NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Rumblings Surrounding Monta Ellis, Roy Hibbert and More

With the draft recently completed and free agency just getting underway, the NBA is in the midst of a very busy time of year. Actually, that's a bit of an understatement—things are crazy right now.

The draft was chock-full of surprising results, a bevy of big-ticket players were quickly claimed within hours of the commencement of free agency and several interesting trades have already gone down. It's been quite a whirlwind for practically every franchise, as each aims to improve for the coming season and many are targeting the same players.

While free agency is the focus of most headlines at this time of year, we can't discount the fact that trades can make just as much of an impact. After all, many teams generally rely on trades as a fallback plan after missing out on a free agent of their choosing. That trend will continue this year.

So, while the NBA's summer action continues to heat up, let's take a look at a few of the most intriguing trade rumors from trusted sources around the Web.

Mavs-Pacers Sign-and-Trade?

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Here's a deal that will be contingent on a potential free-agency acquisition. The Dallas Mavericks are in the hunt for center DeAndre Jordan, and according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the veteran is torn between heading to Texas and remaining with the Los Angeles Clippers:

His ultimate decision could have some interesting consequences.

If Jordan chooses to remain with the Clippers, the Mavericks have already prepared a contingency plan involving a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers. Wojnarowski tweeted the details:

All right, before we delve into this, you may be wondering how a sign-and-trade is possible after the Pacers already signed Monta Ellis. Well, they didn't—the two sides have only agreed to terms, as players cannot officially sign contracts until July 9. Ellis can opt out of the Pacers deal, re-sign with Dallas and then complete the sign-and-trade by swapping with Roy Hibbert.

Hibbert decided to utilize his player option to remain in Indiana earlier this offseason and is expected to play out the year on a $15.5 million salary. Due to the differences in the Pacers' wish to run a fast-paced offense and Hibbert's slower style, the new deal wasn't met with much enthusiasm by the team's fanbase.

With the Pacers looking to offload Hibbert's salary and the Mavericks potentially thinking the center could find his form with a change of scenery, the sign-and-trade makes plenty of sense.

Nets Shopping Joe Johnson

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The Brooklyn Nets are looking to free up some cap space; however, they aren't finding it easy.

According to a tweet from ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo, the Nets have been actively shopping Joe Johnson in an effort to offload his contract and the $24.9 million he's due this season:

It's easy to see why teams are wary about taking on such a big salary. Most teams that can afford Johnson's contract need more production—some from several positions—and won't want to use their cap space on a 14-year veteran whose numbers have been steadily declining in recent years.

Johnson is coming off a 2014-15 season in which he averaged 14.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the floor and 35.9 percent from downtown. Those aren't bad numbers by any stretch, but it was Johnson's lowest point average since his 2002-03 season with the Phoenix Suns.

Expect Brooklyn to have an extremely difficult time finding a suitor for Johnson and his lofty salary.

Knicks' Contingency Plan

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The New York Knicks have been trying to make a splash in free agency this year; however, things haven't been going according to plan for Phil Jackson's team. LaMarcus Aldridge already canceled his meeting with the franchise, per ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne, Greg Monroe signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, per Wojnarowski, and Jordan doesn't appear likely to choose New York over either Los Angeles or Dallas.

So, where do the Knicks go from here? Ian Begley of ESPN.com reported one possibility:

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Another big man on the Knicks' radar is Golden State's David Lee. The Knicks have discussed internally the possibility of trading for Lee, who was drafted by New York in 2005 and played his first five seasons there, sources confirmed.

Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein shortly after the season that the Warriors and Lee's agent Mark Bartelstein would work together to find a new home for Lee this offseason.

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Lee is due $15.5 million this coming season in the final year of his contract. New York would be able to take on that salary this year, and after it expires in 2016, the team would have an additional $15 million to spend in free agency alongside the anticipated cap increase of $22 million. That would certainly give the team plenty of ammo.

If the Knicks do acquire Lee, they will be getting a player who fell out of the Golden State Warriors rotation last season, but averaged 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the floor as a full-time starter during his 2013-14 campaign.

Contract info courtesy of Spotrac.com.