Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers

With All-Star weekend looming and the trade deadline just a week away, we know some teams are going to make moves. This is the time for general managers to decide whether it is in the best interest of their franchise to be “buyers” or “sellers”. There are a few fringe teams that could go either way as well as some squads that might sit put and avoid making a deal that they may end up regretting down the road. Here are some predictions of what teams could be buyers and sellers and what players could be sporting a different team’s jersey after the All-Star break.

Memphis Grizzlies: (Sellers) The Grizzlies caught a tough break a few nights ago when their best player, Marc Gasol, went down with a broken foot. This looks like a season ending injury for the former defensive player of the year and leaves the Grizzlies frontline vulnerable. The injury couldn’t have hit at a worse time, as the Griz have begun to play their best ball of the season. With their cornerstone out and half of their roster on expiring contracts, it only makes sense for Memphis to look towards the future and move some of their players before losing them to free agency. The Grizzlies goal should be to build around Marc Gasol and bounce back as a contender next year. However, that might require them to move some of their best players.
Trade candidates: Mike Conley, Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Brandon Wright, Zach Randolph

Cleveland Cavaliers: (Buyers) The Cavs have been clicking lately and for the first time all year they finally have their team healthy. But they have a glaring weakness. Mozgov doesn’t really fit in with Coach Lue’s high pace scheme. If the Cavs manage to make it to the finals and have to face the Warriors, then he can’t play at all. Mozgov served his purpose with the team last year, but it doesn’t appear that he is going to help them win a championship. The Cavs goal should be to move Mozgov in exchange for a talented wing. They could use another”3 and D” guy off the bench, to back up J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert. They have reportedly been linked to the Kings and Ben McLemore according to Chris Haynes of Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Possible additions: Courtney Lee, Kevin Martin, Kyle Korver, Ben McLemore, Trevor Ariza

Atlanta Hawks: (Sellers) Trade rumors have swirled around the Hawks for over a month now. They have underachieved this year, sitting 4^th in the East at 31-24. The Hawks, having already lost more games this year than last, could use a shake-up. Their concerns have been growing due to a backlog at point guard with Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder. Teague has regressed this season while Schroder has improved his play. It seems like half the league is after Teague, so Atlanta will have their choice if they decide to deal the former All-Star. Horford is another player on the trade block. With an expiring deal and doubts about resigning him to a max extension, it would make sense to get something back for their stud center.
Possible trade candidates: Jeff Teague, Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Dennis Schroder, Tim Hardaway Jr.

Portland Trailblazers: (Buyers) The Blazers have been rolling and are currently the 8^th seed in the West. The surprise team has been led by the promising young backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Blazers have a nice core of young players, but could probably use some help in the frontcourt. Adding another key player could help them increase their playoff seed and avoid playing the Warriors, Spurs, and Thunder in the first round. Greg Monroe could be a player of interest for the Blazers, as they attempted to sign him this past offseason. Monroe would provide an extra spark on offense when the outside shots aren’t falling.
Possible additions: Greg Monroe, Al Horford

Boston Celtics: (Buyers) The Celtics are another young team that has continued to improve. Coach Brad Stevens has Boston once again exceeding expectations. With the exception of Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics are mainly composed of really talented role players. Danny Ainge has been dying to add another star since breaking up the championship core of Garnett and Pierce. With a plethora of first round draft pics, including the Nets unprotected 2016 pick, the Celtics are in a position to make a splash trade. A move could help the Celtics make a deep playoff run.
Possible additions: Al Horford, DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gay, Tyson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari



Phoenix Suns: (Sellers) This team is the worst. Since losing Eric Bledsoe for the season, the Suns have been a complete dumpster fire. They have fired their coach and have lost 9 straight, going into full tank mode. The next step for the Suns is to trade off their pieces. They have a few good young players that they should hold onto including Brandon Knight, Devon Booker, and Archie Goodwin, but the rest of their roster should be involved in trade discussions. The one player they really need to move is Markieff Morris. Morris has been a distraction since the offseason and was involved in another bench altercation on Wednesday. At this point the Suns will probably have to take pennies on the dollar for Morris, but it will be worth it to get him out of Phoenix.
Trade candidates: Markieff Morris, Tyson Chandler, P.J. Tucker

Grayson Gold-Garvey, Follow on Twitter @TheGraygo