NBA Trades and Free Agents 2011: Each Team's Most Pressing Need This Summer

The 2011 NBA offseason is going to be filled with trade rumors and potential destinations for impending free agents.

Although some of the available names may not be as recognizable as the stars that highlighted the 2010 class, there is still a plethora of talent to be had as clubs make an effort to improve for next season.

Every team has a pressing need that they need to address before the beginning of the next campaign, and that's exactly what we're here to address.

Atlanta Hawks

Need: Finding a true center

The Hawks would be wise to find a true starting center to insert into the starting five in an effort to allow All-Star Al Horford to play his natural power forward position.

There have been rumors running rampant about a possible trade of Josh Smith, and if that were to come to fruition, it would certainly be a step toward making this scenario come to fruition.

Boston Celtics

Need: Bench support

The Celtics really need to shore up the second unit with some youth and athleticism, and targeting someone like Shannon Brown makes perfect sense.

Boston desperately needs a scorer to anchor the second unit, and even if they retain Jeff Green, they need to continue to get younger and fill the end of the bench with potential rather than plug 'n' place veterans.

Charlotte Bobcats

Need: Knock down shooter

Head coach Paul Silas has already told SF Corey Maggette that he will start, and that should be a strong indication of how desperate the team is to find a scoring punch.

Crawford would be an excellent sixth man off the bench for a Bobcats club that is looking to find some offense in a hurry, and it's conceivable that he could even start ahead of the rehabbing Gerald Henderson.

Chicago Bulls

Need: Starting shooting guard

The Bulls' failure to acquire a perimeter threat at the trade deadline really came back to burn them in the postseason, and it's doubtful that the club will make the same mistake twice.

J.R. Smith and O.J. Mayo lead the list of a number of names that Chicago could target, as they simply can't rely on a combination of Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and Keith Bogans if they want to make a serious run at a championship.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Need: Starting small forward

The Cavs failed to address an obvious hole at the small forward spot through the draft, so they definitely need to address the issue in free agency.

Jeff Green would be an excellent addition to a re-building Cleveland club and boasts both offensive game and extraordinary athleticism, which makes him an ideal running mate with Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

Dallas Mavericks

Need: Backup power forward

The defending champions don't need a lot on a team that's already pretty stacked, but a legitimate backup to Dirk Nowitzki is definitely a focal point of concern.

Craig Smith isn't going to come in and do anything fancy, but he isn't afraid to do the dirty work down low and always plays with the utmost energy for every minute that he's on the floor.

Denver Nuggets

Need: Starting power forward

The Nuggets are extraordinarily deep after a solid draft and an outstanding Carmelo Anthony trade, but with Kenyon Martin headed toward free agency, they need another body down low.

Carl Landry would be an excellent complement to Al Harrington as a defensive-minded power forward and would really thrive in the role with Denver.

Detroit Pistons

Need: Starting shooting guard

The Pistons are desperate to turn the page on the Rip Hamilton era at shooting guard, and without a legitimate scoring punch on the team, Nick Young would be an excellent source of points.

Although Detroit has a plethora of wing players currently on the club, Young's offensive upside and ability to be a featured scorer in the offense would make him an ideal fit.

Golden State Warriors

Need: Defense

Golden State is rightfully placing the emphasis on the defensive end in the offseason, and help along the front line is necessary if they're going to improve under Mark Jackson.

Although they have an improving Dorell Wright currently at the small forward position, they would be wise to target a defensive-minded small forward to pair with the offense-first Wright.

Houston Rockets

Need: Starting small forward

The Rockets can't be banking on Chase Budinger to seize the starting role uncontested after overachieving for his career thus far, and it would make sense for them to bring in some veteran competition.

While they may deploy Marcus Morris at the position in stints this year, it would not be a shock to see the team target a championship winner to improve clubhouse culture and build a winning atmosphere.

Indiana Pacers

Need: Starting power forward

The Pacers are hot and heavy for a power forward that provides a force alongside Roy Hibbert, and Josh McRoberts is ticketed for unrestricted free agency.

David West recently opted out of his $7.5 million guaranteed with the Hornets, and Indiana is one of the few teams with cap space to entice the talented big man.

Los Angeles Clippers

Need: Starting small forward

The Clippers would be unbelievable on the front line if they were able to swing a deal for Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, but the chances of that happening appear to be disappearing by the day.

With Tayshaun Prince likely headed out of Detroit, his versatility would be welcomed by a Clippers team that really needs to bridge the gap to Al-Farouq Aminu.

Los Angeles Lakers

Need: Starting point guard

Los Angeles has no money to pay a standout free agent in the pack, but they could very well target a veteran point guard who would be an improvement over the current situation.

Derek Fisher and Steve Blake played Swiss cheese defense all season long, and the former champions definitely need a serious upgrade and an infusion of youth at the position until Darius Morris can be fully trusted.

Memphis Grizzlies

Need: Backup center

Memphis needs to prepare itself in case of a Marc Gasol departure, but even if the center returns, they could really use an upgrade over Hamed Haddadi.

They have plenty of youth and talent already on the roster and are in good shape moving forward, but adding a veteran big man that is actually capable of contributing makes all of the sense in the world.

Miami Heat

Need: Starting point guard

The Heat cannot overpay to retain the services of Mario Chalmers, and the club should explore every possible avenue at the starting spot outside of the Kansas product.

Although they are going to struggle with financial flexibility with a ton of money locked up in the "Big Three," but West shouldn't come at too high of an expense after an inconsistent season in Boston should they decide to pursue the veteran.

Milwaukee Bucks

Need: Starting power forward

The Bucks did well to rid themselves of financial burdens John Salmons and Corey Maggette, but there's no way that they can go into the regular season banking on Drew Gooden as the starter at power forward.

The club needs to pursue some rebounding help to complement Andrew Bogut down low, and that will be especially important if the oft-injured Bogut is forced to the sideline at some point next season.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Need: Starting center

After the T-Wolves failed to address their gaping hole at center through the draft, the club absolutely has to address the need in free agency.

They've got some cap space to play around with, but they're not going to sign a center to a long-term deal with both Darko Milicic and Nikola Pekovic signed up through the next few seasons.

New Jersey Nets

Need: Starting small forward

The Nets are quickly looking to turn it around as they approach the start date for their move to Brooklyn, and adding more offensive firepower at the small forward spot is a focal point.

New Jersey swung and whiffed on free agent Travis Outlaw, but a player like Wilson Chandler represents a much safer and more logical investment for a club that is looking to cultivate both youth and athleticism.

New Orleans Hornets

Need: Starting power forward

New Orleans isn't going to have a lot of money to use at their disposal considering the financial turmoil that the club faces, and with the NBA in control of the franchise, it's hard to imagine the team making any impact signings.

Josh McRoberts has proven to be a solid power forward when given ample time on the court, and he may be the best that they can afford on a very fixed budget after losing David West to free agency.

New York Knicks

Need: Defensive-minded center

The Knicks' most obvious need is on the defensive end of the floor, where the team showed absolutely nothing during the 2010-11 regular season.

The team appears committed toward improving their approach on that end of the floor with Mike D'Antoni promising to hire a defensive assistant, and they really need a big man in the middle to shore up the approach rather than relying on another season of Ronny Turiaf in a starting role.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Need: Veteran defender

Oklahoma City doesn't need to add a lot to a very young and talented club, but adding a veteran defender in the second unit should be at the forefront of the to-do list.

Although Battier might not be available considering his popularity in Memphis, the Thunder should definitely target someone in his mold that can give them productive minutes off the bench.

Orlando Magic

Need: Backup guard/forward

Orlando might have no choice but to limit the minutes of Hedo Turkoglu's minutes moving forward considering how poorly he's played with the club, and they need increased production from the three spot.

The Magic could use a dynamic scorer to be the offensive contributor in the second unit, as they really need to go all out in an effort to keep Dwight Howard in town long term.

Philadelphia 76ers

Need: Starting center

The Sixers managed with Spencer Hawes in the middle last season, but even in the games that he started, the big man rarely eclipsed more than 30 minutes in a single contest.

On a team that is packed with youth, Philadelphia should consider bringing in a veteran presence on the inside that can really add a dynamic punch down low alongside a dwindling Elton Brand.

Phoenix Suns

Need: Backup center

When the Suns acquired Marcin Gortat from the Orlando Magic, it didn't take long for him to surpass Robin Lopez as the team's starting center and an integral cog in the rotation.

After undrafted rookie Garret Siller surpassed Lopez in the rotation by the end of the season, it's clear that this re-building Phoenix franchise desperately needs a veteran big man capable of giving them efficient minutes.

Portland Trail Blazers

Need: Backup center

The Blazers are suddenly a very deep team in both the first and second units, and with a fair amount of youth on the roster, the club isn't really missing much.

However, after extending a qualifying contract offer to Greg Oden, the club clearly needs an insurance policy behind him if he decides to return to the team, and whatever player they pursue is likely going to wind up with a bigger role than anticipated.

Sacramento Kings

Need: Backup small forward

The Sacramento Kings have done well to improve this offseason, and assuming that the club re-signs restricted free agent Marcus Thornton, the backcourt attack will be complete.

With newly acquired John Salmons as the likely starting small forward, the team could look to pursue a trade of either Omri Casspi and/or Donte Greene, which would leave a hole behind Salmons on a team that's packed with intriguing talent.

San Antonio Spurs

Need: Starting center

San Antonio was burned by their inability to get production from the man in the middle last season, and it's clear that they need to address a size issue along the front line.

DeJuan Blair is best served coming off of the bench as an energy guy with the reserves, and adding some defense down low to pair with an aging Tim Duncan may help the Spurs transition to a new era of basketball.

Toronto Raptors

Need: True center

The Raptors appear committed to building a team around Andrea Bargnani, and while that plan can certainly work, it's not going to function well if the big man has to play in the middle.

Toronto would benefit much more by shifting Bargnani to the power forward spot and pursuing a big man that can actually bang with the opposition in the low post.

Utah Jazz

Need: Backup guard / forward

The Jazz need perimeter players capable of playing either the shooting guard or small forward spot as they attempt to stretch the floor for their big men down low.

Utah did a good job of addressing that with Alec Burks in the draft, but he and Gordon Hayward alone aren't going to cut it from more than 18 feet out. Adding a veteran scorer to the second unit would help lengthen the roster for a team that needs to add significant depth.

Washington Wizards

Need: Backup center

The Wizards don't need to add any more youth to an extraordinarily young roster, but the club does need to focus on improving the talent in the second unit.

With all of the fresh legs in Washington, no backup is going to need to log major minutes for the club, which would make a veteran big man that has bounced around the league a perfect target to mop up some minutes behind JaVale McGee.