NBA Trade Rumors: 6 Teams That Need to Make Drastic Moves Before Deadline
As the March 15 NBA trade deadline looms, there are more than a few teams that need to make big moves to put themselves in contention for a championship.
Some of the teams on this list have to decide whether they are buyers or sellers, and those decisions will heavily impact which players are available. For now though, every possibility is up for speculation.
Here are six teams that need to make trades before the deadline if they plan on hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the season.
Los Angeles Lakers
1 of 6The Los Angeles Lakers of 2012 are a far cry from those of 2010, when they last won the NBA championship. The team that used to be a perennial favorite to win the Western Conference isn't even a clear favorite to win its own city this year.
With that being said, the Lakers are one big move away from reclaiming both crowns.
Dwight Howard was originally the piece all Laker fans wanted, but the latest rumor is that he wouldn't sign an extension with the team if he was traded. That presents obvious concerns over the worth of a trade that only benefits the Lakers for half a season.
Pau Gasol may still be traded, and that has led to trade speculation involving a number of players. Some of the names floating around include Kyle Lowry, Steve Nash and even Rajon Rondo. There are no guarantees a deal will get done, but ever since the Lakers were lawyered out out of the Chris Paul trade, they have needed to make a move.
Los Angeles Clippers
2 of 6The Los Angeles Clippers already made one drastic move this season and they will need another to go from contenders to favorites.
The most likely candidate to join Chris Paul and Blake Griffin is Portland guard Jamal Crawford. It has been reported that the Clippers have shown interest in him, and he would be a great addition to a team that is just one piece away from glory.
Their best trade bait is Eric Bledsoe, which could be problematic when dealing with other sides, but if they throw in a draft pick, it could even things out considerably.
Dallas Mavericks
3 of 6The defending NBA champions lost Tyson Chandler to the New York Knicks and had to relegate Lamar Odom to the D-League at one point, so they hardly look like the team that beat the Miami Heat last year.
There aren't necessarily any rumors surrounding the Dallas Mavericks, but there is plenty of speculation. Steve Nash looks like a potential pickup if the Phoenix Suns make him available, as he would be a great fit for a pick-and-roll with Dirk Nowitzki.
Adding the former MVP would certainly bolster Dallas' chances at a repeat.
Indiana Pacers
4 of 6The Indiana Pacers are in line to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year after missing out four years straight.
This time though, the Pacers will be looking to improve upon their eighth-seed standing from 2011 and can do that if they add another piece or so. They have shown interest in Eric Gordon and could opt to go for Chris Kaman, who is back on the trade block.
Names like O.J. Mayo and Rajon Rondo have also been speculated upon, and either player would put Indiana in competition with the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat to win the Eastern Conference.
Orlando Magic
5 of 6The Orlando Magic have had a roller coaster season, and it's far from over. Dwight Howard wants out, but the Magic are reluctant to trade him, to say the least.
Part of that is because they are currently 26-15 and sitting at third in the Eastern Conference. They don't appear to be in the same tier as the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, though, and that is why they need to make a push while Howard is still on the roster.
Several options include Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams, but there are no confirmed rumors on any of those players. Nash is still being held close by the Phoenix Suns and Rondo is in the same situation with the Boston Celtics. The asking price for Williams would likely be too high.
Whatever happens in Orlando, the Magic need to decide soon whether or not they are gunning for the Eastern Conference Finals or simply looking to get something for Howard while they have the chance. They have less than a week to make that decision.
Boston Celtics
6 of 6The Boston Celtics are in an interesting situation as they sit just above .500 and at seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.
Dealing Rajon Rondo increasingly looks like it would be a huge mistake, and the original Big Three are still quite productive despite their age. The Celtics could make a playoff push if they wanted to by bringing in a big man like Cole Aldrich or Chris Kaman.
At the same time, however, the Celtics have very little to offer in terms of trade bait and hardly look like a championship-caliber team. With an aging roster, their best option may be to look to the future and start rebuilding.
Ray Allen is a name that has been tossed around recently and everybody gets excited when "Rondo" and "trade" appear in the same sentence.
If the Celtics do decide to choose playoffs over lottery, however, they will need to make some quick changes to a roster that has been through two five-game losing streaks this season.
