NBA Trades: Otis Smith, Mike D'Antoni and 5 Jobs on the Line in Next 24 Hours

With the trade deadline fast approaching, it's not only players who could be moving—it could also be coaches and general managers.

And for the coaches and general managers, their form of "moving" could leave them jobless.

So, who should be concerned over their job in the next 24 hours or so?

Here's a rundown of general managers and coaches who are on the hot seat.

1. Otis Smith

Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith has no idea where Dwight Howard will be in a year, nor where he himself will be.  

Twenty-four hours from now, Smith will still be the Magic general manager, but his long-term fate will very likely be decided. The Magic have apparently informed Howard that if he stays in Orlando, he can decide the fate of both Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy.

Therefore, Smith better move quickly to prove (1) why Howard—who said last night he'd like to remain in Orlando for the remainder of the season—should remain in Orlando beyond 2012, and (2) why he should remain the team's general manager.

It's going to be difficult to accomplish both of these things, so he better act quickly.

Smith has already done a questionable job of piecing talent around Howard. Over the past few years, he's brought in overpaid players such as Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu and Glen Davis, but none have proved to be that much of a difference-maker.

"Superman" ultimately needs a sidekick, and Smith has yet to provide this. If he doesn't strike gold in the next 24 hours, not only will Dwight likely be leaving O-Town come the summer, but Smith likely will be too.

2. Mike D'Antoni

Mike D'Antoni's job in New York has been questioned numerous times this season. The hype of "Linsanity" likely saved his job earlier this season, but those "linsane" effects are beginning to wear off, as the floundering Knicks have lost eight of 10. 

It was just reported by ESPN's Chris Broussard that the sputtering Knicks are tuning out D'Antoni and that he's lost respect in the locker room.  

This certainly spells trouble for D'Antoni. Could his fate be decided in the next 24 hours?

Quite frankly, the better question is: Could his job be saved in the next 24 hours?

Truthfully, it appears the only way D'Antoni will keep his job is if the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony, who is reportedly now asking for a trade because of D'Antoni.

What a shocking turn of events. Anthony desperately wanted to play for the Knicks, and now he already wants out? 

If Anthony is traded, there's a chance D'Antoni will remain the team's coach, but if Anthony's not traded, the hopes of D'Antoni's tenure continuing in the Big Apple are undoubtedly bleak.

UPDATE: D'Antoni has resigned, according to Yahoo! Sports. 

3. Nate McMillan

Nate McMillan has done a decent job in his seven-year tenure with Portland, but he hasn't done anything exceptional.

Granted, he has endured unfortunate injury disappointments, namely Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, but they've never made it past the first round or overachieved in any valiant way.

This season they're currently under .500 and not in position to make the playoffs. If they miss the playoffs, it's very likely McMillian will be dumped.

Therefore his job is on the line in the next 24 hours, because the Blazers need help prior to the trade deadline. If it doesn't come, then McMillan's job will likely be lost come season's end.

4. Joe Dumars

Joe Dumars was a member of the "Bad Boys" Pistons teams of the late 1980s and is now a Hall of Fame guard.

What's more, as an executive, he helped pieced together the 2004 championship squad of the Pistons.

It's safe to say Dumars is a Detroit legend. Thus, does he have the right to remain with the Pistons as long as he wishes?

Well, he hasn't exactly done a fine job in recent years. The foolish acquisitions of Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon are inhibiting flexibility for the future. It's decidedly apparent that Dumars has made some questionable moves over the years.

If he doesn't make a big splash in the next 24 hours, perhaps he will get the boot.

5. Scott Skiles

The intensity of Scott Skiles has been productive in years past, when he helped the Chicago Bulls overachieve while their roster was laden with average players like Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and a young Luol Deng.

But his productive intensity seems to reach a limit. That Bulls roster soon proved to be inept, and he hasn't enjoyed consistent winning ways in his tenure in Milwaukee.

Yesterday Milwaukee landed potent scorer Monta Ellis, and they also appear to be hanging on to point guard Brandon Jennings for the time being.

Suddenly they look like a team who can make the playoffs. Assuming the Bucks keep these pieces for the next 24 hours, there is now pressure on Skiles to make a playoff push a reality.

Therefore, his fate won't necessarily be decided in the next 24 hours, but it's been charged with a task he must complete. If he doesn't lead this bunch to the playoffs, don't expect him back next year.