NBA Trade Rumors: Are the Hottest Trade Rumors Fact or Fiction?

Adam FromalJun 7, 2018

It doesn't matter that a lockout is going on right now in the NBA. The trade rumor mill is still churning just as much as normal, producing no shortage of hypothetical swaps between teams.

Just like always, stars are involved in these trades. This year the biggest names are Monta Ellis, Rudy Gay, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Lamar Odom, Tony Parker and Josh Smith.

Each one of these All-Star-caliber players could make a significant impact on a new team and possibly be the final missing piece.

But when it comes to these players, are the rumors of them leaving fact or fiction?

Adam Fromal is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on Twitter @Fromal09.

Monta Ellis Leaving Golden State?

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One of the earliest names in trade rumors, Monta Ellis must have been rumored to be going to each and every team in the NBA by now.

Ellis is a ridiculously talented scorer capable of dropping as many points on a nightly basis as he has tattoos. But just don't expect him to play too well on the other side of the court. He has, after all, spent the entirety of his career playing for the video-game team called the Golden State Warriors.

There are quite a few teams, most notably Portland, that remain interested in acquiring the shooting guard, but it appears as if every member of the Warriors wants Ellis to stay in Golden State.

Stephen Curry recently declared that he wanted Ellis back for another season, and earlier in the summer general manager Larry Riley said Ellis wouldn't be going anywhere.

I tend to think that these statements, which may be true right now because of the lockout, are said more to up Ellis' trade value. At the end of the day, the backcourt is not big enough for incoming rookie Klay Thompson, Curry and Ellis.

Verdict: Fact

Rudy Gay Leaving Memphis?

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After the Memphis Grizzlies made a postseason run that was as impressive as it was unexpected, they realized that Rudy Gay, the perceived star of the franchise, might actually be expendable.

Why was this, you may ask? It was because Gay actually had to sit out during the playoffs because of an injury, and the team performed better without him.

But remember that the playoffs have as much to do with momentum as they do with talent. After all, the Miami Heat had two players more talented than the Dallas Mavericks' best players, and the team from South Beach had another star better than anyone not named Dirk Nowitzki. But the Mavs prevailed in the end.

Gay is the future of the franchise, not Zach Randolph or anyone else.

I have to believe that Memphis' management is intelligent enough to realize this before making a terrible mistake.

Verdict: Fiction

Dwight Howard Leaving Orlando?

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Dwight Howard is surrounded by aging players who are only getting worse as the Orlando Magic slowly fall further and further out of contention despite the fact that D-12 is only getting better.

Howard has been rumored to go to quite a few places. Some suggest that he could go to Atlanta while bringing Josh Smith down south in return. Others say that he could end up in New Jersey, New York or even Los Angeles (for the Lakers, not the Clippers).

Regardless, Howard seems destined to make a move at some point. But why exactly are you going to trade the face of your franchise, who just happens to be the best player in the league at his position, bar none?

It seems much more likely to me that Orlando will trade surrounding parts to make Howard happy than trade Superman away.

Verdict: Fiction

Andre Iguodala Leaving Philadelphia?

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Has any player been involved in more trade rumors as of late than Andre Iguodala?

The ultra talented shooting guard and small forward is an elite stat-stuffer, just as talented on the offensive end as he is at either crashing the boards or playing defense.

Originally, the rumor was that Iguodala would be traded to the Golden State Warriors straight up for Monta Ellis. That deal no longer appears to be happening, but the rumors concerning Iggy are almost coming too quickly to keep track of them all.

Now, the hottest rumor of them all has Iguodala going to Los Angeles with Lamar Odom heading to Philly.

Iguodala himself recently said that he was happy in Philadelphia and expected to remain with the team, but could that possibly just be lip service in case he stays with the team and has to endear himself to fans once more?

Verdict: Fact

Lamar Odom Leaving Los Angeles?

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The Los Angeles Lakers aren't satisfied with their most recent playoff performance, a sweep at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks that was so embarrassing it caused players like Ron Artest, I mean Metta World Peace, and Andrew Bynum to lose their tempers (surprise, surprise).

A change has to be made to appease those that trade purple and gold. Obviously Kobe Bryant isn't going anywhere, and I seriously doubt that Bynum or Artest will be shipped east. Who better to trade away than the talented but aging sixth man named Lamar Odom?

The latest Odom rumor has him going to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala. Even if that doesn't happen, I still have to believe No. 7 will be traded.

Verdict: Fact

Tony Parker Leaving San Antonio?

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Tony Parker has been with the San Antonio Spurs for his entire career, but some people think he's played his last game in the boring yet timeless black, gray and white jerseys of the Texas-based franchise.

Parker appeared to be on the decline but rejuvenated his career with an absolutely fantastic season, averaging some of the best numbers of his career.

But then the rumors started flying that he was on his way out of San Antonio. This, of course, was before the Spurs dealt away backup point guard George Hill.

Yet the rumors persist. Too bad they will remain just rumors.

Verdict: Fiction

Josh Smith Leaving Atlanta?

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Ever since he was drafted onto an inept Hawks team, Josh Smith has improved along with the Atlanta-based squad that he plays for.

With absolutely incredible athleticism, Smith has the ability to dominate down low whenever he touches the ball, but it's being rather nice to say that his basketball IQ is subpar. For some reason, the forward decides at random points that he'd rather be a guard and hoists up ill-advised jump shots that inevitably clang off some part of the rim.

It's safe to say that he's very close to wearing out his welcome with both the Hawks management and fanbase. He may already have done so.

The biggest rumor right now that involves Smith has him going to Orlando in an attempt to please Dwight Howard and keep him with the Magic for at least a few more seasons. This is one of the few rumors that I can see eventually coming to fruition.

Regardless of whether or not he moves to Orlando, Smith will be on his way out of Atlanta.

Verdict: Fact