GM's Dream Machine

One of the articles that I really look forward to reading every year on SI.com is the Seth Davis’ Jigsaw Man article. In this article, he looks at 15 college basketball teams and fills a roster need with a player from another team. I enjoy this premise so much that I am going to attempt to do the same, except that I am going to focus on the NBA, not the college.

A few ground rules:

1.     I cannot move top tier superstars.

2.     Salary and contract are not an issue

3.     This is not a trade, it is a steal. Therefore, I get to do anything that I want, and I will not consider the feelings of the teams I am stealing from.

So, without further ado, here are my top 5 NBA Title contenders from each conference, and the players that would help make them more complete.

Western Conference

1.     Oklahoma City Thunder

To me, the biggest need that the Thunder have is a low post scorer. They will post Kendrick Perkins up once in a while for fun, but he is not a consistent threat. Serge Ibaka is a great athlete, but he is more of a leaper than a banger, and he also prefers to work in the midrange, not with his back to the basket. To fill this hole, I give them Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers. Hibbert would fill a huge post scoring hole, and he also provides a decent defensive presence. This addition would absolutely take the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals at the least.

2.     Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have a pretty thin roster, but more than anything this team needs a point guard capable of penetrating for scores, and passing the ball to the Big Three (West Coast Edition). Derek Fisher is older than David Stern, and although he can still hit an open jump shot, he cannot guard the newest generation of NBA point guards, nor can he get past them on offense. I give the Lakers: Rodrigue Beaubois from the former NBA Champ Dallas Mavericks. This young man would be a perfect fit for the Lakers. He is an athletic, scoring guard who can pass the ball reasonably well. He would make Kobe and Pau’s lives so much easier over the course of a season.

3.     Los Angeles Clippers

Considering the needs of the Clippers, anyone can see that they suffer from the lack of large men to protect the paint. Deandre Jordan and Blake Griffin are great players, but they cannot play 40 minutes a night, no matter how young they are. Samuel Dalembert would do a great job of protecting the rim while Jordan is resting, and he can also hit a jumper or two while Griffin is on the pine. Houston’s loss is the Clippers gain in this unfortunate scenario.

4.     Denver Nuggets

Hmm….What does the fastest paced NBA team in the league need? How about a guard that has consistent NBA 3 point range. Al Harrington can hit 3’s like a champ, but he is a PF. Arron Afflolo and Rudy Fernandez have both been underwhelming this season, especially from outside the arc. Anthony Morrow would do a great job of filling out that wing-off-the-bench role. He would come in and run the court, slash to the basket and hit threes. A definite offensive plus.

5.     Utah Jazz

The Jazz are one of the most inside-out focused teams in the league. Both Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap are fantastic low post scorers, and the focus of this team is to get them the ball. Unfortunately, sometimes getting them the ball can be a problem. Devin Harris is a slashing point guard, not a spot up shooter, so we are going to decimate the Clippers and take their starting shooting guard Chauncey Billups. Billups understands how to hit an open three, and there will be plenty of those available in this offense. Mr. Big Shot would also fit the tough attitude that this team embodies.

Eastern Conference

1.     Miami Heat

It is obvious that this team doesn’t need any more playmakers. Dwayne Wade and Lebron handle those responsibilities quite well. However, quite like the Thunder, they have no inside banger to take some of the “heat” off of Lebron and Dwayne. One team’s loss is another team’s gain, as the Heat will swipe Elton Brand from the Philadelphia 76’ers. He is an inside scorer who has contributed well inside the paint, and would free up Bosh for even more mid-range jumpers.

2.     Chicago Bulls

This team needs some scoring off the bench that doesn’t need to come off of a screen to get open. Kyle Korver is great, but he cannot create his own shot. JR Smith would be a wonderful pickup for this team. As soon as his season is finished in China, Smith would bring scoring punch and creativity off of the bench in Chicago.

3.     Philadelphia 76’ers

This is a young and exciting team. The 76’ers get up and down the floor, turn other teams over, and are generally fun to watch.  However, they need a shot blocker. During the best of times, Spencer Hawes isn’t intimidating anyone under the basket, although he is having a breakout season. The addition of Tyrus Thomas, who has had a 9 block game this year, would help to add some athleticism in the frontcourt and keep this team playing exciting basketball.

4.     Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are a team that has been built from the ground up. They are a ground and pound kind of team, and are one of the better teams in the entire Eastern Conference this season, However, if they lack one thing, it would be size off of the bench. Tyler Hansborough isn’t intimidating NBA size players. Neither is Lou Amundson. This team needs some bulk on the bench to back up Roy Hibbert. Now, if you haven’t been watching the Denver Nuggets, you may not think much of Timofey Mozgov, but the young man is playing great basketball right now. He can protect the rim, rebound, and is showing an increased ability to finish inside. He would be a great addition for now and the future for the Pacers.

5.     Orlando Magic

I couldn’t help myself. The best thing that the Magic could do this season is not acquire another player. They need to trade Dwight Howard. The dude has one foot out of the door already, and the Magic cannot afford to give him up for nothing. For this scenario, I think the Lakers will trade everyone but the stadium employees to get Howard with Kobe for a final title run or three. Pull the trigger Otis. Don’t let Dwight Howard walk out for nothing like Shaq did!

Well, those are my picks to improve NBA title contenders. Let me know what you think, and who you wish your team could add.