New Year's Resolutions: How All 30 NBA GMs Can Help Their Teams

Starting on Christmas Day, players and coaches around the league took the floor to begin the 2011-12 NBA season. 

All teams start with a lot of question marks and speculation on how they will play and who will do well this season. 

While fans see the finished product on the court each night, there is a lot of work done behind the scenes of every team. The coaches and players will make adjustments during the season, but so will each team's general manager. 

This article will discuss the ways that each GM can help his team during this shortened NBA season.

Some of this may be through making trades, some by allowing players to develop; others won't do much because they made their moves before the season started. 

I know GMs are working with a lot of factors when it comes to bringing in new players whether it be the salary cap, luxury tax, trade exceptions or matching contracts, and it can be very difficult to move players. 

These are merely suggestions that may or may not actually work when you get down to the specific numbers.

It seems like, though, if teams want to make it work badly enough, there is always a way. 

Maybe it takes a three- or four-team trade, but there is always a way.

Rick Sund, Atlanta Hawks

Find a Fourth

The Atlanta Hawks have three good players in Al Horford, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, and then a bunch of decent role players.

Rick Sund needs to find a way to bring in a fourth player that can help the squad get past teams in its division and conference and reward fans with getting further in the playoffs. 

The Hawks hope that third-year guard Jeff Teague will turn into that fourth player, but if not, Sund is going to have to make some moves to help this team move forward. 

Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics

Look to the Future

As good as it is to have Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, it is no secret that they are getting older and may only have a few seasons left. 

With the Eastern Conference continuing to get more competitive, it will be more difficult for these guys to win another title and Danny Ainge is going to have some tough decisions to make. 

With Garnett and Allen in the final years of their contracts, Ainge is going to have to start making some moves to add some younger players and help make the team competitive for the long-term.

Rod Higgins, Charlotte Bobcats

Bring in an All-Star

There is a lot that Rod Higgins can do to help out the Bobcats, but one of the biggest things would be to bring in an All-Star player that can not only help the team, but can excite the fanbase. 

Drafting Kemba Walker is a good start to helping the team be more exciting and competitive, but Higgins needs spend some money, take a chance and bring in a big-name player. 

With the new salary cap and luxury tax rules teams now operate under, there is a better chance that Higgins can make this happen.

John Paxson, Chicago Bulls

Wait and See

The Chicago Bulls have already made the best move they could have for the franchise when they signed reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose to a contract extension just before the season began. 

Adding in the free-agent acquisition of Richard Hamilton, and the Bulls will be better this season. 

At this point, John Paxson needs to just wait and see what will come of this season. 

He can expect to see Rose play well, his team to contend in the Eastern Conference and see his highest-paid player miss a bunch of games with a strange injury.

Chris Grant, Cleveland Cavaliers

Beat the Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rebuilding and will be a better team than they were last season.

With the addition of two top rookies in Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, things are looking up for the Cavs.

I am not sure if there is a way that Chris Grant could make it happen, but there would be nothing better he could give his team than a home win over LeBron James and the Miami Heat this season.

Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks

Back-to-Back Titles

After winning their first-ever championship last season, the Dallas Mavericks would love to do it again. 

After losing some key players this season, Donnie Nelson has a job ahead of him to bring in a player who can help the team get back to the finals. 

Maybe he has already done this by acquiring Lamar Odom, but judging from the two-game start the Mavericks have had this season, they have a long way to go. 

Perhaps they have a repeat of last season where they started out rough and finished strong.

Masai Ujiri, Denver Nuggets

Bring Their Own Players Back

No team was hit harder by players being stuck overseas after signing contracts during the lockout than the Denver Nuggets. 

Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith all left and have not been able to return to the NBA.

All three were important pieces on a team that played well after Carmelo Anthony was traded in the middle of the season. 

Martin is a veteran big man and Chandler is set to have a breakout season. 

GM Masai Ujiri must work to have these players return to the team whenever they are eligible to return from China.

Even if they come back late in the season, signing these players will help out in the long-term. 

Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons

Find Some Excitement

The Detroit Pistons have some good young talent in Greg Monroe, Austin Daye and Brandon Knight, but the team needs someone who can fill the seats. 

Joe Dumars does not have the best track record but has a chance to improve it by making some moves to bring in an All-Star that not only improves the team but puts some excitement back into Detroit.

After three losing seasons, rebuilding is getting old and it is time for a spark for the Pistons.

Dumars must find a way to make that happen. 

Larry Riley, Golden State Warriors

Bring in the Defense

New head coach Mark Jackson is preaching stronger defense to the Warrior players, and they are starting to listen. 

For several seasons, this team has been made up of players who can score. Putting points on the board has not been a problem for the Warriors. 

Larry Riley can help out the team and his head coach by bringing in another player who can bolster the defense and is not worried about scoring. If he could find a hard-working, Ben Wallace-type player who can shut down the middle, this team would be very dangerous. 

Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets

Find Another Deal

Even though his deal was denied by the league, Daryl Morey showed that he is not afraid to make a trade to bring in better players even if it means he is giving up some that he already has. 

The Houston Rockets should be a better team anyway this season, but if the right deal comes along Morey will take it. 

He will need to make sure that he is not hasty in trading away his good players, but needs to add some size underneath. The signing of Samuel Dalembert will help, but Morey needs to keep his eyes open this season to see what he might be able to get. 

Larry Bird, Indiana Pacers

Enjoy the Season

Larry Bird has done a great job of quietly building a talented team while using a small payroll needed for a small-market team. 

The big free-agent signing of David West will help improve the team, and the young talent in Paul George, Roy Hibbert and Tyler Hansbrough will help the Pacers to become stronger contenders in the Eastern Conference. 

The young guys who are on the team are extremely talented and will lead the team to a much better season. 

Bird is not going to have to do much this season other than entertain trade offers from other teams trying to take his players from him.

Neil Olshey, Los Angeles Clippers

Preach Patience

After being involved in the biggest player move of the offseason, Neil Olshey does not need to do much to bring in additional players. 

After adding Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers will be contenders this season. 

The best work that Olshey can do this season is to help players and fans to recognize the level of patience that the team needs to be successful. 

He must help others not to buy into the hype surrounding the team, and he needs to quiet the talk that they are the better team in Los Angeles. 

While they may be better than the Lakers this season, the team needs to take things slowly, go one game at a time and not get ahead of themselves. 

Mitch Kupchak, Los Angeles Lakers

Bring Superman to the Lakers

After not being allowed to trade for Chris Paul, the only significant move for Kupchak to make is to trade for Dwight Howard.

Kupchak has already shown the willingness to trade anyone not named Kobe in order to improve the team.

The trade for Howard is a must, not only to pair him with Kobe Bryant for the next several years, but to ensure that there is a superstar in Los Angeles for many years to come. 

Chris Wallace, Memphis Grizzlies

Keep the Team Grounded

Following the most successful season in team history and a great run in the NBA playoffs, Chris Wallace is not going to make many player changes if any at all. 

The Grizzlies are a very talented young team that really doesn't have anything to lose. 

In the first round of the playoffs last season they showed the level at which they can play and have big expectations for this season, especially with the return of Rudy Gay. 

The biggest job for Wallace in this short season is to work with the coaching staff to make sure this team stays humble and realistic. 

If the talent and success that this team can have go to the players' heads, things could get ugly in a hurry. 

The mental side of the game will be a big factor in Memphis this season. 

Pat Riley, Miami Heat

Win a Title

With the Big Three All-Stars that the Heat have, there is not much more for Pat Riley to do this season. 

He doesn't have much control over it, but the team must meet expectations and win an NBA title. 

If the Heat fall short for a second straight year, Riley might be busy making moves next summer, but will just wait and see how this year ends up.

John Hammond, Milwuakee Bucks

Help Stephen Jackson 

In an attempt to add scoring ability to the team, the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Stephen Jackson on draft night last summer. 

Before the season even started, Jackson has started to grumble and complain and there are questions as to whether this was the right move. 

Jackson was basically traded for the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette and John Hammond will not want to go through a season with an upset Jackson who is not playing like he thought he would. 

Hammond will have to work to keep Jackson happy and performing well to help him justify his trade. 

It would be especially difficult if Fredette goes on to have a great rookie season with the Kings. 

David Kahn, Minnesota Timberwolves

Keep Love Happy

David Kahn has put together an exciting team this season that will end with a better record than last season. 

With the addition of Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams and head coach Rick Adelman, this is a team that is on the rise. 

Even with the other talent on the team, the key player in Minnesota is Kevin Love who is in a contract year. 

GM David Kahn needs to do everything that he can to make Kevin Love happy enough in Minnesota to not leave in free agency. 

If this means making player moves and bringing in other players, it must be done.

Losing Love would be a disaster for the Timberwolves and not something the team can afford to have happen. 

Billy King, New Jersey Nets

Deliver Dwight

The New Jersey Nets have been talking about adding a superstar to the team for several seasons. 

Last year the talk was all about acquiring Carmelo Anthony, who went to the New York Knicks.

After missing out on him, the team has turned its attention to Dwight Howard. 

It is now time to end all of the talk and for Billy King to make the deal a reality. It is the only move that will satisfy fans who have waited long enough. 

If Howard does not come, the problems will get worse as it will be very difficult for the team to keep Deron Williams from leaving in free agency at the end of the season.

Dell Demps, New Orleans Hornets

Sell the Team

Dell Demps has already gotten some help from David Stern with the players he received in return for Chris Paul, but needs to do more to make this team attractive to potential buyers. 

The Hornets don't need the added pressure of being owned by the league and need to get a new owner as soon as possible. 

Demps needs to make some moves that will not only improve the team, but will help support the rising stars that are already on the roster. 

If Demps can make another trade and bring in an All-Star, he will help his team to get back on track.

Glen Grunwald, New York Knicks

One More Piece

The New York Knicks need a "Big Three" of their own and need to add one more piece to help out Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. 

The Knicks are hoping that Tyson Chandler can play as well as he did last season and help them to an NBA title like he did with the Mavericks. 

They also added Baron Davis and Mike Bibby, who will help bring veteran leadership, but the Knicks need to make one more move in order to be the favorites in the Eastern Conference. 

The player they must target either in a trade or in free agency is Deron Williams. Don't know how they would pay his salary with the others they have, but if he were added to the Knicks they could be celebrating a championship soon.

Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder

Do Nothing

Unless the deal of a lifetime presents itself to Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder, he can sit back and not make any moves. 

This team is loaded with young talent that just needs a bit more time to mature and gain experience. 

The Thunder were not far from making it to the finals last season and are among the favorites in the Western Conference. 

Give Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden a little more time and they will be raising a championship banner. 

Otis Smith, Orlando Magic

Keep Howard

While other teams must acquire Dwight Howard, it is equally as important that the Magic keep him in Orlando. 

Otis Smith has the challenge this season of trading for whichever players that will keep Howard from leaving the team. 

Except for only a handful of players, trading Howard is not an option as there is not a trade for him that can be made that will be worth it to the Magic. 

Smith has got to make moves as soon as he can to keep Howard happy.

Rod Thorn, Philadelphia 76ers

Shop Iguodala

Rather than making a lot of player moves during the offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers are counting on having fewer injuries and more time on the court to lead to an overall team improvement.

If they are going to make a move this season, the logical one would be to trade Andre Iguodala who has a big contract and good trade value.

Known as a solid defender, Iguodala would fit well on several teams in the league and the 76ers could use him to find a player who addresses another need that the team has. 

Lon Babby, Phoenix Suns

Replace a Legend

Steve Nash is in the last year of his contract and is entering his 16th season in the league. 

Lon Babby has several moves that he could make in Phoenix, but the most helpful will be to look at the bigger picture and try to find the replacement for the almost-38-year-old Nash. 

Last season it looked like it was going to be Aaron Brooks, for whom the Suns traded in February, but he is stuck in China after signing a contract there during the lockout. 

Chad Buchanan, Portland Trail Blazers

Find Some Good Luck

The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the most unlucky teams in all of sports, and that trend continued before the season when the team had to use the amnesty clause on Brandon Roy so he could retire. 

Not only did Roy retire way before his time due to injuries, the team has also been without the services of former first overall draft pick Greg Oden. 

Despite the adversity, the team has been able to stay competitive but need their luck to turn around. 

If Chad Buchanan can create some of that by trades, the draft or signing free agents, it will go a long way to help the team. 

Geoff Petrie, Sacramento Kings

Stay in Sacramento

Jimmermania is alive and well in Sacramento with the excitement surrounding rookie guard Jimmer Fredette. 

After a season-opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers, the level of excitement for all of these young players is very high.

While the Kings have great young talent in Marcus Thornton, DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans, the youngest team in the league really needs a veteran leader who can help the team through the season. 

Geoff Petrie could help the team the most by finding the right veteran player that will improve the team and mentor the young guys. 

John Salmons and Travis Outlaw will try to do this, but they need some help. 

RC Buford, San Antonio Spurs

Get Bigger

The San Antonio Spurs had a great season last year until they ran into the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs and were upset in the first round. 

The most glaring weakness there was interior defense as the Grizzlies dominated the Spurs in the paint.

The team needed to add help for Tim Duncan, but did not do it in the offseason. 

RC Buford could help the team the most by finding some big guys that can support Duncan so that the Spurs do not have a repeat of their early playoff exit from last season. 

Bryan Colangelo, Toronto Raptors

Keep the Coach

Dwane Casey is taking over as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors this season and is going to focus on defense. 

Casey inherits a Raptors team who has not won a lot of games over the last few years but has a lot of young talent. 

He is going to need time to work with this team to improve them and Bryan Colangelo needs to give Casey time to turn things around. 

The sooner players like Ed Davis and DeMar DeRozan develop into the players they are expected to be, and the sooner Casey can get his team to buy into defense, the better this team will be.

The Raptors will have a better winning percentage this season than they did last year.  

Kevin O'Connor, Utah Jazz

Trade Exception

The Utah Jazz recently acquired a trade exception worth about $10.8 million through trading Mehmet Okur to the New Jersey Nets. 

Kevin O'Connor must use this exception wisely if he uses it at all. He must guard against using it just to add any player as the Jazz are now under the salary cap.

The timing of when it is used will depend greatly on how the Jazz finish this season as well as the  team needs at the end of the season.

O'Connor can help this team the most by not trading away any more big men, allowing the ones they have to develop and holding onto this trade exception until the right deal comes along. 

Ernie Grunfeld, Washington Wizards

Have Patience

The Washington Wizards are a team on the rise, but must continue to have patience. In the next few seasons some good changes will take place for the team and Ernie Grunfeld needs to just wait and allow things to happen. 

A couple of the things that the team needs to wait for are related to John Wall and Rashard Lewis. 

The team must wait for Wall to develop and learn how to better play the NBA game. He is still making the mistakes of a young player that he will work his way out of in the next few years. He will develop into the player the Wizards wanted when he was drafted. 

The Wizards did not take the opportunity to use the amnesty clause on the ridiculous contract of Rashard Lewis, and must wait for it to expire. Not this year but next, the team can try to shop his contract or just be happy when it ends in 2013. 

If the Wizards can wait for young players to develop, they will be a good team in a couple of seasons.