Trade Mania

Clips vs Lakers/AP Images

It’s that time of year when every player seems to be getting shopped. So what are some of the moves the teams in the Pacific Division should make?


By Braedan Ritter


Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers are good. They made their deal already. They got Chris Paul to pair with Blake Griffin. Although they probably should have picked up J.R. Smith when he was available as a free agent, because they need a shooting guard. It’s going to be tough for the Clips to make it to the Finals, but it’s not out of the question. Losing to the Suns recently isn’t going to help their case though.

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers should be doing everything they can to get Dwight Howard. They had their Chris Paul deal, but David Stern decided to kill it. So now they have to play without a point guard. But really anyone can pass the ball to Kobe and then stand around while he decides where he wants to shoot from. Now, the Lakers’ best chance to make this team better, is to get the best big man in the league. They would probably have to give up Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, or maybe Bynum and one or two first-rounders, but they need to pull the trigger.

Phoenix Suns: The Suns need to put Steve Nash on a contender. I’ve said this before, but it is a travesty he is playing one of his final years on this team…a travesty. Nash will never ask out, but he has every reason to. His teammates are a combination of average guys and old dudes. I don’t even care if the Suns get ripped off in the deal. Nash needs to be put on a good team, and it doesn’t matter what it does to Phoenix.

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors should shop Monta Ellis around. They don’t really need Monta and Stephen Curry, and Curry is the younger and better player. If the Warriors could swap Ellis for a big man that would be huge going forward for them. They could even try for Dwight Howard. They would have to throw in other pieces, including a couple first round picks, but Howard is the most dominant big man in the game, and any team should be trying for him. The bottom line is Curry and Ellis will both benefit when they’re apart, and Ellis has to be the one to go, even with Curry’s glass ankles.

Sacramento Kings: What the Kings really need is more time. Being the third youngest team in the league, and having two foundations to build around (DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans) isn’t such a bad situation to be in. Right now, they should stand pat, unless a really good deal comes their way.