Which NBA contenders should make a trade?
By Dylan Hughes
With the trade deadline quickly approaching and needs to fill on some NBA contenders, who should and shouldn’t make some moves?
As everyday goes by, we creep closer and closer to the February 19 NBA trade deadline. Even with all the activity there has already been leading up to this point, there are still contenders out there that need some help to make them the favorites. Along with that, there are also teams out there that don’t need to make a move, and if they did, risk ruining a great thing. Who are the most desperate NBA contenders out there, and who should stay put?
Who shouldn’t make a trade
Golden State Warriors: 35-6. Sounds pretty good, eh? Under first-year head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors have been much better than good. They haven’t even been great; they’ve been fantastic, unbelievable. Any adjective to describe greatness, that’s what the Warriors are. Kerr has made every player on the roster useful, and while they could probably improve in certain areas on their bench, taking just one piece away can foil everything. When great things are happening, you don’t mess with it.
Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have been pretty good, too. You know, they have just won 15 games straight and 29 of their last 31. Second-year coach Mike Budenholzer, after a very lengthy stint in San Antonio under Gregg Popovich, has the Hawks looking like the Spurs of the East. With all of their moving shooters on offense, and Al Horford working his magic down low, stopping the Hawks on offense isn’t really an option. Even a top defense in the league would and have had trouble covering these guys, because they really are that good. Like Golden State, they could use some bench upgrades, but there is no reason to make moves with the success they have had up to this point.
Who should make a trade
Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers could be in trouble. Even with LaMarcus Aldridge playing after deciding to put off thumb surgery for now, Portland’s frontcourt is rather weak with Robin Lopez and Joel Freeland injured for extensive time. Nicolas Batum has had an awful season, and even he is injured and unavailable right now. This Batum injury in particular may end up being a good thing for Portland, as it now gives them more reason to hit the market in search for an effective wing. The obvious name here is Wilson Chandler, but other contenders needing wing depth could call the Nuggets before the Blazers do. If they don’t make a move, this season could end much earlier than fans expected just a month ago.
Los Angeles Clippers: Speaking of wing depth, the Clippers could use some work there as well. Out of all five positions, the only one being out worked by the opposition is at small forward. Matt Barnes just can’t be your starting small forward if you want to win a championship. It just can’t be that way. The Clippers could end being one of those teams calling Denver up about Chandler, but they have also instilled interest in Tayshaun Prince recently. Prince won’t be much of an offensive option, but he can defend the good wing players LA will end up playing in the playoffs.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets need an upgrade at point. For a team that’s winning, I usually would be fine with a player like Patrick Beverley running the point. They are fourth in the conference, and Beverley has helped lead the Rockets’ defense that is near the top of the league. But still, we all know this team would be better off with someone like Goran Dragic. Like Barnes with the Clippers, you aren’t going to win a championship with Beverley starting at point guard. Look at all the point guards he’d have to try and contain in the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs: This one may seem a bit surprising. This one is simply for “just in case” Kawhi Leonard gets hurt again. With last year’s Finals MVP’s injury holding him out of 18 games this season, the Spurs slipped from what usually is first or second all the way down to seventh in the Western Conference. This one is tough for San Antonio, as waiting until closer to the deadline seems ideal, but if they want to go after a guy like Chandler–as everyone else does–they could miss out. Maybe the Spurs just hope things work out, and if not, oh well. They won it last year, right?
The tough part of this list is there are more teams out there that could use help, but some either could win with what they have or aren’t even contenders…yet. That “yet” is the Thunder, as you could expect. All I’ll say on this one is that they should probably try the Nets’ phones one last time and see what they can do about Brook Lopez.
Jeff Green isn’t and won’t be the wing shooter the Grizzlies could use, but they are second in the West and have Marc Freaking Gasol. They’ve gone to the West Finals with less offensive threats than they have now, so I’m not too worried about them.
The Cavs could still use a touch up here and there, but we’ll leave them alone for now. Let’s be proud while they play well.
There have been some wacky trades thus far, but more good ones that have actually benefited every team involved. As the trade deadline approaches and teams get desperate, let’s hope for the latter.