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NBA trades: Four former All-Stars who could be available

By Corey Rausch

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Miami Heat during second half at American Airlines Arena on February 22, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Miami Heat during second half at American Airlines Arena on February 22, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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San Antonio Spurs
NBA (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan

LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan are expiring contracts on a team in the midst of a youth movement. One of these two will be easier to trade than the other so let’s start tougher.

Aldridge is off the worst statistical start since his rookie campaign. He has only played in four games due to knee issues and currently looks more complementary than star. The reason he does not fall in the previous category is simply that he is an expiring contract and if he is on a team where he can just fit in he could be productive.

Related Story. 3 desperate teams that must trade for James Harden. light

The Boston Celtics come to mind as a team that could use their trade exception to absorb the contract while sending back something like Daniel Theis or one of their young players who does not seem much time plus a pick to entice the Spurs. More on the Celtics later.

DeMar DeRozan is suddenly a more interesting prospect than in recent seasons. After only making nine 3-pointers all of last season he is a relative flamethrower, having already made seven. He is a super-efficient scorer from the midrange and contributes in other ways. Whereas Aldridge is a tougher fit DeRozan should have value with a number of teams.

Orlando Magic makes plenty of sense for this. They have been the team for years that floats around average with very little identity. They rely far too much on Terrence Ross to carry the offense in addition to the ever-steady Nikola Vucevic. They are below average in offensive rating and could use a scorer like DeRozan to push them forward and secure them in the playoff race. They also have all of their future draft selections, including an extra second rounder in 2022. Something like Evan Fournier (also expiring), Al-Farouq Aminu and a pick should get this done. This gives the Spurs even more wing options to work with around their sneaky fun legion of guards.