NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Things More/Less Likely to Happen Than a Monta Ellis Trade

The Golden State Warriors have been looking into trading their star guard, Monta Ellis, for a while now and after drafting Klay Thompson, the odds of Ellis being on the move look pretty good.

Ellis is one of the best players on the trading block, but by no means the only star involved in trade talks.

As the NBA enters another lockout, these trades won't be made anytime soon, but that doesn't mean we can't look at the possibilities of them happening.  

If made, these trades could have a big impact on the hierarchy of the league.

Although it looks like a trade involving Monta Ellis is inevitable, there are still trades out there that are more likely.

Here are five trades more or less likely to happen than a Monta Ellis trade.

Less Likely: Andre Iguodala Trade

The first legitimate trade rumor of the NBA offseason involved the Philadelphia 76ers and Andre Iguodala. 

Philadelphia's star forward has been rumored to be involved in trade talks with several teams including the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers.

The most recent rumor involved Iguodala heading to Los Angeles in exchange for Lamar Odom. 

On the surface, this deal seems to benefit both sides, but anytime Odom is involved in trade talk it's more complicated than that. 

Odom has always been very particular about where he'll play and that attitude has only been enhanced since his celebrity marriage to Khloe Kardashian. 

Because of all the variables involved in a deal for Lamar Odom, the risk may be greater than the reward for Philadelphia.

The Lakers aren't the only team interested in Iguodala, but with coach Doug Collins and the city of Philadelphia behind their star, the 76ers may choose to stay away from trade talks.

More Likely: Dwight Howard Trade

Since the Orlando Magic made their early exit from the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, there have been rumors of Dwight Howard being traded.

Initially, it seemed like a sure thing that Howard would be dealt and many teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls were all mentioned in trade talks.

However, Howard continued to insist that he would remain in Orlando.

Meanwhile, the all-star center refrained from signing his extension that would keep him with the Magic beyond 2012. 

Even though Howard has yet to state outright that he wants out of Orlando, the Magic will be looking into trade offers in order to avoid being abandoned like Cleveland was when LeBron James left them in free agency.

If a championship contender can come up with a deal that is appealing to the Magic, they will likely take it in order to get something in return for their superstar, rather than getting nothing should Howard leave in free agency after next season as expected.

Less Likely: Tony Parker Trade

Heading into the 2011 NBA Draft, the likelihood of the San Antonio Spurs trading their franchise point guard, Tony Parker, seemed pretty strong. 

However, when the Spurs elected to trade their "point guard of the future" in George Hill to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Kawhi Leonard, that likelihood dropped significantly.

San Antonio did use their second round draft pick to take Texas point guard, Corey Joseph, but that pick appeared to fill a backup role, rather than replace Parker.

There is still a chance that Parker will be traded—especially because of his comments made to a french newspaper about the Spurs not being contenders anymore—but management insists they are simply gauging Parker's trade value.

Parker isn't completely off the market as of now, but he is less likely to move than Monte Ellis.

More Likely: Chris Paul

One of the biggest names involved in possible trade talk is New Orleans Hornets point guard, Chris Paul.

Chris Paul is one of the best players in the NBA and has the ability to drastically change any team's winning potential.

Like Dwight Howard, Paul is set to enter free agency after the completion of the 2011-12 season (that is if there is one) and most people don't expect him to remain with the Hornets.

Even if New Orleans is able to surround Paul with adequate talent, there is no indication that he will stay and because of that, the Hornets will likely look to deal Paul before season's end.

Nearly every team in the NBA would be willing to make a serious push in order to land Chris Paul should the Hornets put him on the trading block.

Less Likely: Josh Smith Trade

Like many other players, trade rumors for Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks began around the time of the NBA Draft.

There were rumors circulating that Atlanta was involved in trade talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves that would exchange Smith for the No. 2 overall pick.

Like so many other speculated deals, though, that trade never happened.

Although Smith has reportedly mentioned teams such as the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic as preferred destinations should the Hawks trade him, Atlanta doesn't necessarily want to trade him.

It's not that the Hawks and Smith aren't ready to part ways, but that the Hawks may not be able to get enough in a trade involving Smith now.

Atlanta may not have enough to land Howard and the deals with Boston, New Jersey, and Houston just don't make much sense given each team's needs.

A deal may very well get done, but the likelihood isn't as great as it is for Ellis.