9 NBA Teams Most Likely to Make a Trade Before the 2015 Deadline
With days rather than weeks or months now serving as a better measure of the time remaining until the Feb. 19 NBA trade deadline, we're ready for some teams to get desperate. They're almost out of opportunities to unload bad contracts, make that one final acquisition for a title run or end up with even more draft picks.
Of course, not every one of the 30 squads in the Association needs to act.
Some teams—the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, for example—could use upgrades but don't have the assets necessary to make anything happen. Others, like the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks, should keep what they have and see what happens. They're strong enough as it is.
But there are still nine squads that should, and probably will, make a move before that mid-February deadline.
They've been heavily involved in the always-churning rumor mill, and it makes sense for them to spend time wheeling and dealing. Now they only have a matter of days left before they can no longer act.
Brooklyn Nets
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Everyone must go.
The Brooklyn Nets need to pull the plug on this ill-fated experiment and rid themselves of all their massive contracts before the deadline. If that means selling Brook Lopez for pennies on the dollar, literally paying someone to take Joe Johnson's salary away, giving up Deron Williams for virtually nothing and then just trying to get anything for Kevin Garnett, that's perfectly fine.
However, an anonymous Nets source told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski after a Lopez deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder fell through, "There was nothing we liked."
No kidding.
They didn't like the proposed package of J.J. Hickson and JaVale McGee that the Denver Nuggets had offered, either, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Twitter. And the same can be said about the Lance Stephenson-for-Johnson swap with the Charlotte Hornets that Wojnarowski revealed.
But at this point, the Nets shouldn't be picking what they like.
They should thank their lucky stars there are teams willing to take some of these salaries off their hands, which gives them an opportunity to clean up the books and make some sort of noise in the rebuilding process.
Beggars can't be choosers, and at this point, the Nets very much fall into that first category. The team is a middling one, and there's no hope of a turnaround given the current state of the organization. Not only is the aging roster getting older, but there's precious little cap relief and virtually no draft picks to speak of throughout the next few offseasons.
As the deadline looms and they're facing the harsh reality of footing another huge luxury-tax bill without any hope of postseason success, surely they'll come to their senses, trading one of their big-name, big-contract players for literally whatever they can get.
Charlotte Hornets
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Lance Stephenson is still averaging only 9.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 37.7 percent from the field and a cringe-worthy 13.6 percent from beyond the arc. Sadly, that last number is coming while the 2-guard shows he was born ready to take nearly a pair of three-point attempts during the typical outing.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, his player efficiency rating is only 9.4, well below the league-average mark of 15. And worst of all, the Charlotte Hornets have been much worse when he's on the floor. They're outscoring opponents by one point per 100 possessions when Stephenson is on the pine, but they're being outdone by 7.3 points over the same span when he steps onto the court.
The Hornets realized their free-agency mistake pretty early on. It seems as though they've been trying to trade the former Indiana Pacer throughout the 2014-15 campaign, with rumors dating all the way back to the middle of December, via Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
Now there has to be more urgency.
With a 21-27 record, the Hornets are barely hanging onto the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But after Kemba Walker underwent surgery to repair his torn left meniscus, their grasp is even more tenuous.
This team already needed more shooting, and now it's without one of the few players on offense who was actually comfortable creating his own shot. Charlotte can survive Walker's absence, one that should end sometime in March, but it would feel far more comfortable if the team made a big move, ideally by using Stephenson as the primary trade chip.
Denver Nuggets
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The Denver Nuggets badly need to find direction.
This roster is built to run. Speedy point guard Ty Lawson is running the show quite effectively on the offensive end, nearly leading the league in assists and having no trouble finding his own shots. Kenneth Faried is built for the transition game as well.
However, Brian Shaw is more of a traditional coach, placing an emphasis on the half-court set while presumably only running out of roster-mandated necessity. There's a stark disconnect between the two sides right now, and recent effortless outings haven't exactly helped the players and coaching staff see eye to eye.
But the front office isn't providing a bridge, either.
Hiring an old-school coach to pace the sidelines while building a quick team that wants to run isn't necessarily a recipe for success, and now the rumors, per Stein, that the Nuggets are trying to trade for plodding center Brook Lopez are only adding more confusion to the mix.
What in the world is the identity of this team? Better yet, what's the intended identity, other than a hodgepodge of mismatched talents who prove that the whole isn't always even equal to the sum of its parts?
The Nuggets have to figure that out, even if it means continuing to pursue Lopez. Of course, they can also take advantage of potentially widespread interest in Wilson Chandler and Arron Afflalo, continuing to add future assets—as they did by trading Timofey Mozgov to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two first-round picks—while opening up playing time for Gary Harris.
No matter what the move is, one has to be made.
The current collection of directionless pieces requires it, and standing pat as the deadline passes would be a foolish decision. Especially after Mozgov was dealt, that simply can't happen.
Houston Rockets
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Per Stein, "The Houston Rockets are bracing for the loss of Dwight Howard for at least a month due to persistent trouble with his right knee, according to league sources."
That's one issue, as the loss of the starting center again depletes a frontcourt that has been plagued by injuries throughout the 2014-15 season. Terrence Jones may have finally returned to the lineup, but the Rockets are still going to war with Joey Dorsey, Clint Capela, Josh Smith and Donatas Motiejunas as their other primary players at the biggest positions in the lineup.
Additionally, Houston continues to need an upgrade at point guard.
"Whatever else happens, the Rockets do need a second shot creator in their backcourt for the postseason," Kelly Scaletta writes for Bleacher Report, arguing both that the team needs something more than Patrick Beverley and that James Harden can't be relied upon this heavily throughout the season. "Considering how active Daryl Morey is, expect them to find one."
The Rockets have already been rather active, trading for Corey Brewer and adding Josh Smith to the roster after the Detroit Pistons waived him in an unexpected turn of events. But they can't be done altering a flawed lineup quite yet, especially if they hope to keep moving toward the top of the Western Conference.
Though they're in the No. 3 spot in the NBA's tougher half, it'll be difficult for them to maintain their grip on that position—or even improve their standing—without Howard and as Harden experiences the wear and tear of an 82-game campaign while serving as the one and only featured offensive player.
A move is necessary. Frankly, more than one may be, despite the gaudy nature of Houston's win-loss record.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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"The Minnesota Timberwolves don't need to make a trade given their current trajectory," Bleacher Report's Dan Favale posits. "They have a budding superstar in Andrew Wiggins and remain in play for the No. 1 overall pick. That's all they really need in the aftermath of Kevin Love's exit."
It's true, but the Wolves can also get even more by taking advantage of the veteran presences on the roster.
Kevin Martin has returned from his wrist injury, and he should now continue making himself appealing to competitive teams with his floor-spacing and foul-drawing ways. Most teams would love to have a scoring threat like him coming off the bench, even if his defense will always be problematic.
Also back in the lineup is Nikola Pekovic, who should be on the block as well. Any top-notch team with a need for a big, bruising center could come calling, offering either young players or draft picks. Or both, I suppose.
We also know that Thaddeus Young is available, per Stein. So too is Mo Williams, fresh off his 52-point outing in the middle of January. As Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN tweets, "Teams to watch on the Mo Williams front: Cavs, Clippers, and Heat. Small chance Detroit. Nothing imminent. #Twolves return will be minimal."
Minimal is still better than nothing, especially when dealing these veteran presences only opens things up for the younger players, allowing Andrew Wiggins to continue asserting himself as a future superstar, for example.
Gorgui Dieng has a bigger role if Pekovic is no longer on the roster. So too does Zach LaVine if Williams is gone. And if Young and Martin are shipped off, that opens the door for Shabazz Muhammad, Glenn Robinson III and Anthony Bennett to receive more opportunities.
During a rebuilding season in which earning the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA draft is a distinct possibility, why not give the young guys that chance?
New York Knicks
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The New York Knicks may be winning games more frequently since the calendars flipped over to 2015, but that's not cause for them to abandon the current plan, one that involves doing everything possible to clear the books for the upcoming offseason.
"The Knicks will probably keep Carmelo Anthony for now," Bleacher Report's Howard Beck reported in December. "But rival executives say that everyone else at the Garden is available, possibly even the ball boys. J.R. Smith is the most likely to be exiled, if the Knicks can find a taker."
Smith has since been traded, along with Iman Shumpert, to the Cleveland Cavaliers. That move revealed the plan hasn't changed at all, as the Knicks ditched two rotation players, waived Samuel Dalembert and didn't add a single significant contributor for the remainder of the 2014-15 season.
Now, it's time to take the next steps—if they can find destinations for their remaining pieces, of course.
Jose Calderon is the most obvious player on the block, as he and Carmelo Anthony are the only two with salaries that run past the end of the current season. Dealing him allows the Knicks to clear even more cap space for their inevitable pursuit of marquee free agents this summer.
The second possibility is Pablo Prigioni. As Adam Zagoria of NBA.com and SNY.tv tweeted Jan. 21, "Hearing the #Knicks would like to deal Pablo Prigioni for a 2nd-round pick. He's not playing now & not part of the future."
Much as is the case with any rebuilding organization, future assets are better than current ones who don't figure to play a part in the long-term plans.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are not going to make the playoffs without some serious changes.
Now sitting at 24-24, the supposed Western Conference contenders are in 10th place in their half of the NBA, trailing the New Orleans Pelicans in addition to the eight squads currently in the postseason picture. They're a handful of games behind the Phoenix Suns, and there just haven't been signs they're capable of closing the gap.
Even with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the lineup, this team hasn't exactly looked as elite as it needs to be. The offense can still stagnate, the defense is often uninspired and the bench certainly hasn't meshed with Dion Waiters and Reggie Jackson competing for minutes and shots.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, the Thunder had produced an offensive rating and defensive rating of 103.9 and 103.0, respectively, over their last 10 games before Monday's matchup with Orlando. A 5-5 record over that span helps show their sheer mediocrity, but that should make it even more clear. In fact, dating all the way back to Dec. 5, when OKC began a seven-game win streak, it's only outscored the opposition by 2.9 points per 100 possessions.
According to my FATS model (based on historical comparisons and explained in full here), the Thunder have played like a 49-win team since the start of that streak, despite their 18-11 record. Couple that with their current spot in the standings, and they're projected to finish at 44-38, which surely won't be enough to play beyond the regular season.
It's time to make another change. Whether that involves taking the Brook Lopez plunge, dealing Reggie Jackson for a new piece or doing something entirely novel, stagnation is not going to be good enough in the league's best conference.
Philadelphia 76ers
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This isn't about Michael Carter-Williams.
Sure, the second-year point guard could find himself in a new location before February is through. Sean Devine of DYST Now, a Syracuse-based website, was the first to report that Carter-Williams was on the block, and that idea has gained traction ever since.
But as ESPN.com's Chad Ford explained in a chat, "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."
There's a rather large difference between the Philadelphia 76ers' view of his worth, even during a disappointing follow-up season to his Rookie of the Year campaign, and what another organization will be willing to pay. That makes it rather challenging for general manager Sam Hinkie to trade Carter-Williams, even if the desire to do so is actually there.
But if Carter-Williams plays out 2014-15 in Philly, the Sixers are still likely to make a trade. They're the masters of worming their way into deals, taking on salary so that they can also pick up yet another second-round draft pick.
Expect more of the same, even if they're only playing the part of a remora and avoiding any blockbuster deals.
Portland Trail Blazers
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Robin Lopez is still out. LaMarcus Aldridge is attempting to play through an injury to his left thumb, and though he's doing an admirable job, that's still a tough proposition. Damian Lillard is carrying an insane load. The team remains as shallow as ever.
When at full strength, the Portland Trail Blazers are one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA. But now, this season is threatening to get away from them, to the point that Aldridge is only playing through the pain rather than getting surgery because he knows Rip City may not survive without him.
Even with their two All-Stars one All-Star and Lillard in the lineup as much as possible, the Blazers have won only two of their last 10 games. According to Basketball-Reference.com, they've been outscored by 3.9 points per 100 possessions over that unfortunate stretch, though they were admittedly playing a particularly tough portion of their schedule.
As Favale writes, this is a big deal, even if home-court advantage is still almost a lock:
"Small samples, though misleading, are huge for the Blazers. Their record against the Western Conference's top-eight franchises has long been bad (3-8), and the slightest misstep from here on can cast them outside the championship conversation.
Home-court advantage admittedly remains the inevitable. The Blazers have a nine-game lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Northwest division crown. Winning that sector guarantees them at least one round's worth of home-court convenience.
"
Traditionally, the Blazers haven't made many splashy moves.
But with expiring contracts riding the pine and first-round picks at their disposal, it could be time to buck the trend and upgrade. It's a much-needed move with injuries taking this type of toll on the organization.
Everyone in the typical starting five—Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum (even though he's struggled), Aldridge and Robin Lopez (when healthy)—should remain in place. But changes are needed elsewhere, if for no other reason than keeping the best players fresh for the inevitable attempt at a postseason run.
