2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Hottest Trade Rumors Approaching the Deadline

You know what time it is!

It's approaching that time in the NBA season where all hell breaks loose as each team tries to make the final acquisitions to put their team over the hump: the NBA trade deadline.

Some rumors have been lingering all season long, while others have just surfaced over the past few hours.

Regardless, I'm here to keep you, the loyal B/R community, updated on the hottest trade rumors to hit the Internet.

New Orleans Hornets Are Once Again Actively Shopping C Chris Kaman

After all of that drama of keeping Chris Kaman away from the Hornets, then re-inviting him back to the team, New Orleans is once again shopping their seven-foot center.

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Warriors, Rockets and Heat are pursuing Kaman.

The former All-Star is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds per game, but has shown over the past few games that he's still got a lot in the tank and can contribute as a low-post threat for any team.

Boston Celtics Are Semi-Interested in F Josh Smith

It seems as though the Boston Celtics might be able to add some young talent to their roster.

According to the Twitter account of Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the C's and the Hawks have had some "exploratory conversations" revolving around Josh Smith and Ray Allen.

Wojnarowski tweeted:

"

Josh Smith has wanted trade for past year, and league sources say ATL GM Rick Sund has always been partial to Ray Allen, not Kevin Garnett.

Atlanta doesn't want to move Josh Smith for an expiring deal, and Boston isn't trading those players for the likes of Marvin Williams.

"

Given the complexities of Smith's 15 percent trade kicker clause in his contract, it's highly unlikely that he ends up in Boston, but the idea of it did raise some eyebrows.

Los Angeles Clippers Interested in Jamal Crawford and Ray Allen

The L.A. Clippers found a gaping hole at the two-guard position after Chauncey Billups went down with a season-ending Achilles injury.

According to SI.com's Sam Amick, the Clippers were very interested in Jamal Crawford back when he was a free agent, but they "lacked the flexibility to get a deal done."

Amick also reports that the Clips are interested in veteran Celtics guard Ray Allen, but they might be out of luck, "as Boston wants a package that includes a young talent and a draft pick."

Portland Trail Blazers Are Shopping Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace

The season has been a wash for the Portland Trail Blazers. What started out as a 7-2 record on top of the Western Conference and an 11-2 home record fostering one of the most feared venues in the NBA has turned into a sub-.500 18-19 squad that is about as inconsistent as the weather.

The only true locks for Portland are All-Star reserve LaMarcus Aldridge, the blossoming Nicolas Batum and, in my opinion, their rookie stud, Elliot Williams, who looks better each time he touches the court.

That being said, ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that "Portland is now, according to sources, once again willing to part with Gerald Wallace," as part of a three-team deal that would land the Blazers multiple draft picks and send Dwight Howard to New Jersey.

Broussard also reported that the Blazers are trying to trade Raymond Felton, but are having difficulty landing possible suitors because of his horrendous play this season.

The Blazers have pulled the trigger on deadline deals in each of the past two seasons, acquiring Marcus Camby in 2010 and Gerald Wallace in 2011.

Following the trends of owner Paul Allen and interim GM Chad Buchannon, there's no reason to believe they won't do the same this year.

Minnesota T'Wolves Are Shopping F Michael Beasley Hard

Michael Beasley, who has been subject to trade rumors for a good portion of his career, is seemingly on the move before the March 15 trade deadline.

According to FoxSportsOhio writer Sam Amico,

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The Timberwolves are clearly looking to move Beasley and his $6.2 million salary, creating room for ever-improving rookie Derrick Williams at the forward position.

According to multiple FOX Sports Ohio sources, the Wolves have already spoken with New Jersey, Houston and the L.A. Lakers about Beasley. While both teams are said to still be open to a deal, it appears Beasley’s most likely landing spot, for the time being, is Boston.

"

In an effort to get what they can before he walks in the offseason, the T'Wolves have reportedly gotten into negotiations with both the Celtics and the Lakers (ironic, huh?).

The Lakers still have an $8.9 million trade exception from sending Lamar Odom over to Dallas for a couple of conditional draft picks, but according to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Beasley's $6.2 million contract "with the Lakers being a tax-payer, that equates to $12.4 million."

The questionable deal for Boston would send the oft-injured Jermaine O'Neal to Minnesota for Michael Beasley.

It seems as though the T'Wolves merely want to rid themselves of the immature forward for whatever they can get.

Orlando Magic Are Interested in Monta Ellis Alongside Dwight Howard

Looks like the Orlando Magic are playing both sides of the ball.

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard:

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The Orlando Magic have reached out to the Golden State Warriors about trading for Monta Ellis, according to league sources.

[Dwight] Howard has long mentioned Ellis, who is the seventh-leading scorer in the league with a 22.2 points average, as someone he would love to play with.

"

The deal is likely to incorporate one or two more teams because Orlando is lacking assets valuable enough to persuade Golden State to let go of their most valued piece.

Do you think a Howard-Ellis tandem is enough to make a push for an NBA Championship?

L.A. Lakers Are Interested in Ramon Sessions, Kirk Hinrich and Raymond Felton

The two glaring holes in the Los Angeles Lakers roster are at point guard and small forward.

The three-guard combo of Derek Fisher, Steve Blake and rookie Darius Morris just hasn't gotten the job done, and Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, is averaging 5.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG and has a Player Efficiency Rating of 7.9.

A change is needed in L.A. to keep Kobe's hopes of catching Michael Jordan's coveted six championship rings alive.

According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com, as well as several other sources, the Los Angeles Lakers have "expressed significant interest" in the Cleveland Cavaliers' back-up PG, Ramon Sessions.

In his four games as a starter, Sessions has averaged 17.8 points and 11 assists per game. And while he's taken a back seat to Rookie of the Year front-runner, Kyrie Irving, he's still putting up 10.5 points and 5.4 assists, serving as a valuable asset off of the bench.

Kennedy continues, saying that the Lakers have "also been pursuing Kirk Hinrich in recent weeks."

Hinrich is backing up Jeff Teague in Atlanta.

The Lakers have "also been linked to Raymond Felton," who's been averaging career-lows and has been benched in Portland.

All viable options, expect the Lakers to make a drastic upgrade at the PG position to revitalize their chances at a championship this season.

Boston Celtics Are Breaking Up, but Not Rajon Rondo

The Boston Celtics veteran core of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett is seemingly on its last leg, but all the trade speculation around franchise centerpiece Rajon Rondo has just about come to a screeching halt.

According to the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn, Rondo's been told that he's not going anywhere: "This time, he [Rondo] said he’s been assured that the team isn’t looking to move him."

Whether he's been told the truth is up in the air, but as for now, Rondo is safe in a Celtics jersey.

L.A. Lakers Are Still Shopping Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol is still being shopped by the L.A. Lakers, but it appears as though the right deal has yet to present itself.

Sports Illustrated's Sam Amick has the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets as two potential suitors for the 30-year-old forward/center.

According to Amick, the Rockets love Pau Gasol, but they love Kyle Lowry more, and any deal between the two teams would likely include the up-and-coming point guard in it.

Deal off.

Minnesota's GM, David Kahn, is "still attempting to land Gasol," so we won't know anything about his efforts until the trade deadline draws to its final moments.

Kristian Winfield is a Featured Columnist for the Portland Trail Blazers on the Bleacher Report.