As the trade deadline nears, the Pacific Division has two teams in playoff position, one going through a coaching change and a pair that seem destined to the high lottery. The following is a look at those five teams and their prospects as February 18th closes in. Note that "Likely to be Moved" reflect players believed to be on the block while "Likely to be Mentioned" may be more of a stretch.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Likely to be Moved: Adam Morrison, Sasha Vujacic
The Lakers are in an interesting position in that they do have a top two record and are coming off a championship season. The team is committed to $91.3 million in contracts this year which balloons up to $113.8 million with the luxury tax.
General Manager Mitch Kupchak would like to ease the burden of owner Dr. Jerry Buss by making an economic move with an expiring player like Adam Morrison to reduce payroll. While last year Kupchak was able to deal away Chris Mihm's $2.5 million contract, Morrison's $5.3 million is trickier to send considering the available cap space/trade exceptions around the league.
The only two teams than can take on Morrison for cash for a conditional second round pick would be the Utah Jazz and Orlando Magic - except both are tax payers and similarly looking to cut.
Moving a player like Vujacic, who hasn't lived up to expectations since signing a three-year contract, is also difficult because he's set to earn $5.5 million the following year.
A team would need a vested interest in taking on a Morrison/Vujacic combination. If the Chicago Bulls are unable to find better suitors for Kirk Hinrich and John Salmons - in their quest to open up cap space for at least one maximum contract this season - the Lakers may have an opportunity at the deadline to add a productive (albeit expensive) player in Hinrich.
Kirk has two additional years at $8.5 million a season. That only makes sense for the Lakers if they subtract Sasha's money from the total. L.A. would probably have to take on James Johnson as well ($1.7 million next year) to make the numbers work for Chicago.
It's not a pretty deal but the Bulls would clear an additional $4.77 million which would be enough to make a run at Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, LeBron James, etc.
Call it a last resort for Chicago - and a move that would solidify L.A.'s questionable rotation at the point.
Likely to be Mentioned: Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher, Luke Walton
At this point, the Lakers aren't open to disrupting their core. There was some internal debate and initial discussion with the Toronto Raptors on a Bynum for Chris Bosh swap but the Raptors chose to hold onto Bosh at least until the summer - which ended that line of reasoning.
Whether or not the Lakers would have gone through with such a major swap is hard to say. The possibility remains that a sign and trade could be negotiated over the offseason but that's a long way off.
Trading Derek Fisher's expiring contract with Morrison would immediately make an L.A. package more palatable. The word is the team is not open to dealing Fisher. There won't be any wink-wink buy-outs with him returning after a 30-day break.
Luke Walton's contract is expendable for the Lakers but its length is likely prohibitive (three years remaining).
While the Lakers would like to add a guard, they're comfortable sitting with what they have barring a favorable deal. If not, perhaps they wait for a veteran to be bought out like Keyon Dooling of the New Jersey Nets.
Other names might include Chris Duhon, Lou Williams or Jose Calderon.
Los Angeles Clippers:
Likely to be Moved: Al Thornton, Marcus Camby
The Clippers are in flux with Mike Dunleavy stepping down as coach and taking on his general manager duties full time. Now that it appears a long-shot that the team will make the playoffs, they have to consider the trade possibilities over the summer.
Saving for cap room remains an option but L.A. would have to trim a bit to gain the space needed for a run at a star like LeBron James. If that's the plan, the team will probably need to dump Al Thornton before July. Al makes $1.9 million and would probably draw interest around the league despite his $2.8 million locked in for next year.
A number of teams have the cap flexibility/trade exceptions to take on Thornton. A more difficult sell would be Sebastian Telfair who has a player option at $2.7 million for next year.
If the Clippers decide it's better to bring in a high level small forward before the deadline - going with a sure thing instead of a potential James rejection this summer - then L.A. may be a significant buyer.
The bait would arguably be Camby and his $9.2 million contract along with Thornton (as well as Mardy Collins, Ricky Davis, Steve Novak, Brian Skinner, etc.). The team has plenty of expiring contracts to work with.
If the Philadelphia 76ers are looking to shed Andre Iguodala, the Clippers might be interested although they'd surely balk at taking on Sam Dalembert or Elton Brand in return.
The team is very fond of Camby and he wants to remain a Clipper, possibly beyond this season, but with just 21 wins on the books L.A. has to think about the future.
There's no harm in waiting - especially if they miraculously land LeBron James. Still, a bird in the hand . . .
Other targets might be Joe Johnson, Rudy Gay, Tayshaun Prince or Caron Butler.
Likely to be Mentioned: Chris Kaman
There was a time when Kaman's future with the club was uncertain. Last year he struggled almost the entire season with a foot injury. Now Chris is all but untouchable. If his name comes up in a trade rumor - it's probably best to discount it.
Phoenix Suns:
Likely to be Moved: Amar'e Stoudemire
To Amar'e or not to Amar'e - it's a tough call for the Suns. Word is Stoudemire is looking to get an extension from Phoenix similar to the deal Pau Gasol got with the Lakers ($75 million over four) while the Suns are closer to the $50 million range.
Technically Amar'e doesn't have to opt-out of the final $17.7 million year he has after this season, but with massive uncertainty surrounding the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or lockout that may be an idle threat.
With owners looking to curtail spending, this summer may be Amar'e's best and only time to truly cash in.
The Suns would like to keep him at the right price - Stoudemire is happy to stay - but so far the numbers are off.
If the Suns do move Amar'e, they're going to want a sizable return.
Likely to be Mentioned: Jason Richardson, Leandro Barbosa
The player the team would really like to move is Jason Richardson. With another year on his deal for $14.4 million, he just doesn't fit the culture of the Suns. Outside of veteran Steve Nash and Grant Hill (both modestly paid, relatively speaking) - the Suns have a young, cost-effective roster.
Players like Goran Dragic, Robin Lopez, Jared Dudley and Louis Amundson have each found ways to contribute on a team many projected would be a lock for the lottery. Instead the Suns are 30-21 and still very much in the mix.
Leandro Barbosa is another piece the Suns have shopped although the timing is off with his recent surgery (wrist), making $14.7 million over the next two seasons.
The Suns are open to adding on salary but they want impact. If dealing Stoudemire necessitates taking back a short-term bad contract - the interested team better be prepared to take on Richardson.
Sacramento Kings:
Likely to be Moved: Kevin Martin, Kenny Thomas
The Kings were one of the early season bright spots before the wheels fell off. Rookie point guard Tyreke Evans has established himself as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. The team has also gotten strong play from fellow first-year player, Israeli forward Omri Casspi.
The big question is the future of guard Martin who is recently back from another injury, coinciding with the team's recent dovetail. Martin has three more years on his contract after this season at $34.6 million. Thus far he just doesn't seem like a good fit next to Evans.
If the Kings truly make him available - there's been conflicting notions that they'll wait beyond this season - Sacramento will find plenty of suitors.
Currently the Kings will have about $10-11 million in cap room this summer which won't quite be enough to lure a top star. One option would be to move out Martin for an expiring contract which would almost double Sacramento's spending power.
Another option would be to trade away Thomas who is on the last year of his deal at $8.8 million. If the Kings can add a quality player now and avoid cap room altogether - that may be the better investment.
Like all teams hoping to make the perfect deal it always comes down to who other team's make available. Sometimes the true opportunities to improve are scarce.
Likely to be Mentioned: Andres Nocioni, Jason Thompson
Nocioni is a solid veteran but at $21 million over the next three seasons he may not be easy to deal. Thompson's name has bounced around the rumor mill a little bit but it's typically unadvisable for a team to move a promising big man making just $2-3 million a season.
Golden State Warriors
Likely to be Moved: Raja Bell, Speedy Claxton
Who is healthy enough on the team to move? The Warriors have rivaled only the Portland Trail Blazers in pure quantity of injuries. Based on the team's performance, there's no question the team should be looking to improve but Golden State's situation just seems too complicated.
The easiest pieces to swap out would be Raja Bell (recovering from wrist surgery but expected to play at some point this year) and Speedy Claxton who combine to make $10.5 million. Golden State isn't in danger of hitting the luxury tax mark next season so they may be willing.
Likely to be Mentioned: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Corey Maggette
The player a number of teams were interested in was Anthony Randolph but he's out for a while with an ankle injury. Brandon Wright has been out all year. Mikki Moore had surgery on bone spurs and has been bought out.
Anthony Morrow isn't on the block but he's hurt. Ronny Turiaf and Biedrins have missed major time.
The two players that have been carrying the load offensively have been Ellis and Maggette.
Some reports have linked the Warriors to the Celtics with Monta going for Ray Allen but that appears to be inaccurate. Ellis has had his ups and downs with the organization but appears to be safe.
Maggette has been shopped - primarily because the Warriors overpaid him to begin with. It'd be a surprise if Golden State made any significant moves other than swapping out last year contracts.
