NBA Trade Speculation: 10 Players Who May Ask To Be Dealt

The NBA lockout has cancelled part of the season so far, but it has not put a damper on any trade speculation.

Almost every day we are exposed to new scenarios and proposed destinations for players potentially on the block. Fans, analysts and quite possibly team officials—although secretly—are constantly searching for a way to make their organization better.

That being said, players are constantly looking to improve their situations as well. If a team is not contending, not headed in a favorable direction or just incapable of improving, it is easy for athletes to become agitated and stir-crazy.

And from that point, trade requests are liable to just fly in.

Steve Nash of Phoenix Suns

Steve Nash may be content with the Phoenix Suns, but that doesn't mean he won't have a change of heart as he attempts to endure another difficult season.

The Suns maintain that Nash isn't going anywhere, and while this logic could easily change, we cannot rule out the point guard asking for a trade first. To say his talents are being wasted may be a stretch, but that ever-elusive ring is only going to seem further away if he remains in Phoenix.

While it arguably doesn't make sense for the Suns to hold onto Nash when he still holds substantial trade value, it makes even less sense for Nash to spend any more time with a team that isn't ready to contend.

Phoenix is rebuilding, a stage of existence all teams must live through and one we cannot completely chastise them for. Being a mentor to the young players on the team is sure to be somewhat fulfilling, but not as fulfilling as title-chasing.

Nash only has one year left on his contract, so while he can sign with another team next summer, he doesn't have any time to waste. At 37, he is already defying the laws of age and may not want to push the bill any further.

If a ring is what Nash truly pines for, it will come as no surprise if he asks Phoenix for a way out.

D.J. Augustin of Charlotte Bobcats

D.J. Augustin is only a restricted free agent next summer, but if the Charlotte Bobcats favor Kemba Walker, this could become a problem.

It is unclear if Walker and Augustin can coexist in the backcourt, but it is clear that owner Michael Jordan is high on Walker. Combine this with the fact that Charlotte serves as a possible destination for potential amnesty-clause casualty Baron Davis, and you have a volatile situation waiting to implode.

While Walker is likely to get major minutes with the Bobcats, the real instigator could be if Charlotte takes a look at Davis should he become available. Such a move could possibly indicate that the Bobcats don't see Augustin in their future long term or could just frustrate Augustin in general.

There is also the fact that Augustin, who is sure to be looking for a large contract next summer, will want to prove that he can be a star on a winning team, not just a dismal one.

The Bobcats are a team immersed in uncertainty, and depending upon which direction they opt to go in, Augustin may or may not be on board.

Chris Kaman of Los Angeles Clippers

There is no way that the Los Angeles Clippers let DeAndre Jordan go elsewhere before next season, as it seems he is both their starter for now and the foreseeable future, and this puts Chris Kaman in a bit of bind.

Kaman is a more than capable big man, who can both score and defend. That being said, he is heading into a contract year, and with his minutes likely to decrease significantly, he may want to play for his next deal elsewhere.

Last season, Kaman averaged 12.4 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, stellar numbers yet a slight decline in his previous season's production, largely due to Jordan's presence.

Kaman will be 30 when he hits the open market, and while big men are a commodity, he is going to what he can to ensure he gets the best deal possible, and Los Angeles may not be the place to play for such a deal. Given Jordan's athleticism, the two could play side by side in the low post, but Blake Griffin's presence doesn't make that a viable option.

If Kaman wants a shot at a big contract and the chance to reclaim a full-time starting job, he may be apt to requesting the Clippers find him a new home before next summer. 

Chris Paul of New Orleans Hornets

With Chris Paul set to become a free agent next summer, the New Orleans Hornets may opt to eventually shop the star point guard, but it is feasible that he could ask to be dealt first.

The Hornets could be optimistic that Paul may be more inclined to stay given the team's impressive display against the Los Angeles Lakers this past postseason, preventing them from putting him on the block right way. That being said, with a few key players' futures up in the air and the fact that New Orleans likely reached its full potential with this core, Paul may in fact not be so inclined to remain.

Additionally, the New York Knicks' future plans may force Paul's hand. With the salary cap's potential to stay in tact and actually grow through next season, it may give New York other options aside from Paul, such as chasing Dwight Howard and signing a veteran point guard like Chauncey Billups, Andre Miller or Steve Nash to a veteran's deal.

While nothing under the potentially new CBA is certain, if it becomes such, Paul may not want to get left out of the superstar powerhouse he seems to have been dreaming about since last summer.

And then there is always the fact Paul stands to earn more through a sign-and-trade as opposed to bolting during free agency.

All of these factors may come into play, and result in Paul revisiting a road he seemed poised to travel last summer—a road that leads out of New Orleans.

Jose Calderon of Toronto Raptors

Once the lockout is over, there is going to be an intense battle between Jose Calderon and Jerryd Bayless for the starting point guard position.

Should that battle wind up in Calderon losing his starting job or his minutes being significantly lessened, he may decide he is better off on another team. While Bayless is only 23, Calderon is 30 and may not want to spend valuable minutes on the sidelines when he is still capable of making a significant impact.

Last season, Calderon averaged 9.8 points, 8.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is far from done in this league, and if the Toronto Raptors don't consider him a starter, somebody else in the league possibly will. 

And even if it's a team that still prefers Calderon as a backup, he may be more inclined to assume such a role on a team that is headed toward title contention.

Obviously amidst the lockout, no substantial changes are imminent in Toronto. That being said, things could get interesting really quickly once business resumes, especially if Calderon doesn't see himself fitting into the Raptors' game plan.

Al Jefferson of Utah Jazz

It is not at all impossible that Al Jefferson could become unhappy being the face of the Utah Jazz very quickly.

With the departure of Deron Williams, Utah officially entered rebuilding mode and is unlikely to contend for quite some time. Jefferson, while only 26 and a free agent in two seasons, may not want to spend the next two years on a team that is not going to see the light of the playoffs.

The possibility of such a scenario only increases if Utah opts to shop Paul Millsap in order to give Derrick Favors free rein.

Could Jefferson embrace his new role with the Jazz? Sure, but also keep in mind that despite his large contract, he would be a hot commodity on the trade market. Not only is he a defensive connoisseur, but he is a force on offense as well; he averaged 18.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season.

If Jefferson feels even the slightest bit uncertain about Utah's direction and his ability to lead the team, this could lead to a trade request as well as the Jazz relinquishing a second star in as many years. 

Tony Parker of San Antonio Spurs

After Tony Parker basically designated the San Antonio Spurs to be non-contenders, the team seemed open to moving him leading up to the draft.

That being said, the Spurs may be more inclined to retain the point guard because without him, they arguably aren't contenders. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson are aging, and that makes Parker that much more important to the team.

If San Antonio proves unable to contend though, Parker could be the one who to get the Spurs to re-engage in talks.

Parker will be 30 next spring, and as he watches superstar powerhouses becoming a fad, he may long for the days that the Spurs were a powerhouse of their own. San Antonio is still capable, especially Parker, but are they the No. 1 seed next year?

That's the million-dollar question no one has a definitive answer to.

Should the Spurs' ship appear to be sinking, even if very slowly, Parker could be the first to jump off. 

Dwight Howard of Orlando Magic

When it comes to the matter of Dwight Howard, the only question that needs to be asked is who initiates trade negotiations first, the Orlando Magic or the center himself?

At this point, it seems likely that Howard bolts for a new team next summer, but given his effectiveness, it is unclear if Orlando is willing to just give up and move on. This is similar to the case of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in that Howard is so important to the team, they may be more apt to do whatever they can to try and get him to stay.

If Howard wants to ensure he maximizes his earning potential under the new CBA though, he may ask for the Magic to trade him if they show no inclination to do so on their own. 

Perhaps this seem far-fetched, but the recent interview could be his attempt at warning Orlando his days there are numbered; it could be his way of encouraging the Magic to entertain trade offers. And if this is the case, and Orlando is still reluctant to do so, Howard may become more direct in his approach.

Right now, Howard seems ready to move on. He seems to have accepted the fact that he has done all he can for this organization.

If this is a reality that Orlando is unable to come to grips with though, Howard may take it upon himself to spell it out further and push for an early exit.

Andre Miller of Denver Nuggets

Andre Miller, now a member of the Denver Nuggets, may not be so apt to becoming a backup to Ty Lawson.

Lawson is a promising talent, but while Miller is 35, he has been an everyday starter for the past 11 years and becoming a backup will prove to be a major adjustment. Let's also not forget that the fact that unlike many other athletes his age, he is still effective.

Last season, Miller averaged 12.7 points, seven assists and 1.4 steals in over 32 minutes per game. He is still a very good floor general and a capable defender, who could start for an array of teams, but the Nuggets just aren't one of them.

Denver didn't favor Raymond Felton over Lawson, and they are not going to favor Miller either. Lawson is their point guard of the future and although Miller is still durable and consistent, he doesn't factor into their future.

Knowing that he is stuck in a backup role despite being capable to start may not sit well with the veteran. The fact that he is assuming such a role for a team that is nowhere near championship contention may make such a feeling even worse.

Don't be surprised if Miller asks Denver's brass to find a new home that will put him and his expiring contract to better use and in a more favorable situation.

Jameer Nelson of Orlando Magic

While Dwight Howard's future—or lack thereof—with the Magic dominates headlines, Jameer Nelson's future gets lost in the shuffle.

Nelson has a player option he can exercise after next season, but if Howard leaves, how likely is he to want to stay? Better yet, if Howard winds up getting dealt, is Nelson, 29, going to want to even stick around long enough to make that decision?

Nelson has maintained that he has no idea what Howard plans to do, but his future with the Magic could be directly related to the center's decision. And if a resolution to Howard's future is found earlier than anticipated, so could that of Nelson's.

There are bound to be a number of interested teams in Nelson's services, and at this stage in his career, playing for a team capable of contending for a title better suits him. Even with Howard, the Magic still aren't that team.

The constant uncertainty surrounding Orlando coupled with its inability to make significant improvements means we may not have to wait until next summer to see if Nelson is yet another Magic player who is seeking greener pastures. 

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.