With the NBA’s Feb. 19 trade deadline approaching, it is time for every contending team to think about what moves they could make to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run. No team is perfect, with no holes to fill, and with so many teams in contention in 2015, I’m predicting there will be a flurry of activity between now and the deadline. Here is one trade every NBA playoff contender should make at the 2015 deadline.
Atlanta Hawks - Jordan Hill
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Atlanta Hawks - Jordan Hill
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Atlanta is off to a surprising 27-8 start, good enough for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks could use another big body off the bench behind Al Horford and Paul Millsap. Mike Scott and Pero Antic are playing the bulk of those minutes for Atlanta, and the Lakers’ Jordan Hill would be a big upgrade for the Eastern Conference front-runners.
Portland Trail Blazers - Kevin Martin
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Portland Trail Blazers - Kevin Martin
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It’s a shame he is playing in Minnesota, where the team has lost 13 straight games, because Kevin Martin is having an incredible year for the Timberwolves. The Blazers are great as a whole, but their bench is one of the worst in the league -- at least of the contending teams. Martin and his 20-plus points per game would be a welcome sight off the bench for Portland.
Chicago Bulls - Wilson Chandler
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Chicago Bulls - Wilson Chandler
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The Bulls have been hot of late, winning eight of their last 10, but they still need to improve if they want to have a chance against whoever comes out of the Western Conference. With the emergence of Jimmy Butler this season, the only “weak” spot on the roster is small forward. The Nuggets’ Wilson Chandler could at least split time with Mike Dunleavy for Chicago.
Toronto Raptors - Greg Monroe
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Toronto Raptors - Greg Monroe
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Like the Hawks, the Raptors have surprised so far this season and only trail Atlanta by two-and-a-half games in the East. Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson have played admirably at power forward for Toronto, but if the Raptors expect to represent the East in the finals, that’s where they must improve. Greg Monroe is a pending free agent who may not return to Detroit, so his price tag might not be as high as you think.
Los Angeles Clippers - Tony Wroten
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Los Angeles Clippers - Tony Wroten
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Small forward is the biggest need for the Clippers, but a combo guard like Philadelphia’s Tony Wroten would be huge get at a smaller price for Los Angeles’ best team. Jordan Farmar should not be playing any minutes for a title contender, and Wroten would easily take his place. What makes Wroten so attractive is his ability to take over ball-handling duties when Chris Paul is on the bench and the ability play alongside the All-Star point guard.
Washington Wizards - Kosta Koufos
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Washington Wizards - Kosta Koufos
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It’s a necessity to have at least a few serviceable big men in your lineup come playoff time, considering the physical nature of the postseason and how often seven-footers are sidelined with injury. Kevin Seraphin is currently playing the backup center minutes behind Marcin “The Polish Hammer” Gortat, and the Grizzlies’ Kosta Koufos would be a big upgrade for the Wizards.
San Antonio Spurs - Marvin Williams
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San Antonio Spurs - Marvin Williams
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The Spurs have been connected to Williams for a while and could really use a player like him off the bench. The defending champs don’t have much wing depth behind Kawhi Leonard. While Williams, a former second-overall pick, has struggled this year in Charlotte, if there’s anyone who can take on this reclamation project, it’s Gregg Popovich.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Jose Calderon
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Cleveland Cavaliers - Jose Calderon
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David Blatt’s (read: LeBron James’) Cleveland Cavaliers’ team is in complete disarray right now. The Cavs are 19-17 but have lost seven of their last 10. This team could use another calming veteran presence and a ball handler behind Kyrie Irving and James. We know the Knicks are shopping just about everyone, making Jose Calderon a perfect fit.
Golden State Warriors - Gerald Green
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Golden State Warriors - Gerald Green
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The Warriors are 28-5 and there are not a whole lot of places they could improve. The NBA’s best team has a solid bench, and yesterday’s return of Andrew Bogut to the court helped solidify it even further. Leandro Barbosa failed as the backup shooting guard early in the season, and while Justin Holiday has been an improvement, that's where Golden State most needs to upgrade. A trade for Green or signing of Ray Allen would be huge for the "Dubs."
Miami Heat - Lance Stephenson
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Miami Heat - Lance Stephenson
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Lance Stephenson has been a disaster in his first year with the Charlotte Hornets. He’s too much of a headache to keep on a team unless he’s producing, and he’s simply not getting it done. The Miami Heat need some energy, and that’s something Stephenson can definitely bring to the table.
Houston Rockets - Taj Gibson
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Houston Rockets - Taj Gibson
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Power forward has been an area of need for some time now for the Rockets, and it’s about time the team makes a move. Josh Smith isn’t going to cut it, and the duo of Taj Gibson and Terrence Jones would be perfect alongside Dwight Howard. The Bulls love Gibson, as they should, and would only part with him in a deal that makes the team better. The only way I see this happening is as part of a three-team trade.
Brooklyn Nets - Reggie Jackson
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Brooklyn Nets - Reggie Jackson
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The Nets are old (really old) and the future looks bleak in Brooklyn. While the team is in solid position to make the playoffs, it’s clear they won’t compete for the Eastern Conference title so it’s time to begin the rebuilding efforts. Reggie Jackson has been in the rumor mill in recent weeks and is a good young candidate for the team to start the rebuild around.
Phoenix Suns - Jeff Green
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Phoenix Suns - Jeff Green
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As has been stated before in this slideshow, the Suns have “too many” quality guards and need help elsewhere. Phoenix doesn’t have a true small forward on their roster, and Jeff Green and his length would fit perfectly alongside the undersized Suns backcourt.
Dallas Mavericks - Kevin Garnett
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Dallas Mavericks - Kevin Garnett
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The Mavericks’ trade for Rajon Rondo left their bench depleted, forcing Charlie Villanueva to play significant minutes for Rick Carlisle’s team, which is never a good thing. “KG” would be a perfect fit playing around 20 minutes per game and chasing another championship ring before his career ends. Garnett has a no-trade clause, but I'm thinking the future Hall of Famer would be willing to waive it to go to a true title contender.
New Orleans Pelicans - Wesley Johnson
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New Orleans Pelicans - Wesley Johnson
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With MVP-candidate and maybe already the best player in the league at only the age of 21 on the team in Anthony Davis, the Pelicans would be wise to continue building for the future. New Orleans is unlikely to advance past the first round of the playoffs, should they make it, and need to be sure not to trade any assets that hurt the team’s future prospects. Wesley Johnson would be a good complementary piece for seasons to come.
Milwaukee Bucks - David Lee
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Milwaukee Bucks - David Lee
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Jason Kidd has impressed in his first year with the Bucks and has the young team in position to make the playoffs just one year after Milwaukee finished with a league-worst 15 wins. The season ending injury to Jabari Parker, along with Ersan Ilyasova’s concussion and ineffectiveness, has left a gaping hole at the power forward position. David Lee is the odd man out in Golden State and would provide the Bucks with the scoring punch they need.
Memphis Grizzlies - Wilson Chandler
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Memphis Grizzlies - Wilson Chandler
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The Grizzlies are clearly one of the league’s best teams, but they have scuffled of late, winning only four of their last 10 games. Tayshaun Prince and Vince Carter are respected veterans, but they've really struggled this season getting extended minutes for Memphis. This team needs an athletic small forward, and that’s exactly what Wilson Chandler can offer.
Indiana Pacers - Goran Dragic
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Indiana Pacers - Goran Dragic
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The Pacers are not going anywhere this season, and if they make a trade, it really should be for future assets and picks. There are too many point guards, and guards in general, on the Suns, so expect Phoenix to ship at least one of them elsewhere. An acquisition of Dragic would be more for next season when Paul George returns from his horrific injury.
Oklahoma City Thunder - Brook Lopez
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Oklahoma City Thunder - Brook Lopez
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I saved the biggest for last. Kendrick Perkins is playing his way out of the league, and Steven Adams has proved he’s not ready for full-time minutes. The cost to acquire Lopez would not be cheap, but with the Nets’ in a horrible cap situation and with Lopez’s injury troubles, now might be the time to strike for the Thunder. Good luck stopping this team offensively if they somehow find a way to add this Lopez twin.
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