NBA Trade Rumors: Which Veteran Guards Will Be Dealt on Draft Day?

There have been quite a few trade rumors in the days leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft. A large number of these potential deals involve veteran guards. 

Monta Ellis, Steve Nash, Andre Miller, Chauncey Billups and Tony Parker have been some of the more notable names in the group being floated around as available for the right pieces.

While many of these trades are just rumors and teams would like to hold onto their veteran floor generals, let's evaluate the chances of each player being moved before or during the 2011 NBA Draft. 

Read on to find out if your favorite teams' veteran guard will be wearing a different uniform in the near future.

No. 1: Steve Nash

Steve Nash is no stranger to trades, as he was involved with a major one early in his career. The Suns were actually the team that drafted him, but they never really utilized the Canadian point guard out of Santa Clara.

The Dallas Mavericks acquired Nash in 1998 through a trade and kept him until he became a free agent in 2004. Nash blossomed during his time in Dallas, and was eventually signed as a free agent by the Suns and went on to win two MVP awards. 

The Suns are not eager to lose the future Hall of Fame point guard for a second time, and it would take an incredible deal to acquire him. Minnesota was apparently interested in acquiring Nash to show Ricky Rubio the ropes, and is willing to give up the number two pick, among other trade pieces. 

Nash is not interested in joining a rebuilding effort, and will be turning 38 years old next season. While he may still be able to contribute at a high level (see: Kidd, Jason) he will certainly not want to miss the playoffs during the two to three good years the veteran guard has left. 

Steve Nash will only be moved if the Suns receive a legitimate offer from a team ready to contend for the 2012 NBA title. The only contender that seems interested and has potential pieces is the New York Knicks. The Knicks would swap fellow veteran Chauncey Billups and other assets in order to give Nash a chance to win a title with Amar'e and Carmelo. 

Steve Nash - 4 Percent Chance to Be Traded

No. 2: Andre Miller

Andre Miller is beginning to ease into the twilight of his career after being a productive point guard who rarely missed a game for the Portland Trail Blazers over the last few seasons.

Miller has one of the most desirable contracts in the league due to it being fully non-guaranteed. A team who acquires him can take on approximately 7 million dollars of contract and then absolve themselves of it on or before June 29th by refusing to sign on for the year. 

Almost every team that is over the cap has made contact with the Blazers' front office to find out what it would take to land Miller.

The latest rumors have the Orlando Magic sending fellow veteran point Jameer Nelson to Portland for Miller's contract and the 21st pick in the 2011 NBA draft. The Magic would gain some cap room and add another young prospect to their roster while the Blazers would upgrade their starting point guard. 

The Nuggets are also interested in acquiring Miller, as Raymond Felton is apparently not content coming off the bench and feels he can be a starter in this league. The Nuggets would save some money and get two consecutive picks in the 2011 NBA draft that they could possibly trade up with just for ridding themselves of an unhappy player. 

I currently have Miller at a high chance to be moved shortly, as the Blazers and many other teams have a lot to gain by making a deal. 

Andre Miller - 75 Percent Chance to Be Traded

No. 3: Tony Parker

The San Antonio Spurs' front office came to understand that they can't win with their current roster after an ugly loss in the first round to the eighth seeded Memphis Grizzlies.

They are also apparently unhappy with what allegedly happened between Tony Parker and former teammate Brent Barry's wife. By trading Tony Parker, they distance themselves from that embarrassment and also shake up a roster that badly needs some changes. 

The Spurs feel that backup George Hill can be a significant contributor to their team, and they're ready to hand him the reins as starting point guard. The Spurs would like to add a lottery pick or a youthful contributor down low who could help ease the transition into a post-Duncan era. 

Two potential suitors have come forward with the right pieces to get a deal done with San Antonio. The Sacramento Kings would love to add Parker, and would be willing to give up their 7th overall pick as well as provide cap relief to the Spurs, who could then add a free agent this summer. The trade works out for both parties and makes sense.

Another team that's kind of a long shot, based on what they're going to do with their two draft picks, would be the Cleveland Cavaliers. The number 4 pick and Anderson Varejao, along with a few other pieces to sweeten the deal and make salaries work in exchange for Parker and change would make sense. This trade only happens if the Cavs decide to take Derrick Williams with the first pick in the draft.

The Spurs definitely need to rid themselves of Parker, but might run into some difficulties because of the lack of teams with the means to acquire him.

Tony Parker - 25 Percent Chance to Be Traded

No 4.: Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis has been on the block since the 2011 NBA season ended. The Warriors simply cannot win with a Steph Curry/Ellis backcourt, although they are certainly exciting to watch. The Warriors recently overhauled their ownership, coaching staff, and front office, and now will look to do the same with their roster. 

Ellis has been involved in talks with several potential teams, but the fact of the matter is not a lot of clubs have the desire to take on a ball-hogging, undersized shooting guard who doesn't play a lick of defense. He has excelled on a Warriors team that still has a run-and-gun Don Nelson attitude instilled in it. GM's aren't certain that the former 2nd round draft pick will be a fit in their system. 

Minnesota is probably the best fit for the guard, and they're interested, but not to the tune of giving up their 2nd overall pick. A three-team plus trade would most likely be the way Ellis lands in a Timberwolves jersey, but don't count on that happening. 

The reason I think Ellis has a decent chance to be traded is due to the way the Warriors are aggressively shopping him. By initiating constant communication with a number of different GMs, the Golden State franchise might finally rid themselves of Ellis on draft day. 

Monta Ellis - 40 Percent Chance to Be Traded