NBA Trade Deadline: Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks-
The Mavericks might be the next team who might make a big run while their championship window is closing. The Mavs are currently sitting in 2nd in the Western Conference much to the delight of Mark Cuban. Although they have played well, there are some personnel moves that could put them in contention. Erick Dampier’s contract is not guaranteed for next season, neither is Josh Howard’s (player option) nor Dirk Nowitzki (player option). Dirk is the centerpiece and won’t be traded, but the other two could be dealt for the right piece. An intriguing team is the Washington Wizards, who could be willing to part with Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, if it meant adding one of Dallas’s young backup point guards and the mercurial Josh Howard. Adding any of the Wizard veteran’s could help Dallas’s surge. The most appealing name that could be dealt for is Chris Bosh. A package of Josh Howard, Drew Gooden (salary throw in), and a pick might be enough for the Raptors to think about. The Mavs will have to be patient and/or creative, but they should be able to contend.
Houston Rockets-
Injuries before the season to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, effectively eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs before the season began. The team, though, continues to play hard and has seen solid veteran play from Luis Scola and Shane Battier. Kyle Lowry, Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry, and new acquired Trevor Ariza have all progressed, and Landry could be among the favorites to win the 6th man of the year award for his tough play. The injury ridded T-Mac has been cleared to play but the team has decided it is best for both parties to seek a trade. The Rockets believe that they can get a good deal of talent/ cap room for the popular star. I think it will be interesting to see if they add a long term deal, such as Andre Igoudala, and concede that they can not make a run at any of the Summer’s talent. They could add a scorer and be in contention next year. Iggy is interesting, but another interesting possibility is Rashard Lewis, a Houston native, who could be packaged along with a Hedo trade exception for T-Mac. This would return McGrady to Orlando to reunite with cousin Vince Carter. I do think it is unlikely, but worth mentioning, as Orlando would have to consider cutting Sweet Lew’s max deal.
Memphis Grizzlies-
The Grizzlies have been one of the most surprising teams in the NBA this year. The trade for Zach Randolph has worked better than expected and he has helped the team mature in to a team that could make its first playoff appearance since 2006. The main thing plaguing this year’s squad is the impending free agency of Rudy Gay. While Gay is not an elite talent, he could potentially be paid similar to one on the open market in 2010. The Grizzlies front office would likely have to allow Gay to leave if it couldn’t match the deal. Both sides know this leading to a very tense trade deadline. The front office is said to be wiling to deal him for the right piece. A name that has surfaces is Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince, whose defensive abilities would be welcome to the team, and there is interest from the Pistons. Travis Outlaw is another option. The Grizzlies are also said to be shopping 2nd overall pick Hasheem Thabeet, as well if it can get rid of Marko Jaric, and free cap room to sign Gay.
New Orleans Hornets-
The Hornets are the one team in the most trouble as they balance the salary cap with competitiveness. The teams recent moves of trading Devin Brown and Bobby Brown away, in addition to previous moves of dealing Hilton Armstrong and Rasual Butler have shown the team is desperate to get under the 69.9 million threshold. Chris Paul is a top 5 talent in the league, however the talent that they have surrounded him with has decreased over the past couple years. Peja Stojakovic, James Posey, Morris Peterson are all aging quickly and all have contracts that last past 2011. None can be dealt easily. The best option would be the dealing Morris Peterson with a package of young talent (Julian Wright, Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton.) Another option would be to package David West with Morris Peterson or James Posey. Any move backwards would likely anger Chris Paul, however, and a Paul-less team may mean no team in New Orleans. The Hornets might be best off waiting another year until the 2011 trade deadline. When the contracts of Peja and MoPete are more easily tradable, giving the team a lot of cap space in 2011, with Kevin Durant, Melo, Oden, and Caron Butler enter free agency.
San Antonio Spurs-
The Spurs are in contention every year. While they might have the 4th best record in the West, everyone knows they are the greatest threat to the Lakers in the west. The Spurs might want to add another post presence, though Antonio McDyess and Rookie Dajuan Blair have played very well. Richard Jefferson will likely utilize his player option for next season, but Manu Ginobili is a free agent and has recently voiced his frustration in not being offered an extension. The Spurs do have expiring contracts to offer, however none would likely amount to much in trade. They might wait for a contract to be bought out in adding a veteran player

NBA Trade Deadline: Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors-

This team is perhaps one of the most difficult to figure out going in to the trade deadline.  Albeit, they are young and have been plagued by injuries, but its beginning to look like this team needs some much needed changes to “Nellie-ball.”  With such a young roster, at the pace that the system is conducted, it is astonishing to see that minutes are so unevenly distributed.  While the team’s best player Monta Ellis, plays the most minutes per game in the league (over 42 a night), its other potential star Anthony Randolph plays just over 22 minutes per game.  Ellis, Corey Maggette and Andris Biedrins all play effective minutes but each make more than they are worth  (each over 9 million), and could be dealt depending on the direction of the team. Right now, this team doesn’t look like its going in any direction, other than standing pat.

Los Angeles Clippers-

After this year’s draft, things were starting to look up for the old Clippers. They secured the #1 pick Blake Griffin and hoped that with some luck, they could make a run at the playoffs. However, luck is never nice to the Clips.  Griffin injured his knee on a dunk in the last preseason game, and was expected to miss 3 months. However, progress was not made and 3 months became surgery effectively ending his rookie season before it ended.  The one valuable piece they do have is Marcus Camby.  He is a strong veteran defender that can play both Center and Power Forward.  A team that should seek him is the Blazers, who have a depleted frontline, would like an expiring contract, and who could use a mentor for Greg Oden and LaMarcus Adridge.  However, if the Clips remain unconvinced of offers, they can wait until his contract expires after this season and free up cap to add a free agent.

Los Angeles Lakers-

This is perhaps the deepest team the NBA has ever seen.  However, there have been concerns about its cohesiveness as a unit.  While this is a remarkable team from a talent perspective, it is scary that they could potentially add another piece to the puzzle.  Adam Morrison’s contract expires at the end of the season, and one time NBA championship hero Sasha Vujacic is up at the end of the following season.  The defending champs could make a run at disappointing guard Jose Calderon or Devin Harris should the Nets decide to shop him.  A rumor about a potential Bosh- Bynum swap is intriguing, but it could be overkill in the addition of skilled bigs they already have. Bynum can provide a certain level of toughness that a frontline of Odom, Bosh, and Pau do not offer.

Phoenix Suns-

The Phoenix Suns are always a playoff team, however, they have never been able to perform to their abilities in the playoffs. The team will go the direction of Amare Stoudemire. If the big man stays they can continue to add pieces to make the team a contender. If he leaves, and is not replaced by another star post player, then Steve Nash and Grant Hill begin to show their age and Jason Richardson’s shot selection gets more questionable.  The Suns don’t have many pieces to move, but if they had one it’d be Leahindro Barbosa. The small quick shooting guard could be a good piece for a budding team to add, the Suns can also move some cash from Ben Wallace’s contract. The Wizards would be intriguing with Mike Miller coming off the books, and Caron Butler potentially available. If the Suns decide to trade Amare, which is looking increasingly likely, I might consider entering a trade to try to bring in Chris Bosh.  If not, the Suns need an athletic power forward.  Also, Channing Frye has been a great addition in the Suns system.

Sacramento Kings-

Tyreke Evans may be the Rookie of the Year Candidate the Kings thought they had when they took him over Ricky Rubio, Brandon Jennings and others.  However, the Kings still have some work needed to add to their roster. Jason Thompson has proven to be durable and an effective young post. The question is can the Kings effectively team Evans with Kevin Martin.  Some including myself, are having doubts about it, leading to a thought that Kev-Mart could be traded.  The Kings might be best of waiting on this trade as they can wait and watch this unfold and make a move this summer.  The Kings have some good veteran trade pieces in defensive stalwarts Ime Udoka and Kenny Thomas, in addition to Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s contract.  With these pieces, the Kings would be wise to acquire draft picks to add to the nucleus or a young talent that needs a change of scenery and playing time. (Nate Robinson, Delonte West, Adam Morrison, Joe Alexander)