The NBA season has yet to start and with training camps and the preseason coming up very soon, teams around the league are trying to finalize their rosters for camp and heading into the season there are a number of players that could end up getting traded, including names like Omer Asik, Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Granger, Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon.
While some of these trades may not go down, names like Asik, Anderson, Gasol and Aldridge have all been mentioned in deals over the summer and that could mean a trade could happen later down the line this season. Asik is one player that will likely come up in talks, especially after he requested a trade following the signing of Dwight Howard earlier in the offseason. Asik worked his way into the starting job and played in 82 games and averaged a double-double and he doesn't want to be a bench player now.
Asik's request was denied and while GM Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale have said that Asik will not be dealt, that could change down the line this season. The team could decide to pull the trigger if using Asik and Howard doesn't work as planned or if another team makes a good enough offer for him. Last season Asik was one of the most consistent centers in the NBA, averaging over 10 points and 11 rebounds during the year with 1.1 blocks per game while playing in a full schedule. Howard and Asik might end up working well together and while the Rockets want to keep the center, making a move might be better in the long term and one player that could be an option is Ryan Anderson.
Anderson averaged 16 points and six rebounds last season in a breakout year and he could be on the block for the Pelicans, who already made deals this offseason with Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans. Anderson is dealing with some tragedy after his girlfriend died after he found her following a suicide attempt and a change of location could end up being a positive for him. Anderson is a solid three point shooter and he previously played with Howard in Orlando and could be a nice fit now years later. Anderson shoots nearly 40 percent from three and that could make the Rockets deadly on the outside.
Danny Granger will be a prime trade target for teams this season despite coming off of a knee injury, as he was not playing last year as the Pacers made a run to the conference finals, possibly meaning they would be willing to let him go. If Frank Vogel doesn't like what he sees from Granger or if he isn't flowing in the offense with Paul George, he could be moved and he could end up being a star for another team after fading away for the Pacers after Lance Stephenson stepped up last year without him.
Pau Gasol is always mentioned in trade rumors and chances are he will again, especially if the Lakers don't play all that well to start the year. Derrick Williams and Luol Deng also could come up in trade talks for teams and LaMarcus Aldridge as well after heavy rumors came out that he requested a deal this summer from the Blazers.
