NBA Trade Speculation: Dwight Howard and 10 Potential Blockbuster Trade Names

We have all heard plenty of Dwight Howard trade talk. That talk doesn't appear to have an end in the near future. In fact, the situation may be more fluid than previous trade talks, because even Howard doesn't appear to know what he wants.

Despite dominating trade speculation, Howard is not the only big name that could be moved in a blockbuster deal. Other players are sure to receive their share of trade reports as well.

Dwight Howard

Superman has already requested a trade. He doesn't seem to be 100 percent sure about leaving Orlando, though. Unfortunately, the Magic are probably not in a position to improve much, making Howard more likely to seek greener pastures.

The Lakers, Nets and Mavericks appear to be the three top choices. The Nets' chances were hurt when Brook Lopez's foot was, though Dwight's desire to play with Deron Williams may force Orlando's hand. Dallas and L.A. could put Howard in a position to win immediately.

Some dark-horses in the Howard sweepstakes are Golden State, Houston, Chicago and the Clippers (though their chances are slim after giving up so many assets for Chris Paul).

Deron Williams

I think the biggest difference between Williams' and Howard's situations is that Howard loves attention, while Williams does not nearly as much. I think of all the superstars getting trade/free agent talk the last couple years, Williams is the one that enjoys the attention least, and truly does just want to play for a successful organization.

He has not played in to the trade speculation and does appear to want to give New Jersey a fair chance. With Brook Lopez's injury not helping anything, and another year missing out on big free agents, though, it may not be long before the Nets' losing makes Williams restless. Okur, Stevenson, Williams and Humphries are solid players, but that won't get it done. 

Williams may take the gamble that New Jersey can pick someone like Howard up or that they can improve the team in other ways. Otherwise, he may be looking for another midseason move.

The Lakers and Dallas will, of course, be involved in trade talk. A host of other teams will probably get involved as well, unless Williams narrows his choices down to a few teams like Anthony, Paul and Howard before him.

Steve Nash

Can the Suns really afford to hold on to their ageless star if they are forced out of playoff contention this year? It may make sense in some ways, as he has stayed loyal to the team and helps sell tickets. Basketball-wise, though, it may set them back by keeping them from getting the assets and the high draft pick that would likely result if they moved him.

Almost every non-rebuilding team would likely make a call to Phoenix, as he could help almost any team, and his asking price won't be as high as the likes of Paul, Williams and Howard.

He would be great for a fringe team looking to make playoff noise, like Houston, Atlanta, Orlando or Portland this year, or for a young team looking to take the next step, like Minnesota or Sacramento. The Lakers, as always, will probably be in trade discussions as well.

Josh Smith

Outside of superstars, has anyone gotten more trade talk than Josh Smith the past few years? He has lost weight and looks to be really trying to fit in in Atlanta. However, if the Hawks get off to a slow start, he may be the first to be moved, as he is the most tradeable piece the Hawks have. If Atlanta can land a true starting center or multiple assets, they may be tempted to move on from Smith. 

Smith-to-Orlando may continue to get some press due to his and Howard's desire to play together. The Magic don't have a lot of trade pieces, though. New Jersey may also try to acquire him to pair with Howard.

There are many teams that could use as versatile athlete like Smith. Houston, always active in trade talks, figure to make a play for him with their stockpile of assets. He would also look nice in Phoenix running with Nash, in addition to a lot of other teams.

Andre Iguodala

Iguodala may be a close second to Smith in trade talks. Philly keeps holding on to him and he keeps producing, though. As a playoff contender, it may make sense to hold on to Iggy. But if the Sixers stumble or want to look a little more towards the future, younger players like Evan Turner, Jody Meeks and Thaddeus Young figure to get more chances sans Iguodala.

As one of the top perimeter defenders in the league, Iggy figures to receive wide interest if he becomes available. Usual suspects like Golden State, Houston and New Jersey should be in the mix.

Any team looking at the playoffs, with the prospect of having to go against players like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant in the West, and Wade and LeBron and Carmelo in the East, would have to give serious though to making a play for Iggy.

Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum

The Lakers' twin towers may be getting used to the trade talk by now. Gasol was all but traded to Houston earlier this year. Bynum has basically been linked to every team that has looked at trading a star, from Jason Kidd a few years ago, to Dwight Howard and Chris Paul this year, and basically everything in between.

If the Lakers do make a trade for Howard like many expect, or maybe even for Williams, expect Bynum to be the centerpiece, with Gasol as potentially an additional part or a centerpiece on his own.

Brook Lopez

Brook might as well also get used to the trade speculation, though his injury mitigates that somewhat. He would be the centerpiece of a Howard deal for the Nets.

If Howard does not work out, or the Nets gamble on acquiring him in free agency, Lopez could be moved for another supporting player. A trade involving Smith from Atlanta, Iguodala from Philly, Gerald Wallace from Portland or Kevin Martin from Houston could all work on paper to give New Jersey a legit second or third option.

Kevin Martin

Once a player has a trade fall through, his chances of remaining on that team long-term take a hit. Houston was recently telling Martin he was a cornerstone, but don't seem to feel that way anymore.

There are multiple scenarios that could lead to a Martin trade. One, which doesn't appear to be happening, is if he pulls and Odom and demands a new trade because of hurt feelings. This probably would have happened by now, though.

If Houston has a chance to land a legit starting young center (like Lopez), they may think long and hard about it. If the Rockets start out slow and the playoffs are not within reach, they may need to trade Martin, as they are in a rebuild.

And finally, he may be trade bait in a big move, similar to the nixed trade earlier this month.

Hedo Turkoglu

I hope Dwight enjoys playing with Turkoglu, because he will likely be stuck with him again if he wants a trade. Any team that wants the Big Fella will probably have to take on Turkoglu's onerous contract.

Other potential big trade names this season: Monta Ellis, Golden State, Stephen Jackson, Milwaukee, Devin Harris, Paul Millsap, and Al Jefferson, Utah, Gerald Wallace, Portland, Mo Williams, LAC