The trade deadline -- Thursday at 3 p.m. ET -- is almost here.

Many teams are primed for a trade. Some need a shake-up, some need an upgrade, some need to unload salary, and almost every team would love to get their hands on more draft picks.

But finding deals that work for both teams is easier said than done. And if you want a first round pick for a player you don't need, you may have to also take on some salary you don't want, like the Chicago Bulls did when they acquired Omer Asik in the deal that sent Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans.

There are a lot of contracts out there that teams would love to unload and few teams with the flexibility to absorb those contracts. There are even fewer teams that can realistically have their eyes on winning a championship four months from now.

The Golden State Warriors are too good. Some teams may want to add a piece to increase their chances of making the playoffs and becoming somewhat relevant (success in this league doesn't have to be defined by championships). Others may see an opportunity to supplant the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. But there is probably only one team that can approach the deadline with this season being its No. 1 priority and with realistic thoughts about beating the Warriors in a playoff series.

And that team has bumped the champs out of the No. 1 spot in this week's Power Rankings.

Dig into some of the key numbers from this week's Power Rankings.

Hero team of the week: Utah (3-0) -- The Jazz handed the Warriors their worst loss (30 points) in almost two years, and followed that up with a win in San Antonio later in the week.

Utah (3-0) -- The Jazz handed the Warriors their worst loss (30 points) in almost two years, and followed that up with a win in San Antonio later in the week. Zero team of the week: Cleveland (1-2) -- The Cavs actually beat a good team (Miami) on the second night of a back-to-back last week. But that game was sandwiched by a double-digit loss in Detroit (while the Pistons were without both the guys they traded and the guys they traded for) and an embarrassing showing against Houston on ABC.

Toughest schedules so far: 1. Philadelphia, 2. Utah, 3. Chicago

1. Philadelphia, 2. Utah, 3. Chicago Easiest schedules so far: 1. Washington, 2. San Antonio, 3. Houston

1. Washington, 2. San Antonio, 3. Houston Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record, and adjusted for home vs. away and days of rest before a game.

High jumps of the week: Indiana (+6), Portland (+5), Washington (+5)

Indiana (+6), Portland (+5), Washington (+5) Free falls of the week: Miami (-5), New Orleans (-5), Oklahoma City (-5)

Team to watch in Week 17: Cleveland -- It's not about the games they'll be playing over the next seven days, although those include matchups with the Wolves and Celtics. It's about whether or not a trade can do anything to fix their issues or help keep LeBron James in Cleveland beyond this season.

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Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)

DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)

NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)

The league has averaged 99.4 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 105.8 points scored per 100 possessions this season.

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NBA.com's Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man's opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.

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