Post by clown on Oct 25, 2010 18:42:38 GMT -5
Eastern Conference
Boston CelticsNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
The Celtics are in the perfect situation right now. They have no holes in the roster as they sit atop the league, and with 3 first round picks in the 07 draft they could easily make a move to cover any injuries. Most of their action will take place in the offseason, when they have some resigning dilemmas.
Chicago BullsNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
The Bulls find themselves in the 2 seed as they control the Central Division, and they are a team that could go either way with a GM that thinks outside the box. If they can upgrade the SG spot, or find a backup point they can make a playoff run, but they don't have a surplus of picks until 2009. Their other option is trading star SF Shane Battier for some young blood, looking beyond this season.
New York KnicksNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
They are just a step behind the Celtics in the talent department, but this team is equally as deep. With no holes from top to bottom, the Knicks will only make a move if a great trade falls in their lap. Their key focus is locking up LeBron this summer.
Miami HeatNeed To Deal:
Trade Ammo:
They didn't have a strong need to trade, but they bolstered their frontcourt anyway adding Brendan Haywood. Their point guards are both young but not yet elite, and moving one of them for a more established vet may put them up there with Boston and New York. Unfortunately, they have no picks in this upcoming draft to work with.
Toronto RaptorsNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
The Raptors could use some more help for Kobe Bryant, particularly an upgrade at the PF position as Marcus Fizer is more of a bench player. With 1st until 2009 and no young potential players they are in a tough position to try and trade from. They most likely wait until the summer to add a 3rd wheel to Kobe and Antawn Jamison.
New Jersey NetsNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
The Nets bolstered their main weakness, the SF position, when they acquired Tim Thomas from the Charlotte Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets. They have no first round picks until the 2009 season, but the only moves they should make now would small additions to the bench.
Need to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets don't need to trade to position themselves for a playoff run that they don't want to be in. Rather, they need to move some of the remaining veterans as they move towards a younger team. Don Reid, Brian Grant, Danny Fortson, Jason Richardson, Gerald Wallace, and Derek Fisher are all veterans that could be attractive to teams in the championship hunt. Also in their stash: 4 first round picks in the 2007 draft.
Washington WizardsNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Like the Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets above them, the playoffs are more of a luxury then necessity for the Wizards. With 3 starters under 20 years old and surprising rookie Ronnie Brewer, this team is built for the future. If they do decide to make a move for a #1 scorer, their collection of youth, cap space, and picks could make an attractive package.
Milwaukee BucksNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
The Bucks have a nice collection of talent, but it hasn't yet fit together. They don't have a first until 2009, but packaging a few of their young wings together for an elite vet is a possibility. Another option, getting a true point and sliding Iverson to SG.
Detroit PistonsNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Detroit lacks the defense to hang with the big boys of the East, but with all their own picks and a nice collection of youngsters and expiring deals, it's not a reach for them to grab a second star to pair with Tim Duncan.
Atlanta HawksNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Atlanta boasts a full set of upcoming picks, and backup Gs Bonzi Wells and Nate Robinson will draw interest. Frontcourt scoring or defensive improvements are areas that the Hawks may target as they are not only in the hunt for the last playoff seed, but the Central Division as well.
Philadelphia 76ersNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The 76ers have done a great job of getting their cap situation under control. They have shed their big max deals, while acquiring young talent and picks. They should stand pat and let the team grow, but trade pieces are there.
Cleveland CavaliersNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Cavs are in a tough situation. Their cap number is fine and they have all their upcoming picks, so they could try and get a third star to pair with Elton Brand and Stephon Marbury. However, those two have been a pair since the beginning and it may be time to start over.
Orlando MagicNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Magic frontcourt remains a mess, but they will be better served addressing it this summer after Kwame Brown's contract comes off the books. Two first round picks this summer could lead to a nice running mate for Gilbert Arenas and Deron Williams.
Indiana PacersNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
It's not a talent problem for the Pacers, who seem to have chemistry and tactical problems. A high lottery pick for a team that drafts extremely well is not such a bad thing, so they should stand pat and let the youngsters develop.
Western Conference
Phoenix SunsNeed to Deal:
Trade Ammo:
The Suns rotation is very good and mostly complete, with their starting five and super sub Carlos Boozer. 7-10 could use some help as the Suns are thinking Championship. They have all their picks available in the near future, but their cap situation bears watching so they have to be creative.
Denver NuggetsNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
It took a season longer then they hoped, but the high priced Nuggets are near the top of the Western Conference. Their starting five is set in place, and they lack the financial flexibility or firsts to make any more moves after acquiring Rasheed Wallace, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Tayshaun Prince this season.
Los Angeles LakersNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Another West contender that has struck early, the Lakers acquired stars Chauncey Billups and Rashard Lewis as they make a run at the Championship. Their 1st rounders are gone until 2009, but they still have cap room to bring on a veteran as teams out of the race sell them cheap. The Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets and Lakers GMs should get familiar with each other as the deadline approaches.
Houston RocketsNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Rockets rode a big splash acquisition all the way to the Finals after getting Antonio McDyess from the 76ers last season, and it may take another trade to get them back there. They have all their picks in the upcoming drafts, and could use an upgrade at C or SF to put them up with the elite teams. This is a team and a GM that flies under the radar, so keep an eye on them.
Memphis GrizzliesNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Last years playoff surprise, the Grizzlies rely on their superstar backcourt combo of Tracy McGrady and Steve Nash to win games. Their frontcourt is good, but not elite, which could hold them back in the West. They don't have any firsts until 2009, but youngsters Marvin Williams, Josh Howard, Dajuan Wagner, or TJ Ford could be moved to upgrade.
Dallas MavericksNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Yet another West team that made their move early, the Mavericks brought in veteran Grant Hill to serve as their number one option while youngsters Andrew Bogut, Rafael Arajuo, and Jameer Nelson continue to develop. They boast impressive depth so a move isn't necessary, so the lack of picks this year won't hurt them.
Utah JazzNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
Of all the Western teams to load up pre-deadline, the Jazz made the biggest moves by getting Jermaine O'Neal and Dirk Nowitzki. The scary part is the 8 picks they have in the next two drafts that can still be used to upgrade, though with excellent depth more trades aren't required.
Sacramento KingsNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Kings were another active team early, both shedding star C Jermaine O'Neal and Gs Tayshaun Prince and Mike Bibby and bringing in Gs Jason Kidd and Jerry Stackhouse. They won't have a 1st this year, but will have 2 a piece in 08 and 09. Their main focus is this summer when they look to lock up Chris Bosh, but they are an interesting team to watch for the rest of this season.
Los Angeles ClippersNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Clippers have struggled to put the pieces around All-World PG Baron Davis, but they are still a dangerous team when they get into the playoffs. Their Achilles' Heel right now is the lack of a star big. Hakim Warrick, a future first, and their over 13.5 mil in cap space may come into play to get a key PF or C.
(LOL) Seattle Supersonics
Need to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
This team jettisoned stars Dirk Nowitzki and Chauncey Billups with an eye on the future, particularly the 2008 Draft where they now have 4 1st round picks. They still have a few veterans to move in Jamal Mashburn, Doug Christie, Erick Barkley, James Posey, and Greg Ostertag. Eddie Jones is there as well, but probably immovable.
San Antonio SpursNeed to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
This Spurs team is ready for the rebuild, and they should try to move their veterans for whatever they can get as they finally have their own first rounders.
Portland Trailblazers Need to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
They don't have a lot of youth to make moves, and their first round pick this year belongs to the Jazz. They may want to find a taker for Richard Hamilton and see what the FA market has to offer next season.
Need to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
The Warriors are a young team, with star C Pau Gasol still only 26. They don't have a first rounder this year, but possess 3 in the 2008 draft. Their main focus should be unloading SF Keith Van Horn to a contender.
Need to Trade:
Trade Ammo:
They have the worst record in the league on lock, so no further tanking is necessary, but they may want to see what's out there for C Marcus Camby and SF Ron Artest. The best part of this season is the 5 first round picks they have acquired in the 2007 Draft.
