10 NBA Stars Who Will Switch Teams Next Season

Just because the 2012 NBA offseason is winding down doesn't mean that key players won't be switching uniforms over the next few months.

There are a bunch of marquee names who are ripe for dealing.

Several of them will be free agents this summer, which compels their teams to make trades this season in order to get value for their departing stars.

The March trade deadline will be here before we know it, and by then a slew of players will have found new homes.

Kevin Martin

Several new faces have arrived in Houston this offseason via trade, free agency, and the draft, including playmakers like Jeremy Lin, Jeremy Lamb, Royce White, and Terrence Jones.

This quartet combines with Chandler Parsons to form the core of the future of the Rockets.

Kevin Martin, on the other hand, will be the odd man out, considering his age (I know, 29 isn't old, but it's not 21) and impending free agency.

I'm sure it's tough for Houston to think about shipping away their most talented scorer, but they did well in the draft and could use his trade value to secure some low-post help or future draft picks.

Josh Smith

The Atlanta Hawks have been interested in trade options for Josh Smith, and will continue to be interested up until the trade deadline this spring, unless Smith shows more interest in committing to the franchise in the future.

It's been a precarious back-and-forth between the star and the organization. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that Danny Ferry pitched the team's plan to Smith, but it doesn't seem like Smith's stance has changed much.

Smith is one of the best forwards in the game, with the size and finishing ability of a power forward and the mobility of a small forward. He'll be 27 this winter, and his trade value is still high considering he's got a few prime years left.

If Smith doesn't seem comfortable with Atlanta's long-term prospects, he'll be on the move to an interested suitor such as Houston.

Jose Calderon

Although no trade is imminent, Jose Calderon and the Toronto Raptors have been exploring options that would send him packing.

Kyle Lowry seems to be the new point guard of the future, and with Calderon on the market this summer, this season is an ideal time to swap him out.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that Toronto wants a deal that would give them immediate financial freedom:

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"The Raptors, sources say, are open to a trade but want to send Calderon to a team with salary-cap space that can absorb the Spaniard's $10.6 million salary, thereby creating a trade exception for Toronto and giving them added financial flexibility for further moves."

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Bryan Colangelo knows that there will be a few teams keen on landing on Calderon. The six-year pro isn't a spell-binding playmaker, but he's good for eight or more assists and 10 points per game to go along with efficient shooting.

Charlie Villanueva

The following numbers tell you why Charlie Villanueva won't be wearing a Detroit Pistons jersey by the end of next year:

2011-12 statistics: 7.0 PPG, 39 percent FG shooting, 3.7 RPG, 16.4 PER

2012-13 salary: $8.1 million

His ineffectiveness as a legitimate power forward, combined with Detroit's rebuilding progress, make him a key target for departure.

With Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond and Jonas Jerebko manning the paint, Detroit should be more than comfortable parting ways with him.

Paul Millsap

Among the wagon-load of Utah Jazz 2013 unrestricted free agents is power forward Paul Millsap, who will be an attractive trade piece to put on the market this winter.

He's one of the most well-rounded forwards in the association. East-coast NBA fans who don't get to see him often may not realize the kind of playmaker he is.

In just a four-minute clip, he demonstrates his ability to score in traffic, hit outside shots, finish with either hand, run the floor, use post moves and play sound defense.

So why won't Utah keep him? Because there's not enough room to keep everyone, there's a good chance he'll want to go to greener pastures in free agency anyway, and they need to get value in return.

Anderson Varejao

He was once a novelty side-piece to LeBron James, but now Anderson Varejao is a double-double center who's tentatively due to make $27 million over the next three seasons.

That solid play and massive salary has Cleveland thinking about trading him.

There were already trade rumors surrounding Varejao earlier this summer, and there's a new one now linking him to a Derrick Williams trade with Minnesota, substantiated by Rant Sports.

Double-doubles are great, but Varejao's age and mediocre athleticism suggest that his potential is pretty much tapped out. The timing is right to move him.

Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams went from 2011's second draft pick to a trading chip in a hurry.

No, Williams may not end up being a bust in the NBA, and being a trade chip isn't a bad thing. But it shows how much his stock in Minnesota has fallen in one season.

The aforementioned potential Varejao trade isn't the only reason Derrick Williams might be donning different colors by the end of 2012-13. He's also linked to Jazz interests, in a potential swap for Paul Millsap.

Williams' ceiling is still pretty high, which makes him a desirable commodity even though his rookie numbers were unimpressive. Minnesota has enough sure pieces at forward to shop Williams without worry.

Corey Brewer

High-energy, defensive-minded players always have value in the NBA, especially a 6'9" forward like Corey Brewer. In potential dealings for another post player, Denver could use Brewer as part of the shipment.

The team has plenty of pieces at shooting guard and small forward, and they even have stopper Andre Iguodala fortifying the perimeter. SBNation's Nuggets Blog notes that Iguodala's not the only one who should make Denver comfortable with letting Brewer go:

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"...the combined value of his (Brewer's)play, his energy, his character and his expiring contract may prove to have value as an appealing trade chip in the deadline market. And it’s entirely possible that players like Hamilton, Randolph and perhaps even Evan Fournier will show themselves to be more than capable of taking up the slack at the end of the rotation."

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Brewer will undoubtedly be a key name involved in the Nuggets' 2012-13 trade market activity.

Taj Gibson

When he hits the free agent frenzy next summer as a restricted free agent, Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson will likely see offer sheets upwards of $8-10 million per year, which is four to five times what he'll earn this season.

Jerry Reinsdorf and Gar Forman will think twice about letting him go or shelling out bundles just to hold serve. They'll entertain trade offers and also proactively negotiate.

His 2011-12 numbers were down from his previous two seasons, but that's partially because of the deep line of power forwards and centers the Bulls had on the roster.

Gibson is still an explosive force in the paint who has several years of productivity in the tank, which is why he'll be packing his United Center locker before winter's end.

Tyreke Evans

Because he's one of the great young slashers in the league, 2013 restricted free agent Tyreke Evans will see some generous offer sheets next summer.

The Kings know this, and they know they would have to unload the bank just to keep him on board.

Rather than hamstringing their financial future to keep him, or lose him next summer without getting anything in return, Sacramento would be wise to deal him.

Is he a poor outside shooter? Yes, but a trade should be a win-win for each team involved: the Kings will acquire value for Evans and their suitor will acquire a 23 year-old who can get to the rim at will.