NBA Trade Scenarios: Moves To Strengthen Each Team's Bench
With the post season in full effect, it doesn't seem like the right time to be talking about trade scenarios. However, there are 14 other teams in the NBA that don't have much of a concern for what is going on in the post season or who wins it and actually have a concern of how they can reach the point where the other 16 teams in the league are at right now. It won't be as significant as last year's summer, but there will be plenty of significant moves to be made that could drastically affect the order of next years season.
For now though, we'll only speak of the possible moves each team can make to strengthen their respective benches.
No matter how impressive a teams bench can perform for their team, there could always be room for improvement. It's painfully obvious that a team like the Miami Heat could use a few moves to strengthen their bench, but even a team with the highest scoring bench in the Philadelphia 76ers could afford to make some moves and strengthen their bench as well.
If the Miami Heat and their Big Three have proven anything, it's just how important a bench can mean to a team. Even a team with some of the best players in the world needs some significant support from the guys riding the pine. A team like the Heat will be working overtime this year to strengthen their bench to get ready for the next season. Throughout the course of this season, the Heat have seen their benches inconsistency lose the team games.
Any team for that matter will need to make moves over the off season as a means to get a stronger bench. Here are some deals that each team can pull off to give themselves an advantage off the bench.
*Each teams need represents what they need on the bench. The projected deals are trades that were allowed according to NBA's Trade Machine on ESPN.com
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Atlanta sends Marvin Williams to the Dallas Mavericks for Brendan Haywood.
By moving Al Horford to the power forward position, the Atlanta Hawks put themselves at a disadvantage at center. They've been using a rotation of Jason Collins, Zaza Pachulia, and Josh Powell at center, but with little results outside of defensive purposes. With no true rebounder or scorer at the center position, the Hawks find most of their scoring in the paint come from Al Horford and Josh Smith. The lack of a scoring center however causes opposing teams to focus their defense on Smith and Hoford in the middle.
With the team looking to move Marvin Williams, they could possibly trade him to the Dallas Mavericks for their backup center Brendan Haywood. After a disappointing season where he only averaged four points and five rebounds off the bench, the Hawks would be able to get Haywood for less than what he could have brought in earlier this year. Brendan would add some more toughness on the inside and bring some scoring and rebounding as well.
Boston Celtics
2 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Boston sends Avery Bradley and Jermaine O'Neal to the Golden State Warriors for Andris Biedrins.
With Kendrick Perkins gone and Shaquille O'Neal proving his worth with his time spent on the bench in a suit, the Boston Celtics are going to be in serious need of a reliable center for the next few years. With Andris Biedrins performing below standards in Golden State, the Celtics might be able to dangle some young talent and a center who could hold his own for a few more years own to obtain Biedrins.
Andris has had injury problems for the past few years and the Celtics offering up their most recent draft pick in Bradley would possibly entice the Warriors into taking the trade. Biedrins has averaged as much as 12 points and 11 rebounds in his career and can offer the Celtics some much needed rebounding and size in the paint.
Charlotte Bobcats
3 of 30
Needs: Small forward
Proposed deal: Charlotte sends Garrett Temple and Desagna Diop to the Atlanta Hawks for Marvin Williams.
With no more Gerald Wallace and no go to scorer for the Charlotte Bobcats aside from Stephen Jackson, the 'Cats are in desperate need of a small forward and a player who can score. The Atlanta Hawks have been attempting to move Marvin Williams for the past few years and the Bobcats have the center and point guard that they could offer to the Hawks in return.
While Williams hasn't performed too admirably over the past few seasons, he can still be a quality scorer when given the chance. He'd be recognized as a possible second scoring option on the Bobcats since the team doesn't have too many offensive threats and would help fill the need for a small forward.
Chicago Bulls
4 of 30
Needs: Shooting guard
Proposed deal: Chicago sends Keith Bogans and Jannero Pargo to the Orlando Magic for Quentin Richardson.
As much as we want to believe that Derrick Rose is the three-point shooting star that the Bulls hope him to be, he's not going to be that player. With Kyle Korver as the only pure threat from deep, the Chicago Bulls could use another three-point threat from elsewhere. With Quentin Richardson loving to travel and always prone to being moved, Chicago could offer a few flexible pieces to obtain Richardson and get a three-point threat in the process.
Bogans is a tough defender, but Richardson can offer tough defense and a consistent three-point shot as well. He's having a tough year averaging four points off the bench and a career worst 30% from deep, but he's also only two years removed from hitting 40% deep and can still offer the Bulls a legitimate threat from beyond the arc.
Cleveland Cavaliers
5 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Cleveland sends Joey Graham, Samardo Samuels, and Manny Harris to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Cole Aldrich.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team in dire straits. They could use just about any player at any position to improve the team with the center position being one of the most in need. Off the bench, the Cavaliers don't have a reliable option at center. With a bunch of young pieces that the team can offer, they could possibly obtain the Oklahoma City Thunder's rookie center Cole Aldrich.
Playing in only 18 games this season, Aldrich didn't do much this year to prove himself as a legitimate threat in the paint. However, at 6'11", 245 pounds, and only 22 years old, Aldrich has plenty of upside and can give the Cavaliers some size that they could really use these days.
Dallas Mavericks
6 of 30
Needs: Power Forward
Proposed deal: Dallas sends Shawn Marion to the Charlotte Bobcats for D.J. White and Tyrus Thomas.
With Caron Butler already on the team and set to come back from injury, the Dallas Mavericks Shawn Marion could possibly be used as trade bait. As good as the team has been over the past decade, they've always seemed to lack significant size off the bench. This past season has been no different as they lack any sort of size aside from Brendan Haywood to come off the bench. By dangling Marion, the Mavs could possibly secure D.J. White and Tyrus Thomas out of Charlotte.
Thomas has improved his production in nearly every season, but ran into some injury troubles over the past few seasons and only played 41 games last year. However, he brings plenty of athleticism with him as well as a developing jump shot. D.J. White also brings plenty of size with him and is coming off of one of the best years of his young career after averaging nearly nine points and four rebounds in 24 games with Charlotte.
Denver Nuggets
7 of 30
Needs: Small forward
Proposed deal: Denver sends Al Harrington to the Toronto Raptors for Linas Kleiza and Soloman Alabi.
Finding a trade to strengthen the Denver Nuggets bench was one of the most difficult of all 30 teams. The problem being is that the team is so deep in the starting lineup and on the bench that it makes it difficult to determine just what the team could use. Upon further analysis, I determined that the team could use a small forward beyond anything.
With the Toronto Raptors looking to make moves, the Nuggets could possibly drop Al Harrington's hefty contract and pick up former Nugget Linas Kleiza and young center Soloman Alabi. Kleiza is coming off of career year with Toronto where he averaged 11 points and five rebounds and he could add his shooting touch to an already lethal Nuggets team. Adding another center doesn't hurt the team either with Alabi being a part of the package.
Detroit Pistons
8 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed trade: Detroit sends Austin Daye and Terrico White to the Sacramento Kings for Jason Thompson.
There are plenty of moves the Detroit Pistons can make at this point, but obtaining a center should be priority number one over the off season. With Ben Wallace nearing the end of his career and Greg Monroe set to become the teams new starting center, the Pistons could use some size off the bench. They should look no further than to Sacramento where they could possibly pick up young center Jason Thompson.
Thompson's role on the Kings was reduced this year as he averaged eight minutes less than what he was averaging the year before, but still brought plenty to a struggling Kings squad. In only three years, Thompson has averaged as much as 13 points and nine rebounds per game. The Pistons won't have to offer too much for Thompson since the Kings already have a few players that could fill the middle.
Golden State Warriors
9 of 30
Needs: Shooting guard/Center
Proposed deal: Golden State sends Ekpe Udoh to the Toronto Raptors for Jerryd Bayless and Soloman Alabi.
The Golden State Warriors have plenty of talent in the starting lineup with Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry, and David Lee leading the way, but they drastically lack on their bench. With Ekpe Udoh not proving too much in his first year with the team, he can be offered to plenty of teams that are willing to take on the contract of a long, young big man. The Toronto Raptors could be one of those teams since they are in need of a center who actually plays like a center.
In return, the Warriors can pick up a solid guard in Jerryd Bayless and a big man in Soloman Alabi. Bayless has disappointed since being drafted number 11 in the 2008 draft, but has picked it up this year with a larger role on the Toronto Raptors. With 10 points and four assists per game, Bayless is having the best year of his young career and could only see a brighter career ahead when playing with the run-and-gun style of Golden State.
Houston Rockets
10 of 30
Needs: Small forward/power forward
Proposed deal: Houston sends Jordan Hill and Marqus Blakley to the Denver Nuggets for Danilo Gallinari.
The Houston Rockets are going to need all the size they can get over the off season if Yao Ming doesn't make a full recovery. Even with Chuck Hayes stepping in nicely, Patrick Patterson performing well, and Hasheem Thabeet joining the team, the Rockets could still use some size and versatility in their roster. With Jordan Hill not living up to expectations, he could be on the move over the off season as the Rockets look to find a more capable forward that can consistently score.
Look no further than Denver where Danilo Gallinari is making a name for himself in the thin mountain air. Since joining the Nuggets in the deal that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York, Gallo has averaged 15 points per game and has hit a solid 37% from deep. Gallo can add another three-point threat to the Rockets, while also giving the team some size and a player that can also drive the lane and cause some trouble for opposing defenses.
Indiana Pacers
11 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Indiana sends A.J. Price, Paul George, and Dahntay Jones to the Phoenix Suns for Marcin Gortat and Garrett Siler.
Having a center that is capable of playing offense and staying healthy is one of the rarest commodities to come by in the league today. The Indiana Pacers are lucky enough to be one of those teams to possess one of these players with that player being 7'2" Georgetown product Roy Hibbert. Outside of Hibbert though, the Pacers don't have much of an answer for a back up center. Considering that Hibbert finds himself in foul trouble frequently, a back-up center would be a necessity for Indiana.
Certainly Marcin Gortat can fit the bill. After spending a few years in Orlando as Dwight Howard's backup, Gortat has been tearing it up with Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns and is finishing a season where he averaged a career high 13 points and nine rebounds. If paired with Darren Collison or T.J. Ford and giving the option of being an offensive threat, having Gortat come off the bench after Hibbert would give the Pacers one of the strongest advantages in the league.
Los Angeles Clippers
12 of 30
Needs: Small forward
Projected Deal: Los Angeles sends Randy Foye to the Miami Heat for Mike Miller and Dexter Pittman.
One thing is for sure: the Los Angeles Clippers won't be looking out for any athletic high flying forwards during this years off season. For next season and the years to come, the Clippers should begin investing in young big men and shooters that can hit from deep. Shooting 34% from deep last year, the Clippers finished 25th overall in the league when it came to shooting from beyond the arc. With the Heat looking to move sharp shooter Mike Miller, the Clippers might be the team to take a chance on him.
After an extremely disappointing season for the Heat where Miller found himself missing wide open jumpers and being hurt frequently, it'll come as difficult for Miami to move him for too much. Los Angeles can take advantage and should only offer up a role player in return for the shooter who was hitting nearly half of his three-pointers only two years ago. Center Dexter Pittman hasn't been giving too much playing time in the league this year, but has the size and footwork to become a quality center.
Los Angeles Lakers
13 of 30
Needs: Point guard
Proposed deal: Los Angeles sends Luke Walton and Derek Caracter to the Sacramento Kings for Beno Udrih.
A deal like this would be a win-win for the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only do they get a quality point guard in Beno Udrih on the team, but they also rid themselves of Luke Walton and his hefty contract. The Lakers have been going with the always reliable Derek Fisher as their starting point guard since the dawn of time and it could be coming to that point in his career where he might call it quits. Fisher isn't the type of player to put up huge stats, but he always seems to be the player making shots at the right spot at the right time.
While Udrih and his ability to be clutch can be brought into question, he can still be a reliable point guard that the Lakers can rely on to make plays and make shots. The Yugoslavian has improved yearly and recently topped off last season at 14 points and five assists per game in his seventh year in the league. A veteran like Udrih would complement this Lakers team and add some versatility to the offense.
Memphis Grizzlies
14 of 30
Needs: Point guard
Projected deal: Memphis sends Xavier Henry and Darrell Arthur to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ramon Sessions.
With plenty of talent throughout the Memphis Grizzlies roster, it came as difficult to pinpoint just where the team could use some help. The only weakness appears to be at the point guard spot where the team seems to lack any capable back up next to Grieves Vasquez. With a team like Cleveland looking to make moves as a means to improve the team in any way shape or form, they wouldn't be too reluctant to take on young unproven players in Xavier Henry and Darrell Arthur in exchange for a proven point guard in Ramon Sessions.
Sessions is coming off of a career year with the Cleveland Cavaliers where he averaged 13 points and five assists. He has had an up and down four year career thus far averaging above double digits in points twice and averaging as much as seven assists in his rookie year. Ramon is a quality shooter and passer and can be a proven young guard that the Grizzlies could rely on to back up Mike Conley, Jr.
Miami Heat
15 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Miami sends Mike Miller and Joel Anthony to the Dallas Mavericks for Brendan Haywood.
The Big Three experiment has worked out well for the Heat thus far. The Mike Miller experiment however however has been one of the teams biggest disappointments of this illustrious season. Since injuring himself in the pre season, Miller has never appeared to be the same player that nearly hit 50% of his three-pointers last season and has only hit 35% of his three-pointers this year while also averaging a career low six points per game.
It would be difficult to move him, but the Heat can possibly add Joel Anthony to the equation as a means to acquire Brendan Haywood from Dallas. Haywood has failed to live up to that hefty contract and the Heat can possibly exchange inflated contracts if Dallas is ready to take on Miller and Anthony's large deals. Haywood would address a lot of Heat problems under the net and would actually be a center that can catch a ball and finish, an art that many Heat centers have yet to address.
Milwaukee Bucks
16 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Milwaukee sends Keyon Dooling and Larry Sanders to the Sacramento Kings for Jason Thompson and Donte Greene.
With Andrew Bogut already manning the middle in the starting lineup, the Milwaukee Bucks could use another force down low to take over for him when he sits. While rookie Larry Sanders certainly has the size to replace him at center, he hasn't done anything to warrant any kind of significant playing time with just how inconsistent his offensive game is. The Bucks could just as easily use his young talent to trade him and acquire players that are more capable of doing the job.
The Kings Jason Thompson could be on the block after a reduced role this season where he averaged career lows in nearly every statistical category. After three years of being in the league however, he still has one of the more refined offensive games for a player his size. His teammate that would be joining him in the trade in Donte Greene would provide the Bucks with another defensive stopper at the two and three spot.
Minnesota Timberwolves
17 of 30
Needs: Point guard/shooting guard
Proposed deal: Minnesota sends Martell Webster to the Milwaukee Bucks for Keyon Dooling and Larry Sanders.
With a starting back court of Luke Ridnour and Wesley Johnson, the Minnesota Timberwolves could use just about all the help they can get at the guard positions. Even off the bench, the team doesn't have too many choices with Wayne Ellington and Jonny Flynn proving to be the only viable back ups that the Wolves can rely on. Finding a reliable guard to come off the bench will be vital for the Wolves if they want to find some offensive and defensive support.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Keyon Dooling could be that player. After a disappointing year with Milwaukee where he only averaged seven points on a less than stellar 40% from the field, Dooling could be on the move after only one year with the Bucks. His three-point shooting can also help out since Minnesota was a middle of the pack team in three-point field goals made last year. Larry Sanders who would also come in the deal would be a solid defensive backup to Kevin Love.
New Jersey Nets
18 of 30
Needs: Center/small forward
Proposed deal: New Jersey sends Johan Petro, Jordan Farmar, and Sundiatda Gaines to the Miami Heat for Mike Miller and Joel Anthony.
After a year where the New Jersey Nets shot 34% from deep as a team, they could afford to find some help from beyond the arc elsewhere. They, along with many other teams, can take advantage of the Heat offering up Mike Miller this off season by not being able to give up too much in return. Miller has failed to live up to the expectations of the Heat and it has been regrettable by the team to not get anything out of him over the trade deadline.
He would come along with Joel Anthony who has been recognized as one of the better defenders in the league. According to players on the Philadelphia 76ers as well, Anthony has allegedly become the anchor to the Heat's defense and is the reason why Miami has been such a strong defensive team over the first two games of the series. Nets fans can also look forward to a more refined offensive game from Anthony as well.
New Orleans Hornets
19 of 30
Needs: Shooting guard
Proposed deal: New Orleans sends Quincy Pondexter and cash considerations to the Portland Trail Blazers for Rudy Fernandez.
Even though the New Orleans Hornets are deep enough of a team that they have a power forward coming off the bench that could start on half the teams in the league, they could still afford to make some moves to strengthen an already a bench that could use some work. More specifically, they could use some help with their back-up guards since there are only two reliable options on the team currently. Their most recent draft pick in Quincy Pondexter has yet to perform, but could still draw some consideration from other teams.
To get some help in the front court off the bench, the Hornets should go after third year player Rudy Fernandez. He has simmered down after a dynamic rookie campaign where he averaged 11 points per game, but he has still consistently been a threat from anywhere on the court and is a notable three-point shooter. Fernandez could provide the Hornets with a slasher next to Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza.
New York Knicks
20 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: New York sends Bill Walker and Andy Rautins to the Phoenix Suns for Robin Lopez.
The Big Three of New York hasn't always looked this game lately. It was only three weeks ago when the Knicks couldn't win a game and people already began to chime in on if this latest installment of Big Three would prove the experiment was a failure once and for all. New York has had its best season in a decade, but they find their debilitating flaw off the bench and by bench I mean what's left of it. Including the bench, the Knicks found one of their biggest flaws in the lineup at center.
With Robin Lopez still not living up to expectations in Phoenix, perhaps the New York Knicks could make a push towards the third year 7' footer. He has recently taken a back seat to Marcin Gortat and hasn't been receiving the time that he did last year. New York could possibly get him for cheap and only offer up two three-point threats in Bill Walker and Andy Rautins. With a big man finally in the rotation, the Knicks could become just as dangerous a team.
Orlando Magic
21 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Orlando sends Ryan Anderson and Quentin Richardson to the New Orleans Hornets for David Andersen and Quincy Pondexter.
After a sub-par season, the Orlando Magic's Quentin Richardson could find himself moving to a different team for the fifth time in two years. Richardson has basically been regarded as trade bait for the past few years and has yet to make his impression so felt on one team that they decided to keep him for more than a few seasons. Orlando could possibly use Richardson in their attempt to secure a center to back-up Dwight Howard. The Magic have had to run small lineups in their second unit since the loss of Marcin Gortat.
As good as Ryan Anderson has been this season, the Magic have enough three-point shooters on their team already and a back-up center should be priority number one for this team. New Orleans Hornets center David Andersen could find himself on the move again after a season where he only averaged a little under eight minutes with the team. He still provides himself as a viable option off the bench and will get open looks with a team that spreads the floor like the Magic.
Oklahoma City Thunder
22 of 30
Needs: Small forward/Power forward
Proposed deal: Oklahoma City sends Cole Aldrich and Royal Ivey to the Orlando Magic for Ryan Anderson and Quentin Richardson.
After a season where the Oklahoma City Thunder found a lot of success in the front court, rookie center Cole Aldrich found himself on the outside looking in and playing in only 18 games this year. Aldrich barely made an impact on the team outside of the preseason and won't appear to get any more chances of playing until next year. They could possibly offer him to a team like the Magic who are desperate for a back up center.
By dangling a center, the Thunder could work out a deal to pry away three-point threats in Ryan Anderson and Quentin Richardson. Anderson has averaged a career high 11 points per game, while also hitting 39% of his three-pointers. He can add another dimension to the Thunder's front court by adding a three-point threat to a front court that's been constructed on defense.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
Needs: Center/Shooting guard
Proposed deal: Philadelphia sends Thaddeus Young and Andres Nocioni to the Denver Nuggets for Al Harrington, Chris Andersen, and Wilson Chandler.
The Philadelphia 76ers bench doesn't need too much improvement after the way they have been able to carry the team all year, but it doesn't mean that they can't find players that can only offer more. Thaddeus Young has attracted plenty of attention this year after impressing all season long off the bench and backing up Elton Brand. He's an extremely athletic player and could be a high commodity over the off season if the 76ers look to make any moves.
The 76ers could possibly look towards Denver for some needed size as well. Philly could potentially offer up Young and oft-used Andres Nocioni to obtain two centers in Al Harrington and Chris Andersen, as well as a defensive minded shooting guard in Wilson Chandler. By adding Young to the mix, the 76ers open themselves up for many possible trade options that could bring in a much needed center.
Phoenix Suns
24 of 30
Needs: Small forward
Proposed deal: Phoenix sends Robin Lopez and Gani Lawal to the Indiana Pacers for Paul George.
Chances are for the Phoenix Suns that Robin Lopez and Gani Lawal are not the players of the future. With the way Marcin Gortat and Channing Frye have been playing as of late, Lopez has found himself as the odd man out when the Suns call for a center to play alongside Steve Nash. In the short amount of time that he did play, Robin was never regarded as an offensive threat and was known more his defensive presence than anything. WIth the Suns stacked on big bodies, they could possibly offer Lopez for a viable replacement for Grant Hill upon his near retirement.
Small forward Paul George could possibly be up for grabs after an impressive season with Indiana where he averaged eight points and four rebounds per game. The Indiana Pacers could be willing to part ways with George since the Suns are set to offer up a center who could back-up Roy Hibbert. Phoenix would find an extremely athletic player to play alongside Steve Nash which would only make the Suns already volatile offense just as dangerous.
Portland Trail Blazers
25 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Portland sends Luke Babbitt, Elliot Williams, and Armon Johnson to the Atlanta Hawks for Zaza Pachulia.
With no Greg Oden and the trade of Joel Pryzbilla, the Portland Trail Blazers found themselves without a true center. They had been forced to move LaMarcus Aldridge to the center position at times while also using long time veteran Marcus Camby most of the time at center. With no reliable options at center, the Blazers should make it an initiative to somehow pry a center that could come off the bench and help the team out in case Oden goes down again.
The Atlanta Hawks Zaza Pachulia could be that player to give the Blazers some depth at center. Pachulia isn't too much of an offensive threat, but more of a defensive and nuisance kind of player. Zaza is notoriously known for getting under players skins, as seen with Zydrunas Ilgauskas here. With the hopes that Oden returns for Portland and stays healthy for an extended period of time, the Blazers can still look towards Pachulia as a relaible center who could play when called upon.
Sacramento Kings
26 of 30
Needs: Shooting guard
Proposed deal: Sacramento sends Donte Greene, Jermaine Taylor, and Hassan Whiteside to the Milwaukee Bucks for Keyon Dooling.
After a promising season two years ago where the Sacramento Kings saw the development of Tyreke Evans and the possibility of a playoff time, they failed to live up to expectations and finished 24-58 with Evans being injured most of the way. The Kings suffered without him and couldn't find a reliable and quality source of offense and defense from the hole that Evans left vacant for an extended amount of time. With the Milwaukee Bucks looking to moves, the Kings should look towards Keyon Dooling's direction for a reliable back-up to the front court.
Dooling has always been known as a reliable source of offense and defense for the numerous teams he has played on and is expendable enough of a player to find himself on the move this off season. The Kings have plenty of youth to offer to teams willing to part ways with a guard and could offer some underdeveloped young players as a means to acquire Dooling.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: San Antonio sends James Anderson to the Washington Wizards for Trevor Booker.
Could it be possible that the San Antonio Spurs didn't draft the right player in the first round this time around? After averaging only three points and playing in 26 games in his rookie year, James Anderson has failed to live up to the expectations he brought coming out of the University of Texas. He did however show off an impressive three-point shot where he was able to hit 40% of his shots from beyond the arc in the short time that he did play.
With Tim Duncan on his way out and the Spurs soon to be lacking on power forwards, they could perhaps look to Washington acquire their young powerful forward Trevor Booker. Booker was a surprise in his first year with the team as a late first round pick by Minnesota and averaged five points on 54% shooting. Trevor would add plenty of size to a Spurs team that could use some in the near future.
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Needs: Center
Proposed deal: Toronto sends Ed Davis, Linas Kleiza, and Soloman Alabi to the Phoenix Suns for Robin Lopez and Josh Childress.
Times have been tough in Toronto Raptors and the time for re-building has come. After finishing 22-60 and 14th in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors could be pulling off some numerous player deals as an attempt to revive the team. With the Raptors not getting much production from Linas Kleiza and Soloman Alabi and being in desperate need for a center that spends time in the paint, they could possibly look to Phoenix and try to acquire center Robin Lopez.
Lopez has seen his role on the team diminish since Marcin Gortat has joined the team and could be on his way out after three unproductive years with the Suns. Phoenix's loss could be Toronto's gain if they can acquire a center that openly willing to spend time in the paint and play defense. The move would add another dimension to the Raptors current stance at the center position.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Needs: Shooting guard/power forward
Proposed deal: Utah sends Raja Bell to the Chicago Bulls for Keith Bogans and Taj Gibson.
Yes, Raja Bell is still in the league somehow. Now on his sixth team and his second stint with the Utah Jazz, Bell could be offered up as trade bait to a team looking for a strong defensive stopper in the front court. With the Chicago Bulls one defensive weakness at the point guard spot, they could possibly make some room for Bell to join the team in return for one of their big men.
The ideal player for the Jazz to grab would be second year player Taj Gibson. Even though Utah has one of the strongest front courts for a starting lineup, they could use plenty of size off the bench. At seven points and five rebounds per game while also being a quality shot blocker and defender, Gibson would fit in well and could help this Jazz teams lacking bench.
Washington Wizards
30 of 30
Needs: Point guard
Proposed deal: Washington sends Kevin Seraphin and cash considerations to the Atlanta Hawks for Jeff Teague.
Even though John Wall says that the Washington Wizards will make next year's post season, their 23-59 record for the 2010-'11 season says that there is a lot of work to be done on this incredibly young team. This was not a lost season however as the Wizards still were able to see rookie point guard John Wall and center JaVale McGee begin to develop into some of the league's young superstars. Washington stands strong at the point in the starting lineup with Wall leading the way, but they have had dip into their D-League stash for a back up.
Over the summer, they could possibly offer up one of their numerous big men for a capable point guard to back up Wall. One player in particular is the Atlanta Hawks Jeff Teague who has been showing improvement in his second year in the league. With an increased role off the bench on Atlanta, Teague has averaged five points and two assists per game. By adding Teague and dropping Kevin Seraphin, the Wizards add another element to their back court.
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