Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are still limping in the Western Conference, three and a half games out of a playoff spot with an overall record of 18-20. Acquiring Dion Waiters from the Cleveland Cavaliers was not enough to get the team over the hump, as they continue to pursue another player on the trade market. Specifically, that player is Brook Lopez. The Thunder were in talks with the Brooklyn Nets as well as the Charlotte Hornets, who have since backed off, in attempt to acquire Lopez. However, a trade between the Nets and Thunder is still very much a possibility and would reportedly involve Kendrick Perkins and Jeremy Lamb heading to Brooklyn. Lopez, who has struggled to stay healthy over the past several years, would be a great addition to the supporting cast around Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, providing insurance in the post. The deal appears likely to happen if several kinks can be ironed out or a third team can be added. Perkins has received a lot of heat over the past two seasons and the Thunder would do well to upgrade their big men. The addition of Lopez could be the final piece that finally jumps them into a playoff spot.

Brooklyn Nets

A team that has recently been put up for sale, the Nets are in dire need of making noise in the trade market before the deadline. Reports came out earlier in the season that a housecleaning-type operation may have been in the works in which the team would trade their three main stars in Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez. It appears as though at least one of the three could be out of town by the deadline, but the Nets would be wise to make another trade. Again, a third team could jump into the mix with the Nets and Thunder and, while talks of shipping Williams and Johnson elsewhere have died down, it is a possibility nonetheless. Currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 16-23, the Nets would likely be swept by the Atlanta Hawks if the playoffs started today. Williams and Johnson are free agents at the end of the 2015-2016 season so there is no rush to trade either immediately, even though the two are owed approximately $21 million and $24 million next year, respectively. The question becomes when are the Nets going to receive maximum value and is now the best time to make a move considering the Eastern Conference only has five teams with records above .500.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets reportedly fell out of trade talks with the Thunder and Nets as a result of a lacking interest in their primary bargaining chip-Lance Stephenson. After signing the free agent guard this past offseason, the Hornets have lost interest in keeping the former Indiana Pacer and have placed him on the trade block. Unfortunately for them, the Nets lost their interest as well. While this makes it more difficult for the Hornets to ship off Stephenson, it is certainly still in the cards. Adding an additional player such as Gerald Henderson to a trade may be the piece that gets another team to bite but, as the trade deadline approaches, a contending team may emerge as a favorite to land Stephenson. Still just one and a half games out of the eighth spot in the East, the Hornets will need to focus primarily on return value of a trade that would jolt them into contention.

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have reportedly been shopping Nik Stauskas, their rookie shooting guard out of Michigan, in search of interior help to complement DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings started off the season strong before slipping in the standings and ultimately firing their head coach. They are down in the Western Conference standings, but have a shot to make the postseason if they make the right move by the deadline. Stauskas is a strong shooter and the Kings have the expiring contracts of Reggie Evans and Derrick Williams to incorporate into a deal as well. Something to keep an eye on, the Kings could continue to surprise the NBA world by making a big deal prior to the trade deadline.

Miami Heat

While the Heat are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, they are the worst rebounding team in the NBA and are among the bottom three teams in scoring. Dwyane Wade leads the team in points, while Chris Bosh leads the team in rebounds. No surprise there. However, Luol Deng has not been a steady scorer and Bosh is getting no help whatsoever on the boards. The Heat have several guards in Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole that could be moved as well as some big men that simply need to get out of town. A paint presence such as David West would greatly help in the rebounding department, while allowing for more scoring as well. The Heat could also look for a guard like Lance Stephenson to take some of the load off of Wade. After losing LeBron James to free agency, Pat Riley is no-doubt gunning for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who currently sit one spot ahead of the Heat with an overall record of 20-20. A considerably weak Eastern Conference could allow for the Heat to move up in the standings with the right deal.