NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting the Landing Destination for Top Trade Chips

The NBA trade scene will be pretty dead in the upcoming weeks and months. But when the league went into lockout mode, several major players who were on the trading block stood pat with their respective teams, leaving mounds of trade rumors left on the table for us to all ponder.

While some NBA trade rumors involve superstars, others involve key role players on championship-contending teams.

Regardless, each player left on the trading block has a possible team that has been involved in talks to acquire him.

Here are some of the most notable trading chips' possible destinations in the NBA.  

Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala to Switch Homes?

Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis has been in various trade rumors since the beginning of the 2010-11 season. His improved play (his per-game stats look darn similar, but in fact, Ellis was a far more efficient player, shown by advanced statistics) has made him a more formidable trading piece this offseason.

One possible destination for the 25-year-old guard? The City of Brotherly Love to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. In the discussed exchange, Ellis would be shipped to Philly for wing-man Andre Iguodala.

Though talks have quieted between the two teams after the draft, this deal is so pragmatic, it just may work.

The Warriors ranked as one of the most offensively potent teams in the NBA last season; however, the team ranked 26th in the league in defensive rating (a pace-adjusted stat to measure team defense).

Flip the switch, and you have the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA last season while finishing in the bottom half in nearly every offensive stat available.

This deal makes sense because both of these teams' weaknesses would be addressed. Ellis provides enough offense to carry a team on his shoulders, while Iguodala can guard a variety of positions and usually, the best player on the opposing team.   

The Warriors already have a solid on-the-ball backcourt threat in Stephen Curry, and the addition of Klay Thompson could better compliment the duo of David Lee and Curry. Conversely, the Sixers have some defensive, young talent with Evan Turner, Jrue Holliday and Thaddeus Young heading their youthful core.

No one's sure when the NBA lockout's ending, but this monster deal would be worth looking at twice, or seven times.  

Dwight Howard to the New Jersey Nets?

Orlando Magic superstar Dwight Howard has been in dozens of trade talks over the past year; he's set to become a free agent in 2012 after refusing to sign a contract extension with Orlando.

Recently, ESPN reported that the New Jersey Nets would be pursuing Howard in the summer of 2012.

Of course, if anyone knows anything the Nets' organization under billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, it's that they get what they want when they want it. 

Deron Williams is already in New Jersey, and the Nets are planning a prime move to Brooklyn in a couple of years. Adding Howard as soon as possible would be huge for the Nets. 

The Nets have the means to pry Howard from Orlando, too—Brook Lopez is a promising, young center that Orlando could have in addition to the numerous future draft picks that the Nets currently possess. Add some cash to boot, and there could be a deal that would make Orlando happy.

Lamar Odom to Become a Philadelphia 76er?

Andre Iguodala was already mentioned in a previous trade rumor, so let's focus on the other aspect of this: Lamar Odom.

According to Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times, Odom could be the one player that is traded away.  

Odom proved to be a solid role player, if not an awesome third option for any team. He managed to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award, which is surprising, considering he's the fourth best player on the team. 

Odom is versatile as hell and can play on and off the ball extremely well. He's usually a matchup nightmare as well, and he could provide a vast array of offensive options in Philadelphia as a Sixer.

Lamar Odom's contract is appealing, too: He's only on contract for $8.9 million for next season.

Andris Biedrins to Become a Portland Trailblazer?

Andris Biedrins has been in NBA rumor mills for years, and somehow remains a Golden State Warrior. 

However, Mark Steinmetz of Comcast SportsNet-Bay Area said in a live chat that a deal involving the Portland Trailblazers' Marcus Camby has merit. The Blazers would need some depth at the big position, where Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla are constantly injured. Biedrins could fill that hole while getting rid of an oft-injured Camby.

Camby would provide a constant defensive presence for the Warriors, who have zero constant defensive presences whatsoever.