NBA

15 Last-Minute NBA Trades That Make Too Much Sense

NBA Trade Deadline: 15 Trades That Should Happen

Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
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The NBA trade deadline is coming on Thursday, and as expected the level of rumors has turned up a notch already this week.

It's hard to say if we'll see a lot of action over the next few days, but here are 15 last-minute NBA trades that make too much sense.

15. Minnesota Timberwolves F Chase Budinger To New Orleans Pelicans

Chase Budinger Minnesota Timberwolves
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15. Minnesota Timberwolves F Chase Budinger To New Orleans Pelicans

Chase Budinger Minnesota Timberwolves
David Sherman-Getty Images

Budinger has not formally requested a trade, at least as far as we know, but it is well-known that the Timberwolves would like to move him and he might want to play elsewhere. New Orleans is reportedly looking for a small forward, and Budinger looks like a solid fit.

14. Sacramento Kings G Nik Stauskas To Denver Nuggets

Nik Stauskas Sacramento Kings
Jennifer Stewart USA TODAY Sports

14. Sacramento Kings G Nik Stauskas To Denver Nuggets

Nik Stauskas Sacramento Kings
Jennifer Stewart USA TODAY Sports

The Kings are seeking frontcourt help, and Stauskas was first mentioned in trade rumors a month ago. If the Nuggets make multiple moves and clear out some veterans, Stauskas could see a lot of action over the rest of the season.

13. Orlando Magic F Andrew Nicholson To Dallas Mavericks

Andrew Nicholson Orlando Magic
Richard Mackson USA TODAY Sports

13. Orlando Magic F Andrew Nicholson To Dallas Mavericks

Andrew Nicholson Orlando Magic
Richard Mackson USA TODAY Sports

Nicholson barely gets off the bench for Orlando (8.9 minutes per game this season, 18 games played), and the team is reportedly open to trading him. The Mavericks could use him for depth, even though it looks like they will be signing Amar'e Stoudemire.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves F Thaddeus Young To Memphis Grizzlies

Thaddeus Young Minnesota Timberwolves
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

12. Minnesota Timberwolves F Thaddeus Young To Memphis Grizzlies

Thaddeus Young Minnesota Timberwolves
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Timberwolves may look to move Young for the right offer, and he would give the Grizzlies a versatile option that can play both forward spots.

11. Miami Heat G Norris Cole To Cleveland Cavaliers

Norris Cole Miami Heat
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11. Miami Heat G Norris Cole To Cleveland Cavaliers

Norris Cole Miami Heat
Isaac Baldizon Getty Images

The Cavaliers may look to upgrade their guard depth, and Cole's experience playing with LeBron James would make him a low-risk addition as well as a good fit.

10. Sacramento Kings F Jason Thompson To Los Angeles Clippers

Jason Thompson Sacramento Kings
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10. Sacramento Kings F Jason Thompson To Los Angeles Clippers

Jason Thompson Sacramento Kings
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Thompson is reportedly hoping to be traded before Thursday. The Clippers may not be able to give the Kings much back in a trade, but they should be looking for front court depth with Blake Griffin out.

9. Utah Jazz C Enes Kanter To Boston Celtics

Enes Kanter Utah Jazz
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

9. Utah Jazz C Enes Kanter To Boston Celtics

Enes Kanter Utah Jazz
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Kanter has taken a back seat to Rudy Gobert in Utah, and he has said he hopes to be traded. There are conflicting reports on Boston's level of interest in Kanter, but he is a realistic trade target if they want to add a big man.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves G Kevin Martin To Washington Wizards

Kevin Martin Minnesota Timberwolves
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

8. Minnesota Timberwolves G Kevin Martin To Washington Wizards

Kevin Martin Minnesota Timberwolves
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Martin's defense is iffy and his contract is a bit inflated, but the Wizards may be without Bradley Beal (leg) for awhile longer and they are reportedly looking to add a shooter. Martin fits that need.

7. Phoenix Suns G Isaiah Thomas To Los Angeles Lakers

Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns
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7. Phoenix Suns G Isaiah Thomas To Los Angeles Lakers

Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns
Gary Dineen-Getty Images

Phoenix wants to trade from their surplus of point guards. The Lakers are well-positioned to give Thomas an opportunity over the rest of the season, and then take on the remaining three years of his contract without issue.

6. Charlotte Hornets G Lance Stephenson To Brooklyn Nets

Lance Stephenson Charlotte Hornets
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6. Charlotte Hornets G Lance Stephenson To Brooklyn Nets

Lance Stephenson Charlotte Hornets
Kent Smith-Getty Images

Stephenson has not been a good fit in Charlotte, and he has suggested multiple times he would welcome a return to his hometown. If the Nets show interest, a deal could be struck.

5. Toronto Raptors G Terrence Ross To Milwaukee Bucks

Terrence Ross Toronto Raptors
Dennis Wierzbicki USA TODAY Sports

5. Toronto Raptors G Terrence Ross To Milwaukee Bucks

Terrence Ross Toronto Raptors
Dennis Wierzbicki USA TODAY Sports

The Raptors would reportedly listen to offers for Ross, and the Bucks could easily see him as a capable swingman that can push starting shooting guard O.J. Mayo to the bench.

4. Phoenix Suns G Goran Dragic To Houston Rockets

Goran Dragic Phoenix Suns
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

4. Phoenix Suns G Goran Dragic To Houston Rockets

Goran Dragic Phoenix Suns
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Suns reportedly want a first-round pick for Dragic, who is expected to become a free agent after the season. The Rockets could use him, if only to push Patrick Beverley to a bench role where his strengths can be emphasized.

3. Denver Nuggets F Wilson Chandler To Portland Trail Blazers

Wilson Chandler Denver Nuggets
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3. Denver Nuggets F Wilson Chandler To Portland Trail Blazers

Wilson Chandler Denver Nuggets
Jesse D. Garrabrant Getty Images

Denver is likely to unload some veterans, with Chandler clearly on the list of guys that could be traded. Recent reports suggest the Trail Blazers may have strong interest in him as they look to add a small forward.

2. Denver Nuggets G Arron Afflalo To Miami Heat

Arron Afflalo Denver Nuggets
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

2. Denver Nuggets G Arron Afflalo To Miami Heat

Arron Afflalo Denver Nuggets
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets apparently want multiple first-round picks for Afflalo. With Dwyane Wade consistently banged up, the Heat may be willing to meet that asking price as they look to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

1. Brooklyn Nets C Brook Lopez To Oklahoma City Thunder

Brook Lopez Brooklyn Nets
Adam Hunger USA TODAY Sports

1. Brooklyn Nets C Brook Lopez To Oklahoma City Thunder

Brook Lopez, Brooklyn Nets
Adam Hunger USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City's interest in Lopez dates back to January, and trade talks have reportedly picked back up recently. If the Nets are motivated to move him and can get something close to what they seek in return, Lopez could make Oklahoma City a legit title contender.

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