NBA Trade Rumors: Monta Ellis and the Top 5 Guards on the NBA Trading Block

The NBA may be in a lockout right now, but that doesn't mean NBA trade rumors cease to exist. Once the lockout is over, multiple teams will rush to make all sorts of moves. 

The NBA draft has come and gone, and now the only way to get better as a team is through free agency and trades. 

There are a few big names on the market, as well as smaller players. Then there are of course the deals that almost come out of nowhere, such as the J.J. Hickson for Omri Casspi deal that went down yesterday. 

I thought maybe a few more teams would try to make a deal before the league was locked out, but it didn't happen. Still though, NBA teams have big interest in certain players.

So who are the top five guards on the trade market?

Monta Ellis: The Golden State Warriors tried to trade him before the draft, but they never found a deal they truly loved. Now, recent reports are saying the team is not trying to trade Ellis. However, after drafting sharpshooter Klay Thompson in the lottery, I believe otherwise. 

The Warriors aren't going anywhere in the Western Conference with the team they have. They need to make moves, and right now Ellis is their best trade bait. His value is extremely high and the team can get great players in return.

New head coach Mark Jackson wants to be bigger and better at defense. If that is to happen, then Ellis will have to be traded.

Eric Maynor: The Oklahoma City Thunder were trying to deal Maynor on draft day. Obviously that didn't happen, but after drafting another point guard in Reggie Jackson, Maynor remains a tradable player. The Thunder exercised his option, which means he will remain on their team next season. 

However, with four valuable point guards now on the team, the Thunder are setting themselves up for some type of deal. Maynor has great experience, which makes his value much better than Jackson. I think the should keep him, but he will be dealt once the lockout is over.

Richard Hamilton: The Detroit Pistons have been trying to dump Hamilton for awhile. They know they can get something in return for the shooting guard, but they don't want to just give him away. 

A struggling franchise in rebuilding mode, the Pistons need all the help they can get. They drafted Brandon Knight, which means if they re-sign Rodney Stuckey, he will move over to the two guard. Hamilton will be moved once the lockout is over because Detroit is tired of dealing with him and his issues. 

Jameer Nelson: HOOPSWORLD recently reported that the Orlando Magic tried to trade Nelson. They mention that Nelson is really only one of the Magic's trade options at this point. Orlando needs to surround Dwight Howard with better talent, which may mean trading Nelson away. 

Nelson has never been an elite point guard, but he gets the job done. He's excelled at feeding Howard the ball, and at age 29, he still has some good years left in him. Nelson will be sacrificed in order to bring in better talent to make sure Howard doesn't leave. 

Chris Paul: The New Orleans Hornets know that Paul won't be re-signing with the team. He is a free agent in 2012, and if the Hornets are smart, they will trade him sometime this season. New Orleans doesn't want to feel the pain Cleveland felt after LeBron James left them.

They have to get something in return for the All-Star point guard. With David West leaving via free agency, the Hornets don't have anyone of worth to play with Paul. He will leave them in free agency, which is why New Orleans must trade him.

These are just five guards available on the trade market. Will any of them actually be traded? Maynor is the only one that shouldn't be traded, but in the end, they will all be moved.