As trade talk heats up, keep an eye on these players

The season is just over a month old, but the trade winds already are starting to blow. For now it's a gentle breeze. But it is sure to pick up in the coming weeks as general managers begin to gain a firm evaluation of their teams and what they need to reach their goals. Also, trades become easier after Dec. 15 when many players who signed in the offseason are eligible to be dealt.

An unscientific sampling of GMs seems to indicate that this might be a fairly busy trade season, especially given the wide-open nature of the Eastern Conference. No GM wants to be caught sitting on his hands while a rival makes a move that puts his team ahead in the standings. As one Central Division GM said: "The way things are right now in the Atlantic Division ... nobody can win any games. That's going to create some trades, I think."

Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson and Jermaine O'Neal will dominate the trade talk in the coming weeks, at least so long as their teams struggle, but it is difficult to move such high-priced superstars. More likely the players changing uniforms will be mid-level types with salaries that can be matched up to accomodate league trade restrictions. Still, some of those players could make a difference in taking their teams to a new level in the playoff chase. Here's the early buzz on some of the names we'll hear mentioned leading up to the Feb. 22 trade deadline:

Player Most likely suitor Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves As long as the T'wolves struggle, Garnett is going to hear his name mentioned as possible trade bait. At some point, the theory goes, Minnesota will decide it needs to blow it up and start over while sending Da Franchise someplace where he has a chance to win a title before he retires. Chicago Bulls They need a big man in the worst way, and KG played his senior year of high school in the Windy City. Meanwhile, Chicago has the young talent and draft picks to put together an attractive package. Allen Iverson, 76ers Like the T'wolves, the Sixers aren't going anywhere so they might as well look to the future. At 31 and with a monster contract, Iverson is not going to be part of any rebuilding plan. They tried to trade Iverson last summer, engaging in serious talks with the Celtics, but couldn't come up with a suitable deal. Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge is looking to do something dramatic, so he could rekindle those talks from the offseason. Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers The four-time All-Star is one of the East's best big men, but he has not been able to take the Pacers to the next level. There was talk last summer that Pacers bosses Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh were thinking of starting over and moving O'Neal if the right package of players was offered. Chicago Bulls See Garnett above. But it's unlikely Indiana would trade O'Neal to a division rival. Pau Gasol, Grizzlies Owner Michael Heisley swears trade rumors involving this 7-foot All-Star are bogus. But Heisley is in the process of selling the team, and some believe the new ownership group will be open to the idea of shedding Gasol's big contract to save money and start over with youth and draft picks. Boston Celtics They could use this scoring big man a lot more than they could use Iverson. Unfortunately for Ainge, he doesn't appear to have enough to offer in return. Plus, who knows how much rust Gasol will have once he returns from his foot injury. Morris Peterson, Raptors The seven-year veteran, who has missed the past two weeks with an elbow injury, lost his starting spot to Fred Jones as the Raptors went to a more up-tempo game. With career averages of 12 points and four boards per game, Peterson could be an attractive pickup for a team seeking a solid wing scorer and defender. Portland Trail Blazers With young guards Brandon Roy, Martell Webster and Jarrett Jack, they could use an experienced hand on the perimeter. Jamaal Magloire, Blazers The Blazers have a logjam in the middle with Raef LaFrentz, Joel Przybilla and rookie LaMarcus Aldridge, so Magloire is expendable. But decent low-post centers are hard to find, and this 6-11 veteran is a 2004 All-Sta who knows his way around the basket. Toronto Raptors Magloire has long talked about playing for his native Toronto, but his low-post game doesn't seem to be a good fit for the Raptors' up-tempo scheme. Earl Watson, SuperSonics The sixth-year backup point guard, re-acquired in a midseason deal with the Nuggets last year, is reportedly unhappy playing behind Luke Ridnour and would welcome a trade. Sonics coach Bob Hill was even overheard by the media joking about it with Watson after a recent practice. Miami Heat With Jason Williams coming off knee surgery and 38-year-old Gary Payton slowing down, Miami could use some insurance at the point. Brendan Haywood, Wizards The 7-foot center's soft play has been a source of frustration to the Wizards for years, and it might have reached its breaking point. It doesn't help that Haywood has butted heads with coach Eddie Jordan and engaged in an early-season scuffle with Etan Thomas. New Jersey Nets New Jersey lacks frontcourt depth, and Haywood would give the Nets a big body in the middle to pair with Nenad Krstic. Adonal Foyle, Warriors The 10-year veteran was once among the NBA's best shot-blockers, which is how he netted a huge contract. But Don Nelson has brought small ball to the Bay Area, and that has kept the 6-10 Foyle rooted to the bench. TBD It's hard to see any team taking on the remaining four years and $29 million owed Foyle. But the desperation level of a team on the playoff bubble might make him tempting. Steve Francis, Knicks The three-time All-Star is caught in a crowded Knicks perimeter that includes Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Nate Robinson and the injured Jared Jeffries. He has not played well alongside Stephon Marbury this season, and New York would no doubt love to shed his salary. Denver Nuggets Denver could use an experienced shooting guard to platoon with J.R. Smith, and George Karl is just crazy enough to take a chance on Stevie Franchise. Ben Gordon, Bulls The Bulls aren't necessarily looking to trade their young gunner, but they might be willing to do it for a big guy like, say, Garnett or O'Neal. Gordon can fill up the basket, but he's small and the Bulls already have Kirk Hinrich, Thabo Sefolosha and Adrian Griffin at shooting guard. Minnesota Timberwolves If the T'wolves decide to move Garnett, they could do worse than getting back a package involving Gordon and the Bulls' first-round pick in next year's draft (Chicago has the right to swap picks with New York, meaning it could well be a lottery selection). Corey Maggette, Clippers The Clips deny they have been dangling Maggette, but the veteran scorer is not thrilled about his role coming off the bench behind defensive specialist Quinton Ross. Denver Nuggets Denver would no doubt rather have Maggette than Francis, especially given the contract terms. The Nuggets need help at shooting guard and have a surplus of big men, but it's doubtful that L.A. would risk sending a big-time scorer like Maggette to a Western rival. Damon Stoudamire, Grizzlies The 12-year veteran point guard lost his starting spot to Chucky Atkins and doesn't appear to fit into Memphis' long-term plans, especially with new ownership. Still, he seems to have recovered from last season's knee injury and his contract (less than $5 million annually this year and the next two) isn't onerous. Miami Heat See Watson, Earl. Miami needs help at the point, and Mighty Mouse can play the half-court game and knock down outside shots.