Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Paul Millsap Among NBA Players With Expiring Contracts Who Could Be Attractive Trade Deadline Targets (Photos)

by NESN Staff on Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 12:12AM

Trade season in the NBA is upon us. The Grizzlies got things started when they pulled off a cost-cutting deal with the Cavaliers, and they did not stop there. By sending leading scorer Rudy Gay to the Raptors as part of a three-team deal, the Grizzlies reminded everybody that it’s nice to be a contender, but it’s even nicer to be cost-conscious.

With that in mind, nothing tempts an NBA team like a great player with an expiring contract. Even if he is underachieving in his current home, the rest of the league is convinced that they could find the answer. If not, he is gone at the end of the year with nothing but a salary cap hold and a handshake, if the team wants.

Plenty of movement is on the way between now and the Feb. 21 trade deadline, and players with expiring deals could dominate trade talks.