[NBA] Trade Tracker

With the Feb. 24 NBA trade deadline fast approaching, it's time to analyze
the dozen players most likely to be packing their bags for the season's
stretch run.

Antoine Walker
Possible suitors: Sixers, Celtics, Pacers
Contract status: final year, $14.6 million
He's a big-time scorer who might help push a team over the top, and he's in
the last year of his contract. The Hawks say they're not necessarily looking
to trade him, but they're going nowhere this season and might decide to make
a move now if they get the right combination of young players and draft
picks. And would they really mind losing a few more games if it improves
their draft standing?

Latrell Sprewell
Possible suitors: Heat, Sixers
Contract status: final year, $14.6 million
The 34-year-old swingman hasn't played all that poorly, but his grumbling
over his contract has been a season-long headache and the T'wolves need to
do something to shake up the team's chemistry. In the last year of his
contract, he could be a tempting short-term piece for a team seeking a
scorer/defender with Finals experience.

Glenn Robinson
Possible suitors: T'wolves, Hawks, Bucks
Contract status: final year, $12.1 million
He hasn't played all season, ostensibly because of ankle problems, but a
team might take him just to clear his salary off the books at the end of the
season. His name has been mentioned in deals with the Hawks (for Walker),
T'wolves (for Sprewell) and Bucks (for Keith Van Horn), but Philadelphia
seems unwilling to give up any of its young players as part of the deal.

Michael Redd
Possible suitors: Nuggets, Cavs
Contract status: final year, $3.0 million
He can opt out of his contract after this season and become a free agent,
and there is speculation the Ohio native has his eyes on the Cavs. If
Milwaukee feels Redd already has made up his mind, it might decide to trade
him now rather than risk losing him for nothing. One reported deal had the
Nuggets offering Nenê in a package for Redd.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Possible suitors: T'wolves, Raptors, Sixers
Contract status: final year, $14.6 million
He's currently out after having undergone elbow surgery, but should be back
soon. At age 28, he is entering his prime. He could help a team seeking to
get over the top this season or be part of a sign-and-trade this summer. The
Blazers love his character, but they already have invested in Zach Randolph
and Darius Miles.

Gary Payton
Possible Suitors: Mavs, T'wolves, Kings, Nuggets
Contract status: final year, $5.4 million
After originally not wanting to play in Boston, he changed his mind and has
become a key contributor for Doc Rivers. Still, the Celtics are in a youth
movement and need to get more playing time for Marcus Banks. Payton wouldn't
mind going to a Western Conference contender, and his contract makes him a
relatively low-risk venture.

Donyell Marshall
Possible suitors: Knicks, Heat, Spurs, Pacers
Contract status: final year, $5.0 million
In some ways he's the hottest commodity on the market, since he's a
versatile big man who can defend inside and shoot from downtown. Meanwhile,
his contract is palatable to just about any team. But the Raptors reportedly
want Jalen Rose included as part of a package deal, and that is a
deal-breaker for many teams.

Jalen Rose
Possible suitors: Heat, T'wolves, Knicks, Pacers
Contract status: two more years (2007), $32.6 million
Despite being benched for stretches this season, he has emerged again of
late as a key weapon for the Raptors. Like Walker, he's a proven scorer who
could help a team get over the top if he were in the right frame of mind.
Unfortunately, his whopper contract makes him too big a risk.

Eddie Jones
Possible suitors: T'wolves, Raptors
Contract status: two more years (2007), $30.6 million
The veteran swingman has been searching for his shot all season, and he and
Shaq reportedly have had differences since their Lakers days. The Heat would
probably trade him for a better shooter, but Jones' contract runs two more
years. One rumor had him going to the Raptors for Marshall and Rose, but it
would require several other players to match up salaries, and Miami
reportedly is unwilling to give up Dorell Wright.

Damon Stoudamire
Possible suitors: Hawks, Raptors
Contract status: final year, $12.5 million
The little lefty has been on fire the past month or so, but the Blazers
could decide to go in rebuilding mode and clear more playing time for
Sebastian Telfair. However, Stoudamire's size makes him a poor fit for many
teams (like the Sixers) so it's difficult to imagine Portland getting equal
value for him right now.

Ron Artest
Possible suitors: Hawks, Kings
Contract status: four years (2009), $29.1 million
The Pacers say they're not looking to trade him, but he can't help them this
season unless NBA Commissioner David Stern lifts his postseason ban. If they
could get a Peja Stojakovic or Walker, as some have speculated, they would
have to consider it. But would any team take a chance that Artest will get
his head straight and be ready to go next season?

Dale Davis
Possible suitors: Hawks, Raptors, Celtics, Sixers
Contract status: final year, $10.1 million
After being stuck on the bench most of the season, the 35-year-old has
played fairly well in spot minutes of late. He could help a team seeking a
rugged interior veteran presence off the bench, and he's low risk since his
contract comes off the books at the end of the year.