Tis the season for conversations around the NBA as general managers gauge whoâs available, fire up their trade machines, and see if a deal can be agreed upon to instantly enhace their roster before the trade deadline. While all indications are names like Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, and Aaron Gordon wonât get shipped, Andre Drummond is the most obvious trade candidate right now. Buyouts and the subsequent signings of big name players by contenders will likely represent the most notable transactions. Regardless, just about every team looking to make a run in the playoffs will consider an upgrade.
Some squads have more glaring needs right now compared to othersâlike the Jazz and Clippers who appear to be on cruise control, the Blazers expect a bunch of key players to return from injuries in due time, and the Nets are most likely sticking to the buyout market. So we decided to highlight eight teamsâfour in the East and four in the Westâand what ails them as well as who precisely could provide a boost before the March 25 trade deadline. Enjoy the speculation.Â
Eastern Conference
76ers
Bucks
Needs: Perimeter defense Â
Milwaukeeâs a mess right now. Five straight losses after five straight double-digit wins have never been done before in NBA history and a 16-13 record is not what any of us expected from the Bucks. They get a slight pass since Mike Budenholzer has been experimenting with new sets and schemes. Which makes sense since Milwaukee was embarrassed the past two postseasons for refusing to make adjustments. Thatâs a big reason why Giannis Antetokounmpo hasnât put up MVP-caliber numbers and the Bucks have been relatively beatable. While the offensive numbers have been robust (No. 3 offensive rating per 100 possessions), itâs been the Bucksâ inability to get stops thatâs most troubling, like we sawâagainâThursday night against the Raptors who smoked the Bucks. Milwaukeeâs defensive rating so far this season is 111.86 per 100 possessions, in stark contract to last seasonâs NBA-leading mark of 103.36. The Bucks rank 25th in opponentsâ 3-point field goal percentage, 26th in opponentsâ 3-point attempts allowed, and 20th in opponentsâ points per game,. What the hell happened to the Bucks?
Milwaukee needs another defender who can handle himself on the perimeter. Preferably a 3-and-D guy who can add an element of danger from beyond on the arc on the opposite end of the court. Hield, who plays a little bit of defense, would be a home run. But acquiring him seems improbable. Plus, why would Milwaukee deal with Sacramento again after the offseason debacle that was the Bogdan Bogdanovic sign-and-trade fiasco? Hill, who played 106 games with Milwaukee over the past two seasons and currently averaging 11.8 PPG and hitting 38.6 percent of his 3-pointers with the Thunder, isnât sexy, but heâs sensible.Â
Celtics
Heat
Lakers
Suns
Nuggets
Needs: Defender, reliable scorer off the bench
The chances of the Nuggets looking outside for a shot in the arm donât appear great since The Athletic reported last week that Denver wasnât looking to screw around with its roster. But after a trip to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Nuggets have underperformed so farâdespite Nikola Jokic playing at an MVP levelâhighlighted by the inconsistencies Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. (not to mention Porterâs complete lack of defense). The Nuggets are 20th in defensive rating (113.60 per 100 possessions) and currently find themselves eighth in the West, just two games above .500. We all know the identity and strength of Denver has never been predicated on defense. But if you donât defend at least a little you donât really stand a chance.Â
The 35-year-old Tucker could be a great stabilizing presence for the Nuggets since he would provide rebounding, defense, grittiness, and the ability to hit the corner three. Rivers is not too expensive, reliable, and his contract isnât guaranteed past this season. Collins would be the ultra-intriguing option since he would add another explosive scorer and rebounder to the rotation, but it doesnât seem likely and he, like Porter, plays zero defense.Â