|
Every NBA team has something it hopes to add at the Feb. 9 trade deadline, be that a win-now contributor, a long-term draft asset or anything in between.
While some clubs won’t admit this publicly, they all have someone they’d prefer to unload too—or, at the least, someone who’d bring back more value in a trade than he’d supply on the hardwood.
The aim here is spotlight each team’s most expendable player for a variety of factors that will be discussed in more detail as it pertains to the situation.
Atlanta Hawks: John Collins
John Collins has seemingly spent the bulk of his six-year career in the rumor mill. With his production trending down and his pay rate going up, this trade chatter will only get louder.
The Hawks have never leaned on the 25-year-old forward less. His 10.3 shots per game are the fewest since his 2017-18 rookie season. His 17.3 usage percentage is a career low. On a quite-possibly-related note, he’s also recording a personal-worst minus-1.2 box plus/minus.
A change of scenery seems best for Collins, and his subtraction should free up floor time for dynamic defender Onyeka Okongwu.
Boston Celtics: Danilo Gallinari
Danilo Gallinari hasn’t given up hope of helping Boston this season, but the Shamrocks should dismiss that notion without a second thought.
He is 34 years old and four-odd months removed from tearing his left ACL. Even if he crushes his rehab process, he’s unlikely to be cleared until the playoffs are well underway. Would the Celtics really trust him in a major moment when he’s yet to log a second for this franchise? Do they feel so starved for second-unit scoring that they’d be willing to overlook his defensive shortcomings, which could have exponentially grown after his injury?
The C’s, who need more reliable depth in the frontcourt, should package Gallo’s $6.5 million salary with a sweetener or two to find a capable contributor who doesn’t carry nearly as many question marks.
Brooklyn Nets: Day’Ron Sharpe
The Brooklyn Nets are on the hunt for upgrades, per The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, who listed Seth Curry, Joe Harris and Patty Mills as candidates for a trade, presumably one that sacrifices perimeter scoring for better depth up front.
No matter which of those players are moved, it would behoove Brooklyn to attach Day’Ron Sharpe to the deal. He can’t have a ton of trade value, but rebuilders might see the appeal of grabbing a flier on a 2021 first-round pick.
The Nets, as you’ve surely heard a thousand times this season, could stand to add size at the center spot. Sharpe is the team’s biggest player (6’11”, 265 lbs), but that hasn’t been enough to get him regular run. Five of his last six few-and-far-between appearances lasted fewer than seven minutes.