NBA Trade Rumors: Monta Ellis and 10 Best Players Who Could Be on the Move

Despite a possible lockout on the horizon, trade rumors and speculation in the NBA are still going strong.

Whether its Steve Nash, Andre Iguodala, Monta Ellis or Dwight Howard, there are plenty of big names expected to go through a change of scenery.

So while the flurry of trade possibilities died down after the 2011 NBA Draft, don't expect things to be over just yet, as there are still players still wanting to be dealt and teams still needing to rebuild for the next season.

Teams are still in the hunt to move pieces around and regardless of whether its before the end of the current collective bargaining agreement or after the possible lockout, moves will definitely be made.

Here are 10 of the best players you can expect to get moving soon.

Andre Iguodala

First Andre Iguodala was rumored to be going to Golden State in exchange for Monta Ellis, then a deal for Lamar Odom was almost done, until that too failed to materialize. 

Now Iguodala remains with the Philadelphia 76ers until a realistic trade scenario can occur.

Head Coach Doug Collins told CSN Philly that the Sixers shopping around Iguodala was "not the case" and "That was never even implied."

However while the Sixers and fans may want Iguodala to stick around, its no guarantee he'll remain in Philly in the long term.

Iguodala put up a career high in assists (6.3) last season and is still putting up solid numbers. He's a fan favorite in Philadelphia and played great 2010 FIBA World Championship, so he can definitely fetch top talent.

So even though the core built around Iguodala, Elton Brand, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner is talented, nothing is ever set in stone in professional sports.

Its still likely that the budding star could still end up moved, the question is for who?

Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis was one of the other big names being tossed around during the NBA Draft, however, possible swaps for him, one of which included Andre Iguodala, never came to fruition.

Its hard to imagine however, that Ellis will actually remain with the Golden State Warriors.

Stephen Curry and Ellis managed to coexist, but with mixed results. The duo were unable to lead the Warriors to the playoffs and with new coach Mark Jackson coming in, the franchise seems to be focusing on turning things around.

Warriors CEO Joe Lacob seems intent on keeping Ellis in Golden State, but if Ellis might not be so keen on that.

Ellis, a superb scorer just doesn't seem to have a place anymore in Golden State. He's been vocal about being able to play on a competitor while he's still in his prime, but it seems hard for the Warriors to make big moves without trading him.

Dwight Howard

The clock seems to be ticking for the Orlando Magic as their superstar's days with the team could be coming to an end.

There were rumors of Dwight Howard heading to Los Angeles in exchange for a package of players which would include Lakers center Andrew Bynum, however it is still merely speculation.

The biggest question with Howard however would lie with his teammate Gilbert Arenas.

If Howard were to be traded before he becomes a free agent in 2012, the Magic would likely want to ship Arenas and his massive contract along with him. However, many teams are weary of taking on a financial burden like that, pondering if they could even make it work just for Howard.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year and the league's most dominant big man, teams would be hard pressed not to jump at the opportunity to sign Howard.

In the Lakers case, Orlando frees themselves of of Arenas' contract and get a decent big man in return, plus whoever else Los Angeles would package up, and the Lakers would receive Howard as well as a new point guard in Arenas to possibly run the new post triangle offense.

Paul Millsap

Putting up some of the best numbers of his career last season, Paul Millsap's stock in Utah made a jump.

Now with the acquisition of Derrick Favors and the drafting of Enes Kanter, Millsap's name has come up as a viable option for trade.

While the Jazz have plenty of big men, like Al Jefferson or Mehmet Okur who could go instead of Millsap, its looking like the 26-year-old remains the most likely due to his youth and potential growth.

He's a hard worker near the basket and would likely get the Jazz some perimeter help they could use.

Lamar Odom

The Sixth Man of the Year, Lamar Odom has become the Los Angeles Lakers' most movable player.

Odom could have potentially been traded in exchange for Andre Iguodala, however, it seems that the 76ers wouldn't want a guy who would be unhappy to play for them.

Odom seems content playing in Los Angeles and while there are other players better off being moved, such as Andrew Bynum, he seems to be the best option for the Lakers if they are hoping to change up the team.

He would also likely be the centerpiece of a trade for a player like Dwight Howard, perhaps packaged with Andrew Bynum.

Either way, he remains their most desirable player to trade.

Taj Gibson

On a team on the cusp of a championship, Taj Gibson may be the key for the Chicago Bulls to make it to the next level.

The Bulls made big time acquisitions to acquire most notably All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer, shooter Kyle Korver and defender Ronnie Brewer.

Their most notable weakness was in the shooting guard position, where they need a consistent scoring presence to lighten some of Derrick Rose's load.

So while, it may be tough for fans to accept, Gibson might be the Bulls' best chance at an NBA title.

Gibson is a talented athlete, hustling on both ends of the floor and he can play with his back to the basket as well as hit a solid 15-footer.

Some have suggested a trade of Carlos Boozer due to his poor playoff performance, however, even if the Bulls were to trade him, his large contract makes him a salary cap cookie monster.

If the Bulls want to fill their shooting guard void, they have to either find someone in free agency or possibly relinquish their young talent in Gibson.

Tony Parker

Before George Hill was traded, Tony Parker was the San Antonio Spurs trade bait during draft time.

So while the Spurs could still keep Parker around, they are obviously looking to get younger on a roster full of veterans.

By acquiring Kawhi Leonard, they injected some necessary youth and athleticism into the team, however with a past his prime Tim Duncan, the Spurs are better off moving pieces.

Manu Ginobili has established himself as the most proficient scorer on the team while Duncan will probably retire with the Spurs.

That leaves Parker left, who while on the team for now, following the end of the NBA Draft, has the most potential to yield the best results.

Still an All-Star caliber point guard, Parker is the best the Spurs can offer in exchange for perhaps a younger guard.

Chauncey Billups

There were rumors of Chauncey Billups going to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Steve Nash, however, those rumors later dissipated.

However, the possibility of Billups moving is still very real.

On an offense oriented team like the New York Knicks, already loaded with Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks would probably need more of a facilitator.

That was what made the Nash trade to interesting. Nash back in D'Antoni's offense with Stoudemire as well would have been enhanced by the presence of Anthony.

Nash will be in Phoenix though.

But Billups on the other hand can be moved to get the Knicks the point guard they desire. Even if the Knicks decide to wait for Chris Paul to become a free agent, Billups still gives them a bargaining chip they can use to either make room or pick up some role players.

"Mr. Big Shot" can still put up points and still has the ability to hit big threes, so he's better off on a team that would make use of the years he still has left.

Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum was looking to be and still may be the most viable trade for the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard.

Now that the talks have died down, Lamar Odom along with Bynum remain as the Lakers' best options when it comes to enticing teams into trades.

Bynum played arguably his best playoffs this past postseason until he delivered a cheap shot foul to the Dallas Mavericks' J.J. Barea.

Behavioral issues aside though, Bynum is still a tall solid center, and when healthy, can put up good numbers on both ends of the floor.

Andris Beidrins

Andris Biedrins was rumored to be going to the Houston Rockets in order to fill their void at center.

Apparently though, the offer was not enough, as the Biedrins is still a Warrior for now.

However, the Rockets are still very interested in Biedrins, making him one of their targeted acquisitions.

Biedrins, a solid center and capable defender in the paint still has time to grow and can definitely be the presence the Rockets need in the paint.

The Rockets offered Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill, so the Warriors can at least know that they can fetch some capable role players in exchange.