Evaluating the 10 biggest names likely to be traded

With the NBA trade deadline set to expire at 3 p.m. ET, Thursday, talks are heating up around the league. The Knicks, Magic, Nuggets, Sonics, Hawks and Bulls head the list of teams most likely to make a move. Here's a look at 10 top names on the market and where they stand as of Wednesday.

Trade Tracker SI.com's Marty Burns analyzes who may be in play by the Feb. 23 trade deadline. On The Block Steve Francis 2005-06 salary: $13.7 million Remaining contract: three years, $49 million Potential suitors: Knicks, Nuggets The Magic are close to a deal with the Knicks for the three-time All-Star, who has played unevenly much of the season amid growing frustration with his role. Orlando would likely receive a package of players, including Jamal Crawford, Maurice Taylor and Trevor Ariza. The Nuggets were considered the front-runner as of last week, but Denver is leery of adding Francis' huge contract without making some other cost-saving moves. The Knicks had been willing to work a three-way deal with the Sonics and Magic that would net them Earl Watson, but when it fell through they initiated talks with Orlando to try to make the deal for Francis straight up. Paul Pierce 2005-06 salary: $14.3 million Remaining contract: two years, $34 million Potential suitors: T'wolves, Bulls The Celtics swear they're not looking to trade him, but the team is in the midst of a youth movement and would be foolish not to listen to offers. While rumors of a Kevin Garnett swap can be put to rest (at least for this season), it's possible some other team could step up with an offer too good to refuse. The Bulls, for example, could offer a package involving former UConn star Ben Gordon, point guard Chris Duhon, Tim Thomas' expiring contract and a 2006 first-round pick for Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. But Pierce is an All-Star talent, and president Danny Ainge is not likely to give him up without getting an All-Star in return. Al Harrington 2005-06 salary: $7.0 million Remaining contract: unrestricted free agent '06 Potential suitors: Bulls, Knicks Every year it seems the Hawks make a trade-deadline deal to clear cap space for the summer, and GM Billy Knight might be inclined to do it again. Harrington, a free agent after the season, is the kind of scoring forward who could push a team over the top in a playoff race. Meanwhile, Atlanta probably doesn't want to re-sign Harrington to big money when it already has Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. The Knicks would love to add Harrington, but they don't have anything the Hawks want. The Bulls have draft picks and young players to dangle, but it is doubtful Chicago wants to tie up all its future cap space on Harrington. Kenyon Martin 2005-06 salary: $10.6 million Remaining contract: four years, $65 million Potential suitors: Knicks, Bulls The Nuggets might be tempted to move his big contract, especially if they were going to take on Francis. Denver realistically can't have them both since it would put the Nuggets well over the luxury tax threshold and affect their ability to re-sign Carmelo Anthony when he becomes a restricted free agent in two years. The Knicks reportedly have offered Hardaway and his expiring deal. The Bulls might be willing to offer Thomas' expiring contract (see below), but it's highly doubtful Chicago would be willing to take on K-Mart for the long haul, especially with his recent knee problems. Drew Gooden 2005-06 salary: $4.1 million Remaining contract: restricted free agent '06 Potential suitors: Bulls, Knicks, Warriors The Cavs are not necessarily looking to trade him, but he can become a restricted free agent this summer and they might do it to save payroll for LeBron James' contract extension. It is no secret that Cleveland is seeking point guard help. One report had Gooden heading to the Bulls, where he'd be reunited with former Kansas teammate Kirk Hinrich in exchange for Duhon. The Knicks also could make a run at Gooden. They reportedly offered Kurt Thomas for him last year, but the Cavs rejected it. Earl Watson 2005-06 salary: $5 million Remaining contract: four years, $24 million Potential suitors: Sonics, Knicks, Magic, Kings The Nuggets would like to find a new home for the 6-foot-1 point guard, who is stuck behind Andre Miller and Earl Boykins. One recent report had him being sent to the Kings, along with Voshon Lenard, in return for shooting guard Bonzi Wells. More likely he's headed to the Sonics, who need a backup point guard and have an available asset in forward Reggie Evans (see below). The Knicks might be able to get Watson via a three-way trade with the Magic if they fail to get Francis straight up. Reggie Evans 2005-06 salary: $1.1 million Remaining contract: unrestricted free agent, '06 Potential suitors: T'wolves, Knicks, Nuggets The Sonics are willing to deal this 6-foot-9 rebounding demon, who lost his starting spot to Vladimir Radmanovic when Bob Hill took over as coach and is not likely to play much more now that they have Chris Wilcox. T'wolves coach Dwane Casey is a former Sonics assistant who got along well with Evans during their days together. He likely would go for a deal that would bring Evans (and perhaps shooting guard Ronald Murray) to the Twin Cities. But Minnesota doesn't appear to have anything the Sonics want. Same goes for the Knicks, whose refusal to include Channing Frye in any deal has been a deal-breaker thus far for Seattle. Complicating matters for the Sonics is the fact that Evans and Murray each has the right to veto any trade. Theo Ratliff 2005-06 salary: $11 million Remaining contract: two years, $23 million Potential suitors: Knicks The Blazers are in a youth movement and wouldn't mind getting rid of Ratliff's salary. Knicks coach Larry Brown has made it clear that he wants a shot-blocker, and New York reportedly has offered Penny Hardaway's expiring contract in a deal that would also bring Darius Miles to Gotham. If the Knicks can swing the Francis deal without using Hardaway's contract, the Ratliff/Miles deal stands a decent chance of going down. If not, all bets are off. Also, the Blazers could opt to keep Ratliff as insurance in case they lose Joel Przybilla, who will be a free agent this summer. Penny Hardaway 2005-06 salary: $15.8 million Remaining contract: unrestricted free agent '06 Potential suitors: Blazers, Magic, Nuggets, Sonics, T'wolves, Lakers The 6-foot-7 veteran has been rehabbing his arthritic knees in Houston and is not expected back this season. But his contract could be an asset for teams looking to clear payroll this summer. Most likely he's headed to the Blazers in a deal for Ratliff and Miles. One recent rumor had the Lakers willing to trade Lamar Odom if the Knicks threw in Channing Frye, but the salaries don't match up and it's far-fetched to believe L.A. would give up Odom when it's in the middle of a playoff race. Tim Thomas 2005-06 salary: $14 million Remaining contract: unrestricted free agent '06 Potential suitors: Nets, Spurs, Hawks The Bulls, already set with a talented young perimeter core, sent him home rather than have a potential cancer on the bench. Still, Thomas is a 6-foot-10 sharpshooter who, in the right circumstances, might be able to help a contending team. In the final year of his contract, he comes at very low cost and risk. He claims the Nets and Spurs are interested, but it appears to be more wishful thinking on his part. Unless the Bulls can deal him for another player in the last year of his contract, they're likely to keep him and let his contract come off the books at the season's end.