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By December/January teams are starting to gel and the rotations are getting cut just a little bit shorter. Instead of playing 11-12 guys a night, teams will only be playing 9 or 10 and that leaves bench warmers.

These bench warmers are now trade material and aren’t possibly the biggest piece of a deal, but they will make up the jigsaw puzzle of a deal, or they could just be playing 5-10 minutes a night and could get more time on another team.

These are the players from the Northwest Division that fit in this category.

DENVER NUGGETS

Timofey Mozgov, C:

The Nuggets have an abundance of 6-11, 7ft bigs on their roster. Outside of Kenneth Faried there’s Javale McGee, Kosta Koufos, Anthony Randolph and Danilo Gallinari plays the 4 at times as well.

Mozgov is receiving the lowest amount of minutes besides Anthony Randolph among forwards and there are teams out there that can use his length and defensive presence.

Anthony Randolph, PF:

You had to see this one coming because Denver is short at the point and shooting guard spots. Randolph was well liked coming out of the draft and teams had soft spots for him.

I’m not sure how many people still like the look of his defense. If he’s behind Javale McGee and Koufos that’s saying something in it’s self.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Lou Amundson, PF:

Lou is the definition of a journeyman (outside of Matt Barnes). He’s done next to nothing with his 6 teams and 6 years in the NBA, never averaging more than 5 points a game.

Brought in to be the backup of Kevin Love’s backup, he now has 0 reasons to be on the roster and will most definitely be available.

Malcolm Lee, SG:

It’s the first year in the league for this two guard and he didn’t impress with his court time. Shooting 38% from the field and 33% from down town he hasn’t had any game time since December 12.

He picked up some steals and blocks along the way but didn’t show enough to get game time when they were short handed with no Ricky Rubio or Chase Budinger.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

Ronnie Price, PG:

Former Phoenix Sun Ronnie Price has been dreadful backing up Damian Lillard. Shooting 31% from the field and 26% from three.

What surprises more is that his 374 game career, he is shooting 38% and 30% from three. Price is cheap insurance that you go down deep in your pockets for. Teams with high payroll’s might go for him.

Elliot Williams, PG/SG?:

He’s played 6 games in the last 3 years and none this season. There isn’t even a photo for his player profile on NBA.com.

Williams would be like a bad smell that doesn’t go away, I don’t know what the Blazers see in him but there has to be some explanation as to why he hasn’t been cut yet. Maybe he tells good jokes?

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

I am no Thunder fan, in fact I am a Spurs fan who is still livid over the Western Conference Finals but there isn’t a play worth cutting on the Thunder roster.

All the rotation players are hard workers that never let up. Their rookies and 2/3 year players are progressing nicely and are benefiting from being on a successful team. If you are a Thunder fan,  is there really anyone you want to let go and replace someone with?

UTAH JAZZ

Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap, PF, C:

Both would stand to benefit with more space in the post and everyone in the Jazz nation can see it. The only way to get it is by sending one of these two away and by bringing in a stretch 4. Remember the Mehmet Okur days?

Do you choose to keep the younger promising Millsap or do you let the older consistent All Star go in a hope that Millsap will be better for the future? Wouldn’t want to be in that front office!

Jeremy Evans, PF:

Evans is the ideal piece to partner with Millsap or Jefferson. Similar to the Denver Nuggets the Jazz have high stocks at the power forward, Jeremy is one player that does have an upside worth exploring.

His athleticism is well known after his stint in the dunk contest a year or so ago. Definitely worth a try for teams still sorting out their back up big men.

Is anyone from Oklahoma City trade material? Let the team chemistry build I say.

Pacific Division coming up next.