NBA Trade Speculation: Ideal Trade Targets for Every Team

There are 26 NBA teams not named the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, and they are already starting to look towards the 2012-13 season.

Those 26 teams are not only eyeing the 2012 NBA draft and the summer of free agency.  They are also starting to speculate about potential trades that could change the trajectory of their franchise and transform them into playoff contenders overnight.

Every NBA team could benefit from making a trade this offseason, and that's exactly what this article is about.

Ahead is a list of every NBA team's ideal trade target for the 2012 offseason.

A number of trades speculated about in this article include players who are either unrestricted free agents or restricted free agents.  This article is based on the assumption that those players will re-sign with their current teams. 

Atlanta Hawks: D.J. Augustin

Speculated Trade—Atlanta Hawks send SF Marvin Williams, 2013 second-round pick, and cash considerations to Charlotte Bobcats for PG D.J. Augustin. 

The Atlanta Hawks have some uncertainty regarding their roster heading into the 2012 offseason.  Josh Smith is always a wild card when it comes to whether or not he wants to be with the team; and the Hawks, as always, could be looking to move Joe Johnson's absurdly overpriced $19.7 million contract.

If the Hawks want to contend in the East, they absolutely need to make an upgrade at both the shooting guard and point guard positions.  Willie Green and Jeff Teague aren't going to get the Hawks beyond the first round of the playoffs anytime soon.

The best option for the Hawks is to pursue a combo guard like D.J. Augustin, who could fit into either the one or two guard-spot with ease.

The Bobcats might be willing to part with Augustin because they have Kemba Walker, who is a more offensively explosive point guard.  

Going after Augustin would be a step in the right direction for a Hawks team that needs more scoring from the point.  

Boston Celtics: Eric Gordon

Speculated Trade—Boston Celtics send 2012 No. 23 pick, SG Avery Bradley, SG Ray Allen, and 2012 first-round pick to New Orleans Hornets for SG Eric Gordon and SF Trevor Ariza.   

The Boston Celtics could look like a very different team heading into the 2012-13 season. With the future of the vaunted big three in doubt, the Celtics need to start looking towards rebuilding by bringing in talent to compliment the play of Rajon Rondo.

A player that the Celtics should pursue at all costs is Eric Gordon.  Trading for Gordon would not only help the Celtics build for the future, it would also help create one of the most dynamic backcourts in the entire NBA.

To land Gordon, the Celtics would absolutely have to re-sign either Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen and include one of them in the trade, because aside from those players, the Celtics don't have enough trade value on their roster.  By throwing in one of their late first-round draft picks, the Celtics could make a trade for Gordon a lot more enticing.

How does a starting lineup with Rajon Rondo, Eric Gordon and Paul Pierce sound, Boston fans?

Brooklyn Nets: Dwight Howard

Speculated Trade—Brooklyn Nets send 2012 No. 58 pick, 2013 first-round pick, C Brook Lopez, G Gerald Wallace and PF Kris Humphries to Orlando Magic for C Dwight Howard and SF Hedo Turkoglu.

This trade is an absolute long-shot.  It hinges on the Nets being able to re-sign Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace for the purpose of trading them to Orlando.

If the Nets want to start off on the right foot in Brooklyn, this is a trade they must pursue at all costs.  Reeling in Dwight Howard is the only way the Nets have a chance at also bringing back All-Star point guard Deron Williams.

Failing to land Howard in a blockbuster trade will almost guarantee that the Nets will be a lottery team for the next few years to come.

The Nets need to set their sights on free agency if they can't reel Howard in to Brooklyn, because they currently have only four players under contract heading into the 2012-13 season.  

Charlotte Bobcats: Tyreke Evans

Speculated Trade—Bobcats send 2012 No. 31 Draft pick, C Bismack Biyombo, PF Tyrus Thomas and G Gerald Henderson to Sacramento Kings for SG Tyreke Evans and PG Jimmer Fredette. 

Even after enjoying a number of recent lottery picks, the Charlotte Bobcats are still looking for their franchise player.

It might be time to start looking for their first franchise player in the trade market rather than in the draft, because they certainly don't have a solid track record when it comes to high draft picks.

One player that could help the Bobcats become a more competent team in the Eastern Conference is Tyreke Evans.  Evans is the kind of player who is versatile enough to either play alongside Walker at the two-guard spot, or move down to play as a small forward.

If the Bobcats could also reel in a player like Jimmer Fredette in a trade for Evans the deal would be that much sweeter.  It's time for the Bobcats to start being active in free agency and in the trade market—something they've yet to do as a franchise.   

Chicago Bulls: O.J. Mayo

Speculated Trade—Chicago Bulls send 2012 No. 29 overall draft pick, SG Ronnie Brewer, and F Taj Gibson to Memphis Grizzlies for SG O.J. Mayo.

This one is certainly a long shot, but it would help the Bulls contend in the 2012-13 season without Derrick Rose in their starting lineup.

O.J. Mayo is a player whose name always pops up in trade speculation and rumors, no matter how well the Memphis Grizzlies are doing. Whether it's Mayo who wants out of Memphis this time, or Memphis that wants to move on from Mayo, one thing is for sure - it's time to pull the trigger on trading Mayo away.

The Grizzlies would need to re-sign Mayo to a max-deal of $7.4 million for the purpose of this trade; but that's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

The Bulls need an upgrade at the two-guard spot, especially now that Derrick Rose could miss a majority of next season, and Mayo could be the upgrade the Bulls are looking for.   

Cleveland Cavaliers: Wesley Matthews

Speculated Trade—Cleveland Cavaliers send 2012 No. 24 pick, SG Daniel Gibson, and G Manny Harris to Portland Trail Blazers for G Wesley Matthews and 2012 No. 43 pick. 

Heading into the 2012-13 season, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to focus on finding a better shooting guard.  With Kyrie Irving running the point and running the show for the Cavaliers, it's time the Cavs find Irving a legitimate wing-man.

Instead of trying to find that player in the draft, the Cavaliers could realistically pursue that player in free agency.  Wesley Matthews is exactly the kind of player the Cavaliers need beside Irving.

Matthews is a physical shooting guard who can compliment the dribble-drive game of Irving by finding open space on the perimeter. He would be a good option for Irving when defenses collapse on him. The best part of this trade is that the Cavaliers wouldn't have to give up that much to get Matthews.

The Cavaliers could entice the Trail Blazers by offering to also swap their late first-round pick for the Blazers' last second-round pick.

This trade could make the Cavaliers an immediate contender in the East next season. 

Dallas Mavericks: Kyle Lowry

Speculated Trade—Dallas Mavericks send 2012 No. 17 pick, 2013 second-round pick, and SF Shawn Marion to Houston Rockets for PG Kyle Lowry.

It's time to enter rebuilding mode for the Dallas Mavericks.  Their only point guard option is Jason Kidd, and he just turned 39-years old.  While he might still have another year in the NBA, there's no doubt that he's not the player he once was.  It's time to find Kidd's replacement, and that player is Kyle Lowry.

To get Kyle Lowry the Dallas Mavericks would have to give up quite a bit, especially when it comes to draft picks both this year and next.

The good news for the Mavericks is that Lowry has indicated that he wants out of Houston if a coaching change isn't made, which would potentially lower the Rockets' asking price for the disgruntled point guard.

Landing Lowry would be a great move for the Mavericks to make because they need to start rebuilding fast, with Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry (unrestricted free agent) all in the latter parts of their NBA careers.

Denver Nuggets: Michael Beasley

Speculated Trade—Denver Nuggets send G Jordan Hamilton and SF Wilson Chandler to Minnesota Timberwolves for F Michael Beasley.

You could argue that the Nuggets don't need anything this offseason other than a serious lesson in how to play defense.  But the Nuggets could benefit from upgrading at the two-guard/forward position; and the man for that job is Michael Beasley.

To trade for Beasley the Nuggets will need the Timberwolves to sign him to the maximum $8.2 million deal.  The only way the Timberwolves will do that is if they know someone is willing to trade for him to relieve them of that high-priced contract.

By sending Wilson Chandler and Jordan Hamilton, a prospect with a lot of potential, to the Timberwolves, the Nuggets would be able to reel Beasley in for a relatively low price.

Landing Beasley certainly won't make the Nuggets a better defensive team overnight, but it will at least make them more physical at the forward spot. 

Detroit Pistons: Taj Gibson

Speculated Trade—Detroit Pistons send SG Ben Gordon and SF Austin Daye to Chicago Bulls for F Taj Gibson, SG Richard Hamilton and SG Ronnie Brewer.

The Richard Hamilton experiment didn't work out too well in Chicago this past season.  It's clear that Hamilton isn't a part of the Bulls' immediate future, and that means they need to look at letting him go.  That's great news for the Pistons.

The Pistons need to bolster their front court alongside their stud-center Greg Monroe, and they can do just that by trading for Bulls' forward Taj Gibson.  Trading for Gibson also makes sense because it could help the Bulls fill their biggest need, which is finding a legitimate shooting guard. 

While it might be a long-shot, the Bulls could help relieve the Pistons of Ben Gordon's over-priced contract by inviting him to make a return to Chicago, where he played the best days of his career.

This trade makes a lot of sense for both teams. Hopefully that means it's one that has a high likelihood of coming to fruition. 

Golden State Warriors: Andre Iguodala

Speculated Trade—Golden State Warriors send 2012 No. 30 pick, SF Richard Jefferson, and SF Dorell Wright to Philadelphia 76ers for SF Andre Iguodala.

The Philadelphia 76ers are always looking to get rid of Andre Iguodala and they might actually do that this offseason.  Last year at this time there were trade rumors circulating about a potential deal that would bring Iguodala to Golden State in exchange for Monta Ellis.  While Ellis won't be involved in this speculated trade, it will end with Iguodala finally playing for the Warriors.

If the Warriors want to contend in a stacked Western Conference in the next year or two, they need to bring in a player that can take the pressure off of the often-injured Stephen Curry.

Landing Iguodala would help the Warriors become an even more athletic team than they currently are; with Curry, Iguodala and Thompson able to run a transition offense that will be hard to compete with.

The Warriors won't win without defense either; luckily Iguodala is considered to be one of the premier defenders in the league.  The Warriors might have to include more than just the speculate trade above to land Iguodala, but aside from ensuring they hold on to Thompson, Curry and Bogut, they should be willing to do whatever it takes to get Iguodala wearing yellow and blue. 

Houston Rockets: Pau Gasol

Speculated Trade—Houston Rockets send PG Kyle Lowry, SG Kevin Martin and C Samuel Dalembert to L.A. Lakers for 2012 No. 60 pick, 2013 first-round pick, PF Pau Gasol, PG Ramon Sessions and G Andrew Goudelock.

The Houston Rockets had interest in landing Pau Gasol around this year's trade deadline, but they weren't able to reach an agreement with the Lakers that made sense for both teams.

Luckily for the Rockets, Ramon Sessions didn't really work out as well as the Lakers had hoped, which means they might still be in the market for a franchise point guard.

Kyle Lowry could be that guy for the Lakers, and he might just be looking for a way out of Houston.  With Gasol's inconsistent play in the postseason, the Lakers might be willing to part ways with the seven-footer - which would be great news for Houston.

Trading Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin for Pau Gasol and Ramon Sessions would make sense for both teams, but may not be financially feasible.  Throwing in Dalembert's contract would help make this trade feasible, and it would help the Lakers pad the impact of losing Gasol.   

Indiana Pacers: Eric Gordon

Speculated Trade—Indiana Pacers send 2012 No. 26 overall pick, SF Danny Granger, and G George Hill to New Orleans Hornets for SG Eric Gordon.

This trade will only take place if the New Orleans Hornets retain Eric Gordon this off-season.

Trading for Gordon would make way too much sense for the Indiana Pacers, even though he's been an injury-prone player throughout his career so far.  Gordon grew up in Indiana and played college basketball for the University of Indiana, so his return to Indiana would be that much sweeter.

The Pacers would have to be willing to give up Danny Granger to land Gordon, and while that would be a high-risk/high-reward move, it would certainly add some excitement to the Pacers' organization.

Gordon would definitely entertain the idea of playing with the Pacers—when asked about playing in Indiana, Gordon said, "I think it would be good for the fans." 

L.A. Clippers: Michael Beasley

Speculated Trade—L.A. Clippers send 2012 No. 53 pick, SF Ryan Gomes, and PG Eric Bledsoe to Minnesota Timberwolves for F Michael Beasley and PG Luke Ridnour.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to deal Michael Beasley before the trade deadline this year. When that didn't happen, their focus shifted to finding a team that might be interested in trading for him if a qualifying offer isn't extended.

While the L.A. Clippers have a lot of unanswered questions surrounding which players are going to return to their roster next season, they could certainly benefit from moving a few guys to reel in Beasley, as he fits in well with their high-octane offense.

Giving up their only 2012 draft pick, the under-performing Ryan Gomes, and a player with a lot of potential player in Eric Bledsoe, the Clippers could certainly land Beasley. This trade would be a step in the right direction for a team with a lot of unanswered questions heading into the 2012-13 season.

With Chris Paul controlling the offense, Beasley would certainly be able to add some production for the Clippers at the small forward spot.

L.A. Lakers: Kyle Lowry

Speculated Trade—L.A. Lakers send the 2012 No. 60 pick, 2013 first-round pick, PF Pau Gasol, PG Ramon Sessions and G Andrew Goudelock to Houston Rockets for PG Kyle Lowry and C Samuel Dalembert.

It's evident that Ramon Sessions isn't the answer the Lakers were looking for at the point guard position.  While he could certainly thrive with Kobe and Bynum around him, I wouldn't be shocked if the Lakers decided to move in a different direction this summer.

One of the Lakers' best options this summer might be to try and entice the Rockets into trading away their point guard, Kyle Lowry, in exchange for the big man they've been looking for since the days of Hakeem Olajuwon.

A straight Gasol for Lowry trade won't work because of the immense disparity between each player's contracts.  Instead, the Rockets will have to throw in either Samuel Dalembert or Kevin Martin to equalize the contracts being traded.

If the Lakers can get Lowry and some other players for Gasol, Sessions, and a draft pick or two, they should jump at the opportunity. This trade might be just what they need to get back to being the best in the West. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Tyreke Evans

Speculated Trade—Memphis Grizzlies send SG O.J. Mayo, PG Josh Selby, and 2012 No. 25 pick to Sacramento Kings for G Tyreke Evans.

This trade certainly seems way to costly for the Memphis Grizzlies, doesn't it?  Well, if they want a shot at contending in the Western Conference this is a trade that they can't afford to let slip away.

While O.J. Mayo has been an above-average player in Memphis, there's no doubt that the Grizzlies won't be able to turn the corner in the West with him as their option at the shooting guard spot.  The Grizzlies don't utilize Mayo effectively, and that means it's time to move on without him and pursue other options at the shooting guard spot.

Tyreke Evans would be an ideal candidate for the Grizzlies because he would benefit from playing in an offense that is centered around front court play.  Evans needs to mature and develop into a player who takes high-percentage shots rather than forcing opportunities.

Playing for a playoff-caliber team could be the perfect place for Evans to learn how to do just that. 

Miami Heat: Channing Frye

Speculated Trade—Miami Heat send PG Mario Chalmers, SF James Jones and C Dexter Pittman to Phoenix Suns for C Channing Frye.

Here's a trade that works ridiculously well for both teams involved.

Not only do the Heat need to make a major upgrade at the center position, but the Suns also need to find a player that can help sustain their offense while they try to find Steve Nash's long-term replacement.  This trade gives both teams what they're looking for.

Frye is an athletic and versatile big-man who can run in transition and also bang in the paint. He's certainly not the most physical big-man in the NBA, but he's still a much better option than either Joel Anthony or Ronny Turiaf.

The Heat would help themselves out by looking for an upgrade at the center position. Giving away Chalmers wouldn't be such bad news, since they have the young Norris Cole to solidify the point.  

Milwaukee Bucks: Andre Iguodala

Speculated Trade—Milwaukee Bucks send PF Drew Gooden, SF L.R. Mbah a Moute, and 2012 lottery pick to Phildelphia 76ers for SF Andre Iguodala.

Take a moment and imagine this: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala all playing in the same back court for the Milwaukee Bucks. They could quickly become without a doubt one of the best trios in the NBA.

This trade could become a reality if the 76ers decide to finally amnesty Elton Brand. Amnestying Brand would free up cap-space for the 76ers in free agency, and it would create a spot for Drew Gooden in the 76ers offense.

While losing Iguodala would hurt the 76ers, they could use the Bucks' lottery pick to try and find his replacement sooner rather than later.

If the Bucks have a chance at pulling the trigger on a trade that will bring Iguodala to Milwaukee, they need to do everything in their power to make it happen. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Wesley Matthews

Speculated Trade—Minnesota Timberwolves send 2012 No. 58 pick, PG J.J. Barea and C Darko Milicic to Portland Trail Blazers for SG Wesley Matthews and G Nolan Smith.

The Timberwolves' biggest weakness, assuming that Ricky Rubio can rebound from his torn ACL next season, is the lack of depth and production they have at the shooting guard position.

Wesley Matthews is player who could bring some instant production to the Timberwolves' roster, and in doing so help the T'Wolves become a contender in the West.

With this proposed trade the Trail Blazers could also get a point guard in J.J. Barea, who would be able to help bolster the Blazers' backcourt.

This trade makes sense for both teams and it also happens to be financially feasible.  If Wesley Matthews is a member of the T'Wolves heading into the 2012-13 season, Minnesota will certainly be a legitimate playoff contender. 

New Orleans Hornets: DeMar DeRozan

Speculated Trade—New Orleans Hornets send 2012 second-round pick, SF Trevor Ariza, and SF Xavier Henry to Toronto Raptors for SG DeMar DeRozan and SF Linas Kleiza.

The New Orleans Hornets could certainly set their sights on loftier trade targets since they have two lottery picks this season, but the more realistic possibility for them is to go after a solid NBA player who can bring immediate production to their lackluster roster.

Going after DeMar DeRozan makes sense for the Hornets because they wouldn't have to give up all that much, and they'd gain a player who can inject some excitement into their struggling franchise.

With a lot of questions surrounding which players will be on the Hornets' roster heading into the 2012-13 season, the Hornets would be wise to go after a player like DeRozan in the trade market.  DeRozan wouldn't be the future of the Hornets franchise, but he certainly would be a solid backup plan if Eric Gordon doesn't end up playing for the Hornets next year.

It's time for the Hornets to start the rebuilding process, and DeRozan would certainly help that process along. 

New York Knicks: C.J. Watson

Speculated Trade—New York Knicks send F Josh Harrellson, cash considerations, and 2012 No. 48 pick to Chicago Bulls for C.J. Watson.

The New York Knicks have a lot to focus on this offseason, from deciding whether to re-sign Jeremy Lin to figuring out which role players they need to bring back.

Even if the Knicks decide to sign Lin to a long-term contract, they'll certainly need a backup for Lin while Iman Shumpert is recovering from his torn ACL.  A good inexpensive backup for Lin would be C.J. Watson, who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls.

Watson wouldn't require a significant financial commitment, and he would be able to solidify the Knicks' backcourt until Shumpert is able to return to the roster.

Trading for Watson depends on which players the Knicks decide to re-sign this off-season, as there's a possibility that cash will be tight for the Knicks this summer. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Tayshaun Prince

Speculated Trade—Oklahoma City Thunder send SG Daequan Cook, F Lazar Haywood, and 2013 second-round pick to Detroit Pistons for SF Tayshaun Prince.

There's no doubt that the Thunder need to add some depth to their second unit.  Aside from 2012 Sixth Man of the Year James Harden, and Nick Collison, the Thunder don't see a lot of production from their bench, a factor that certainly may keep them from reaching the NBA finals.

The one position where the Thunder need significantly more production off the bench is the small forward spot, when Kevin Durant goes to the bench.  Currently the only option the Thunder have is Lazar Haywood, and he's certainly not anything to write home about.

While Tayshaun Prince is nearing the end of his productive days in the NBA, he could still be a productive member of an NBA team, especially if he's coming off the bench.

It might take more than this speculate trade to get Prince out of Detroit, but if the Thunder have the opportunity to gain Price, they should do so.  Prince would help solidify the Thunder's bench heading into the 2012-13 season. 

Orlando Magic: Andrew Bynum

Speculated Trade—Orlando Magic send C Dwight Howard, SF Hedo Turkoglu, and 2012 No. 49 pick to L.A. Lakers for C Andrew Bynum, SF Metta World Peace, and PF Josh McRoberts.

This blockbuster trade is a long-shot, mainly because it's going to be hard for the Magic and the Lakers to come to terms about which players they'd be willing to part with.

After firing their head coach and their General Manager, it's time for the Magic to start fresh and to get rid of the franchise player who's been holding them back more than helping them as of late.

The Magic should target an elite big-man in the NBA in return for Howard, because they already have Glen Davis - a solid power forward who can help create a dominant frontcourt with the right partner.

This trade makes sense financially for both teams, and it would also free both teams of their immature big-men.  It's time for the Magic to create a new future for themselves ,and focusing on ridding themselves of D12 by bringing Andrew Bynum to Orlando would be a good place to start 

Philadelphia 76ers: O.J. Mayo

Speculated Trade—Philadelphia 76ers send SG Evan Turner and PG Jrue Holiday to Memphis Grizzlies for SG O.J. Mayo, F Dante Cunningham, and cash considerations.

O.J. Mayo and Andre Iguodala are players who constantly find themselves amidst trade speculation and trade rumors.  Their teams just don't seem to think that either player is part of their respective futures.

Maybe it's time for those players to join forces in Philadelphia and prove that they can be productive members of a contending franchise.  O.J. Mayo, with his run-and-gun style of play, would fit in extremely well with the 76ers' current offense.

While he might not bring the added level of maturity that the 76ers need, he would certainly bring a much needed offensive spark to their starting lineup.

If the Grizzlies retain Mayo this off-season, they would be wise to test the waters with him, and see if they can maximize his value before he becomes an unrestricted free agent next season. 

Phoenix Suns: Tyreke Evans

Speculated Trade—Phoenix Suns send C Channing Frye, PG Sebastian Telfair and 2013 first-round pick to Sacramento Kings for PG Tyreke Evans.

Even if the Phoenix Suns manage to bring back Steve Nash next season, it's still time to start finding his replacement.  The Suns need to find a player who can run in the Suns fast-paced offense and still manage to facilitate offense in the half-court set.

Tyreke Evans could certainly be that player.  He's a physical point guard who could benefit from getting a new start in Phoenix.  It would take time for the Suns to adjust to the play of Evans and vice versa, but it would be a step in the right direction toward creating a new franchise without Nash.

If Nash comes back next season, the Suns should still pursue trading for Evans. Evans could benefit from learning from the two-time MVP, even for just one season.

The Suns might have to give up more than is listed above to get Evans, but even if they do, they should still pursue the trade. An opportunity like this might not come by again for the struggling franchise.  

Portland Trailblazers: Taj Gibson

Speculated Trade—Portland Trail Blazers send SG Wesley Matthews to Chicago Bulls for SG Richard Hamilton and F Taj Gibson.

There are a lot of needs the Trail Blazers have heading into this upcoming off-season, but the most important one is finding a partner for LaMarcus Aldridge in their frontcourt.

Aldridge is better suited to play as a power forward, but if the Trail Blazers are able to land a player like Taj Gibson, Aldridge might be forced to play at the center position for the next year or two.

While that wouldn't be ideal, it would be a step in the right direction for the Trail Blazers, as it would make them much more athletic on both sides of the ball.

Giving up Wesley Matthews would be difficult to do, but getting Richard Hamilton in return would help lessen the impact.  The Bulls would also be making an upgrade with this trade.  Matthews has the potential to be the shooting guard the Bulls have been looking for since losing Ben Gordon a few years ago. 

SG Sacramento Kings: Andre Iguodala

Speculated Trade—Sacramento Kings send 2012 No. 36 pick, PG Tyreke Evans, SG Francisco Garcia and SG John Salmons to Philadelphia 76ers for SF Andre Iguodala and SG Evan Turner.

Here's a trade that's so wild it just might happen.

The Sacramento Kings need to start moving in a different direction.  They need to start going after mature and developed talent, rather than consistently pursuing players with raw potential who don't necessarily fill a need on their roster.

The 76ers, on the other hand, always seem to dangle Andre Iguodala in the trade market.  If they do that again this offseason, the Kings should bite and make a move to bring a leader and a physical defender to a team that desperately needs one.

Dropping John Salmons grossly overpriced contract would be another way that the Kings would benefit from this trade.

San Antonio Spurs: Michael Beasley

Speculated Trade—San Antonio Spurs send SG Stephen Jackson and 2012 No. 59 pick to Minnesota Timberwolves for SF Michael Beasley and cash considerations.

You could certainly argue whether or not the Spurs need to make any acquisitions for their roster heading into the 2012-13 season, but I think they can make one upgrade on their roster.

The upgrade they need to make would come via trading for Michael Beasley.  The one player that is expendable for the Spurs is Stephen Jackson, and he's the only player they could include in a potential trade that would bring Beasley to San Antonio.

Jackson wouldn't be enough for the Timberwolves, though.  They'd almost certainly want a late draft pick to make the deal a little sweeter.

The trade listed above would be a tough one for the Spurs to make, especially if they continue their postseason dominance with Jackson on their roster, but it's still something the Spurs should consider.  

Toronto Raptors: Lou Williams

Speculated Trade—Toronto Raptors send PG Jerryd Bayless and SG DeMar DeRozan to Philadelphia 76ers for PG Lou Williams and 2012 No. 45 pick.

It's clear the the Toronto Raptors aren't going to do any damage in the Eastern Conference with the talent they currently have on their roster.

Lou Williams' future in Philadelphia is certainly up in the air, and the Raptors would be smart to pursue his talents, as his versatility could help the Raptors develop into a more dynamic offensive team.

While letting go of DeMar DeRozan would be hard for the Raptors to live with, it's the right move to make.  DeRozan isn't going to help the Raptors anytime soon, so they should use him to reel in a player who could actually help the Raptors become a contender in the East.

The Raptors have a lot of needs to fill this off-season, but they can start by trading for Lou Williams and finally parting with DeMar DeRozan. 

Utah Jazz: Kevin Martin

Speculated Trade—Utah Jazz send PG Devin Harris, F/C Derrick Favors, and 2012 No. 47 pick to Houston Rockets for SG Kevin Martin and 2013 second-round pick.

One of the main reasons why the Utah Jazz didn't make it past the San Antonio Spurs this postseason, other than the fact that the Spurs are just ridiculously good, is the lack of production the Jazz got from the two-guard spot.

The Jazz currently have Raja Bell and Alec Burks on their depth chart, but those guys aren't going to be able to carry the Jazz's backcourt any time soon.  The Jazz would be smart to go after a high-caliber shooting guard this off-season, and Kevin Martin certainly fits that mold.

While Devin Harris started to return to all-star form near the end of the season, there's no certainty that he'll start 2012-13 that way. The Jazz would be smart to use him as bait for acquiring Martin.  This trade would make sense for the Rockets, especially if they decide to trade Kyle Lowry rather than firing Kevin McHale.

This trade could be just what the Jazz need to return to dominance in the Western Conference. 

Washington Wizards: Josh Smith

Speculated Trade–Washington Wizards send PF Andre Blatche, F Jan Vesely, G Jordan Crawford and 2012 No. 32 pick to Atlanta Hawks for PF Josh Smith.

The Washington Wizards are among the teams in the NBA with the most needs to fill this offseason. From amnestying Rashard Lewis to finding talent to bring aside John Wall, the Wizards certainly need to make some serious moves in the next few months.

Their biggest need is finding a frontcourt partner for Nene Hilario, and there's no doubt that Josh Smith is the man for that job.  Smith always finds himself amidst trade talks, and I'm sure the same will happen this off-season.

If the Hawks entertain trade proposals from other teams this offseason, the Wizards should throw their hats into the mix and see if they can lure the Hawks into sending Smith their way.

A frontcourt tandem of Nene and Smith would be the building block the Wizards have been looking for over the past few seasons.  Unfortunately, the Wizards might not have enough trade bait for the Hawks. We'll just have to wait and see.