http://www.basketballinsiders.com/chat/nba-chat-with-alex-kennedy-12914/
This is a little blurb from the trade deadline article with Alex Kennedy.
Kristian
Hey Alex, I have been really enjoying the unexpected success of the Trailbrazers this year. Great young core, but unfortunately I think they will be outplayed by the more experienced teams such as the Thunder and Spurs. So my question is, what move should they make before the transfer window closes to ensure they have a better chance to making the conference finals? I understand some veteran experience, but who should they target?
Alex Kennedy
I don’t necessarily think the Blazers have to make a trade before the deadline. I think a big reason for their success this season is that their players have developed chemistry and fit together nicely. I don’t think it’s necessary to make a trade just to bring in someone with more postseason experience. It’s possible for a team to make a nice postseason run without being full of experienced veterans. Also, trading for a veteran would mean that they have to give up someone, which doesn’t make much sense. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
If they really want to add an experienced veteran so badly, they can sign a free agent with a ring like Richard Hamilton, Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum. I recently wrote about all of the free agents who are still available.
I think Philly should at least trade Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes before the deadline since those two will be free agents this summer. They might as well get something back for those players now rather than potentially losing them for nothing over the offseason, assuming they aren’t part of the 76ers’ long-term plan. Thaddeus Young may get moved at some point too, but they could always decide to trade him over the summer or next season, since he’s under contract for next year. Trading all three before the deadline makes sense if Philly wants to try to lose a few more games to compete with Orlando and Milwaukee for worst record in the league, which really should be their goal at this point. It’ll be interesting, Philly is definitely a team to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.