Five Players Likely on the Move

By Paulie Knep
Love of Sports Correspondent

**(NOTE: After this article was originally published, Jermaine O’Neal has since been traded to Toronto for T.J. Ford, two other players and the 17th pick in the NBA Draft.)

With the NBA Draft quickly approaching, trade rumors are obviously swirling.

Some teams are trying to trade up in the draft to acquire building blocks for the future, while others are offering picks in exchange for high impact players who can pay immediate dividends. Several teams are exploring sign and trade options in order to ensure they receive something in return for their free agents to be.

Dozens of players have been the subject of trade rumors, including All-Stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer. Though most rumors are mere speculation or never proceed past preliminary negotiations, there are sure to be some big names changing teams in the nest couple days.

These are five players who could be on the move on draft day.

Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix

Barbosa averaged 15 points per game for the Suns last season, but he was always a Mike D’Antoni guy and management doesn’t believe he’s capable of taking over at point guard when Nash calls it a career. He’s one of the quickest players in the game, and every team in the league could use that kind of production off the bench.

The Suns are reportedly high on some of the combo guards expected to be selected among the Top 10 picks, and they’re trying to use Barbosa or teammate Boris Diaw and the 15th pick to trade up for a higher pick. Also, the Clippers view Barbosa as a possible Plan B in case they’re not able to retain Corey Maggette. The Suns and Clippers could work out a deal involving Barbosa, Maggette and the some draft picks.

D’Antoni would love to bring his former player to New York, but the Knicks don’t have the personnel to make it work, unless they include the #6 pick, which they’re not willing to do.

Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana

It’s hard to believe, but O’Neal hasn’t even turned 30 yet. When healthy, he’s one of a handful of players in the league who provide 20 points and 10 rebounds per night. However, Indiana’s rebuilding and O’Neal isn’t interested in sticking around for that.

The big impediment to trading him is the $44 million he’s owed over the next two years. However, if the Heat were able to pass Shaq’s albatross of a contract on to someone else, Indiana can surely find takers for O’Neal.

One possible scenario is Indiana trading O’Neal for the player Shaq was dealt for last season, Shawn Marion. Pat Riley’s always been enamored with big men, and if the Heat draft Michael Beasley, as expected, Marion will be expendable.

The Mavericks’ championship window became a lot smaller when they traded for Jason Kidd, so they need a low post scorer and may be willing to part with Josh Howard after his recent PR in a deal for O’Neal.

Another potential landing spot for O’Neal is Chicago, who may finally be willing to pull the trigger on a trade for a low post guy themselves if they sure up their backcourt by drafting Derrick Rose.

Ron Artest, Sacramento

For the most part, Artest hasn’t caused any trouble in Sacramento. The Kings aren’t desperate to trade him, especially since he’s only make $7.5 million a season, but seeing as though they won’t be competing for a championship anytime soon, they’d be willing to trade him for young talent.

There are many playoff teams who could use Artest’s defensive intensity and toughness, but it’s the same old question: “Is his talent worth the possible distractions?”

Phoenix, the Lakers and Dallas are three teams with veteran leaders who could keep Artest in line. Phoenix can’t depend on Grant Hill again at small forward next season and could offer Barbosa or Diaw and the 15th pick for Artest.

As evidenced in the NBA Finals, the Lakers desperately need a defensive stopper on the perimeter. However, it would be difficult for them to make a deal work financially and they’d almost certainly have to involve a third team.

New Mavericks coach, Rick Carlisle, coached Artest in Indiana, so an Artest for Josh Howard deal would make sense for both teams.

T.J. Ford, Toronto

Jose Calderon’s solid play for Toronto last season made Ford expendable. Despite questions about his ability to run an offense, he’ll draw plenty of interest around the league thanks to his blinding speed. Mike D’Antoni is seeking a point guard to run his “seven seconds or less” offense in New York and has to be intrigued by Ford.

Raptors general manager Brian Colangelo previously held the same position with the Suns and may use Ford to acquire one of his former players, Barbosa or Boris Diaw. Barbosa, specifically, would fill the Raptors’ need for a perimeter player who can break down a defense. Ford also played for new Suns coach Terry Porter in Milwaukee.

During the past few days, talks have begun to heat up between Toronto and Indiana for a trade involving Ford and the 17th pick to the Pacers as part of a package for O’Neal.

Shawn Marion, Miami

Marion’s agent has indicated the Heat forward won’t opt out of the final year of his contract and the $17.1 million owed to him. Miami’s expected to select Michael Beasley with the second pick in the draft, and as was the case in Phoenix, Marion won’t be content as the third option behind Beasley and Dwyane Wade. The Matrix is a valuable commodity, because his contract comes off the books after this season.

The Nets may be willing to part with Richard Jefferson to further their efforts to get under the salary cap for the LeBron James sweepstakes in 2010, and the Lakers could be interested in an Odom for Marion swap, too.

Riley will attempt to package Marion in a deal for a big man like Jermaine O’Neal, Carlos Boozer or Elton Brand. The Jazz are looking to become more athletic and may be interested in the versatile Marion. Riley’s dream would be to pry Brand away from the Clippers, and Brand has expressed a desire to play for the Heat as well, but it’s unlikely the Clippers would bite on such an offer.