NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Players Who Could Whine Their Way out of Town

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Chris Paul's move to the Los Angeles Clippers helps tone down the trade rumor mill quite a bit, but a number of other players will force their way to a new team.

Paul is not the only player who preferred to take his talents elsewhere, he was just the most prominent one at that time. Now that his situation is resolved, expect other athletes to let their distaste for their current situation show.

The New Orleans Hornets made out like bandits in the Paul trade, but make no mistake that he was the driving force behind the team's decision to move him.

A few players share his sentiments and could join him in donning a different team's colors by the March 15th trade deadline. 

Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

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Monta Ellis was being shopped hard by the Golden State Warriors before the work stoppage, but talks have cooled off since the NBA re-opened its doors.

Originally, Ellis was linked most heavily to the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, but nothing has transpired on either of those fronts. Don't misconstrue the lack of trade chatter surrounding Ellis as a sign all is well in Golden State though, as it has the potential to blow up at any minute.

The Warriors seem ready to hand the leadership reigns to Stephen Curry, and while Ellis may not publicly protest, such a decision may not settle well with him. Additionally, the recent sexual harassment rumors don't make the prospect of remaining with the Warriors any more appealing.

It was Golden State who opted to shop Ellis previously, but moving forward, a change of scenery could be something the combo-guard himself dictates.

Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

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Prior to the work stoppage, the Atlanta Hawks initiated trade discussions with regard to Josh Smith, but since the lockout has ended, it has become clear the forward is now the one itching for a change most.

Smith feels that he has run his course with the Hawks, and the team's decision not to bring back Jamal Crawford will only further such a feeling. Atlanta has an abundance of forwards and does not appear to be headed toward contention. When mixed together, that's a cocktail that doesn't appeal to Smith's taste buds.

While the explosive forward hasn't been overly vocal about his preferences, it is known that the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics are among the list of teams he would like to play for. That being said, he has never been one to stay quiet for long, and as the season progresses, expect him to become more vocal in his pursuit of a trade.

Smith may become so fed up with the Hawks that he will green-light a trade anywhere. 

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

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After the Boston Celtics actively shopped Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge may not be able to sweet-talk the point guard into wanting to stay.

Rondo is the only young star the Celtics boast, and the fact that they were willing to move him for Chris Paul says a great deal about their lack of faith in him to lead their team post Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

The point guard is no doubt a prolific floor general, but there remains some doubt as to whether or not he can lead a team that doesn't have a superstar.

Regardless, the honeymoon is over for Rondo and Boston. The team's willingness to move him will not settle all that well, and given age is catching up to their core, Rondo could decide to force his way out.

Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets

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While Kevin Martin seemed ready to do whatever he could for his teammates, he did not seem so apt to forgive the Houston Rockets for including him in trade talks.

Martin has never been an extremely outspoken player, but after recent events, don't be surprised to see him request a trade out of Houston. He has become the team's go-to scorer and remains one of the more underrated players in the league. And that may be the problem.

The Rockets have always seemed to value Martin's presence, but if he begins to feel undervalued on his own team, he is not going to want to stick around.

Martin was almost moved once already, and it is possible this happens again, at his own request.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

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Dwight Howard has gone back and forth with regards to his future in Orlando, yet his recent trade request is something he can never fully take back.

Howard has left the door open to returning to the Magic, but only if the team undergoes some major change. Well, the organization is in no position to stage a major roster upheaval and is unlikely to pull off that caliber of move that will satisfy Howard enough to commit long-term.

So, while the Magic can push Howard's situation to the back-burner for now, they are going to have to accept the fact sooner or later that the star center has one foot out the door. If he truly believed Orlando could surround him with the talent he wanted, he would not have requested a trade to the Nets but rather shown enough confidence to ride the season out.

Make no mistake that Howard is unhappy with the direction of this team, and sooner or later, he is going to be dealt. 

And if recent events have made us privy to anything, it's that when he is dealt, it's not the Magic simply trying to save face, but rather the team finally giving in to his demands.