NBA Trade Deadline Possibiliities

The NBA Trade deadline is 9 days away, meaning front office executives and GMs are talking, while not “actively shopping.” If the last two years of NBA Trade Deadline deals (2011 and 2010) are any indication: the usual names that we have heard all season will be discussed. There are a few big names involved who we don’t know about, and several complimentary pieces will inevitably be dealt. All this is an effort by teams to position themselves closer to the title this year or rebuild for titles down the road.

After a very hectic first half of the season, here’s what we know that could shape how this year’s deadline plays out:

• Brandon Jennings is already “exploring” his options for next season
• At their best, Boston may not have enough to contend with Miami or Chicago in the East
• Golden State must decide who they’ll keep long-term: Monta Ellis or Stephen Curry
• Kobe Bryant has more great years in him than we might have expected
• Steve Nash is wasting the last of his great years in Phoenix
• We’re no closer to finding out what the Magic will do about Dwight Howard

We've already taken a crack at deals specific to the Los Angeles Lakers and Pau Gasol, now we tackle other scenarios that could take place.

Boston’s Last Hurrah

TRADE SUMMARY

CELTICS GET:

• G Steve Nash
• G Michael Redd

BUCKS GET:

• G Rajon Rondo

SUNS GET:

• G Brandon Jennings
• G Stephen Jackson

 RATIONALE:

Everyone has Danny Ainge trading one of Boston’s Big 3 and/or Rajon Rondo - perhaps Allen to a contender for young pieces and draft picks or Rondo for more cap friendly pieces that would allow Boston to “reload” next year when Jermaine O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen become unrestricted free agents. But what if Boston makes one last run at a title AND ensures their future. Nash and Redd will be free agents and come off the books, while also making them competitive this year.

Milwaukee ensures they have a long-term point guard to lead their team with Jennings threatening to leave after this year.

Phoenix gets a young point guard for the future, while along with Jackson, help them in the present.

Magic Go All in for Dwight

TRADE SUMMARY

MAGIC GET:

• G Steve Nash
• G Jamal Crawford

BLAZERS GET:

• G Jammer Nelson

SUNS GET:

• G J.J Reddick
• G Raymond Felton
• Orlando's 2012 1st Round Draft Pick

RATIONALE:

After hearing Howard wants Steve Nash in Orlando, GM Otis Smith obliges, and Orlando goes all in. If there is even a chance Dwight will stay in Orlando long-term, or at least exercise his player option for next year, Otis Smith will have to go all in right now.

Free Steve Nash

TRADE SUMMARY

MAVERICKS GET:

• G Steve Nash

SUNS GET:

• G Jason Kidd
• G Rodrigue Beaubois

OR

ROCKETS GET:

• F Pau Gasol

LAKERS GET:

• G Steve Nash
• F Luis Scola

SUNS GET:

• G Kyle Lowry
• LA's 2012 1st Round Draft Pick 

RATIONALE:

Who wouldn’t want to see Steve Nash and Dirk for at least half a season. While Dallas is maneuvering itself to sign a major free agent or two next year (Deron Williams or Dwight Howard), they still have a shot this year with Nash in the fold. If nothing else, Cuban would be looking at sellout crowds and more televised games. Beaubois could give Phoenix a point guard for the future, and Kidd's return may be enough to keep fans interested for the remainder of this season.

In the other scenario, Houston finally gets Gasol and gives up less this time around. Phoenix won't like to lose its main attraction, but they could also use a young point guard when Nash inevitably bolts. They will also stockpile ammunition for their rebuilding process by securing another 1^st round pick.

The Lakers get Nash, who very well might sign on for next year. Scola provides another low-post threat to round out the lineup who will help Bynum with some of the dirty work down low.

Detroit Eyes Its Future

TRADE SUMMARY

PISTONS GET:

• G Kyle Korver
• G Ronnie Brewer
• Chicago's 2012 1st Round Draft Pick

BULLS GET:

• G Ben Gordon

OR

PISTONS GET:

• F Michael Beasley

TIMBERWOLVES GET:

• F Tayshaun Prince

RATIONALE:

These are two long shots as Detroit has not been mentioned in any trade rumors, but every team could benefit from the aforementioned moves.

Chicago, while one of the best teams in the league, are predictable offensively. They only have one weapon, albeit a very dangerous one. This could pose problems down the road in the playoffs against teams like Oklahoma City and Miami who possess multiple options. Adding Gordon could solve this problem.

In return, Detroit gets players with fewer years left on their contracts, thus expediting their rebuilding process, plus a 1^st round pick in the upcoming draft to add another piece to the Brandon Knight-Greg Monroe franchise cornerstones.

Minnesota is a lot closer than anyone expected. While it might be tempting to use the cap space from Beasely to sign someone in the off-season, Prince is a savvy veteran who can be a contributor for a contender. In this scenario, they would lose their 1^st round pick, which is steep, but they have enough young players already  — Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver, Derrick Williams, Ricky Rubio, etc.

In this trade, Detroit gets much needed cap relief. They can then amnesty one of their other bad contracts (e.g. Charlie Villanueava) and get further under the cap.

A Needed Change of Scenery

TRADE SUMMARY:

Trade I

PACERS GET:

• G Luke Ridnour
• F Derrick Williams

TIMBERWOLVES GET:

• F Danny Granger

Trade II

76ERS GET:

• F Marcus Morris
• G Courtney Lee

ROCKETS GET:

• G Evan Turner

Trade III

JAZZ GET:

• G Monta Ellis

WARRIORS GET:

• C Al Jefferson

RATIONALE:

Granger is a solid player, but he works more as a piece rather than the centerpiece of a team. On Minnesota, he would make a great second option to Kevin Love, and form quite the trio with Rubio.

Philly is a really good team, but while they can hang with the likes of Chicago and Miami, there is no way they can beat them as currently constituted. Evan Turner does not look able to ascend above being the 8^th man off the bench behind Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young, so a change of scenery would do him well. In return, the Sixers would get a young big with potential in Marcus Morris and add to their depth with Courtney Lee, who can easily fill Turner’s role.

Golden State would love a big man as David Lee and Andris Biedrins clearly don’t fit Mark Jackson’s vision for the team. Utah could stand to move one of their bigs to pave the way for Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors. In Ellis, they get a dynamic scorer to couple with their core of Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, plus their two 2012 first round picks.