Now that the NBA season is over and players such as Peja, Kidd, Dirk, and Jet have finally earned their first rings, trades and free agency talks have begun. The expected names such as Dwight Howard and Chris Paul have been thrown around, but names such as Steve Nash have been thrown out there too.The Lakers have been a big team thrown in the trade talks rumors. With several big men (Gasol, Bynum, Odom), the Lakers have determined that 6th Man Of The Year LaMar Odom is expendable. So where would he possibily be headed? Golden State Warriors. The Lakers are interested in Monta Ellis. The negative for the Lakers in this trade would be that Ellis likes to handle the ball and shoot a lot. Even though he is a guard, there are times that he doesn't pass the ball in key moments. That might work okay with the Warriors, but Kobe Bryant would not mesh well with this. This would even take some points out of Gasol's hands, which he would not appreciate much.
The other option the Lakers have been playing with is trading away overpaid Luke Walton, their first round pick, and their mid level veteran exception spot to the Phoenix Suns for Steve Nash. Nash may blend better with Bryant, but costs more and will probably end up being a "rent-a-player" rather than end is career with the Lakers. The positive is that they get rid of the bloated contract of twelth man, Luke Walton, but the negative is that they take a piece of their future away with giving up their first round pick and give up the spot for a solid role player.
The biggest player on the trade block is Dwight Howard. The Magic have talked to various teams from the Lakers (although doubtful if they keep even two of their big three) all the way to the championship Mavs. The most likely trade, if done, would be the Chicago Bulls. It would revolve around draft picks being traded and a good player like Deng. The Bulls would have the cap room to do this and bringing in Howard would make the Bulls a force on the boards, with Noah already playing there.
Wannabe L.A. Clippers owner, David Geffen has said that if he were able to obtain controlling interest of the Clippers, that he would do what it takes to bring over Dwight Howard. One of the rumors just barely hitting the wires is Chris Paul to the Clippers, even withtout Geffen becoming the owner.
To get Chris Paul, the Clippers would have to trade their first round pick and also future all-star, Eric Gordon. With Bledsoe developing and Blake Griffin needing a ball handler to feed him, Chris Paul could be an option. They have the payroll to make it happen too.
Another rumor spreading lately is Chris Bosh being traded off to a team for several role players. Miami ran with the big three this season, but the rumor mill has spread that Bosh would be possibily traded to stregthen up the depth of the Heat. I don't know if this should be the biggest worry. The Heat have role players like Mario Chalmers, Mike Miller, Haslem, and to a lesser degree, Mike Bibby. If the Heat could stregthen up their center position and gain a solid ball handling point guard, then maybe.
It's been less than a week since the end of the season, so the trade rumors have just begun. Other possible trades would possibly involve Chris Kaman to Philadelphia, the Knicks looking to shore up their big men spots, and Utah becoming interested in three point shooter.
