NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting the Next Stars to Get Moved

As much as people are criticizing the Chris Paul deal, whether they're a Hornets, Clippers or Lakers fan, we still have to be thankful that he finally got moved.

Honestly, did you want minutes on ESPN that could have been spent on a game recap or analysis being spent on Chris Paul and where he could possibly go being wasted? Trade speculation is one of the biggest annoyances of the offseason period, as it constantly leaves writers in waiting on what to possibly discuss and fans in constant wonder on whether or not their team's getting a player or if their team's trading away a player.

We can finally end it now. Chris Paul is with the LA Clippers, and Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu and Chris Kaman are in New Orleans. We can now finally begin making previews for both teams, as well as many other teams around the league, since the free agency period is dying down and the speculative trades have either been made or have been completely shot down.

Well, not exactly. There's still a number of players who are at the center of trade rumors, and that includes a superstar who could still be on the move before the trade deadline. We're never going to be out of the woods with these trade rumors, but we can at least put some to rest.

So let's get introduced to some more rumors of players potentially being dealt.

Dwight Howard

It just wouldn't feel right to exclude Dwight Howard, would it?

Even though it has been said that trade talks for Howard have been ended, according to the Orlando Magic, that doesn't mean a trade could still be made if the conditions are right. Every player in this league, including Howard, has a price, and there will be a team out there that will attempt to bring in Howard before he becomes a free agent and he's up for grabs.

Word is that a trade involving Howard was supposed to be a done deal, according to Dwight himself. A swap that would have included Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace, Jordan Farmar and a first-round pick being sent to Orlando, and Chris Duhon and Hedo Turkoglu and four draft picks to Portland was shot down by the Magic ownership, which then ended the trade.

Because of the deal being put to rest, Howard is now reported to be upset and peeved that he is not getting his wish of being sent to New Jersey.

With Howard frustrated at the ineptitude of the organization, once again, a trade could still be imminent if a team is willing to offer the right pieces to convince ownership to complete the deal.

Paul Millsap

Shying away from trade rumors over the past few weeks, it's still a completely real possibility that the Utah Jazz end up trading away Paul Millsap in favor of the athletic Derrick Favors. He was picked up as a main part of the Deron Williams trade and is set to ride the bench with the team currently having Millsap as the starter.

Millsap impressed as Carlos Boozer's replacement last season by averaging 17 points and eight boards per in his first stint as a consistent and legitimate starter at the NBA level. With a wide frame, Millsap was able to control the paint as he was able to push opposing front court members around.

However, with the team already looking towards starting Gordan Hayward over free agent Andrei Kirilenko at the three, it wouldn't be surprising if the Jazz manage to make a deal to give Favors the start.

Millsap's name was brought up in trade rumors near the end of the lockout, but nothing has developed recently.

Monta Ellis

Having his name brought up in trade rumors involving Chris Paul when he was still a member of the New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors shooting guard Monta Ellis will still most likely face trade rumors from here on out. Despite being the teams leading scorer over the past two seasons, it seems as if the team is looking to have Stephen Curry at the focal point of their offense since Ellis has been in constant trade rumors over the past two seasons. 

In only a short time, Ellis has emerged as one of the league's top scorers thanks to agility and quickness that allows him to elude his initial defender and then utilizing his athleticism and strength to hang in the air and finish over the bigger bodies over the front court.

Even though Ellis is a strong offensive force, he's not much of a concern on defense, and it has been regarded as one of the weakest parts of his game. With the team looking to continue developing Curry, trading Curry for a defensive-minded guard or forward is still completely possible.