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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
Nov 10, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Hornets defeated the Timberwolves 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Al Jefferson

Let’s see here…a 31-year-old, injury-prone center who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer….WHERE DO I SIGN UP??

True enough, Al Jefferson is not that far removed from a career year in 2013-14, when he earned Third Team All-NBA honors behind his 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game for a playoff team. But even that season, Jefferson was too banged up to be available for the Charlotte Hornets‘ first round playoff sweep, and since then, his skills and health have been in decline.

In 19 appearances this season, Jefferson averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game — the lowest numbers he’s posted since his second season in the league. With the Hornets still winning games without him (when Nicolas Batum is healthy, at least) and with Batum sure to command a max contract this season, Jefferson has become somewhat expendable.

The only problem is it’s highly unlikely the Hornets find a way to move a guy who’s set to hit free agency this summer. Someone will pay up for his low-post proficiency at that point, but until then, giving up actual assets for an aging, injury-prone 31-year-old would be unthinkable for the vast majority of the league, especially since he’s only about to return from a knee issue.

Next: No. 8