NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Destinations for Monta Ellis

NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Destinations for Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis has been called the Golden State Warriors franchise player, but despite his extremely high skill level, Golden State has not done much in the NBA yet.

While I don't think the Warriors are going to move Ellis, I think anything can happen.

Here are 10 possible destinations for Ellis to end up.

Let us know what you think. What would it take to get Ellis on your favorite team?

10. Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 21: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics smiles on the baseline as teammate Kevin Garnett shoots a free throw in the third quarter against the Utah Jazz on January 21, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defea

The Trade:

Monta Ellis to Boston

Ray Allen and Delonte West to Golden State

Why this works for both teams:

The Golden State Warriors not only get a legitimate shooting guard, they also get two expiring contracts in return.

Boston is one of the older teams in the NBA but adding Ellis gives them one of the best back courts in the NBA to build on for the next 10 years.

9. Memphis Grizzlies

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BOSTON - MARCH 10: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the Boston Celtics on March 10, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Grizzlies defeated the Celtics 111-91. NOTE TO USER:

The Trade:

Memphis gets Monta Ellis

Golden State gets O.J. Mayo, Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll

Why this works for both teams:

Memphis gets a legitimate shooting guard to build around. He and Zach Randolph would make a great pick-and-roll combo, and he brings quite a bit of stability to Memphis to make up for the lack of stability in Mayo and Thabeet.

Golden State gets some high risk, high reward prospects in Mayo and Thabeet, they also get a small expiring contract in Carroll. They could potentially also push for a first-round pick if they felt the need.

8. Houston Rockets

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 20: Shane Battier #31 of the Houston Rockets in action against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on December 20, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

The Trade:

Houston gets Monta Ellis

Golden State gets Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks and Chuck Hayes

Why this works for both teams:

Houston needs to get some stability on their roster. I am not sure who their best player is, but bringing in Ellis would give them a legitimate franchise player to build around. Yao Ming is no longer the guy for Houston to rely on and maybe it's time for them to move on to Ellis. 

Golden State gets a group of expiring contracts plus these three guys could possibly end up being the building blocks towards getting the Warriors back into contention. Putting together a lineup of Aaron Brooks, Steph Curry, Shane Battier, David Lee and Chuck Hayes. That is a good lineup.

7. Portland Trail Blazers

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers dunks against the Golden State Warriors during an NBA game at Oracle Arena on November 20, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Trade:

Portland gets Monta Ellis and Louis Amundson

Golden State gets Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla

Why this works for both teams:

Portland gets someone to start filling the void that has been created by Brandon Roy's knees. He is able to really be the go-to guy for the Trail Blazers. Amundson gets put in the deal to help complete it.

Golden State gets expiring contracts in Oden and Przybilla to help rebuild the roster, and they could even try to resign Oden for a chance to give him a change of scenery.

6. Detriot Pistons

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a jumpshot during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

The Trade:

Detroit gets Monta Ellis, Dan Gadzuric and Vlad Radmanovic

Golden State gets Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince

Why this works for both teams:

Detroit is in need of a big facelift. Bringing in Ellis gives them a legitimate franchise player. Gadzuric and Radmanovic are expiring contracts to help build for the future.

Golden State gets Hamilton who needs a change of scenery and Prince who is an $11 million expiring contract.

5. Denver Nuggets

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts as the ball goes out of bounds against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User express

The Trade:

Denver gets Monta Ellis, Brandan Wright and Vlad Radmanovic

Golden State gets Carmelo Anthony and Al Harrington

Why this works for both teams:

Denver not only gets to include Harrington into a trade for Carmelo, but they also get a top-20 player in return for the All-Star. They also get Wright and Radmanovic as expiring contracts.

Golden State gets a small forward to build around in Carmelo and a walking mismatch in Harrington. Now I know Carmelo wants to end up in New York or LA, but San Francisco is a good spot for him.

4. Phoenix Suns

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns drives past Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading an

The Trade:

Phoenix gets Monta Ellis and Dan Gadzuric

Golden State gets Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick and Steve Nash

Why this works for both teams:

Phoenix needs help rebuilding the franchise. and Ellis gives them a legitimate player to build around. Gadzuric gives them an expiring contract to help them build. It also clears the way for Goran Dragic to try starting.

Golden State gets to try and make a run in the playoffs lead by Steve Nash. Frye gives them a good shooting center and a mismatch; Warrick is a high energy power forward.

3. Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 01: Taj Gibson #22 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot over Vince Carter #15 of the Orlando Magic at the United Center on December 1, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

The Trade:

Chicago gets Monta Ellis

Golden State gets Taj Gibson, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver

Why this works for both teams:

The only way Chicago would get this deal to work is if they include at least one first-round pick and maybe a few second-round picks. Ellis also gives the Bulls one thing they are missing—a scoring shooting guard that can share the load with Derrick Rose.

Golden State gets a fantastic defensive forward in Gibson, a great shooter in Korver and a Monta-light player in Brewer. The Warriors would not be willing to complete this deal without some draft picks, but I think this is a quality group to get in return.

2. New York Knicks

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NEW YORK - MARCH 07: Eddy Curry #34 of the New York Knicks lays the ball up against the Detroit Pistons on March 7, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this

The Trade:

New York gets Monta Ellis and Reggie Williams

Golden State gets Eddy Curry, Landry Fields and Shawne Williams

Why this works for both teams:

As of right now, it is unknown if the Knicks will be able to get Carmelo Anthony, but if they could get Ellis and re-sign Wilson Chandler, that would look like a better roster to me. The Knicks also get Williams to help complete the deal.

Golden State gets the Curry expiring contract piece and a Williams small contract to complete the deal, but they also get the surprising rookie Fields. Fields is a former Stanford Cardinal, and he gets a chance to play in front of a crowd he knows.

1. Philadelphia 76ers

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action during the game against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center on October 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

The Trade:

Phildelphia gets Monta Ellis, Vlad Radmanovic, Brandan Wright, and Dan Gadzuric

Golden State gets Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand

Why this works for both teams:

Philadelphia gets a chance to build around their young roster and give their first-round pick Evan Turner a chance to play a bigger role. Getting Iguodala and Brand off the roster gives the 76ers flexibility moving forward. Plus a group of expiring contracts to help build with.

Golden State getting Iguodala and Brand helps give them some big pieces to help push towards the playoffs in the Western Conference.