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The NBA trade deadline is just about 24 hours away and honestly it seems a little quiet this year. I know the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks made a significant trade, but the rumors don't seem to be flying around like normal. That doesn't stop me from making up some trades I would like to see happen.
Phoenix Suns acquire: Reggie Jackson, Thabo Sefolosha, Naxr Mohammed
Oklahoma City Thunder acquire: Grant Hill, Robin Lopez, A.J. Price
Indiana Pacers acquire: Cole Alrich and the Suns second round pick they acquired from the Knicks
Why It Makes Sense: The Suns get a point guard of the future in Reggie Jackson who they were very interested in this past NBA draft. Thabo Sefolosha is a true two guard on a cheap contract for this year and the two years preceding. He fits the defensive philosophy going forward and does many of the same things on that end of the court Grant Hill does. Mohammed is a salary filler with an expiring contract. Grant Hill could be the final piece to help the Thunder get out of the Western Conference. They could put him in the starting lineup or bring him off the bench and start James Harden. Robin Lopez would give them good minutes as a back-up big and A.J. Price is a suitable back-up PG who can hold the fort down until Eric Maynor returns next year. The Pacers get Cole Aldrich, a former first round pick, and a second round pick for a player they barely use.
Boston Celtics acquire: Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia, Jeff Teague
Atlanta Hawks acquire: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, JaJuan Johnson, Jermaine O'Neal
Why It Makes Sense: Here we have a case of two teams that need to shake it up. What makes Josh Smith and Rajon Rondo so difficult to trade is how incredibly valuable their contracts are, great money for production. So it makes perfect sense to trade them for each other. Boston has its PF of the future for when they let Kevin Garnet go after this season. Teague becomes the point guard and Pachulia gives them much needed size and toughness to help them this year. The Hawks build their team around Rondo, Joe Johnson, Al Horford. Bradley and Johnson are two nice, young bench pieces who could possibly grow into starting players some day. O'Neal is a salary filler on an expiring contract, but can also give them minutes this season.
Los Angeles Lakers acquire: Danny Granger and David West
Indiana Pacers acquire: Pau Gasol, Matt Barnes, Lakers first round pick
Why It Makes Sense: Since you read every day the Lakers are insistent on trading Pau Gasol I like this package in return. The Lakers don't get a point guard, but they get a huge upgrade next to Kobe Bryant with Granger who can help space the floor and let Kobe/Bynum work. West is an excellent mid range shooter and would be a nice compliment next to Bynum. The Pacers offensively should be building around Paul George and George Hill. Add Gasol to the mix and that is an excellent crew who are versatile and can fit in with a variety of different rotational pieces. A Hibbert, Gasol, George frontcourt would be my favorite in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers acquire: Kevin Martin
Houston Rockets acquire: Eric Bledsoe, Ryan Gomes, Randy Foye
Why It Makes Sense: The Clippers desperately need a two guard and Kevin Martin's long range shooting ability would be a nice fit next to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is in the business of acquiring young, cheap assets. Eric Bledsoe would be another added to the list and would be a replacement for Goran Dragic who they might lose as an unrestricted free agent. Foye is a salary filler on an expiring contract and Gomes is only $4 million against the cap next season.