NBA Trade Speculation: 10 Players That Would Thrive on a New Team

The NBA Lockout has prevented any trades from taking place, but that doesn't mean we can't speculate. In fact, it's pretty much all we can do while we wait for the lockout to end.

Often in the NBA, for one reason or another, the relationship between a player doesn't work out or breaks down. The player then changes teams in hopes of greater success and sometimes they do.

It's amazing how much a simple change of scenery can do for some players.   

Here are 10 NBA players that would thrive on a new team. 

Ben Gordon

Ben Gordon parlayed a great contract season with an even better postseason run and landed himself a cushy 5-year $50 million contract. 

Since then, Gordon has failed miserably to live up to the expectations. The turmoil in Detroit certainly hasn't helped (as you will see there are a few Detroit Pistons on the list). A change of scenery could be the thing to get Ben Gordon back on track. 

Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala has been miscast as the go-to player on the Philadelphia 76ers. He's a good player, but his best fit is as a No.3 option on a rounded team. 

If traded to another team, Iguodala wouldn't have the burden of being the main scorer and could focus more on the other aspects of his game (not that they need a lot of work). He could potentially develop into one of the best all around players in the game if he is just given a good cast of players around him.

Antawn Jaimson

Antawn Jamison has never had the best luck in his NBA career. He has player for bad teams almost exclusively. Thought to be the missing piece for a championship in Cleveland, he struggled initially; the Cavaliers lost in the second round of the playoffs and we all know what happened after that.

Still, Jamison has plenty of value as a player who can score and hit the boards. He's not the star he used to be, but would be a fine sixth-man for plenty of teams. 

O.J. Mayo

O.J. Mayo hasn't been a bust, but it would be fair to say he has been a disappointment in his first three years in the NBA. He has fallen out of favor with the Memphis Grizzlies organization and was nearly traded at the deadline—only for the deal to fall apart at the last minute.

However, Mayo was very impressive in the Grizzlies' improbable playoff run this past postseason. He has the ability to be an elite scorer and with some work (he's only 23 years old) can develop into the player everyone thought he would become. 

Brandon Roy

Once thought to the savior for the Portland Trailblazers, Brandon Roy's role has diminished to that of a role player, if that. The Blazers have clearly given up on him.

Roy showed he still has something left in those knees, as he led the Blazers 23-point comeback against the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs. If another team has confidence in his knees and is willing to roll the dice, he could be a steal.   

Gilbert Arenas

It wasn't that long ago that Gilbert Arenas was considered one of the premier players in the NBA. A combination of things led to his decline, but Arenas is still only 29 years old.

Arenas played off the bench last year and struggled to find any sort of rhythm. If he gets traded to a team where he could start and play plenty of minutes, it could save his once promising career.   

Richard Hamilton

The Detroit Pistons and Richard Hamilton have had a great run together, including a NBA title. However, a breakup appears imminent. Even the firing of John Kuester won't save the relationship. 

Despite his age (33) Hamilton is still one of the best offensive shooting guards in the league.

The Chicago Bulls almost landed Hamilton at the trading deadline and will surely try again once the lockout is over. Hamilton would step right in and solidify the Bulls greatest hole.

Tayshaun Prince

Yet, another Detroit Piston makes the list. Similar to Hamilton, Prince is getting up there in age (31) and has seen his skills decline a bit.  

However, Prince can still defend the perimeter and there isn't one team that couldn't use a player like Prince.   

Baron Davis

Baron Davis and lazy have gone hand and hand lately. Since bolting for the Los Angeles Clippers five years ago, his play has severely dropped off.

With Blake Griffin leading the Clippers resurgence last season, Davis showed he still had something left in the tank. Unfortunately, he's now stuck with the Cleveland Cavaliers. A move to a contender could motivate him and revitalize his career. 

Jeff Green

The Jeff Green era in Boston could be over before it really ever started.

Acquired at the trade deadline, Green struggled to fit in with the Celtics. If he were dealt to a team where he would have a greater role, he could go back to being the Jeff Green we saw with the Oklahoma City Thunder.