NBA Draft 2012: 7 Veterans Who Could Be Traded on Draft Night

As teams look to bring in the new at the 2012 NBA Draft, some older players could be on the outs.

With one of the deepest draft classes in years, GMs around the league are clamoring to climb up the board for some young blood. With picks at a premium and the salary cap a constant enemy, highly-paid veterans will be shopped in hopes of acquiring more cost-effective replacements.

However, there will be one major difference on the draft day trading block. There is a lot of veteran talent rumored to be on the move, significantly more so than in recent years. For many of the players on this list, they could find themselves included in the biggest draft day trade since Ray Allen was sent to the Boston Celtics back in 2007.

So without further ado, here are seven veterans who could receive a change of scenery on draft night.

Samuel Dalembert

One way or another, Samuel Dalembert will not be a Rocket next season. Houston GM Daryl Morey would just like to get something for the center if he can.

According to HOOPSWORLD, the Rockets don't think Dalembert's 7.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game are worth the $6.7 million salary he is due next season. Houston could waive him for only $1.5 million, though there is another option Morey could pursue.

In Sam Amick's mock draft, he hinted that Houston would try to package the 14th and 16th picks to trade into the top 10. Such a deal could be facilitated if the Rockets would take on an unsavory contract in return. Given Dalembert's palatable buyout, he would be an ideal bargaining chip to even out the finances.

Dalembert alone would not make a blockbuster draft day trade, but don't be surprised if he becomes a piece of a bigger deal.

Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap is just 27-years old, but he is poised to be shipped out of Utah as part of the Jazz's youth movement.

The Jazz do not have a first-round pick at the moment, but they are expected to make some room in their crowded frontcourt to pick one up. Sports Illustrated reports that a Millsap-Anthony Davis pairing could be in the works in New Orleans in return for the 10th pick. Otherwise, Portland could send Utah the 11th pick in order to enlist the power forward's services.

Millsap, who averaged 16.6 points and 8.8 rebound per game last season, is likely worth more for Utah as a trade piece than as a player. The return for the Jazz would likely be a talented guard prospect, while Derrick Favors and Enes Kantor will get more playing time in Millsap's absence.

This is a classic case of Utah having too much of a good thing. Millsap has been a fine player for the Jazz. Now they would be better off trading him than keeping him.

Luol Deng/Joakim Noah

While Millsap would be the obvious option for the Jazz to move, the Bulls will have to decide between Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.

With Derrick Rose a question mark for much of next year, Chicago would like to trade present talent for future potential. According to the Daily News, the Bulls want to clear up the funds to resign Taj Gibson and Omer Asik, so their trade target is just a draft pick and a trade exception.

As with the situation in Utah, conventional wisdom says Chicago would rather move Noah to clear the cluttered frontcourt depth chart.

However, Deng's statement that he would not be surprised if he was traded, tells a different story. As Chicago looks to move up in the first round, their current depth chart now will not shape the development of the team. Rather, the highest bidder for either player will determine who the Bulls are next season and beyond.

Andre Iguodala

Sixers GM Rod Thorn told The Philadelphia Inquirer recently, "you draft for talent and you trade for need," and it seems like other teams need a guy like Andre Iguodala.

As Thorn looks to use his three draft picks on prospects with high potential, a couple of teams in the top ten are reportedly open to giving Philadelphia a fourth pick.

The interested parties are the Golden State Warriors at seventh overall and the Toronto Raptors at eighth, each of whom could use a small forward with Iguodala's defensive prowess. If Thorn plays his cards right, he could end up with another high-value draft pick.

More importantly, Philadelphia has the depth to move on without Iguodala. Though he is the Sixers' rock defensively, his scoring is on a four-year decline, and Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young are on hand to fill his minutes.

After seven years in Philadelphia, the Sixers are shooting for new talent, and it appears that Iguodala is no longer needed. Though if the Sixers have their way, their ideal target is, in fact, another veteran.

Pau Gasol

The Philadelphia Inquirer believes Pau Gasol is the man the Sixers are after, though the Lakers could have other plans in mind for him.

Though the Deron Williams sweepstakes have reportedly been narrowed to the Nets and Mavericks, Marc Stein says Los Angeles has looked to pick up the point guard in a sign-and-trade. Gasol is the linchpin of the Lakers' offer, but the Nets have instead held out for Andrew Bynum.

At the same time, the Nets' reluctance hasn't sent the Lakers chasing after Iguodala, either. There is no word out of Los Angeles on the Sixers swingman, while the Philadelphia front office has no comment on Iguodala.

But if the Daily News is correct and the Lakers are "committed" to a Gasol trade, draft night is as likely a time as any to get the best possible return on a deal.

Dwight Howard

It seems like any time trade rumors are discussed, Dwight Howard's name comes up. However, a draft night trade would be right in Rob Hennigan's wheelhouse.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the new Magic GM wants to use the drafting expertise he picked up in Oklahoma City to build a more sustainable roster. With Howard bellyaching for a move out of Orlando, Hennigan can kill two birds with one stone here.

Though he has been holding his team hostage with trade demands, Howard does not have a no-trade clause, so Hennigan can ship him wherever he sees fit.

That means the talented but malcontent center would not likely find himself in Brooklyn, as the Nets do not have the means to make a compelling trade offer. Howard is probably facing options more like Portland or Golden State, both of which could offer multiple picks this year and in the future to kick start Orlando's rebuilding efforts.

A Howard trade is by no means probable. It would have to be an enormous offer for Orlando to consent, but the quality of this draft class makes that prospect somewhat more likely. If he is moved on draft night, the shock waves of the deal will reverberate throughout the league for years to come.