NBA Trade Deadline: Northwest Division

With the greatest summer in NBA Free agency half a season away, the trade deadline looms as potentially the most active one in history.  Here’s what to look for:

Denver Nuggets-

The Nuggets are the third best team in the Western Conference and will likely finish the season in roughly that range.  They lack any true needs, but could add another good post defender to go against Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol.  They have shown interest in Jeff Foster, but they have no real pieces that they can move. Kenyon Martin and Nene have less than desirable contracts, and the rest of the bunch wouldn’t amount to much in a trade.  If a player is bought out, look for the Nuggets to make a move.  

Minnesota Timberwolves-

The Timberwolves have the 2^nd worst record, next to the lowly Nets.  The Wolves have a lot of expiring contracts, however I don’t think that they will be able to convince many free agents to join in on the rebuilding.  The Wolves might be wise to move some expiring contracts for some additional talented pieces, the Pistons and Knicks have some contracts that need to be traded, and might be willing to trade capable players to do so.

Oklahomo City Zombie Sonics-

The Zombie Sonics are the resurgent team of 09-10. With a core of young stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and fellow young complements in Jeff Green and James Harden, the Thunder can look to make a playoff push.  The Thunder should look to add a defensive enforcer or athlete that can play with his back to the basket in the frontcourt to complement face up bigs Green and Nenad Kristic.  I doubt that any would be available but it might be worth asking about some talents that are said to be available at the right price. (Amare Stoudemire, David Lee, Al Jefferson, Brendan Haywood)

Portland Trailblazers-

The Blazers were the trendy pick heading into the season.  They had a resurgent 08-09 campaign clinching the 4^th seed in the West, without the services of the heralded Greg Oden. However, injuries have sidelined Small Forwards Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, and Nicolas Batum for extended periods of time and have knocked out starting Center Oden and his backup Joel Pryzbilla for the remainder of the regular season. The depleted Blazers have been starting old timer Juwan Howard and been backing him up with power forwards Jeff Pendegraph and Dante Cunningham.  While all have played very well, I have strong doubts about their ability to maintain their play and health over the course of the season.  Free agent signing Andre Miller hasn’t meshed with the team, which could make him movable. While Outlaw and the other PG Steve Blake have expiring contracts which can be moved, along with the expiring contract owed to Darius Miles.  The Blazers have expressed a desire to not add any long term payroll, but might be willing to if the right piece became available (Caron Buter, Tayshaun Prince).  The Blazers are left with options of Marcus Camby, Jeff Foster and Brendan Haywood.  Haywood would make the most sense short term, while the others make more sense in the long run.

Utah Jazz-

The Jazz are a team that could be very different with a trade in place.  As it stands now, the Jazz are the 8^th seed in the Western Conference.  Although they would put up a good show, they do not have the firepower to take on the best teams in the conference.  This would mean that they could add another part to make them a viable threat in the playoffs.  However, they have Carlos Boozer on their team who would be an attractive trade value for another contending team. They are now faced with an interesting dilemma of getting return for a player that will leave after the season or keep him and trade for a similar player to make a playoff push.  I think a trade for the Zombie Sonics Etan Thomas and Nick Collison, would put the team in good position for free agency in 2011, when Andre Kirilenko’s contract expires.  Bill Simmons suggests trading Kirilenko, Kyle Korver, cash, and New York’s 1^st rounder for Kevin Martin and Kenny Thomas. I think this might be a little too farfetched for the Jazz. These next years of formative building around Deron Williams will be interesting. Stay tuned to the Franchise Sports Blog for continued coverage of the NBA Trade Deadline with updates to be released shortly!