NBA Trade Rumors: Player Linked to Every Team in the League

Nearly every single NBA team has a player or two they are going after, even if the lockout is still present.

Whether they are found within free agency or trade, new acquisitions are key to improvement and help represent which way the team is ultimately going. Trading is a lot different though, because both (or more, in some cases) teams need to give up "fair" amounts to equal out the balance.

In the following 30 slides, I will go through each and every team and name one player who has been linked to another team via trade rumors and scenarios.

Atlanta Hawks: Whatever They Can Get for Josh Smith or Kirk Hinrich

It's no secret that Josh Smith is being shopped around the league, but Kirk Hinrich is also, albeit quietly, being pursued by possible ballclubs.

Smith has been rumored to go to Boston, Orlando or Houston.

Hinrich's suitors are whispering now, but I believe he'll be an open target fairly soon, but that's just wishful thinking talking.

Boston Celtics: Josh Smith

Josh Smith made my job easy here when he declared in late June that the Boston Celtics were one of the teams he'd like to be traded to.

Now if only Danny Ainge could whip up a deal to seal his fate. Smith would really become an integral part to the aging Celtics' future.

Charlotte Bobcats: Chris Paul...?

It would bequeath me to write of a newer scenario than this one, but the fact of the matter is that there are none available for the Charlotte Bobcats.

It's always nice to dream though, isn't it?

Chicago Bulls: Dwight Howard

Out of nowhere in late April, the Chicago Bulls declared their interest in the league's best big man, Dwight Howard.

Amidst a plethora of potential suitors, the Bulls might have the most out of any team to offer the Magic. Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kyle Korver and Taj Gibson are all players that could be involved in such a deal.

O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies has also reportedly been an interest off the team.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Richard Hamitlon

Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Omri Casspi via trade with the Sacramento Kings, it's hard to believe that Rip Hamilton will continue to appear on their radar like he did throughout the month of June.

However, he still has been linked to them so the inclusion is necessary. Plus the Cavs aren't exactly the Vinny Testaverde of changing their roster around.

Dallas Mavericks: ...?

After winning the 2011 NBA Finals, it's hard to say exactly what the Dallas Mavericks will do this offseason.

There are absolutely no trade rumors regarding them right now, so at the moment, we'll call this a question mark. I'll get back to you in a while.

Denver Nuggets: What's a Trade?

Instead of worrying about trading, the Denver Nuggets have taken it upon themselves to re-sign all of their free agents.

Well, all except J.R. Smith, that is.

Detroit Pistons: Whatever They Can Get for Richard Hamilton

The Detroit Pistons aren't necessarily looking to do much this offseason, and that might be a bad idea in of itself. The team clearly needs some help.

Richard Hamilton, one of the few remaining remnants of the magical 2003-04 season, is most likely on his way out and the team will see what they can receive in return for the 6'7" shooting guard.

Golden State Warriors: Lamar Odom

Why, for two weeks, were the Lakers so intent on shopping their sixth man, Lamar Odom, just before the lockout commenced?

To be honest, I have no idea. He was rumored to be involved in a plethora of trades regarding several teams, including the Sixers, T'Wolves and Warriors.

Perhaps the most serious one involved his contract coupled with Shannon Brown's in exchange for Monta Ellis of Golden State. The Warriors feel, however, that they should return more, and so continues the Monta Ellis trading sweepstakes.

Houston Rockets: Andris Biedrins

Many sources indicated that the Golden State Warriors nearly dealt 7-footer Andris Biedrins to the Houston Rockets, where he would then relieve Chuck Hayes of his duty as the starting center.

Biedrins' name was brought up almost instantly after Chinese icon Yao Ming surprisingly declared his retirement from the league.

Biedrins would bring height to a team that has, at the moment, just two players over 6'11"—one being the absolutely worthless and inept Hasheem Thabeet, the other Donatas Motiejunas, a first-round pick in this year's draft.

Indiana Pacers: Josh McRoberts

It isn't really all that hard to see that there's really no place for Josh McRoberts on the Indiana Pacers anymore.

We know of at least two incidents where the preceding statement is proved to be true. For one, he was nearly dealt to the Grizzlies at last February's trade deadline, and two, the Pacers are trying to bring in Carl Landry, yet another power forward.

Good riddance, Josh.

Los Angeles Clippers: Andre Iguodala

Just because Andre Iguodala supposedly doesn't expect to be traded this offseason does not mean that he hasn't been linked to other teams.

One of the more popular trade scenarios have involved Iggy heading out West to the Clippers in exchange for Chris Kaman.

Los Angeles Lakers: Dwight Howard

Say what you will about Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers, but in all honesty, I don't believe it's as solid a fit as everyone advertises it to be.

The Lakers already have a top-three center in Andrew Bynum. The team is already far over their allowed salary cap. A move like this would translate into financial hell over the coming years.

I think all of us basketball fans really know where the franchise's biggest true need lies. They really need to upgrade over Derek Fisher at the point guard position.

Nonetheless, Dwight's being takes the cake here.

Memphis Grizzlies: Monta Ellis

About a month ago, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Grizzlies were among a pack of teams who were vying for the services of Golden State Warrior Monta Ellis.

Ellis is essentially a better version of their incumbent shooting guard (O.J. Mayo), and he would have to be included in such a deal.

Miami Heat: None, They're All About Free Agency

The Miami Heat aren't looking to trade this offseason because well, let's face it, they really have no valuable trade assets.

Instead of taking that route, the Heat will travel down the free agency path.

Samuel Dalembert is perhaps the biggest name they are looking at, and his excellent defense and rebounding abilities would be welcomed with open arms in South Beach.

Milwaukee Bucks: Ramon Sessions

The Milwaukee Bucks were apparently enamored with the idea of acquiring Ramon Sessions before the draft, according to beat writer Gery Woelfel.

Now, it wouldn't make any sense whatsoever, as the team currently has Brandon Jennings, Beno Udrih and Keyon Dooling all apart of their 2011-12 depth chart.

Despite being linked with the club, I see absolutely no way this deal ever goes down.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Don Nelson

OK, you got me. Don Nelson isn't a basketball player.

But, as of late, the Timberwolves' biggest question mark has been in regards to their head coaching job rather than anywhere in their rotation.

Of course, we all knew David Kahn's incompetent behind was going to be the last general manager to find a replacement for a fired coach, now didn't we?

New Jersey Nets: Dwight Howard

Here's another team that would love to get their hands on this guy's talents.

Unlike the Lakers, though, the New Jersey Nets have it in their best interest with the money and trade chips they possess. They could easily acquire the almighty Dwight Howard by giving up Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries and two first-round picks.

New Orleans Hornets: Forget Trading Your Players, How About Keeping Them?!

Ever since the free agency period commenced, the New Orleans Hornets are absolutely dropping like flies (no pun intended). Aaron Gray, Carl Landry and David West, arguably three of their four best post players, have all opted for free agency.

Once Chris Paul is dealt, this team will be among the worst in the association.

Unless, that is, they start making some positive moves.

New York Knicks: Steve Nash

This inclusion is definitely one of the most obvious ones on the entire list.

If Steve Nash is dealt to New York, where he would be reunited with former Suns coach Mike D'Antonio and teammate Amar'e Stoudemire, he would be an absolutely perfect fit.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Bynum

It really is hard to believe that the Los Angeles Lakers would trade Andrew Bynum to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, but that's just what Paul Finney of the New Orleans Times reported a week or two back.

Regardless, the Thunder are going to need to relinquish a bit more than that to obtain the 23-year-old's rights. Maybe they could toss someone like Thabo Sefolosha to make it both more realistic and believable.

Orlando Magic: Josh Smith

Just as the NBA headed for a lockout on the first of the month, CBS' Ken Berger had reported previously that the Orlando Magic were legitimately trying to acquire talented small forward Josh Smith via trade.

Smith would bring in a new dynamic of basketball to Orlando, and he sure as heck would be a big reason for Dwight Howard to stay in the city that has transformed into his one-man show.

Smith would be a huge upgrade over the talents they currently possess at the position.

Philadelphia 76ers: Chris Kaman

I can't tell you how many times I've sat back and laughed at the mention of the Philadelphia 76ers' incumbent center, Spencer Hawes. Just the idea of him starting on a supposed "legitimate" playoff contender is something that will make me wonder all the way until June.

Anyways, in the aforementioned Andre Iguodala trade talks, Chris Kaman was always the main attraction headed to Philly.

After all, what's not to like? The Grand Rapids, Michigan native is a big body who has a knack for rebounding (he once grabbed 12.8 boards per game over a season), blocking shots left and right (he averaged a 2.8 clip three years ago) and scoring well in the low post year after year.

Phoenix Suns: Chauncey Billups

The Suns need something in return for the Steve Nash deal, you know!

Chauncey Billups seems to be the guy everyone mentions whenever they bring up Nash to New York scenarios.

He can still play, and he'd continue to be competitive even at 35 years old next season.

Portland Trail Blazers: Robin Lopez

Around the time of June's draft, the Portland Trail Blazers were apparently intrigued by the Suns' Robin Lopez.

You know, come to think of it, a deal like this might actually make sense for the Blazers. Lopez would be a good fit in the Rose City, where a center for the future is desperately needed.

Marcus Camby is aging, and LaMarcus Aldridge is a power forward.

Sacramento Kings: Aaron Brooks

In late June, Alex Kennedy reported that ever since the Houston Rockets drafted Aaron Brooks out of Oregon in 2007, the Sacramento Kings have tried to pry him away from his respective team.

Brooks is currently a free agent. If Phoenix is smart, they'd sign him for a year and then deal him at some point into the 2011-12 (yes, I'm being wishful that it will happen).

San Antonio Spurs: Omri Casspi

For a guy who has already been traded once this offseason, Omri Casspi sure is a hot commodity.

The Spurs are literally ready to start a new phase, and I don't believe Richard Jefferson and Kawhi Leonard can coexist and form a solid small forward duo.

The odd man out has to be RJ, and in all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised if they released him upon acquiring a guy like Casspi.

Toronto Raptors: Tyson Chandler

About 15 minutes after Tyson Chandler declared himself to be testing free agency waters, the Toronto Raptors openly announced they were interested.

Although he is an unrestricted free agent, it's still not entirely impossible to believe that the Mavericks and Raps could work on (and perhaps complete) a sign-and-trade once the lockout concludes.

For now, he remains their No. 1 priority.

Utah Jazz: Whatever They Can Get for Paul Millsap

Just taking a gander at the Utah Jazz frontcourt has to have one wondering why at least one player hasn't been dealt yet.

Paul Millsap, a power forward, might be the odd man out. There's a reason that the team traded for Derrick Favors right before the trade deadline in February, and I guess we'll find out whenever Millsap is swapped.

Washington Wizards: Enes Kanter

This may seem like a strange pick, but there definitely is a link between the Washington Wizards and Enes Kanter.

When he first started working out for specific teams, the Turkey native noted that he would like to play in our nation's capital for the Wizards. It was kind of an odd request, but whatever floats your boat, Mr. Kanter.

Perhaps the club could swap JaVale McGee for him if they still cherish his talents. That'd be a fairly decent trade for both sides.

Follow Joseph on Twitter @JosephFafinski for the latest breaking news and repeated failed attempts to get you to laugh.