NBA Trade Rumors: L.A. Lakers and Teams Desperate to Make Deals

The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and there are several teams who are desperate to make a deal for several reasons.

Those reasons include building for the future, trying to find the missing piece in the championship puzzle, the need to dump salary and trying to impress impending free agents.

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the teams desperate to make a deal as they try to make another title run while looking to improve several weaknesses of the team.

Let's look at 10 teams desperate to make a deal by the March 15 deadline.

Los Angeles Lakers

Needs: Point guard, more athleticism, bench scoring forward

Best Trade Assets: Trade exception, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum

The Lakers need to upgrade their point guard situation and have just a few valuable trade assets to accomplish that goal with.

Star big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are two elite post players that teams would love to acquire, but breaking up this tandem could backfire on the Lakers.

No other team in the NBA has this kind of duo in the paint, and the Gasol/Bynum tandem gives opposing teams matchup nightmares. Gasol and Bynum are the primary reason why the Lakers are No. 1 in basketball in rebounds per game.

If one was to go, it would certainly be Gasol, who, at 31 years old, is not going to be an elite player for many more seasons. He can still be effective at both ends of the floor, and his excellent passing skills for a seven-footer would really upgrade any team's talent in the frontcourt.

The Lakers won't return to the NBA Finals unless they upgrade at point guard. At 37 years old, veteran Derek Fisher is no longer reliable at either end of the floor, and his shooting has not been consistent. Backup Steve Blake has been a major disappointment and has battled some injuries since signing as a free agent before last season.

The Lakers must trade Gasol to get younger and more talented at point guard.

Boston Celtics

Needs: Star big man, more athleticism, center depth

Best Trade Assets: Rajon Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal (expiring contract), Paul Pierce, Ray Allen

According to ESPN, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge isn't close on any possible deals, but how long will that last?

The Celtics are in an interesting situation before the trade deadline. The team's best player, star point Rajon Rondo, has the most value of anyone on the team, but he's also a fan favorite whose departure would an anger the fanbase deeply. His stubbornness and difficulty to coach has hurt his trade value, but there's no denying he's the best pure point guard in basketball.

The Celtics need to keep him for several reasons, and the biggest one is that Rondo is the most attractive player the team has to lure big-time free agents to Boston with over the summer. If star center Dwight Howard hits free agency, the Celtics would try to convince him to play in Boston with a pass-first floor general like Rondo.

Rondo's contract is also too valuable for the Celtics to part with. He's one of the best point guard in basketball, but he will only make up to $13 million per season until his deal expires after the 2014-15 season.

It's also unlikely the Celtics trade veterans Paul Pierce or Ray Allen. Both are crucial parts of the team, and even though Allen is a free agent at the end of the season, I can't see him leaving Boston. Pierce has two years left on his deal and is still a reliable player at both ends of the floor.

The Celtics will likely make a small deal to improve their depth in the front court because center Jermaine O'Neal is injured too often. After their lack of depth at forward hurt them against the Miami Heat in the playoffs last year, expect the Celtics to make a small move for a big man.

Milwaukee Bucks

Needs: Big man depth, bench scoring

Best Trade Assets: Tobias Harris, first-round pick, Brandon Jennings

I cannot see the Milwaukee Bucks trading Brandon Jennings since he's one of the better up-and-coming guards in basketball.

The Bucks don't have any expiring contracts of significance, but they do have a first-round pick and rookie forward Tobias Harris to offer teams for some bench scoring.

Milwaukee is 24th in rebounds per game and points allowed per game, so they need to add some defensive talent before the deadline.

They are only two points out of a playoff spot and must make a decision to go for it or play for next year. With the Knicks' recent struggles, the Bucks should decide to make a push for the postseason.

Washington Wizards

Needs: Everything, primarily a veteran star and defensive forwards

Best Trade Assets: Javale McGee, Andrey Blatche, John Wall, Nick Young, Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton

According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, the Washington Wizards are in full fire sale mode before the trade deadline:

"

Source just told me #wizards have informed teams they can have any player except John Wall if they are willing to take Andray Blatche

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 10, 2012"

The Wizards are smart to keep John Wall because he's one of the most talented young players in basketball. Unfortunately, they haven't surrounded Wall with the proper talent or veterans, and they better start soon or he won't re-sign when his contract is up.

Washington has way too many players who are either immature, don't work hard enough, don't play enough defense or a combination of the three. 

To establish a winning culture, the Wizards need to surround Wall with the right mix of veteran and young players who will be committed to defense and buy into the "team" concept.

Atlanta Hawks

Needs: Upgrade at center, backup point guard, bench scoring

Best Trade Assets: Josh Smith, Kirk Hinrich ($8 million expiring contract)

The Atlanta Hawks have not been able to advance past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for several seasons now, and unless they upgrade at center, the Hawks won't make the conference finals this season either.

Al Horford's injury is really hurting the team's ability to score and defend in the low-post, and with few assets of real value, it will be difficult for the Hawks to drastically improve their club.

Josh Smith reportedly wants a trade, but since he's under contract for next year and is one of the team's best players, I cannot see Atlanta making a major move by trading him.

New Jersey Nets

Needs: Scoring forward, bench depth, more defensive talent

Best Trade Assets: Brook Lopez, Deron Williams, Marshon Brooks, two first round picks

The New Jersey Nets are another team in an interesting scenario ahead of the deadline. They will have a ton of money to spend under the salary cap next summer, but they don't know for sure what players will be available.

Star point guard Deron Williams has not signed a new contract, and it's uncertain whether he will remain with the Nets long-term when he can be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. The Nets would love to sign him and star center Dwight Howard, but there is no assurance that Howard will even make it to free agency.

The Nets have some very valuable trade assets to acquire Howard from the Orlando Magic with. Center Brook Lopez is a talented young player, as is rookie shooting guard Marshon Brooks. The Nets also have two first-round picks, which are quite valuable since this year's draft class is loaded with potential stars.

New Jersey needs to do something large to show Williams they are committed to winning and are willing to build a championship caliber team.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Needs: Guard depth, center, bench scoring

Best Trade Assets: Athleticism, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasley

With fears that star point guard Ricky Rubio has a torn ACL in his knee, the Minnesota Timberwolves will need to find more guard depth if the Spanish star's injury is serious. The team is only a half game out of a playoff spot and just three-and-a-half from a top four seed in the Western Conference. 

Without Rubio, the Timberwolves offense will not function as well and their transition game also will not be as effective. With a lot of depth in the frontcourt, the Timberwolves are well set up to improve their team and make a push for the playoffs at the trade deadline.

Orlando Magic

Needs: To keep Dwight Howard, veteran star, front court depth, backup center

Best Trade Assets: Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, JJ Redick, Dwight Howard

The Orlando Magic are in a very tough situation with star center Dwight Howard able to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Does the team trade him and get value in return or risk that he walks in free agency and the Magic are then left in ruins?

According to NBC Sports, the Magic haven't decided whether to trade Howard or not.

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Representatives of three teams in the mix for Howard – either on his list (Nets, Lakers and Mavericks) or among teams willing to gamble on trading for him in the hopes that he can be persuaded to stay beyond this season – told CBSSports.com Thursday that the Magic have not decided which path to pursue (to keep him or trade him).

"

If the Magic want to keep Howard, they will need to make some moves to show him that the team is capable of building a championship-caliber squad around him.

One target for the Magic could be Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, who has an expiring contract and is pursuing his first championship.

"

Magic Rumor: I was told by multiple sources that Otis Smith will "aggressively" pursue Steve Nash before the trade deadline.

— Jarrod N Rudolph (@MisterRudolph) February 26, 2012"

I would expect the Magic to make a large move at the deadline, whether it's dealing Howard or bringing in talent to make him happy.

Houston Rockets

Needs: Star scorer, offensive-minded power forward

Best Trade Assets: Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Patrick Patterson, Courtney Lee

The Houston Rockets have several talented players at nearly every position, but they lack a star player who can take over games offensively.

The Rockets also need to add a big man who can score consistently. They still covet Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers and almost acquired him in the nixed Chris Paul to the Lakers trade prior to the season.

Houston has a lot of talent to offer teams for a star big man and would be wise to make a major move to ensure that they hold onto a playoff spot.

Portland Trail Blazers

Needs: Upgrade at point guard, upgrade at center, young scorer

Best Trade Assets: Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford, Gerald Wallace, Nicolas Batum

The Portland Trail Blazers have underachieved this season and just lost badly to the Boston Celtics in an embarrassing effort Friday night.

The Blazers have several attractive trade assets to dangle, such as veterans Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford.

Felton is a good passer and a capable scorer, and he could certainly be a starting point guard on most teams. Crawford is a tremendous scorer off the bench and is one of the better sixth men in basketball.

Portland is only two games out of a playoff spot, so it will be hard to sell their fanbase on the idea of being sellers when the postseason is in reach.