5 NBA Teams That Still Need Talent Upgrade After Quiet Trade Deadline

After a relatively uneventful 2013 trade deadline, there are a number of contending teams with glaring deficiencies that need to be addressed. Acquiring a player to do so may prove far more difficult with so few players available to NBA teams at this point in the season.

Indeed, the five teams listed here will likely find themselves seeking to address the issues that have plagued them in the 2012-13 season this summer in free agency. Contending teams facing cap issues are usually restricted to making small moves that keep them from going further into the luxury tax. That will prove to be the case with the teams in this slideshow.

The possibility of sign-and-trade deals always leaves the door open for otherwise impossible acquisitions. But teams are often hesitant to pitch in and help another NBA team get the guy they really want.

Even so, draft picks are now at a premium under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, so offers of a first round pick and an expiring contract would likely enable these teams to acquire some of the less coveted free agents.

Statistical Source:  TeamRankings.com

All Stats Accurate As of Feb. 22, 2013

Boston Celtics

Weaknesses: Rebounding, Interior Play

Points in Paint Rank: No. 26, 38 per game; Rebound Rate: No. 30, 47.7 percent; Shot Blocking: No. 25, 4.2 per game

The Boston Celtics have been hurting for frontcourt size all season. With power forward Jared Sullinger due to miss the rest of the season, that problem is only further accentuated, as the C's are beginning to wear thin at the 4/5-spots.

Jason Collins inclusion in the February 21 trade deadline deal to obtain Jordan Crawford only makes the issue worse. Darko Milicic departed back to Serbia to take care of his ill mother and, while he had played sparingly up until that point, he could have been groomed for an eventual role in Doc Rivers' rotation.

The Celtics struck out on acquiring a big man, but there were a number of options Danny Ainge could and should have considered. Among them are DeJuan Blair and Timofey Mozgov, who were both rumored to be available according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Another move which never was mentioned in any reports that could have improved the Celtics would have been to send Jeff Green to the Suns for disgruntled center Marcin Gortat.

With glaring deficiencies on the interior, it would make sense to go big and exchange Green for a center. Moreover, Gortat is an excellent pick and roll player who will pair nicely with point guard Rajon Rondo when he returns from injury.

Striking out on free agent signee Kenyon Martin, who opted for the New York Knicks according to the New York Times, was just one more error. The Knicks could look to pursue Hakim Warrick, who is going to be bought out by the Orlando Magic, and that remains a real possibility. Expect rookie Fab Melo to see some minutes, despite Rivers' reluctance to play a project big man significant minutes.

With Leandro Barbosa's injury, Danny Ainge mainly sought to fulfill his need for depth in the backcourt and dealt for Jordan Crawford. The problems upfront will likely have to be addressed over the summer with so few options available and the Celtics desperately trying to avoid the super luxury tax.

That was why they cut ties with Jarvis Varnado to begin with, who is the caliber of player they would acquire if they decided to go against their better financial judgement and sign a guy.

Brooklyn Nets

Weaknesses: Perimeter Defense and Closing Out Games

Opponent's Shooting Percentage: No. 24, 46.3 percent; Opponent's Three Point Percentage: No. 23, 37.2 percent; Fourth Quarter Offense: No. 23, 22.6 per game

The Brooklyn Nets have been slow with perimeter rotations all season, which should be addressed through a change in strategy rather than in personnel, though adding some better perimeter defenders this summer seems necessary.

The Nets unsuccessfully shopped both Kris Humpries and MarShon Brooks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, but were ultimately unable to find no takers for either. With Reggie Evans out-performing Humph at a cheaper rate and Brooks being a mere redundancy and fringe rotation player, it made sense for Mikhail Prokhorov's Nets to pursue other options.

Expect the Nets to be active on draft night, and possibly look to move a player in a future sign and trade agreement. Tony Allen will be a free agent, as will Rip Hamilton, Ronnie Brewer, Gerald Henderson and Gary Neal.

That crop of defensive-minded 2-guards could improve the Nets next season.

The Nets were rumored to have interest in Ersan Ilyasova according to Marc Stein of ESPN, who could have been their starting power forward of the future, but they were unable to strike a deal with John Hammond and the Bucks.

Power forwards with reasonable contract demands who could fit the bill this summer include Marreese Speights, Tyler Hansbrough, Andray Blatche, J.J. Hickson, Byron Mullens and Larry Sanders.

Sanders is the longest shot, as he could command over $10 million per season, but his shot blocking ability would make the Nets a very tough team to deal with. Ranking No. 24 in opponent's shooting percentage, Sanders' ability to change and block shots would vastly improve the Nets' defensive prospects.

The Nets don't really have the cap room to sign Sanders outright and it's unlikely the Bucks would make Brooklyn's chances of contention that much stronger without getting something of real value in return.

Denver Nuggets

Weakness: Overall Defense

Three-Point Production Rank: No. 17, 6.6 per game; Opponent's Scoring: No. 25, 101.3 per game; Opponent's Three-Point Percentage: No. 22, 36.8 percent

The Denver Nuggets really needed a three-point shooter. They rank near the middle of the pack in three-point production, but it would be a great asset to have another guy who could knock down triples in their high octane offense.

They had a nice trade chip in Mozgov and the Miami Heat were interested according to FOX Sun Sports, but the guy they really should have pursued at the trade deadline was J.J. Redick.

The Nuggets should look to add a shooting guard or small forward this summer who can can help take them from being a middle of the pack three-point shooting team to a lethal one.

The only Nugget capable of firing in a lot of shots from behind the arc is Ty Lawson. Danilo Gallinari can get hot from time to time, but his inconsistency persists to be a problem for George Karl.

Players the Nuggets could look to obtain this summer include Randy Foye, Nick Young, Kyle Korver, Anthony Morrow, Gerald Henderson, Carlos Delfino, Gary Neal and Willie Green. All of those shooting guards would make the Nuggets an even scarier team offensively, which is impressive when you consider they already rank near the top of the league in most major offensive categories.

Los Angeles Lakers

Weaknesses: Fast Break Defense and Forcing Turnovers

Opponent's Scoring: No. 23, 100.9 per game; Fast Break Defense: No. 30, 16.1 points per game allowed; Forcing Turnovers: No. 28, 13.3 percent

Much of the L.A. Lakers biggest issues must be addressed in-house. But let's be clear: Ron "Metta World Peace" Artest doesn't have much left in the tank. The Lakers are due for an upgrade at small forward.

That was what made reported interest in the Hawks' Josh Smith so tantalizing.  The possibility was mentioned as long ago as June of 2012 by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, but Atlanta ultimately didn't feel Gaso, 31, was worthy of building around, according to Brett Pollakoff of NBC Sports.  Danny Ferry instead stood pat at the deadline, and Smith's fate will be determined this summer.

The Lakers likely have Earl Clark penciled in as their starting power forward, and the real drama this summer for them will be the free agency of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard. Addressing the need for a younger small forward will likely be a near after thought for Lakers' brass.

Nevertheless, guys who could prove to be intriguing possibilities and good bargains include Al-Farouq Aminu, Alan Anderson and Chandler Parsons. Parsons, in particular, will draw a good amount of interest, but Daryl Morey will do everything he can to keep the Florida four-year player in Houston.

If the Lakers were able to obtain Parsons in a potential sign-and-trade, it would greatly improve their long-term prospects and give them a dynamic perimeter player who is an underrated defender and likely better on the premier small forwards than World Peace at this point in his career.

Miami Heat

Weakness: Rebounding

Rebound Rate: No. 24, 48.8 percent; Offensive Rebounding Rate: No. 27, 22.6 percent

The Miami Heat sought to address their poor rebounding by signing Chris Andersen and, while Birdman has played well, the problems persist.

It's to be expected when LeBron James is the leading rebounder and the starting center is a 4-man playing out-of-position. For all Chris Bosh is as a scorer and an All-Star, his perimeter defense and rebounding leave a lot to be desired.

But let's be clear: This is a Miami team with just one weakness among a host of great strengths. The rebounding issues didn't stop them from winning the title in 2012 and there's a good chance they overcome it again in 2013.

Even so, Miami will likely seek to find a bargain big man this summer. Centers who could fit the bill include Mozgov, Chris Kaman, Samuel Dalembert, Greg Stiemsma and Robin Lopez. No doubt, any of them would be excited to join the Heat and give themselves a shot at a championship, particularly veterans Kaman and Dalembert who have played awhile without winning a ring.