5 NBA Trades That Could Change Contenders and Pretenders

As we approach the NBA trade deadline, there a few players that could be wearing different uniforms in a few weeks. General managers will have to evaluate their rosters and figure out a way to win the NBA Finals. Some teams will be looking for a player that could take them to the Finals this year. Other teams need to take a long hard look in the mirror and transition for the future. So I got to playing with ESPN NBA trade generator and this is what I came up with.


Boston Celtics trade Paul Pierce to Utah Jazz for Al Jefferson
This trade would be ironic, as it was Jefferson being traded to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett that made Boston's "Big Three" and eventual championship possible in the first place. With the news of Jared Sullinger now out for the year along with Rondo, the Celtics need to move toward the future.

Paul Pierce could fill two needs for the Jazz. One being the play maker on the wing the roster currently lacks. Secondly, Pierce would bring the most championship experience into Utah's locker room since Stockton and Malone.

The Celtics would be able to turn a 35 year old Paul Pierce into a 28 year old Al Jefferson. Jefferson could be the low post threat for the Rondo led Celtics for the next four to five years.



Utah Jazz trade Al Jefferson to Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Jennings  
The Bucks could very well match a near max offer sheet this summer for Brandon Jennings. Making their four highest paid players Jennings, Monta Ellis, Ersan Ilyasova, and Drew Gooden. Does that seem like a championship contender? The clear answer is no, and the Bucks would be best served blowing the roster up and bottoming out. Taking the lead of the Thunder and find a true NBA star in the lottery and build young talent around that star. The Bucks need to find that star, and they won't find him being a middle of the road team as a seventh or eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

So they should package Jennings with Beno Udrih's expiring deal. Also, make the Jazz take Gooden and the two years and 13 million left on his deal. In exchange for Al Jefferson, Earl Watson's expiring deal, and a first round pick. This would allow the Bucks to let Jefferson walk this summer. Then, Monta Ellis would more than likely then opt out of the last year in his deal to avoid being a one man show. Bucks could then bottom out and hope they find their star in the lottery.

Brandon Jennings would represent the best play making wing player the Jazz have had since Deron Williams. The acquisition of Jennings would improve the Utah's offensive spacing, and team defense. As either Favors or Kanter would be a dramatic improvement over the slow footed Jefferson. Also, Jennings along with Favors, Kanter, and Heyward would be a solid foundation for the Jazz's future.

         

Los Angeles Lakers trade Dwight Howard to Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal
The Lakers blew a 13 point lead in the fourth quarter to the Suns and more than likely blew a shot at the playoffs along with it. Lakers had a 34% of making the playoffs before Suns game, 23% after the loss. With only 36 games left the five games they trail the Jazz might be too large to overcome. If the Lakers don't make the playoffs Howard will surely leave this summer via free agency. So the Lakers should get what they can for him now.

The Wizards despite the promise shown by Bradley Beal can't afford not to take a chance on Dwight Howard. The have never had a player of Dwight ability in their franchise's history. And in a city run by RGIII and the Redskins it might give Dwight breathing room, the kind he lacks from the media scrutiny of playing in LA.

The Lakers would be able to acquire a two lottery talents in Beal and Jan Vesely. Important as seeing they won't have their lottery pick this year due to the Steve Nash trade. Also Emeka Okafor contract comes off the books next year and won't interfere with Jim Buss' plans of making a run at Lebron after 2014.




Los Angeles Lakers trade Dwight Howard to Atlanta Hawks for Al Horford
A popular trade rumor these last few weeks Howard for the Hawk's Al Horford and Kyle Korver. It would return Howard to his hometown of Atlanta, to play alongside long time buddy Josh Smith. The Lakers would be able to turn a disgruntled Howard into Horford a fringe All Star PF and Korver as good a shooter as there is in the NBA. Horford is also in a favorable deal with three years at 12 million per year left on his contract.



Chicago Bulls trade Rip Hamilton To Orlando Magic for JJ Reddick
The Bulls already like JJ Reddick, they signed to the offer sheet that the Magic match three years ago. Bringing in JJ Reddick would give them the elite outside shooter to help the offensive spacing when Derrick Rose returns. All the Bulls would have to give up is Rip Hamilton, bench warmers Nazr Mohammed and Vladamir Radmanovic for cap purposes and a first round pick for the Magic's troubles. The Magic get to turn JJ Reddick, a player they will almost certinitly let walk this summer, into a first round pick.