NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting If Carmelo Anthony and Others Will Be Traded or Not

After years of somewhat insignificant deals, this year's trade deadline could prove to be one that could define an entire season full of trade rumors. With a new collective bargaining agreement coming next season (hopefully before the season is scheduled to begin), teams are looking to shave money across the board and may be more amenable to give up a little talent for financial flexibility.

Additionally, there is a little bit of talk surrounding a certain All-Star forward in Denver. After he reportedly told the Nuggets that he would not be returning after this season, trade talk about Carmelo Anthony switched into overdrive.

There was talk about the Knicks, Nets,Rockets, Mavericks and nearly any team that had the assets to complete a deal like that. However, as the trade deadline approaches, he still is on the Nuggets and could find himself in the baby blue when the calendars turn to March.

With so much speculation because of the over-saturation of media that is present today, it is difficult to separate rumor from legitimate story. There is trade talk about nearly every player in the league, but the truth is often difficult to deduce.

Without further ado, here are five players who have been in the trade rumors and the answer to the question everyone has: will they be traded?

Andre Iguodala

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 06: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a free throw against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Teams Interested: Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks

Prediction: Not Traded

With nearly $57 million due to him over the next four years, Andre Iguodala may be one of the more overpaid players in the NBA. A solid contributor on both ends of the floor, Iguodala is a good player but is not worth the $14 million annual salary he's earning over the life of the contract.

However, he constantly comes up in trade rumors. The Cavaliers, Knicks, and Mavericks have all been connected to him as they try to improve their respective teams.

While there is moderate interest, the 76ers will likely hold on to Iguodala this year. With another year of a weak Eastern Conference, Iguodala and the 76ers look to be in prime position to snag a playoff spot after a disappointing year last year. 

Perhaps in a year or two when Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday are ready to lead the club to great things, they will consider trading him, but for now he will stay in Philadelphia and try to push the 76ers to the playoffs.

OJ Mayo

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 20: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on January 20, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Teams Interested: Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks

Prediction: Traded

After a tremendous rookie season, OJ Mayo has struggled to establish himself as the All-Star that he could be in the NBA. His shot hasn't improved, he's been unmotivated on defense, and has had numerous off the court issues that have held him back. 

Now, with lottery pick Xavier Henry waiting in the wings and Sam Young playing well, Mayo appears to be expendable to the Grizzlies. After a fight with teammate Tony Allen, a drug suspension, and other incidents, could the Grizzlies look to move him?

With cheaper options and holes to fill on the depth chart, Mayo appears to be out of Memphis. While Sam Young, Tony Allen, Xavier Henry will not bring the kind of scoring that Mayo can, they will play good defense and make fewer mistakes. 

With the Grizzlies needing to make big commitments this summer to keep their frontcourt intact this summer, they simply cannot afford a player who is due for a big extension in a position that is not of need.

Danny Granger

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 11: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after not drawing a foul from the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on December 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadin

Teams Interested: New Jersey Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves

Prediction: Not Traded

For years, the Pacers have reportedly been receiving huge interest in trading Danny Granger, their all-star forward. With the ability to score from anywhere on the floor and rebound well, this is not surprising.

To this point, the Pacers have not given in to an offer, much to the chagrin of many general managers. However, after drafting a potential replacement in Paul George in this year's draft, the speculation has continued that he may be traded, especially after George's strong start to his rookie season.

While many signs point to it, Granger is not going to be traded. After firing Jim O'Brien and replacing him with Frank Vogel, the Pacers have gone on a streak and now find themselves in the middle of the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference. If they were to trade him now, those hopes would certain take a major hit.

Given that they haven't traded him to this point when the circumstances were more favorable for a trade, it is unlikely that they move him now.

Steve Nash

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

Teams Interested: Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks

Prediction: Not traded

A fixture in Phoenix since he signed there, Steve Nash has endured bad times along with good in his long tenure. This season may be one of the lowest moments for him, as the Suns sit out of the playoff race and he is just years from retirement. 

However, it is extremely unlikely that he is traded before the deadline. Teams like the Knicks and the Timberwolves may try, but the Suns are not looking to move him and he is happy in Phoenix. 

Told that "when [the trade rumors] first sprang up that [the front office] had no plans to move" him, Nash has piece of mind knowing that without a trade request, he will not be traded.

While conventional wisdom may state that a team in the financial situation of Phoenix and no chance of advancing far in the playoffs should trade its most valuable assets, the lack of willingness from the front office or Nash makes that possibility extremely unlikely.

Carmelo Anthony

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 15: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 100-94. NOTE TO USER: Us

Teams Interested: New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, more

Prediction: Traded

In recent weeks, the buzz out of Denver is that Carmelo Anthony would consider signing an extension with the Nuggets because of the tremendous financial incentive to do so if they do not trade him by the deadline. However, given the number of offers out on the market and the danger of getting nothing for him, the Nuggets are going to be forced to deal their franchise player.

After seeing Chris Bosh and LeBron James' teams each get blindsided by their player's decision to leave the team, the Nuggets will have to trade Carmelo for the best package they can find. With the Nets reportedly jumping back into the sweepstakes, their package will likely be pretty appealing.

Simply put, the Nuggets will be dead in the water if they lose Anthony without compensation this off-season. With no franchise player in the making, minimal young talent outside of Ty Lawson, and Al Harrington's bad contract, the future is not bright without Carmelo. If they move them, that future could be a bit brighter.