HoopsWorld Trade Addition

2/15/10 - The NBA Trade Deadline finally arrives on Thursday, February 18th. Already the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards have completed a sizable transaction bringing Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to the Mavs for Josh Howard, Drew Gooden and pieces. How will that shake up the Western Conference? Will teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers find ways to improve before it's too late? This may be the last, best chance for the 2010 buyers to open up the necessary cap space to spend. This week's rankings look past the daily struggle for playoff/lottery positions - and at what's rumored to be brewing over the coming days. The NBA 16 weeks in . . .

RANK(LAST WK) TEAM REC. COMMENT
1 (1) Cleveland Cavaliers 43 - 11 The options appear to be Amar'e Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, Andre Iguodala or Troy Murphy. Last year the Cavs rested on their best regular season record. Odds are they don't make the same mistake.
2 (2) Los Angeles Lakers 41 - 13 The Lakers are still a viable contender for Kirk Hinrich but not unless Sasha Vujacic is on the move.
3 (4) Orlando Magic 36 - 18 Brandon Bass would like a new home but Otis Smith is known for being patient with his assets.
4 (3) Denver Nuggets 35 - 18 The Nuggets have a $3.7 million trade exception but with the luxury tax, it's going to take ownership approval to spend twice that.
5 (6) Utah Jazz 32 - 19 The Jazz seem likely to keep Carlos Boozer until summer.
6 (5) Atlanta Hawks 33 - 18 The Hawks could use a veteran big man but don't have a ton of bait - save for Mo Evans.
7 (7) Boston Celtics 32 - 18 The Celtics are tied to a lot of players - Kevin Martin, Andres Nocioni, Kirk Hinrich, D.J. Augustin, Monta Ellis, etc. Any big acquisition probably means the end of Ray Allen in Boston.
8 ( Dallas Mavericks 32 - 20 The Mavs took care of business before the All-Star Break. They can still move Erick Dampier but likely hold, no?
9 (10) Toronto Raptors 29 - 23 The Raptors are holding firm on Chris Bosh - at least until the summer.
10 (9) San Antonio Spurs 30 - 21 The Spurs have to decide if they truly believe this is their year. If they put Manu Ginobili on the market they'd get a solid return.
11 (11) Oklahoma City Thunder 30 - 21 Oklahoma City could use a veteran big man like Marcus Camby - unless they can get a younger one for the long haul.
12 (12) Phoenix Suns 31 - 22 The Suns can pursue the true rebuilding option (J.J. Hickson, financial relief) or try to keep in the mix (Andre Iguodala). The former may not be as flashy but it's probably the wiser choice.
13 (13) Portland Trail Blazers 31 - 24 The Blazers need some size. If Tyrus Thomas is the answer they can bring him in with John Salmons - but it will either cost three rookies or Juwan Howard (plus Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw). If they want to help the Lakers land Kirk Hinrich, they can keep the contributing Howard plus two rookies.
14 (17) Milwaukee Bucks 24 - 27 The Bucks will have plenty of suitors for Kurt Thomas or Luke Ridnour. They'd add a long-term piece if offered . . .
15 (15) New Orleans Hornets 28 - 25 The Hornets have already pared down their salaries to under the luxury tax threshold. If there's anything more to be done it doesn't involve adding on any salary whatsoever.
16 (18) Chicago Bulls 25 - 26 Bottom line - either Kirk Hinrich or John Salmons has to go. Moving Ty Thomas or anyone else requires clearing at least $4-5 million in cap room for the summer. The more off the books the better.
17 (14) Houston Rockets 27 - 24 The Rockets still have the Tracy McGrady chip which many, many teams still covet.
18 (19) Charlotte Bobcats 26 - 25 The Bobcats are shopping D.J. Augustin for some size. Larry Brown still loves Rasheed Wallace. Why'd they trade for DeSagana Diop again?
19 (16) Memphis Grizzlies 26 - 25 The Grizzlies have their $3.3 million in space to help another team with a cap dump - Dorell Wright?
20 (20) Miami Heat 26 - 27 The HEAT need to trim to get under the tax. They'd like to add on a stud power forward but unless the Suns reconsider- that may have to wait until summer.
21 (21) Philadelphia 76ers 20 - 32 The Sixers are willing to take on a smaller, multi-year deal if they can drop off both Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert.
22 (23) New York Knicks 19 - 32 The Knicks would like to but probably don't find a suitor for Jared Jeffries (or Eddy Curry) - so it may be time for a lateral trade (Tracy McGrady). Nate Robinson and David Lee have trade vetoes which complicate matters - although NY would like Lee to stick around.
23 (22) Los Angeles Clippers 21 - 31 The Clippers need to clear Al Thornton and Sebastian Telfair to open a max slot for the summer - but they'll move Marcus Camby and others now for a top-flight small forward.
24 (29) Sacramento Kings 18 - 34 There hasn't been any indication the Kings are ready to pull the trigger on a Kevin Martin deal. Will that change in the next few days?
25 (24) Indiana Pacers 18 - 34 The Pacers aren't going to have much luck trading T.J. Ford but the interest is real in Troy Murphy - but is Indy asking for too much?
26 (25) Detroit Pistons 18 - 33 The Pistons may move their veterans - Rip Hamilton (too pricy), Ben Wallace, Kwame Brown and/or Tayshaun Prince.
27 (27) Minnesota Timberwolves 13 - 40 Ryan Gomes has a built-in buy-out for $1 million for next year - which could clear ~$3.26 million of the books. That's assuming the Wolves don't want to keep that savings for themselves.
28 (26) Washington Wizards 17 - 33 The Wizards cleared out some salary but really need to move Antawn Jamison to get where they need to be.
29 (28) Golden State Warriors 14 - 37 The Warriors could feasibly trade anyone on the roster but Stephen Curry.
30 (30) New Jersey Nets 4 - 48 The Nets can send out Keyon Dooling who can be bought out next year for $500k - along with Chris Douglas-Roberts. That's not a bad package for someone's expiring (a la Adam Morrison).

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This is as good an addition on this thread as any. This is from Hoopsworld, 2/17. It's more of a "not-going-to-happen" trade than one that is, but it gives some insight into Danny and Doc's perspective. They're quoting a writer from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.


– The Hawks are interested in Boston forward Rasheed Wallace but the Celtics apparently aren’t interested in dealing him. It was probably a long shot anyway since (here it is again) ownership doesn’t seem inclined to take on future money. Wallace has two years and about $13 million left on his contract after this season.