NBA Trade Rumors: LA Lakers and 10 Teams That Still Need a Major Deadline Deal
The NBA trade deadline is only a couple of days away. Now that the biggest name is off the market, what's the next deal to be made?
There are other teams out there in need of a few key players in order to make a playoff run. And those teams not in contention for the playoffs want to start fresh and get rid of some of their higher-paid players.
The NBA is a business and deals need to be made. Which teams still need to pull a deal off before the deadline? In no particular order, here are 11 teams that need to make a trade before time runs out.
11. Memphis Grizzlies
1 of 11
Zach Randolph will be a free agent in 2011 and it's going to be hard to keep him and restricted free agent Marc Gasol. Randolph is great trade bait right now. He's a consistent double-double guy and is currently third in the league in rebounds.
Another guy the Grizzlies are trying to deal is O.J. Mayo. Memphis has been frustrated by the young guard and would love to ship him away. Both he or Randolph would be a great addition for any team looking to fight for a playoff spot.
10. Utah Jazz
2 of 11
Deron Williams isn't going anywhere, for now. He's a free agent in 2012 and could possibly leave Utah for more money elsewhere. That is unless general manager Kevin O'Connor can add some talent to convince him to stay.
The Jazz are currently in eighth place in the Western Conference. There are four teams within five or less games from taking the last playoff spot. If Utah can make a move before the deadline and add some more talent they'll better their chances of reaching the playoffs, as well as keeping Williams from leaving.
9. New Jersey Nets
3 of 11
Now that Carmelo Anthony is no longer an option, the Nets will be focusing on free agency to find their superstar.
But they're still open to options about trading some players to free up as much cap space as they can. The Nets are still trying to find a team to take the expiring contract of forward Troy Murphy. They can also try to find a star with the package deal of young players Derrick Favors and Devin Harris.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
4 of 11
Dan Gilbert has been promising change, but nothing has happened yet. The Cavs are just awful, and are looking to rid of some players and start fresh.
They have a few players that are gaining interest from teams looking to make a playoff run. Antwan Jamison, Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions, and Anthony Parker are all subject to trades within the next couple of days.
The Cavs want to rebuild and to do so they have to remove some of the dead weight they've been carrying this season.
7. Atlanta Hawks
5 of 11
The Atlanta Hawks are fifth in the Eastern Conference. If they want to improve their standing or have a better chance in the playoffs, they need to make a trade.
The Hawks are in desperate need of help at the point guard position. Mike Bibby is playing well but could use some help. Bibby isn't the player he used to be.
They could be looking into getting Ramon Sessions, Devin Harris or T.J. Ford to help out the team. Guys that they would trade away are the big expiring contract of Jamal Crawford, Marvin Williams, or possibly Josh Smith.
6. Indiana Pacers
6 of 11
The Pacers were trying to trade Danny Granger earlier this season, but wised up and he is now off the market.
They have some expiring contracts that they would like to get rid off. Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford and Jeff Foster are three guys that would help some of those teams looking to fight for a playoff spot.
The Pacers are also open to moving young players Josh McRoberts, Brandon Rush and Tyler Hansbrough if the right deal were to present itself.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
7 of 11
Portland is currently fifth in the Western Conference standings. Brandon Roy is set to return soon and Portland has a chance to surprise a few people in the playoffs.
However the Trail Blazers have a few players that they're looking to move. Andre Miller, Marcus Camby and Joel Przybilla are the primary guys on the trade block. All three could help various teams that need depth for the playoffs.
There are also reports of Portland trading Miller and Pryzbilla for Devin Harris and Troy Murphy from the New Jersey Nets.
4. New Orleans Hornets
8 of 11
General manager Dell Demps is trying to keep David West on this team. West won't sign an extension just yet because he knows he can get more money once the season is over.
However, there are quite a few teams interested in West. If Demps gets too frustrated, we could see West out the door in the next few days. While that isn't likely to happen, what will happen is the Hornets trying to add more talent.
They don't have much to offer up since they want to keep West. But they know they need to add more talent to keep Chris Paul from leaving in 2012.
3. Houston Rockets
9 of 11
The Rockets would love to move Yao Ming, but no team in their right mind is going to take the contract of an injury prone big man.
Houston is currently 12th in the Western Conference. They're only five games out of eighth place. If they want to have a chance at a playoff spot, they're going to need to add a few players to increase their chances.
They're looking at guys like Tayshaun Prince, Marcus Camby and Antwan Jamison. But do they have enough to make a deal with any of those teams? They've got a couple days left to make a move.
2. Dallas Mavericks
10 of 11
The Mavericks' offense took a hit when Caron Butler went down with a season-ending injury. Butler believes he can return in time for the playoffs, but it isn't for certain.
There's no doubt the Mavericks are going to make the playoffs. However, they're 1-2 against the Spurs on the year. They're going to need to add some players if they want to get to the NBA Finals.
They're looking at Tayshaun Prince, Stephen Jackson, Gerald Wallace, and Antawn Jamison. Will Mark Cuban pull the trigger and add a veteran scorer to help Dallas deep into the playoffs?
1. Los Angeles Lakers
11 of 11
The Lakers have two days left to improve their team. The two-time champs were in talks to get Carmelo, but with that out the window they'll need to get their thinking caps on.
The Lakers will make the playoffs this year, but can they repeat? They haven't been playing very well as their age is showing. They're very unlikely to make a deal before the deadline but they definitely should.
The Lakers have had trouble this season against the top teams in the league. They lost to the Cavaliers for crying out loud. Something is seriously wrong with this team.
