NBA Rumors: Latest Twitter Reaction to Trades, Free Agent Talk and More

With NBA free agency and the trade market finally ready to open in the coming days, speculation has run rampant regarding big names like Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and many more. With so many marquee players set to become free agents in 2012, there is no shortage of trade rumors.

This offseason's free agent crop figures to be interesting, but there is certainly a lack of elite talent available on the open market. Depending upon whether deals are made, though, that may not be the case next season.

One player in particular who is rumored to have asked for a trade is New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul. It was reported on Thursday that the All-Star player requested to be traded by the Hornets to the New York Knicks rather than signing an extension.

With Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire already in the fold, the Knicks could be the NBA's latest super team if they acquire Paul, a la the Miami Heat. This understandably has some Knicks fans giddy with excitement.

Not all Knicks fans are eagerly anticipating a deal for Paul, though. Trading for Paul and giving the maximum contract allowable to stay within the salary cap limits would certainly limit the Knicks moving forward, although the mid-level exception would be a tool they could use to add to their prospective "Big Three."

Despite all the CP3 to New York talk, however, The New Orleans Times Picayune reported that rumors of Paul demanding a trade to the Knicks were premature and that two league sources actually refuted that assertion.

Rather than cool the Paul trade talk, however, the report only served to further fan the flames. Mark Heisler of Sheridan Hoops, who happens to be a former Los Angeles Lakers beat reporter, has reported that the Lakers could be in the running for both Paul AND Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

While it seems unlikely that the Los Angeles Lakers could land both All-Star players, they are the Lakers after all. This rumor had one Twitter user comparing the Lakers to that spoiled, bratty girl from Willy Wonka who wants everything the second she sees it.

Whether Paul or the Hornets would consider striking a deal with the Lakers is one thing, but I think most casual observers think Howard to LA has a high probability of happening. Controversial ESPN personality Skip Bayless thinks quite the opposite, though, as he insinuates that the Los Angeles market would be too demanding for "Superman."

Although most of the hype has surrounded Paul and Howard since the NBA lockout was resolved, there are plenty of other rumors with regards to player movement as well. The Oregonian has reported that the Portland Trail Blazers may use the new amnesty clause to get guard Brandon Roy's contract off the books.

Roy is a three-time NBA All Star and has helped bring the Blazers back from the dead, so to speak. He has been dealing with a significant knee injury, however, that forced him to come off the bench for most of last season.

Should Portland cut ties with Roy, one interesting destination would be the Chicago Bulls. It is well documented that the Bulls could use a scoring two guard to complement Derrick Rose. While the fit would be interesting, Roy's injury history could ultimately scare the Bulls away.

Another trade rumor that has been making the rounds thanks to ESPN's Ric Bucher, has been a possible swap of Rudy Gay for Monta Ellis between the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.

The deal could ultimately work out for both sides, but Ellis is better tailored to Golden State's run-and-gun style, while Gay works better in Memphis' system since he actually plays some defense, unlike Ellis. Because of that, some observers feel as though the Grizzlies would lose out in this deal.

There is a point to be made regarding money, however. Ellis makes on $11 million compared to Gay's $19 million. With that in mind, Memphis would have the flexibility to make some more moves in the event of such a trade. Gay was also injured for the Grizzlies' playoff run last season, so not everyone thinks the trade would be so crazy.

Even though the offseason activity hasn't even officially started yet, the rumor mill is operating at full force. Over the next few days and weeks, speculation is sure to intensify in what should be one of the wildest and most unpredictable offseasons in NBA history.