NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Players We're Shocked to See on the Trade Block

Once the NBA lockout concluded, madness began to ensue as shocking developments came to light hourly, especially within the trade rumor mill.

Prior to the work stoppage, there was an array of potential deals that were hot and presumed to regain momentum once the league opened its doors. While this proved true to some extent, new faces have been the ones dominating headlines, with some names more surprising than others.

Chris Paul and Dwight Howard are among the most talked about players potentially on the move as of late, but this was expected to some extent, though perhaps not so soon. The real bombshells have been the athletes who have emerged at one point or another on the chopping block, in certain cases because Paul and Howard became available.

Teams have until March 15th to consummate any proposed deals, and given how many unexpected players have made appearances in recent negotiations, we can only imagine who might be next. 

Al Jefferson, C (Utah Jazz)

With Derrick Favors on the roster, it was anything but a shock to see Paul Millsap's name appear on the chopping block, but Al Jefferson's was a different story.

The Jazz are apparently so excited over not only Favors, but Enes Kanter as well, which has led them to entertain the idea of dealing the prolific big man.

Given that Jefferson is in his prime and on a rebuilding franchise, it would not have come as such a shock should reports have surfaced that he asked out of Utah himself. The fact that the Jazz would consider to move their team's best player—yet again—comes as quite a surprise, though.

Jefferson helps Utah remain at least somewhat competitive, while also serving as a solid mentor to the young Kanter. He boasts guaranteed production at an uncertain position and offers a reason for Jazz fans to by tickets.

Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor did publicly acknowledge that he likes the Jazz's core, including Jefferson, but the fact that his name even made an appearance in the rumor mill is notable.

Regardless of the Utah's intentions, Jefferson's name hit the trade block, and no matter what the franchise may claim, it isn't disappearing. At least not until after the trade deadline passes.

Kevin Martin, SG (Houston Rockets)

If most would have had to guess, Courtney Lee would have been the shooting guard that the Houston Rockets were most likely to send packing, not Kevin Martin.

Martin is the team's best scorer, but was included in the original Chris Paul-to-Los Angeles Lakers deal that was vetoed by the NBA. Apparently the Rockets are incredibly high on Pau Gasol, as they were willing to ship out Luis Scola and a first-round draft pick in return as well.

Houston's pursuit of a big man this offseason would have opened up the floor even more for the offense-heavy Martin, yet it almost came at his expense.

Though Martin has not been linked to any other deals, the situation between him and the Rockets has become increasingly awkward, given the team was so open to moving him. He was supposed to be a pillar for the organization, but instead wound up as a trade chip.

Things change.

Amar'e Stoudemire, PF (New York Knicks)

Just after the Tyson Chandler acquisition, Marc Stein of ESPN introduced the idea of the Knicks possibly packaging Amar'e Stoudemire in an attempt to land Chris Paul, and it was later confirmed by Peter Vecsey of the New York Post that New York did just that.

The idea of trying to swap Stoudemire for Dwight Howard was toiled with from a merely speculative standpoint over the summer, but just like the Chandler acquisition, hearing that the power forward had been included in a trade pitch came out of left field.

Stoudemire helped rejuvenate a lost Knicks team, and also played a huge role in getting Carmelo Anthony to the Big Apple, so it's astonishing that after all that his name has hit the rumor mill. It might not have been so much of a surprise in Howard negotiations, but we are talking about a point guard, not a another big man.

Paul is a great athlete, but New York finally boasts a low-post tandem that not only can it be proud of, but that also isn't a defensive or offensive liability.

Stoudemire's inclusion in trade talks is mind-blowing, to say the least.

Rajon Rondo, PG (Boston Celtics)

When word hit that the Boston Celtics were interested in Chris Paul and dangling Rajon Rondo in return, the basketball world was left stunned.

Is Paul a better fit for the Celtics than Rondo? Arguably yes, but point guard was the one position that Boston didn't have to worry about caving under the rigors of age.

Now that a potential Paul-to-Boston deal has been all but squashed, Danny Ainge can maintain all he wants that Rondo was the Celtics' guy all along, but the public knows better.

Amidst all the Rondo-for-Paul talk, let's not lose sight of the fact that Rondo was also offered to the Oklahoma City Thunder after last season in an attempt to land both Kendrick Perkins and Russell Westbrook.

So, is Rondo the Celtics' guy? Yes. He's the guy they have apparently been shopping all along, which is more than surprising.

Stephen Curry, PG (Golden State Warriors)

Monta Ellis was supposed to be the player whom the Golden State Warriors were open to moving, not Stephen Curry.

While the team would still be amenable to an Ellis deal, Curry found his way into the rumor mill once Chris Paul rumors broke loose.

Curry was deemed a cornerstone for the Golden State franchise—a future superstar in his own right—yet the Warriors were poised to move him at the first glimpse of Paul.

Did the team perhaps believe that Paul was a better fit alongside Ellis than Curry? It's possible, but that doesn't soften the blow that was felt when his name appeared on an offer sheet.

Curry has since been told he was safe and not going anywhere, but who's to say that doesn't change? The Warriors stance on the budding point guard seemingly changed overnight with the emergence of Paul's name on the block.

It came as quite a surprise when Curry was thrown into trade negotiations, but it won't come as such a shock next time around. Provided there is a next time.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.