NBA Trade Rumors: Who'll Deal, Who'll Stay Put and Who's Getting Scared?
NBA trade rumors are flying around as we get closer and closer to the deadline, so to make it a little bit easier on you, we're talking about the 20 biggest questions at the deadline.
We have 20 slides inside and we're breaking down the biggest stories to try and help you get a read on what to expect as we get closer to the deadline. Carmelo Anthony is the biggest name out there and we have plenty on him, but there's much more than that to be aware of.
If you have any questions or comments, be sure to leave them below. What do you want your team to do at the trade deadline?
Will Carmelo Anthony Be Changing Zip Codes?
1 of 20
We've speculated about it for months, but nothing has come of countless trade talks about Carmelo Anthony.
Denver is asking for the moon, and the Nuggets aren't going to get it. New York is not going to gut its entire team just to land a superstar. The Knicks have all of the leverage and Denver has none. Eventually, Denver has to realize it has to move Anthony and settle on a more realistic deal.
If I had to guess, I'd say Anthony goes somewhere by the deadline, and that team will likely be the Knicks.
Is Philadelphia Sticking With Its Roster?
2 of 20
The Philadelphia 76ers have been playing much better lately and the mood has certainly changed in the City of Brotherly Love.
Andre Iguodala was a guy who had his name in trade rumors in the past but now that Doug Collins has him playing as a point forward, the Sixers are playing better and Philadelphia is going to stick with what it has at the deadline.
Portland called about Marreese Speights, but the Sixers weren't interested.
How Has Indiana's Run Affected The Trade Market?
3 of 20
Another team that has gone on a tear of late is the Indiana Pacers.
Indiana fired Jim O'Brien and since then, the Pacers have been playing better basketball as the team runs a solid rotation and players have defined roles. Before that, Indiana was looking to shake things up at the deadline. Now, not so much.
Look for the Pacers to see what this group has down the stretch.
Can Charlotte Make A Move?
4 of 20
Charlotte would love to make a move at the deadline.
Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson are both guys that have been floated around as being on the trading block, but when it comes to moving them, there aren't any viable options. Sure, the Bobcats could trade them, but Charlotte wouldn't get anything back that would justify the move.
The Bobcats are stuck, for better or worse.
Is A Shooting Guard In The Cards For Chicago?
5 of 20
The one piece the Chicago Bulls are after is a shooting guard.
Names like J.R. Smith and Courtney Lee have been floated around along with Cleveland's Anthony Parker. However, the Bulls have concerns about messing up with their chemistry and it looks like Chicago might be more apt to stick with what it has in the playoffs.
However, if Richard Hamilton is bought out, I wouldn't rule out the Bulls.
Is Denver Doomed At The Deadline?
6 of 20
Carmelo Anthony isn't the only player whose future in Denver is in doubt.
Along with Anthony, Nene wants out and J.R. Smith has been floated around. However, Denver wants to get a deal done for its superstar before doing any additional deals. The problem is that Denver is taking forever to get this deal done.
If I'm a Nuggets fan, I don't have high hopes as we get closer to the deadline.
Are The Pistons Able To Make a Move?
7 of 20
Sure, the Detroit Pistons would love to make a deal.
However, there is one issue. The Pistons are currently for sale and that limits what Joe Dumars can do at the deadline. Tayshaun Prince is a guy that can be moved, but it looks like the Pistons are hesitant to move his expiring salary.
Richard Hamilton is another guy who has been in trade rumors, but the Pistons may end up buying him out after the deadline.
Will Boston Have To Wait?
8 of 20
Boston is a team that needs just some added depth.
However, the Celtics aren't trying to take on long-term salary, so if a deal doesn't come along that has expiring salaries, look for Boston to wait to see who ends up being bought out. The Celtics reportedly have interest in Richard Hamilton.
That would make the Celtics even scarier.
Will Swoon Motivate Lakers to The Table?
9 of 20
It's no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling.
Last night, the two-time defending champions lost to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers had already been rumored to be somewhat in the running for Carmelo Anthony. However, the Lakers don't have much in the way of assets and that will hinder any move.
I'd say that this team we see now is the one we see entering the playoffs.
Is Houston The Team To Watch?
10 of 20
Reports are coming out that Houston is going to be very aggressive at the deadline.
It looks like the Rockets won't be afraid to take on salary, which should interest a couple of teams out there, but it won't just be a quick fix move, it will have to change the long-term fortunes of the franchise, which hinders the chance of a deal getting done.
However, Houston is always looking to do something and I'd bet that we see Daryl Morey get some sort of deal done before the deadline.
Can Cleveland Get Assets At The Deadline?
11 of 20
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a mess right now.
Sure, Cleveland got two big wins in the past week, including beating the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Cavs are trying to rebuild and have tried to move Antawn Jamison, but no one is interested in his contract.
However, Cleveland has guys like Anthony Parker that can be used to grab assets to help rebuild through the draft.
Will New Orleans Find a Big Man?
12 of 20
The New Orleans Hornets are a team that has been very up-and-down this year and the Hornets are looking to make a move at the deadline.
New Orleans is looking for a big man and has talked to Cleveland about Antawn Jamison and Portland has been another team that the Hornets have talked to, only for the Blazers to tell them they don't have the assets to make a deal.
The Hornets may be stuck and that could doom any chances of a playoff run.
Does Oklahoma City Need To Pick Up A Big Man?
13 of 20
Oklahoma City is so close to being a legit championship contender.
The Thunder have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and that forms a good, young core, but Oklahoma City really could use a solid big man to help give the team some inside toughness. That weakness doomed the Thunder against the Lakers last year in the playoffs and could bounce Oklahoma City this year.
As of right now, there have been no whispers about a trade, but you have to think the Thunder will look into it.
Is It Time To Rebuild In Portland?
14 of 20
It's a murky future if you're the Portland Trail Blazers.
Brandon Roy was supposed to be the franchise player, but now he's a guy who will never be the same after his knees failed him. LaMarcus Aldridge is now the face of the franchise and an All-Star caliber player. The Blazers are rumored to be active at the deadline and if you're Portland, you have to start rebuilding.
The longer the Blazers wait to rebuild, the harder the process is going to be.
Can New Jersey Make Up For a Poor Offseason?
15 of 20
There were high hopes for the New Jersey Nets this summer.
New Jersey had a ton of cap space and there was a huge free agent class. It was all adding up for the Nets. However, the Nets whiffed in the free agent market and now the team is back in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes.
Anthony could be the superstar that New Jersey needs as it moves to Brooklyn. New Jersey also has more assets than the Knicks, making them a serious contender. The Nets need to do what it takes to try and convince Anthony that New Jersey is the place for him. If they can, New Jersey can steal Anthony from right under the Knicks' noses.
Do The Knicks Have To Pull The Trigger?
16 of 20
New York has been the rumored destination for Carmelo Anthony for some time.
Anthony reportedly wants to play in New York, a place that is home for him. New York and Denver have been talking about a trade and the Nuggets keep asking for more and that is pushing the Knicks from the table a bit.
Donnie Walsh and company can't afford to gut the team just to land another superstar. If New York can get something that's close to a competitive package, it has to do it. The Knicks can't afford to see him go elsewhere.
Are Changes In Store For Phoenix?
17 of 20
The Phoenix Suns are a team in limbo.
People have called for a Steve Nash trade, but the Suns don't want to move him and it doesn't seem like Nash is too eager to leave Phoenix either. However, Vince Carter and a host of swingmen could be moved for assets.
Phoenix has tried to move Josh Childress without any success. Good luck with that.
Can Orlando Grab a Big Man?
18 of 20
Earlier this year, the Orlando Magic made a big splash by trading for Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu.
After that trade, the Magic needed another big man to help add some depth to the frontcourt and Orlando is still looking. The major problem is that the Magic don't have much in the way of assets to make such a deal happen.
Otis Smith will look, but he will most likely come up empty.
Does Dallas Need a Swingman?
19 of 20
After Caron Butler went down with a knee injury, Dallas became a player in the market for a swingman.
The only issue is that there isn't much on the market for the Mavericks to make a move. Carmelo Anthony is available, but the Mavericks have limited interest in Anthony because they don't have the assets to make a deal happen and would need a third team to help out.
It looks like the Mavericks will stick with the roster as it is, but with Mark Cuban, you never know.
Is Atlanta Stuck At The Deadline?
20 of 20
When you think of Atlanta, you think of good but not quite good enough.
The Hawks have a lot of talented pieces, but Atlanta never seems to be able to put it all together and make that push to the conference finals. Atlanta could use a point guard, but would likely have to move Josh Smith to get anyone of consequence.
That isn't what you'd call an appealing situation for the Hawks. Look for Atlanta to hope for the best at the deadline.
