NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Will Need to Make Deals After the Draft
The 2011 NBA Draft isn't going to provide relief for all 30 franchises in the league.
There are plenty of teams that either have merely a second round pick or none at all. They will have to be patient and wait for free agency to kick off.
This is for the teams that don't want to wait around and let a young draft pick develop. These are the teams that are ready to win now, and ready to find that missing piece for a championship run.
This past season, the Dallas Mavericks made little noise at the draft, yet it was the under-the-radar signing of Tyson Chandler that really put the team over the top and into championship contention.
Which team will be in position to pull off that kind of feat this year?
Here are five candidates for teams that will be quiet during the NBA Draft, but plan on doing their heavy lifting later this summer.
5. Memphis Grizzles
1 of 5The Memphis Grizzles have the 49th pick in the draft, but that's the least of their concerns.
Rudy Gay has surfaced as a prime candidate to be traded in the aftermath of the Grizzlies' incredible playoff run without him.
Gay was having a career year before going down with a shoulder injury. He is a valuable trade commodity and Memphis could get a big return in exchange for him.
The big problem that the Oklahoma City Thunder exposed in Memphis was the lack of depth at guard. Mike Conley has become an above-average guard and Sam Young is a solid defender.
That's not good enough.
Memphis needs to add depth in the backcourt and may be able to pull off a deal to land Monta Ellis. He is the explosive scorer that is exactly what Memphis needs.
Don't expect to hear much from the Grizzles in the draft, but keep an eye on the buzz surrounding Gay throughout the summer.
4. Portland Trail Blazers
2 of 5The Trail Blazers have the 21st and 51st picks in the NBA Draft.
This isn't going to get Portland over the hump. They need another borderline star player that can play alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.
The injury bug has plagued this franchise and has forced them to make some very difficult decisions. What are they going to do with Greg Oden?
Is the '07 top pick worth keeping around despite being injured for the vast majority of his career?
What about Brandon Roy, a guy that pulled the ultimate Jekyll and Hyde act in the playoffs. It's extremely uncertain how much he has left in those failing knees.
The big rumor right now is a swap of Andre Miller for the Magic's Jameer Nelson. This would be a great move to add scoring to a team that's challenged in this department.
Regardless of whether this happens or not, the Blazers will be in the market to add an explosive scoring threat to their team in one way or another.
3. Miami Heat
3 of 5The Miami Heat were giving significant time in the 2011 NBA Playoffs to Joel Anthony and Juwan Howard.
And you wonder why they didn't win a championship.
The Heat need to shore up their frontline immediately and it's not going to happen in the draft. They hold the 31st pick from the Timberwolves because of the Michael Beasley trade, and can get a bit of value there, but that's not going to be enough.
The Heat are on the prowl for some veteran help, and will be looking for guys willing to take a pay cut in order to chase a championship.
Having a rookie that can come off the bench and contribute 10-15 minutes a night isn't going to put them over the hump. Expect the Heat to be very active with guys that are on the tail end of their careers and are willing sacrifice millions of dollars in order to secure that Championship ring.
2. Orlando Magic
4 of 5Nobody is under more heat this summer than Magic GM Otis Smith.
Dwight Howard has essentially given him one season to turn around the franchise, or the biggest star since Shaq will be on his way out.
The NBA Draft isn't going to help. They have the 53rd pick in the draft, and that's obviously not going to be their savior.
Smith must find a way to shed payroll while also bringing in better talent.
Good luck.
Trading Jameer Nelson for Andre Miller is a great start. Miller is one of the most reliable point guards in the league and he actually plays defense. I would pull the trigger on this one if I'm the Magic, especially if they get the 21st pick from Portland as well.
Still, that's not going to be enough.
Keep a close eye on the Magic this summer as they will surely be one of, if not the most active team involved in trade rumors.
1. LA Lakers
5 of 5The LA Lakers have been constantly bugging the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 2 pick. They have offered up Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in the last week, but have been shut down on both occasions.
With the 41st, 46th, 56th and 58th selections in the NBA Draft, obviously they don't plan on keeping everything. The Lakers will be making moves in order solidify a team that still believes they can win championships.
Trade rumors involving bringing Raymond Felton to town are heating up, and it seems as if the entire team aside from Kobe Bryant have been mentioned in some sort of offer.
The 2011 Playoffs left a bad taste in everyone's mouth, and some sort of change will no doubt be made.
The only question is...who's it going to be?
