By: Stephen Patterson
Prince has clearly been unhappy with how things have unfolded this season with the Detroit Pistons, especially with the treatment and benching of teammate and good friend Rip Hamilton. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Prince and/or Hamilton end up on a different team before the deadline passes. While Prince clearly isn't the lockdown defender he once was, he is still one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball in the NBA.
8. Shane Battier, Houston Rockets
2010-11 Stats: 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.6 APG
Battier has never been known for putting up eye-popping numbers on a nightly basis, however, he brings a decent amount of everything to his game. Even as he approaches the later stages of his career, Battier still isn't afraid to get dirty and fight for the ball when he is needed. He also is fair from a slouch on defense. Any contending team would be better off for adding Battier to their roster to make a run at the postseason.
7. Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns
Battier has never been known for putting up eye-popping numbers on a nightly basis, however, he brings a decent amount of everything to his game. Even as he approaches the later stages of his career, Battier still isn't afraid to get dirty and fight for the ball when he is needed. He also is fair from a slouch on defense. Any contending team would be better off for adding Battier to their roster to make a run at the postseason.
7. Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns
2010-11 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
Hill is having another solid season for the Phoenix Suns; however, it's unlikely they are going to go anywhere in the postseason anytime soon, and that might mean a trade may be coming in Hill's future. Despite his age, Hill is still a quality small forward who would start or be the top guy off the bench for most of the teams that are currently headed for the postseason. If the Suns do decide to make a move involving Hill, expect there to be plenty of interest around the league from contenders.
6. Danilo Gallinari, New York Knicks
5. Wilson Chander, New York Knicks
Hill is having another solid season for the Phoenix Suns; however, it's unlikely they are going to go anywhere in the postseason anytime soon, and that might mean a trade may be coming in Hill's future. Despite his age, Hill is still a quality small forward who would start or be the top guy off the bench for most of the teams that are currently headed for the postseason. If the Suns do decide to make a move involving Hill, expect there to be plenty of interest around the league from contenders.
6. Danilo Gallinari, New York Knicks
5. Wilson Chander, New York Knicks
2010-11 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.7 APG
Like his teammate Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler has been mentioned all season in rumors revolving around Carmelo Anthony being traded to the New York Knicks. Unlike Gallinari, however, many of the rumors involving Chandler have him being sent to a team other than the Nuggets in exchange for a first-round draft pick. If a team on the border of making the playoffs this season wants to pay that price, apparently Chandler can be had if the Knicks feel it improves their chances with Melo.
4. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz
Like his teammate Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler has been mentioned all season in rumors revolving around Carmelo Anthony being traded to the New York Knicks. Unlike Gallinari, however, many of the rumors involving Chandler have him being sent to a team other than the Nuggets in exchange for a first-round draft pick. If a team on the border of making the playoffs this season wants to pay that price, apparently Chandler can be had if the Knicks feel it improves their chances with Melo.
4. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz
2010-11 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG
Kirilenko has consistently been a solid role player for the Jazz and is the type of player who does a little bit of everything when he is on the floor. Between Jerry Sloan's recent departure and his expiring contract, I expect several teams will be making calls to the Jazz to see if they can pry Kirilenko away. If he goes to a team in the middle of the playoff race, it could be enough to push them to a slightly higher seed in the postseason.
3. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
Kirilenko has consistently been a solid role player for the Jazz and is the type of player who does a little bit of everything when he is on the floor. Between Jerry Sloan's recent departure and his expiring contract, I expect several teams will be making calls to the Jazz to see if they can pry Kirilenko away. If he goes to a team in the middle of the playoff race, it could be enough to push them to a slightly higher seed in the postseason.
3. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
2010-11 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.7 APG
Granger would have been the clear cut No. 1 on the list; however, it is very unlikely Larry Bird and the Pacers would agree to trade their franchise player unless someone offered an over-the-top deal to them. Granger is one of the best small forwards on the league and has spent his entire career up to this point on a pretty bad team, but I think he could do wonders as a second option for a playoff bound team. Don't expect to see him going anywhere this season.
2. Ron Artest, Los Angeles Lakers
Granger would have been the clear cut No. 1 on the list; however, it is very unlikely Larry Bird and the Pacers would agree to trade their franchise player unless someone offered an over-the-top deal to them. Granger is one of the best small forwards on the league and has spent his entire career up to this point on a pretty bad team, but I think he could do wonders as a second option for a playoff bound team. Don't expect to see him going anywhere this season.
