NBA: Unheralded Players Worth Trading For

Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Not every season-altering trade will be centered around a star. These NBA role players can help teams become genuine contenders.


Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 NBA Trade Deadline is scheduled for Thursday, February 18 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. That may feel like a distant date for those who still can’t believe it’s 2016, but it’s not; the window to execute a move is closing, and teams must act hastily.

The question is, which players are actually worth trading for?

The obvious response is to list off star-caliber players who can take over as the new face of a franchise. The more likely result is that a number of key role players will be moved before or on the date of the deadline.

That may not be as sexy of a possibility, but it’s the realistic expectation.

Contrary to popular belief, said moves can have a significant impact on the trajectory of a team’s season. Not every one will pan out, but finding a specialized skill or an all-around contributor can reshape both a starting lineup and a second unit.

The question is, which under-the-radar trade options should teams be targeting?

Next: Buried in Depth