As the season draws to its halfway point, it’s closing on time for teams consider the rest of the year. This Insider examines each and picks one player from each squad that should be traded before the team rolls around during Week 15.

 

Atlanta- Greg Monroe

The Hawks are straddling the line between being a low-level contender or lotto fodder. Unfortunately, the team doesn’t own its pick. With the bad news that Markelle Fultz likely won’t suit up this season and word that Thabo Sefolosha will go under season-ending surgery, it looks like the jig may be up for the Hawks. Monroe has been a stand out for the team and could likely help a true contender push deep in the playoffs. Yes, he is expiring, but a few young assets could possibly wrest the big man away from Hotlanta.

 

Boston- Carmelo Anthony

Yes, the Celts just grabbed Melo from the Kings, but hear me out. The team has a pretty great starting five: O’Quinn-Kuzma-Durant-Evans-Collison. Yes, I know Jmac is using Collison off the bench, however, Evans is good at SG too. Where’s the weak link? Center. The Celts did have a great center in Brook Lopez but wanted to ditch his expiring deal. Fine. But after that wet fart of a deal that saw Derrick Favors and Avery Bradley go to Miami for peanuts, why wouldn’t the Celts try to bring in a powerful center? This is where Melo comes in handy. Trade him for a Boogie or a DeAndre Jordan. There is no reason Durant and Melo should be on the same team, other than bragging rights.

 

Brooklyn- Mason Plumlee

Danilo Gallinari just escaped having his name on this list. Brooklyn has money problems. They are aproned for the season. Luckily, no one is slated for a big payday in the offseason. With DeAndre Jordan on the roster, the Nets don’t need to be paying Mason Plumlee a starter’s wage. Now that he is finally playing well in the NBA, move him for two pieces where you cut some cap. The Nets are pretty deep already, but sending Plumlee out for some more depth can’t hurt.

 

Charlotte- No One

In a different arena, the Hornets need to bring in some capital. The team is more than $20 million below the minimum salary. Find some teams over the lux that are floundering and take on their guys with expiring contracts. Jared Dudley could be had for cheap, for example. I’m sure there are plenty more. Now that the Hornets aren’t in tank mode, a few expensive vets could help this squad pursue the championship.

 

Chicago- Joakim Noah

Noah circa 2018 is what Omer Asik was a few years back, except more expensive. With Dewayne Dedmon set to return the Bulls need to cut ties with their crappy $18 million center. Maybe they can pay the Hornets a pick or something to take him on. Either that or they can pray that he Noah gets a buy-out in the NBA.

 

Cleveland- Terrence Ross

The Cavs are once again cruising along, more or less dominating in the East. They are also doing it without the help of Terrence Ross. Out for a “significant amount of time” following a pretty serious knee injury, the Cavs can afford to send Ross to a bottom-dweller that can wait for Ross to come back. In return, they can get some pieces to help them win now. Also, the team is only $1 million or so under the lux and Robert Covington is going to be PAID next season. Oh yeah, Lebron might be leaving town. Time to clear some salary.

 

Dallas- Alex Len

The Mavs are trying to come back to life but it just may not happen this season. The team acquired two pretty good centers in Alex Len and Jusuf Nurkic. Both will be free agents. The difference? Len will be unrestricted. They don’t need that hassle. Trade Len now to a team that needs a legit center and get yourself a legit shooting guard. You need it.

 

Denver- Dwyane Wade

Even if the Nuggets sneak into the playoffs, they won’t likely make it too far this season. Wade can help a better team by being a difference maker. Trade him now for something you can carry into next season. You will thank me later.

 

Detroit- Jared Dudley

I don’t think I need to give Laddas trade advice. This is the man who once tried to trade himself…to himself. Anyway, Laddas has been working the phones for vets like Jared Dudley and Wes Johnson, trying to convince us why these two guys are good and need a new home. Sadly, beyond Charlotte, no one really needs to take on a vet like Dudley with such a fat contract. Expect him to be bought out before Jabari Parker signs a lucrative deal in the offseason.

 

Golden State- Andre Iguoldala

Man, there are so many small forwards on Golden State. At press time, there are seven guys who can play there. Why does Mailo like small forwards so much (extra credit if you can spot what other type of players the German GM likes)? Look, Golden State is bad. They aren’t going anywhere this season. Taking on Andre Iguoldala was a mistake. Move him now, if you can, and get some younger assets. You are a rebuilding team. Best come to peace with it.

 

Houston- Wilson Chandler

Last season, the Houston Rockets took the league by surprise, storming back from a horrific season to steal the 8^th seed in the West. Though they are only a few games out right now, a look at the Rockets roster makes me shudder. Beyond a handful of guys, this team is pretty, pretty bad. The one guy who stands out like a sore thumb is Wilson Chandler. You got guys like Tobias Harris, Dion Waiters and Timothy Hardaway that are somewhat similar. Yes, Chandler can play the four, but I wouldn’t want him to start at the four. The Rockets already have three firsts this year. Time to move Chandler for some other rebuilding pieces.

 

Indiana- Tony Parker

No one will say Indiana this year. I’m not going to touch Blake Griffin and Sheed’s obsession to get the whole league back for him in a trade. Instead, is anyone more redundant right now than Parker? With the acquisition of Isaiah Thomas, and the fact that the Pacers are almost dead last in the East, there is no reason Parker should be on this squad. Though he is 35, the point guard still has some pop. He would look great on Charlotte (and help their salary problem). If Sheed can get a prospect or two for this guy, it would be a smart move.

 

Los Angeles Clippers- No One

GM Andrew thought he would have a payoff by now similar to the Hornets. Wait for a few seasons, collect young players and then reap the benefits. This season has not gone that way for the Clips, who own one of the worst records in the West. However, this is true not because the Clippers stink. It has to do with injuries. The squad is now fully healthy more or less and is looking quite scary. There is a lot of good, young talent on this squad. The Clips just need to hold firm one more season.

Los Angeles Lakers- Ersan Ilyasova

So are the Lakers rebuilding or what? Each week Greenmig seems to change course- “It’s a fire sale!” “We’re in it to win it!” Who knows? Sadly, the Lakers’ hegemony may be coming to an end. The roster just isn’t looking too scary these days, with only one (injured) top 100 ESPN ranked player. The most glaring move-now player seems to be Ilyasova, who has been on and off the block all season. He could add some firepower to a team that’s going to go deep. If Greenmig could get a rebuilding chip for the forward, he should.

 

Memphis- Alec Burks

The NLL loves guys like Burks, volume shooting swingmen who can nail the three. The Grizzlies are rolling right now thanks to the surprising play of center Georgios Papagiannis (I hear Papa G jerseys are selling like mad). Memphis has a lot of bench money going towards Kent Bazemore and Burks. If GM Jesse is going to move anyone, Burks should be sent away for a pair of players to help increase depth.

 

Miami- Depends

 

The Heat were in bad shape when GM Proid left. They had no assets to move and a rag-tag bunch of no names. New GM Breece has begun stocking the larders with names such as JJ Redick, Derrick Favors and Avery Bradley. Right now, the team is on the precipice of making the playoffs (or not). If, by the time the trade deadline rolls around, Championship chances are dim, the Heat should peel away from one or two of those unrestricted free agents. It costs a lot of points to keep one UFA. The Heat may have to make a hard choice.

 

Milwaukee- Nick Young or Iman Shumpert or CJ Miles

 

All season long GM Badwolf was crying about needing a wing. Now he has too many. Shumpert would likely yield the least and Miles the most. They just acquired Nick Young. Ditch one of these three guys.

 

Minnesota Timberwolves- No One

The Wolves are on fire after a rough start to the season. Looks like they already moved the team’s only problem element: former GM Spudspace.

 

New Orleans Pelicans- George Hill

Oy vey, this team is an absolute mess. You got this GM asking for a 1^st rounder for Dakari Johnson. Chandler Parsons is STILL on the roster. The Pels are not doing well. So what do you do? Rebuild! Move George Hill, Wayne Ellington and Parsons for any picks or assets you can get. And don’t ask for a 1^st rounder for guys like Dakari. Be realistic, dude.

 

New York Knicks- Zach Randolph

This is the crustiest team in the league. Like everyone is almost as old as GM Dunadan himself. With Bobby Portis slugging his way into the starting five, guys like Nene and Zach Randolph become less important. With half the lineup already halfway to the grave, Dunadan should trade Randolph for some younger guys. It’s a look to the future because other half these Knicks will be gone in a year or so.

 

Oklahoma City- Ricky Rubio

Schroder is better. This team is going to have some money problems soon. Trade Rubio for two younger pieces.

 

Orlando- Gorgui Dieng

Last year, Dieng’s stock was sky high. Now he is an overpaid bench stiff. The Sixers were right to get out from under his contract. Javi should find a team under the cap and unload Dieng for a 2^nd rounder. It will help with cap issues and Dieng isn’t worthless. Just not worth nearly $15 million.

 

Philadelphia – Kawhi Leonard

This may be the first time in a decade the Sixers didn’t make the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard’s quad injury has been a thorn in GM VT’s side all season. Never one to sit on injured players (see Jabari Parker), VT usually ditches guys with long-term issues. If he can get a good yield for Leonard, this move could potentially save his season. But when thinking into the future, having an off year and hanging onto to Kawhi is the better choice.

 

Phoenix- Jeff Green

GM Pennywise’s plan all along was the sign Green, watch him play well and then sell him off to the highest bidder. With Bjelica back, Green becomes expendable. I doubt Penny can get what he expects for a 31-year-old guy on an expiring deal (Darko wouldn’t touch him), but it’s worth a try!

 

Portland- Rudy Gay

The dream is over. The Blazers are sinking down the standings faster than it takes a pile of Dikembe Mutombo’s crap to hit the bottom of the commode. The big plan of trading for and then signing Rudy Gay and then trading him for big assets may not pan out now that Gay is out with an injury. The early success may have gone to GM Toby’s head. Gay’s value probably peaked already, but a playoff contender could likely the Blazers something good if the GM isn’t too greedy.

 

Sacramento- Boban Marjanovic

Sooner or later, 2K is going to reveal that Marjanovic just isn’t a good player. Sacramento should move him now while he can get max value. Then again, Papagiannis is a top 10 player, so what the hell do I know?

 

San Antonio- Joel Embiid

Gotcha! I’m just kidding. The champs are rolling and really don’t need much. I say hold you hand while you’re ahead!

 

Toronto- Solomon Hill

The Raptors are finally making some strides, locked in a multi-team tie for 8^th in the East. Riding the bottom of the roster is one of the worst contracts in the NLL: Solomon Hill. Charlotte needs salary, maybe you can bargain him into taking on Hill. Anyway you get rid of this guy would be a good thing for you.

 

Utah- Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose hasn’t met an injury he didn’t like. Now that he’s healthy, it’s a good time to move him for something that actually helps you. Otherwise, the Jazz will likely be paying another 99 GM points next season again for a guy who barely suits up.

Washington Wizards- Why bother?

Chicago GM Daz ruined Darko for trading for ever by giving half his team, three first rounders, his left nut and his soul for Klay Thompson. Now, Darko is expecting the same sort deal back from everyone. He recently tried to explain to me why a lotto pick for Jamal Crawford was fair! Another season with the Wizards bringing up the rear. Moving Crawford or Joe Johnson is a good idea since the Wizards aren’t going anywhere. Just don’t expect the world back (a prospect or even a 2^nd rounder is more like it).