Cut Loose Bait: 10 NBA Teams That Need To Shake Things Up By The Trade Deadline

Here at the midpoint of the season, we can see the teams that have overachieved their initial expectations (Knicks, San Antonio) and those who have struggled and underachieved (Charlotte, New Jersey). The ones that have underachieved should look towards the trade deadline and do their best to be active.

As the trade deadline nears, here are the ten franchises that really need to figure out what they're doing and cut loose bait.

10. Dalllas Mavericks

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DALLAS - JUNE 11: (L-R) Jason Terry #31, Dirk Nowitzki #41 and Adrian Griffin #44 of the Dallas Mavericks huddle together during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in game two of the 2006 NBA Finals on June 11, 2006 at American Airlines Center in

The Season So Far: Dirk Nowitzki's Mavs were doing extremely well in the first part of the season and looked every bit as the championship contender they wanted to be. When Caron Butler went down, however, their hopes took a hit and went on a 6 game losing streak, going 1-9 in their last ten games.

The Need: Dallas needs a consistent second/third fiddle to space the floor and take the load off of Dirk. As their recent blowout loss to Detroit shows, without another consistent option, even a heroic effort by Dirk is insufficient. Dallas should look at a scoring wing such as Andre Iguodala, Gerald Wallace, or even Corey Maggette. This will hopefully push them further in the playoffs and end a streak of playoff failures for this team.   

Notable Trade Assets: 
Rodrigue Beaubois
Brendan Haywood
Shawn Marion 
expiring contract of Caron Butler
expiring contract of Jason Terry
other smaller expiring contracts. 

9. New Orleans Hornets

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets is introduced before taking on the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

The Season So Far: Chris Paul and Co. entered the season amid rumors of Paul being unhappy and wanting out of this mediocre team but those were quickly quieted by the Hornets' red-hot 11-1 start. This, however, ended up masking up the team's deficiencies and burning needs as the team has gone just 15-15 since then. 

The Need: The Hornets also require an athletic scoring wing, similar to Dallas. Trevor Ariza should not be taking as many shots as he currently is (10 FG and 4 threes a game) as he is shooting 39% from the field and 27% from three. This wing that is able to create his own shot is especially important given Paul's recent tendencies to pass in late game situations. A consistent back court mate for Paul not named Marco would also be nice.  

Notable Trade Assets: It seems like Coach Monty Williams just flat out hates Marcus Thornton, but that doesn't mean he isn't an attractive young talent to be dangled.
Trevor Ariza 
expiring contract of Marcus Banks and Willie Green  

8. Houston Rockets

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Head coach Rick Adelman of the Houston Rockets talks with Aaron Brooks #0 as Shane Battier #31,Kyle Lowry #7 and Luis Scola #4 stand by during a time out in the final seconds of the game against the Boston Celtics on January 10,

The Season So Far: The Yao-less Houston Rockets have actually overachieved considering their horrid luck. Starting point guard Aaron Brooks has played in just 17 of their 41 games and Yao suffered a season ending and perhaps even career ending injury after playing just 5 games this season. 

The Need: A big man taller than 6'6" and a plan for the future. As good as Chuck Hayes is (I'm sure he's the best 6'6" center ever), the Rockets need a much bigger presence down low for success. They also need to decide whether they wish to continue to build their team around Yao and hope he is able to overcome his injuries and have a healthy season, or if they should head another direction. 

Notable Trade Assets: 
Luis Scola,
Courtney Lee
expiring contract of Shane Battier
expiring contract of Jared Jeffries 
expiring contract of Yao Ming.

7. Charlotte Bobcats

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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 12: Teammates Stephen Jackson #1 Gerald Wallace #3 Tyrus Thomas #12 and D.J. Augustin #14 of the Charlotte Bobcats celebrate after a basket against the Chicago Bulls during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 12, 2011

The Season So Far: Michael Jordan's acquisition of this franchise was supposed to be the beginning of a promising future but questionable cost cutting moves by the front office have derailed this team. Larry Brown's grating style perhaps played a part in the Bobcats' struggles as well. Despite all this, the Bobcats sit just half a game out of the playoffs. 

The Need: A mobile, uptempo big man to replace washed out Kwame Brown and Nazr Mohammed. This is ironic, especially since the Bobcats traded away Emeka Okafor (who is having a great defensive season in New Orleans) and Tyson Chandler (who is flourishing in Dallas) both of which are of the more athletic pivotmen in the league. A more consistent power forward than overweight Boris Diaw or the development of Tyrus Thomas would fit in perfectly in this new uptempo style. 

Notable Trade Assets: 
Boris Diaw,
Gerald Wallace 
expiring contract of Nazr Mohammed 
expiring contract of Kwame Brown

6. Portland TrailBlazers

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 14: (L-R) Marcus Camby #23, Nicolas Batum #88, LaMarcus Aldridge #12 and Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers huddle up during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 14, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizo

The Season So Far: Similar to Houston, Portland has also suffered incredible bad luck and injuries to their franchise player. Promising first overall pick Greg Oden suffered yet another season ending injury before he even set foot on the floor. Brandon Roy discovered that he lacks cartilage and chose to have double knee surgery. Despite all this, Portland sits at 21-20, good for eighth in the west.

The Need: The old Brandon Roy. If that is not possible, then to decide whether or not Roy is still the franchise cornerstone. A younger point guard and someone to play the center when Camby is done/Oden is never the same. 

Notable Trade Assets:
Andre Miller& Joel Pryzbilla, both of whom possess expiring contracts Brandon Roy, 
Marcus Camby 

5. New Jersey Nets

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 14: Brook Lopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets drives against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 100-88. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

The Season So Far: Heralded billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov vowed to make waves upon his purchase of the Nets. So far, his Nets have just been bottom feeders. Brook Lopez has regressed, they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference at 10-30, and Carmelo Anthony trade rumors have hung over much of the season.

The Need: A decision to be made about the future. Will this Nets team go the way of young teams like OKC and wait for their young talent to develop? Or will they blow up their young nucleus for the aging Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and Carmelo Anthony? Specifically, someone to teach Derrick Favors the ropes at power forward, a better small forward, and maybe an upgrade at shooting guard. 

Notable Trade Assets: 
Troy Murphy 
Anthony Morrow 
Devin Harris 
Kris Humphries 
expiring contract of Sasha Vujacic

4.Philadelphia 76ers

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives on Trevor Ariza #1 of the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

The Season So Far: Early injuries to Andre Iguodala and Evan Turners lack of development are sore spots yet the 76ers sit at the east's eighth seed due to promising play from the young core. 

The Need: A vision for the future. An aging Andre Iguodala is not going to lead this bunch of players deep into the playoffs and once all the pieces mature, Iguodala will be past his prime. The 76ers need to decide if they're going to try and go as far as they can in the playoffs during Iguodala's tenure, or trade Iguodala and other veterans for young talent and go for the rebuilding effort.

Notable Trade Assets: 
Andre Iguodala
Andres Nocioni
Elton Brand 
Jason Kapono (expiring contract) 
expiring contract of Darius Songalia. 

3.Detroit Pistons

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 08: Head coach John Keuster of the Detroit Pistons talks with his team during a time out against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 8, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

The Season So Far: The Detroit Pistons are at a cross roads as they are filled with wing players and going nowhere. Although Tracy McGrady and rookie Greg Monroe have been surprises, Rip Hamilton and the general lack of direction of this team has been a huge sore spot. 

The Need: To figure out what the heck the franchise is doing: rebuild or try and contend with a veteran-young mix. An ongoing franchise sale does not help matters, but the Pistons need to trade either Ben Gordon or Rip Hamilton, and find a better power forward/point guard as Stuckey possess more 2 guard skills. 

Notable Trade Assets: 
Tracy McGrady
Richard Hamilton
Ben GordonCharlie Villaneuva
Tayshaun Prince
Ben Wallace

2. Pheonix Suns

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

The Season So Far: Pheonix came into this season hoping their offseason acquisitions can plug the hole Amare left with quantity over quality. Hakim Warrick, Josh Childress, and Hedo Turkoglu looked promising on paper, but the team quickly faltered. A midseason trade only seemed to make the team worse as the Suns traded away Hedo and Jason Richardson for Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, and Vince Carter. Not only are the players not gelling, but the team is going nowhere, sitting out of the playoff race and making Steve Nash languish on a poor team. 

The Need: A full-blown rebuilding effort or an athletic pick and roll big man to complement Nash's passing ability. 

Notable Trade Assets: 
Vince Carter
Steve Nash
Mickael Pietrus
Josh Childress. 

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Alonzo Gee #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks over Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on January 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 112-57. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

The Season So Far: Has any other franchise been hit as hard as the Cavs this season? First they lost LeBron for only a trade exception, and then suffered injury after injury until they've had to play people like Manny Harris and Samardo Samuels heavy minutes. They sit at 8-32, one of only two teams in the league yet to hit double digit wins. The other is Sacramento--which at least has a promising young guard and core to build around. 

The Need: A clear rebuilding effort. The Cavs are going nowhere and do not possess a franchise player to build around. They need to flip their veterans for promising young talent and use this season to develop them. Perhaps even work the draft this year. 

Notable Trade Assets: 
Mo Williams
Andersen Varejao
Antawn Jamison
Anthony Parker