NBA Trade Rumors: Andre Iguodala, Dwight Howard and 5 Most Rumored Trade Targets

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The NBA looks set for a lockout as early as Thursday evening, but the NFL has shown us that lockouts don't stop trade rumors from flying around.

Plenty of top players were being shopped around before the draft, and their teams are still trying to find ways to either ship them out or keep them happy.

The lockout would prevent any trades from going down immediately, but that doesn't stop teams and us fans from thinking about them.

Let's take a look at the hottest names being floated around NBA trade rumors. 

Monta Ellis

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When Golden State drafted Klay Thompson in the first round of the NBA draft, it signaled that Monta Ellis was on his way out of the Warriors.

Ellis has been linked with swap deals involving Philadelphia, Orlando and the Lakers, but recent reports suggest that he may come off the trading block after all.

Ellis himself said he wanted out if the team wasn't improved, but now he is apparently happy with new coach Mark Jackson and the additions to the squad and wants to stay.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob has also claimed Ellis is a "unique asset," and the team will not let him go easily.

But Golden State now has some younger players who can take the place of Ellis, and there are sure to be more teams interested in him as the summer goes on, lockout or no lockout.

Dwight Howard

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Dwight Howard will be the most talked about player this summer and next season if he ends up staying with Orlando. 

The Lakers, New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls and more have all expressed at least rumored interest in the Magic star, and there's a good chance he'll be moved so that Orlando doesn't lose him for nothing next summer.

The Lakers have the most pieces to offer the Magic in return, and they would likely be more inclined to sell to a Western Conference team rather than conference foe they're hoping to challenge like Chicago, Miami or Philadelphia.

Howard teaming up with reigning MVP Derrick Rose could put the Bulls in the NBA Finals almost immediately, but they may not be willing to give up key pieces like Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer.

Orlando will try to get rid of Gilbert Arenas and his mammoth contract along with Howard, but that could prove a stumbling block. 

Lamar Odom

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It seems that Lamar Odom is expendable to the Lakers this summer.

He's been involved in numerous swap deals involving Minnesota before the draft, Philadelphia and Golden State among others. 

Some of the rumors may have been fueled by agents rather than teams themselves, but that doesn't change the fact that Odom is the Lakers' best trading chip.

He could be used as part of a deal to bring in a superstar like Dwight Howard or could be the main attraction in getting Monta Ellis from the Warriors.

However, Odom's personal life may hinder any possible deal.  

Andre Iguodala

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The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to trade Andre Iguodala no matter what they say, and they'd like to get a good deal out of him.

A swap deal for either Lamar Odom or Monta Ellis has been on the table since before the draft and are the top destinations for Iguodala.

The 76ers need more high-scoring players, and any team looking to shore up on defense would likely be interested in Iguodala. 

Andris Biedrins

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The Houston Rockets are interested in bringing Golden State center Andris Beidrins to Houston despite the large amount of money he is still owed.

However, the Warriors aren't willing to let him go for nothing.

Houston is offering Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2 overall pick by the Grizzlies in 2010) and Jordan Hill, both of whom amount to little if anything.

The Warriors may end up settling, however, just in an attempt to rid themselves of Beidrins' contract, but they'd be receiving two poor players in return. Golden State may play hard ball a bit, and since Houston really is desperate for a center, they could win.

Boston, Indiana and New Orleans are other teams that have the cap space for Beidrins and the need for a defensive, rebounding center, but his track record doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.