Every NBA team's biggest need at the trade deadline

Biggest need: bench scoring

As the league's No. 1-rated defense and No. 6-rated offense, the Bucks don't have any major holes on their roster that need to be filled as the trade deadline nears. Milwaukee's bench rotation includes a number of hard-playing defenders and three-point shooters who all seem to average between five to seven points per game in the 15-20 minutes they play every night. With their starters scoring approximately 75 percent of their points every game, the Bucks could use a professional scorer off the bench once the playoffs begin and rotations get smaller. Names like Kent Bazemore, TJ Warren, Rodney Hood and Tim Hardaway Jr. all come to mind for such a role; however, the Bucks have to be careful about taking on a big contract like Bazemore or Hardaway because Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe both hit free agency this offseason. 

Biggest need: nothing...wing depth, if we're being picky

What could the greatest roster ever assembled possibly need? If we're being honest, it doesn't need anything. The Warriors have five All-Stars in their starting lineup and one of the most overqualified sixth man in NBA history (Andre Iguodala) coming off the bench. As long as Steph Curry doesn't get injured, they're almost guaranteed to win a championship this season. Besides health, the Warriors' only real roster flaw is their depth at wing after Iguodala. In the past, Shaun Livingston helped fill that void as a point guard in a small forward's body. However, Livingston has fallen off a bit in the past two seasons, and Jonas Jerebko and Alfonzo McKinnie probably wouldn't be enough on a "normal" contender. If they do make a move, look for the Warriors to go after a guy like JR Smith in the trade or buyout market.

Biggest need: three-point shooting

The Raptors are a very good team with a very obvious problem: They're only 18th in the league in three-point shooting (34.8 percent). Some of that has to do with Kawhi Leonard not playing in back-to-back games. Some of it has to do with Kyle Lowry only shooting 32 percent from three-point range. No matter how you slice it, the Raptors need another three-and-D wing (with an emphasis on the "three"). Some names who will be linked to the Raptors over the next few weeks include: Wayne Ellington , Terrence Ross, JR Smith and Courtney Lee. Expect Toronto to make a concerted effort to find some shooting at the deadline. Or...they could make a monster offer to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis and go all in on this season.

Biggest need: a healthy roster

The Nuggets' fantastic first half is all the more impressive when you consider they haven't been remotely healthy this season. Every major cog in their rotation, besides Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, has missed significant time due to injuries. Paul Millsap has missed eight games. Gary Harris has missed 18 games. Will Barton has missed 39 games. Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr.? Neither has appeared in a single game this season. The Nuggets' roster is loaded with young talent. No need to make any significant moves at the trade deadline when you're playing with house money. Let the team get healthy and see how far Jokic, Murray, Harris and Co. can take you in the playoffs. Then in the offseason, address the holes on the roster, if any.

Biggest need: crunch-time scoring

Injuries suck. Imagine being a Pacers fan right now. You helplessly watch Danny Granger's promising career abruptly fall off a cliff due to chronic knee injuries. Next, you witness Paul George's meteoric rise to stardom paused as his leg snaps in two during a Team USA scrimmage. After an impressive rebuild puts your team back in contention in the East, your newest star, Victor Oladipo, suffers an absolutely gut-wrenching ruptured quad muscle injury right before the trade deadline. With Oladipo out for the season, and possibly never the same, the Pacers once again have an alpha dog-sized void in their lineup. From a schematic standpoint, the Pacers need a crunch-time scorer to replace Oladipo's late-game production (he was  second in the league in clutch scoring ) to make a run in the playoffs. There are certainly players on the trade block who can fill that void, like Tim Hardaway Jr., but most will come with the unwanted baggage of a bad long-term contract. Perhaps Tyreke Evans and Aaron Holiday can take on some of Oladipo's role? 

Biggest need: perimeter defense

The 76ers are really close. In fact, when you look at the talent on their roster, you can talk yourself into them going to the NBA Finals. Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP. Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick are all performing like All-Stars. It's a great roster on paper, but in reality, they're a point guard-stopper away from being a true title contender. Butler and Simmons are better at defending wings, and T.J. McConnell, as scrappy as he can be, shouldn't be expected to dog the elite point guards of the NBA around for an entire game — let alone an entire series. They need an athletically gifted perimeter defender. Perhaps that player is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ? Perhaps it's Patrick Beverley or Courtney Lee? 

Biggest need: shooting

Surprise, surprise. The Thunder are one of the most athletic, best-rebounding and defending teams in the NBA — just like they have been the entire Billy Donovan era. Surprise, surprise. The Thunder are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the NBA — just like they have been the entire Billy Donovan era. Unless the Lakers or Rockets pull off a blockbuster trade, the team best equipped to push the Warriors in a seven-game series is a better-shooting version of the Thunder. If they could improve their 21st-ranked three-point shooting percentage to, say, 10th-best, they could probably make the Warriors sweat a bit. Look for OKC to make a run at shooters like Wayne Ellington, Terrence Ross and Kent Bazemore at the deadline.

Biggest need: someone who gets to the free throw line

Despite their star power and physical players, the Celtics surprisingly shoot under 20 free throws per game (19.5/game), which is the second-fewest in the NBA. With plenty of talent and assets, the Celtics should use this trade deadline to address this weak spot and simultaneously sort out the pecking on their roster. They could use Terry Rozier to acquire a big man like Nikola Vucevic. Or, if they really want to get wild, they could use Jaylen Brown to get a PER monster and super sixth man on a great contract like Montrezl Harrell. It'd be a bit of a risk to trade away an asset like Brown, but Harrell is only 25, on a great contract and could be a high-level role player for the next five to seven years in Boston.

Biggest need: an offensively gifted wing

Much like the Thunder, the Trail Blazers have had the same strengths and weaknesses for years. The Blazers have this incredible backcourt with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and two good, young centers in Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins, yet they're relying on Al-Farouq Aminu and Evan Turner to hit important open shots in tight games. It's time for the Blazers to get a legitimate scoring option either at wing or forward. Kevin Love, Kent Bazemore, TJ Warren and Otto Porter should all be available at the deadline. Time for the Blazers to push the chips to the center of the table.

Biggest need: a healthy roster and another battle-tested wing

With James Harden playing the best basketball of his career and in the midst of a torrid 23-game stretch of scoring 30 or more points, the Rockets need to strike a balance between letting Harden cook and not wearing him down before the postseason. Fortunately for Houston, Harden's burden just got a little lighter with Chris Paul's return to the lineup a few days ago. Kenneth Faried's arrival has also taken some of the pressure off general manager Daryl Morey to make an immediate move for a big man while Clint Capela heals. Houston will also be in the market for a veteran three-and-D wing at the trade deadline. Perhaps a Trevor Ariza return is in the cards? Regardless of who they bring in, the Rockets will need Harden to continue to play at an MVP level to be a contender.

Biggest need: long-distance shooting

Despite having the NBA's fifth-highest-rated offense, the Spurs attempt the third-fewest three pointers in the league. We all know how much coach Popovich and his stars, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, hate three-pointers, but they're going to have to embrace the shot a little more than they presently are if they want to compete in the playoffs. TJ Warren could be an interesting fit in San Antonio with his accuracy from deep, but preference for the mid-range game. Terrence Ross could also be a solid fit and continue coach Popovich's quest to recreate the 2013-14 Toronto Raptors.

Biggest need: a secondary scorer

Like they have every season under Quin Snyder, the Jazz have started the second half of the season hot, winning nine of their last 10 games. With Donovan Mitchell taking on more of a point guard role, and Rudy Gobert anchoring a stifling defense, the team seems poised to make a run at the two-seed out West. Perhaps the only thing keeping Utah from being a true contender is its inability, at times, to score the basketball. The Jazz need a secondary scorer for when Mitchell's shot isn't falling. Tim Hardaway Jr. would be perfect for this team if not for his unpalatable contract. Carmelo Anthony would be a nice fit here — NOT! Just making sure you're still reading. Another potential move would be to deal Ricky Rubio, Derrick Favors and some draft picks for Mike Conley.  

Biggest need: maintaining cap flexibility

Coming into this season, not many people expected the Clippers to be a playoff team. They still might not end up being a playoff team because the Western Conference is so loaded, but at 28-23, they're having a great season. This season's success can't let them lose sight of the big picture, however. With room for two max contracts this summer, the Clippers should not make any moves that cause them to take on money past this season. Therefore, their deals will likely be of the less impactful variety. Heck, with such a deep roster, they could probably be sellers at the deadline and still try to compete for the playoffs. A successful deadline would probably have them shipping two of Patrick Beverley, Milos Teodosic and Avery Bradley. This would open up more minutes for their younger guards and bring them some nominal assets.

Biggest need: a healthy lineup and a bargain deal

Somebody put some bubble wrap around D'Angelo Russell! Seriously, every time one of Brooklyn's young ball-handlers starts to break out, he suffers an injury. First it was Caris LeVert, who was playing like a borderline All-Star before suffering a horrific-looking dislocated foot injury. Next, Spencer Dinwiddie stepped up and started looking like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, only to tear a ligament in his thumb. Now Russell appears to have made a leap, as he is averaging 24 points and seven assists per game over the past 15. Hopefully, he doesn't succumb to the same fate as LeVert and Dinwiddie before him. As far as trades go, the Nets should be opportunists at the deadline and try to snag a diminished asset or draft pick as the third team in a deal.  

Biggest need: another star

With Anthony Davis demanding a trade from New Orleans, the Lakers have a one-week opportunity to swoop in and get him before the Celtics have a chance to this offseason. Everyone on the roster not named LeBron James should and will be on the table. If the Pelicans balk or ship Davis elsewhere, the Lakers should call every team that could feasibly trade a star for the right deal. Call the T-Wolves and offer all the young assets for Karl-Anthony Towns. Call the Wizards and offer Ingram, Ball and Hart for Bradley Beal. Call the Hornets and float an Ingram and Ball for Kemba Walker deal. The Lakers shouldn't waste a year of James' prime.

Biggest need: a star

As one of the slowest and lowest scoring teams in the NBA, the Heat sure could use a go-to guy. They came close to trading for Jimmy Butler earlier this season, so they have the assets to make some type of move. The problem they may run into, however, is that there might not be star players on the market for Miami to sneak in and outbid the field (besides Anthony Davis, who they won't be able to "sneak in" on). The Wizards claim they aren't going to deal Bradley Beal. Ditto for the Hornets and Kemba Walker. If the Heat are unable to snag a star at the deadline, then Miami should try to get off at least one of its bad contracts (Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson, James Johnson, Kelly Olynyk or Dion Waiters — YIKES!). 

Biggest need: a trade deadline that doesn't compromise their future

Behind the respective emergences of De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, the Kings have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. However, just because they have a chance to make the playoffs doesn't mean that they should mortgage their future to get the seven or eight seed. In other words, Sacramento shouldn't be overpaying for guys like Marc Gasol or Kevin Love or Enes Kanter or Otto Porter. The Kings' young core will lead them to the playoffs for many years in the future. Thus, patience is a virtue for Sacramento at the deadline.

Biggest need: a fire sale

Note: There is a drastic difference between what Charlotte should do this deadline and what they will do this deadline. As hard as it would be to trade their franchise player, Charlotte should auction off Kemba Walker to the highest bidder. Any deal involving Walker should include one of their three horrific contracts (Nic Batum, Bismack Biyombo and Marvin Williams), and bring back a draft pick or young prospect. The Hornets should also use Malik Monk as a vehicle to get off a second one of those contracts. The goal should be to have as clean of a cap sheet and as high of a draft pick as possible at the end of this season. However, we all know what the Hornets will do instead. They'll hold onto Walker and offer him the five-year max contract, thereby extending their window as a team with a first-round ceiling for many years to come.

Biggest need: cap space

The T-Wolves are 5-5 after firing Tom Thibodeau and face some interesting trade deadline decisions. With Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Robert Covington locked into long-term contracts, Gorgui Dieng's ugly contract and Jeff Teague's pricey player option looming, the T-Wolves pretty much have their roster set for the next couple of seasons. Is the Towns, Wiggins, Covington and Dario Saric core one that could take Minnesota deep into the playoffs? It depends on how much Towns and Wiggins improve. The T-Wolves will need to maximize the rest of their cap space to contend in the future. Could they unload Teague to a point guard-needy team trying to make the playoffs, like the Magic? Could they use a protected first-rounder to entice a team into taking on the Dieng contract? 

Biggest need: a king's ransom for Anthony Davis

As you by now know, Anthony Davis has demanded a trade from New Orleans and is one of the best players to hit the trade market in NBA history. The Pelicans have the option of trading him now to one of the 10 or so legitimate suitors or waiting until the Celtics (who can't acquire Davis now unless they trade Kyrie Irving) and Knicks (who are hoping they'll have the No. 1pick in the NBA Draft) can make their respective offers this summer. No matter when the Pelicans decide to trade Davis, they had better get a king's ransom for him — multiple prospects with star potential and future first-round draft picks. While they're at it, they might as well tank and trade Julius Randle, Nikola Mirotic and E'Twaun Moore for future draft picks. It'll be interesting to see what they do with Jrue Holiday this trade deadline — he's an All-NBA-caliber guard on a fair long-term contract. Will they keep him around in hopes of a quick turnaround? Or will they hit the "reset" button on everything?

Biggest need: Peripheral pieces

The Mavs stunned the sports world when they swung a deal to bring Kristaps Porzingis to Big D. Assuming he can return to his pre-injury form, the Mavs must now surround Luka Doncic and Porzingis with the best complementary pieces they can find. 

Biggest need: a nice guard and cap space

The Reggie Jackson experiment clearly isn't going to work for the Pistons. The Andre Drummond experiment, despite his strong raw numbers (17 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks per game), probably isn't going to work alongside Blake Griffin either. Could the Pistons use this deadline as a way to get off one of those contracts? They'll have trouble off-loading Jackson, but perhaps they could swap Drummond for a young guard or two with some upside? Would Charlotte attach Malik Monk and Dwayne Bacon to Nic Batum in exchange for Drummond? Or would the Grizzlies be interested in a trade centered around Mike Conley and Drummond? Whatever they end up doing at the deadline, Detroit needs to make the most of this excellent season Blake Griffin is having by getting him better options at the guard positions.

Biggest need: cap space

It's been quite a fall from grace for the Wizards over the past couple of seasons. Two years ago, they were a couple of plays away from making the conference finals. Today, they're 21-29 and in 10th place in the top-heavy Eastern Conference. Oh, they also are the proud owners of two of the worst contracts in the NBA (John Wall and Ian Mahinmi). Time to blow it up! Washington should be looking to trade Otto Porter, Markieff Morris and Trevor Ariza for as much cap relief and/or future assets as possible this deadline. Heck, even if the right Bradley Beal offer materializes, the Wizards should strongly consider pulling the trigger and starting the full reboot so they can transition out of the John Wall era as quickly as possible.

Biggest need: point guard 

Remember when the Magic's official Twitter account fired off this pathetic tweet at the end of last season? You would think finding a point guard would be the team's top priority last summer, right? Wrong. Instead of landing a long-term point guard, the Magic chose to roll with D.J. Augustin. Well, Augustin is averaging less than one assist more per game (4.7) than Shelvin Mack did last season (3.9). That's not good — especially with all of the young big men on Orlando's roster. The Magic should be calling the Celtics about Terry Rozier, the 76ers about Markelle Fultz and the Grizzlies about Mike Conley every day leading up to the trade deadline.

Biggest need: cap space

The Grizzlies made an admirable effort at trying to make the playoffs this season. Unfortunately, the Western Conference is as loaded as it's ever been, and Memphis' inability to put forth a consistent offensive effort eventually caught up with it. Now it's time to move on from the Grit 'N' Grind era, keep its draft pick for this summer (which conveys to the Celtics if it falls outside the top eight) and transition into the Jaren Jackson Jr. era. The three obstacles standing in the Grizzlies' way are the respective contracts of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Chandler Parsons. Conley should have some trade value that could yield the Grizzlies a solid return. Gasol might not bring back much in the way of assets, but he could help them get some long-term cap relief. Parsons will cost them something to trade, but it'll all be worth it if they can start their rebuild a year or two early.

Biggest need: Zion Williamson!!

The Hawks are an interesting team to monitor because they have a vision and a rebuilding strategy, and they're sticking to it — for better or for worse. With three first-round draft picks last summer and two more this summer (unless Dallas finishes in the bottom five), general manager Travis Schlenk, a Bob Myers disciple in Golden State, clearly wants as many bites at the apple as possible. Well, there's a golden apple at the top of this draft — Zion Williamson — who would be the perfect centerpiece of Atlanta's rebuild. The Hawks need to do whatever they can to get their hands on that top draft pick. They should deal Kent Bazemore, Dewayne Dedmon and Jeremy Lin for future draft picks and brazenly tank the rest of the season. Even if they don't land the No. 1 pick, they might have enough draft capital to trade up to the top spot if they play their cards right the rest of the year.

Biggest need: a new front office

What is the plan here GarPax (Gar Foreman and John Paxson)? You fired the franchise's best coach since Phil Jackson (Tom Thibodeau) to bring in a more offensive-minded, player-friendly coach (Fred Hoiberg). Then you went out and signed two of the most forceful personalities and worst shooters in the league in Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. After that fiasco, you traded Jimmy Butler and began a rebuild. Then you fired Hoiberg before he got a chance to develop the young team. Then you promoted a coach who was so far out of touch with reality that the team nearly staged a full-blown mutiny a few days into his tenure. Then you gave that same coach an extension. What on earth is going on here? With promising players like Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and whomever they draft in the top five this summer under Chicago's control for most of the next decade, the Bulls need to fire GarPax and bring in a front office with a real vision.

Biggest need: assets and draft capital

Everything must go! The Cavs should be selling anything that could get them any type of future asset and/or draft pick. Kevin Love? Auction him off to whichever contender wants to go all in this season. Tristan Thompson? Surely some team could use his services. Rodney Hood? Alec Burks? Go add a couple of second-round picks to your portfolio. Heck, if a team offers a projected lottery pick for Collin Sexton, the Cavs should probably take that too. Cleveland should adopt the Hawks' approach toward rebuilding: acquire as many future draft picks as possible and hope that you tank your way into Zion Williamson and some hidden gems along the way.

Biggest need: point guard

Although the Devin Booker at point guard experiment has yielded promising returns, the Suns still need to get a professional point guard on their roster as soon as possible. The reasoning is two-fold: First, a good, pass-first point guard would be immensely helpful in the development of Deandre Ayton, who is putting up an impressive 16 points and 11 rebounds a game as a rookie. Second, for Booker to maximize his potential, he needs to continue to develop off-the-ball as well. Having another guard who can get him some open shots will be important to his growth as he prepares to enter his prime. Plus, most good teams have two good ball-handlers anyway. Mike Conley would be a real interesting fit in Phoenix if the teams could make the salaries work. 

Biggest need: Two max players

Following the blockbuster deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks are apparently all in on landing two max players this summer, so for the rest of the 2018-19 season, expect the Knicks to now make some smaller deals in order to make a run at Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson or any other max-level player looking for work come June.