10 Offseason NBA Trades That Need to Happen

As NBA free agency goes on, some players want to be traded rather than wait to hit the open market. 

Take Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, for example. He's wanted a trade to the Brooklyn Nets for the longest time, but that's probably on hold now that the Nets just signed Brook Lopez to a $61 million extension.

As reported by Ric Bucher of ESPN The Magazine, the All-Star center still wants out despite team management wanting him to stay. 

However, Howard is not the only player in the league who could benefit from a trade. Looking at some of the current NBA rosters, there are some players who simply need to be traded before the start of the season.

No. 10: Charlie Villanueva Dealt to Team in Need of Shooter

Charlie Villanueva plays much smaller than his 6'11' frame would indicate. 

Despite having big-man size, he is little more than a shooter, and since coming to Detroit in 2009 he has slowly become dead weight. For 2012-13 season, the former Connecticut Husky is due $8 million, and according to Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News, the team has no plan to amnesty him.

Seeing as how Detroit has a solid frontcourt with Greg Monroe, incoming rookie Andre Drummond and newly acquired Corey Maggette, Villanueva is probably the most expendable man on the team. 

With his soft shooting touch, team management should look to deal him to any team willing to take on his contract. 

No. 9: Nicolas Batum Dealt to Timberwolves

This would be an interesting trade, as Nicolas Batum is a restricted free agent for the Portland Trail Blazers and has made it clear that he wants to leave them. The Frenchman has already agreed to a four-year, $46 million offer sheet with Minnesota, but a sign-and-trade is still possible because the T'Wolves have yet to submit the offer sheet to the league. 

In addition, Minnesota recently amnestied Darko Milicic to open up enough cap space to sign to versatile swingman.

That said, I think it's imperative that Portland make a deal with Minnesota. As valuable as Batum is on the Blazers, matching the offer could potentially mean keeping someone who could become a locker room cancer. And we all saw how that went last season. 

Sure, Batum could play a critical role in Portland's future, but will he be worth it if he's miserable the whole time?

No. 8: Kyle Korver Traded for Backup Point Guard

The Chicago Tribune has reported that the Bulls are interested in cutting ties with sharpshooter Kyle Korver—who has a $5 million option for next season. The most likely suitor at this time is the Atlanta Hawks, who need some help at shooting guard after trading Joe Johnson to the Nets. 

Korver is a master of his craft, as he shot 44 percent from long range last year and has a respectable 41 percent conversion rate from downtown for his career. The Bulls, in turn, could really use some more help at the point, as Derrick Rose might miss all of next season and the returning Kirk Hinrich alone will not be enough. 

Simply put, a Korver trade needs to happen ASAP. The Bulls need to make a decision on Korver's option by Sunday (per the Chicago Tribune), and losing him for nothing would be a worst-case scenario. 

No. 7: Jason Richardson Dealt Out of Orlando

In the prime of his career, Jason Richardson was a great scorer who could make shots from virtually anywhere on the floor. He also won back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk Contests.

Today, however, the former Michigan State Spartan is 31 years old and just an outside shooter.  This summer, his name has been brought up in multiple trade rumors involving teammate Dwight Howard. 

Just a couple of days ago, Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times mentioned how the idea of Howard going to the Los Angeles Lakers could grow more likely if Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was willing to take on Richardson's contract, which has three years and $18.6 million left on it.

Seeing as how he's not doing Orlando too many favors with his eroding skill set, it's best that the rebuilding franchise move on without him.

No. 6: Jose Calderon Traded Away from Toronto

Jose Calderon has become expendable in Toronto due to the acquisition of Kyle Lowry, and the Sporting News is reporting that he has asked to be traded. Nothing against the Spanish point guard's skills, but he's the type of player whose style seems out of place in the NBA.

Calderon is a great distributor and can also shoot the ball quite well. But watching him play for Toronto, I just got the feeling that he couldn't decide what he wanted to be: a passing or a scoring point guard.  He needs to sort that out if he wants his NBA career to last.

With many teams in need of a quality floor general, it should be fairly easy for Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo to trade Calderon.

No. 5: MarShon Brooks Dealt Out of Brooklyn

When the Brooklyn Nets were talking to the Orlando Magic about acquiring Dwight Howard, shooting guard MarShon Brooks' name constantly came up.  In his rookie year, the former Providence Friar averaged 12.6 points per game and showed the potential to be an explosive scorer.

Unfortunately, now that the Nets have Joe Johnson to man the 2, Brooks has gone from rising star to sixth man. But with his scoring ability, Brooks could find a starter's spot for several other teams.

Seeing as how Johnson is probably going to be in Brooklyn for a while, Nets GM Billy King should continue pursuing offers for Brooks, as he will surely bring in a draft pick or two.

No. 4: Josh Smith Traded to Lakers

In the days preceding the 2012 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers supposedly talked to the Atlanta Hawks about acquiring dynamic forward Josh Smith in exchange for Pau Gasol. 

The trade never happened, but the Lakers need to look into trading away Gasol's hefty contract in exchange for Smith's expiring one now that Steve Nash is their starting point guard.

Look at it this way. Ever since Steve Nash became a household name, he's played with versatile power forwards such as ex-teammates Dirk Nowitzki and Amar'e Stoudemire.

Smith would give the Lakers a more athletic option at the 4; he is not only a good scorer, but also an absolute monster on defense. Make a trade for Smith, and the Lakers instantly become the favorites to win the Western Conference.

No. 3: Pau Gasol Traded Away from Lakers

Adding onto the previous slide, it's definitely better that the Lakers deal Gasol in exchange for a more defensive-minded power forward. Nothing against the Spanish 7-footer, but he's more of a scorer and the Lakers already have plenty of that with Kobe Bryant.

Seeing as how Gasol usually prefers to work his jump shot rather than get his hands dirty under the basket, the Lakers will be a lot better in the long run if they can find a buyer for his services.

No. 2: Dwight Howard to Houston

Interesting news came out of Houston today, as Yahoo! Sports reported that the Rockets would use the amnesty clause on power forward Luis Scola so that they could make a push to acquire Dwight Howard.

Houston may not be Howard's top choice, but the Brooklyn Nets basically took themselves out of the race. If not Brooklyn, Houston is probably the next best place for him since he wants to be the top dog wherever he plays.

The Rockets just had a great draft in which they took three talented players in the first round. Despite Howard's large ego, the trio—or what's left of it after trading for D12—could probably develop around him and make Houston contenders once again.

Oh, and let's not forget that the Magic should make this trade just because Howard has become a giant headache.

No. 1: Metta World Peace Traded Away from Lakers

At one point in his career, Metta World Peace (then known as Ron Artest) was a capable scorer who played phenomenal defense. 

In 2009, he signed a five-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, and in his three years with the team thus far, his numbers have gone down the toilet. Thus, he is now more than expendable.

Last week, Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com reported that the Lakers had included World Peace along with Andrew Bynum in a trade proposal for Dwight Howard. These talks never progressed beyond the negotiation phase, but the facts are simple: World Peace is due $7.25 million next year and the Lakers aren't doing themselves any favors keeping him on the team.

It's best that they just get rid of him once and for all.