5 Trades that should happen

1. Rockets receive: C DeMarcus Cousins, SF Travis Outlaw, and SF John Salmons
Kings receive: C Omer Asik, C Greg Smith, SF Chandler Parsons, and PF Terrence Jones

DeMarcus Cousins

The DeMarcus Cousins debacle in Sacramento needs to come to an end and the Kings need to remake their roster, which is one of the worst put together in the league. In this trade with Houston, they get rid of two terrible contracts while acquiring three cheap, young talents in Smith, Parsons, and Jones while getting a defensive-minded replacement for Cousins in Asik. Most importantly, however, theses are players who aren't just gunners like most of the Kings roster, they're hard working players who'll compete on both ends and care more about winning than numbers. For Houston, they're giving up some significant talent, but the idea of pairing James Harden and Cousins for the next decade is far too tempting to pass up.

2. Raptors receive: C Marcin Gortat and SF Tayshaun Prince
Pistons receive: SF Wes Johnson and PF Ed Davis
Suns receive: C Andrei Bargnani
I thought that the Raptors had a chance to compete for the 8 seed in the East this season but they got off to such a terrible start that they seemed buried. Now, after Andrei Bargnani's knee injury, they've turned it around and legitimately have a shot at the playoffs. Whether it's fair or not, the perception is that Bargnani is to blame and I don't know how the Raptors can bring him back because as soon as he struggles and they lose, Toronto fans will crucify him. In this deal, they get rid of Bargnani, sending him to Phoenix, where he would be a great fit while receiving back Gortat (who is unhappy in Phoenix) and Tayshaun Prince from Detroit, who can fill the void at small forward because Linas Kleiza ain't going to cut it. For Detroit, they rid themselves of Prince's contract while taking on a young talent in Ed Davis.

3. Thunder receive: C Anderson Varejao
Cavaliers receive: SG Jeremy Lamb, C Kendrick Perkins, PF Perry Jones, and Toronto's 1st round pick

Anderson Varejao

Versions of this trade have been kicking around the internet for a while, but there seems to be a perception that it isn't enough value for Varejao, which is crazy to me. Varejao is a 30 year old hustle player who relies on quickness for his defensive value. Yes he hustles like crazy, but how much of that is expected to last when he gets older and the injuries (which by the way are also an issue with Varejao) continue to pile up? If the Cavaliers can get a lottery pick from last year in Lamb, a lottery pick from next year, and a lottery talent in Jones then I think they have to do it. Yes Perkins contract might be tough to swallow, but considering the fact that they'll have no one on the roster making more than 5 million next year, I don't think it will affect them much down the road.

4. Timberwolves receive: SG J.J. Redick
Magic receive: F Derrick Williams, Draft Picks
This is a trade that the Wolves desperately need to make, maybe it isn't for J.J. Redick but they need a pure shooter desperately. Anthony Morrow or Mike Dunleavey are also potential trade targets. The Timberwolves are a historically bad 3-point shooting team and it really holds them back from reaching their potential offensively. If they could add a shooter like Redick, who is a great fit in Rick Adelman's system it would solidify them as a playoff team. For Orlando, they get back the previous number 2 overall pick in Derrick Williams who clearly needs a change of scenery from Minnesota. Jacque Vaughn has shown an ability so far this season to get a lot out of young players and if he could unlock Williams' potential it would be a great piece in the Orlando rebuild. Redick is on the last year of his deal and will certainly want to leave Orlando in the offseason, so it would be smart to get something for him now.

5. Jazz recieve: PG Eric Bledsoe, SF Caron Butler
Clippers recieve: PF Paul Millsap
This trade, which can also work with Al Jefferson in the place of Millsap, is the Clippers going all in on winning the title this season. They can absorb the loss of Butler and Bledoe because of their depth on the wing and at point guard and Millsap will give them an All-Star level option off the bench who can close out game to avoid DeAndre Jordan's free throw shooting woes. The Clippers also rid themselves of Caron Butler's contract in this deal to gain cap flexibility with the expiring deal of Millsap. This trade would make them title favorites with Oklahoma City and Miami. For Utah, they finally get a point guard to fill the void created by Deron Williams with a very talented young player in Bledsoe. Butler's contract is a little hard to swallow but Bledsoe has the potential to take them over the edge to the playoffs while Millsap's departure opens up room for Derrick Favors to play.