Monta Ellis could be traded this summer.

The Orlando Magic are one of a handful of teams who’ve spoken to the Golden State Warriors about acquiring Monta Ellis, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Based on comments from new team consultant Jerry West last week, it appears the Warriors are looking to split up the guard duo of Ellis and Stephen Curry, who aren’t a very good complement because they’re both undersized and both like the ball in their hands.

That puts Ellis, a 25-year-old who averaged 24.1 points last season, on the trading block, and he’s receiving plenty of interest. Rusty Simmons of the Chronicle, citing league sources, said the Warriors have discussed trades with Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Orlando and the Lakers. The league’s hottest rumor involves Ellis being traded to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala straight up.

Ellis’ inefficiency and lack of defensive performance doesn’t make him a perfect fit in Orlando, but his ability to create shots is something the Magic sorely lack. As a pure scorer, he’s one of the ten best perimeter players in the NBA.

The Magic’s most valuable trading asset, Jameer Nelson, offers little value to the Warriors because of Curry, but the Warriors could potentially have interest in one of the Magic’s young role players. While the other teams linked to the Warriors could all offer more than the Magic, it’s unclear if they want to.

If the Ellis-for-Iguodala swap falls through, this will certainly be a situation to monitor.

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Monta Ellis could be traded this summer.

The Orlando Magic are one of a handful of teams who’ve spoken to the Golden State Warriors about acquiring Monta Ellis, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Based on comments from new team consultant Jerry West last week, it appears the Warriors are looking to split up the guard duo of Ellis and Stephen Curry, who aren’t a very good complement because they’re both undersized and both like the ball in their hands.

That puts Ellis, a 25-year-old who averaged 24.1 points last season, on the trading block, and he’s receiving plenty of interest. Rusty Simmons of the Chronicle, citing league sources, said the Warriors have discussed trades with Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Orlando and the Lakers. The league’s hottest rumor involves Ellis being traded to Philadelphia for Andre Iguodala straight up.

Ellis’ inefficiency and lack of defensive performance doesn’t make him a perfect fit in Orlando, but his ability to create shots is something the Magic sorely lack. As a pure scorer, he’s one of the ten best perimeter players in the NBA.

The Magic’s most valuable trading asset, Jameer Nelson, offers little value to the Warriors because of Curry, but the Warriors could potentially have interest in one of the Magic’s young role players. While the other teams linked to the Warriors could all offer more than the Magic, it’s unclear if they want to.

If the Ellis-for-Iguodala swap falls through, this will certainly be a situation to monitor.

[email protected]

Read More: Monta Ellis (G – GSW), Andre Iguodala (F – PHI), Stephen Curry (G – GSW), Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers

Monta Ellis trade rumors seem to be a constant circumstance of existence in today’s NBA. The Golden State Warriors took Stephen Curry in the 2009 NBA Draft, and Curry excelled through two seasons. But, like Ellis, he’s on the small side and has trouble defending true shooting guards. Given that Curry is also a solid playmaker — a legit point guard in today’s league — and that he’s cheap while Ellis is pricey, and that Curry is considered a “no drama” player while Ellis is a bit more high-maintenance, Monta is the guy on the block, and has been for some time.

Rumors picked up when Jerry West joined Golden State as a consultant; this week, they blew wide open with a report the Warriors were in talks to send Ellis to the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Iguodala. But Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Sixers aren’t the only team the Warriors have talked to about Ellis.

League sources said the Warriors also have discussed Ellis, among a variety of other players, in trade talks with Atlanta, Chicago, Memphis, Orlando and the Lakers.

It’s unclear what pieces the Warriors are seeking for Ellis from those other teams, and it would make sense that other Golden State players — David Lee, primarily, but also Dorell Wright and cap albatross Andris Biedrins — would be in play. Defense seems to be and ought to be a priority for Golden State; new coach Mark Jackson emphasized defensive accountability in his first public comments on Tuesday. Iguodala is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA. Ellis is a minus on defense.

For more on the Warriors’ trade rumors, visit Golden State Of Mind and SB Nation Bay Area.