NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Trades That Could Happen After Lockout

The NBA lockout has put current trade rumors on hold prior to the 2011-12 season, but that doesn't mean that teams aren't already planning the next step.

There were a number of clubs that were active in discussions throughout the previous campaign, and the 2010-11 trade deadline was one of the busiest that we've ever seen.

With all of the new potential ramifications that could result in the construction of a new collective bargaining agreement, it's going to be very interesting to see how some teams fill out the roster.

10. Cleveland Had Been Targeting Rudy Gay

The Cavs had been hot on the tail of Rudy Gay throughout the offseason despite Memphis’ stance that the team wasn’t dealing him, and I’m not expecting Cleveland to suddenly give up hope.

While the Cavs did just acquire Omri Casspi prior to the lockout, the team needs additional help on the perimeter, and it would be foolish to bank on Casspi alone in fulfilling that role.

The Cavs have a plethora of young talent on the roster, but now general manager Chris Grant needs to bring in some proven veterans that can lead by example for an extraordinarily young team.

9. Could Josh Smith Be on His Way out of Atlanta?

Smith has been rumored to be on the block ever since the draft, and the Hawks could very well continue to explore deals for the athletic forward after the lockout.

It’s become increasingly obvious that Atlanta has grown tiresome of Smith’s decision making on the court, and despite his enormous talent, a divorce between the two parties could allow Al Horford to play his natural power forward position.

Dealing Smith would also open up some financial flexibility for Atlanta to pursue a true center, an element that the club has been lacking for far too long.

8. Lamar Odom to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala?

This swap was one of the hottest rumors leading up to the draft, and it’s one that drew some serious reactions from both sides.

While the Sixers reportedly had some concerns about Odom’s level of effectiveness outside of Los Angeles, Iguodala’s behemoth contract would further cripple any financial flexibility for the Lakers.

That might not be a risk worth taking with a new collective bargaining agreement certain to bring harsher financial constraints to teams.

Any deal that the Lakers are likely to consider would be aimed at decreasing the payroll rather than exponentially increasing it, making this swap an unlikely one between the the Sixers and Lakers.

7. Mike Miller Wearing out His Welcome in Miami?

Miller was a highly sought after commodity when he was a free agent during the summer of 2010, but the Heat quickly grew tired of his inefficiency on the court during the regular season.

Miami was shopping him, but the four years and $24 million remaining on his contract makes that a much bigger challenge for teams without much cap space.

He’s an interesting piece for a competitor that’s looking to bolster its bench, but most teams are going to have to see way more from him before taking on the risk of his financial commitment for the long term.

6. Cleveland, Golden State Considering Antawn Jamison Deal?

Could Golden State still be interested in a Jamison revival?

With a $15 million expiring contract, Jamison could certainly appeal to a Warriors team that’s looking to achieve increased financial flexibility as the team re-shapes under new ownership and with Mark Jackson in his first season on the bench.

It’d be interesting to see what the team could potentially give up in a deal considering the players currently on the roster, as Cleveland is a team that’s looking to climb out of the cellar.

5. Nobody Untouchable on Utah's Roster?

As if it wasn’t evident enough with the Deron Williams trade to New Jersey, Utah made it clear that there was nobody untouchable on the roster.

After drafting Enes Kanter on the heels of acquiring Derrick Favors, some have begun to speculate that Paul Millsap’s future could be one that’s not with the Jazz.

There are a plethora of teams that could use a major improvement along the front line, and Millsap could make for a very intriguing target should the club remain active in trade talks.

4. Rockets Want a Big Man for Courtney Lee

The Rockets received numerous inquiries as to the availability of Lee, but the team was holding out on its stance for gaining some much needed size in the frontcourt.

With Kevin Martin currently entrenched as the starting shooting guard, there isn’t a lot of room for growth for Lee moving forward.

It’s still possible that Lee is dealt to a team looking for a major improvement in the backcourt, but it’s clear that the Rockets won’t be giving him up on the cheap.

3. Minnesota, Utah to Hook Back Up on Raja Bell?

Bell signed in Utah just before the start of the 2010-11 campaign, but the team was quick to put him on the trade market.

It’s highly possible that Minnesota could still be intrigued enough to consider adding him to the fold considering all of the youth on the roster, and the team could undoubtedly use help with its perimeter defense.

He’s got a touch over $6.5 million owed to him for the remainder of his deal, and the T-Wolves roster is loaded with youth that should intrigue a Jazz team that’s clearly rebuilding.

2. Interest in Jared Dudley to Pick Back Up?

Jared Dudley’s surprising play in the desert for the Suns got a number of competitors looking closely at him last season, and that’s not something that’s likely to change overnight.

However, Dudley is signed at a very reasonable salary of $4.25 million per season on a long-term deal, and the Suns definitely aren’t going to be eager to move him just for the sake of making a deal.

Both Chicago and Boston could definitely use his services, but the latter doesn’t currently have the resources to craft a deal to fit a re-building team.

1. Chicago's Pursuit of an Upgrade at Shooting Guard

Prior to last season’s deadline, Chicago was pushing to upgrade its backcourt attack alongside Derrick Rose.

An area of glaring weakness for the team, the Bulls inquired on the availability of both Courtney Lee and O.J. Mayo before ultimately being re-buffed by both Houston and Memphis.

The team expressed a clear unwillingness to part with its talented backup bigs in Omer Asik and Taj Gibson, and unless the club comes off of that stance, it’s going to be tough for to posture the necessary stance at the negotiating table.