NBA Trade Ideas for Richard Hamilton: 4 Teams That Could Use Rip

As the majority of things NBA related remain on pause, it is a struggle to find things to discuss about the Association. No player transactions can be made, so all we can do is speculate right now.

Richard Hamilton is one player who many feel should be, and perhaps will be, traded once the lockout is absolved. The Detroit Pistons are stuck in a rough "rebuilding" transition and Hamilton does not deserve to be there in such dysfunction. At 33, he doesn't have a whole lot of productive seasons left and should be playing on a quality team considering his skill level. He is still a player who can score 18 points per game.

Here are a few teams that could use his talents at the shooting guard slot.

Chicago Bulls

Ronnie Brewer and Keith Bogans served as the Chicago Bulls' shooting guard throughout last season. Both provided solid minutes alongside Derrick Rose, but they are offensively limited. One extra guy to score might help lift Chicago over the troubles it faced in the playoffs.

Rip Hamilton would be a nice fit in the backcourt with Rose. He is one of the best in the league at playing off the ball, which may come in handy as Rose handles the rock as much as anyone in the league. Hamilton is not shy when it comes to putting it on the floor himself and scoring either, and the Bulls severely lacked a second guy who could do that. 

New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets were near the bottom of the league in scoring, averaging just fewer than 95 points per game. The only players on the team with an above-average knack for scoring are Chris Paul and David West. Marco Belinelli held down the 2-guard spot for the Hornets a majority of the season. He is pretty one-dimensional however, as he only provides three-pointers when he's left open.

Even with the lack of offensive firepower on the roster, New Orleans managed to squeeze into the seventh seed in the 2011 Western Conference playoffs, and push the Los Angeles Lakers to six games in the first round.

Allowing Rip Hamilton to play off of Paul's playmaking presence would help bring some variety to the Hornets offensive scheme. An extra scorer would allow head coach Monty Williams to be more creative on that end of the floor.

The acquisition of Hamilton may also make the team look more attractive to David West, who is currently a free agent.

New York Knicks

Landry Fields stands alone as the only shooting guard on the New York Knicks, aside from rookie Iman Shumpert. After Carmelo Anthony was acquired, Fields' production decreased. In the playoffs he was basically invisible. Perhaps he is not the type of player to be in the starting five, at least not at this time. And Shumpert has a very slim chance at being a competent starter right away.

Rip Hamilton would be a nice upgrade.

He would fit in well for two reasons. One: He would team up with his former teammate of six-plus years in Chauncey Billups. They formed one of the elite backcourts in the NBA and are really good friends. Two: Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire both need the ball in their hands to do what they do best. Hamilton is famous for being super effective without handling the ball.

Hamilton would certainly help the Knicks improve, and could very well be serviceable for a couple more seasons as the Blue and Orange look for an overdue return to the NBA's elite.

New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are another team that is frail at the shooting guard spot. Anthony Morrow was often the man for the job in the opening lineup. He is decent, but not quite starter material.

The Nets are currently focused on improving the team so that Deron Williams will stay following his contract expiration next summer. Adding Rip Hamilton to the equation could definitely enhance the Nets product.

Hamilton would provide an adequate scorer to the mostly dry New Jersey roster. Affixing him with Williams' elite point guard skills, Brook Lopez's low-post presence, Kris Humphries' stout rebounding and a number of role players should be just enough to convert them into a playoff squad.

You can follow Nigel Broadnax on Twitter @BroadnaxWrites.