The fervour of the NBA trade deadline is an easy thing to get swept up in. The allure of fast moves, new pieces, and a team gaining a perceived added gear to shift into because of it is a strong one, especially smack dab in the middle of the season. By now, leaders have emerged in both conferences and for the teams that have fallen behind comes an exercise of evaluation.
Is it worth putting together a package of appealing prospects, or bartering with a notable star, to draw something they need in return? Alternately, for teams that on the surface seem to require a slight tweak, is it appropriate to gamble with what could be working in a few weeks time in order to secure the more immediate edge?