NBA 2010 Trade Rumors

With the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching on Thursday February 18 at 3pm EDT, there are a bunch of deals that are circulating. This year there may even be more activity than normal as team's try to get themselves further and further under the cap in preparation for the Summer 2010 free agent class. It should be a wild week so let's start our analysis. I've ranked the rumors in likeliness that they will actually happen.

Rumor # 1(allegedly close to being finalized) - Amare Stoudemire is traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers
This one has been making the rounds over the last 48 hours. The latest iteration has the Phoenix Suns sending Stoudemire and his chronically sensitive knee to the Cavs for power forward J.J. Hickson and veteran center Zyrdunas Ilgauskas (my gosh, he's still playing?) . The word is that the Suns would immediately waive Ilgauskas so that the Cavs could pick him back up. Phoenix would get younger with the acquisition of Hickson and the Cavs feel that bringing Stoudemire in would guarantee that LeBron James would re-sign with them this summer.

Chance of happening: Very Good

Rumor # 2 - Stoudemire is traded to the Miami Heat for Michael Beasley and others
When an athletic power forward is put on the market, you know Pat Riley is going to be interested. This deal has Miami sending forward Beasley and Dorell Wright along with Quentin Richardson and Jermaine O'Neal to to Phoenix for Stoudemire. More likely that the Cleveland deal gets done, but keep your eyes on this one.

Rumor # 3 (added 2/15) - Stoudemire is traded to Phialdelphia for Andre Iguodala
ESPN.com has reported that since word leaked out that the Cavaliers and Suns were getting close to locking into a deal other teams have now stepped up their offers. A 1-for-1 deal has been proposed that would send Iguodala to the Suns for Stoudemire however the Sixers are somewhat reticent to get this done because Iguodala is their best player and they want Stoudemire teamed with talent.

Rumor # 4 - Tracy McGrady is traded from Houston with Aaron Brooks to the Knicks for Nate Robinson and Al Harrington
An interesting combination of players but will this really help either team? Robinson seems to only be able to win slam dunk contests, Harrington has passed his prime, and McGrady hasn't played competitive basketball in eons.If Houston can pull this off, they immediately receive cap relief as they get out from under McGrady's contract.

Rumor #5 - Philadelphia sends Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert to the Clippers for a bunch of expiring contracts.
The names that I saw coming from the Clippers in this deal include Marcus Camby, Rasual Butler, Mardy Collins and Ricky Davis, Al Thornton and DeAndre Jordan. Jordan and Thornton would provide young, inexpensive assets for the 76ers, while the rest simply take the form of expiring contracts. Dalmebert and Iquodala would provide a compelling core to play alongside Chris Kaman, Baron Davis and a healthy Blake Griffin.