NBA Trade Rumors: Shocking Deals Every Team in the NBA May Still Pull Off
The NBA trade deadline is just a few days away, meaning the likelihood of a big trade is dwindling. However, there could still be a trade that catches everyone off guard.
Obviously, there are names that have been floating around as possible targets for teams and those guys may or may not be moved, but all that is left to do is sit and wait.
Here are trades that every team in the NBA could make before the deadline that would be shocking, almost along the lines of Pau Gasol to the Lakers a few years ago.
How do you think the trade helps your team? Is there a deal that would be more fitting and more shocking? Let us know about it.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Atlanta gets:
Monta Ellis
Golden State gets:
Josh Smith
If you listen to the ESPN podcast The B.S. Report with Bill Simmons, then you might have heard him mention this trade in one of his recent podcasts. But honestly, this is a fantastic trade and the crazy thing is that it really helps both teams.
Each guy is making around $11 Million this year, so they could be traded heads up for each other and according to the NBA Trade Machine, both teams get better after the trade. Atlanta is predicted to win seven more games and Golden State is predicted to win three more.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Boston gets:
OJ Mayo
Hasheem Thabeet
Memphis gets:
Marquis Daniels
Avery Bradley
Jermaine O'Neal
Delonte West
Really, it is hard to get a deal done with Boston, because I highly doubt they would trade any of their starting five, let alone someone like Shaquille O'Neal, Glen Davis or Nate Robinson. However, if they were able to convince a team to take on Jermaine O'Neal, then they could make a deal.
Here they would get OJ Mayo and Hasheem Thabeet off of Memphis, who would like to part ways with the two. The Celtics would probably have to sweeten the deal with some draft picks, but it's possible.
Charlotte Bobcats
3 of 30
Charlotte gets:
Steve Nash
Jared Dudley
Phoenix gets:
Gerald Wallace
D.J. Augustin
The Charlotte Bobcats are making a push for the playoffs, but they still have holes that are preventing them from being a true contender in the East.
Getting Nash would give them a legitimate point guard who could lead the team. Phoenix gets back a Nash replacement and a high level player in Wallace.
Chicago Bulls
4 of 30
Chicago gets:
Carmelo Anthony
Denver gets:
Luol Deng
C.J. Watson
Kurt Thomas
Chicago has all the makings of an Eastern contender, but they could be more than they are now. Luol Deng is a guy that doesn't get enough credit for being a solid defensive wing and he is still very young.
The Bulls would get someone who helps form their own big three and they give up Deng, who the Nuggets could help build around.
Cleveland Cavaliers
5 of 30
Cleveland gets:
Trevor Ariza
Marcus Banks
Quincey Pondexter
Marco Belineli
New Orleans gets:
Antwan Jamison
Jamario Moon
Really, anything that Cleveland could do would improve their roster, but adding Trevor Ariza would be a great defensive wing for the Cavs.
They would have to give up Antwan Jamison, but there have been rumors that the Cavs would buy out the forward, so why not at least get something back for him?
Dallas Maverics
6 of 30
Dallas gets:
Carmelo Anthony
Denver gets:
Caron Butler
Shawn Marion
I am surprised that Dallas hasn't been mentioned more as a possible landing spot for Carmelo Anthony. They have enough big expiring contracts and skilled young players to make deals look attractive.
For Anthony, Denver gets Caron Butler's expiring contract and Shawn Marion, who could be a high risk or high reward guy.
Denver Nuggets
7 of 30
Denver gets:
Andrew Bynum
Luke Walton
Ron Artest
LA Lakers get:
Carmelo Anthony
Al Harrington
Arron Afflalo
A trade involving Carmelo Anthony and Andrew Bynum as the principles was close to happening a few weeks ago, but I still think it could happen.
I understand that the Nuggets might not want Artest, but it is still possible that they could accept him if the Lakers took on Al Harrington.
Detroit Pistons
8 of 30
Detroit gets:
Jeff Green
Morris Peterson
Oklahoma City gets:
Tayshaun Prince
Oklahoma City has been talking about the possibility of moving Jeff Green and they could send him to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince's expiring contract, which they could use to really improve this offseason.
In the meantime, they could use Prince as their defensive stopper and to take some pressure off Kevin Durant.
Golden State Warriors
9 of 30
Golden State gets:
Andrea Bargnani
Toronto gets:
Dan Gadzuric
Golden State has some very good high powered offensive players, but they need more than just Monta Ellis and Steph Curry if they are going to become a playoff team.
In Andrea Bargnani, they get a 20 point per game scorer who makes a living on the outside. In return, they give the Raptors a seven footer who makes great hustle plays. The Warriors would probably need to sweeten the deal with some draft picks, but I think it is doable.
Houston Rockets
10 of 30
Houston gets:
Carmelo Anthony
Al Harrington
Renaldo Balkman
Denver gets:
Yao Ming
Jared Jeffries
Houston is another team that could enter the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes if they really try to make a deal happen.
The Rockets have the massive expiring contract that is Yao Ming and they have the Jared Jeffries contract piece that would allow them to take back all the pieces the Nuggets want to get rid of.
Indiana Pacers
11 of 30
Indiana gets:
Samuel Dalembert
Carl Landry
Sacramento gets:
T.J. Ford
Brandon Rush
Lance Stephenson
Indiana has a few nice pieces on their roster and they have made some good progress since making a coaching change.
The Pacers need depth inside in order to really make their mark in the East and the Kings have that depth available. The Pacers could send T.J. Ford as the primary piece in the trade, which would give the Kings a legitimate point guard.
Los Angeles Clippers
12 of 30
LA Clippers get:
Carmelo Anthony
Chauncey Billups
Denver gets:
Chris Kaman
Baron Davis
Ryan Gomes
Al-Farouq Aminu
Honestly, aside from the fact that I don't know if Carmelo Anthony would re-sign with the Clippers, I think this trade would be an awesome one for both sides.
The Clippers get Anthony and Billups, who would make them a much better team, but the Nuggets get a solid center and point guard along with a good young wing who could end up being a nice replacement for Anthony. Throw in a couple of draft picks and we'll see who the best team in LA really is.
Los Angeles Lakers
13 of 30
LA Lakers get:
Dwight Howard
Orlando gets:
Andrew Bynum
Luke Walton
Aside from the Lakers making a trade for Carmelo Anthony, this is the only other one that could end up being a real shocker.
Dwight Howard casually mentioned recently that he would like to play for the Lakers. Well, let's make it happen, Orlando. Sure, there would need to be some draft picks included, but Bynum for Howard could work out if the former can stay healthy and the latter signs an extension.
Memphis Grizzlies
14 of 30
Memphis gets:
Al Horford
Marvin Williams
Zaza Pachulia
Atlanta gets:
Zach Randolph
DeMarre Carroll
Memphis seems to be a little schizophrenic. They appear to have some nice pieces and looked like they were going to be a playoff team in the West this year, but they have underperformed.
Making this trade gives them a slight upgrade over Zach Randolph in Al Horford, but they also grab Marvin Williams in hopes that the change of scenery is really all he needs.
Miami Heat
15 of 30
Miami gets:
Andrew Bynum
Joe Smith
LA Lakers get:
Chris Bosh
It's hard to give a trade option to the Heat without involving a member of the Big Three. Well, of the three, I think Bosh is the most likely candidate.
Instead of having a big man who needs the ball in his hands to make plays, they have a solid center who only makes plays when needed. The Joe Smith piece is included to get the deal done.
Milwaukee Bucks
16 of 30
Milwaukee gets:
Zach Randolph
O.J. Mayo
Memphis gets:
Michael Redd
Carlos Delfino
Jon Brockman
Milwaukee is another team that has some nice pieces on it, but not quite enough to become contenders in the East.
They give up Redd's expiring contract for a solid big man and a boom or bust guy in Mayo.
Minnesota Timberwolves
17 of 30
Minnesota gets:
Pau Gasol
LA Lakers get:
Kevin Love
Sebastian Telfair
Minnesota's best trade piece is also their best player, so I would be astounded if they traded him, but I think it is possible.
In return for Love, the Timberwolves get Pau Gasol, who would be an outstanding piece in Minnesota's triangle offense.
New Jersey Nets
18 of 30
New Jersey gets:
Carmelo Anthony
Denver gets:
Troy Murphy
Derrick Favors
The Nuggets and Nets are back at the table talking about possible trades—well, here is a real bare bones trade that works.
The Nets would have to give Denver every draft pick possible, but it works.
New Orleans Hornets
19 of 30
New Orleans gets:
Raymond Felton
Danilo Gallinari
Eddy Curry
New York gets:
Chris Paul
New Orleans is starting to realize that their time with Chris Paul is short, so they are going to be looking to move the point guard while they can still get a lot of value out of him.
The Knicks seem like the most likely destination for the guard. In return, the Hornets get Raymond Felton, who has been great in New York, and Danilo Gallinari, who has some good value.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
New York gets:
Carmelo Anthony
Arron Afflalo
Denver gets:
Wilson Chandler
Danilo Gallinari
Landry Fields
Eddy Curry
Kelenna Azubuike
The Knicks could still find a way to get Carmelo Anthony out of Denver, but they would have to give up any possible trade piece to get him. That means Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Landry Fields are all gone.
Throw in a few draft picks and try to get Arron Afflalo in the deal too.
Oklahoma City Thunder
21 of 30
Oklahoma City gets:
Chris Kaman
LA Clippers get:
Morris Peterson
Nenad Krstic
Oklahoma City's biggest flaw is their lack of big bodies to throw out against teams like the Lakers. They could send the pu pu platter to the Clippers in hopes of landing Chris Kaman.
The expiring contracts that the Clips would get in return would make them hopeful of getting a deal done.
Orlando Magic
22 of 30
Orlando gets:
Marcus Camby
Greg Oden
Portland gets:
Gilbert Arenas
Orlando has Dwight Howard, but they need more than just him inside in order to make a run back to the finals.
Trading Gilbert Arenas seems almost impossible, but they could ship him to Portland in exchange for Camby, who could play power forward or back up Howard at center. They also get Oden, who just needs a change in scenery.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Philadelphia gets:
Luol Deng
Omer Asik
Chicago gets:
Andre Iguodala
The 76ers probably won't trade Andre Iguodala this year, but that doesn't mean a possible trade wouldn't be a good idea for them.
Philly already has Evan Turner on the roster, who really just needs more playing time in order to make his impact. In return, they get Luol Deng, who could be the defensive stopper on the wing.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Phoenix gets:
Josh Smith
Mike Bibby
Atlanta gets:
Steve Nash
Phoenix is in rebuilding mode, but it doesn't help that their best player probably won't be part of the final rebuilt product. Well, why not trade him to bring in pieces that would be around for the finished product?
Josh Smith and Mike Bibby give the Suns fans something to have fun with, but Nash gives the Hawks a top 20 player.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Portland gets:
Pau Gasol
Joe Smith
LA Lakers get:
LaMarcus Aldridge
Greg Oden
Luke Babbitt
Armon Johnson
As a Lakers fan, I think LA would be stupid to trade Pau Gasol, but I also think that if things really go into the tank, he could end up being the fall guy.
LaMarcus Aldridge has been great this year and he could end up being a franchise guy for the Blazers. However, Pau is better and if the Lakers are willing to trade him, this deal could work out nicely for Portland.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Sacramento gets:
Monta Ellis
Vlad Radmanovic
Golden State gets:
Tyreke Evans
Samuel Dalembert
The Kings aren't going anywhere with their roster as it is currently constructed. Their best bet is to trade the one guy on their roster that would get the most in return and that is Tyreke Evans.
The Warriors send Monta Ellis across the state in hopes that the change in the roster makes an impact going forward.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
San Antonio gets:
Antwan Jamison
Cleveland gets:
Antonio McDyess
Tiago Splitter
Matt Bonner
San Antonio is the best team in the league right now and they don't have a ton of needs on their roster, but they could be better.
Adding Antwan Jamison, who could come off the bench, would be an incredible luxury and would all but guarantee the Spurs another shot at the finals.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Toronto gets:
Tyreke Evans
Samuel Dalembert
Sacramento gets:
Andrea Bargnani
Jose Calderon
The Raptors have a number of needs on their roster, most notably at the guard position. They already have the big bodies to play defense and rebound, but they really need someone who will take charge on the offensive end.
Evans for Bargnani seems like a good trade for both ends.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Utah gets:
Monta Ellis
Golden State gets:
Mehmet Okur
Gordon Hayward
The Utah Jazz need to shake things up for new head coach Tyrone Corbin and getting Ellis would be the perfect backcourt player to put with point guard Deron Williams.
In return, the Warriors get an up and coming win in Hayward and Okur, who has had some nice moments in his career when healthy.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Washington gets:
J.R. Smith
Denver gets:
Yi Jianlian
Kevin Seraphin
Honestly, there isn't a ton that the Wizards can do to improve at this point. They have guys that are skilled on the roster, but those guys just aren't smart basketball players.
Adding J.R. Smith would at least give the Wizards a guy that could really impact the game in a number of different ways.
