NBA Trade Speculation: 7 Teams That Must Trade Their Best Player for the Future

The NBA trade deadline is March 15th, and it is never too early to speculate on what might go down in terms of deals this season.

In a year of surprises (Linsanity, the Sixers' resurgence, etc.), teams are more likely than ever to make a move in order to put themselves in a position to win it all this season.

Here are seven teams that should trade their best player for the future.

New York Knicks

The Jeremy Lin story may be the biggest surprise in the NBA since Michael Jordan came back from retirement in 2001.

In five games where Lin has played significant minutes (four of which he's started), Lin has led the Knicks to five straight wins. This includes a 38-point outburst on national television versus Kobe Bryant last Friday night.

He has set several records with his play and has averaged a shocking 20-plus-point, eight-assist average since he's been inserted in the lineup.

Not bad from a Harvard kid.

The question remains, though, is how this team will turn out once Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire return from injury.

Will their contrasting styles co-exist with Linsanity?

My hope is that it will and that it ends up turning into a beautiful thing for the Knicks (as a basketball fan).

However, if 'Melo plays selfishly and the Knicks turn into losers, then he should be the one who leaves.

Amare has the skill set to run with a guy like Lin (who has also gotten Steve Nash comparisons, a player whom Stoudemire thrived with in Phoenix).

I know that Melo was brought in to be the face of the franchise, but the Knicks have found a player who has shown in his brief stint that he is able to fill that role just fine. He has energized an entire franchise and league in only a week's time.

Plus, a 'Melo trade could net players to build around a Lin-centric team, one that might feature Dwight Howard (who has wanted a trade since the season began) or another big-time player who could fit the system.

Orlando Magic

The Magic have had to deal with the nuisance that has been Dwight Howard's trade request since the season began.

Howard, who is set to be a free agent after the season has ended, has led several people to the belief that he may not be an Orlando Magic player next season.

Still, Orlando has jumped out to an 18-11 record and look like a viable threat in the Eastern Conference.

But if Howard is serious about leaving, then the Magic should oblige.

Why let him leave and not get anything in return?

A Howard trade would only benefit the Magic for the future, as they would most likely add more than one good player to the team.

Some people have suggested a straight Howard-for-Bynum swap, but something else (possibly a two-for-one) may be in the works.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors look like a team on the rise, with a lineup featuring All-Star-caliber players David Lee, Stephen Curry and Andris Biedrens (at least of a few years ago).

However, they are only 10-14 and fourth in the Pacific Division.

A name that has been swirled around in trade talks for the past year has been Monta Ellis, one of the best scorers in the league.

Ellis looks expendable because of the presence of Curry, who plays a similar position.

An Ellis trade could bring in a small forward (such as Josh Smith) who could really help the Warriors, as they are a young, fast-paced team.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have been mired in mediocrity for the better part of the last decade since the Vince Carter trade in 2004.

No. 1 overall draft pick Andrea Bargnani has played far below expectations. Despite averaging a career-high 23 points this season, his team is still losing at 9-21.

Perhaps maybe he would be better fitted to go somewhere where he would not have to take the leadership role on a contending squad.

In return, the Raptors can get some players who are more suited to winning than individual achievement.

The Bargnani experiment is in year six right now, and unless the Raptors really believe they can turn around their 9-21 season, Bargnani remains the only viable trade piece.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have gotten off to another slow start this season, two years removed from playing the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals back in 2010.

The Suns had 54 wins in the regular season that year and dropped to 40 the following year. They had let Amare Stoudemire walk in free agency and tried to build the team around Steve Nash and role players (at times, tinkering with Hedo Turkulu, Vince Carter and Channing Frye).

However, this year's team is off to another slow start at 12-17, and they need help quickly.

A good solution for them would be trading Steve Nash to a contender and hopefully getting young pieces back in return.

Nash is no longer the player he was during the '05 and '06 seasons when he won the MVP.

He still can be a playmaker, although it is inconceivable to think of him in that featured role at the age of 38.

Perhaps he can be traded for a younger point guard and some draft picks to return, or if the Suns get really lucky, something a lot more advantageous than that.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have been an exciting team since Brandon Jennings joined the squad back in 2009.

Nicknamed "Young Buck" for his explosiveness, he is one of the most exciting players in the league.

This season he has already beaten LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, and he seems to love playing against the best competition.

It is that drive which makes him so appealing.

However, his team is 12-16 and far less the team Jennings surely envisioned. The team plays inconsistently, partly because of their young point guard.

Perhaps Jennings would be better suited on a Western Conference team looking to go deep in the playoffs this year.

The Lakers are always looking for young talent, why not make the move to get "Young Buck"?

Detroit Pistons

Joe Dumars is one of the most innovative GMs in all of sports.

He crafted the 2004 Detroit Pistons championship team that upset the Lakers in the finals and will have its place in NBA lore for its team play.

It created "Mr. Big Shot," man with a mask, Richard Hamilton, and a rejuvenated Rasheed Wallace.

However, eight years later, despite going deep in the playoffs several times (and making a play for Allen Iverson), the Pistons have not reached the promised land since.

This year they absolutely stink. At 8-22, they area a squad that seems OK with losing and not doing anything about it.

It is upsetting considering they include two players from that 2004 championship team (Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace); however, they just haven't been able to put it together on nightly basis.

Their highest scorer is center Greg Monroe, who is having a hell of season (16 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game).

If they trade him to a team that desperately needs a big man, then it may reap them future rewards later on.

They do have talented veterans on the team like Ben Gordon (and the above names), but maybe it is a young leader they are lacking.