The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching. Usually, this is the time where contending teams consider making moves to further bolster their chances of winning a championship in June.
While some teams found success over the past years by making trades at the deadline (e.g. the Toronto Raptors last season when they traded for Marc Gasol), this isn't usually guarantee that they will go all the way.
Some just stay the course and trust their roster as currently constructed until the end. Here are four teams who should stand pat at this year's trade deadline:
1. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
The Milwaukee Bucks have the best record in the NBA at 41-7. Making roster-altering moves to disrupt their incredible chemistry at this point of the season doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Milwaukee currently has the best net-rating in the NBA by a mile at 11.7 (the Boston Celtics are a far second at 7.2). They have the No. 1 defense in the league, paired with the second best offense in the NBA.
Trust will be an important factor for Milwaukee's title chances this year. Obviously, we all know that reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead the charge, while two-time All-Star Khris Middleton is always a steady contributor for them come playoff time.
However, can the Bucks rely on their supporting cast to come up big when it matters most? They need to. Time and time again this season, they have proven so. But then again, the playoffs are a different ball game.
2. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
There have been plenty of trade rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Much of the trade chatter involves third-year forward Kyle Kuzma.
Many wanna-be GMs and TV analysts have come up with their respective Kuzma-centric trade packages that the Lakers can make to further improve their chances at their 17th title in franchise history this season.
But same with the Bucks, the Lakers have the best record in the West. What particularly are they so worried about? Well, maybe the fact that they haven't beaten the L.A. Clippers in two meetings is a reason to worry.
Nevertheless, we still have a lot of basketball left this season. Considering the many new parts the Lakers incorporated in the off-season and their current 37-11 record, it seems like they are in pretty good shape to play at their peak as a team come playoff time.
3. BOSTON CELTICS
For the Boston Celtics, there has been a lot of chatter whether they should fix their most glaring flaw by acquiring a big man at the deadline.
Some suggestions include trading for Detroit Pistons All-Star big man Andre Drummond or even Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams. However, doing so comes at a steep price of trading away perhaps Gordon Hayward in order to make salaries match.
But given how well the Celtics are playing this season, which includes Hayward, it's hard to justify making a move that big that would not ruin their great chemistry this season. Likewise, Hayward is already starting to find his groove and is a key component of what Boston is doing.
If the Celtics are thinking of tinkering their roster, it's shouldn't, for one bit, considering trading the former All-Star for now.
4. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
When the L.A. Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard and acquired Paul George in the summer of 2019, many instantly penciled them in as title favorites.
Despite being tied at no. 2 in the West with the Denver Nuggets with a 34-15 record, some believe the Clippers still need to make moves ahead of the trade deadline to address their glaring weaknesses that have surfaced as the season went along.
Many believe the Clippers need some help in the middle by adding a bigger body down low. Ivica Zubac is inconsistent at times and could get caught on an island in pick-and-roll situations. Montrezl Harrell, while having a career-year, is a bit undersized at the center position. Thus, some think that L.A. may need to beef up its center rotation if it wants a better shot at winning in June.
Still, considering their current standing to go along with all their injuries so far, it's hard to discredit what they have accomplished so far as a team. In fact, Saturday's win over the Minnesota Timberwolves marked the first time this season that the Clippers had a fully healthy lineup for a game.
Give them more time, especially George and Leonard, to piece everything together and develop the chemistry. And better things may be on the way for the Clippers.
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