NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Deals Teams Can Make To Improve Their Defense

The NBA trade deadline is February 24th. Several teams will be using this All-Star break to discuss trade options in hopes to better their roster. 

They say defense wins championships. Those contending teams looking for that extra push in the second half of the season will need to make a move in the coming days. What better way to improve your team than by getting help on defense? 

Here are ten guys teams should take a look at before the deadline passes. 

10. Trade For Marcin Gortat

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 14: Marcin Gortat #4 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass against LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 14, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers

He's already been on the move once this season, and it could happen again. Teams in the playoff hunt could be looking to add another big man to help out. 

At 6'11" 240 Gortat fits that role well. He's also been playing some solid basketball recently. In his last 10 games he's averaging one block per game, as well as 10 rebounds per game. 

9. Trade For Shane Battier

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HOUSTON - DECEMBER 29: Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat shoots over Shane Battier #31 of the Houston Rockets and Jordan Hill, left, in the fourth quarter at Toyota Center on December 29, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Miami won 125-119. NOTE TO USER: User express

There is no secret to defense. Shane Battier is a phenomenal defender. The Rockets forward is averaging a block per game in his last 10 contests. 

Battier excels on getting in a players face. It would be tough to move him, but the Rockets would love to get rid of his $7 million contract. Battier would be a great addition for a team in need of a great defender down the stretch. 

8. Trade For Arron Afflalo

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the defense of Arron Afflalo #6 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 97-107. NOTE T

Afflalo faces the difficult task of guarding some of the leagues best shooters. He's done a solid job this season against Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and Monta Ellis. 

If the Nuggets trade Carmelo Anthony away they could also trade a number of other players as well. Trading their All-Star player in Carmelo Anthony away means they're going to begin a rebuilding process. Therefore they would also trade a few other players away as well to free up cap space and obtain draft picks. 

7. Trade For Monta Ellis

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball after Danillo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks falls down at Oracle Arena on November 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Not only is Monta Ellis an excellent scorer, he is a great defender as well. Ellis is averaging more than two steals per game. Ellis is also fifth in the league in scoring. 

It would be difficult for the Warriors to part ways with Ellis, but he and Stephen Curry are essentially the same player. Ellis is set to make a lot more money than Curry over the next few years. Trading Ellis away would hurt the team now but in the long run it could benefit them.

Who knows how long Ellis can keep this play up. His trade value is at it's peak. 

6. Trade For Gerald Wallace

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: C.J. Watson #32 of the Chicago Bulls and Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats battle for the ball at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Bobcats 106-94. NOTE TO USER: User ex

The Bobcats have been looking to move Wallace for a while know. He's due to make $10 million next year and $11 million the year after. 

Wallace is playing great basketball right now. He's averaging 15 points per game. In his last 10 games Wallace is averaging 10 rebounds, one block, and one steal per game. 

5. Trade For David West

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks fights for a rebound with David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Hawks 93-86. NOTE T

Hornets GM Dell Demps has said he won't trade West before the deadline. But sometimes you just never really know. He wants to find West and Paul additional help for a playoff run. I don't think that's going to happen. 

West and the Hornets ended their contract talks. Demps wants West to sign an extension but West knows he can get more money after the season. He's set to make $7.5 million next year but he and his agent will be looking to get $10million.

Demps must decide is West is worth that. He's averaging just under a double-double over the last 10 games with nine rebounds and 19 points per game.   

4. Trade For DeMarcus Cousins

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings and Sasha Vujacic #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers fight for a rebound during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers won 98-95.

Cousins was recently fined by the Kings for fighting with his teammate Donte Green. Is this a player the Kings want to deal with for long term? 

Over the last 10 games Cousins is averaging a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds per game. In those 10 games he is also averaging one block and one steal per game. 

Cousins is nothing but a hot head and the Kings could be upset with him. There are a few teams that wouldn't mind taking the young star. 

3. Trade For Marcus Camby

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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 04: Guard Jose Juan Barea #11 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Marcus Camby #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center on January 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Marcus Camby has sat out the last few games due to a knee injury. Camby is listed as questionable for his next game on February 23rd. 

There are several teams in need of an extra big man. Camby has one year left at $12.9 million. Those teams with tons of money would love to add Camby to their roster. He's averaging 11 rebounds, one block, and one steal per game. The big man is a great presence down low, and those teams looking to make a playoff run would love to pick Camby up. 

2. Trade For Zach Randolph

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 02: Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies attempts to steal the ball away from Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center on January 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies def

Randolph is the best player on the Grizzlies team right now. He is averaging a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds per game. His rebound stats have him in the top 3 in the league. 

The Grizzlies are no strangers to trading their top players away. The 6'9" 260 pound power forward would add a great presence down low for those teams looking to get in the playoff hunt. 

1. Trade For Carmelo Anthony

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 10: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Dallas Mavericks during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 121-

Carmelo Anthony isn't the best defender in the league by any means. He is however the biggest name on the trade block. Anthony scores a ton of points which makes up for his defense. 

It should be noted that Anthony is the best rebounding small forward in the league. Currently he's averaging over seven rebounds per game. One would have to believe he would be a better defender if moved to the Eastern Conference.