NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Players Getting Shopped on the Market

The trade rumor-mill has exploded now that the start of the season is in sight.

Players who were on the block prior to the lockout have crept back on to the block, and names we never expected to appear—at least so soon—have become available. With all the names that are floating around out there, it can become hard to keep track of what exactly is going down.

However, if you think the rumor-mill has been busy up until now, you haven't seen anything yet.

Chris Paul

Many expected Chris Paul's name to eventually jump past the speculation stage and enter the realm of actual rumors, but few saw it happening so quickly.

When ESPN's Chris Broussard tweeted that Paul's first choice was to play for the Knicks, and that he was willing to wait until free-agency to do so, it confirmed a suspicion that many already had. Few could have foreseen it becoming so public, so soon though.

Now that Paul's supposed desire to escape New Orleans has become even more widely-known, the Knicks are not the only team that is going to get involved. The Lakers apparently already have a desire to obtain both him and Howard, and the Celtics have joined the party as well.

The market for Paul will only increase from here.

Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap's name has officially entered the trade rumor-mill frenzy, as it seems apparent that the Jazz are ready to go all-in with Derrick Favors now.

The Pacers, a team who is expected to make a strong push for David West should the Hornets fail to re-sign, have apparently inquired about Millsap's services.

Now that the power forward is on the block, expect many more teams to come out of the woodwork and make a play for him. He doesn't have much of a future in Utah, but will prove to be a hot commodity on the trade market.

Al Jefferson

Paul Millsap may not be the only big man on his way out of Utah, as Al Jefferson is reportedly available as well.

While the Jazz's preference may be to only deal one of the two, the fact that they are rebuilding does leave the door open for both of them to be sent elsewhere.

The market for Jefferson is sure to be huge, as he would prove to be the best center outside of Dwight Howard available for the taking.

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has been linked to the Lakers since last season, and it should come as no surprise that the team has marked him as a part of their future.

The Lakers are not the only team sure to make a strong push for Howard. They aren't even the only team in Los Angeles prepared to do so, as the Clippers will do whatever it takes—except trade Blake Griffin—to land Howard as well.

Outside of Los Angeles, the Nets are a team that also seem poised to go after Howard hard.

Given Howard's effectiveness and the fact that a center like him is hardly ever available, expect there to be plenty more rumors where that came from moving forward. 

Rajon Rondo

The Celtics are apparently open to trading Rajon Rondo, and even reportedly offered him and Jeff Green up to the Thunder in an attempt to get Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Perkins immediately after the playoffs.

While such a deal would not have been legal—Green is a restricted free agent, and a player also cannot be dealt back to the same team until at least July—Boston's willingness to part with Rondo is more than noteworthy.

Rondo is a youthful talent on an aging team, but the Celtics seem to have their sights set on making an upgrade at the point. Boston is apparently prepared to deal Rondo to the Hornets if it can land them Chris Paul as well.

The Hornets are not interested in Rondo, so that leaves Danny Ainge to search for a third team to make the deal work.

Rondo's appearance on the trade block is somewhat surprising, but moving forward, after the flurry of rumors that have already ensued around him, it would not be shocking to see him shipped out of Boston.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.