NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting Where Each Player on the Block Lands

With the NBA trade deadline just over a month away, many teams will begin to dab into their opposition's rosters to see what they can take to improve their franchise.

This season has had some pretty big names on the board, as guys like Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns have been generating a whole lot of talk since the season got under way.

Until the deadline passes, many names will come and go on the block. The following guys will likely continue to be talked about, but it will remain to be seen where they will land when it is all said and done.

Here is a breakdown of where some of the most prominent names on this year's trading block will land.

Tyson Chandler

The New York Knicks made the move to create their own big three this season by adding center Tyson Chandler to their star combination of forwards in Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

With the Knicks sitting at 9-15—obviously not the start that they had hoped—there has been talk that the team will be willing to part with their recent addition at the right price.

The biggest rumor regarding the big man has to do with the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard. According to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, the team has been interested in making a trade for both Stoudemire and Chandler in exchange for their All-Star center.

While it seems like a great trade for the Magic, it still isn't a win for the Knicks despite all their troubles. Two studs for one is never a win, even if it is a guy like Howard.

Prediction: Chandler stays in NYC.

Eric Gordon

The New Orleans Hornets swung a deal for guard Eric Gordon this summer when they sent their star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Since coming over, Gordon has been hesitant to sign an extension with the team, which have led to some to wonder if he will be willing to stay with the NBA-owned franchise for the long haul.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, one team that has its eyes on the disgruntled guard is the Indiana Pacers:

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NBA front-office sources continue to say that Indiana native Eric Gordon is the Pacers' dream trade target, but Indy has yet to make serious progress in trade discussions with Gordon's new team (New Orleans), much like it struggled to get very far with his old team (L.A. Clippers). If the Pacers ever do make a legit run at Gordon, one presumes that they'd have to be willing to part with Danny Granger to bring Gordon back to Hoosierland, which figures to be more palatable than it sounds thanks to the presence of the promising Paul George.

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After giving up their franchise player in Paul, the Hornets would have to bring back something along with Granger to get something promising for this franchise's future. If they know they won't be able to retain Gordon, this trade could happen.

Prediction: Gordon will be traded to the Pacers for Granger and draft picks.

Kevin Garnett

The Big Three may finally be coming to an end in Boston, as Celtics GM Danny Ainge is looking for a way to keep this team competitive for many years to come.

According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Ainge would be willing to break up his core of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in order for his team to be built for the future.

The one guy who will continue to be talked about is Garnett, but how likely is it that the 35-year-old star forward would actually generate interest from other teams?

This season, he is averaging just 13.2 PPG with just 7.2 rebounds. He has experienced plenty of injury woes over the years, so whoever is to take him would be taking on a huge risk.

When it is all said and done, the Celtics are just not going to get the pieces they need for their future in any deal that involves Garnett.

He won't be worth it for any team, even if it is a contender.

Prediction: Garnett stays in Boston.

Devin Harris

The Utah Jazz acquired point guard Devin Harris from the New Jersey Nets last season when they dealt star guard Derron Williams. There is a chance though that they may be willing to flip the former Dallas Mavericks star to get something in return.

According to Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld.com, the Jazz are looking to flip the guard as they don't feel they need him, but they will likely have a hard time moving him with $17.7 million remaining on his deal.

A team that should have interest in the guard but may not be able to find a way to fit him in its financial books is the Los Angeles Lakers, who are desperate for a legit guard.

The Lakers could give up players like Derek Fisher and Steve Blake, who will offer the Jazz a much more average guard at the price they are looking for.

Prediction: Harris will remain with the Jazz, as his contract is too big.

Dwight Howard

The man who has received pretty much all the talk this offseason is Dwight Howard.

According to Charles Joel of Yahoo.com, the Orlando Magic star center has been linked to teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls.

While the New York Knicks were a previously mentioned team, that doesn't look like a spot where Howard is favorable of landing in, even though his mind could be changed.

The problem with Howard is that many teams may just find it to be in their best interest to take a shot at him in free agency rather than give up some major assets to attain the star center.

Howard has also been very inconsistent with where his mind is, but this whole thing has been a distraction for the Magic, as the team sits behind the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks in the Southeast division.

The Magic will likely be trying all they can to make something happen before the deadline as they likely know this relationship is heading towards an end.

Prediction: Howard stays in Orlando and heads toward free agency.

Paul Pierce

As stated earlier in the the Kevin Garnett slide, the Boston Celtics look to be heading for a potential rebuild.

That is, if they can actually move the pieces they intend.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo.com, Paul Pierce would be the most important move for the club:

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Garnett and Allen come off the Celtics’ cap this summer, but Pierce is the most perplexing member of the Big Three. He has two years and $32 million left on his contract through the 2013-14 season, and moving him for a shorter deal could make the Celtics a huge player in free agency the next two years.

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Of the three, Pierce is definitely the most appealing player of the bunch. He is averaging 18.5 PPG this season, as well as having 5.5 assists and rebounds per outing. He is 34 years old, but he provides a shooting threat for any team in need.

An interesting deal that could help out both teams is Pierce to the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith, a man whose name has never been shy of showing up on the block.

The Celtics would get a future big man, while the Hawks would get a veteran scorer who could help put them over the top in the East.

Prediction: Celtics deal Pierce and pieces to the Hawks for Smith.

Ramon Sessions

With the Los Angeles Lakers struggling to find a solid option at the point to team with guard Kobe Bryant, many have been wondering where the team could turn to solve their depth woes.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Lakers have entered the sweepstakes for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ramon Sessions.

Stein goes on to say that the cost could be a first-round pick from the Lakers, an expense that may be costly given what they could potentially get in next year's draft.

Considering that he is just putting up 9.0 PPG and 4.5 APG, it is hard to imagine that the Lakers would actually be willing to give up a first-round pick for that type of talent.

Expect the Lakers to take a shot, but to offer something other than a first-rounder.

Prediction: Lakers get Sessions from the Cavs in exchange for SF Matt Barnes and a second-round pick.

Amar'e Stoudemire

New York Knicks power forward Amar'e Stoudemire has been in New York for just over a season, but already his name has been mentioned to possibly be on the block.

As previously mentioned, STAT's name was brought into play with the potential Tyson Chandler/Dwight Howard trade, but there is another interesting possibility popping up.

According to John Finger of CSNPhilly.com, the Philadelphia 76ers have reached out to the Knicks about acquiring Stoudemire.

There is no doubt that he would be a great addition for the 76ers, but it is just hard to imagine the team moving on from the recently signed big man. The Knicks are still trying to find their groove, so don't expect them to move one of their key pieces anytime soon.

Prediction: STAT stays in NYC.

Chris Kaman

Another player that the New Orleans Hornets received from the Los Angeles Clippers trade for guard Chris Paul was center Chris Kaman.

Kaman has been a solid piece for the Clippers over his career, but the Hornets are likely looking to get some young future pieces for the big man.

According to SportingNews.com, the team has recently decided to allow Kaman to rejoin the team after putting him on the block, trying to generate more interest from other teams.

Since the Hornets are run by the NBA, any trade that brings back potential talent in return will be brought into question since it will hurt the team for the time being.

Of all the potential locations, the Houston Rockets really make the most sense for Kaman. The team has been looking for a consistent big man to replace the recently retired Yao Ming, and the addition would give the team that exact piece.

According to Sam Amick of SI.com, the most likely pieces would include Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill.

Perhaps if the team throws in a second-round pick, this deal could really work for both teams.

Prediction: Hornets send Kaman to the Rockets for Hill, Thabeet and a second-round pick.

Steve Nash

Could the Phoenix Suns finally be parting ways with point guard Steve Nash?

With the team sitting at 9-14, it may finally come to the point where a deal is the best solution for both parties.

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, Nash still hasn't made a peep about wanting to be traded, but the team would be willing to do so if the 37-year-old were to wish to be traded.

There is really only one place where Nash would make sense, and it's the place we are all thinking: New York.

With the Knicks, Nash would re-team with his old head coach Mike D'Antoni, as well as with former Sun Amar'e Stoudemire. With Carmelo Anthony there as well, the team would be in quite a position to win.

The Knicks would likely have to give back some solid pieces in return, including guard Landry Fields and possibly Toney Douglas.

Prediction: Suns send Nash and a second-round pick to the Knicks for Fields and Douglas and other pieces to make money match.