NBA Trade Rumors: 6 Deals That Will Go Down Before Deadline

Just because we have a condensed NBA season does not mean that we'll have less goings-on in the basketball world.  There's still just as much to do, only this year there's less time to get it done. 

Not one team has been complacent to ride out the lockout-shortened season with malfunctioning parts, just ask Flip Saunders. 

As the trade deadline looms, teams are shining their search lights on players who could come cheap and be able to provide an immediate impact. While players like Andre Iguodala and Steve Nash have been mentioned in passing, there are far more likely candidates out there looking to make a move before we reach the trade deadline. 

While there will be plenty of mitigating and haggling over salary, contract length and expected minutes played, I'd like to shine my own light on five trades that will happen before the deadline.  

Chris Kaman: Center, New Orleans Hornets

Yes, David Stern is still ruling over the Hornets with an iron, GM fist. 

No, I don't think he will descend on and rule out this trade.  In fact, all signs point to Chris Kaman leaving town. 

The Hornets have essentially given Kaman the green light to stay away from the team until a trade is approved.  That, compounded with teams already showing interest in the veteran big-man, means a trade is imminent according to John Reid of the Times Picayune:

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"The Hornets are getting inquires from several teams interested in obtaining center Chris Kaman in a trade, according to league sources. Since General Manager Dell Demps said this past Friday they intend to trade Kaman, at least five teams have inquired, including Southwest Division rivals the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets."

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At 30 years old, Kaman could provide valuable minutes coming off the bench to back up one of San Antonio's or Houston's current starters, if he's willing. 

Still, expect to see that get worked out before the deadline and eye Chris Kaman coming off the bench in a reserve role behind either Emeka Okafor in Atlanta or Hasheem Thabeet in Houston.

Ramon Sessions: Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers

It's hard having to play second-fiddle to the young, gifted Kyrie Irving. 

Of course, Sessions is only 25 years old and has some talent of his own.  So much so that the Lakers have shown a good deal of interest in acquiring him from the Cavaliers. 

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports indicates that talks have taken place between Los Angeles and Cleveland in an effort to rebuild the Lakers' now atrophied back court.  

It makes sense, especially when you consider that Steve Blake has had problems staying healthy and Derek Fisher is well past his prime.  Sessions could fill a huge gap in that sense as he is a scoring point guard he likes to get into the lane and draw contact. 

Hey, anything to open up the shooting lanes for Kobe, right?

That, and the fact that the Lakers have an $8.9 million trade exception, as well as short term players that can be dealt makes it an ideal move for Los Angeles to pick up a guard who is still young and could develop into a valuable asset at the point. 

Anthony Morrow: Guard, New Jersey Nets

Anthony Morrow has the misfortune of being one of the few tradeable features on a team looking to clean up the roster. 

Of course, Morrow is used to trade talks and has most recently been involved in potential negotiations between the Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies who may part with O.J. Mayo as his contract is in his final year. 

According to Fred Kerber of the New York Post:

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So what is not that big a deal this time was Morrow being mentioned as part of a deal with Memphis that could fetch O.J. Mayo. But NBA sources contend those talks have fizzled.

The scenario was first reported by Yahoo! Sports.

“Same old, man. Like last year but it’s nowhere near as bad," Morrow said. "It’s part of the game. It is what it is,” said Morrow, whose 3-point shot has erupted lately with him making 19-of-33 (.576) in his past five games

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While talks may have "fizzled" there's no reason to think that they won't ramp back up again, especially if Morrow's shooting continues to strengthen.  In all reality, Morrow is one of two players (the other being Jordan Farmar) who could very likely be dealt on or before the deadline in favor of someone younger with an expiring contract.

Stephen Jackson: Forward, Milwaulkee Bucks

Stephen Jackson has not had the best go of it lately in Milwaulkee.  In fact, his situation there is tumultuous at best.  While he is a well-liked presence in the locker room, the coaching staff and front office feel slightly different about the veteran forward.  

Could a change of scenery be in line? Signs point to "yes". 

The latest and most curious trade news involving Jackson involves sending him to New Jersey to alongside (drumroll)... Dwight Howard.  

This, according to Ric Bucher of ESPN.com, has gained a little traction of late.

This sure would play out like a dream for the people in New Jersey and I can't imagine Jackson would be missed terribly in Milwaulkee.  The deciding factor in this case, however, is whether or not Dwight Howard can finally manage to get Orlando to work out a deal for him.

Either way, Jackson doesn't have long to go in a Buck's uniform and Milwaukee will want to deal him sooner rather than later as his value could potentially take more hits as time runs on.  

Jackson, in the meantime, can help himself out by not sleeping through more team shoot-arounds and behaving himself around officials.  

Dwight Howard: Center, Orlando Magic

Big shock, here.  Dwight Howard and trade rumors go together like pretzels and beer.  Still, of all the persisting rumors in the NBA at the moment, Dwight Howard seems the most likely candidate to be sporting different colors before season's end. 

It's also natural that I follow up Stephen Jackson trade rumors with Dwight Howard's because of the similar path both players seem to be staring down.

Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com indicated that as recently as a week ago Howard placed the Nets at the top of his destination wish-list.

The article also goes on to say Howard indicated that he's focused solely on winning games in Orlando at the moment.  I'm not buying that for a second, not subterfuge that flimsy.  

Howard has made it clear countless times now that he wants out of Orlando and feels that teaming up with Derron Williams in New Jersey is just the ticket to reaching the NBA finals.  Indeed, having a healthy point guard would make a world of difference considering Jameer Nelson is not nearly the player he was just a few seasons ago.  

With Howard's willingness to jump ship and the Nets ready to go out and spend considerable money on a trade, bet on Howard hanging his hat somewhere new soon and put good money on New Jersey making that dream happen.