NBA Trade Rumors: Moves each team should make by trade deadline

To deal or not to deal.

That is the question.

With the NBA trade deadline only a day away, teams around the league are putting together their final blueprints in order to prepare for the stretch run.

The best part about trade deadlines in any sport is the fact that it allows every fan to play general manager, at least for one day.

With that being said, that’s exactly what we are doing here as I take a trip around the FanSided Network, asking NBA editors exactly what they would do if they were the general managers of their respective franchise.

Let’s get right into it and feel free to comment on what moves you would make for your favorite team.

Feb 11, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) prepares to enter the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Hawks beat the Mavs 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics: Michael Sykes, Hardwood Houdini

For the Celtics, I’ve used the trade machine to construct a monster three team deal between the Hawks, Celtics, and Milwaukee Bucks.

In the deal, the Celtics acquire Josh Smith–who will likely be moved–but they also take in Lou Williams, Luc Richard Mbah Moute, and John Henson. Lou Williams’ deal is probably going to be a snag if that ever game into fruition because he makes $5 million per year over the next three. He’s not a player who fits well into Doc Rivers defensive constructs, but he’ll add a scoring punch that Boston definitely needs.

The Hawks will bring in Samuel Dalambert along with Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, and Drew Gooden. They’ll get an expiring contract with two rookie deals in this to make cap space to go after Dwight Howard and/or Chris Paul. They’ll have to bring in Gooden, who has a pretty hefty contract making around 7 million over the next three years, but after getting rid of Smith it shouldn’t be too much of a hit.

The Bucks will get Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, Jason Terry, and Fab Melo. They’ll get a lot of help that from Jeff Green on a team that is lacking quality wing players other than Mike Dunleavy and Monta Ellis–if you really can count him as a wing player. They’ll bring in a young, raw center and two versatile veterans in Jason Terry and Brandon Bass.

Brooklyn Nets: Jonah Mars, From Russia With Dunk

The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the most talked-about teams during this trade period, but chances are still probably greater that they will not make a move than that they will.

However, one of the biggest rumors they have been involved with is a trade for Josh Smith. In my proposed trade, Smith would come to Brooklyn, the Nets will send MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, and draft picks to Milwaukee, and the Bucks send Brandon Jennings and Beno Udrih to Atlanta.

This trade makes sense for all teams involved. The Nets need a skilled power forward to come in and be able to score this season, which neither Reggie Evans nor Humphries have been able to do. The question for Brooklyn is if they will be able to re-sign Smith in the offseason. The trade makes sense for Atlanta because they acquire someone who can become a franchise point guard in the future. The move only works for the Hawks if they can re-sign Jennings, which they should be able to do if they agree to this trade.

It makes sense for Milwaukee because Jennings has made it clear he does not want to play there much longer and they will get some value for him. The Bucks have been interested in Humphries in the past and they will be able to give Brooks more playing time. The Nets have a lot of draft picks they can trade to the Bucks to help them in the future. Maybe one first and one second-round pick from Brooklyn will sweeten the deal for Milwaukee.

The Nets don’t need to make a trade and chances still are that one will not happen.

Feb 19, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick (7) reacts during the first quarter against the Charlotte Bobcats at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls: Caleb Nordgren, Pippen Ain’t Easy

The Chicago Bulls trade Richard Hamilton, Marco Belinelli and a first-round pick (via CHA) to the Orlando Magic for J.J. Redick.

The Bulls desperately need shooting and Redick’s one of the best in the business. He’s having a career year on the worst team he’s ever played for and his efficiency and passing numbers are somehow up despite the lack of surrounding talent. The Bulls once almost acquired Redick in 2010, and they could really use him now.
Cleveland Cavaliers:  Zachary Kolesar, Right Down Euclid

For the Cavaliers, they would likely be a part of a multi-team trade, as they make a valuable trade partner due to their vast cap space. That would mean they would ship off the expiring contracts of Daniel Gibson, Luke Walton and Omri Casspi. Teams aren’t going out looking for these guys, but it would be a good way for the Cavs to dump off some money before the trade deadline. If they’re going to be involved in a straight-up trade, I would expect them to move a guy like Marresse Speights for a low first rounder. Ever since joining Cleveland Speights’s stock has skyrocketed, as he has seen more minutes on the depleted Cleveland bench.
Denver Nuggets: Michael Waterloo, Nugg Love

From everything I’ve heard the Nuggets are staying pat. I don’t mind that. However, dealing Timofey Mozgov would make sense to me. He’s third on the depth chart and produces when he played. He just is buried behind Kostas Koufos and JaVale McGee. His contract expires at the end of the season and he can be signed for cheap.

The Nuggets could look to Boston who still need a big. They likely will lose him anyway so taking a first or a second or even a project like Fab Melo would make sense for the Nuggets.

J.J. Redick for Mozgov and Wilson Chandler makes sense but Redick wants to stay in Orlando and is planning on re-signing this offseason.