NBA Trade Rumors: Kris Humphries, O.J. Mayo and the Top Sign-and-Trade Targets

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There are still quality players left in free agency, and the rumor mill is churning over which teams will construct a sign-and-trade deal to improve their squads.

Kris Humphries was dangled as trade bait for Dwight Howard, but now that those talks have cooled down, he could be headed elsewhere (ESPN).

Players who can score like O.J. Mayo are rare, and while the shooting guard has had his problems, there are still interested parties.

Here are the rumors surrounding the top remaining targets.

Kris Humphries

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Kris Humphries was one of only five players last season to average at least 13 points and 11 rebounds per game. 

While his reality TV career has garnered more attention than his on-court accomplishments, Humphries is a solid frontcourt presence, and the Charlotte Bobcats are interested in signing him, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. 

Exclusive: The #Bobcats are re-engaged in acquiring Kris Humphries to upgrade their power forward spot, an informed source tells Observer.

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 12, 2012

CBS Sports' Royce Young believes that Humphries would be sent south via a sign-and-trade if this deal were to happen, as the Brooklyn Nets would receive a trade exception that would give them the flexibility to find another power forward.

The Bobcats need help at every position, so this would definitely be a good deal for them, but it would be a blow to the Nets if Humphries does not return to Brooklyn.

O.J. Mayo

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O.J. Mayo has averaged 15.2 points per game in his four-year career, but his production has fallen off the past two seasons.

The Memphis Grizzlies opted not to extend a qualifying offer to Mayo, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason (Commercial Appeal).

But the Boston Celtics are interested in adding the streaky shooter, according to Comcast Sportsnet's A. Sherrod Blakely, although they do not have the cap space to offer Mayo a competitive contract.

This has led to speculation over a possible sign-and-trade that could send Mayo to Boston. Between Mayo and Jason Terry, the Celtics will certainly have enough firepower to fill Ray Allen’s void and compensate for any injury complications with Avery Bradley (ESPN).

Nicolas Batum

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Rumors involving Portland Trail Blazers small forward Nicolas Batum heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves have been swirling almost since free agency began.

Now, The Washington Post is reporting that the two teams spent most of July 12 haggling over a deal for the 23-year-old, with no result.

Batum is a lanky, 6'8" swingman who has improved his scoring and rebounding output in each of his four seasons in the NBA. The Timberwolves were threatening to make the playoffs last season before Ricky Rubio went down. With the point guard back and Batum on the squad, 2013 could finally be the year the team's season lasts past April.

Antawn Jamison

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Antawn Jamison may be 36 years old, but he is still one of the most skilled power forwards in the NBA. He put up 17.2 points per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.

While his rebounding and defense have fallen off as he has gotten older, Jamison's still a potent scorer. His offensive capabilities have attracted attention from several teams, and as Real GM’s Michael Scotto notes, the Brooklyn Nets may be interested in pulling off a sign-and-trade.

Forward Antawn Jamison has been linked to the Lakers for the veteran minimum, Nets via sign-and-trade, Bobcats, and Warriors. #freeagency

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 12, 2012

This deal will be significantly more likely to go down if Kris Humphries decides to leave Brooklyn.

Courtney Lee

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The Boston Celtics are clearly interested in adding another shooting guard, and O.J. Mayo and Courtney Lee are both being targeted by the team.

ESPN's Marc Stein reported that Doc Rivers met with the former Houston Rocket on July 7. Lee averaged 11.4 points and shot 40 percent from three-point range last season.

As is the case with Mayo, the Celtics must draw up a deal to get Lee in a sign-and-trade since they do have the ability to sign the unrestricted free agent.

Lee may not be as talented offensively as Mayo, but he also does not come with as much baggage and is a significantly better defender. These attributes may convince Boston to choose him over Mayo.