NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players Most Likely to Start Season on New Team

The NBA lockout appears to be over, and the absence of trade rumors will soon follow suit.

Prior to the lockout, there were a plethora of players that were being dangled, many of whom will be placed instantly back on the block when business as usual officially resumes.

Out of all the players sure to hit the trade rumor mill, which ones are most likely to get moved? Or, better yet, which athletes are most likely to have played their last game in their current respective uniforms?

While the competitive nature of the league may change as a result of the extended break, the business dynamic will not. Trades will be executed, and there will be players who begin the shortened season donning a different jersey.

Antawn Jamison

Antawn Jamison is set to earn just over $15 million this season, but the fact that his contract comes off the books for next season makes him an incredibly valuable trade chip.

While the Cleveland Cavaliers could be content with allowing Jamison's salary to come off the books, they seemed open to moving him prior to last season's trade deadline.

His expiring contract presents a low-risk to outside organizations and allows the Cavs to capitalize off of his remaining trade value.

Jamison is still an adept scorer and tough rebounder, which means he could be useful to a variety of teams.

His size allows him to battle in the low-post, but he also has some range to his game as well.

Jamison's departure gives Tristan Thompson more of an opportunity to prove himself and could help the Cavs shed some instant payroll. And if it helps Cleveland land a proven big man or perimeter leader, then that's just a bonus.

Look for the team to shop Jamison strong, even before the season gets underway. 

Michael Beasley

When the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Derrick Williams with the second overall pick in this year's draft, it became clear Michael Beasley's days with the team could be numbered.

Prior to the draft, Minnesota reportedly offered Beasley and the pick that became Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Pau Gasol.

While this means they were prepared to risk Williams, Beasley's inclusion also serves as a sign.

With Kevin Love, Beasley and Williams, the Timberwolves have an abundance of forwards.

Given both Love and Williams present less of a public relations headache, Beasley will prove to be the odd man out.

Look for Minnesota to deal him before the start of the season, preventing the troubled forward from damaging his market value any further.

Mickael Pietrus

Mickael Pietrus doesn't appear to be happy with the Phoenix Suns, going as far as suggesting that other teams are interested in obtaining his services.

Pietrus' contract comes off the books next season, and while Phoenix could remain content with saving money, contending teams are bound to be interested in him as a way of strengthening their perimeter performance.

If the Suns can get any youth in exchange for the veteran Pietrus, look for them to jump on it.

They could even attempt to package him with Steve Nash in an attempt to extract more value out of the point guard's departure.

Regardless, Pietrus remains one of the more likely players to be moved before the start of next season.

Raja Bell

The Utah Jazz shopped Raja Bell last season, and now that they are officially in rebuilding mode, the 35-year-old shooting guard doesn't exactly factor into their future.

Utah's situation does not call for a wait-and-see approach with Bell.

The team already knows what he is capable of, but he just doesn't fit into their game plan anymore.

Bell provides veteran leadership as well as tough perimeter defense—attributes that would prove valuable on a team ready to win now.

The Jazz are not built to win now, and once given the opportunity to shave the two years Bell has remaining on his contract off their payroll, they most likely will take it.

Bell will be moved sooner, rather than later.

Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom is one of the most versatile players in the game, but he has been linked to numerous teams, giving the impression that his tenure with the Lakers is virtually over.

Odom has been mentioned in regards to not only Dwight Howard trade possibilities, but Monta Ellis rumors as well.

He has also been linked to potential deals that would land Andre Iguodala in Los Angeles.

The Lakers seem destined to shake up their roster, and Odom is their most valuable trade chip, as he can thrive in any system he is placed in.

If Los Angeles is serious about acquiring a prolific sidekick for Kobe Bryant, it is not going to be something they are going to want to wait on.

That means Odom may have already played his last game in purple and gold.

O.J. Mayo

O.J. Mayo is a name that is constantly finds its way onto the chopping block—a trend that isn't going to change.

The Memphis Grizzlies shopped the shooting guard around prior to last season's trade deadline, but nothing came to fruition.

Teams like the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Lakers, among others, will all be looking to improve around the perimeter, thereby ensuring Mayo will be a hot commodity.

Mayo is a strong perimeter defender and capable scorer, and he could help any number of teams.

Plenty of organizations are bound to inquire about his services, and Memphis may just receive an offer they cannot refuse, even before the start of the season.

Don't be surprised to see Mayo sporting a different team's jersey by the time the NBA officially opens for business.

Courtney Lee

Kevin Martin isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and this is why the Houston Rockets seem to be open to moving the 26-year-old Courtney Lee.

Lee averaged 8.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last year, but both his playing time and production were and will continue to be limited, as he plays behind the exceptional Martin.

The Bulls are among the teams who have shown an interest in Lee. Chicago remains the most notable, though, because of their dire need to sure up the shooting guard slot.

While Lee has shown he is capable, he is never going to get the opportunity he deserves in Houston. Being that he isn't an integral part of their game plan, he is one of the names that could move early on.

As early as before Christmas Day, perhaps.

Monta Ellis

Prior the lockout, Monta Ellis was linked to numerous teams, most seriously the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Ellis and Stephen Curry did not coexist in the backcourt the way that the Golden State Warriors had hoped, which undoubtedly led to the flurry of trade rumors.

Warriors general manager Larry Riley did say that if the guard was to be moved, he would be dealt closer to the trade deadline.

That deadline is closer now more than ever, though, thanks to the season's delayed beginning.

While Mark Jackson has said that he wants to hold onto Ellis, there is bound to be a mountain of interest in Ellis' services.

Combine this with the fact the team has already gauged Ellis' trade value extensively, and the possibility of a deal happening sooner, not later, is overwhelming.

Will Ellis be a member of the Lakers? Or perhaps the Bulls? Maybe even the Grizzlies?

Who knows? But the likelihood of him no longer being a member of the Warriors before the start of next season is exceptionally strong.

Chris Kaman

The Los Angeles Clippers are not going to let DeAndre Jordan out of their clutches, as he is widely viewed as the team's starting center for the immediate future.

With both Jordan and Blake Griffin to anchor in the low-post, the free-agent-to-be Chris Kaman is arguably expendable. 

Prior to the NBA draft, Kaman was linked to a deal that would have brought Andre Iguodala to the Clippers and sent him to Philadelphia.

While this is a trade that can be revisited since the lockout is coming to a close, teams in need of a competent big man are bound to come out of the woodwork.

Kaman's expiring deal makes him a low-risk, high-reward target. He is a capable scorer and solid defender, and with so many teams desperate for an effective center, he could be just the bait the Clippers need to land a playoff-propelling perimeter player.

With Jordan set to take over the reigns at center, Kaman is a lock to be gone by next summer. More likely than not, though, he will be gone much sooner than that.

Josh Smith

There is no question that Josh Smith seems to have overstayed his welcome with the Atlanta Hawks, as the team began to "gauge trade interest" in the forward prior to the draft.

Smith is both an explosive scorer and tough defender, attributes that many teams are sure to covet despite his aversion to accepted ethical codes—there will be no shortage of inquiries regarding Smith's availability.

While Smith does help Atlanta put the best product on the floor, his departure allows Al Horford to play power forward full-time, a position he is better equipped for.

Additionally, any deal is likely to help the Hawks obtain some kind of young talent and payroll relief in return.

Prior to the draft, the Hawks may have called it "gauging interest," but now that the lockout is nearly over, the team is going to hit the ground running on Smith negotiations.

And this means Smith could have a new home by Christmas.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.