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2016 NBA Trade Deadline: 10 Players Teams Should Absolutely Avoid

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 109-89. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Trade Deadline
Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) reacts to a call made during the game against the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions:

Markieff Morris — Everyone knows Keef is a head case. The question is, which teams believe that in a new environment he’ll be less of a head case and more of the guy who’s averaged 20.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game under Earl Watson? He and the Phoenix Suns need a break, but there’s about a 100 percent chance he’ll play at a very high level again once he’s traded to a new team, all while being a bargain value at $24 million for the next three years.

Michael Carter-Williams — Most people have realized MCW is not going to live up to his Rookie of the Year honors, and his value has been sinking ever since the Philadelphia 76ers traded him away in a three-team deal that the Milwaukee Bucks probably regret. But he only has one year left on his deal after this season and he’s still 24 years old, so let’s revisit this in about a year.

Omer Asik — Asik has the worst contract in the NBA right now after signing a five-year, $60 million extension last summer. But since he’s hardly been mentioned in any trade rumors, it might be safe to assume most teams are smart enough to stay away from the New Orleans Pelicans center and his meager 3.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Otherwise he’d be at the top of this list.

Roy Hibbert — Because Hibbert is an expiring contract, we can’t put him in the top 10, but Mr. Verticality may not have a place in this new small-ball NBA. Remember when LeBron James worked on his floater specifically because of Hibbert’s rim protection? It’s a different time now, and Hibbert’s inability to prevent the Los Angeles Lakers‘ defense from being the worst in the league speaks to his place in the association moving forward.

Jose Calderon — Calderon only has one year left on his deal after this, and $7.7 million salary for next season isn’t unbearable by any means. But no team in the association should feel motivated to help the New York Knicks in their quest for a point guard, especially in any deal revolving around Calderon.

David Lee — Like Hibbert, Lee is another $15 million expiring contract, so a team looking to free up cap space this summer may consider him. But in terms of pure, on-court value, I can’t think of many contenders that would want him after failing to find a niche with the Boston Celtics. Lee may be another player who struggles to find his place in the evolving NBA.

Joakim Noah — Noah may have played his last game for the Chicago Bulls if he’s out for the entire season with that shoulder injury, and as an unrestricted free agent, teams can just pursue him then rather than give up assets for him now. His age (31 next week) and extensive injury history hurts his value as well, even for teams that would be confident they could re-sign him.

Pau Gasol — Gasol could really help a contender out, his $7.4 million salary for this season is movable. Some teams might be deterred from the inevitability of Gasol opting out of his contract in free agency, but he still has plenty of value around the league — even if he’d prefer to stay in Chicago as the Bulls shop him.

Next: No. 10