NBA Trade Rumors: Shocking Players on the Trade Block

With teams allowed to talk to free agents today, we can go from "speculation" to "rumor," as there are actual agents talking to actual teams. This means that there are actual things to talk about. So far, two names have come up in trade talks that weren't expected.

The first name that comes up falls under the Boston Celtics, who have put out Rajon Rondo in an effort to obtain the New Orleans Hornets' star point guard Chris Paul.

While initial reports are that New Orleans isn't interested, the fact that an All-Star name comes out this early is surprising. 

It probably won't happen, regardless. Chris Paul isn't likely to sign with the Boston Celtics, who essentially—as an entire team—are in the final year of their contract. Paul is going to want to play for a contender and Boston is not likely to fill that role next year. 

One does wonder what this is going to do with Rondo's self-esteem, though. He had a veritable mental collapse after President Obama made a crack about his shooting. This overture to Chris Paul tells Rondo that the Celtics don't trust him with the future of the franchise.

The other name on the trade market is the New Jersey Nets' Brook Lopez, who reportedly has been offered—in conjunction with two first-round draft picks—for Dwight Howard. In the "let the bidding begin" auction for Howard, that's a pretty high first bid that leaves a lot of teams off the table. 

Many have left it a foregone conclusion that Howard would be headed for the Los Angeles Lakers, who would allegedly be offering some combination of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. While the immediate impact of the Lakers' speculated offer would keep the Magic in the playoff hunt, there's little question that, long term, the Nets' offer would be more attractive. 

The other thing the Nets are offering is cap relief for the Magic in taking Hedo Turkoglu's big contract off the table. With the buyout of Arenas, and not having Turkoglu's or Howard's contract on the books, the Magic would suddenly be a player in the free agent market. 

With both cases, it's not likely to be the final deal. However, in both cases, it certainly says that Paul and Howard will not be moved cheaply. Teams are willing to put together major offers to acquire the players. What Boston has offered beats what the Knicks have to offer for Paul, and what the Nets have to offer beats what the Lakers can offer the Magic.

From here, the offers only get better for New Orleans and Orlando. The bidding has begun! 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/962502-nba-trade-rumors-shocking-players-on-the-trade-block

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