NBA Trade Rumors: How the Top 10 Contenders Can Guarantee An NBA Title

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Everyone likes a good discussion on trades, and given the fact that the NBA is a quarter of the way through the season and the activity that always follows the Dec. 15 expiration date for newly signed contracts, there could be a flurry of movement among the contenders to solidify their weaknesses in making a move for an NBA title. 

This article looks at the top five teams in each conference and mentions their weaknesses as well as possible options to fill the holes (usually the options come from non-contenders).

Boston Celtics

What Boston Needs

Some youthful energy off the bench would be nice for the Celtics.  With their entire team getting up there or already up there in years, someone quick and athletic would be nice to pair with Glen Davis and Nate Robinson.  

Players who might fill that need

Memphis doesn't seem to be using Sam Young much, and he would fit the bill for what Boston needs.  Dorrell Wright might be available and he would add some nice three-point shooting and an athletic body to back up Paul Pierce. 

Nick Young of Washington would be a good option to bolster the scoring of the second unit.  Portland might be willing to part with Nicolas Batum given the recent emergence of Wesley Matthews.  All of these players would greatly aid Boston's second unit and relieve the scoring pressures of the starters.

Miami Heat

Would Denver part with Ty Lawson?
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What Miami Needs

Miami needs a real point guard and a legitimate center.  With all due respect to Carlos Arroyo and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, they are just not starting-caliber players at this point in their careers.

Players who might fill that need

Jeff Foster would be an upgrade over Ilgauskas and could probably be obtained for next to nothing from the Pacers.  Philadelphia would likely give up Spencer Hawes for a first-round draft pick (Miami's would be late in the first round anyway). 

Toronto could deal Reggie Evans, and while not a true center, he would give Miami toughness inside, something that they lack.  

New Jersey would likely give up Troy Murphy pretty easily and that may be the best of all realistic options.  Murphy would give the Heat outside shooting and rebounding and could be obtained easily from New Jersey, especially since he is an expiring contract.

As far as point guards go, Ty Lawson would be an excellent option, if they could put together an attractive enough package.  Maybe Mike Miller for Lawson plus filler, though we have yet to see how Miller will mesh as it is, so perhaps a wait-and-see approach would be best.

Houston's Kyle Lowry has upped his stock in the absence of Aaron Brooks and would make an excellent starter in Miami for the long term.

Orlando Magic

Could a Vince Carter for Gilbert Arenas trade be immanent?
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What Orlando Needs

A reliable first option to close games.

Players who might fill that need

A much discussed deal has been shipping Vince Carter and his semi-expiring contract ($4 M is guaranteed for next year, but he can be bought out and waived) to Washington for Gilbert Arenas. 

Arenas has shown that he still has the ability to be a prime time scorer, and what's more is that Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith has a good relationship with Arenas, dating back to his days in Golden State. 

Another player who has been discussed as an option is Monta Ellis, though Golden State has denied having any interest in moving him.

Chicago Bulls

Mayo could probably be obtained
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What Chicago needs

A three-point shooter.

Players who might fill that need

While they already have Kyle Korver, they could use another bomber.  They attempted to sign J.J. Redick over the summer, but the Magic matched the offer and retained Redick. 

O.J. Mayo could probably be obtained for the right price as he has now been demoted to the bench and seems to have fallen out of favor in Memphis.  

Wayne Ellington of Minnesota or Jodie Meeks of Philadelphia would both be good options for the second unit as a three-point shooter and could be had for pennies on the dollar. 

Another player who would be a nice fit is Shane Battier, who along with Ronnie Brewer would be a great tandem to counter the Heat's Wade & James, as both are good defenders and Battier is an excellent three-point shooter from the corner.

Atlanta Hawks

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What Atlanta needs

A point guard capable of defending.

Players who might fill that need

Andre Miller of Portland could probably be obtained for a couple first-round picks, as the Blazers are probably going to look to rebuild soon.  It has been discussed, anyway.

There aren't a lot of other good options, as point guards capable of playing good defense are prized possessions for teams, as they are rather hard to come by.

San Antonio Spurs

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What San Antonio needs

Another big man to back up Duncan and Blair.

Players who might fill that need

Drew Gooden could make his return to San Antonio, as things have clearly not worked out so far for him in Milwaukee.  The already-mentioned Troy Murphy would be a good fit here, too. 

Given the emergence of J.J. Hickson, Cleveland may be willing to part ways with Antawn Jamison as well.  All three would be good options for the Spurs. 

Of course, if Tiago Splitter could develop, this need would not exist at all.

Dallas Mavericks

Dirk and Dallas are steamrollin'
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What Dallas needs

Until tonight, Dallas had won 12 consecutive games and given their team's depth, it's difficult to say that they "need" anything. 

Upgrading at center wouldn't hurt, but Chandler has been very good so far, and if he gets hurt, they still have Haywood to back him up. 

I know it doesn't sound right to say given the nature of this article, but Dallas doesn't really have any holes or needs.

L.A. Lakers

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What L.A. needs

A healthy Andrew Bynum?  In all seriousness, Bynum getting healthy would be the best thing L.A. could get.  While he may never log big minutes again in his career, having him as a role player would help immensely.  

Players who could fill that need

They could deal Bynum to another team and let them deal with the headache.  They could probably still get a lottery pick for Bynum and then address whatever other need they feel that they have.

Utah Jazz

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What Utah needs

Obtaining a couple draft picks and a cheaper option as a defensive stopper than Andrei Kirilenko could be an option.  With Kirilenko's contract set to expire at the end of the year, they could probably have their pick of the litter as far as defensive stoppers go.  

Players who could fill that need

The aforementioned Battier would be a nice fit in Utah.  Courtney Lee would be a nice option to start at shooting guard, and he can play lockdown defense on the perimeter as well. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

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What Oklahoma City needs

A starting caliber center.

Players who could fill that need

Personally, I think the perfect trade for OKC would be to trade Jeff Green for Marcin Gortat, Brandon Bass and a first-round pick.  While Green is having a phenomenal year, Bass would be an adequate replacement and Gortat is an excellent option at center. 

Orlando would probably make the deal, too, as Green would add strength and rebounding to their front court while still enabling the Magic to have four three-point shooters surrounding Howard at all times.