The NBA season has already seen its first big trade with Derrick Williams moving from the Timberwolves to the Kings and heading into December, a number of players are generating some early trading block buzz, including names like Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Carlos Boozer, Kenneth Faried, DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Luol Deng, Omer Asik, Rodney Stuckey and Jimmer Fredette.
Deals likely will take some time to form as the trading deadline gets closer in February, but all those players and some others like Zach Randolph and Greg Monroe could be on the move for teams looking to make an addition mid-season. Asik is almost guaranteed to be traded with the way the Rockets have used him with Dwight Howard, while LaMarcus Aldridge likely will be off the block with the way the Blazers have started the season. Portland was expecting to contend for a playoff spot, but they never expected to be one of the top teams in the west and the NBA and that could make them buyers at the deadline rather than sellers.
The Raptors are an interesting team to look at, as they are not playing well but are in first place in their division and that could change the plans for general manager Masai Ujiri. This season many expect the team to shop Rudy Gay as well as DeMar DeRozan and depending on how things shake out into January, which could be off the table. Gay looks like he will be dealt due to his high salary and the fact that Ujiri came in after the deal, but that could change.
Rajon Rondo is a name that will stay in the conversation until the deadline passes no matter what the Celtics say, as they have had offers and rumors about Rondo, but so far nothing concrete from Danny Ainge and company. The team can't afford to look like they are just going to give up on the season and with names like Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace on the roster, those are players that could be traded along with Rondo. Iman Shumpert was mentioned by the Knicks as a potential deal for Rondo, but that was laughed off.
Speaking of Shumpert, the Knicks and the Nuggets had initial discussions regarding the young star, with Kenneth Faried possibly coming on the other side. Denver reportedly shopped Faried over the summer and while the two sides did not come to an agreement here, it's clear that both players are on the block and with the way the Knicks are playing, trading someone might be the only move for them to make.
Omer Asik has two years left on his deal, but he wants out of Houston and a number of teams could use his services, but the Rockets do not want to just give him up. Reports have Asik being shopped for two first round picks and that may push any deal for the center into February. Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng are names from the Bulls that could get moved and Jimmer Fredette has remained on the trading block since the summer and even more so since the Kings did not pick up his contract option. Will these guys get moved? Only time will tell.
