As the NBA playoffs play on, many teams on the outside after the regular season have already turned their attention to regrouping for next year.
Obviously many of the lower ranking teams in the league have high hopes for the draft, but the most immediate option for teams to find help is through trades.
Many rumors and behind-the-scenes talks have been going on, and there is much speculation about who will end up where.
For instance, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Los Angeles Lakers are not the only team interested in acquiring Minnesota Center Kevin Love.
Apparently the Cleveland Cavaliers made an offer last summer that the Timberwolves refused but may want to revisit. The deal, according to The Plain Dealer, would have sent Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and the No. 1 overall pick to the Timberwolves in exchange for Love.
Obviously many teams are showing interest in Love, especially before his contract is up in 2015. Most teams would like nothing more than lining him up to a long term contract before he hits the market.
There is little doubt we will continue to hear Love's name come up again and again until the NBA Trade Deadline next February.
According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls are serious about getting Carmelo Anthony, and they are willing to give up Carlos Boozer to do it.
Many think Carlos Boozer will be with a new team next year.
If Chicago wants to have a shot at Melo, it will have to free up some cap space.
Trading Boozer may be how it gets that done. According to ESPN sources, the Bulls are going to do everything they can to try to find a trading partner for Boozer before seriously considering the amnesty option.
At 32, Boozer is entering the final year of his contract worth over $16 million next season.
Another trade speculation concerns Detroit Piston Josh Smith. Traded from Atlanta after his first 9 seasons in the league, the 28 year old has had some struggles since landing in the Motor City.
Smith played in 77 games for the Pistons this past season, missing the last five with a knee injury. He averaged 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for Detroit.
Since he has taken a slide since joining the Pistons, It may be difficult for Detroit to get top dollar for the former first round draft pick. This season he struggled with accuracy and shot just over 40 percent from the field.
One point of interest about Smith is that he has played alongside Houston Rocket Dwight Howard since their high school days, so some experts believe that could open the door for a Detroit-Houston trade.
According to the International Business Times, the Rockets indeed have the assets to strike another blockbuster trade with Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik, Chandler Parsons and a handful of draft picks as likely trade baits.
Some think Lin may be traded for Rajon Rondo, or Josh Smith.
Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics emerges as a likely trade target for the Rockets, especially if they plan to part with Lin, but Smith would also add a veteran presence to a Houston team that was the youngest in this years playoffs.
