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          Small trades, big impact

          Kirk Hinrich could help solve the Lakers' issues at point guard. Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty Images
          Feb 28, 2012
          • John CarrollScouts, Basketball Recruiting
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              John Carroll joined Scouts Inc. after nine years as an NBA coach, including a seven-year tenure with the Boston Celtics that concluded with a four-month stint as interim head coach in 2003-04. Before joining the NBA, Carroll spent six years as head coach at Duquesne University and seven years at Seton Hall as an assistant to head coach P.J. Carlesimo.

          Although much of the focus leading up to the NBA's March 15 trade deadline has focused on Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, a number of smaller trades could have a big impact on the futures of several teams.

          Some trades will help teams make a deep run in the playoffs this season, while others will address longer-term goals such as stockpiling draft picks and ensuring cap flexibility.

          Here are five potential smaller deals that could have a big impact:

          1. The Atlanta Hawks trade PG Kirk Hinrich to the Los Angeles Lakers for SG Darius Morris and a first-round pick (either the Lakers' pick or Dallas' pick from the Lamar Odom trade)