Monta Ellis Trade Rumors and Speculation: 5 NBA Point Guards He'd Mesh Best With

Since the beginning of the summer, Monta Ellis has dominated trade rumor headlines, having been linked to multiple teams, begging the question as to which organization would be the best fit for the sharp-shooting guard.

Last season, Ellis averaged 24.1 points and 5.6 assists per game, demonstrating the same prolific scoring ability that has caught the attention of offensive enthusiasts league wide. However, his willingness to defend and be a complete team player have come under fire. 

Ellis did pass the ball more than he has in the past last season, but he had a nagging tendency to force the action and take too many shots. Additionally, he and Stephen Curry are believed to be too similar in mindset to coexist on the same team, further contributing to the speculation surrounding Ellis.

At 6'3", Ellis has the ability to play both the shooting guard and point guard positions, and he puts points up in bunches. The true problem with him lies within the structure of the Golden State Warriors, a team without a clear leader in the backcourt.

Curry seems poised to assume the primary leadership role next season, but up until now, it has been a virtual free-for-all. What Ellis needs is a stable role in the backcourt, where he plays alongside another guard whose job it is to either get him the ball or who clearly outranks him.

Here are five point guards who fit such a bill, and as a result, are backcourt running mates that Ellis would mesh best with.

Mike Conley of Memphis Grizzlies

A pairing of Mike Conley and Ellis is one that has not been given too much attention, despite the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies were, albeit briefly, linked to trade discussions with the Warriors.

Conley averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 assists last season, really stepping up his play in the absence of franchise player Rudy Gay. He is an exceptional passer and a threat to score from anywhere on the floor.

Why would Ellis thrive along Conley exactly? Because of Conley's ability to adapt to any role he is assigned.

Conley is more than capable of running the offense, but he is also adept at moving without the ball in his hands, which could allow Ellis to have the ball in his possession for a significant amount of time like he prefers. That being said though, when Ellis sees how skilled he is at distributing the rock, he may be more prone to letting him handle the duties.

Additionally, Conley is the unquestioned point guard of the Grizzlies, so there would be no discrepancy as to what role Ellis should assume. He may prefer to have the ball in his hands, but he is a natural shooting guard, and not having to run the offense would be a burden lifted off his shoulders.

Conley's first instinct is to pass while Ellis' is to score. These are two completely different mindsets that compliment each other rather perfectly, making Conley a great backcourt running mate for Ellis.

Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics may be content with a combination of Rajon Rondo and the aging Ray Allen in the backcourt, but a pairing of Rondo and Ellis could prove to be even better.

One of the main problems with a pairing of Stephen Curry and Ellis is that their play styles are so similar. Rondo's could not be more different from Ellis'.

Rondo's first instinct is not only to pass, but it is also his second and third instincts as well. He penetrates the paint with ease, but always looks to pass out to the perimeter before attempting to score.

Last season, Rondo averaged 11.2 assists per game, an incredible number. He has amazing court vision and strives to create new levels of unselfishness each game. This is something Ellis could become acclimated to rather easily. He loves to score without the responsibility of having to pass and direct the offense.

Additionally, given that Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Allen are all on the downside of their careers, Ellis would be a refreshing young talent who would likely become Rondo's favorite target.

Ellis is best served in a system where his main responsibility is to score. He possesses the tools to run the point, but his first love and fiercest strength is scoring.

With a backcourt partner like Rondo, Ellis wouldn't have to worry about anything else.

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are not known to be in the running for Ellis, but there is no denying the competitive edge that a pairing of him and Steve Nash would create.

The 37-year-old Nash averaged 14.7 points and 11.4 assists per game last season. He is extremely elusive for his age and a capable scorer, but more importantly, he gets his jollies from passing the ball off. 

Nash has a court vision that is rivaled by few; his ability to know where every single player on the floor is at any given time is nothing short of magnificent. This is an attribute that players around him appreciate, and Ellis would be no exception.

Ellis prefers to create with the ball in his hands, but with Nash's ball handling and court vision, having the ball in his hands is as good as having it in Ellis'.

Additionally, Ellis has never played alongside a point guard whose specific job it is to get him the ball. He and Curry have always been viewed as the same players, with the same responsibility, which is to score. 

There is no role confusion with Nash though. He is the unquestioned point guard who is fit to direct the offense. Ellis' point totals would skyrocket alongside the unselfish play of Nash, and having such a stable role could persuade Ellis to commit himself to playing defense too.

A Nash and Ellis pairing would be one to be feared. Until Nash retires, that is.

Chris Paul of New Orleans Hornets

A great way for the New Orleans Hornets to entice Chris Paul to stay long term would be to give him the opportunity to play alongside Monta Ellis, though it is unlikely that the team has enough assets and willingness to spend to make it happen. Still, it is fun to imagine what a backcourt combination of Ellis and Paul would accomplish.

Paul averaged 15.9 points and 9.8 assists per game last season. He is one of the best active passers in the game, and he brings a whole new meaning to the term "elusive." His ball-handling skills are effortlessly immaculate and his ability to maneuver his way in and out of traffic is breathtaking. He is also fully capable of carrying the scoring burden for his team on his own.

While Paul is capable of taking over the majority of the scoring duties, he prefers not to. His first instinct is to pass, a near prerequisite when considering potential partners for Ellis. Additionally, his reputation and on court demeanor command respect; Paul is widely heralded and viewed as a floor general who can delegate offensive duties in the most star studded of systems, which is why he is the target of choice for the New York Knicks.

Also, Paul's communication on defense is solid. He often directs his teammates on that end of the ball, allowing them as a collective to be more efficient defenders. His tutelage and constant awareness would be sure to catch Ellis' attention and keep him on his toes, literally, on that side of the ball.

Alongside Paul, Ellis would rarely be expected to handle the point guard duties, allowing him to focus more on what he does best: scoring. Furthermore, while Ellis does like to have the ball in his hands to create his own shot, Paul prefers to have the ball in his hands to create opportunities for others, a caliber of player Ellis is not accustomed to playing with, yet would thrive next to.

Not to downplay Stephen Curry's ability to run the offense, but like Ellis, his primary focus is scoring before passing. Neither player should be particularly criticized for such styles, but they are very similar, which could be holding both players back from reaching their full production potential.

Yes, alongside Paul, the ball would be in Ellis' hands substantially less, but in turn, he would be given the opportunity and green light to shoot the ball even more. 

Derrick Rose of Chicago Bulls

Hard to imagine there would be much of a battle of wills between Derrick Rose and Ellis if he wound up with the Chicago Bulls, and even if there was, Ellis wouldn't stand a chance anyway.

The reigning NBA MVP averaged 25 points, 7.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and one steal per game last season. He is a force on both ends of the floor and at only 22, he has established himself as one of the most talented players to ever grace the court.

There has been a murmur of Ellis to Chicago chatter, but the possibility of him fitting in with the Bulls has been chastised. Ellis likes to have the ball in his hands to create, and many believe that this will clash with Rose's mentality. 

Whether or not Chicago has the pieces to acquire Ellis is irrelevant, but he most certainly would thrive alongside Rose. The Bulls' point guard is one of the most intelligent players in the game, and while he has the ball in his hands most of the time, it is his job to do so. It is also his job to create for his teammates though, and he does so effectively.

Opposing defenses are going to primarily focus on Rose, and while Ellis would not be an afterthought, he would receive a lot more open looks, which given his quick release, he would thrive off of.

In Golden State, Ellis was the questionable-yes questionable-first option on offense. In Chicago, he would likely be the unquestioned  No. 2 option.. He does not hold a candle to Rose's abilities, and this prevents confusion and role struggles from ensuing, instead promoting stability.

Also, do not discount the fact that Ellis has named the Bulls as one of his preferred destinations. The sheer fact that he is intrigued by the prospect of playing alongside Rose and for an overall contender means he's more likely than ever to adjust his game to fit the needs of the team.

Chicago is in need of shooting guard, and while Ellis' style is similar to that of Rose's, his place in the food chain wouldn't be, rendering this a great pairing.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here  @DannyFavs2033.