NBA Trade Rumors: Recapping the Hottest Talk from Around the League

With the Olympic basketball tournament capturing the attention of basketball fans across the world and the 2012 NBA offseason hitting the dry months of August, the Association's trade-rumor mill would usually be at a standstill right now.

But with disgruntled Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard still on the market and teams waiting to make moves until the D12 shoe drops, there are still plenty of players running around the NBA trade circuit.

Here's a look at the latest rumors going around the league.

Atlanta Hawks to Wait, Pursue Dwight Howard in the Offseason?

With about 95 percent of the trade rumors about the 26-year-old center this offseason, it's unsurprising that we've got another, courtesy of Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy:

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The Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks have been mentioned as potential suitors for Dwight Howard in recent months, but there’s a dark horse to keep an eye on as this saga continues. If Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason, the Atlanta Hawks will aggressively pursue the six-time All-Star and try to lure the superstar center back to his hometown.

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This isn't the first time we've heard this rumor (ESPN's John Hollinger speculated on the possibility on July 2), and the reasons for Howard heading Atlanta remain the same as always.

D12 went to high school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, a private basketball powerhouse in (obviously) Atlanta.

Atlanta Hawks power forward Josh Smith has known Howard since preschool and is one of his best friends in the NBA. Smith has also conveniently backed off his trade request in recent weeks in light of the Howard rumors (via Sports Illustrated).

And, most importantly, by getting rid of Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams, the Hawks will have enough cap space next summer to sign D12 and another superstar.

But considering it would be asinine for the Magic to hold onto Howard through next season, the Hawks will simply have to hope the center still wants to test the free-agent market post-trade.

San Antonio Spurs to Trade DeJuan Blair?

The trade-rumor market has seemingly been dry on the Spurs power forward since July when Marcus Thompson reported that the Golden State Warriors had strong interest in Blair.

Golden State moved on from its Blair pursuit by signing Carl Landry to a two-year, $8 million deal in late July, and the market has been quiet ever since.

But according to Blair, the 23-year-old forward is still very much on the market.

"Hopefully, I stay a Spur, but if it doesn't happen, life moves on," Blair said in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "They've got me on the trade market, and they'll do the best to get me in the greatest situation possible."

Considering Blair's age and deft skills around the basket, the Spurs would probably be able to find a suitor if they back off their demand for a first-round pick in return.

Lakers Keeping Devin Ebanks on Hold for Jodie Meeks Trade?

The Lakers have long been linked to free-agent shooting guard Jodie Meeks, as the team continues filling out its roster.

But in an interview with the Los Angeles Times Monday, Meeks' agent, David Bauman, made one thing certain—a deal won't be for the league's $1.5 million minimum salary.

"We're happy to talk, but we're not talking minimum for a guy like Jodie," Bauman said. "He'll get more than the minimum wherever he signs."

With that little nugget in their minds, the Lakers have just two choices if they want to acquire the sweet-shooting 24-year-old: paying him the team's mini mid-level exception worth around $3 million or working out a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.

To complete a trade, the Lakers would likely need to include Ebanks, who is still yet to sign his $1 million qualifying offer.

And according to ESPN Los Angeles, that's exactly how both Ebanks and the Lakers wanted it in the first place:

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[Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak] said that by Ebanks not signing his name on the dotted line just yet, both Ebanks and the Lakers are provided extra flexibility at the moment -- Ebanks to pursue other offers and the Lakers to have an open roster spot to accommodate taking back extra players in a trades.

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But considering that Ebanks is a fringe NBA player, this scenario does involve the 'Sixers actually having interest in the 22-year-old forward.