The NBA offseason for 2014 is coming and that means trade rumors will be starting up once again and names like Carlos Boozer, Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, Jameer Nelson, Arron Afflalo and Chandler Parsons all could be on the move and teams like the LA Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans and Toronto Raptors could get in on the action.
The summer is always a dramatic time for the NBA and this year will be no different, as big names are on the trading block and on the free agent market. Players like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are the top names obviously and teams like the Bulls, Lakers and Knicks will be in the market for them, but past that, players like Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki and Kyle Lowry will also be on the market for teams that miss on the biggest names.
The trade market has Greg Monroe as an option for teams, as Stan Van Gundy has now taken over as president and coach of the Pistons and recent reports say he is on his way out. Monroe is a restricted free agent and the team did not come to an extension with him earlier in the year, opting to stick with Andre Drummond instead and that makes him a target. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers, Bobcats and Pelicans are all interested in Monroe. The Pistons also could look to move Josh Smith and his huge salary after signing him last offseason and that would give the team more flexibility.
Both Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo came up in trade rumors last season with the Magic and they could be options for move this offseason for teams. The Knicks and Lakers could be interested in Afflalo, who had a career best season in 2013-14.
The trade market will also take shape depending on what teams miss on free agents, especially the big names like Anthony and James. The NY Knicks could be active on the market if Anthony leaves for a team like the Chicago Bulls or Lakers, as they could go after someone like Monroe or Kyle Lowry and the team also could end up trading Tyson Chandler or Raymond Felton. Phil Jackson and the Knicks want to keep Anthony, but there is a realistic chance that he will leave as a free agent.
Anthony missed the playoffs for the first time in his career and that didn't help matters and on top of that, the team is in a bit of turmoil after firing Mike Woodson and while that was an expected move, it breeds uncertainty moving forward. Jackson could come down and coach, but that is not looking like an option right now, while Anthony has to weigh his own options as he nears his 30th birthday. Anthony is an elite scorer, but he is not in the same category as a Kevin Durant or LeBron James and that is why he wants to play for a winner. The Bulls and Rockets are expected to make runs at Anthony and with the salary cap expected to rise, there is a chance they could at least compete with the Knicks for a deal.