NBA Trade Rumors: What Every Team Needs as the Trade Deadline Approaches
The NBA Trade Deadline is quickly approaching. Teams are looking around to figure out what they need going forward. Some teams are trying to make the playoffs. Some are trying to push to the top of the pack, and others are trying to remain relevant.
So here is a look at where every team is, where they are headed and what they need to take the next.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers
1 of 30
What They Need:
A Consistent Top of the Line Scorer.
Where They Are Looking:
Gerald Wallace. The Charlotte Bobcats are looking to deal their small forward, but the price tag of a first round pick could be too high.
Will They Get Help:
Not likely in this trade climate. The Wallace price tag is too high. Although they need help in the worst way, Cleveland is likely to wait until the draft and rebuild from there.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves
2 of 30
What They Need:
A late game closer.
Where They Are Looking:
Nowhere currently. The Wolves admit they have blown a lot of games late. Even Kevin Love and Michael Beasley have had miscues at the end of games.
They need a veteran and a leader on the floor when the game is on the line.
Will They Get Help:
Don’t count on it. Their two biggest trading chips: Love and the rights to Ricky Rubio, don’t seem feasible. Love is untouchable at this point and Rubio appears to be regressing internationally.
28. Sacramento Kings
3 of 30
What They Need:
A star player.
Where They Are Looking:
Don’t mistake this for being a generic need. The Kings haven’t been able to get a new stadium in Sacramento.
They are desperately looking to relocate, but it could cost the Maloofs millions of dollars to do it. They don’t want to go anywhere if they can’t draw people, and to do that they need star power.
The Rockets were reportedly interested in making a deal with Sacramento for Yao Ming.
Will They Get Help:
No. Yao is too big a price tag, and too big a risk for the Kings. It’s likely the Kings wait it out and look for a move to Vegas. It could be just what they need to attract the big names.
27. New Jersey Nets
4 of 30
What They Need:
Carmelo Anthony
Where They Are Looking:
It appears that the trade rumors for Melo aren’t over yet. Reports are still surfacing that a deal could still be in the works. It seems unlikely at this point, but the Nets need a big star not just for the season, but for that move to Brooklyn.
Will They Get Help:
Doubtful. They are flirting with a guy who doesn’t want to be in New Jersey. Melo has expressed interest in New York and Chicago only. Don’t consider him going to New Jersey. It won’t happen.
26. Toronto Raptors
5 of 30
What They Need:
A low post scorer.
Where They Are Looking:
Nowhere currently. The Raptors are beginning basketball hell. A rash of injuries have left them decimated without real tradable guys.
Any team that would deal with them would want Jose Calderon or DeMar DeRozen. The Raptors are unlikely to give those guys up.
Will They Get Help:
Most likely, the Raptors go through the trading deadline without making any moves. Once healthy, they will be in better shape, but this team is far from good.
25. Washington Wizards
6 of 30
What They Need:
Chemistry.
Where They Are Looking:
After the debacle with Gilbert Arenas, the Wizards are looking to build a solid unit and keep guys that get along well.
That is why there is so much buzz lately about dealing JaVale McGee or Andray Blatche. They reportedly got into a fist fight out in front of a nightclub.
For a team that just dealt with guns in the locker room, this is a big red flag.
Will They Get Help:
They won’t trade either of these guys. They are talking about it, but both players are tremendous talents and won’t be moved easily.
24. Detroit Pistons
7 of 30
What They Need:
To move Rip Hamilton.
Where They Are Looking:
They were looking at Charlotte, but, without Larry Brown, it doesn’t make as much sense anymore.
Chicago, who needs a point guard, is interested, but doesn’t want to take on Rip’s heavy contract.
Will They Get Help:
Unless he’s part of a three team deal, like the one that almost brought Melo to New Jersey, Rip’s going to stay in Detroit. His contract is too big to move.
The question is: How long until Detroit realizes this and puts him back on the floor.
23. Milwaukee Bucks
8 of 30
What They Need:
Insurance for Brandon Jennings
Where They Are Looking:
Nowhere on the trade market. The Bucks like their team enough and they signed Garrett Temple to a 10 day contract at guard.
Will They Get Help:
They are at their max roster now, and Jennings is on his way back. There isn’t a move out there that will significantly improve the Bucks.
Once Jennings foot is healed, the Bucks will be fine.
22. L.A Clippers
9 of 30
What They Need:
Length and size in the front court.
Where They Are Looking:
At home. They are more than likely going to resign Jarron Collins to a contract while they wait for Chris Kaman to get healthy. The trick is that since DeAndre Jordan is playing so well in Kaman’s absence, they could be looking to Kaman when he returns.
Will They Get Help:
Yes, they really like Jarron, so he’ll stick around. When Kaman comes back he should be around as well. They have struggled without enough size in the recent weeks and keeping both men would solve that problem.
21. Indiana Pacers
10 of 30
What They Need:
Offensive help.
Where They Are Looking:
Supposedly, they are willing to give up Danny Granger if it means getting Derrick Favors in return from the Nets.
Will They Get Help:
New Jersey doesn’t seem likely to part with Favors, despite entertaining the talks.Granger isn’t having his best season, but he’s still young.
Favors is very raw so if anyone balks on the trade it’s likely to be Indiana.
20. Charlotte Bobcats
11 of 30
What They Need:
Point guard, power forward and getting rid of Wallace and Jackson.
Where They Are Looking:
There is one thing for sure: The Bobcats can’t start over. It’s been done too many times before. They desperately want to get rid of Jackson and (more so) Wallace, but Jordan is asking too much.
They want some help at the power forward position, but there isn’t much on the market. They could try to trade with the Clippers and bring point guard Baron Davis and center Chris Kaman over.
Unfortunately, Davis is starting to play well in L.A and it’s not likely he’ll be traded.
Will They Get Help:
With so many pieces on the Charlotte roster and a willingness to get things done, it’s quite possible that they pick up a body, but they will have to leave Wallace out of the discussion. No one wants to pay the asking price.
19. Golden State Warriors
12 of 30
What They Need:
Front court help.
Where They Are Looking:
Truth be told the Warriors face an interesting decision heading into the trade deadline. With Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis both looking for big money, the Warriors will have to decide to pay up or address their front court deficiencies.
Will They Get Help:
If the Warriors shop Ellis and Curry, they could get a lot of value in return, but it’s unlikely they will shop either talent. This could spell doom for the Warriors down the road.
18. Philadelphia 76ers
13 of 30
What They Need:
To stay the course.
Where They Are Looking:
The Sixers were looking to trade Iguodala and Elton Brand, but that’s no longer the case. They have started to play like a team that can make the playoffs and will be looking to stay the course.
Will They Get Help:
No, and they don’t want any.
17. Houston Rockets
14 of 30
What They Need:
Someone to take on Yao’s contract.
Where Are They Looking:
Possibly Sacramento, and, anywhere else that will consider him, really.
Will They Get Help:
It’s doubtful anyone will take Yao at this point. He’s a big risk and still owed money. The Rockets are stuck with him.
16. Phoenix Suns
15 of 30
What They Need:
To make a decision on Steve Nash.
Where Are They Looking:
New York. The Knicks are still in the market for a point guard and that he and Stoudemire played together helps.
Will They Get Help?
The Suns could ask for Anthony Randolph in the trade, but it appears he’s being saved for Melo. As much as it would make sense for Phoenix to trade Nash, it’s likely he stays put.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
16 of 30
What They Need:
A veteran presence.
Where They Are Looking:
Charlotte. With both Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace being shopped, they could offer up O.J Mayo and get either veteran in return.
Will They Get Help?
Memphis could be active during the trading deadline, with Marc Gasol being courted by New York. As long as Charlotte is willing to trade straight up(pretty much) then it’s possible that this goes down.
14. New York Knicks
17 of 30
What They Need:
Carmelo Anthony
Where They Are Looking:
Denver is the place. Things might have changed for the Knicks now that they are warming up to the idea of Anthony Randolph as a player. ESPN’s Chris Broussard is reporting that Denver likes Randolph and that could go a long way in trading for Anthony.
Will They Get Help:
If Denver really likes Anthony Randolph, there is a good chance this could get done. Denver can get the most for him now and considering Carmelo doesn’t want to play anywhere but New York, Randolph might be their best option.
13. Portland Trailblazers
18 of 30
What They Need:
Help in the front and back court.
Where They Are Looking:
Charlotte. Gerald Wallace continues to be shopped everywhere. A month ago there was a reported deal involving Wallace and Marcus Camby.
Will They Get Help:
That deal seems to have fallen through. With Roy out they need help in their backcourt, but it’s not likely that this deal gets done with so many other deals for Wallace out there.
12. Denver Nuggets
19 of 30
What They Need:
A replacement for Carmelo Anthony.
Where They Are Looking:
There are two guys they are looking at: New Jersey’s Derrick Favors and New Yorks Anthony Randolph. Neither is as good as Carmelo is, but the Nuggets have to be realistic about replacements.
Will They Get Help:
The Nuggets have to deal Anthony. In a perfect world they might rather try and pry Luol Deng and Taj Gibson from the Bulls, but Chicago won’t do it. Anthony wants New York over New Jersey, so Anthony Randolph it is.
11. Utah Jazz
20 of 30
What They Need:
Plans for Williams and Kirilenko.
Where They Are Looking:
Both players need to be in the the team's long term plans for the Jazz to compete in the West. The only question remains where they want to be.
Will They Get Help:
Kirilenko has said he wants to be in Utah. It still remains uncertain what Williams wants to do. It makes sense for him to stay in Utah, but if the Knicks can’t get Paul, they will certainly look to Williams.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
What They Need:
James Harden in the starting lineup.
Where They Are Looking:
Scott Brooks. The Thunder’s coach knows that Thabo Sefolosha is hurting the starting five, while rookie James Harden has been good off the bench. Brooks is hesitant to do it, but it could help.
Will They Get Help:
That’s up to Brooks, but if Thabo continues to play this way it’s only a matter of time.
9. Orlando Magic
22 of 30
What They Need:
Time to gel.
Where They Are Looking:
The Magic look like a better team since the big trade, but a lack of experience playing together will hurt them against the Celtics.
Will They Get Help:
You can bet they will get better with time, but the Celtics might be too deep and cohesive for it to matter.
8. Atlanta Hawks
23 of 30
What They Need:
Apparently Nothing Worth Reporting.
Where They Are Looking:
The Hawks don’t seem to be thinking about a trade. It could be that they don't want to make a move just to make one. There was buzz about a trade with the Pistons, but it turned out to be just buzz.
Will They Get Help:
No, they are in trouble in what is becoming a deep Eastern Conference. They just aren’t seeing any room for improvement.
7. New Orleans Hornets
24 of 30
What They Need:
A plan for Chris Paul’s future.
Where They Are Looking:
To Paul, himself. Chris Paul needs to let New Orleans know if he plans on bolting during free agency. If he is, then they might want to consider swapping Paul to the Knicks for Raymond Felton.
Will They Get Help:
Personally, I don’t think Paul wants to stay. If he commits to a decision, the Hornets will more than likely shop him in the offseason.
6. Dallas Mavericks
25 of 30
What They Need:
Small Forward, Shooting Guard
Where They Are Looking:
There are a number of players on Dallas’ radar, from J.R. Smith to Stephen Jackson.
The Mavericks need help, but those options all involve long contracts.
Will They Get Help:
Look for the Mavs to really take a look at Detroit's Tayshuan Prince. He’s got very little left on his contract and has playoff experience.
5. Chicago Bulls
26 of 30
What They Need:
Shooting Guard.
Where They Are Looking:
Every name from J.R Smith, O.J Mayo, and Anthony Parker has been thrown out there.
The Bulls want a guard, but they don’t want to have to give up Taj Gibson to do it.
Will They Get Help:
Look for them to target Cleveland’s Anthony Parker. He’s going to come cheap and will be the role player they are looking for.
4. Miami Heat
27 of 30
What They Need:
Low post and a defensive presence.
Where They Are Looking:
Udonis Haslem. The Heat don’t have the cap space or the pieces to acquire anyone. Undonis Haslem should be back before the playoffs. He’ll have to be the answer.
Will They Get Help:
Haslem will give them a physical presence down low and should make them better built for the playoffs.
3. L.A Lakers
28 of 30
What They Need:
Youth.
Where They Are Looking:
Anywhere. This is an old Lakers team and after three consecutive Finals appearances they are looking a bit worn down. The problem is they don’t have any good trading chips that help their team—Bynum isn’t getting moved.
Will They Get Help:
The Lakers are just going to have to gut it out. They need to try and limit Kobe’s minutes down the stretch which is hard to do in the tough Western Conference.
2. Boston Celtics
29 of 30
What They Need:
Health.
Where They Are Looking:
Kendrick Perkins and the O’Neal boys. The Celtics boast one of the deepest rosters in the league. They just need to remain healthy.
Will They Get Help:
Perkins coming back is big for them. Just having him on the active roster will help them battle through injuries and keep minutes low while they rest for the playoffs.
1.San Antonio Spurs
30 of 30
What They Need:
To keep doing what they are doing.
Where They Are Looking:
The Spurs don’t have a perfect team, but there is nothing out there that will help them. The Spurs are going to live and die by this roster.
Will They Get Help:
The question isn’t if they will get help, but rather how much they can help themselves.
