2011 NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Teams Whose Fate Will Be Decided At the Trade Deadline
As the 2011 NBA trade deadline approaches all eyes are on Denver. Will they trade Carmelo to a destination of his liking? Can they finally work a deal that makes them happy?
There are other teams out there in need of some players if they are going to make a championship run. Will they make a move before the deadline? Or will they settle with what they have and hope its enough?
While fans are enjoying the game and watching their favorite players dominate, organizations are hard at work figuring out if they can make additions to their team.
Some teams will make a splash and others will bust. If they don't make a deal before the deadline their season could be all but over.
The Feb. 24, trade deadline will affect a number of teams. Here are ten whose seasons will be affected the most.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers
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There's no doubt the season is over for the Cavs. They started off well but after being embarrassed on their home court in front of LeBron they have fallen off the map.
They only have ten wins right now. They are headed for the lottery. So why are they on this list?
Cleveland's fate is pretty much already decided, but they can change it. If they're able to trade Antwan Jamison or Mo Williams they will free up cap space and hopefully get draft picks.
The Cavaliers need to rebuild. If they're able to dump some dead weight and multiply their draft picks then this season won't be a total disaster.
9. Atlanta Hawks
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Will they trade their most talented athlete?
Rumors of trading Josh Smith have been going on for awhile now. While some fans would like to get rid of Joe Johnson, it just isn't happening. Other teams laughed at the Hawks for paying him that much money.
The Hawks are currently in fifth place in the East. They're a good enough team to make the playoffs. However, when they get there, how far will they go with the team they have now?
Last year they stalled in the second round against Orlando. This season they may not make it past the first round they way the East has changed. If the playoffs started today the Hawks would face the Magic. I don't see them winning that series.
The Hawks could use a legit center or a upgrade at point guard. To get a great one they're going to have to give up Josh Smith. Will they do it? Doubtful.
8. Charlotte Bobcats
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The Bobcats are trying to get rid of Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson. Can they find a deal that works for them?
The Cavaliers are reportedly interested in Gerald Wallace. The Bobcats would be happy to move Wallace anywhere since they're looking to save money.
Charlotte is trying to cut costs and getting rid of both of these players would help big time. They will take a hit in production but it will be better for them in the long run.
They are currently in eighth place in the East and probably wouldn't get far in the playoffs anyway.
7. Detroit Pistons
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The Pistons are looking to deal Richard Hamilton away, as well as Tayshaun Prince.
Prince is a guy that's been on the trading blocks for a couple of years now. No team has jumped for him yet but this year he may be on the move. He's still a solid player that can help a team go after the title.
Hamilton isn't happy in Detroit and a change would be good for both sides.
Will Detroit make any moves before the deadline? They really need to rebuild this franchise. Trading away two players they pay too much will help them significantly.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
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Kevin Durant is a phenomenal player. He just needs the Thunder to get him some help. He has Russell Westbrook who contributes but he's pretty much Durant's only help.
For the Thunder to be great in the Western Conference they need a low post scorer. Serge Ibaka is not cutting it with his nine points and six rebounds per game.
Will they make a move for Antwan Jamison, Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis, or either of the Randolphs?(Zach of Memphis and Anthony of New York)
They're currently in fourth place in the West but if they want to succeed in the playoffs they'll need a better presence down low.
5. Phoenix Suns
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Will they trade the veteran Steve Nash away?
Nash isn't getting any younger and moving him will help this team in the future. Trading Nash will be the starting point for the Suns rebuilding steps. But will they ship him to another team?
Suns first year General Manager Lance Blanks is pretty adamant on keeping Nash in a Suns uniform. The smart thing to do would be to trade him away but I don't see it happening.
If they keep him they'll be no different for the remainder of the season. They'll probably miss the playoffs and eventually Nash will leave them. Trade him now while you can still get something good for him. If he wants to rejoin Amare Stoudemire in New York, pull a deal to get Raymond Felton who is playing great right now.
The Suns have a crucial decision to make before the trade deadline.
4. Dallas Mavericks
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The Mavericks haven't done too well in the absence of Caron Butler. He won't be back for the regular season but maybe by the playoffs.
Mark Cuban needs to make a trade before the deadline or he will see his third place team slip away in the Western Conference. Cuban needs to pick up a scorer to replace the injured Butler.
The possibilities are Gerald Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Danny Granger or Andre Iguodala. If they Mavs don't pull the trigger on a trade they don't stand a chance in the West. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Jason Terry are good enough to get them to the playoffs but they can only take the team so far.
Adding an additional player that can step in and help right away can give Cuban and the Mavs just what they need to defeat the mighty San Antonio Spurs.
3. New Jersey Nets
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Mikhail Prokhorov was pretty clear when he pulled the Nets from the Carmelo Anthony deal. But of course rumors are still going to fly.
The Nets have wanted to make some sort of deal all season long. Mikhail Prokhorov appears to want to shake this team up a bit. Potential guys they have talked about trading are Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, and Troy Murphy.
If they want to change the team up some they have less than a month to do so. The trade deadline is fast approaching and the Nets don't appear to be in hurry to get something done. Prokhorov may keep the team as is and hope he gets another top lottery pick.
2. New York Knicks
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The Knicks are the leading candidate in the Carmelo Antony trade saga.
If nothing gets done they know that Carmelo will probably join them via free agency. However it might be difficult to pay him as much as he would like them to.
He can say no to any trade Denver throws out there. But I think he'd be pleased if he was dealt to New York. The Knicks need to make this deal happen before the deadline. Waiting till next season is too long.
The addition of Carmelo will help them now. New York is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Adding Carmelo will improve the second half of their season. And then it will create a very interesting Eastern Conference playoff showdown.
1. Denver Nuggets
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We've been waiting for a deal for so long. We've heard all these rumors about three team trades and deals with big time franchises. Now we want to see something get done.
Carmelo has never ruled out a possible return to Denver. But when he sees guys like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade joining forces for a super team, he wants one of his own. Carmelo knows if he goes to New York to play with Amare Stoudemire another big name player will soon follow.
He wants to win a title. Denver is not the best option of achieving that. The Nuggets are a good team and will make the playoffs. But Carmelo needs to be on a great team to win a title.
