NBA Trade Speculation: 10 Players Who May Emerge on Trading Block Next

The NBA lockout hasn't prevented speculation regarding players who will be moved before the start of next season, but little attention has been paid to those who aren't on the block, but could be by midseason.

Players like Monta Ellis, Andre Iguodala, Tony Parker and Josh Smith were actively being shopped prior to the lockout and will continue to be dangled once it ends. However, there are players, some who have generated trade buzz already, who aren't aren't on the open block now but may find themselves there next season.

There are a number of teams currently enamored in uncertainty, and as events transpire and questions are answered next season, the following players may find themselves on the trade block, whether they wish to or not.

Rudy Gay of Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy Gay is the first of a number of players who have generated some trade buzz already, but are not yet officially on the trade block.

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has repeatedly stated that he is not shopping Gay, but that could change looking forward to next season. While Memphis views the small forward as the missing piece to their championship puzzle, they proved last season they were fine without him.

If the Grizzlies do not exhibit any improvement or Gay disrupts the team's cohesion in any way next season, the organization would definitely consider officially dangling him as trade bait. This scenario becomes even more likely if they retain restricted free agent Marc Gasol.

Not to mention moving his $80 million contract would prove to be financially sound.

Steve Nash of Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash is another player who has generated plenty of trade speculation already, but the Phoenix Suns have maintained that he is not on the trading block. Yet.

Phoenix is a team that isn't going anywhere special anytime soon, and it is only a matter of time before they see that holding onto Nash, when they can still get some young talent in return for the veteran, just doesn't make sense.

At 37, Nash has seemed to defy the rigors of age and continued to perform at a high level. This makes him a perfect addition for a team looking to contend for a championship immediately. By refusing to put Nash up for grabs, Phoenix is currently wasting an opportunity to improve their look for the future.

Once next season begins, though, and the Suns see how far away they are from being competitive, their stance may change.

Dwight Howard of Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard has been linked to a number of different trade scenarios, but he is far from officially being on the trade block. For now.

Most have Howard with one foot out the door as the Orlando Magic struggle to keep it closed. However, if Orlando is unable to bring in another star to play alongside Howard, and it is likely that becomes a reality, they may be forced to seriously listen to any trade offers that comes their way.

As the most dominant center in the game, it is improbable that the Magic receive full value in return for Howard. That being said, it would be a hell of a lot worse for them to watch him walk over the summer without getting anything whatsoever back.

If circumstances do not improve in Orlando, the team needs to make sure they don't let their emotions get the best of them, cut their losses and put Howard on the trading block.

Chris Paul of New Orleans Hornets

Chris Paul is yet another superstar who is a flight risk next summer, but after last season's postseason performance, you better believe the New Orleans Hornets are still holding out hope he agrees to stay.

The problem with holding out hope, though, is while the Hornets remained competitive against the Los Angeles Lakers, their potential with this current group peaks there. Things can only get worse, especially knowing that both key players, Carl Landry and David West, are unrestricted free agents.

As a result, New Orleans has to bring in another superstar to pair with Paul or he is as good as gone. Considering that the Hornets lack the necessary assets to acquire another star talent, though, it becomes increasingly likely that convincing Paul to re-sign will prove to be like cupping water in their hands.

Hope is an admirable virtue, but it would be a colossal mistake on New Orleans' part if they fail to face reality next season and place Paul on the trading block. 

Emeka Okafor of the New Orleans Hornets

It may prove difficult for the New Orleans Hornets to put Chris Paul on the block, but if they do, Emeka Okafor may be a player they attach to the point guard's hip.

If New Orleans accepts that the Paul era is over, they are officially going to have to enter rebuilding mode, and what better way to kick off such a stage by also dealing Okafor and the $40 million plus left on his contract?

As is the case with the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard, it is improbable that the Hornets receive full value in return for Paul.

Ridding themselves of Okafor's contract will be a good way to even the playing field in any deal, as well as allow New Orleans to begin rebuilding on better footing.

Mike Miller of Miami Heat

The Miami Heat explored trading Mike Miller back in February, but all has quieted on that front, largely due in part to his close relationship with LeBron James. Oh, and the fact that a market for him is practically non-existant.

Moving forward into next season, though, if Miller doesn't return to form, the Heat are likely to put him back on the chopping block and become more aggressive in their attempt to move him.

Miller's injuries have prevented him from being the lethal shooter that Miami needs him to be. While the Heat earned a trip to the finals in only their first season under the "big three" concept, the team's lack of depth has remained a serious issue.

When Miami's "big three" was first assembled, critics immediately began attacking the team's lack of depth. Miller's signing was supposed to alleviate such criticism, but it only opened up the Heat to more.

In fact, knowing the volatile nature of Miller's health, Miami may put him back on the block even if he begins producing next season. It would make him easier to move and at this point, Miller's risk far outweighs any dividends who could potentially pay. 

Jonny Flynn of Houston Rockets

It was slightly puzzling when the Houston Rockets completed a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves that brought them point guard Jonny Flynn, but that deal was more about acquiring Donatas Motiejunas than anything else.

Minnesota was unhappy with Flynn's attitude, as well as his progress, and jumped at the chance to move him. The Rockets now have an abundance of point guards in Flynn, Kyle Lowry and Goran Dragic.

Lowry is a coveted young talent in Houston and has already proved he has a bright future ahead of him. Dragic began to thrive with the Rockets, showing signs of developing into a competent point guard, and he is held in high regard by the incoming coaching staff.

That leaves Flynn as the odd man out. Houston has not indicated what their plans for Flynn are, but with this many point guards, things get dicey. Not to mention his attitude will not be welcomed into one of the more unselfish locker rooms in the league.

Before midseason, Flynn could find himself on the chopping block yet again. 

Al Harrington of Denver Nuggets

Few NBA teams are shrouded in as much uncertainty as the Denver Nuggets. 

Carmelo Anthony is long gone, Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith are hanging out with Yao Ming and the futures of Kenyon Martin, Nene Hilario and Arron Afflalo are far from determined.

Even after already losing two of their free agents to overseas basketball, it is unlikely the Nuggets retain all three of their remaining ones. Nene is poised for another payday, one Denver may not be inclined to match, Afflalo is bound to draw a mountain of interest, and Martin, the most retainable, is held in the lowest of regards by the team.

The Nuggets, even after this season's playoff berth, are entering a rebuilding period, and the 31-year-old Al Harrington does not fit into their future plans.

Harrington provides instant offense, and his four years and about $28 million are not immovable at this point. However, he is aging, and they soon could prove to be, so as rebuilding takes center stage in Denver, Harrington may find himself having to exit left.

Paul Millsap of Utah Jazz

Paul Millsap is a talented power forward whom the Utah Jazz may not be so inclined to move right now, but may be more open to moving next season.

Utah acquired the 20-year-old Derrick Favors from the New Jersey Nets last season, and while Millsap is only 26, it doesn't make sense to have two power forwards of their caliber in the same rotation.

Why not deal the unproven Favors instead? The Jazz are entering a rebuilding stage, and while Millsap is relatively young, who knows how long it will take for the team to get it together. Additionally, he is worth more than Favors on the trade market and could help Utah fill a void at either the point guard or small forward positions.

The Jazz may be content holding onto to Millsap for now, but if they want to give Favors a proper opportunity to develop, Millsap may be on his way out the door.

Joe Johnson of Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith has dominated trade headlines with regards to the Atlanta Hawks, but if Joe Johnson continues to disappoint, he too could find himself on the trading block next season.

Johnson's $119 million contract will prove difficult to move, but there could be a few desperate teams, like the Orlando Magic, who may consider taking it on.

It arguably makes more sense for Atlanta to move Johnson over Smith. The forward is younger and has less years/money remaining on his contract. If the Hawks are unable to find a deal that they are amenable to in exchange for Smith, they could shift their focus to Johnson. 

Additionally, even if the Hawks move Smith before the season, don't sleep on them still testing the trade waters for the shooting guard. If Atlanta's plethora of remaining forwards are unable to pick up the slack left by Smith, and they suddenly find themselves falling out of playoff contention, wiping their slate clean becomes a viable option.

Will Johnson's contract be easy to move? Not at all, but as we progress through next season, the Hawks may prove to be willing to take on such a complex task.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here    @Dan_Favale.