NBA Trade Speculation: Breaking Down the Hottest NBA Trade Rumors

With the NBA on hold for now, trading is not in effect.

Us NBA watchers are unfortunately left with only the ability to ponder possible deals that can be made after the lockout.

And that is what I'm here to do. This will pertain a lot of the same stuff that has been thrown around, but bear with me as a go over a few of the most likely trades...again.

Monta Ellis to the Philadelphia 76ers

Monta Ellis' scoring powers can best described as "gaudy." He piles on the points sporadically on an almost nightly basis.

Some feel he takes too many shots and isn't a guy they would want on their team having chemistry mind. The Golden State Warriors could look to deal him so that they have a better suited guard to match with Stephen Curry, who is of a similar mold as Ellis'.

The Warriors were in talks with the Philadelphia 76ers in days leading up to the draft to acquire Andre Iguodala for Ellis. Be on the lookout for this to regain a little steam following the lockout.

The Sixers want to spruce up their offense, while Golden State would attain a stud on defense. And they've lacked in that department for a number of years.

Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers

If you're unaware of the Dwight Howard free-agency situation, I'll assume that you are both Amish and not a daily paper reader. I'll direct the next paragraph to the ones who fit that description and may have gotten hold of this article some how. Here goes.

The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard will become the most coveted free agent in the summer of 2012. All signs point to him signing elsewhere as he's refused to sign an extension and wants management to build a contending team before he decides to stay.

That may be too big of a task for them in a small amount of time. A number of unfavorable contracts leave their hands tied in terms of what they can do. And they have not made smart moves as of late.

Trading him may be the best option for them moving forward.

The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites to obtain the three time Defensive Player of the Year, should he be placed on the trading block in the coming months. A deal sending out Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and or Paul Gasol, along with a few draft picks is the perceived deal of many.

This way the Lakers can retool their roster for the past and present as they appear to be fading at the moment, and the Magic get a solid center in return and perhaps another quality player or to in return.

There are probably some better deals Orlando could find, which could result in them refusing to send Howard out west. However, the Lakers have been known to pull off big deals throughout time, and they could very well make that happen here.

Staying tuned is our only answer right now though.

Rudy Gay to....Anywhere

The Memphis Grizzlies fared pretty well without the services of Rudy Gay, who was lost toward the end of the season to a shoulder injury.

They took down the top seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round and wrestled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a seventh game before they were finally eliminated.

They just might be happy with how the team is structured sans Gay, and with Shane Battier or Sam Young starting at small forward in his place. Having Gay return to the lineup could cause a few problems chemistry wise, so there is a chance they play it safe and trade him for some other value.

No particular team has been talked about more than any other when it comes to potential trading partners, however. The Los Angeles Clippers and New Jersey Nets could be teams interested.

Josh Smith to....Anywhere

Josh Smith has been a fixture of Atlanta Hawks basketball for the last seven years. He has always been a big time highlight reel and stat stuffer for his hometown team, but sources have said that they may look to move him.

Dealing him out of town would help shake up their roster as they've been essentially stuck in the same place the last few seasons. The potential deal would also help them shed some salary, which they could certainly stand to do.

Like Rudy Gay, their is no safe pick when it comes to his landing spot in a trade. The Los Angeles Clippers and New Jersey Nets may be interested in acquiring Smith as well.

You can follow Nigel Broadnax on Twitter @BroadnaxWrites