NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Out-Of-The-Blue Trades We'd Love To See
Even though the NBA trade deadline is long away, the rumor mills have already been wildly abuzz with potential swaps.
Analysts are quick to point out teams' weaknesses, overflow of talent at a single position, upcoming matchups and playoff aspirations as they concoct trade scenarios.
Who doesn't love a big trade? Or, one that adds that one missing piece? One that changes a squad from a playoff hopeful to a playoff team, from playoff pretender to playoff advancer, from contender to champion?
The 2010-11 NBA season is shaping up to be one filled with parity. Not even the league-leading San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics are necessarily running away with it. They've got the Mavericks, Jazz, Lakers and Heat, Bulls and Magic to deal with. And look out for the spoilers: Knicks, Hawks, Thunder and a few others.
A few trades here and there would shake up the pecking order and make a title up for grabs.
Here's 10 out-of-blue trades that would do just that.
Photo: Imagine if Dwight Howard were traded to...?
Andrew Bogut To The Oklahoma City Thunder
1 of 10
The Thunder are on the cusp with scoring leader Kevin Durant, consistent Russell Westbrook, and solid forward Jeff Green...but they need a big man. Nenad Krstic has been mediocre and Serge Ibaka still needs a little seasoning.
Milwaukee Bucks center, Andrew Bogut, could be the fix. He would certainly help clog the middle for Oklahoma City - and add about 13 points a game.
The Bucks are just outside the playoff picture in the East and need a shakeup to take them to the next level - it might be worth giving up Bogut for some depth at center and a little help in scoring.
Oklahoma City Gets:
Andrew Bogut, C
Michael Redd, SG
Milwaukee Gets:
Nenad Krstic, C
Cole Aldrich, C
Thabo Sefolosha, SG
Nick Collision, PF
Eric Gordon To The Cleveland Cavaliers
2 of 10
It's time for Cleveland to move on, and move on from an 8-23 record, too. They need a lot of help. Cleveland is one of many teams looking for scoring help out of the backcourt. Why not start out with a young guard like Eric Gordon?
Though it's doubtful the Clippers would let Gordon go, they do need a strong forward, and a swap between they and the Cavaliers might be mutually beneficial to both bottom-feeders, especially when you look at the money.
Cleveland Gets:
Eric Gordon, SG
Baron Davis, PG
Los Angeles Gets:
Antawn Jamison, PF
Vince Carter To The Dallas Mavericks
3 of 10
Vince Carter is playing for the Phoenix Suns...well, not yet exactly. The Dallas Mavericks are oh so close to owning the West...they need that one extra little piece (and a healthy Nowitzki) to maybe put them over the top now. Could it be Carter?
Why not? The Suns need shooting help, appear disinterested in what Vince, a pawn of the cap, brings to the table, and can save a ton of money next year with this trade:
Dallas Gets:
Vince Carter, SG
Phoenix Gets:
Caron Butler, SF
DeShawn Stevenson, SG
Marcus Camby To The New York Knicks
4 of 10
The Knicks could really use some defensive help and will not be a title contender until they get it. Carmelo Anthony would be a major acquisition, but will not solve the defense problem. Marcus Camby might be the perfect temporary solution, and still leave room for a 'Melo move.
Meanwhile the Blazers need some perimeter shooting assistance. With the money they save next year with the following trade, and who knows, a happier, healthier and cheaper Eddy Curry (?), this might work out:
New York Gets:
Marcus Camby, PF
Greg Oden, C
Portland Gets:
Danilo Gallinari, F
Ronny Turiaf, C
Eddy Curry, C
Josh Smith To The Indiana Pacers
5 of 10
The Pacers, at 13-16, are holding on to a slippery playoff position in East. The Atlanta Hawks have finally come around and look to make the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
It's hard to see the Hawks let Josh Smith go, but maybe they would for two touted youngsters and a veteran to help anchor the team:
Indiana Gets:
Josh Smith, PF
Atlanta Gets:
Darren Collision, PG
Paul George, SF
James Posey, SF
Richard Hamilton To The Utah Jazz
6 of 10
The Utah Jazz are knocking on the door, with just enough to keep them ahead of the flailing Lakers and nipping at the heels of the Spurs and Mavericks. They won't be able to overtake San Antonio and Dallas, nor continue to keep LA at bay without making a move.
The Jazz will be taking a risk with expensive and injury prone Richard Hamilton, but thanks to Al Jefferson's solid play, Mehmet Okur and his big, though admittedly smaller, contract are expendable. And the Pistons can use some size.
Utah Gets:
Richard Hamilton, SG
Detroit Gets:
Mehmet Okur, C
Stephen Curry To The Philadelpia 76ers
7 of 10
The Sixers are tenuously clinging to playoff aspirations, hanging on to the ninth spot in the East. Stephen Curry would definitely put them over the top.
The terrible-as-usual Golden State Warriors could get a two-for-one deal here that would provide them with two starters and/or extra bench:
Philadelphia Gets:
Stephen Curry, PG
Golden State Gets:
Jrue Holiday, PG
Marreese Speights, C
Michael Beasley To The Denver Nuggets
8 of 10
What if the Nuggets decide not to decimate the team and go for it? If Denver holds on to Carmelo Anthony as long as they can, add Michael Beasley, and give J.R. Smith more playing time they might become serious contenders for the West title.
Denver can take a risk sending two starters to the Minnesota to entice the Timberwolves:
Denver Gets:
Michael Beasley, PF
Minnesota Gets:
Al Harrington, PF
Arron Afflalo, SG
Dwight Howard To The Los Angeles Lakers
9 of 10
Now this is a dream trade for any LA fan. It's hard to imagine a better fit than Dwight Howard on the Lakers, conjuring up memories of when another big man paired with Kobe Bryant for a three-peat. Can you imagine the dominance?
Howard would be the tonic to the Lakers' recent woes and their Achilles' heel - lack of a true center. And so much more. What could possibly get this done? Maybe the promise of a bright future.
Los Angeles Gets:
Dwight Howard, C
Orlando Gets:
Andrew Bynum, C
Matt Barnes, SF
Steve Nash To The Chicago Bulls
10 of 10
The Bulls are very close. Suddenly, they're the third best team in the East, but they can't seem to consistently beat good teams and lost twice each to the Knicks and Celtics.
Adding Steve Nash to the Bull's potent lineup, pairing him with Derrick Rose, would make the East a three-horse race. If they can make the two-point-guard system work, the Bulls would also always have at least one of the best guards in the league on the floor.
Since the Suns are looking to rebuild, they get some nascent talent.
Chicago Gets:
Steve Nash, PG
Phoenix Gets:
Kyle Korver, SG
Ronnie Brewer, SG
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