Identifying the Ideal Trade Target for Every NBA Team
The NBA's trade season has already featured a flurry of activity, leaving the excitement level of past seasons in the dust as teams ship off one player after another. Rajon Rondo is the biggest name who has changed uniforms in the midst of the 2014-15 campaign, but there have been plenty of mid-level players—Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Dion Waiters, Jeff Green—moving to new locations and even more minor swaps.
It's not going to slow down before the February deadline.
After all, no team—with one notable exception—can ever be completely satisfied with what it has at its disposal. Even squads perfectly content with their rosters can attempt to add draft picks or expiring contracts to their ledgers.
With that in mind, let's figure out the ideal target for every squad in the league. That target doesn't have to be a player; it can be a draft pick, a category of players or a type of contract as well.
But if the team is targeting it, then it has to be a beneficial piece for the organization.
Atlanta Hawks: Bismack BIyombo
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Do the Atlanta Hawks need to make any moves?
Not really, as they've won 10 games in a row and 24 of their last 26, emerging as the class of the Eastern Conference all the while. Everything is clicking under Mike Budenholzer, and messing with the chemistry of the locker room is a terrifying proposition.
However, the Hawks are most assuredly overachieving. They may be the No. 1 seed in their half of the NBA with some room to spare, but they're still not on the same level as some of the best squads in the Western Conference. There are a few gaps in the rotation, and the backup center spot—one that could be filled by a player like Bismack Biyombo—is a perfect example.
Elton Brand is a solid defender and a great veteran leader. Pero Antic can space the court and plays surprisingly effective defense. Mike Muscala has some significant upside but hasn't yet established himself as a quality, reliable player.
Missing from that group is a legitimate rim-protector the Hawks can count on for a key stop. Again, someone like Biyombo, whom the team should be able to steal from the Charlotte Hornets without giving up any key pieces other than underused players like Muscala and draft picks.
He isn't a particularly strong offensive threat, though the ball movement of the Hawks is still strong enough to get him a few open looks around the rim. It's just all about the defense he provides in the paint, as Al Horford is currently the strongest interior-point-preventing option on the current roster.
Boston Celtics: Better Draft Picks
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When thinking about the Boston Celtics, it's not hard to see the similarities—in some aspects, at least—they share with last year's Phoenix Suns. Remember what Phoenix general manager Ryan McDonough told NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper about all of his draft picks?
"I think one of the things that's important for people to realize is that we may not draft four players even if we have four picks. Our preference would probably be to maybe package a few of them. We're obviously all looking for stars and we feel like we can put together a package as good, if not better, than any other team in the league if and when a star becomes available. That's kind of generally what we've wanted to do, not only with our draft-pick situation but also with the cap space that we've acquired.
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With roughly a gazillion selections at his disposal in the next few years, Celtics GM Danny Ainge is in the same situation.
Right now, there aren't really any stars on the market who will help change the rebuilding process for the Beantown franchise. It doesn't make sense to trade for any players currently available, as none of them are more valuable to Boston's future than these picks can be.
However, they can still package selections together and move up in the draft. After all, one top-five pick can be more beneficial than two at the tail end of the first round to a team with precious few building blocks to work with.
Brooklyn Nets: Expiring Anything
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The Brooklyn Nets may be in the playoff picture right now, but they're not delusional enough to think that matters. With Deron Williams injured, this team is only going to move down in the standings as the season progresses, and even sneaking into the postseason in the Eastern Conference doesn't actually mean much.
It's still best for the Nets to continue shopping their biggest contracts, trying to find any expiring deals that will allow them to get rid of Williams, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson and Kevin Garnett. Seriously, it doesn't matter which player is coming back in return, so long as those albatrosses can be shed from the books for players with no long-term commitments.
Now that Mikhail Prokhorov is looking to sell the Nets, per ESPN.com's Ohm Youngmisuk and Marc Stein, this is even more imperative.
After all, which is more appealing—a franchise that has money to spend and some significant upside, or this version of the Nets that would require a new owner to foot a hefty luxury-tax bill and accept mediocrity for the first few years of his tenure?
Charlotte Hornets: Randy Foye
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The Charlotte Hornets are rolling along all of a sudden.
Over their past six games, they've gone 5-1 while posting a 108.3 offensive rating and 99.0 defensive rating, per Basketball-Reference.com. It's the best they've played all year, sparking renewed hope of a season-saving turnaround before it's too late for a legitimate playoff push in the Eastern Conference. But even during this stretch, they've been awfully hesitant to let fly from beyond the arc.
In fact, only 19 percent of their field-goal attempts have come from three-point range, which is actually lower than the season-long mark of 22.2 percent, one that leaves them ranked higher than only four teams throughout the entire Association.
That has to change. It's fine for the system to avoid three-pointers, but having players who can shoot them and balance out the offense is still highly beneficial. One such player the Hornets could get their hands on for a cheap price—probably draft picks and one of the young players who isn't that involved—is Randy Foye.
The Denver Nuggets combo guard is currently recovering from a torn ligament in his right quad, but he was shooting 34.7 percent from downtown on 4.5 attempts per game before getting hurt. Last year, he hit 38 percent of his 6.1 triples per contest, and the year before that, the numbers were 41 and 5.3, respectively.
With Foye starting to practice again and nearing a return, now would be a good time for the Hornets to strike and add one more marksman to their limited arsenal of perimeter threats.
Chicago Bulls: Arron Afflalo
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The Chicago Bulls don't need any help at point guard, with Derrick Rose slowly rounding into form and Aaron Brooks working as a decent backup. They're set in the frontcourt, even with Joakim Noah underperforming as he fights knee issues. But on the wings, they could use a little more help so they can take pressure off of Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy without relying heavily on Doug McDermott or forcing Nikola Mirotic to play out of position.
Enter Arron Afflalo.
The Denver Nuggets 2-guard can capably shift over to the 3, allowing for seamless integration next to Butler. The two could basically both become positionless players, switching between shooting guard and small forward to take advantage of the most useful matchups. But beyond that, Afflalo's style works perfectly in the Windy City.
He's a great perimeter threat, which would help out a team that's rather middling from beyond the arc. He's a solid defender, which fits in perfectly with Tom Thibodeau's stylings on the less glamorous end of the court. He's a consummate professional, which allows him to fully embody that Chicago mentality.
The Nuggets have already dealt Timofey Mozgov for a pair of draft picks and Nate Robinson for Jameer Nelson. It's not as though the asking price is going to be too high here, and to these Bulls, Afflalo is far more valuable than any first-round pick at the tail end of the selection process.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Nothing. Absolutely Nothing.
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Do the Cleveland Cavaliers still need to make some moves? Absolutely.
Kevin Love isn't a great fit for this lineup, though it's far too soon to give up on such a talented player still searching for the right way to use his skills in a new location. Timofey Mozgov is a better interior defender than anyone else on the roster, but he's not the rim-protecting stalwart the team needs. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert should help on the perimeter, but both are such mercurial and sometimes disappointing players that it's tough to count on them.
The Cavs could absolutely strengthen this roster. But how?
They've already dealt Dion Waiters and cleared the books of first-round picks in the near future. There's nothing substantial to work with here, and that negates any need for a new player.
It's time for the Cavs to hold tight and build something around the players they currently have at their disposal.
Dallas Mavericks: Tyler Zeller
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It's time for the Dallas Mavericks to dip back into the Boston Celtics' pool of available players.
They already traded for Rajon Rondo this season, and while the point guard has helped turn around the team's struggling defense, he also required the Western Conference hopefuls to give up their only insurance policy for Tyson Chandler—Brandan Wright. Was it worth parting with the backup big man to secure the services of Rondo? It sure seems that way thus far, but the Mavs still need to upgrade the 5 behind Chandler.
Greg Smith simply won't cut it throughout the season.
Though the 6'10" big man is shooting over 60 percent from the field, he's not a particularly strong defender and is averaging only 2.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. His player efficiency rating of 11.0, via Basketball-Reference.com, isn't exactly an impressive number for such a low-usage player, either.
Meanwhile, Tyler Zeller is putting up 9.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest for the C's while shooting 57.8 percent from the field. His PER is a much stronger 19.4, and he's shown steady improvement ever since entering the league out of North Carolina.
If Dallas can send a few more second-round picks to the Celtics or involve a third team in a potential swap, it should do what it can to secure the services of this true center. After all, the Mavericks remain just one Chandler injury away from a complete disaster, as Smith clearly isn't going to help the team withstand any long-term malady that plagues the starting center.
Denver Nuggets: Picks, Picks and More Picks
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The Denver Nuggets may remain dark-horse contenders for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference, but general manager Tim Connelly has made it clear this team is playing for the future. That's the only logical explanation for trading Timofey Mozgov to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a pair of heavily protected first-round picks. It's the only reason to give up Nate Robinson for Jameer Nelson, even if the former was malcontent with his role in the organization.
There's no turning back now.
Jusuf Nurkic is getting a chance to grow at center, and young players like Gary Harris should receive a chance to do the same on the wings. That will be especially true once some combination of Wilson Chandler, Arron Afflalo and Randy Foye is traded away as well.
But the Nuggets don't need players back in return. They should be content to build around Ty Lawson, Harris, Kenneth Faried and Nurkic, among others. Instead, they just need to keep acquiring picks, ones they can later package to move up in the draft or acquire a true star.
There's no ideal player for them to target at this point in the season, if only because they can't risk re-crowding their rotation.
Detroit Pistons: Wilson Chandler
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Even with Jodie Meeks thriving now that he's fully recovered and back in the lineup, the Detroit Pistons still need more perimeter shooters. There's far too much reliance on the young, inexperienced and inconsistent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope right now, and that was on full display when he produced an 8-of-23 brickfest in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 9.
Granted, that was an aberration. Caldwell-Pope hasn't taken more than 15 shots in any other game since December began, and that was one of only two losses for the Pistons in 11 outings since cutting Josh Smith. But even in those 11 contests, it's been clear the Pistons need more shooting.
Wilson Chandler could certainly provide it, and he'd also help out their perimeter defense.
Playing for the Denver Nuggets throughout the year, the sharp-shooting wing has taken 5.7 shots per game from beyond the arc and connected on 35.1 percent of them. The numbers are almost identical to last year's, but there's upside here, based on his 41.3 percent shooting two seasons ago.
But the best part is that Chandler won't be too expensive. The Pistons shouldn't break up their roster at this stage of the season, especially now that playoff hopes are entirely realistic, but they can afford to deal minor pieces and draft picks to better their chances of immediate success that will turn around the fortunes and perception of this franchise.
Golden State Warriors: Hold Tight
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There's a reason Justin Holiday is pictured up above.
The Golden State Warriors have been able to squeeze productive play from virtually everyone they've thrown out on the court in 2014-15. Even guys like Holiday, journeymen with rather nondescript resumes, have succeeded as soon as they're given opportunities, and the result has been the deepest team in the NBA.
With Draymond Green's breakout, Shaun Livingston's fit as the backup point guard, the random contributions of the Holidays of the world and the ability to stave off a decline when Andrew Bogut went down, everything has worked perfectly for the Warriors. They're even an NBA-best 31-5, which puts them on pace to finish the season with 71 wins, one shy of the Chicago Bulls' all-time record that was set when Michael Jordan was leading the charge.
Why mess with a good thing?
Breaking up this team would be nonsensical, even if it's only a minor change that involves benchwarming contributors.
Houston Rockets: Goran Dragic
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As Zach Buckley explains for Bleacher Report, Goran Dragic is one of the ideal targets for the Houston Rockets and would be a great fit, but he'd cost quite a bit to acquire:
"He has already proved himself capable of playing on or off the ball, meaning he can complement Harden or carry the offense in his absence. Dragic is also a strong pick-and-roll player, which has obvious perks with an athletic specimen like Howard manning the middle.
It would take a lot to pry Dragic out of Phoenix, if he's even available. The Rockets would likely need to start their offer with the Pelicans' pick and either Terrence Jones or Donatas Motiejunas, then hope the Suns wouldn't ask for too many assets on top of that. It's a long shot, but the reward is high enough that it's worth the attempt from Morey
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Dragic would be tough to pry away from the Phoenix Suns. There's no doubt about that, though there's a chance he could be the point guard the desert-based franchise chooses to move due to the expiring status of his upcoming contract.
But if there's a chance to get him, it's one the Rockets have to take. He's already at home in Houston, based on the time he spent there earlier in his career, and he'd be a great fit alongside James Harden in the backcourt.
Plus, he's a huge upgrade over the current options. Patrick Beverley may be a top-notch defender, but the Rockets need offense more at this point.
Indiana Pacers: Reggie Jackson
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It's hard to think of a much better situation for Reggie Jackson.
He wants to be more of a featured option, leading an offensive charge while spending a lot of time on the court. With the Oklahoma City Thunder, he can't really do that now that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are back in the lineup, and the newly acquired Dion Waiters is only going to infringe upon his established role as a tertiary option or leader of the bench unit.
But with the Indiana Pacers, he'd be able to shoot with a constant green light.
If he works out for the rest of the season, that's fantastic. Perhaps he'll be won over by the role he enjoyed throughout the year and re-sign with the team as a complement for Paul George in 2015-16. And if he doesn't work, the team can cut ties with him and pursue other options in the free-agent pool.
"It's tough," Jackson said about his role as a sixth man earlier in the season, per Anthony Slater of NewsOK.com. "I'm really a control freak. I like to be in control. That's kind of how I am. That's how point guards tend to be. Kind of quirky. I like to feel in control, kind of running the show."
In Indiana, there's no doubt he could run the offensive show for the time being.
Los Angeles Clippers: Wilson Chandler
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Wilson Chandler is the first player to show up as an ideal target for multiple teams, and that shouldn't be surprising at all. After all, he's likely on the block—though Brian Shaw is denying those claims, via Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post—and few players who qualify as such are more effective right now.
Just as the Detroit Pistons could use the services of the Denver Nuggets wingman, the Los Angeles Clippers would benefit greatly from acquiring him, the reason being that, according to 82games.com, small forward is the only position providing LAC with negative production:
| PG | 21.7 | 14.2 | 7.5 |
| SG | 17.0 | 12.9 | 4.1 |
| SF | 11.1 | 14.8 | -3.8 |
| PF | 18.9 | 14.7 | 4.3 |
| C | 19.4 | 18.4 | 1.0 |
Matt Barnes is not getting the job done, and there are no established options behind him. It's time for the Clippers to make a significant change that increases their championship potential, and Chandler is the best option for them.
Not only does he carry a relatively low asking price, but he's also the type of two-way player who would thrive under Doc Rivers. His defensive work would help mitigate what's lost when Barnes takes on a lesser role, and he's a much better fit on the offensive end of the court.
Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Jennings
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As ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne recently tweeted, "As for Lakers, they have been very active since 12/15. Made calls on Waiters, Jennings, Monroe. Asst GM Glen Carraro is working the phones."
It's unlikely that Dion Waiters would be on the move once more after the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired him so recently. Greg Monroe would be a good fit, but he's on an expiring deal via the qualifying offer and would still cost too much for the Lakers to realistically have a shot at acquiring him.
But Brandon Jennings is a legitimate possibility, and he'd easily be the best point guard on the roster. Jeremy Lin has been a massive disappointment since the Lakers landed him, but Jennings has the knack for scoring that should allow him to stick and take some of the offensive responsibility away from Kobe Bryant.
Getting their hands on him would be rather tough, though.
The Lakers don't have many appealing trade assets, and their draft picks should be fairly untouchable at this stage of the season. After all, they could still end up with a top-five selection, and the player they could draft in such a spot is likely going to be more valuable than the southpaw from the Motor City.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jose Calderon
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According to Basketball-Reference.com, the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves are the only squads in the NBA that have made fewer shots than the Memphis Grizzlies from beyond the arc during the 2014-15 season. The Washington Wizards join that small club when we're talking about attempts. And in terms of percentage, the Grizz come in at No. 14, which isn't as impressive as what we should be seeing from a team that limits its deep looks to such an extent.
Part of this is by design. David Joerger intentionally decreases the number of shots Memphis takes from the outside, as he prefers to pound the ball inside. But balance is still beneficial, and the Grizzlies—yes, after acquiring Jeff Green—could use another perimeter threat.
Jose Calderon would qualify as such, even though he's struggled during his current season with the New York Knicks. He's hitting 40.4 percent of his looks from beyond the arc, and that mark is coming while he takes 3.7 tries per game.
Both of those numbers are the lowest he's posted during any of the past three campaigns.
Beno Udrih has been perfectly adequate as the Grizzlies' backup point guard, spelling Mike Conley whenever the lefty needs to take some time and catch his breath. But he's not even remotely a perimeter threat, and adding Calderon to the picture would allow the Memphis offense to adopt some new elements.
Miami Heat: John Henson
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The Miami Heat are a defensive disaster.
Allowing 109.1 points per 100 possessions, via Basketball-Reference.com, they've been better stoppers than only the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves, and that's not exactly something you want to boast about. One of the many issues is that Chris Bosh is out of place protecting the rim, and that's reflected in NBA.com's SportVU data.
Thus far, the Heat are allowing opponents to shoot 54.5 percent at the rim on 21.4 attempts per game. Only the Wolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and Lakers have been worse, and it's no coincidence that there are two repeat names on that list.
Meanwhile, John Henson is holding the opposition to 45.2 percent shooting while facing 5.2 attempts during the average contest. Among the 74 players in the league defending more than five shots per game, just eight have been tougher to score against than the Milwaukee Bucks big man.
But for some reason, the surprising Bucks still won't commit to giving him more minutes. Even with Larry Sanders out for personal reasons, Jason Kidd has stubbornly resisted letting Henson spend more time on the floor, instead developing a strangely strong affinity for the recently signed Kenyon Martin.
Miami has to try to pry him away from Milwaukee while it can still buy low.
Milwaukee Bucks: Roy Hibbert
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O.J. Mayo, John Henson and a second-round pick to the Indiana Pacers for Roy Hibbert.
Who says no?
The Pacers get a high-potential big man and a scoring threat to increase the offensive capabilities of their squad, while the Milwaukee Bucks upgrade at center. Even if Larry Sanders returns from his personal hiatus and is motivated to play basketball again, he doesn't have nearly as much upside as the 7-footer from Indiana, a center who's more impactful on the defensive end and simultaneously a more consistent scoring option.
Milwaukee has developed a clear-cut defensive identity under Jason Kidd, and moving for Hibbert would only reinforce that mentality. After all, he's a Defensive Player of the Year candidate whenever he's healthy, and putting him on the interior forces opponents to completely adjust how they handle the Bucks.
Having Hibbert, Sanders and Zaza Pachulia on the roster would create a bit of a logjam. But that's worth dealing with to acquire such a supreme defensive talent.
There are no rules against subsequent trades in these scenarios.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
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Earlier this season, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale came up with a brilliant trade scenario that sent Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with his teammate, Bismack Biyombo. Here's part of his explanation:
"On the Timberwolves' side of the table, coach, president and part-owner Flip Saunders needs to feel bulletproof. Moving Pekovic and Martin opens minutes for the up-and-coming Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine long term; netting Biyombo and Kidd-Gilchrist gives them two more prospects to evaluate this season.
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The pieces involved in this original three-team deal now have to change, as the involved franchises have already made moves that change motivations and the players they can legally offer. For example, it's no longer possible for the Wolves to trade Corey Brewer, as he's now a member of the Houston Rockets.
But the motivation still stands.
The Wolves can afford to make a convincing offer to the Charlotte Hornets, acquire an impressive young defender to pair with Andrew Wiggins and then sit back to watch them develop. Down the road, the defensive potential of a Wiggins-Kidd-Gilchrist combo is incredible, especially with Gorgui Dieng protecting the rim behind them. If Ricky Rubio continues to improve and makes smarter gambles, that roster has the potential to lead the league in point prevention once it matures.
New Orleans Pelicans: Joe Johnson
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The New Orleans Pelicans, young as some of their core members may be, need to make some win-now moves. And while his contract may be unpalatable for the next two years, Joe Johnson is the man who can push this team over the top.
Whether he's working in isolation or spotting up and drilling shots from the outside, he can light up the scoreboard and drastically increase the offensive potential of this squad. Plus, he remains an underrated defender who would make Anthony Davis' life a lot easier than Eric Gordon currently does.
Johnson is not an All-Star. He's not worth more than $20 million per year at this stage of his career. But he's a valuable player nonetheless, so long as a team can stomach his contract. And the Pelicans can, if only because trading for him would require the franchise to shed Gordon's albatross of a deal and involve a third team to make the salaries work.
Financially, it's a step in the wrong direction for the next two years. But this current roster composition is holding back the league's brightest young star, and that can't be allowed to stand for much longer.
New York Knicks: Any Expiring Contracts
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According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger earlier this season, "With the Knicks now owners of the worst record and perhaps worst roster in the league as Phil Jackson hits the reset button in New York, league sources say the next player on the move could be point guard Jose Calderon."
Bleacher Report's Howard Beck also confirmed that Calderon was available, making a point to note that everyone on the roster not named Carmelo Anthony could be had. And it's not as though the Knicks are going to be asking for a lot in return, as their goal is almost solely to receive expiring contracts and draft picks so the books can be cleared for the upcoming offseason.
As it stands, Calderon and Anthony are the only two players with guaranteed contracts that extend past the end of the 2014-15 campaign. That's likely to change if New York can find a buyer for Calderon, and that's the only priority.
Would it be nice if the Knicks got a young stud? Sure. Would they love to land some draft picks? Absolutely. But the first—and really, the only—priority is clearing the books as much as possible for the free-agency bonanza during the hottest months of the year.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Michael Carter-Williams
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As Bleacher Report's Dan Favale suggested on Twitter, the perfect trade for the Oklahoma City Thunder at this point is shipping Reggie Jackson and Kendrick Perkins off to the Philadelphia 76ers for Michael Carter-Williams.
Not only do the Sixers get an expiring deal and a high-upside scorer who fits with the roster far better than the reigning Rookie of the Year, but the Thunder also would pick up a player who can complement Dion Waiters and bring a new element to the OKC bench.
Do they run the risk that Carter-Williams will be malcontent coming off the bench after playing in such a featured role during his first season-and-a-half? Absolutely, but it's a risk worth taking for a team that needs a spark, as his length and creative ability would allow for Scott Brooks to add some entirely new elements to the offense.
According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the Sixers are shopping around their second-year point guard. Time for the Thunder to strike while the iron is hot and do whatever possible to increase their chances of earning that final spot in the competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Orlando Magic: Better Draft Picks
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The Orlando Magic need to let GM Rob Hennigan just keep doing his thing.
Elfrid Payton has looked vastly improved as his rookie season has progressed, and Victor Oladipo is turning into a star player in the Orlando backcourt. With Tobias Harris impressing and Nikola Vucevic playing like he belongs on the Eastern Conference All-Star squad, there's even more reason for optimism. Plus, the Magic are getting quality contributions from the veterans on their roster.
Throw in Aaron Gordon when he returns from injury, and there's upside at all five spots in the lineup. Why mess with a good thing, especially during a season in which earning the best draft pick possible is still a good idea?
The Magic don't need to target any players, as they're still in rebuilding mode and have all of the major pieces they need for the future. Acquiring more draft-day selections is a good idea, though.
Philadelphia 76ers: Anything for Michael Carter-Williams
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Per ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the Philadelphia 76ers are now very interested in dealing Michael Carter-Williams. Again.
"I've heard a lot of rumblings from GMs that Carter-Williams is available. There are some in ownership and in the front office, though not all, that don't see him as a long-term piece of the puzzle. There was a lot of chatter that direction before the draft and in the past few weeks I know several teams have had exploratory discussions with the Sixers. I think the challenge right now is that the Sixers will want a lot in return and MCW's play, to date this season, hasn't warranted multiple first round picks for him. That makes him tough to deal.
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But making it easier is the apparent strife in the locker room.
According to Syracuse-based site DYST Now and Sean Devine, the point guard is to blame for what's becoming a "toxic" environment:
"The Sixers are currently in talks with at least three different teams across the league and we are being told that MCW’s deteriorating relationship with teammates has caused the organization to move as quickly as possible. The locker room has become a toxic environment, and the Sixers blame MCW. Over the last few days Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel have engaged in numerous confrontations, to the point of almost coming to blows in at least one instance.
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It's time the Sixers move him for whatever they can get.
Philadelphia has made it increasingly obvious that Carter-Williams isn't a crucial part of the team's future, and getting anything that helps next offseason or beyond—be it a player with potential, draft picks or cap space—would be rather useful. More useful than continuing to watch him flounder and fail to live up to any Rookie of the Year hype.
Phoenix Suns: Greg Monroe
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The Phoenix Suns still need a low-post presence.
They have plenty of intriguing guards who can space out the court, and their wing players are more than capable of doing the same. But the interior combination of Alex Len and Miles Plumlee is quite uninspiring—even with Len looking much better in recent weeks—especially for a team that desperately needs to keep its level of production up in order to hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder in the race for No. 8.
Monroe really isn't the perfect fit for Jeff Hornacek's offense. He doesn't run the floor as well as others at his position, which would require the Suns to slow down and accommodate him. He also isn't an elite rim-protector by any stretch of the imagination.
But he's still an upgrade all the same.
Above all else, a bit more diversity would be nice in the desert. The Suns' approach is getting a little too predictable at times, and having a back-to-the-basket threat would make everyone's lives so much easier.
Portland Trail Blazers: Arron Afflalo
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Nicolas Batum isn't getting the job done for the Portland Trail Blazers this year. Averaging just 9.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, he's still shooting under 40 percent from the field and hasn't really been able to help Wesley Matthews space out the court with any perimeter marksmanship.
Even worse, Basketball-Reference.com shows that Rip City has been 1.1 points worse per 100 possessions when he's on the floor. Given the context here—namely that the Portland bench is still terrible, despite some offseason upgrades—that's even worse than it would be in a vacuum.
It's time for the Blazers to make a change, and they could achieve that by dangling Batum and a first-round pick for a package of players from the Denver Nuggets that centers around Arron Afflalo.
Just imagine how dangerous this team would be if it could swing Batum, Joel Freeland (an expiring contract) and that pick to the Mile High City for Afflalo and Wilson Chandler. All of a sudden, it would have a ridiculously deadly shooting trio in the starting five and a legitimate talent coming off the bench.
The Blazers are already good. Great, even.
But with this deal, they could potentially become the best team in the league.
Sacramento Kings: Ersan Ilyasova
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The Sacramento Kings have a lot of quality pieces on their roster, and we saw just how good this team could be early in the season. Before DeMarcus Cousins went down with viral meningitis, leading to a complete collapse and the firing of head coach Mike Malone, the Kings were committed on the defensive end of the floor and appeared to be on track to compete for a playoff spot.
They still have the right pieces in place, but there's one missing—a stretch 4.
With Cousins going to work on the inside, Rudy Gay finding more success in the post than on the perimeter and Darren Collison serving as a good, but not great, floor spacer, the Kings have to get stretchy production from the other positions. Ben McLemore and Nik Stauskas will eventually give them what they desire from the shooting guards, but none of the current power forwards are comfortable working far outside the paint.
Ersan Ilyasova is, and he would benefit greatly from a change in scenery. We've seen how versatile and talented the Turkish forward is in the past, but he's struggled over the past few years as he deals with a smaller role than he deserves.
With the Bucks thriving while he recovers from a broken nose and concussion that have limited him to just three games played—including a Thursday afternoon affair in London—since the beginning of December, he's quite expendable. The asking price surely wouldn't be too high, but he could be a nice complementary piece down the road in Sacramento.
San Antonio Spurs: Andrei Kirilenko
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There are certain players who just seem like they'd be perfect in the system Gregg Popovich has utilized for so many years with the San Antonio Spurs, and Andrei Kirilenko is most certainly one of them. In his prime, the Russian forward was one of the league's premier Swiss Army knives, and though he's fallen off significantly from then, he should have some quality play left in the tank.
If any team can draw it out of him, it's the Spurs. Bleacher Report's Garrett Jochnau concurs:
"The Philadelphia 76ers would welcome any transaction that gives them long-term value, something that draft picks and roster flexibility bring in loads.
Andrei Kirilenko, whom the Spurs have been linked with previously, is currently on the team but has refused to play after the Sixers failed to uphold their promise and release him after acquiring him from the Brooklyn Nets, as reported by The Inquirer's Bob Ford.
Though seemingly washed up, Kirilenko is the type of player who fits the Spurs' first major need. He can play either forward position and brings athleticism and strong defensive play to the wing.
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It's not easy to find a trade that could potentially make three parties so happy.
Kirilenko would get to play for a team that always has a chance at a ring, something he's never won in his entire career. In fact, the deepest he's ever advanced into the postseason came in 2007, when he lost in the Western Conference Finals to, you guessed it, the Spurs.
Meanwhile, the Spurs get a nice insurance policy for Kawhi Leonard, one who can hopefully keep him healthier. And San Antonio would likely only have to give up a second-round pick, which would still make Philadelphia GM Sam Hinkie swoon with excitement.
Toronto Raptors: Henry Sims
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"Greg Stiemsma has played in eight games for a grand total of 43 minutes. Chuck Hayes is the same height as backup point guard Greivis Vasquez at 6'6". His value is diminished because of his stature," Christopher Walder explains for Bleacher Report. "With no quality center to play behind starter Jonas Valanciunas, Casey has resorted to using power forwards...at the 5 spot."
When in doubt, raid the coffers of the Philadelphia 76ers.
It's Henry Sims, in this case, who's changing locations, as he's entirely expendable for the rebuilding organization. With Nerlens Noel developing and Joel Embiid waiting to take over when he's healthy, there are already two centers in place. Plus, Jahlil Okafor is the class of the 2015 NBA draft, and you'll never guess which position he plays...
Much like Andrei Kirilenko, he can likely be had for a meager second-round pick. Maybe two if the Sixers are driving a particularly hard bargain.
That's a price the Raptors should be more than willing to pay for a quality center who can play a handful of minutes behind Jonas Valanciunas.
Utah Jazz: Chris Copeland
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The Utah Jazz rank in the 20s in three-pointers made, three-pointers attempted and three-point percentage, per Basketball-Reference.com. Excluding Elijah Millsap, who has suited up in only five games, Trey Burke, Gordon Hayward, Rodney Hood, Dante Exum and Alec Burks, who has been lost for the season with a shoulder injury, are the only players attempting at least 2.5 three-pointers per game.
Problem is, Burks (38.2 percent) and Hayward (36.5 percent) are the only two members of that list who are making more than 32 percent of their downtown looks. Hood, meanwhile, is all the way down at 27.7 percent.
Adding another perimeter threat would be great for the rebuilding process, especially if the Jazz aren't forced to part with any of their cornerstones in order to acquire him. One such option is Chris Copeland.
While the Indiana Pacers forward is shooting just 32.5 percent from the field, that's largely the result of the offensive deficiencies on his squad forcing him into too large of a role. He's taking 4.2 attempts per game from beyond the arc, and that's far too many. After all, he was much more efficient during his first two NBA seasons, as he knocked down 42.1 and 41.8 percent of his deep looks, respectively.
Copeland isn't a huge game-changer for Utah. But he's still a good complementary piece who would look rather nice in the lineup as other young players improve dramatically.
Washington Wizards: Gerald Green
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As Michael Lee writes for The Washington Post while suggesting that Gerald Green is a great target for the Washington Wizards, "The Wizards have considerable depth in big men and wing players but are lacking a dynamic athlete off the bench to create is own and shot and possibly catch a few lobs from John Wall. The East is the most wide open it’s been in years and Washington could use another weapon to push to another level."
Aside from John Wall and Bradley Beal, there really aren't any athletic specimens in the Washington rotation.
Nene and Marcin Gortat are relatively ground-bound big men, while the small forward duo of Paul Pierce and Otto Porter doesn't often get out to run. Injecting some athleticism would help out the offense, and Green does far more than that.
In addition to serving as a wonderful alley-oop option, he can play quality perimeter defense and knock down more than his fair share of triples. Over the past two seasons, he's developed into one of the better three-and-D options in the NBA, which makes him an ideal fit for a Washington team that could use both at small forward.
