NBA Trade Rumors: The One Deal Every Team Wants to Pull Off Before the Deadline
NBA trade rumors are flying fast and furious as we get closer and closer to the trade deadline. With that in mind, we're breaking down each team in the league to find their trade strategy.
If a team is going to stick with what it has, we'll let you know that and why. If the team is in the market for something, we'll let you know if it can be done. Finally, if a team looks like it can and should make a deal, we'll give you a deal that can work.
If you have any thoughts or comments, make sure to leave them below.
What do you want your team to do at the deadline?
Atlanta Hawks
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The Atlanta Hawks could use a point guard and a big man, but to get that you have to give up something of value.
That's where Josh Smith comes into the picture. Smith is one of the most explosive players in the game and could arguably be an All-Star. The problem is that Atlanta isn't going to want to give up on a player like that at the deadline..
It would certainly shake the team up and give it new energy, but with the luxury tax and a possible lockout looming next year, it will be hard for the Hawks to make a big deal.
Boston Celtics
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For the Boston Celtics, the key is patience.
The Celtics have to add some depth, but really can't afford to make a deal because they need to be able sign free agents after the season. If anything, Boston will be an active player when it comes to guys that get bought out after the deadline.
Boston has been linked to guys like Richard Hamilton and Troy Murphy if they're bought out.
Charlotte Bobcats
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Charlotte is in an interesting position.
The Bobcats have Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson but neither are that top-flight option that can carry a franchise. Sure, Charlotte could move one of them, but neither would return the type of player that would create a better team for the Bobcats.
It looks like Charlotte is going to be stuck with the team it has.
Chicago Bulls
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Chicago Gets: Courtney Lee
Houston Gets: Omer Asik
The Chicago Bulls are actively looking for a shooting guard and reports have the Bulls looking hard at Courtney Lee.
One name that has been floated around is Omer Asik. You know that Houston will ask for Taj Gibson, but I don't see the Bulls parting ways with a guy who provided a lot of effort and contribution when Carlos Boozer was down.
If Chicago can get Lee, the Bulls will be a real threat in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Cleveland Gets: A future draft choice
Chicago Gets: Anthony Parker
The Cleveland Cavaliers need to do something, more to the point, the Cavs want to do something at the deadline.
Antwan Jamison is a guy Cleveland would love to move, but his contract won't allow that. Chicago wants a shooting guard and if Courtney Lee isn't an option in Houston, Parker could be a guy the Bulls go after.
Cleveland can get assets to help their rebuilding effort as opposed to a player.
Detroit Pistons
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The Detroit Pistons have said that Tayshaun Prince is going to stay in Detroit.
However, the Pistons would like unload Richard Hamilton. I'd also like to be a millionaire. Hamilton's contract is awful and it looks like the two sides might be near a buy out that would be very favorable to the Pistons.
In all honesty, that's the best option for the Pistons at this point.
Indiana Pacers
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Before Indiana's latest run, the Pacers were looking to shake things up.
However, the Pacers are on a roll right now and it has come out that Indiana is no longer trying to shakeup their roster on the trade market. It's a smart move. The Pacers just need to let things play out and see where they go.
Sometimes the best strategy is just to stick with what you've got.
Miami Heat
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The Miami Heat are really stuck with what is on the roster right now.
Miami is constrained by the salary cap and have to just stand pat. Maybe there will be something on the market if a player gets bought out of his contract, but I wouldn't count on it if I'm the Heat.
Changes will have to wait until the offseason.
Milwaukee Bucks
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The Milwaukee Bucks are in quite the pickle.
Brandon Jennings has been dinged up this year and the Bucks don't have any pieces that teams are really looking to deal for at the deadline. Milwaukee just needs to hope that Jennings can reach his top form and team up with Andrew Bogut down the stretch.
That duo was pretty potent last year as the Bucks went to the playoffs.
New Jersey Nets
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New Jersey Gets: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton
Denver Gets: Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Two first round picks
Detroit Gets: Troy Murphy and a draft pick
Does this trade look familiar?
It should, cause it's the trade that was on the table when the New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets talked about Carmelo Anthony. The rumor is that the Nets may be willing to come back into the talks. If New York doesn't pan out, New Jersey could be a real option.
Let's not rule out the Nets as we get closer to the deadline.
New York Knicks
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New York Gets: Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups
Denver Gets: Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer and a first round pick
Minnesota Gets: Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph
This is a deal Knicks fans are torn on, but I'm a fan.
New York really needs something to help push this team over the top. The Knicks need to land Carmelo Anthony at the deadline. Hanging on to average to mediocre pieces in the hopes Anthony will come to New York in the offseason won't cut it in the Big Apple.
The Knicks are a team that needs to satisfy its fan base at the deadline.
Orlando Magic
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The Orlando Magic already made their big moves this season.
Orlando landed Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas earlier this season. The Magic don't have much in the way of assets but could really use another big man at the deadline. That won't happen for Orlando, but if a guy like Troy Murphy gets bought out, you will see the Magic make a move for him.
The good thing is that Orlando is already competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers
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With how well the Philadelphia 76ers are playing right now, the team has backed away from the trade market.
The only move Philadelphia has explored is a move for Jason Kapono, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Philadelphia will buy out Kapono, but otherwise stick with the team that it has right now. The Sixers are a good, young team and there is no need to rebuild.
It looks like the Sixers will stand pat at the deadline.
Toronto Raptors
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Toronto Gets: O.J. Mayo and Hasheem Thabeet
Memphis Gets: Leandro Barbosa and Solomon Alabi
This would certainly be an interesting trade for Toronto.
Getting O.J. Mayo would be a big move for the Raptors, but taking on Hasheem Thabeet's contract might be more than Toronto is willing to do. Giving up Leandro Barbosa's expiring contract would also be another move that could be a deal breaker.
Mayo could be a great scoring option for the Raptors though.
Washington Wizards
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The situation in Washington isn't one that can be fixed at the deadline.
Washington got out from under Gilbert Arenas' awful contract and the Wizards have a lot of expendable pieces around John Wall. However, the rebuilding for the Wizards won't come from a deadline deal but the upcoming draft.
Wall's squad just has to wait it out and hope for the best. The Wizards would listen to deals about Andray Blatche, but those whispers have died down from earlier in the season. Washington won't get what it wants for the big man.
Dallas Mavericks
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The Dallas Mavericks would love to land a player like Carmelo Anthony at the deadline.
However, there's only one problem. Dallas doesn't have the assets to make it work, and the player that would raise interest, Roddy Beaubois, is close to untouchable according to reports. It doesn't look likely that Anthony will land in Dallas.
Other than that, it looks like it will be a slow year for the Mavericks at the deadline.
Denver Nuggets
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Denver Gets: Raymond Felton, Eddy Curry, Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph and Danilo Gallinari
New York Gets: Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups
This is the deal that Denver would love to do.
The only issue is that New York won't do this deal in a million years. The Knicks love Felton and Gallinari and that keeps it from being a real option. At some point, these two sides have to come to an agreement on a deal and it will likely end up somewhere in the middle.
Otherwise, Anthony will leave and Denver will get nothing.
Golden State Warriors
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At some point, Golden State's backcourt needs to be broken up.
Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry have played well for the Warriors, but Golden State needs to shake things up and that means that one has to go. It seems like Curry will be the guy to go, but it won't be by the deadline.
The Warriors have said as much, and Golden State won't give up a guy on his rookie deal before a possible lockout. However, a move will happen at some point, just not at the deadline.
Houston Rockets
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A lot of this depends on what happens with the Carmelo Anthony situation.
If Anthony goes to New York or elsewhere, the Rockets would love to get Nene from Denver. A deal that could work is trading Yao Ming's massive contract for Nene and J.R. Smith, another guy that's been talked about in trade rumors.
That's a steep price, but there's always a chance Houston trades Courtney Lee to Chicago for Omer Asik, a young big man that is getting better.
Los Angeles Clippers
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As far as the Los Angeles Clippers are concerned, this is more about playing the waiting game.
There's a chance that a team might be interested in Chris Kaman, but with his injury issues, it looks like a deal for him will have to wait until a later date. The Clippers have a good, young core in place, it's just a matter of time before it starts to click.
However, pieces like Baron Davis aren't part of the long-term picture. Unfortunately, there isn't an opportunity for a deal.
Los Angeles Lakers
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I wouldn't expect a deal done if I'm a Lakers fan.
While there have been talks about an Andrew Bynum for Carmelo Anthony deal, that's not something that's going to happen. Los Angeles has a championship team and there's no reason to break it up, despite the sluggish play.
Look for the Lakers to stick with what they have.
Memphis Grizzlies
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The Memphis Grizzlies have a couple options they could explore.
O.J. Mayo and Zach Randolph are guys that can be moved, but the Grizzlies are looking to move Hasheem Thabeet. Well, good luck with that fellas. Thabeet has a terrible contract and no one is really looking to take him.
Moving Mayo could be a good way to get out of Thabeet's deal though. It will be interesting to see if the Grizzlies bite that bullet.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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Minnesota Gets: Anthony Randolph
New York Gets: A first round pick
Minnesota is a team that is building for the future and the Timberwolves have their eyes on one player.
The Timberwolves have their eyes on Anthony Randolph and think they can land him with or without a deal for Carmelo Anthony. Randolph has had his issues, but can produce in this league and can be a guy Minnesota takes a chance on.
That pick could be a huge for the Knicks.
New Orleans Hornets
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New Orleans is a team that is looking to make a move at the deadline.
The only problem is that the market isn't matching up to what the Hornets want. New Orleans doesn't want to take on Antwan Jamison's salary and Portland doesn't want anything that the Hornets are willing to part with in a trade.
Like most teams looking for a big man, Troy Murphy could be an option after the deadline when he gets bought out.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Oklahoma City: Marcus Camby
Portland Gets: Jeff Green and Morris Peterson
The one thing that is holding the Thunder back from being a championship contender is a solid big man.
Marcus Camby is a guy who has come up in trade rumors and would make Oklahoma City a tough team that could get the big rebounds it struggled to grab during the playoffs last year. The Thunder have a great core, they just needs that veteran presence.
If the Thunder could convince Camby to come over, it would be a major move for Oklahoma City.
Phoenix Suns
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Phoenix is in an odd place right now as a franchise.
Steve Nash is the face of the franchise, but he isn't getting any younger. People have called for the Suns to trade Nash, but that simply isn't going to happen. Phoenix has a lot of swingmen and have tried to unload Josh Childress' contract.
No one is going to bite on that, so look for the Suns to stick with what they have at the deadline.
Portland Trail Blazers
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While nothing may materialize out of it, look for the Portland Trail Blazers to be active at the deadline.
Portland has plenty of assets and expiring contracts that can entice a lot of teams out there. A lot of media reports have the Hornets interested, but the Blazers don't see anything they want in New Orleans. The Blazers will explore all options by the deadline.
Who knows if anything will come of it though.
Sacramento Kings
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With the Sacramento Kings, this is more about cap space.
The Kings have a ton of cap space coming their way this offseason, so don't expect Sacramento to be taking on a lot of salary at the deadline. Carl Landry is a guy that should draw some interest from teams at the deadline and could return a decent draft pick.
Despite that, the Kings won't be too active at the deadline.
San Antonio Spurs
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As with most veteran championship-contending teams, don't expect anything from San Antonio at the deadline.
The Spurs don't have much in the terms of assets, so if San Antonio is going to be active in the free agent market someone has to be bought out. However, San Antonio is more likely to stick with what it has on the active roster.
Why mess with a good thing?
Utah Jazz
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The Utah Jazz are a team in flux.
Jerry Sloan is gone and the Jazz have to try to keep point guard and face of the franchise Deron Williams happy. Utah could use Andrei Kirilenko and his expiring contract to make a move, but it doesn't seem like one is coming.
Any changes that come should be in the offseason. For now, the Jazz will have to do the best with what they have.
