NBA Trade Rumors: Botched Deals That May Still Take Place Before Season Starts

Not every trade gets worked out the first time through.

If you don't believe me, just ask Carmelo Anthony. I think he was "almost" traded somewhere in the neighborhood of 12,118 times before he was actually traded, although that is a conservative estimate. 

In fact, there are three trades that have come up that have been botched but that could still go through. Each of these could still pan out into something. 

O.J. Mayo to Indiana Pacers

Last year the Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies agreed to a trade that would have sent O.J. Mayo to the Pacers. There was only one problem: They missed the deadline by mere minutes. The word "botched" could never be more appropriately assigned to a trade that wasn't. 

Now that trade might go through after all, according to hoopsworld:

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The Pacers are close to making the decision to sign-and-trade for Mayo, but the process is being held up by the idea that Jamal Crawford might opt to sign with Indiana. The Pacers have asked Crawford’s camp to make a decision before the end of the day so they can move forward one way or the other. The San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers are among the other teams that have expressed interest in Crawford.

"

Whether they end up with Mayo or Crawford, the Pacers are quietly having one of the better offseasons n the NBA.

It's not unreasonable to think the Pacers could be on track to be a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference when you factor in this move along with the earlier acquisition of David West. 

Dwight Howard to New Jersey Nets

While Dwight Howard might have been "encouraged" by his meeting with Magic CEO Alex Martins yesterday, it goes without saying that doesn't rule out possibility of yet another mood change by Howard. 

Howard could wake up again today aggravated that the Magic didn't follow his suggestion and get Billups—the fact that it was literally impossible for them to do might not matter to Howard. He could easily then go back to his trade demands. 

New Jersey is down, but not out. The deal could be made if they up their current offer of Brook Lopez and two first rounders in exchange for Howard and the absorption of Hedo Turkoglu's contract. 

Or else they could tell Orlando that they have a deadline and they are going to sign Nene and move on if they don't make a decision now. 

Right now, the Magic are treating the Nets offer as though it will always be there. They may need to put the Magic in the position of having to make a decision now or be stuck with nothing more than Andrew Bynum from the Lakers. 

Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul is going to Los Angeles. No he isn't. Now he is, just to a different team. No he isn't. 

ARGH!!!!

Now he is again. Or isn't he?

The bottom line is that David Stern may have overplayed his hand here. The Hornets really don't have anyone else they can deal with now with the Lakers sending Lamar Odom to Dallas after pulling out of talks. 

The bottom line is that the Clippers might get Paul for less than they would have yesterday.