NBA Trade Rumors: David West and 4 Other Players Who May Be on the Move

With the draft completed a few days ago, many trade rumors are beginning to circulate around the league.

Many teams are still attempting to put the finishing touches on their rosters for the 2011-12 season, and trades are a large part of that effort.

Which players are on the trading block?

Which players are choosing to become free agents?

Find out as we count down five players with uncertain futures.

David West

David West, who has spent his entire career with the New Orleans Hornets, has decided to opt out of the final year of his contract, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

By opting out, he is walking away from the $7.5 million guaranteed in the final year of his contract.

He has not ruled out re-signing with the New Orleans Hornets, but said that he "wants to win and win big."

West gave his thoughts on the situation in a phone interview Monday morning.

"

"We just felt like this is the best thing for me, to go forward, and I made the decision based on where I was since the the knee (surgery) and all those other things and I felt it was the right time for me to make a good decision."

"

If he ultimately decides to remain a free agent, his services will be sought after by many teams. Last season, he averaged 18.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Eddy Curry

The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the Miami Heat have been working with free agent center Eddy Curry in the last few days. 

The team considered adding him to the playoff roster after he was waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but passed at the time.

Due to conditioning issues he did not play in a single game last season—but still earned $11.3 million.

Curry would be a great addition to the Miami Heat roster, as Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Juwan Howard will be entering free agency this summer.

Kwame Brown

According to Pro Basketball Talk, the New York Knicks are considering signing free agent center Kwame Brown.

Kurt Helin says,"The Knicks need someone to protect the rim and play some defense as a big man. Ronny Turiaf tried but he is a great backup, not the answer."

The team is making a large effort to preserve cap space in order to sign Chris Paul and/or Dwight Howard next summer.

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried, has verbalized his client's wish to be traded, the New York Post reports.

The Golden State Warriors originally planned on keeping Monta Ellis, but the team has decided that it is willing to trade him "if the pitch blew them away."

Expect this situation to heat up in the next few days.

Shannon Brown

Los Angeles Lakers' GM Mitch Kupchak has said he expects guard Shannon Brown to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The move makes sense for Brown, as the Lakers used their draft picks on two other guards, Darius Morris and Andrew Goudelock.

Brown recently gave his thoughts on the situation at hand.

"

"I'm still trying to figure it out. I'm trying to make sure it's the right decision for me and my family. It's not an easy thing."

"

While it certainly isn't an easy thing, Brown will most likely officially opt out of his contract and seek to play elsewhere, as rumors abound that Kupchak is planning to "blow up the team."