NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players Who Will Return to the Block Post Lockout

When the NBA lockout officially ends, we will have to brace ourselves as the real madness will be set to begin.

Prior to the lockout, and even during, trade rumors and speculation ran rampant throughout media outlets. When deals can actually be discussed, and there is an opportunity to finally put some merit to any whisperings we may have heard, it is going to get even crazier.

While new names are bound to pop up on the block, we cannot forget the array of athletes who were on the block prior to the work stoppage. These athletes are sure to be placed back on the block and talks rekindled post-lockout.

We have been waiting not-so-patiently for this dreadful lockout to end, and when it does, we can let the games begin.

Literally.

Mike Miller of Miami Heat

LeBron James and company were ecstatic when Mike Miller agreed to join the dance party that was forming in South Beach, but his signing turned out to be a disappointment at best.

Miller played in only 41 games last season and was a fraction of the player that the Miami Heat thought they were getting. His offensive prowess proved to be non-existent and he remained unimpressive on the defensive end.

The aforementioned shortcomings led to Miami shopping the shooting guard prior to last season's trade deadline, but no deals came to fruition. While Miller underperformed last season, he still has the potential to make an impact coming off the bench.

Are the Heat apt to banking on that potential? After a heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, one has to believe there is a sense of urgency, even in only their second season together, for the big three to obtain a ring.

And Miami may be better off moving forward without the oft-injured, and now unreliable, Miller along for the ride.

Michael Beasley of Minnesota Timberwolves

Leading up to the draft, it was widely known the Minnesota Timberwolves planned to select Derrick Williams, which was a clear sign that Michael Beasley's days on the team could be numbered.

Prior to the draft, Minnesota reportedly offered up Beasley and the number two pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Pau Gasol.  

Now that the draft is over, and the Timberwolves have Williams in their possession, they have no reason not to shop Beasley as they try and improve "the culture" of the team.

With Beasley's off the court antics having become enough of a distraction, don't be surprised when his name is thrown around the rumor mill yet again.

Steve Nash of Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns can maintain all they want that Steve Nash was never on the trade block, but prior to the draft there were rumblings that he was offered up to the Minnesota Timberwolves in an attempt to obtain Derrick Williams.

Let's also not forget that the New York Knicks inquired about Nash's availability and proceeded to draft Iman Shumpert, an athlete whom the Suns were strongly interested in.

Given Nash is 37, and at the tail end of his career, a team like the Timberwolves makes little sense. The Knicks however, are arguably title contenders with Nash, which makes such a possibility very intriguing.

Is the selection of Shumpert a sign that New York has a measuring stick of what it would take to land Nash? Perhaps, but don't rule out other teams coming into play either.

If the point guard truly wants a shot at a title, and Phoenix is smart enough to cash in on the current value he holds, the name Nash is one we are certain to see appear back on the trade block.

Andrew Bynum of Los Angeles Lakers

As long as Dwight Howard refuses to sign an extension with the Orlando Magic—and let's face it, he's not inking one anytime before next summer—Andrew Bynum will be on the trade block.

Early on last summer, it became apparent that the Lakers were poised to dangle both Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom in order to acquire Howard from Orlando.

If the Magic want as close a dominant presence in the low-post in exchange for their star as possible, Bynum is their best option. He is not as consistent nor as prolific as Howard, but he is as close as they are going to get.

Should this be the case, Bynum may be as good as gone from Los Angeles. 

Lamar Odom of Los Angeles Lakers

Speaking of Lamar Odom, he is yet another name bound to make numerous appearances in trade negotiations when the NBA gets back to business.

As previously noted, Odom and Andrew Bynum are the package the Lakers are set to put together for Dwight Howard, but his name appeared in a number of other rumors prior to the draft.

Odom was linked to talks where the Lakers would have sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Andre Iguodala, and also was mentioned in a potential deal for Golden State Warriors' Monta Ellis.

It seems Odom is not only versatile on the court, but in negotiations as well, being mentioned in rumors regarding swingmen and centers.

Hopefully, unlike Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian, Odom's marriage with Khloe Kardashian is going strong, because his relationship with the Lakers may soon come to a close. 

Tony Parker of San Antonio Spurs

Tony Parker seems to think the honeymoon the San Antonio Spurs have been living for nearly a decade is over, and made it publicly known over the summer.

This was undoubtedly cause for the Spurs to shop the star point guard, and shop him they did, prior to the NBA draft, but to no avail. While San Antonio is clearly a better team with Parker, his name is sure to broach the trade rumor mill once again.

A number of teams will express serious interest in Parker, like the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz and Knicks, among others.

With the Spurs core aging fast, the time to blow up the roster may be now, and Parker gives San Antonio the opportunity to possibly attach the hefty contract of Richard Jefferson to any deal.

Once the lockout is over, so may be Parker's tenure with the Spurs.

Andre Iguodala of Philadelphia 76ers

Andre Iguodala had been on the trade block for what seemed like forever before talks picked up some serious momentum prior to the lockout.

Iguodala was linked to a deal for the Lakers' Lamar Odom, as well as deal that would have landed him in Golden State in exchange for Monta Ellis. There was also chatter regarding a potential trade that would have landed the shooting guard with the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Chris Kaman.

It seems the 76ers are just itching for a change, whether it be shedding Iguodala's lavish contract, adding some more offensive punch to their system or acquiring a competent big man to help anchor the low-post.

And with Philadelphia dangling its star to pretty much anyone who would listen prior to the work stoppage, it is a near certainty that Iguodala's name appears once again amidst a flurry of trade rumors. 

O.J. Mayo of Memphis Grizzlies

O.J. Mayo is a name that has repeatedly been mentioned in trade rumors over the past couple of seasons, more recently prior to February's trade deadline.

With teams like the Chicago Bulls still in need of a solution at the shooting guard position, Mayo's name is one that is sure to reappear in trade rumors.

This notion becomes even more likely given the abundance of talent the Grizzlies boast on the perimeter even without Mayo. While he played an integral roll in Memphis' postseason success last spring, Rudy Gay's return arguably makes him even more expendable than before.

Once the lockout is resolved, expect serious negotiations to take place between the Grizzlies and any number of teams in need of a competent defender and scorer on the perimeter. 

Josh Smith of Atlanta Hawks

Over the summer it became clear that Josh Smith's attitude may have proven to be too much for the Atlanta Hawks, as the team began gauging his trade value back in June.

The same report notes that while Smith hadn't requested a trade, he cited the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets and Magic as his preferred destinations.

Moving Smith creates the cap flexibility Atlanta needs to chase an effective center who can hold down the low-post, a pick up that has been long overdue for this team. With Jamal Crawford's return in doubt, now is the time for the Hawks to make some major changes.

And that most likely still includes finding a new home for Smith. 

Monta Ellis of Golden State Warriors

Monta Ellis was a highly sought after commodity before the NBA immersed itself in a lockout, a reality that will quickly regain momentum once the stoppage is history.

As previously noted, Ellis was linked to both the 76ers, in exchange for Andre Iguodala, and the Lakers, in exchange for Lamar Odom. The buck doesn't stop there though, as Golden State also engaged in talks with the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic regarding the high scoring guard.

Warriors' general manager Larry Riley stated back in June that an Ellis deal was more likely to go down closer to the trade deadline rather than over the summer.

When play resumes, the trade deadline will approach rather rapidly, so perhaps it would be wise for Ellis to start packing his bags now, as his name is bound to get tossed around more than a little bit in any negotiations.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.