Tuesday, June 29, 2004
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
T-Mac, Shaq and Steve Francis aren't the only big names that will be on the block this summer. NBA GMs believe there will be some heavy trade activity as teams try desperately to change their fortunes.
"Last year, we fired all of the coaches," one GM said candidly. "This year it's on us. If we don't make the right moves, we'll be the ones losing our job this year."
Who else is on the block right now? The names read like an all-star roster.
Trading Jason Kidd, right, may be the only way for the Nets to retain their young core.
Jason Kidd, PG, Nets: Rod Thorn denies they're shopping Kidd or anyone else, despite persistent rumors that new owner Bruce Ratner has asked him to slash payroll. "We'd like to have a team that's not a (luxury) tax payer," Thorn said in a statement Monday. "We'll work to get in that direction over the course of time. It's not something that's necessarily going to have to be done this year."
However, the Nets, who had one of the highest payrolls in the league last year ($61.3 million), know it will be impossible to keep that goal if they re-sign Kenyon Martin in free agency this summer and Richard Jefferson to an extension in the fall.
Kidd, Martin and Jefferson, combined with Alonzo Mourning's long-term deal, likely would put the Nets over the cap. Moving Kidd may be the only way to keep the rest of the young core intact. They won't give him away, but if they can find a veteran team for which Kidd would be willing to play -- and that would be willing to give up a young point guard -- they may have to pull the trigger.
Paul Pierce, SG, Celtics: Pierce's name popped up in a rumor with the Bulls just days before the draft. Danny Ainge denies he's shopping Pierce, but, at the same time acknowledged that given the team's situation (a whopping five players with one or fewer years of experience) he has to listen to offers. Expect them to come for Pierce in bunches. With Ricky Davis, Jiri Welsch and draft-pick Tony Allen in the backcourt, perhaps Ainge feels he can move Pierce if someone is willing to give up a big in return.
Vince Carter, SG, Raptors: New GM Rob Babcock already is denying reports out of Toronto that the team is looking to move Carter. In this case it appears Carter's camp is putting pressure on the team for the move. While rumors of a VC-for-Allen Iverson swap were bogus, the Raptors know Carter is one of the few assets they have that will bring value back in return.
Peja Stojakovic, SF, Kings: The team would prefer to move Chris Webber, but given his injury history and bad knees, that seems impossible. Bad blood was created in Sacramento at the end of the postseason when Webber singled out Stojakovic for a poor postseason performance. Reports out of L.A. indicate the Kings have offered Stojakovic in a package to the Lakers for Shaq. If he's really available, they'll get a flood of offers.
Ray Allen, SG, Sonics: He clashed repeatedly with coach Nate McMillan last year and has given Sonics brass signs that he might not re-sign when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. Look for the Sonics to move him now, preferably for a big man, while they can still get some value in return.
Shawn Marion, SF, Suns: The Suns were willing to include him in a deal for Tracy McGrady and now will look for other places Marion might fit. It sounds like the team is targeting its backcourt this summer and would like to move Joe Johnson to the three. Getting Marion's big contract off the books gives them a lot more flexibility to go after other pieces. While most teams believe he's overpaid, there's no doubt it's hard to find a small forward capable of averaging 20 and 10 on a nightly basis.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, PF, Blazers: There's a huge logjam in Portland right now, and Abdur-Rahim looks like the odd guy out. The Blazers and Nets seriously discussed an Abdur-Rahim-for-Kerry Kittles swap before the draft, and indications are they're still talking. The Sonics also have shown a lot of interest, and the Jazz could be in the mix here, as well.
Wally Szczerbiak, SF, Timberwolves: Wally was the odd man out of the Wolves' starting five once the team traded for Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell. The Wolves are open to moving him once his base-year status expires Wednesday. The Cavs and Bulls have shown a lot of interest in Wally in the past.
Jason Richardson, SG, Warriors: It became clear toward the end of last season that Mickael Pietrus, not Richardson, was the real two guard of the future for the Warriors. Richardson is coming off a great year in Golden State and should be able to fetch some value in return. This is another place the Bulls might want to look if they're still willing to trade Tyson Chandler.
Jason Terry, G, Hawks: The team is rebuilding, and Terry wants out. The Hawks will have a number of suitors and urgently need to address some huge holes in their frontcourt. They can't move Terry without his permission until Sept. 25, but expect him to agree to almost anything at this point.
The Pacers want backcourt help in exchange for Al Harrington.
Al Harrington, F, Pacers: Harrington asked for a trade at the end of the season. He's sick of coming off the bench and wants to take a bigger role on a lesser team. Larry Bird is willing to move him but has been careful to keep his options open. He wants to add some firepower in the backcourt or another big man to patrol the middle, and he needs Harrington as bait. If offers for T-Mac and Shaq fall through, a Harrington-for-Terry swap makes a lot of sense for both teams.
Caron Butler, SF, Heat: The Heat deny they're trying to trade Butler, but the word from several GMs is Miami is using him as bait, hoping a team will agree to also take Eddie Jones for either a serviceable five or a veteran point guard. The Heat won't just give Butler away, but the truth is they're really set at both the two and the three with Dwyane Wade and Lamar Odom. Sooner or later, they've got to address their other areas.
Matt Harpring, SF, Jazz: The Jazz know they aren't going to be totally successful obtaining everything they need in free agency and will have to use trade bait to get the rest. Harpring was great for them two years ago and was solid again last season before getting injured. But the team is loaded with swingmen and desperately needs help up front. If Harpring can buy them a player like that, he could be gone.
Antoine Walker, PF, Mavericks: Remember two years ago when everyone began believing Walker actually was an asset? My, how times have changed. The only thing propping up his trade value these days is that he's in the last year of his contract. The Mavs want to move him in return for a big man. Will anyone bite?
Jerry Stackhouse, SG, Mavericks: Speaking of overpaid Mavericks, the team had little intention of keeping Stack when it traded for him last week. The Mavs are looking for a veteran four in return. But, is anyone still interested in him?
Jamal Mashburn, SF, Hornets: Two years removed from the best season in his career and an all-star appearance, the Hornets are giving away Mashburn. Injuries, however, are expected to cool the market for him.
Tyson Chandler, PF/C, Bulls: It sounds like Bulls GM John Paxson is going to break up the Baby Bulls, and our money is on Chandler to get the boot. Eddy Curry, because he plays center and can score with his back to the basket, is too rare a commodity. While Chandler's value may not be as high as it once was, he still has enough juice to bring a seasoned four in return. Wouldn't a Chandler-for-Stromile Swift deal work for both the Grizzlies and the Bulls? We're pretty sure Swift would agree to the sign-and-trade.
Speaking of T-Mac and the Franchise ...
Steve Francis may have accepted his fate -- a trade to the Orlando Magic. However, it appears Magic GM John Weisbrod still isn't ready to pull the trigger on a trade to send Tracy McGrady to the Rockets that has been rumored for the last 10 days.
Monday, Francis flew to Orlando for a Tuesday meeting with Weisbrod, and Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said his client had warmed considerably to the idea of playing in Orlando.
"We're in the process of making arrangements for Steve to fly tomorrow," Fried told the Houston Chronicle. "I know he's meeting with John. If John decides to bring in the ownership group, that's John's decision.
"It was a joint understanding between John and us that the next prudent step is for Steve and John to get together. We talked after the draft and again (Monday) morning. It just seems it would be prudent for a team thinking of making a player the focal point of a team, and for a player in a trade as the focal point, to spend time together to talk about philosophies and the general approach to things."
However, Weisbrod refused to acknowledge that he had invited Francis to Orlando or that the deal with the Rockets, which most folks around the league -- including the Rockets -- believe to be imminent, is actually in the works.
"I do not know at this point whether we will have him in town or not," Weisbrod said. "If we do, it will be something that he's interested in doing. I didn't ask him to come to town, and that's probably why he's a little further down that road and telling people that. But if he wants to come to town, we're certainly happy to spend the time."
The Magic and Rockets have until Wednesday to get a deal done. If they can't work something out by then, they won't be able to pull the trigger on a deal until July 15 -- after the NBA's two-week player movement moratorium. By then, the players involved likely will have to change. Right now the deal is McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines for Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. However, Lue is on the verge of opting out of his contract, which means he no longer could be included in the trade.
"Obviously, if you are going to do any trade, you want to do it when the timing is right and the pieces are perfect," Weisbrod said. "But the resolution of the Tracy situation, whether that means he gets traded or we decide to cut bait and put him in the lineup next year, that being resolved in August doesn't adversely affect our ability to do the rest of the things that we have to do."
Weisbrod claims there are four teams still in the hunt. Three of them we know -- the Rockets, Pacers and Suns. The fourth is still a mystery, though teams like the Heat, Bulls and Clippers have been mentioned as possibilities.
The news that Weisbrod is still waffling has rankled the Rockets, who believed they had a done deal with the Magic more than a week ago. If the Magic hold out until after the deadline, the Rockets will be put in a funny position.
Now that they've essentially let Francis know they want to trade him, bringing him back will be awkward. The team is going to have to start looking for other teams interested in the Franchise. No matter what they do, chances are they won't get as good a deal. Either way, it's going to be a tough sell.
Meanwhile, a word of warning to the other three teams negotiating with the Magic. Don't call your players and tell them they're being traded to the Magic until after the league office truly finalizes the deal.
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
T-Mac, Shaq and Steve Francis aren't the only big names that will be on the block this summer. NBA GMs believe there will be some heavy trade activity as teams try desperately to change their fortunes.
"Last year, we fired all of the coaches," one GM said candidly. "This year it's on us. If we don't make the right moves, we'll be the ones losing our job this year."
Who else is on the block right now? The names read like an all-star roster.
Trading Jason Kidd, right, may be the only way for the Nets to retain their young core.
Jason Kidd, PG, Nets: Rod Thorn denies they're shopping Kidd or anyone else, despite persistent rumors that new owner Bruce Ratner has asked him to slash payroll. "We'd like to have a team that's not a (luxury) tax payer," Thorn said in a statement Monday. "We'll work to get in that direction over the course of time. It's not something that's necessarily going to have to be done this year."
However, the Nets, who had one of the highest payrolls in the league last year ($61.3 million), know it will be impossible to keep that goal if they re-sign Kenyon Martin in free agency this summer and Richard Jefferson to an extension in the fall.
Kidd, Martin and Jefferson, combined with Alonzo Mourning's long-term deal, likely would put the Nets over the cap. Moving Kidd may be the only way to keep the rest of the young core intact. They won't give him away, but if they can find a veteran team for which Kidd would be willing to play -- and that would be willing to give up a young point guard -- they may have to pull the trigger.
Paul Pierce, SG, Celtics: Pierce's name popped up in a rumor with the Bulls just days before the draft. Danny Ainge denies he's shopping Pierce, but, at the same time acknowledged that given the team's situation (a whopping five players with one or fewer years of experience) he has to listen to offers. Expect them to come for Pierce in bunches. With Ricky Davis, Jiri Welsch and draft-pick Tony Allen in the backcourt, perhaps Ainge feels he can move Pierce if someone is willing to give up a big in return.
Vince Carter, SG, Raptors: New GM Rob Babcock already is denying reports out of Toronto that the team is looking to move Carter. In this case it appears Carter's camp is putting pressure on the team for the move. While rumors of a VC-for-Allen Iverson swap were bogus, the Raptors know Carter is one of the few assets they have that will bring value back in return.
Peja Stojakovic, SF, Kings: The team would prefer to move Chris Webber, but given his injury history and bad knees, that seems impossible. Bad blood was created in Sacramento at the end of the postseason when Webber singled out Stojakovic for a poor postseason performance. Reports out of L.A. indicate the Kings have offered Stojakovic in a package to the Lakers for Shaq. If he's really available, they'll get a flood of offers.
Ray Allen, SG, Sonics: He clashed repeatedly with coach Nate McMillan last year and has given Sonics brass signs that he might not re-sign when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. Look for the Sonics to move him now, preferably for a big man, while they can still get some value in return.
Shawn Marion, SF, Suns: The Suns were willing to include him in a deal for Tracy McGrady and now will look for other places Marion might fit. It sounds like the team is targeting its backcourt this summer and would like to move Joe Johnson to the three. Getting Marion's big contract off the books gives them a lot more flexibility to go after other pieces. While most teams believe he's overpaid, there's no doubt it's hard to find a small forward capable of averaging 20 and 10 on a nightly basis.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, PF, Blazers: There's a huge logjam in Portland right now, and Abdur-Rahim looks like the odd guy out. The Blazers and Nets seriously discussed an Abdur-Rahim-for-Kerry Kittles swap before the draft, and indications are they're still talking. The Sonics also have shown a lot of interest, and the Jazz could be in the mix here, as well.
Wally Szczerbiak, SF, Timberwolves: Wally was the odd man out of the Wolves' starting five once the team traded for Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell. The Wolves are open to moving him once his base-year status expires Wednesday. The Cavs and Bulls have shown a lot of interest in Wally in the past.
Jason Richardson, SG, Warriors: It became clear toward the end of last season that Mickael Pietrus, not Richardson, was the real two guard of the future for the Warriors. Richardson is coming off a great year in Golden State and should be able to fetch some value in return. This is another place the Bulls might want to look if they're still willing to trade Tyson Chandler.
Jason Terry, G, Hawks: The team is rebuilding, and Terry wants out. The Hawks will have a number of suitors and urgently need to address some huge holes in their frontcourt. They can't move Terry without his permission until Sept. 25, but expect him to agree to almost anything at this point.
The Pacers want backcourt help in exchange for Al Harrington.
Al Harrington, F, Pacers: Harrington asked for a trade at the end of the season. He's sick of coming off the bench and wants to take a bigger role on a lesser team. Larry Bird is willing to move him but has been careful to keep his options open. He wants to add some firepower in the backcourt or another big man to patrol the middle, and he needs Harrington as bait. If offers for T-Mac and Shaq fall through, a Harrington-for-Terry swap makes a lot of sense for both teams.
Caron Butler, SF, Heat: The Heat deny they're trying to trade Butler, but the word from several GMs is Miami is using him as bait, hoping a team will agree to also take Eddie Jones for either a serviceable five or a veteran point guard. The Heat won't just give Butler away, but the truth is they're really set at both the two and the three with Dwyane Wade and Lamar Odom. Sooner or later, they've got to address their other areas.
Matt Harpring, SF, Jazz: The Jazz know they aren't going to be totally successful obtaining everything they need in free agency and will have to use trade bait to get the rest. Harpring was great for them two years ago and was solid again last season before getting injured. But the team is loaded with swingmen and desperately needs help up front. If Harpring can buy them a player like that, he could be gone.
Antoine Walker, PF, Mavericks: Remember two years ago when everyone began believing Walker actually was an asset? My, how times have changed. The only thing propping up his trade value these days is that he's in the last year of his contract. The Mavs want to move him in return for a big man. Will anyone bite?
Jerry Stackhouse, SG, Mavericks: Speaking of overpaid Mavericks, the team had little intention of keeping Stack when it traded for him last week. The Mavs are looking for a veteran four in return. But, is anyone still interested in him?
Jamal Mashburn, SF, Hornets: Two years removed from the best season in his career and an all-star appearance, the Hornets are giving away Mashburn. Injuries, however, are expected to cool the market for him.
Tyson Chandler, PF/C, Bulls: It sounds like Bulls GM John Paxson is going to break up the Baby Bulls, and our money is on Chandler to get the boot. Eddy Curry, because he plays center and can score with his back to the basket, is too rare a commodity. While Chandler's value may not be as high as it once was, he still has enough juice to bring a seasoned four in return. Wouldn't a Chandler-for-Stromile Swift deal work for both the Grizzlies and the Bulls? We're pretty sure Swift would agree to the sign-and-trade.
Speaking of T-Mac and the Franchise ...
Steve Francis may have accepted his fate -- a trade to the Orlando Magic. However, it appears Magic GM John Weisbrod still isn't ready to pull the trigger on a trade to send Tracy McGrady to the Rockets that has been rumored for the last 10 days.
Monday, Francis flew to Orlando for a Tuesday meeting with Weisbrod, and Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said his client had warmed considerably to the idea of playing in Orlando.
"We're in the process of making arrangements for Steve to fly tomorrow," Fried told the Houston Chronicle. "I know he's meeting with John. If John decides to bring in the ownership group, that's John's decision.
"It was a joint understanding between John and us that the next prudent step is for Steve and John to get together. We talked after the draft and again (Monday) morning. It just seems it would be prudent for a team thinking of making a player the focal point of a team, and for a player in a trade as the focal point, to spend time together to talk about philosophies and the general approach to things."
However, Weisbrod refused to acknowledge that he had invited Francis to Orlando or that the deal with the Rockets, which most folks around the league -- including the Rockets -- believe to be imminent, is actually in the works.
"I do not know at this point whether we will have him in town or not," Weisbrod said. "If we do, it will be something that he's interested in doing. I didn't ask him to come to town, and that's probably why he's a little further down that road and telling people that. But if he wants to come to town, we're certainly happy to spend the time."
The Magic and Rockets have until Wednesday to get a deal done. If they can't work something out by then, they won't be able to pull the trigger on a deal until July 15 -- after the NBA's two-week player movement moratorium. By then, the players involved likely will have to change. Right now the deal is McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines for Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. However, Lue is on the verge of opting out of his contract, which means he no longer could be included in the trade.
"Obviously, if you are going to do any trade, you want to do it when the timing is right and the pieces are perfect," Weisbrod said. "But the resolution of the Tracy situation, whether that means he gets traded or we decide to cut bait and put him in the lineup next year, that being resolved in August doesn't adversely affect our ability to do the rest of the things that we have to do."
Weisbrod claims there are four teams still in the hunt. Three of them we know -- the Rockets, Pacers and Suns. The fourth is still a mystery, though teams like the Heat, Bulls and Clippers have been mentioned as possibilities.
The news that Weisbrod is still waffling has rankled the Rockets, who believed they had a done deal with the Magic more than a week ago. If the Magic hold out until after the deadline, the Rockets will be put in a funny position.
Now that they've essentially let Francis know they want to trade him, bringing him back will be awkward. The team is going to have to start looking for other teams interested in the Franchise. No matter what they do, chances are they won't get as good a deal. Either way, it's going to be a tough sell.
Meanwhile, a word of warning to the other three teams negotiating with the Magic. Don't call your players and tell them they're being traded to the Magic until after the league office truly finalizes the deal.
