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5 NBA Trades That Could Still Happen Before Start of 2014-15 Season

5 NBA Trades That Could Still Happen Before Start of 2014-15 Season

Rajon Rondo Smiling NBA Boston Celtics
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Even though we are now under two months away from the start of the 2014-15 NBA regular season, there are still a handful of trades that could take place before the start of the season. It may seem strange to think that a big transaction could happen right before the beginning of a new season, but it has happened before.

Here are five trades that could still happen before the new season gets underway.

5. Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert to Philadelphia for Veterans

Amare Stoudemire NBA New York Knicks
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

5. Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert to Philadelphia for Veterans

Amare Stoudemire NBA New York Knicks
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

This rumor has been tossed out there before. The Knicks want to be done with the injury-plagued Amare era and have not been shy in looking around for what they can get out of Shumpert. The Philadelphia 76ers do not want to give up any of their prospects, but perhaps Jason Richardson, Luc Mbah a Moute and a second rounder or two would be enough.

4. Josh Smith to the Sacramento Kings

Josh Smith NBA Detroit Pistons
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Josh Smith to the Sacramento Kings

Josh Smith NBA Detroit Pistons
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Smith has been tied to the Kings before in rumors this summer; unfortunately the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings have been unable to get a deal done. The package for Smith would most likely include Jason Thompson and Derrick Williams. Both of these teams seem to always be making moves, so I would not be shocked if this trade still happens before the season starts.

3. Timofey Mozgov to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Tristan Thompson

Timofey Mozgov NBA Denver Nuggets
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

3. Timofey Mozgov to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Tristan Thompson

Timofey Mozgov NBA Denver Nuggets
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers are after Mozgov for the rim protection he offers. They would have to make a hard sell on Thompson being able to start next to Kenneth Faried in the frontcourt for the Denver Nuggets. A player like Quincy Miller would have to be thrown in due to salary reasons. This deal could still happen, but the Nuggets are being very protective about Mozgov right now.

2. Roy Hibbert Exchanged for Greg Monroe

Roy Hibbert Greg Monroe NBA Indiana Pacers Detroit Pistons
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Roy Hibbert Exchanged for Greg Monroe

Roy Hibbert Greg Monroe NBA Indiana Pacers Detroit Pistons
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

It is clear that Greg Monroe is on borrowed time with the Pistons after he signed a qualifying offer to remain with the team for one more year. Although Roy Hibbert makes more than Monroe, the Pistons could eat the remainder of his salary to make the deal work. Hibbert clearly needs a fresh start after the horrible conclusion he had at the end of last season, and Monroe apparently feels underappreciated in Detroit. It makes sense for both teams.

1. Rajon Rondo to Phoenix for Eric Bledsoe

Rajon Rondo Eric Bledsoe NBA Boston Celtics Phoenix Suns
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

1. Rajon Rondo to Phoenix for Eric Bledsoe

Rajon Rondo Eric Bledsoe NBA Boston Celtics Phoenix Suns - Copy
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Bledsoe is upset with the Phoenix Suns not wanting to give him the maximum. Rondo is not happy being on a losing team anymore. Both of these players could use a change of scenery, and if the Celtics would be willing to offer Bledsoe the max and make him happy, a sign-and-trade could take place and Rondo would have a chance to be on a winning team again. Win-win!

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