NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Power Ranking Biggest Potential Blockbuster Deals

The 2012 NBA trade deadline is March 15, and it's either going to be extremely eventful or very lackluster.

With so many big-name players hitting the rumor mill, it's anybody's guess as to whether or not blockbuster deals will occur. It doesn't always have to be exciting, but it's more fun when a star player is traded or teams partake in a three-way trade.

After all, there's been so much hype building with all the rumors, if the deadline passes and nothing major happens, it will be a huge letdown. 

That being said, here are five deals that would hog the spotlight if they happen before the deadline. 

Dwight Howard to Anywhere 

The Orlando Magic continue to deny that Howard will be on the move, but it's no secret he's the most coveted player as the deadline looms, according to the Orlando Sentinel

He is a free agent this summer, and the offers aren't going to stop pouring in for Orlando. If the Magic are smart, they'll trade Howard because his chances of re-signing with them aren't very high.

Howard's preferred list of teams to be traded to include the Los Angeles Lakers, the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks (via the Orlando Sentinel)

Nobody knows for sure what Orlando will do, but if Howard is traded before the deadline, it will be the story of the NBA season. 

Pau Gasol to Anywhere 

Over the course of the last month, Gasol has been linked to the Bulls, Timberwolves, Magic, Rockets and Celtics.

The 7'0", 250-pound power forward is the Lakers' most important player not named Kobe Bryant, and they would be pretty crazy to trade him away. 

Still, the fact he's been rumored to multiple teams is an indication the Lakers are open to parting ways with Gasol. Since Kobe called out the team (via Yahoo) about the many rumors and they've done nothing to quiet them, it appears that if the appropriate deal comes along, Gasol will be on the move.

So far, the Lakers wouldn't look like winners for dealing Gasol, unless they brought back Howard and won the title. Los Angeles wouldn't be getting much in return for Gasol in any of the other trade scenarios. 

Steve Nash to Orlando 

Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is "aggressively" pursuing Nash, according to Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com.

This would be a shocking deal, as it would give the Magic a good shot at making a deep run in the postseason. There's no guarantee they'd win it all, but Nash and Howard together would be insanely fun to watch. 

Orlando knows it needs to surround Howard with top-notch talent so he re-signs in the summer, but it isn't certain Nash would be enough to keep Howard around, especially considering the veteran point guard is at the tail end of his career. 

Nash is a free agent this summer, and its highly unlikely that he will re-join the Phoenix Suns next year. Even at 38, his value is high, so the Suns would get something good in return. Letting him walk away for nothing at the end of the year would be a crushing blow to a franchise in need of help.

It's uncertain if these two teams would ever strike a deal, but it's something that would create a huge buzz around the NBA if it were to happen. 

Ray Allen to Anywhere 

The Boston Celtics started a trend in the NBA when they paired Allen and Kevin Garnett with Paul Pierce to form a super squad.

Now that all of those players are getting up there in age and the Celtics aren't winning, shaking up the roster with a big trade is very likely. 

Sean Deveney of the Sporting News reported that of the Celtics top players, it's Allen and not Rajon Rondo that "has generated the most interest from contenders." 

There aren't any major reports  on where Allen would go, but because he is a free agent at the end of the year, his expiring contract is appealing, and so is his ability to perform well in the clutch. Despite being 36, Allen can still play at a high level. 

Chris Kaman to Anywhere 

In early February, the New Orleans Hornets took Kaman off the trade block and let him play. After a few strong performances, Kaman found himself back on the block, according to John Reid of Times Picayune. 

Anytime a seven footer is on the move, people take notice, but when it happens to be a legitimate center capable of thrusting a team into playoff contention, it's a big deal. 

Kaman can be the missing link for a number of teams vying to reach the postseason. Having depth is crucial down the stretch, and Kaman would provide great size, strength and skill wherever he ends up. 

The Hornets could get solid value in return for Kaman, which is why I think they'll trade him away. Thinking about the future is their best bet, so trading Kaman, who's averaging 16.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in the month of February, is a fantastic idea.