NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Most Coveted Players on the Trade Market

The NBA trade deadline is just over one month away and anticipation continues to mount as the futures of numerous star players have yet to be determined.

There is hardly ever a shortage of notable chatter to monitor leading up to a trade deadline, yet this year, rumors have been taken to new heights. 

An unprecedented number of coveted players have become available, ensuring that the coming weeks will be anything but dull.

And as we inch closer to the March 15 deadline, the answers to the most pressing questions—some of which have been posed since before the lockout—will finally yield answers.

Devin Harris of Utah Jazz

Devin Harris' play has not broached the high expectations Utah set for him coming in, as he has often found himself being outperformed by backups Earl Watson and Jamaal Tinsley.

And it has led to his name making an appearance on the open block.

Despite Harris' struggles, there are plenty of teams in need of a high-caliber point guard to run a struggling offense. Not to mention there will be a handful of organizations that will overlook his recent underwhelming display in hopes of him returning to All-Star form.

At 28, Harris is far from over the hill, yet the Jazz's youth movement, coupled with the team's ability to stay competitive without him, renders him an odd man out.

Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic

The Lakers have a clear need for a younger point guard, as do the Mavericks.

Orlando is in need of someone outside of Jameer Nelson and the Suns may be ready to usher in the heir to Steve Nash's throne. 

The Verdict: Utah would love to move Harris' contract and will jump at any viable offer.

Chris Kaman of New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets have reportedly yanked Chris Kaman off the trade block, but no one expects that to last very long.

Kaman, a former All-Star, brings size and the ability to make a two-way impact to the table—attributes that a wealth of teams are sure to be interested in.

While the seven-foot center has put up lackluster numbers this season, he is bound to thrive in a rotation that utilizes him on a consistent basis. He is only 29 and has more than enough left in the tank to serve as a building block or add-in that helps a team make a deep playoff push.

Potential Destinations: Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets and San Antonio Spurs

Even with Samuel Dalembert, the Rockets remain in need of an inside presence.

Marcus Camby is built like a house of cards, which is a major concern for an inconsistent Blazers team hoping to contend.

If their pursuit of Dwight Howard falls short, the Nets could look to make a low-post tandem of Kaman and Brook Lopez a reality, and the Spurs are in desperate need of a younger inside baller.

The Verdict: The Hornets are clearly in rebuilding mode, but are a team in financial turmoil first. Kaman's contract comes off the books this summer, so unless they can get the right combination of draft picks and expiring deals in return, they will hold on to him.

O.J. Mayo of Memphis Grizzlies

O.J. Mayo is no stranger to trade rumors. 

Potentially being dealt is a reality that Mayo has had to live with for the past two deadlines, and the pattern doesn't seem likely to change, as he reportedly is available.

At this stage, Mayo is unlikely to come cheap, but that didn't deter the New Jersey Nets from chasing him in recent weeks.

Potential Destinations: New Jersey Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards

The Nets are poised to make a splash prior to the deadline, and even if they land Dwight Howard, Mayo would prove to be a nice cherry on top.

The Timberwolves are in need of a shooting guard who can excel on both ends, a bill that Mayo fits, and the Wizards are in need of another star-caliber athlete to run with their inexperienced core.

The Verdict: Mayo has been shopped around on countless occasions to no avail, but with the Grizzlies struggling, now is a perfect time for a roster shake-up. Mayo will land with the Nets. 

Ramon Sessions of Cleveland Cavaliers

To the surprise of almost no one, Ramon Sessions has once again found his way onto the trade block.

Sessions has long been an underrated point guard because of the Cleveland Cavaliers' refusal to allot him a stable role; no matter how well he is playing, he always seems to be the odd man out.

While the Cavaliers are not a lock to use him properly, there are plenty of other teams that would, and as always, Cleveland will listen to what they are offering.

Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks

Sessions offers the Lakers an opportunity to acquire a more competent point guard without having to relinquish one of their prized big men.

The Knicks are laden with question marks at the point guard position, but despite Baron Davis' recent setbacks, they seem poised to let "Linsanity" run its course.

The Verdict: Other teams will enter the fold, but the Lakers will be the most aggressive. That being said, Kyrie Irving's recent injury will force Cleveland to appreciate the depth it has at point guard. It'll once again opt to hold on to the promising point man.

Steve Nash of Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash has proven to be ageless, and while he has not requested a trade, the Phoenix Suns are open to moving him if he wishes for a change of scenery.

There will be no shortage of interest in Nash, as he is widely viewed as a floor general who could push a team on the brink into championship contention.

While the point guard just turned 38, he hasn't missed a beat and is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Any team without a point guard by the name of Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul would surely welcome his presence both on the court and in the locker room.

Potential Destinations: Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks

There is undoubtedly a huge market for Nash, and while his best fit may be with the Knicks or Heat, those are not realistic destinations until he can sign at a discount over the summer.

Both the Jazz and Magic would be amenable to pushing their current point guards aside to make way for Nash, and the Lakers and Mavericks are two almost contenders in need of a change at the point.

The Verdict: Nash will not directly request a trade, but the Suns will opt to cash in on his market value, dealing him by the deadline.

Mo Williams of Los Angeles Clippers

In a crowded backcourt, Mo Williams, yet again, was supposed to be the odd man out.

Williams helped lead the Clippers in Chris Paul's absence on both ends of the floor, and has proven to be a source of instant offense and energy off the bench in Los Angeles.

With Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan commanding so much, Williams' contract is an appealing one to move for the penny-pinching Donald Sterling. While the Clippers may not be high on the $17 million left on his contract, another team would be happy to assume it.

Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics

The Lakers are monitoring every potentially available point guard, but don't expect their cross-town rival to jump at the opportunity of sending them one.

Jason Kidd's health and age issues make Williams a perfect fit for Dallas, and if the Celtics are looking to bolster their perimeter offense, they cannot do much better. 

The Verdict: Williams seemed almost a lock to get traded, but then Chauncey Billups went down. Suddenly, the Clippers' backcourt depth seems shallow.

If the right package comes along, Los Angeles would consider pulling the trigger, but Williams' value to the team has gone up, and it's likely he finishes the season there.

Deron Williams of New Jersey Nets

While the Nets are not actively shopping Deron Williams, they are prepared to move him should their attempts to assemble higher-caliber talent around him fail.

As perhaps the strongest point guard in the league, Williams is a threat on both ends of the court. He can score at will, has exceptional court vision and has a knack for forcing turnovers.

New Jersey will do everything in its power to keep Williams, but should he seem inclined to leave over the summer, he could finish the season elsewhere.

Potential Destinations: Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics

Williams is the second star that would keep Dwight Howard in Orlando, but the Magic have few assets to offer.

The Mavericks would love to add Williams, but are limited in what they can offer as well.

Los Angeles covets every worthwhile point guard on the market, while the Warriors may be keen on the idea of adding a true floor general in place of either Monta Ellis or Stephen Curry.

And with the Celtics less than enthused at the chance to build around Rajon Rondo, don't rule them out of the equation.

The Verdict: The Nets are far from a lock to acquire Howard's services by season's end, but they remain atop his wish list, which is important. However, should New Jersey miss out on Howard, it will more than likely add other pieces of talent.

One way or the other, the Nets will wind up holding on to Williams by deadline's passing.

Pau Gasol of Los Angeles Lakers

After nearly being dealt in the botched Chris Paul trade, Pau Gasol's name has one again hit the rumor mill, this time as a potential chip used to acquire Rajon Rondo's services.

At 31, Gasol remains one of the most prolific power forwards in the league. He is an offensive fiend as well as a solid defender.

The Lakers are struggling and in desperate need of a competent point guard, so should the opportunity to acquire a star-caliber floor general present itself, the team will not be shy about shipping Gasol out of Tinseltown.

Potential Destinations: Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets

The Rondo-for-Gasol rumors have legs, so Boston remains a legitimate possibility.

Should the Nets be forced to abandon all hope of Deron Williams re-signing over the offseason, they could do much worse than to acquire the power forward in return.

The Hawks are in desperate need of some size, but have few assets that appease the Lakers' needs, and we cannot discount the interest Houston had in Gasol over the offseason.

The Verdict: Surprise teams could come into play as we near the deadline, and the Lakers will welcome any suitors. Gasol is a big part of their offense, but with the team reeling, both the organization and its fans are itching to make a splash.

The lingering absence of a dependable point guard will lead Los Angeles to move Gasol, this time for real.

Rajon Rondo

Speaking of Rajon Rondo, after being dangled in an attempt to land Chris Paul over the offseason, the Celtics are reportedly at it again, entertaining the idea of swapping their point guard for Pau Gasol.

While Boston's interest in such a deal has been squashed, it has become clear that the Celtics would rather build their team around someone other than Rondo.

Los Angeles and Boston may not strike a deal, but should other offers come along, Rondo's inclusion in the rumor mill suggests that the Celtics are more than amenable to listening.

Potential Destinations: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers and Mavericks are both in need of a younger point guard, and while Dallas has little to offer, it has become clear Los Angeles would be open to dealing Gasol.

The Warriors were not sold on Rondo over the offseason, but their recent struggles indicate a need for defense and perhaps a more genuine form of point guard.

If the Nets are forced to unload Deron Williams, the Celtics may be willing to take him on, and if the Kings become willing to part with DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans for Brandon Bass and Rondo, they could become a major player.

The Verdict: Despite a tepid market for Rondo over the offseason, he will generate a strong amount of league-wide interest. Injuries haven't prevented him from having a career year, and while Boston may not cherish his presence, another team certainly would.

That being said, the Gasol trade is questionable, and the Celtics are unlikely to get equal value from any deal in return. Consequently, Rondo isn't going anywhere. 

Dwight Howard of Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard's ongoing saga has made the Carmelo Anthony drama of last season look like a cakewalk.

Howard's list of potential destinations seems to change by the day, but the Magic have not yet given up hope that they can retain the star center.

There's isn't a center in the league who is as dominant as Howard, and should Orlando opt to field offers for him once again, there is going to be no shortage of interest.

Potential Destinations: Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets

The Warriors' willingness to deal either Monta Ellis or Stephen Curry without a guarantee that Howard will re-sign with them is not to be discounted.

Chicago continues to monitor the situation from a distance, but has the assets to make a deal.

The Mavericks are a great offseason destination for Howard, but odds are their current stock of assets won't be enough to strike a deal with the Magic.

Los Angeles' interest in Howard is no secret, but Kobe Bryant's age is a major concern for him, and the Nets remain able to put together the most balanced package of young assets, proven talent and draft picks.

The Verdict: Despite owner Rich DeVos' insistence that he doesn't want to trade Howard, Orlando will have no choice. Come the trade deadline, the Magic can either get value out of his departure or watch him leave for nothing over the summer.

They'll opt for the former, and Howard will finish the season in New Jersey.

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