NBA Trade Speculation: Dream Trade Scenarios for Every Team Post-Lockout

With the NBA lockout in full effect, the trade speculation around the league has got fans itching for the action to return.

Unfortunately for some needy teams and desperate fans, it looks like it's going to be a rather lengthy delay before the action resumes, but that will give plenty of time for clubs to evaluate exactly what will make their club a better one in the future.

There are a fair amount of teams that aren't far out from competing, and just a few minor tweaks and changes may be what is necessary to propel them over the hump.

Atlanta Hawks

The Deal: PF Josh Smith to Detroit for SG Ben Gordon, SF Austin Daye, future first-round pick

The Hawks have been rumored to be willing to part with Josh Smith for the right price, and the Pistons could present a very intriguing package if they decide to pursue a deal.

Gordon would allow the team to replace Jamal Crawford off the bench with another dynamic scorer, and snagging Daye would be a major win considering the disappointment and inconsistency that Marvin Williams has flashed thus far.

The move would also free up the four spot to allow Al Horford to play his natural position and the Hawks could target a true center through free agency to fill the void in the middle.

Boston Celtics

The Deal: SG Ray Allen to Phoenix for C Channing Frye, SF Jared Dudley, C Garret Siler

The Celtics don’t have a lot of tradeable pieces the way their team is currently structured, but trading Allen may be a way to extend the championship window ever so slightly.

It’s difficult to imagine Boston breaking up the “Big Three”, but should they pursue a deal in an effort to extend their window of competitiveness, trading Allen may be a way to achieve exactly that.

Channing Frye gives the Celtics a big man capable of stretching the floor with ease, while Dudley would represent a solid addition to the wing that could play a multitude of positions.

While Siler is somewhat of a developing project, the Celtics are desperate to find an answer in the middle, as they would be hard-pressed to rely on another season of Jermaine O’Neal playing extended minutes. 

Charlotte Bobcats

The Deal: PF Tyrus Thomas, SG Gerald Henderson to Memphis for SG O.J. Mayo, PF Darrell Arthur

Charlotte is in a really interesting spot as they attempt to rebuild the team, and their major problem currently is the lack of a proven scorer on the roster.

While the drafting of Kemba Walker will certainly add some intrigue and excitement into the franchise, the club really needs someone that they can rely on to be a focal point of the attack from day one.

It may be tough to give up on the potential of Thomas and Henderson, but Mayo and Arthur could be the young vets that this team needs if they’re ever going to turn the corner and elevate themselves from the cellar to become a competitive team.

Chicago Bulls

The Deal: PF Carlos Boozer to Houston for PF Luis Scola, SF Terrence Williams, SG Courtney Lee

Carlos Boozer was remarkably inconsistent and even occasionally outplayed by Taj Gibson last season, and with the Bulls needing perimeter help desperately, they may dangle Boozer to fetch maximum value.

While Scola doesn’t have the same offensive upside as Boozer does, the Bulls have other members of the team to score, and Scola is a more productive rebounder and finisher around the rim than Boozer showed at any point during his inaugural season with the Bulls.

Courtney Lee could immediately start at the shooting guard spot for Chicago, and Tom Thibodeau could find a way to harness Terrence Williams’ unbelievable potential and turn him into a big-time contributor in the second unit for the team.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Deal: PF Anderson Varejao to New Orleans for SF Trevor Ariza, second-round pick

At his absolute best, Anderson Varejao is a sixth or seventh player in a championship team’s rotation. Given the current state of the Cavs, they’d undoubtedly like to unload the four years and massive salary remaining on his current deal.

With the Cavs looking to develop Tristan Thompson at the four spot and Varejao anything but a true center, dealing him for Ariza would give the team a player that provides more intensity on the wing alongside the newly acquired Omri Casspi.

The Cavs are looking to find unorthodox solutions to their miserable season of 2010-11, and the addition of Ariza would provide a dynamic element to the club that they have severely lacked.

Dallas Mavericks

The Deal: SF Shawn Marion, SG Corey Brewer, first-round pick to Atlanta for PF Josh Smith

The Mavericks don’t have a lot of holes after winning their first championship in franchise history, but they could look to address the front line and make a major splash.

The team can nail down the starting small forward spot with a versatile contributor like J-Smoove, who represents a younger and more dynamic option than Marion at this stage of The Matrix’s playing days.

Despite signing Brewer to a multi-year deal, Dallas rarely used him and he could prove more valuable as trade bait than actually playing for the Mavs.

The combination of Smith and Nowitzki could be awfully imposing to any opposition that wants to attack the lane.

Denver Nuggets

The Deal: SF Danilo Gallinari, PF Al Harrington to New Jersey for C Brook Lopez, SF Travis Outlaw

The Nuggets have a plethora of free agents that they need to retain in an effort to remain competitive, but they could use a few slight tweaks to the current roster.

The Harrington signing was a failure from the onset, but so was Outlaw for New Jersey, and there’s no doubt that both the team and the player each need a fresh start away from one another in both scenarios.

Denver could fill a massive need in the middle (with Nene set to test free agency) by acquiring Lopez, and Outlaw could prove to be a lot more useful in the team’s rotation than a worthless Harrington sitting at the end of the bench.

Detroit Pistons

The Deal: SG Richard Hamilton, SG Ben Gordon, C Ben Wallace to Orlando for SG J.J. Redick, SF Hedo Turkoglu, PF Brandon Bass, SF Quentin Richardson

The Pistons have been looking to find a taker for Hamilton since the middle of last season.

Shipping him and Gordon out of town would allow Detroit to continue its youth movement by acquiring future key cogs in Redick and Bass from Orlando.

Bass could slide right into the starting five alongside Greg Monroe down low, while Redick would serve as a spark off the bench in a second unit that rarely delivered intense energy last season.

Golden State Warriors

The Deal: SG Monta Ellis to Chicago for PF Carlos Boozer, two second-round picks

Despite the team having stated that they’re not looking to actively shop Ellis, their drafting of both Klay Thompson and Charles Jenkins seemingly indicates that they’re clearly thinking about life after Ellis in Northern California.

Andris Biedrins has been an absolute disaster for the Warriors over the last couple of seasons, but the team needs some size down low in an effort to compliment an undersized David Lee.

The Warriors could play Lee in the middle and put Boozer on the block to create a front line that’s capable of contributing on both ends, and they could finally hand the keys to the team over to Stephen Curry, who is clearly the franchise face of the club at this point.

Houston Rockets

The Deal: SG Kevin Martin to Orlando for SG J.J. Redick, PF Brandon Bass

The Rockets have received some good production from Martin, but he’s peaked as a player in terms of his development, and Houston would be wise to capitalize on his trade value.

Set to make more than $11 million in each of the next two seasons, the Rockets could add two very attractive pieces to their re-worked roster in Redick and Bass going forward.

While Redick could have the chance to start immediately, Bass would provide excellent insurance along a front line that just lost Yao Ming, has Chuck Hayes headed toward free agency and an undersized Luis Scola coming off of knee woes at a pivotal point in his career.

Indiana Pacers

The Deal: SF Danny Granger, SG Dahntay Jones to Memphis for SF Rudy Gay

The Pacers may publicly claim that they’re building around Granger, but he simply hasn’t developed into the type of player that the club had hoped.

Since his breakout campaign in 2008-09, Granger has taken a noticeable step back, especially in terms of his shooting efficiency from the floor.

This trade would allow Indiana to remain competitive and continue to build while replacing Granger with Gay, who is a more talented player in almost every facet of the game.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Deal: C Chris Kaman to Washington for PF Andray Blatche

The Clippers would be wise to deal Kaman to clear the starting spot for a very promising DeAndre Jordan, but injuries have slightly hampered his stock around the league.

However, talented seven-footers don’t exactly grow on trees, and the Wizards could look to bring in some talented size to mentor JaVale McGee if they’re serious about developing him into a dominant center.

Blatche could play a sixth-man role for the Clippers capable of backing up both the power forward and center positions, and his talent could be too tantalizing to pass up for a Clippers team that’s looking to improve in a serious hurry.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Deal: C Andrew Bynum, PF Lamar Odom, SF Ron Artest to Orlando for C Dwight Howard, SF Hedo Turkoglu

The fan base might be clamoring for Howard to land in Los Angeles, but it’s not going to be an easy deal to facilitate for the Lakers despite their obvious assets.

Despite having to give up Bynum, Odom and Artest in the deal, any trade that doesn’t include either Kobe Bryant or Pau Gasol for Howard should be one that the Lakers express absolutely no hesitance in pursuing.

Superman gives the franchise a huge personality to usher in the post-Bryant era in Los Angeles, and would prop the current championship window wide open for the team while imploring a core of Bryant, Gasol and Howard.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Deal: SF Rudy Gay, second-round pick to Dallas for SF Shawn Marion, C Brendan Haywood, first-round pick, two second-round picks.

The Grizzlies really need to find a way to free up some cash in an effort to retain Marc Gasol as the club’s starting center.

Gay may be important to the team, but as evidenced by their postseason run, they can certainly win without him, especially if they have a replacement capable of doing some of the things he provides at almost half the price.

Marion might not be the perimeter threat that Gay is, but his staunch defense and ability to contribute in a multitude of ways could really benefit the Grizzlies as they grow as a team.

Haywood would serve as excellent insurance off the bench and would finally give the Grizzlies a legitimate backup center, which is something they’ve been in search of for far too long.

Miami Heat

The Deal: SG Mike Miller, PF Chris Bosh to Utah for PG Devin Harris, C Al Jefferson

It’s no secret that the Heat really need help at the point guard position.

While it’s hard to imagine the Heat breaking up their Big Three, Bosh would undoubtedly be the likeliest one dealt if they were to pursue a potential trade.

Miller is a nice complimentary piece off the bench, but he struggled through injuries and really didn’t provide value for the club.

Both Harris and Jefferson come with unfair stigma surrounding them due to injury concerns, but each have the potential to blossom in a big way if they land on a team where the pressure is off of their shoulders.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Deal: PG Beno Udrih to Los Angeles (L) for SF Ron Artest

The Lakers have to find a way to address their point guard issues moving forward, and despite everyone clamoring for a big name like CP3 or Deron Williams to fill the void, that scenario remains a distant and remote long shot.

Los Angeles proved that they could win with Odom in the starting lineup, and despite the defense that Artest has provided to the team, he hasn’t looked like his former self at any point since joining the team.

Udrih really flourished in a starting role with the Kings last season, and his capability to give the Lakers quality minutes while maintaining sound production is something the club didn’t have from the position at any point last year.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Deal: SF Michael Beasley, PF Anthony Randolph to Los Angeles (C) for C Chris Kaman, SF Al-Farouq Aminu

The T-Wolves are rebuilding in a very big way, but their plethora of wing players is an area that the team needs to address as soon as possible.

With Beasley recently getting popped once again for marijuana, the team could certainly use him as trade bait in an effort to land a legitimate starting center.

Kaman represents a serious upgrade over anything they’ve currently got on the roster, and the move allows them to clear playing time for their young guns on the wing in Wesley Johnson and Derrick Williams.

New Jersey Nets

The Deal: C Brook Lopez, SF Damion James to Indiana for C Roy Hibbert, PF Tyler Hansbrough

The Nets need to find a center capable of pulling down double-digit rebounds on a regular basis if they’re intent on keeping Avery Johnson in charge.

While Lopez has a unique skill set, a rebuilding team looking to add depth and talent to a reshaping roster would be foolish to pass up a package as attractive as this one.

Hibbert has the potential to be a dominant center for a long time, and although he experiences occasional lapses, he has the chance to develop into a better player than Lopez.

Additionally, the Nets grab Hansbrough who will work as hard as Johnson pushes him and has the chance to blossom into a very sound starting power forward for the Nets in the future.

New Orleans Hornets

The Deal: C Emeka Okafor, SF Trevor Ariza to Indiana for SF Danny Granger, SG Dahntay Jones, SG Brandon Rush, second-round pick

The Hornets are going to have to get creative if they want to have a shot of retaining Chris Paul long-term, and it would be wise to give him some help on the wing.

Although they’d be moving on from Okafor, the addition of Granger represents a legitimate star that Paul can play with and would undoubtedly make their attack a more potent one.

It would be really fun to watch what CP3 would be able to do with another player who actually contributes at both ends of the floor as he’s been playing with inferior talent for far too long.

New York Knicks

The Deal: SG Landry Fields, PG Chauncey Billups, PG Toney Douglas, first-round pick, two second-round picks to New Orleans for PG Chris Paul

The Knicks seem fairly ready to create a Big Three of their own, and the team has long been rumored to have a strong affinity for Chris Paul.

Although Fields showed promise in his rookie campaign, if the team can flip a second-round selection as a prominent part of a package for an elite point guard in Paul’s form, there’s no reason that they should hesitate for a single second about pulling the trigger.

The caveat of this deal would obviously be signing Paul long-term, but Billups’ expiring $14.2 million is one of the biggest trade chips currently on the table.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Deal: PG Russell Westbrook, PG Nate Robinson, SG Thabo Sefolosha, C Cole Aldrich to New Orleans for PG Chris Paul, SF Quincy Pondexter

There’s only one scenario where the Thunder could possibly fathom the thought of trading Westbrook, and that’s for CP3.

Although it looks like a lot to give up on paper for Paul, he is an elite pass-first point guard that would allow Durant to thrive in his natural role of “the man” on the OKC roster.

The move would also open up a starting spot for Harden and bring back an intriguing prospect in Pondexter, and the move to acquire Paul is exactly what could push them to the forefront of the Western Conference.

Orlando Magic

The Deal: SG J.J. Redick, PF Ryan Anderson, PF Brandon Bass, PG Jameer Nelson, first-round pick to Atlanta for PF Josh Smith, SF Pape Sy, PG Kirk Hinrich

Orlando needs to bring in talent to play alongside Howard as he wants to see “significant” improvements to the roster to consider signing an extension, and the pairing of Howard and Smith represents a step in the right direction.

Although they’re giving up some nice complimentary pieces in the deal, Smith is an absolute stud who slides into the starting five immediately and instantly improves the lineup down low over anything the club rolled out last season.

Additionally, Hinrich’s expiring deal makes him a rental for one season and provides the team with increased financial freedom if they lose Howard from the roster.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Deal: SF Andre Iguodala, PF Marreese Speights to Los Angeles (L) for PF Lamar Odom, SF Luke Walton, first-round pick, second-round pick, cash

Both the Sixers and Iguodala have been waffling on their stances as to whether or not they want to remain on the same side, and with the team angling to free up the small forward spot for Evan Turner, Iguodala’s departure may help the long-term picture of the club.

They could pair the point-forward with the seldom-used Speights to nab a versatile veteran in Odom who could provide leadership to a youthful squad, and the draft picks would continue to help brighten the outlook of the team moving forward.

It’s going to be especially important for the Sixers to secure some help off the bench if they can’t retain Thaddeus Young, who is scheduled for restricted free agency.

Phoenix Suns

The Deal: PG Steve Nash, PF Hakim Warrick to Utah for PG Devin Harris, PF Paul Millsap, first-round pick, second-round pick

The Suns might not want to deal Nash, but they are a team that is clearly loading up for the future, and this move would continue to achieve exactly that.

Nash is a unique talent, but netting both Harris and Millsap gives the Suns two starting pieces moving forward while allowing Markieff Morris time to develop rather than rush him into the action at the onset of the campaign.

With Harris facilitating the offense, the Suns would have a fearsome front line with Millsap and Gortat as well as future draft picks so they can continue to build around the pieces that should bring success to the team.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Deal: C Marcus Camby to Dallas for SG Corey Brewer, C Brendan Haywood

The Blazers are a team that stands to enjoy success as they’re currently structured, but they could certainly use a little help to push them over the top.

Camby is nice insurance to have behind Oden, but he hasn’t exactly been a harbinger of good health himself throughout his career, and they can’t afford to be weak in the middle once again if they’re serious about competing.

Brewer would bring an element of defense to the second unit that has often been lacking, while Haywood is excellent insurance for Oden and could assert himself as a veteran leader among a very young group.

Sacramento Kings

The Deal: C DeMarcus Cousins, SG Francisco Garcia to Denver for Danilo Gallinari, C Chris Andersen

Despite his immense talent, Cousins has already proven to be a major headache for the club after his rookie season.

Birdman would provide the defensive grit and intensity that the Kings long for in the middle, while Gallo could really flourish as the team’s starting small forward.

The Kings could also get out from under the three years still owed to Garcia as they have a nice number of productive wingmen already on the roster.

San Antonio Spurs

The Deal: SF Richard Jefferson, PF DeJuan Blair to Los Angeles (C) for C Chris Kaman

The Spurs really have to regret giving Jefferson a lucrative extension after another season of pathetic play in 2010-11.

They really need to focus on acquiring a center that they can pair with Tim Duncan for this season, and that makes Kaman and his expiring $12 million deal a natural fit on the roster.

Acquiring Kaman would keep the Spurs relevant in the Western Conference for at least one more season while giving them the size to combat some of the lengthier opponents in the conference.

Toronto Raptors

The Deal: PG Jose Calderon, SF Linas Kleiza to Charlotte for PG D.J. Augustin, PF Boris Diaw

The Raptors appear ready to move on from the Calderon era at point guard, and Kleiza’s signing was one that really only looked good on paper for the structure of the team.

Toronto could land a legitimate point guard of the future in Augustin, and Diaw’s versatility, along with his $9 million expiring deal, could prove to both be strong assets as the team has an eye toward the future.

By unloading both players, the Raptors could free up some financial flexibility and continue to build a youthful club that allows them to compete when all of their most talented players come into their basketball prime.

Utah Jazz

The Deal: PG Devin Harris, PF Paul Millsap to San Antonio for PG Tony Parker, PF Tiago Splitter, two second-round picks

The Jazz suddenly have a surplus of big men on the block, and at least one is going to need to get shipped out of town if they're intent on developing the young prospects Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors.

Additionally, Utah needs a veteran force to stabilize and facilitate the offense with young perimeter players Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks now aboard, and Parker could provide exactly those qualities to the lineup.

Splitter would also serve as excellent insurance off the bench and has the chance to contribute in a big way for the Jazz if he continues to develop his skills beneath the rim.

Washington Wizards

The Deal: C JaVale McGee, PF Andray Blatche to New Jersey for C Brook Lopez, SG Anthony Morrow, SF Damion James

The Wizards have been rumored to be looking to find a way to send Blatche and his off-court shenanigans out of town.

Although the proposed deal would force the team to pull the plug on McGee’s potential, landing Lopez softens that blow immensely as he should prove to be a more valuable contributor for the long run than McGee.

Additionally, Morrow would provide the Wizards with a sniper in the second unit and a stabilizing presence in a youthful backcourt, while James has plenty of potential to really break out after an injury-riddled rookie campaign.