Potential Ticking Time Bomb from Every NBA Team

Over the course of time, the NBA has been home to a number of ticking time-bomb-like players.

What does this mean exactly? Players who can blow up at any given minute and become an overall distraction are, for all intents and purposes, ticking time bombs.

Remember Rasheed Wallace getting called for so many technicals that we began to wonder if he was paid per foul? Or how about Charles Barkley getting into so many fights that it seemed like he had an endorsement deal with Everlast?

Regardless of which era you look at, you are bound to find a player who could easily become a distraction by what he did on the court or through what he did off the court. Players that request a trade, blow up at teammates, argue with coaches, fight fans, belittle the media or change their names to "Metta World Peace" are distractions that serve as major headaches to their respective organization.

With this in mind, let's take a look at a player from each NBA team today who may just be a ticking time bomb that goes off tomorrow.

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith

Josh Smith is a slightly volatile player to begin with, but with the Atlanta Hawks openly shopping him prior to the lockout and speculation running rampant even after the fact, he could become a major headache for the organization.

Smith is widely criticized for his attitude, and it is this very attitude that could explode at any given moment. He is not the type of player to ride off into the sunset quietly, and if Atlanta does not find a quick resolution to his situation, he is going to become a problem.

Better yet, if the Hawks opt not to move the forward, is he likely to forgive and forget? Not at all. It would just be prolonging the inevitable after the recent turn of events.

Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo

The Boston Celtics are approaching a crossroads, and so is Rajon Rondo.

With the franchise's core players aging rapidly, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Celtics' days at the top are numbered, and it is unclear as to whether Rondo wants to be a part of their future.

The prolific passer has been able to become so successful largely because he has played with All-Stars such as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to make him look good. As they age, though, their abilities are going to taper off; what happens when Rondo doesn't look so capable? What if he comes to find he cannot be the face or foundation for this franchise?

That day is coming soon, and many seem to believe Rondo is overrated. This makes him viable to get extremely frustrated, having to play alongside declining veterans or unproven athletes that do not better his appearance. This may lead him to cause friction within the locker room, demanding either a trade or a roster upheaval.

Charlotte Bobcats: Tyrus Thomas

After ridding themselves of a PR headache in Stephen Jackson, it is slightly challenging to pick the next potential one for the Charlotte Bobcats. That being said, power forward Tyrus Thomas becomes the most likely candidate.

When with the Chicago Bulls, Thomas was suspended after blowing up on then-coach Vinny Del Negro, which played a big role in him being traded. However, the 25-year-old forward has showed promise and got some minutes with the Bobcats last season. Now, they hope he continues to mature.

That being said, Thomas clearly has a temper, and whether Bismack Biyombo joins the team next season or the season after, the Bobcats could favor their player of the future ahead of Thomas, cutting his minutes.

Thomas has an unsteady temper—he could explode at any given time over just about anything.

Tick-tock...

Chicago Bulls: Carlos Boozer

The need for a talented shooting guard—combined with Carlos Boozer's less than stellar performance in the postseason—has led to the Chicago Bulls gauging league interest in the power forward.

It is unclear who the serious suitors could wind up being, but thanks to a bloated contract, Chicago may wind up having to hold on to Boozer.

This is by no means a disaster, but what if Boozer's struggles continue, leading the Bulls to favor the younger Taj Gibson at power forward? Boozer will not react well to becoming a bench player. Sure, he is still getting paid, but egos are everything in this league, and his would be bruised, to say the least.

Furthermore, what if Boozer cannot let go of the fact that Chicago was considering dealing him in the first place? He can publicly state the contrary, but that may mean nothing in the scheme of things, because in the end, all he may harp on is the fact that the Bulls questioned his value to the team. This could lead to him demanding a trade himself or making serious waves in the locker room.

Such circumstances and possible conflicts make Boozer a potential headache for the Chicago organization.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Baron Davis

Baron Davis may find himself fighting for playing time, as the Cleveland Cavaliers boast an array of options in the backcourt with Ramon Sessions, Daniel Gibson and Kyrie Irving.

Davis is a proven veteran, but the Cavaliers are set on proving to the basketball world that Irving was the best player available in this year's draft, and this means he is likely to get substantial playing time. Sessions and Gibson will also get major minutes to fill out the backcourt.

With all of these options at Cleveland's disposal, Davis' minutes are bound to decrease—something he may not be amenable to.

Also, let's not forget Davis is aging and may not want to spend his remaining years playing for a team that is nowhere near playoff contention. In Davis, the Cavaliers have an athlete who could potentially complain about playing time as well as request a trade to a better team. 

After putting up with LeBron James' ego for a number of years, though, such a conflict should only prove to cause a minor headache for the organization.

Dallas Mavericks: Shawn Marion

The Dallas Mavericks are a well-rounded and relatively humble organization, making it difficult to cite a player who will become a negative distraction. However, there is a small chance of that happening with Shawn Marion should he revert to his old ways.

During his days with the Phoenix Suns, he quickly became known as a prima donna who cared more about his individual success and looking good than that of the team. How is he going to react if his playing time gets cut as his production drops? He is 33, and while he was an integral part of the team's success last year, will he be able to keep up this pace for another three years?

Who knows? What we do know, however, is that if Marion isn't happy with the way things are going for him personally, he has the ability to make the entire team miserable. That's not exactly a distraction the defending champs would welcome.

Denver Nuggets: Andre Miller

Andre Miller is in the last year of his contract, but he may not want to wait that long to leave the Denver Nuggets. Ty Lawson will be the unquestioned starter by everyone except Miller, who still believes—and arguably so—he is a starting-caliber point guard.

Why can't Miller just wait until next summer to explore his other options? He is not exactly young anymore and may not want to spend what little capable time he has left being a backup. Eventually it is a role he may come to embrace, but right now, he may not be inclined to accept such a reality, which could lead to him requesting a trade to a team in need of a veteran starting point guard.

In addition, let's not forget he fought with then-head coach Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers last season. After seeming like one of the more mild-mannered players in the league for years, Miller seems to be emerging as a ticking time bomb.

I wonder if a "Caution" sticker came along with Miller in the trade to the Nuggets...

Detroit Pistons: Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon is liable to become a distraction to the Detroit Pistons for his declining production on the court. He is due $11.6 million next season, and if he doesn't reach the potential the Pistons thought he would when they signed him, he will draw some major criticism from both outside and within the organization.

Detroit is trying to move the veteran Richard Hamilton, yet he guarantees more offensive production than Gordon does at this point—not to mention he has one less year on his contract.

Gordon was supposed to reach the next level with the Pistons, but instead he is poised to finally allow his signing to be deemed a bust, causing an unnecessary distraction for the Detroit organization.

Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis has been openly shopped by the Golden State Warriors, a team that would like to get better defensively, but prior to the lockout, trade talks involving the star guard began to taper off. Should he remain with the team, it will be interesting to see how professional he stays.

Ellis has a reputation of being a selfish star—one that a city cannot build a team around—and having his name mentioned in trade rumors seems to only verify that. Returning for another season with a team that tried to move him may prove difficult for Ellis to do.

Additionally, selecting Klay Thompson in this year's NBA draft may force a slight case of paranoia on Ellis' part. Drafting yet another prolific scoring guard seems to indicate that Golden State will sooner or later move Ellis and may have him looking over his shoulder next season. Let's not forget Ellis requested a trade from the Warriors earlier this summer.

If Ellis remains in a Warriors uniform next year, there is a better than good chance that he becomes a thorn in the side of the entire organization.

Houston Rockets: Jonny Flynn

Acquiring Jonny Flynn was a very puzzling move for the Houston Rockets, who already have two promising young point guards in Goran Dragic and Kyle Lowry, both of whom the organization is high on, making the Flynn acquisition nothing short of stockpiling.

Flynn will not get the substantial minutes he craves behind Lowry and Dragic, and as a result he may be apt to request a trade to a team with an actual hole to fill at the position. That's a headache that Houston could have easily avoided.

Indiana Pacers: James Posey

James Posey has dropped to the third-string power forward for the Indiana Pacers, a role that he he may not come to embrace.

Last season, Posey averaged almost 10 minutes per game less than his career average, and his playing time stands to get cut even more next season. Sitting on the bench may simply not be acceptable for the 12-year veteran.

At 34, Posey may become victim to the youth movement that is currently sweeping through Indiana; being that his contract is expiring at the end of next season, he may like to try to play for one more. This means he may request a trade to a team with a need for a forward. 

Indiana may not be apt to listen to such a request, preferring to allow his contract to come off the books, but if he is persistent enough, the Pacers may be better off just moving the disgruntled forward and avoiding the headache.

Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman

Chris Kaman is a solid center, one that would be a starter on more than a few teams, but the Los Angeles Clippers seem to prefer DeAndre Jordan, which may be cause for Kaman to request a trade in the last year of his contract.

The seven-foot Kaman knows that his height is a commodity and may feel that his talents are better off serving another team that would give him a starting role. With the Clippers looking to fight their way into the playoff picture, an unhappy center—even a backup one—could become quite a distraction for this young team.

Los Angeles Lakers: Ron Artest

Ron Artest—whom I thankfully do not have to refer to as Metta World Peace just yet, due to some outstanding parking tickets—is the most likely member of the Los Angeles Lakers to explode.

I understand your skepticism if you are re-reading that last sentence and thinking this ticking time bomb has already exploded, but in fact, things can only get worse from here on out. Could plaguing trade speculation cause center Andrew Bynum to implode? Yes, but it is more likely we catch a few more episodes of the "Artest Show" before anything like that happens.

Today—or rather a few weeks from now—it's his name, but next, it's an outlandish explanation as to why he wants to switch his jersey number to 70, and after that he may want to hold seances on the court during timeouts.

Artest has become a PR nightmare for the Lakers, and while to each his own, there is a time, a place and a way to go about things—guidelines he simply isn't following. 

All indications are things aren't going to get better anytime soon.

Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph

Let's use Zach Randolph's most recent run-in with the law as the primary example for him being the Memphis Grizzlies' potential ticking time bomb.

It has been established that Randolph did not beat a drug dealer, but it has also been established that he invited one to a party of his with the expectation he would be selling marijuana to his guests—not exactly much better.

Other escapades of Randolph's include misleading police in an investigation regarding his brother, getting arrested for drunk driving, being accused of being a drug supplier and developing a reputation as a selfish player. Those don't just prove Randolph is a ticking time bomb; they prove he is a recurring one.

At least he seems to have improved his selfish play a little since joining the Grizzlies...

Miami Heat: LeBron James

Is LeBron James likely to request a trade from the Miami Heat? Not at all—it's a team that he personally assembled. However, he is likely to force Pat Riley and the rest of the organization to invest in some heavy-duty aspirin.

LeBron was not the only hand who helped create this powerhouse, but his image has suffered the most. He is ridiculed by the media and basketball fans relentlessly, and every move he makes is dissected and portrayed in a negative light.

No, LeBron is not a victim; it's a part of his job to deal with it, and he hasn't reacted appropriately to it, frequently lashing out at the media and giving the public even more ammo to use against him. The blizzard of criticism surrounding LeBron is not going to lighten up, and unless he figures out how to field and respond to his critics, he is going to have Miami's PR department working overtime.

People tend to say that LeBron is his own worst enemy, but next season, it may become clear he is also that of the Heat.

Milwaukee Bucks: Stephen Jackson

We are nearly seven years removed from "The Malice at the Palace," yet Stephen Jackson remains a player who can disrupt an entire organization, causing severe migraines and serving as an enormous distraction.

Before Jackson has even stepped foot on the court for the Milwaukee Bucks, he is already causing problems—or rather, his name is. Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct in August, and Jackson was listed in the original report as being arrested as well.

Although the report was modified, thus clearing Jackson, the "arrest that never was" serves as an example of what he is capable of.

It should be interesting to see how the Bucks fanbase responds to Jackson after his first antic is officially pulled as a member of its team.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Beasley

Michael Beasley remained shockingly quiet during his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving team personnel—as well as the rest of the basketball world—wondering if this was a sign of things to come.

Well, it's not.

Beasley was cited for speeding and possessing marijuana back in July, bringing an end to his quiet ways. The possession charge is only a misdemeanor, but it serves as an example of the type of baggage Beasley carries with him.

Combine this with the Timberwolves shopping the forward, and you have a player who could blow up and make matters extremely difficult for the organization at any given moment.

New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams

Deron Williams was a great pickup for the New Jersey Nets, and while he was a risky acquisition, it was a risk they had to take. However, that doesn't mean they won't have to pay for it, and I'm not necessarily talking about him walking at the end of the summer.

Williams notoriously had an ongoing feud with head coach Jerry Sloan when he was with the Utah Jazz. Many believe this feud is what led Sloan to resign last February, but even if it wasn't, when a player clashes with his coach, it is never a good sign.

What happens if New Jersey does not have the success it promised Williams? What if he gets fed up playing for the Nets? What if he becomes sure he would rather play elsewhere and tries to force a sign-and-trade so he can get the most money he can?

Williams is a terrific player who should do wonders for the Nets, but he is still young and can become a hothead sometimes. Does this mean that he is most certainly a ticking time bomb that can explode at any moment? No, but it sure means he has the potential to become one.

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul

Chris Paul already indirectly requested a trade once, and what's to stop him from doing it again?

Paul is set to become a free agent next summer, and as he stated last summer, he would prefer a trade if the New Orleans Hornets are not committed to building a championship team around him. As of right now, it doesn't seem they are ready to do such a thing.

The Hornets had an impressive playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers this past postseason, but with key players David West and Carl Landry entering free agency, the team's immediate future is up in the air.

Most believe Paul will opt to leave New Orleans for greener pastures, and assuming this is true, what happens if he decides he wants the most possible money he can get and tries to force a sign-and-trade? His impending free agency is already bound to be a distraction for the team, but what happens if he becomes more open about his desire to leave?

Some may not see it him, but his trade request last summer could turn out to be only a taste of the distraction level this saga is going to reach. Paul now has some serious leverage, and this makes him a potential ticking time bomb.

New York Knicks: Toney Douglas

When the New York Knicks selected Iman Shumpert in this year's draft, a lot of people were rendered confused, most of all Toney Douglas.

Shumpert has widely been considered a "Toney Douglas 2.0," the only difference being that he is slightly taller. Some believe this to be an attempt to pry Steve Nash away from the Phoenix Suns, who were seriously interested in Shumpert heading into the draft. Others tend to feel that the Knicks consider Shumpert better suited for the team than Douglas.

Regardless, the Knicks are definitely going to test the waters with Shumpert, which is going to cut into Douglas' minutes—something he could come to resent.

Competition among teammates isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when your organization passes on drafting a player that fills a bigger need to create the competition, egos become bruised, and the risk of it being counterproductive is greater.

Douglas may come to resent the very presence of Shumpert and request a trade, creating rifts within the locker room or via the media as a result. Shumpert's presence may have caused Douglas to become a ticking time bomb.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook officially crossed the threshold into superstardom last season, and it is doubtful he will regress, but his value to the team could be hindered by an attitude that may develop as a result of last season's playoff drama.

Many saw the lack of cohesion between Westbrook and Kevin Durant as primarily Westbrook's fault; while the two have coexisted in the past, any future struggles will automatically be attributed to him. Is that something Westbrook is going to want to have on his shoulders? No.

Additionally, as Westbrook continues to make a name for himself, he may become frustrated playing in the shadow of Durant. It's a lot different when stars choose to play together, like in the case of Miami, but Durant and Westbrook were thrust together.

This pairing has seemed to work until now, but as Westbrook's talent level develops, so will his ego; there is a very real chance he could become tired of playing second fiddle to Durant. This would make things very difficult for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Orlando Magic: Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas has a history of causing conflict within an organization (like drawing a gun in the team locker room), and the fact that his name will once again be heavily linked to trade rumors when the Orlando Magic are fielding league-wide inquiries regarding Dwight Howard's availability makes him liable to explode again.

Arenas is a shell of his former self, and while he should be content cutting an enormous paycheck despite his regression, his ego will not see it this way. Arenas went from being a bona fide superstar to an afterthought and liability. If he feels he is on his way out, he will not censor himself from speaking his mind and causing controversy in the media and the locker room.

Howard will be the primary focus of speculation regarding the Magic next season, but Arenas' response to said speculation may steal the show.

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala has been linked to a number of trade rumors, the serious ones involving Monta Ellis, but such talks have cooled, and it seems more likely he will remain with the Philadelphia 76ers. One has to wonder how relations between the shooting guard and organization will progress from here on out.

Iguodala remains one of the best defenders in the game, but some see a drop-off in his talent level; while there are those who attempt to attribute it to his transition into a point-forward role, the 76ers obviously saw a brighter future with Ellis.

How is Iguodala going to recover from such talks? He is one of the more professional athletes in the league, but if his name makes its way back into trade discussions, he could become very unhappy very quickly.

If Iguodala is linked to any more trade rumors without a deal being reached, he is liable to lash out publicly and even demand a trade himself.

Phoenix Suns: Robin Lopez

After acquiring Marcin Gortat, the Phoenix Suns do not have to place as high hopes in Robin Lopez, which could lead to him becoming a very aggravated player.

With Gortat, Hakim Warrick, Channing Frye and now Markieff Morris on the roster, Phoenix has in its possession a number of power forwards and centers who are arguably more talented than the 23-year-old Lopez. While Lopez's production hardly entitles him to complaining, he is anxious to prove his worth.

Lopez wants to show the basketball world that he is just as capable as his brother Brook, but with Gortat set to get major minutes, he may not get a legitimate opportunity to do so in Phoenix. As of right now he is the backup center, but the Suns also may give Garret Siler more opportunities in his sophomore season.

If Lopez's playing time gets cut further because of Siler, he is not going to be a happy camper or an easy player for the Suns to put up with.

Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy

The Portland Trail Blazers, even if briefly, have entertained the idea of moving Brandon Roy, and such consideration could force a rift between he and the organization.

Additionally, with this Blazers teams poised for a drastic improvement next season, any trade speculation regarding Roy could throw off his chemistry with the rest of the team, as well as distract the team as a whole. 

If Roy trade talks heat up, his situation is liable to become a major obstacle for this Portland squad to overcome and could wind up spoiling what was supposed to be a season of endless possibilities.

Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins is a promising young athlete who had an impressive rookie reason, averaging 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, but he has also managed to establish himself as a highly volatile player in that short time.

This past season Cousins went punch for punch with a teammate, almost fought with Rajon Rondo, got kicked out of practice and was also fined as a result of his temper. Talk about a busy season.

If this is what Cousins was like in only his first year in the NBA, it will be interesting to see what problems he causes for the Sacramento Kings in his sophomore season.

San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker

Prior to the NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs were supposedly shopping Tony Parker after he publicly stated he no longer felt that the team was a title contender.

Well, Parker wasn't moved, and the longer the lockout ensues, the less likely he is to be moved before next season, which could make things extremely awkward between both parties.

How are Parker's teammates going to feel about him proclaiming they could not contend for a title? How is Parker going to react to the Spurs' change in structure over the coming season? Any controversy on the point guard's behalf is likely to become a major headache for this team that prides itself on boasting outstandingly talented yet egoless athletes.

San Antonio may not have to make the final call on Parker's availability because he could very well wind up demanding a trade himself.

Toronto Raptors: Jose Calderon

Jose Calderon could be a potential ticking time bomb for the Toronto Raptors thanks to the emergence of Jerryd Bayless.

Bayless and Calderon are now both fighting for the starting point guard position, a position that many thought would go unchallenged with Calderon at the helm.

Calderon, 29, is six years older than Bayless and makes more than three times as much money, which could lead to a sense of entitlement. He may not react well if the 23-year-old wins the starting role; he may even downright explode and verbally lash out against the team and his teammate.

I shudder to think how he might react if Bayless turns out to be the Raptors starter and Toronto begins shopping Calderon in order to avoid paying for an overpriced backup.

Utah Jazz: Al Jefferson

With the departure of Deron Williams, Al Jefferson officially became the franchise player of the Utah Jazz, and while this is a role some may think he should embrace, he could become unhappy being the leader of a team that is nowhere near contending.

Jefferson may only be 26, but how far away are the Jazz from contending for an NBA title? Probably at least four or five years, possibly more, by which point the center will be upwards of 30. Is Jefferson going to want to wane away his peak performance years playing for a rebuilding team that won't be a legitimate contender until he begins his decline? Unlikely. 

Jefferson is a respectable athlete, but while NBA players are in it for the paycheck, they are also in it for a championship, something that may not be realistically obtainable with the Jazz. That could cause him to request a trade and cause further headaches for Utah and its fans.

Washington Wizards: Rashard Lewis

With Chris Singleton now entering the fold, Rashard Lewis' role on the Washington Wizards could potentially diminish, and while most would sit back and enjoy earning $21.3 million, he may not be so apt to do that.

A veteran like Lewis is very proud, and while he knows he did not live up to his contract, he will still feel entitled to major minutes. Does Lewis stand to get completely ousted from the rotation in Washington? No, but his minutes do stand to get cut.

The Wizards are a young team and may decide to give more minutes to players like Singleton because they are the team's future, whereas Lewis isn't. This could be a notion Lewis struggles to come to grips with, making him a potential distraction for a young team that cannot afford to lose its focus.