NBA Trade Speculation: 5 NBA Teams Who Need to Make Moves Right Away

Heading into a shortened NBA season due to the recent lockout, there were plenty of unknowns going in, but who would have thought so many big-name teams would be ailing early on?

With so many high-profile teams struggling through the first month of the season, the trade rumors are all starting to surface, and here are five teams that need to make moves before the deadline comes and goes.

Boston Celtics

To the surprise of nobody, the Boston Celtics are looking old in 2012 and their record is showing this.

It's embarrassing that the Celts are in second place in the Atlantic with a 7-9 record, but that doesn't mean they're making the playoffs...unless they get a young player to come in and bring some life to this unit.

Boston needs to exchange 36-year-old Ray Allen or 35-year-old Kevin Garnett for younger players at their respective positions. While it's likely that the Celtics won't be able to make a NBA Finals run in 2012, they need to get draft picks and younger players to replace their aging Big Three.

Los Angeles Lakers

Like their bitter rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers aren't looking as dominant as many expected this season, mainly because their missing one rather large piece: Dwight Howard.

The Lakers attempted to up their star power by acquiring Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets, only to have the NBA nullify the deal, but what LA really needs is a premier big man like Howard.

Kobe Bryant had some of his best years playing alongside Shaquille O'Neal, when the Lakers won multiple championships. That dominant presence inside the paint is what Los Angeles needs right now and even if it takes Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to get the trade done, they should make it happen.

Orlando Magic

Give credit to the Orlando Magic for attempting to keep their star big man happy, but it's time they shipped Dwight Howard out of Florida.

It's not that Howard isn't still a talented player, because he certainly is. What the issue for the Magic is that the circus surrounding his possible departure has become too daunting for any team to take.

Orlando is currently tied with the Miami Heat for second place in the Southeast standings, and that would likely change for the worse without Howard, but if the team is able to get somewhere close to fair market value for him they should make the deal and save themselves anymore future headaches.

Minnesota Timberwolves

While the Minnesota Timberwolves may be on a two-game losing streak at the moment, they're looking like a true playoff contender this season.

The dynamic duo of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love has been giving teams like the San Antonio Spurs and defending champion Dallas Mavericks issues this season, and adding a player like an O.J. Mayo could solidify this young squad.

The Timberwolves a difficult division to maneuver through, but they're just as good as teams like Utah, Portland and Denver whom they're currently behind right now. If they were to add a player the caliber of Mayo, they could easily find themselves making noise in the postseason.

Dallas Mavericks

While the Dallas Mavericks have been rebounding from their disappointing start to the season, they're still not where they need to be if they want to repeat as champions.

The Mavs are another old team trying to gear up for one final playoff run with their current squad, but that doesn't mean they can't try and find themselves someone young who can give them a bit of what they lost when Tyson Chandler left town.

Dallas needs to make some moves, and when they play tomorrow against the Timberwolves and their young guns, you'll see just how old the Mavs can look.