeRozan. Would compliment Georges game nicely in my mind.

Originally Posted by Bogg

Yea, offense would be a problem. I was just looking at guys that make sense for the Clippers, you can always send Bledsoe to a third team to get a competent two-guard.

Originally Posted by Luke

If I was Indy I would swap granger for a really good point guard or shooting guard at this point. PG looks like the real deal


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Originally Posted by R-Star

I used to want a great pass first point in Indy, but in reality its just not how the team plays. They set up at the top of the 3 point line and pass the ball around looking for the best chance on offense. They don't really allow the point guard to set up plays or spend time searching for an opening. What they need there is a point who is a good scorer but doesn't demand the ball or take a ton of shots, who can play a complimentary role, so George Hill fits the role perfectly.

Really good shooting guard I agree with. If you trade Granger that still leaves Lance Stephenson in the lineup. Ideally you'd want a guy who is a quality scorer but also a great defender, that way George can try to clamp down on Lebron, and your shooting guard makes sure Wade doesn't pick up the slack. Aren't very many of those types of players out there though.