NBA Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the Biggest Trade Needs of All 30 Teams
NBA Trade Rumors are heating up and it's only December. Carmelo Anthony's recent admission to wanting a New York trade have stoked the fires for the Knicks and Nuggets to do a little business. But we have 30 teams that are always trying to get better. Whether it is to dump salary or fill a hole on the bench, every team needs something.
But as you will see, the demands of each team are not uniformly crucial around the league. Some teams are in much more dire need than others. So here is a break down of all 30 teams in the Association. They are broken down from those with little to no trade needs to the ones that should deal soon.
30. San Antonio Spurs
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At the beginning of the season I thought the Spurs had some holes in their depth and age. I was completely wrong. The Spurs are proving to be the team to be out West, for the moment.
It remains to be seen if the Spurs can keep up this pace of wins all season. I also doubt that Richard Jefferson will be as lights out as he has been. But for the time being, I would handle this team with kid gloves.
Don't change a thing San Antonio.
29. Boston Celtics
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The Boston Celtics are 19-4 and are simply rolling through the competition. So far, this team is not showing signs of that age we all like to talk about. So the needs of the Celtics are relatively thin at the moment. A trade would be much more detrimental than helpful.
Keep in mind that they are succeeding without the help of the starting center Kendrick Perkins. He will be out with an injury until about the All-Star break. At that time, the Celtics will have three centers that could start on any team. That is a huge bargaining chip to dangle to the league. The Celtics will not want to trade any of them before the deadline as they need to be assured of Perkins health.
But if we must extrapolate a hypothetical, this would be it. Any number of teams would fall over themselves for a center the likes of either O'Neal or Perkins. But at that point, there would have to be a huge injury on the Celtics or a glaring need for them to part with any of them.
28. Los Angeles Lakers
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The Lakers do not need to worry. NBA fans love to shout for change the minute a team stumbles a bit. The Lake Show are about to get back one of the better big men in the game in Andrew Bynum. This will give Pau Gasol much needed rest.
The Lakers already boast one of the best benches in the game. Bynum's return will make everything better in Los Angeles, until he gets hurt again.
27. Miami Heat
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The Heat are on a nine game winning streak. Their issues are seemingly in the past. Or are they? This team is unstoppable when the big three are moving the ball and scoring at will. But when one of them falters, the team suffers.
The team would do well to add depth to their roster. It is an issue that will be remedied in do time in the off season. We also must remember that they will be getting back Mike Miller in a month or so. So for the time being, the Heat would do well to stand still on any trades.
26. Chicago Bulls
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Don't sleep on the Chicago Bulls. They do not need a trade but that does not mean they will not entertain one. They were hot on the heels of Dwayne Wade in the off season and could very well be thinking of how they could possibly land Carmelo Anthony.
While moving any of their pieces when their team is already playoff bound sound preposterous, you get the sense that this team is fishing for one more piece. They firmly believe they are one player from the finals. Luol Deng and some expiring contracts may be just as good an offer that Nuggets will get for Carmelo Anthony.
25. Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Thunder would do very well to stay clear of any trades. This is a team that has been built the right way. They have been home grown and nurtured. Now they have a solid stock of budding stars. Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Jeff Green should all be considered untouchable.
If however, they can get some bench depth or solid vets on the cheap, then why not? But as they are currently formed, all this team really needs is time.
24. Utah Jazz
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The injury to center Mehmet Okur's Achilles heel may be longer than the one to two weeks that was previously thought. While the Jazz are extremely deep when Okur is healthy, they are susceptible when he is not.
Al Jefferson cannot fill the middle all on his own. If Okur is out for an extended period, that is the position they will need to plug. The Jazz cannot afford to lose any ground in the very hard fought Western Conference.
23. Atlanta Hawks
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The Hawks are in a very tough Southeast division. But they are currently hanging in there. They will always be second fiddle to the more elite east teams unless they change something.
They have been rumored to be shopping Josh Smith. That kind of player could net you a Tayshaun Prince. But it doesn't improve the Hawks chances of getting out of the east. Atlanta needs a big time player with upside. Prince may have seen his best days.
It would behoove the Hawks to consider taking on the Sixers and their two headed trade monster of Iguodala and Brand. It would be a gamble but they have to do something to compete in the deeply packed East.
22. Toronto Raptors
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The Raptors may have already made the changes they plan on making this season. They traded Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks and David Anderson to the Hornets for Peja Stojakovic and Jerry Bayless. I guess the Raptors were in the mood to get older.
But the Raptors are a mediocre team still in need of more scoring. Andrea Bargnani is doing a fantastic job this season but he may be asked to do too much for an entire season. After losing Chris Bosh, this team has been in rebuild mode. They should make some deals for younger, rising talent. The kind of impressionable youth that does not mind living north of the border.
21. Orlando Magic
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The Magic have front row seats to the Miami Heat show. They are well aware that they need to act fast if they are to maintain a level playing ground with their fellow Floridians. The team has recently come out and stated that anyone on their team is up for grabs, minus Dwight Howard of course.
This team may be suited for a deep playoff run, but as they are set up now the Celtics or Heat would best them. There is much too star power from the other teams. I think they are deep enough to make it interesting. A Monta Ellis trade would be sufficient enough to stay afloat. But a Chris Paul steal would be tremendous.
20. Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks are a bit slow out of the gate but should be alright. They are third in their division and should really be neck and neck with the Bulls. But it is early in the season and there is no reason to blow it all up from paranoia.
The Bucks in all actuality are a solid young team that will more than likely make the playoffs. But the one problem area they have is depth at center. The Bucks would do well to deal some of their back up guards for an actual low post player to back up Andrew Bogut. If he goes down, they all go down.
19. Portland Trailblazers
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What this team really needs is a time machine. Maybe then they could rid themselves of the forever injured Greg Oden. But the most recent injury to Oden may have Blazers brass thinking that they need to look towards next season to compete.
The recent rumor has general manager Rich Cho inquiring about the Hawks Jamaal Crawford. Crawford would add depth to the already young talent. When Oden is healthy, this team would be a force out West. With Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jamaal Crawford running the show. The Blazers would be an extremely entertaining bunch.
18. Indiana Pacers
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The Pacers are nice young team that has surprised us with big time wins early in the season, Miami Heat. This team will continue to grow. The most recent rumor may actually be a great fit for the organization. The latest is that the Suns would send Earl Clark to the Pacers for Solomon Jones.
This helps in a couple of ways. It would give the Pacers another scorer down low. Second it would free Roy Hibbert to be more productive. The young center has already grown as a ball player. Having another body in the post to take away defenders would be crucial to his development as a star.
17. Dallas Mavericks
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The Dallas Mavericks, it seems, are destined to be a great regular season team that easily makes the post season then flounders. They are yet to figure out that elusive formula for winning in June. So far the trades that the Mavericks made last year are working out just fine.
Caron Butler is one of the most underrated talents in the league and DeShawn Stevenson is a great pickup, as a back up guard. The Mavericks would do well with more scoring. Who wouldn't? You can not rely on Stevenson and Jason Terry to compete with the other 2-guards in the playoffs. They needs some fire power form the positions.
If Mark Cuban were intently interested in a championship he would concentrate on that position. Getting a player like, Gilbert Arenas for example, would place the Mavericks as one of the far and away favorites in the West.
16. Golden State Warriors
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The Warriors are in the middle of a huge question. Where are they on their path to success? I placed them in the middle of this ranking because they could go either way. They can continue to rebuild and chalk this season up to a learning experience. Or they could try to chase the Lakers at the top of the division.
If they want to take on the challenge of competing for supremacy this season, they must make a move. The roster as it is will not cut it. That means their most movable pawn, Monta Ellis would be shipped. The Magic are quite keen on a move to solidify their roster. An Ellis to the Magic for Rashard Lewis and some scraps may bolster this lineup. For my money, I would want the defense and shooting of Mickael Pietrus involved as well.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
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Even when the Clippers are solid on paper they fail to win. The only real bright spot on this already horrible season is Blake Griffin. This team that seems perennially cursed is still without the injured Baron Davis and Chris Kaman.
With the emergence of Blake Griffin as a top power forward, Kaman becomes expendable. Why not take a shot at the Pistons Tayshaun Prince or the Hawks Josh Smith? If you can also get a suitable back up or replacement for DeAndre Jordan at the center position, it may do the Clippers well.
14. Phoenix Suns
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The Suns will always be a formidable opponent as long as Steve Nash is around. But do not count the Suns out of the trade scene. This team has been known to part ways with seemingly untradeable pieces. They parted ways with Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa. Those were all players that fit perfectly into their system.
The Suns sorely need a solid big man to compliment Robin Lopez. Channing Frye is doing a fine job, but the teams lack of depth has hurt them considerably as Lopez nurses an injured knee. Getting some youth in the back court wouldn't hurt either.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
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The Grizzlies would do well to either trade O.J. Mayo or start him. He is a talented scorer that could very well lead this young Grizzlies team. But if they plan to maintain his presence on the bench, they may do much better in trading the talent to a contender that will at least bring him off a much more talented bench.
If the Knicks cannot snag Carmelo Anthony, they may want to look into acquiring Mayo. The trade could net the Grizzlies the depth they need at the low post positions. After Gasol and Randolph sit, there is no one to actually score down low. That is a huge problem.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
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It seems the Timberwolves just may be alright. a couple season from now that is. Kevin Love is turning out to be one of the better players in the league. They just need to grow the team around him and Michael Beasley. They must hold onto those players in any upcoming deals.
The one thing that would help this team immediately is trading the rights to Ricky Rubio to the Knicks. It is very clear that the Spanish guard wants no part of Minnesota, despite his backtracking statements. Minnesota is already set on young guards anyway.
11. Sacramento Kings
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I always thought that the Kings dumping of Kevin Martin was a bad idea. Now he is playing like an All-Star, just not for the Kings. Well they have the cap space they wanted. Now it is time to use it. The Kings would do well to take on Andre Iguodala.
They may be one of the few teams that can stand the hit of the Elton Brand contract that would assuredly follow. As it is this young team that was supposed to grow, hasn't. DeMarcus Cousins would do well to have some solid veterans on the team. Elton Brand could show him the ropes as a big man in the Association. Let's just hope Cousins game does not follow the same downward spiral.
10. New York Knicks
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The Knicks are winning. It took them much longer to accumulate 16 wins last season. So the Amare Stoudemire trade has worked out famously for them. New York is on the right track. Normally a trade would derail that. But when you hear that a player of Carmelo Anthony's stature wants to come to New York, you listen.
The Knicks would have to understand that they would be parting with a system that is working at the moment. But it may not be all that bad. The Nuggets may agree to take Kelenna Azubuike and his expiring contract. After that and another team's involvement, the Knicks may have very much the same look to them. With Carmelo added to the mix of course.
9. Washington Wizards
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The Wizards are a team desperate for a new image. The Gilbert Arenas era is coming to a close. The time is ripe for this team to rid themselves of the huge contract and start over. They have a star they can build around in John Wall.
The current scoop is that the Magic have entered into talks with the Wizards about Gilbert Arenas. The trade would net the Magic the star talent the crave and the Wizards would get a couple more pieces to fill around John Wall. Rashard Lewis would be a fine player for Wall to pass off to when driving to the hoop.
8. New Jersey Nets
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The Nets need a trade. If not for their basketball acumen, then for their fans. The New Jersey faithful were assured that the new ownership would bring in an era of heavy spending. But things are quite the same as they have been for the past couple of years.
The Nets are in the cellar and there is nary a star to be had on the team. But the one chip they need could very well be headed their way. Carmelo Anthony was once the hot target of this lowly team. They were even the front runners in a four team trade rumored in September.
At that point rookie Derrick Favors and Devin Harris were the biggest chips the Nets could offer. This still remains today. There is no getting around the fact that the Nets would have to give up one or both of these players in a trade. That leaves a very thin roster. But in the end, the status quo is not working. So why not try something new?
7. Houston Rockets
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The Rockets ship is taking on water. Houston needs to get creative and fast. It is clear that Yao Ming is no the long term answer this franchise needs. Not that they can convince anyone to take a chance on the injury prone center.
But this team has the luxury of knowing that nothing is working. That may sound a bit ridiculous but in effect, they can trade any piece and feel good about it. I would of course make a concerted effort to retain Kevin Martin, but beyond that, trade them all.
The Rockets would do well to target franchise type players or seasoned vets to round out a young team. Andre Iguodala and Tayshaun Prince are obvious fits.
6. Charlotte Bobcats
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What don't the Bobcats need. The main issue is the Bobcats need a scorer. Stephen Jackson is past his prime and cannot be counted on to continually throw up twenty point nights. The Bobcats have had enough time in the league to be making some growth as an organization.
The team that is owned by the greatest NBA winner, Michael Jordan, needs to start acting like it. The Bobcats need a star to be the focal point for their organization. I know someone who could use some new scenery. Gilbert Arenas would be a perfect fit.
And believe me—the Wizards would be happy to get rid of him, if he didn't have such a humongous contract.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
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This team is in need of a reboot. One of the league's more storied franchises have been pitiful for much too long. One blaring reason is the statue the have in the low block that goes by the name Elton Brand. This young vibrant team is slowed by his style of play.
Brand is much better suited for a slower heavier game. He would do well with the Celtics or even the Lakers for that matter, long, plodding half-court teams.
But the fact remains that no team wants a huge contract like Brand's unless of course Andre Iguodala is thrown into the mix. The Rockets could have some young talent to throw away to the 76ers, as do the Kings. But the one stumbling block is Elton Brand and his behemoth contract.
4. Detroit Pistons
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The Pistons, once the story of how a team should function, has fallen on hard times. They are not hitting on all cylinders and would do well to trade away some of their cast. Tayshaun Prince is the most likely and most well regarded player they could deal.
The Pistons need to get younger. Earlier in the season, there was talk of a Tayshaun Prince to Atlanta for Josh Smith. It seemed a bit ridiculous because the Pistons don't get that much better in the deal. The fact is, the expiring contract of Tayshaun Prince is just as valuable to the Pistons as it is to any other team. They will be stingy bargainers in any trade consideration.
With a looming sale of the team, the Pistons, who desperately need a change, may be forced to stand pat.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
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This team needs a new look badly. After they were left at the alter by their King, the owner, Dan Gilbert, vowed to get to the finals before LeBron James. I don't see that happening. What I do see is a very bad teams with no real pieces that teams would want in a trade. Not a blockbuster trade anyway.
And that is what this team really needs. They don't need a role player, they need a star to take the place of the one they lost. But they can't snag one in a trade with the lot they have. One will have to be home grown and nurtured. But then he will most likely leave them. Yes, the Cavs are cursed.
But I do think there are some teams desperate to reboot the system. The Cavs could be in the running to snag Iguodala from the Sixers. If they are willing to take on Elton Brand's contract. Which they most certainly would be.
2. New Orleans Hornets
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Now that the Hornets have come back to earth, they can once again begin to hear rumblings of a Chris Paul trade. The Hornets were one of the hottest tams to start the season. While winning, all was right in New Orleans. Now that they have leveled off, I assume we will again here of possible trade destinations for Paul.
I hate to say it but the Hornets must move their franchise guard. It is clear that he does not want to be around and the Hornets are not looking into any other star studded plans. The market is willing to give the Hornets a great price. With the Heat dominating the league, contenders will chop of their right arm if it will net them an All-Star like Paul.
1. Denver Nuggets
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Now we come to the team with the most pressing trade need. Not because they necessarily need to get better, but because the looming Carmelo Anthony talks have hampered this team. As it sits the Nuggets are sixth in the West. That is hardly a position fitting of their roster.
What may already be happening is that players are not playing to their full potential. It must be taxing on the mind to know that your best player does not want to be around. How can you play for the greater good knowing that he will not be around at the end of the season.
For conformity and morale purposes, the Nuggets have to trade Carmelo Anthony, and quickly.
