What Every Team Should do at the Deadline
@SouthSideSN
As the trade deadline quickly approaches, every team wants to see their team make a move to either better their team for a playoff run this year, or better them for the future. And with the recent trades of players such as DeMarcus Cousins, we see that anyone is up for grabs for the right price. Here’s a quick perspective on what I believe each team should do to better them.
Atlanta Hawks: As of right now the Hawks are 5-6 within their division which you can consider poor. The team resigned Kent Bazemore this offseason and signed veteran center Dwight Howard to a big contract, hoping to replace Al Hortford. The Hawks need to trade for a scorer, such as Paul George.
Boston Celtics: The Celtics are 2nd in the East but have a big flaw on their team. It’s plain and simple, rebounding. Getting a big man to help with that problem can only help them throughout the playoffs. The Celtics need a rebounder such as Andrew Bogut or Andre Drummond.
Brooklyn Nets: Welp, the Nets are a dumpster fire. They are 9-47 and don’t even have their first round pick. What should they do? Well no FA’s are going to be interested in a team like that, and they don’t have very many assets to trade. So… basically it’s a waiting game, they can’t do much at all.
Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets can sneak into the playoffs this season if they make a move before the deadline. They have young talent in Walker and Kidd-Gilchrist. What the team really lacks from looking at their team is an inside scorer. Charlotte could possibly be a landing spot for Philly’s big man Jahlil Okafor.
Chicago Bulls: Although sitting 7th in the East right now, the Bulls seem to be a disappoint so far this season. After acquiring veterans Rajon Rondo and Dwayne Wade, the Bulls looked to have a nice mix of youth and age. The Bulls are looking to the future and are trying to get the Brooklyn picks from Boston in return for Butler.
Cleveland Cavaliers: 1st in the East, multiple star players, good big man, what else do they need? They need to get a playmaker. A nice fit for them would to send a trade to Dallas in order to get Deron Williams to bring wisdom off the bench.
Dallas Mavericks: So far the season looks like a failure in the tough Western Conference. The Mavs are filled with age through Dirk and Williams, and young talent in Harrison Barnes. They need a better player to put them into that 8th seed. A good fit for the Cavs right now would be Iman Shumpert. He would bring a bigger defensive presents to the starting lineup.
Denver Nuggets: Sitting in the 8th seed right now, but that could easily change. They have a skilled front court in Faried and Jokic and young talent with Emmanuel Mudiay. I believe this team needs a skilled 3pt shooter off the bench would help them. A player such as Wesley Matthews for the right deal.
Detroit Pistons: Anything can happen in the East. Detroit is currently sitting on the 8th seed. Rumors have it that Drummond is up for grabs and so is Reggie Jackson. With Detroit’s two best players up for grabs, they must be looking for picks to redo a rebuild. We will see.
Golden State Warriors: THE WARRIORS DON’T NEED TO DO A SINGLE THING.
Houston Rockets: Looking to continue on their great season, led by James Harden, the Rockets just acquired Lou Williams who will help them tremendously off the bench next to Eric Gordon. In my opinion the Rockets shouldn’t do anything a keep playing good basketball.
Indiana Pacers: To me the Pacers have been a huge let down. With rumors circulating about their star Paul George to the Celtics, it sounds like they are looking to rebuild. If the get the Brooklyn picks, expect a great rebuild around Myles Turner.
Los Angeles Clippers: This team is 4th in the Western Conference, they need that extra piece to put them over to compete against the Warriors. Possibly try to acquire a scoring SF. Someone in the realm of Brandon Ingram for the right price.
Los Angeles Lakers: Clearly in a rebuilding mode. Magic Johnson is now the head of Basketball Operations and is looking to build up the long time great team. The team has a top 3 pick protected if they continue, if not it goes to Philly. The team should certainly keep building around young talent in Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell.
Memphis Grizzles: The Grizzles are flying under the radar and have maintained to keep 6th place in the West. They have their franchise PG and C, along with talent in Zach Randolph and Chandler Parsons. This team should look for a decent SG to fit into their starting 5, someone along the lines of Derrick Rose.
Miami Heat: The Heat have lost star power of the years from Lebron, to D-Wade, and even Chris Bosh because of injury, and are looking to release him soon. If they want to try to squeeze into playoffs, they clearly need a scorer. With Dion Waiters as the best scorer as of late and Hassan Whiteside as their rock on defense and down low, they need a perimeter player. A player such as Brandon Ingram if the Lakers decide to part ways with him under Magic Johnson.
Milwaukee Bucks: With the injury to Jabari Parker and the All-Star uprising of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have been all over the place. I just don’t see them heading to the playoffs this year, so should plan towards next season. Possibly try to trade away Greg Monroe for a draft pick for this upcoming draft.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Filled with youth and talent, this team is made for the future but lack that one thing to put them into playoff contention. This team needs a PG to most Zach Lavine to SG and complete their solid starting lineup. A PG such as Reggie Jackson.
New Orleans Pelicans: Fresh off the steal of the season the Pelicans got DeMarcus Cousins. Now, besides this team’s front court the rest of it is pretty much trash. Trading for anyone to help them would be great for them.
New York Knicks: Talk about disappointment…. After acquiring one time MVP Derrick Rose in the offseason and Robin Lopez, fans thought this would be a good team and a playoff team. Now, several months later, their looking to trade their All-Star player, Carmelo Anthony. This team just needs draft picks and need to rebuild now and stop trying for right now.
Oklahoma City Thunder: After the departure of Kevin Durant, the team is pretty much playing up to expectations, besides Westbrook who is playing above and beyond. This team needs more help for him, so possibly a player such as Eric Bledsoe.
Orlando Magic: The Magic are a young and talented team, and are interested in bringing some veteran talent. Much like Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio who could dish the ball to all the young talent with his skill set.
Philadelphia 76ers: Another team that’s clearly in a rebuilding stage but again, loaded with talent. For this team, simply keep drafting the way they are and they have a very bright future ahead of them.
Phoenix Suns: 18-39 clearly isn’t the best record for any team, but this team could potentially have the 1st overall in the upcoming draft. The best possibly case for a team like this would be to dumb some of the veteran talent such as Tyson Chandler for picks.
Portland Trail Blazers: This team has 3 first round picks in the upcoming draft and an already well rounded team. Look towards a strong playoff run from this team next year. As of right now they should just remain how they are.
Sacramento Kings: Well they’re without their franchise player, they just need to rebuild with their young talent they have now.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are in a great spot right now and should remain with the team they have.
Toronto Raptors: After getting Serge Ibaka, they have a very solid team, and will make a strong playoff run if they can recreate the chemistry they had at the beginning of the year.
Utah Jazz: Utah has built a strong team and are sitting on the 5th seed in the West which is very hard to do, they have a strong front court with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, a great scorer in Gordon Hayward and a decent PG in George Hill. This team should go after some scorers they can use off the bench. Possibly picking up Lance Stephenson or trading for Derrick Rose.
Washington Wizards: This team has an absolutely amazing back court with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Along with Gortat and Morris in the front court. This team also needs a defender coming off the bench, possibly trading for Iman Shumpert from Cleveland for picks.