With the Warriors and Spurs dominating the basketball world, the NBA Trade Deadline could take a different turn this season. Will teams look at the cream of the crop and shy away from making blockbuster deals? Or will GMs be looking to add pieces for the immediate future?
Certainly teams are in position to make trades, so let's examine 10 teams who are either in need of some pieces and will buy at the deadline or those who will be high sellers.
Buyers
Indiana Pacers
With the Cleveland Cavaliers enduring a coaching change and the Eastern Conference standings remaining close, the time is now for the Pacers to make a move. They are led by Paul George but have not been stable at other positions.
The loss of Roy Hibbert has left a hole in the post where Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi have not been adequate replacements. Both are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. Monta Ellis could also be used in a deal to get solid return. If the Pacers want to avenge their back-to-back Conference Finals losses to LeBron James from his days with the Miami Heat, now is the time.
Sacramento Kings
Before losing four straight games, the Kings found winning ways and snuck into the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Much of their latest success was due to breakout performances from DeMarcus Cousins, who had the best scoring month in the NBA in January.
Boogie's recent play and Karl's backing of his young center all but guarantee that he will remain with the team. What that doesn't mean, however, is that the Kings cannot be buyers at the deadline. It will be tough for them to make any noise in the playoffs should they clinch a spot in the West, but the team has pieces in Rudy Gay and Ben McLemore who could be traded to improve the outlook of the team's future.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets were hurting after losing Josh Smith to free agency this past summer. However, they were able to trade back for the 30 year-old power forward in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clips also sent cash considerations to the Rockets, a sure sign that they were looking to dump the 12th-year veteran, who averaged six points-per-game and 15.4 minutes-per-game in 36 games played this season.
But, while J Smoove was a critical piece to the Rockets' run to the Western Conference Finals last season, more moves could be in store. Ty Lawson has fizzled and was an unnecessary trade that ultimately landed him on the bench in Houston. If the Rockets were to make a trade, Lawson would be a likely candidate to be on the move as they continue their effort to climb the standings in the West.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The aforementioned Cavs are closely tailed by the Toronto Raptors, who are just two and a half games back of first place in he East. A coaching change may have been just the tip of the iceberg as Cleveland looks to return to the NBA Finals for a redemption shot at the Golden State Warriors.
But, as it stands, no one is dethroning the kings and The King, himself, knows it. J.R. Smith has developed a strong chemistry with James and Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving are certainly not on the block. But the Cavs have depth and could likely package a deal to bring in a scorer on their second unit. Far-fetched or not, David Griffin should keep his eyes peeled. If the right deal comes across his plate, he should not hesitate to pull the trigger.
Sellers
Memphis Grizzlies
The Griz are one of the oldest teams in the NBA and have struggled to find consistency all season. David Joerger's offense scores the second fewest points per game in the West and solid defense has not bailed them out. After a strong playoff run last season, 2015-2016 has not gone according to plan in Memphis.
While the clock ticks on Zach Randolph's final days in the league, the Grizzlies have a bevy of players on their roster whom they should sell high on. Soon-to-be free agent, Mike Conley has underperformed this season, but could be a valuable asset to another franchise. The Griz are almost guaranteed to have a different backcourt shape up next year as Matt Barnes, Mario Chalmers, Jeff Green, and Courtney Lee are all unrestricted free agents in 2016.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are playing through injuries to Joakim Noah, Nikola Mirotic, Mike Dunleavy, Derrick Rose, and Kirk Hinrich. Selected to his second straight All-Star appearance, Jimmy Butler has taken over as the team's top scorer.
Pau Gasol, who was snubbed from the All-Star Game, has also been a primary force. Injuries may make it tough for the Bulls to pull off a deal at the deadline, but a log jam in the frontcourt would allow for some roster improvement. Gasol and Noah are both unrestricted free agents in 2016.
Brooklyn Nets
As it stands, the Nets have the third highest chance of getting the number one pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. They have limped through the first half of the 2015-2016 season and, much to their chagrin, are worse without Deron Williams. The team's rebounding leader, Thaddeus Young, has been a bright spot for the Nets and, although Brook Lopez leads the team in scoring, the eighth-year veteran has been sub-par.
Joe Johnson, who will be a free agent after this season, appears to be on the back nine and the Nets' bench is barely skateable. Nobody's job is safe and, after firing head coach Lionel Hollins and relieving Billy King of his duties as General Manager, the Nets will likely be selling high at the deadline.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are, yet again, the worst team in the NBA. It is like Heaven's gates open up every time they squeak out a win and, somehow, they have done so seven times this season. Still, they are destined for the NBA lottery and remain in search of their next superstar. Jahlil Okafor has made his candidacy for Rookie of the Year and may, indeed, be the guy.
But Nerlens Noel has not been as strong as the 76ers would have hoped and who knows what the future holds for the all-but-forgotten Joel Embiid. The team already made a solid trade for point guard Ish Smith but are severely lacking depth. While it is unlikely they would trade their first round draft pick, which will likely be used to select LSU freshman Ben Simmons, the Sixers could easily move Noel with other picks to get another piece.
Last year's deadline was a disaster for the 76ers, who decided to ship off Michael Carter-Williams and K.J. McDaniels, both of whom were having strong seasons. If they stick with the trend, maybe Okafor will be on the move.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been a huge disappointment this season. At 14-35, they are a bottom-dweller in the West. The Wolves are arguably the best young team on paper after drafting Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns with first overall picks the past two drafts. Zach LaVine is another budding star who filters a surprisingly balanced roster of veterans and young talents.
At 39, Kevin Garnett remains a starter and Tayshaun Prince has started 36 of the 47 games in which he has played. Andre Miller, another 39 year-old, has played 20 games off the bench. One of five players over the age of 30, Kevin Martin has reportedly been on the trading block. One of the problems for head coach Sam Mitchell could be that he has too many options on the roster. The benefit to that, however, is the flexibility to move players for pieces that would solidify his lineup.
Atlanta Hawks
Reports have surfaced that Jeff Teague is on the market. It is somewhat surprising that the Hawks are willing to part ways with their starting point guard but, after losing DeMarre Carroll to free agency, the team slipped in the standings. The team which had the second-best record in the NBA last season is now in fifth place in the East at 27-22 overall. Kyle Korver is shooting 37.4 percent from three-point range, his lowest percentage since the 2008 season.
Paul Millsap is the lone player who will represent the Hawks at the All-Star Game. Millsap signed a contract extension over the summer and the team will have a decision to make on the future of fellow big man, Al Horford, at the end of this season. Teague is not a free agent until 2017, which may make a trade somewhat easier to accomplish. Dennis Schroder, who is averaging 10.7 points-per-game and 4.7 assists-per-game, will likely be the starting point guard should Teague get moved.
Other teams to keep an eye on at the deadline: Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans