- As soon as the Wizards drafted John Wall this summer, speculation arose as to when-not if-Gilbert Arenas would be dealt. The $80 million left on Agent Zero's contract is a major sticking point for potential suitors, and there's definitely no chance that Arenas agrees to any sort of reduced pay-scale. However, Orlando GM Otis Smith is a longtime friend and supporter of Arenas, and the Magic would love a marquee combo guard who can score and pass like the Arenas of old.

- Steve Nash has heard his name crop up in trade rumors recently, but has publicly stated his desire to retire with the Suns. Head Coach Alvin Gentry also assured the media that if Nash is traded, he would leave as well. It seems unlikely that Nash-at age 36-would be interested in requesting a trade or chasing a championship at this stage of his career.

- A fresh start in the Mecca of basketball seemed like just the thing to bring Anthony Randolph's tantalizing potential to the fore. However, the lanky combo-forward has struggled mightily in Mike D'Antoni's uptempo system, as he's averaged just over ten minutes in eight games this season. Many teams would love to gamble on Randolph, and with D'Antoni apparently unimpressed, it wouldn't be surprising to see the former in another uniform after the trade deadline.

- Carmelo Anthony dominated the post-Decision headlines this summer after publicly declining Denver's extension. Anthony has been playing up-and-down with the Nuggets, and Denver is falling behind in the NBA standings. It's no secret that New York is Carmelo's preferred destination, but the Knicks currently lack the pieces to put a trade together. Still, there's only a very slim chance that Anthony stays in Denver past February.

- Greg Oden's season-ending surgery has elicited a dismay, disappointment, and sympathy throughout the league. Portland is claiming that it wishes to sign the injury-devastated center to a qualifying offer and keep him with the Blazers for a couple more years, but it wouldn't be surprising to see another team in need of some size roll the dice with a lucrative offer and hope for the best. Phoenix, for instance, needs help down low and has the miracle-workers on its medical staff that Oden would doubtlessly need.

- The Warriors have run out to a surprising start with new head coach Keith Smart at the helm, but there are rumblings that the new Golden State ownership does not view Smart as their coach of the future. Former Cleveland headman Mike Brown will be looking for a job next year, and could change the Warriors from a team that puts up big basketball scores to a team that wins.

- Troy Murphy has struggled with injuries this season with his hometown New Jersey Nets, and has now fallen behind Kris Humphries and Derrick Favors on Avery Johnson's depth chart. Signs point to Murphy being traded before the deadline.