NBA Trades: Last-Minute Buzz on Deals for Every NBA Buyer and Seller

Although there has been plenty of talk regarding some bigger names moving, not much seems imminent ahead of today's 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline. Even so, there is a lot of buzz and the potential for some impact moves to be made.

Many teams seem content to either stand pat or make a minor move at most, but there are some defined buyers and sellers that will likely do everything possible to make a move. Obviously many of the rumors that have been floating around won't amount to anything, but with the deadline drawing near, teams will have to pounce.

Here is the latest buzz regarding every buyer and seller that are currently involved heavily in trade talks, as well as an update on the Dwight Howard situation in Orlando.

Buyers

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers made most of their improvements during the offseason as they traded for Chris Paul and signed Caron Butler, but there is still a possibility that some depth could be added. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the Clippers are considering a deal for Utah Jazz guard Raja Bell in exchange for the $3.8 million trade exemption they received in the Eric Gordon trade to the New Orleans Hornets.

Bell wouldn't be a huge acquisition by any means, but he has always been a fantastic perimeter defender, which is something the Clippers could improve currently. He is also capable of hitting open shots and could fill some of the void that was left when Chauncey Billups was lost for the season. Bell obviously can't run the offense like Billups, but he would be a great addition to the Clips' rotation.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves have been heavily involved in trade talks over the past couple weeks, and while part of that has been a desire to deal forward Michael Beasley, they have also been looking to add for their playoff push.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com, there is talk of a three-way deal that would bring Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford to Minnesota, send Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers, Timberwolves point guard Luke Ridnour to the Blazers, and one of the Lakers' first-round picks to the Blazers as well.

This would allow Minnesota to move a player it obviously doesn't think fits in with the team while bringing in some help in the backcourt. With point guard Ricky Rubio out for the season, the T'Wolves are thin at guard, so a player with as much offensive skill as Crawford would be welcomed with open arms. 

Indiana Pacers

With one of the deepest teams in the NBA and a comfortable standing in the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers likely aren't looking to do anything drastic at the deadline. Adding a complementary piece or two is a possibility, however. According to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star, the Pacers are still in pursuit of New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman.

The Pacers have over $14 million in cap space, so Kaman would fit in nicely as a rental for the remainder of the season. Indiana already has Roy Hibbert at center, but depth is a problem as Jeff Foster has been out with a back injury. Acquiring Kaman would make the deepest team in basketball even deeper and certainly more dangerous.

Los Angeles Lakers

As mentioned previously, the Lakers seem to be involved in a three-way deal that would bring Michael Beasley to Los Angeles. There was talk that the Lakers may have rejected an offer of Beasley for a first-rounder a couple weeks ago to avoid paying extra luxury tax, but it appears as though the Lakers may be willing to take the hit in order to improve.

While McMenamin is reporting that the Lakers would only be giving up a first-round pick in the three-way trade that would also send Jamal Crawford from the Blazers to the Timberwolves, Joe Freeman of The Oregonian is reporting that the Lakers may be relinquishing guard Steve Blake in addition to a first-rounder in such a deal.

Whatever the case, Beasley would help the Lakers' deficiency in terms of a wing scorer.

Sellers

New Orleans Hornets

With his contract expiring at the end of the season and the New Orleans Hornets floundering, there is little reason for them to hang on to center Chris Kaman. His name has constantly come up in trade talks, and the likeliest destination appears to be Indiana. ESPN's Chris Broussard is reporting that to be the case, and he also said that the Hornets would take as little as a second-round pick in return.

It obviously makes sense from the Hornets' perspective to get what they can for Kaman. If they keep him and let him walk in free agency, then it will be a waste of an asset.

There aren't a ton of teams that have the means to take on his remaining salary, but the Pacers are one team who can. Everyone knows that the Hornets want to dump Kaman, so they won't get a lot for him, but any return would be a good one.

Portland Trail Blazers

While the potential three-way deal between the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers has been discussed ad nauseam in this article, the T'Wolves aren't the only team with interest in Jamal Crawford. According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, there has been some talk that Crawford could go to the Los Angeles Clippers for point guard Eric Bledsoe and small forward Ryan Gomes.

Not only would that be huge for the Clippers since it would give them a guard that can make up for the minutes lost when Chauncey Billups went down, but it would also be a nice return for the Blazers. Gomes has always been a good rotational player, while Bledsoe has starting potential. If Portland is looking to build for the future, then this is a nice potential package.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have begun to fall out of the Western Conference's playoff race and it seems likely that they will make a move or two at the deadline to subtract roster players and bring in future assets. According to Jody Genessy of the Deseret News, general manager Kevin O'Connor is actively seeking out trade scenarios.

One possibility is the aforementioned trade of Raja Bell to the Clippers, but there are others who could possibly be on the move. According to Nick Borges of ESPN, point guard Devin Harris and big man Al Jefferson are among the bigger-name players the Jazz could move.

Also, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News is reporting that the Jazz could send wing man C.J. Miles to the New Jersey Nets for center Johan Petro and a first-rounder. Utah may very well have more options than any team in the league at this point.

Orlando Magic

Because of the situation with center Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic have been branded as a seller despite the fact that they are firmly on track for the Eastern Conference playoffs. Howard has continually waffled about whether he wants to be traded, whether he wants to enter free agency or whether he wants to re-sign.

Now, according to RealGM, Howard intends to waive his opt-out clause for next season, meaning he would remain in Orlando for another year at least.

This would give the two sides more time to work out a deal and would almost certainly kill off any ongoing trade talks. Some certainty in the Howard situation could also make the Magic buyers at the deadline as they might try to prove to Howard that they are committed to winning. There aren't any indications regarding who they would target, though.