Friday, July 30
Kidd will reportedly demand trade
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Jason Kidd
Nets
?
Jul. 30 - Kidd returned from vacation Thursday only to learn that Kerry Kittles will join Kenyon Martin and Rodney Rogers as former Nets, and the all-star point guard immediately requested a meeting with owner Bruce Ratner. The Newark Star-Ledger reports Kidd will officially request a trade at this time. "He took the Nets' money because they told him they were going to try to win the championship -- false pretenses," Kidd's friend told the paper. "Knowing Jason, he'll want out. I'd bet that he's not playing until they trade him."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Vince Carter
Raptors
Knicks?
Hornets?
Jul. 30 - Not only does Carter want out of Toronto, but the New York Daily News is reporting that he knows exactly where he wants to go. According to the paper, Carter will announce publicly on Saturday that he wants to play for the Knicks. "The last thing Toronto wants is for things to turn ugly," a source told the paper. "Vince likes New York; he has a relationship with Isiah and he wants to play there."
The Toronto Sun reports that this is just another rumor like the one that had Carter and Jalen Rose going to New Orleans for Jamaal Magloire and P.J. Brown. "I have better things to do than to spend half my days refuting things that aren't even close," general manager Rob Babcock said of the Hornet scenario. "This is something completely false and has no merit to it at all. There's absolutely zero, zero discussion at all about anything like that." Another rumor had Carter going to Seattle for Ray Allen.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Jon Barry
Nuggets
Hawks
Nuggets
Clippers
Retirement?
Jul. 30 - Barry, a free-agent guard, told the Rocky Mountain News he'll consider retirement if he doesn't receive what he considers an acceptable offer. Barry, 35, who played for the Nuggets last season, has been taking with several teams, including the Hawks and Clippers, but hasn't received a concrete offer. Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe said Denver has "a lot of interest" in Barry, but hasn't decided how he'll use the team's available cap space ($2.3 million).
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Erick Dampier
Warriors
Knicks
Hawks
Grizzlies
Pacers
Suns
Jul. 29 - The Knicks have reportedly upped their offer to Golden State, offering Kurt Thomas and Othella Harrington (who is in the last year of his contract) to the Warriors for Dampier in a sign-and-trade. Thomas could provide the Warriors with a much-needed veteran presence at the four, though Chris Mullin might balk at the five years, $36.8 million left on his contract.
If things don't go that way, Dampier will likely sign the Hawks' offer. The Hawks have, according to sources, upped their offer to Dampier now that they've received considerable trade interest from several teams, including the Grizzlies. The Warriors may not be interested in doing a sign-and-trade, but the Hawks wouldn't be averse to signing Dampier and then trading him. If they sign Dampier, they won't be able to trade him until Dec. 15th.
There's always the risk, given his history, that Dampier will get injured and become untradeable before the deadline. But if he goes to Atlanta and plays well for a few months, it may convince a team like the Grizzlies or Pacers to make a trade that could help fill a number of holes that the Hawks have.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Darius Miles
Blazers
Blazers
Hawks
Clippers
Bobcats
Jul. 29 - Portland wants to re-sign him, but its original offer sheet was very low, causing Miles to look elsewhere. Unfortunately for Miles, unless the Hawks, Clippers or Bobcats come through, he's not going to be able to cash in on the free-agent bonanza the way some were. That's the curse of restricted free agency. If the Blazers trade Shareef Abdur-Rahim, they might be more willing to commit. There's no question Miles wants out of Portland. He was stunned when the team offered him a contract that started lower than its one-year tender offer ($5.9 million). The few teams left with cap room have been reluctant to make offers because the Blazers are claiming they'll match. Several teams are willing to do sign-and-trades, but the Blazers are refusing to talk.
That leaves Miles with just two options. One, he can still try to convince a team like the Clippers, Hawks, Suns (if Quentin Richardson's offer isn't matched) or the Bobcats to make him an offer. The Clippers make the most sense. He flourished in L.A. and has a rock-solid relationship with Corey Maggette, Elton Brand and rookie Shaun Livingston. He works out with all three at Hoops the Gym in Chicago all summer. He's also best friends with Quentin Richardson. The two would love to be reunited.
If that doesn't work, Miles can accept Portland's one-year tender offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Doing so guarantees that he'll bolt the Blazers next summer. Like most free agents, he'd prefer to get a deal done now before the collective bargaining agreement expires . . . but given the current climate in Portland, sources say he's on the verge of taking the tender offer.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Mo Williams
Jazz
?
Jul. 29 - Williams worked his way into the Jazz rotation last season, which resulted in Utah tendering a qualifying offer to the young point guard. However, the Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that Williams might be looking for a team with more playing time available since the Jazz already have Carlos Arroyo and Raul Lopez under contract.
"We didn't draft a point guard and we didn't sign a [new] point guard," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said. "That's what he should be looking at." By giving Williams the offer, the Jazz can match any other offers that may come his way.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Karl Malone
Lakers
Lakers
Spurs
Heat
Jul. 28 - Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, says there is no news to report yet but the South Florida Sun-Sentinel ran a story in which Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale said the Mailman is headed for Miami. The story originally ran in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Manley admits that the Heat and Malone have had ongoing discussions. Heat general manager Randy Pfund doesn't deny his interest in Malone, but knows it may be awhile before Malone even decides to play again, much less for which team.
"Obviously Karl Malone is a name we have a lot of interest in," Pfund told the Palm Beach Post. "We're heavy at that spot, but Karl is special."
The Lakers are now offering $1.65 million to Malone, who has yet to say he would return at all after having offseason surgery on his knee and finger. The Spurs, meanwhile, have offered the future Hall of Famer $1.1 million.
WHO
INTEREST
THE SKINNY
Veteran small forward, guard
Jul. 28 - The Heat are pursuing a power forward, most notably Karl Malone, but they're looking to add a veteran small forward and experienced point guard as well. According to the Palm Beach Post, Eric Williams and Bob Sura are among the players the Heat are targeting.
Williams, 32, spent last season with Cleveland and Boston, and his known for his defensive prowess. "He could be that person," Miami GM Randy Pfund said. "He's a good all-around team guy, a good defender and a winner."
At point guard, the Heat have Dwyane Wade and Keyon Dooling, but Pfund says the team needs more depth. Sura, 31, can play both guard spots and provide instant offense off the bench. Other guards the Heat could consider are Charlie Ward, Kenny Anderson, Brevin Knight and Lindsey Hunter.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Jamal Crawford
Bulls
Bulls
Knicks
Jul. 28 - The much-publicized deal between the Knicks and the Bulls over Crawford has again fizzled. Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas flew all the way to Chicago on Tuesday to finalize the deal, but insisted on keeping Moochie Norris in the package instead of Dikembe Mutombo. The Bulls have long ago declined such a deal and Thomas returned to New York empty handed. The Arlington Daily Herald reports that even if a deal is not done that would pay Crawford $42.8 million over six years in the sign-and-trade proposal, the Bulls are offering the restricted free agent $39 million over that same amount of time.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Blazers
Nets
Jul. 26 - With the news that the Blazers have signed Trenton Hassell to an offer sheet, Nets CEO Rod Thorn announced that the deal for Abdur-Rahim was over. "The deal is dead," Thorn said in the Newark Star-Ledger. "It was probably dead anyway."
New Jersey was offering Portland Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams and a draft pick for Reef, but Kittles is no longer needed if the Timberwolves do not match the Hassell offer. "Portland blew an excellent opportunity and the Nets blew a chance to replace Kenyon Martin," Reef's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said in the New York Post. "I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't disappointed."
According to the New York Post, the Nets are now interested in Clippers backup forward Chris Wilcox.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Antoine Walker
Mavericks
Sixers
Knicks
Jul. 26 - Antoine Walker predicts he could be playing for New York next season, assuming the Knicks can work a trade for the Mavericks forward.
"I think I'm going to be in a Knick uniform. That's my prediction, but we'll wait and see," Walker told ESPN.com on July 23. "I've got to go, but obviously I'm under contract, so they don't have to move me. I don't know if the grass is greener for me elsewhere, but there had been too many negative things with the situation in Dallas. They left me unprotected [in the expansion draft] and all the trade talks, and they made moves like Steve [Nash] going the other way [signing with Phoenix]."
A possible Knick trade could include Kurt Thomas but would also mean more players for an equal salary swap. Walker said he has spoken to the Knicks as well as the 76ers. A potential trade with the Sixers could include Glenn Robinson.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Vin Baker
Cavs
Knicks
Jul. 22 - Baker recently traveled to Cleveland to meet with Cavs GM Jim Paxson. Baker, who is coming off a season where he spent weeks in rehab and is recovering from "minor" heart surgery, happens to be a client of Aaron Goodwin, the agent for LeBron James. There aren't many power forwards who can replace Carlos Boozer, but Baker would be a gamble.
The New York Post reported that Baker's first choice is the Knicks. Baker met with GM Isiah Thomas and coach Lenny Wilkens, according to the paper, and his re-signing could happen soon.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Robert Horry
Spurs
Heat?
Jul. 21 - Shaquille O'Neal is now openly recruiting several former teammates and Horry is one of them. With needs at power forward, shooting guard and point guard, with very limited cap space, Miami is hoping Shaq's presence will entice players to join the team at lower rates. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports the Heat have half of their mid-level exception, a $1.6 million exception and a $1.5 million veterans exception to offer.
"It depends on whether some guys are looking to get every last dollar or if some are willing to take a little less to come to Miami and play with Shaq in this energetic city," GM Randy Pfund told the newspaper. "Over the next few days we'll see which guys fit into the minimum slots and which guys we can offer a little bit of money to, to see where the market goes. There's still money flowing out there, and we have to be prudent."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Stromile Swift
Grizzlies
Grizzlies
Hawks
Bobcats
Jul. 20 - Swift expected to be a hot commodity this summer, but the Grizzlies made it known they planned to match any offer, and the market cooled pretty quickly.
The Hawks and Bobcats could use him and have enough cash left to make the Grizzlies sweat. The Hawks spent some time talking with Erick Dampier on Monday, but walked away from the meeting with the feeling that they weren't going to land him. Expect them to turn their attention to signing Swift now. He's the best free-agent big man on the board and he'll come cheaper than Damp.
The Bobcats would also be a fit. They've been stockpiling bigs, but they don't have anyone of Swift's caliber. A front line of Swift and Emeka Okafor would be among the most athletic in the league.
With that said, none of this precludes the Grizzlies from matching. They claim they want Swift back, and if they lose out on Dampier, they may have no choice but to pay him that cash. Without him, their front line takes a major hit. With the way other teams in the West are improving, they may not be able to afford to let him go.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Paul Pierce
Celtics
?
Jul. 15 - Pierce isn't going to lie. He told the Boston Herald he was about to demand a trade like Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter and Shaquille O'Neal, but he sat down one last time with coach Doc Rivers and everything changed. "I just wanted to spend some time with him and talk about things. It was real good. He talked about the way he wanted to use me and the things he expects from me. It was great. I mean, after hearing what he had to say, I have a lot of confidence in Doc and what we can do with this team. Then (Tuesday) I had a talk with Danny (Ainge) and he gave me some good reassurances about what we're doing.
"Last year was just so hard. I know I don't ever want to go through anything like that again. There were things happening that I really didn't understand at the time. But hearing it from Danny really helps now. I can see what he wants to do. So I'm here for the long term. I signed the big contract because I want to be here, and I bought a house back there last summer. I'm willing to deal with whatever comes up."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Shawn Marion
Suns
Hornets?
Jul. 14 - The Suns may have added Steve Nash and signed Quentin Richardson to an offer sheet, but they're just getting started. At least one paper in the Phoenix is saying that the team will now send Shawn Marion packing in exchange for a big man.
The Suns, say the East Valley Tribune, don't want a high-scoring lineup with undersized Amare Stoudemire at center and Marion at power forward. They'd rather have Stoudemire at power forward and bring in a legit center. The article goes on to state without any quotes that their target could be Jamaal Magloire of the New Orleans Hornets, who have lost their all-star small forward, Jamal Mashburn.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Allan Houston
Knicks
?
Jul. 14 - Leaving Allan Houston exposed in the expansion draft is one thing. But openly courting Jamal Crawford, who plays the same position as Houston, is another. And the New York Daily News says that these moves could pave the way for Houston leaving New York.
"I can't control who comes," said Houston. "The decision to leave me unprotected was a decision Isiah made in assuming that they wouldn't have the money to do that. I don't take offense to any of that. I don't think I have room in my mind to think about anything else. I'm so focused on being healthy and being the best I've ever been that I don't even have room in my mind to think about Crawford or expansion. I had to be told that Shaq got traded. I don't have a lot of room in my head to put too much in there."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Kurt Thomas
Knicks
Knicks
Mavs
Cavs
Jul. 13 - One rumor has Thomas going to Cleveland for Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Another has Thomas involved with Vince Carter. Yet another has him in a deal that would bring Antoine Walker and Erick Dampier to New York.
"You hear a lot of rumors so maybe something is going to happen," Thomas said in the New York Daily News. "I have no idea if I'm going to be here. I just know that when training camp starts, wherever I am, I'm going to be in great shape."
Trade rumors aren't anything new for Thomas, but they have more impact now that the power forward doesn't seem to be getting along with team president Isiah Thomas or point guard Stephon Marbury.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cavaliers
Cavaliers
Knicks
Jul. 12 - The Cavs have reportedly contacted the New York Knicks about a trade involving Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas and another player to make the salaries match. The Cavs are still reeling from the Carlos Boozer debacle while the Knicks are becoming more and more desperate to make a move in any direction.
Of course, the Knicks are still in discussions with the Bulls over Jamal Crawford and with the Mavericks over Antoine Walker. The intriguing aspect of this deal, as reported by the Willoughby News Herald, is that the Cavs may try to unload Z for less in the attempt to get far enough under the cap to match Boozer's offer sheet from the Jazz.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Othella Harrington
Knicks
Bulls
Jul. 9 - After heated words were exchanged, Knicks president Isiah Thomas agreed to get Harrington off the payroll as part of an offseason trade. Othella was upset he was left off the playoff squad and Thomas was upset that Harrington had yet to distinguish himself from the other undersized power forward the Knicks had under contract.
"I'd be shocked if he was in a Knick uniform at training camp," David Bauman said in the New York Post. "His Knick days are numbered. We want him out in a major way. The Bulls would be a good fit." Talks continue between the Knicks and Bulls in a trade centered on Jamal Crawford.
Kidd will reportedly demand trade
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Jason Kidd
Nets
?
Jul. 30 - Kidd returned from vacation Thursday only to learn that Kerry Kittles will join Kenyon Martin and Rodney Rogers as former Nets, and the all-star point guard immediately requested a meeting with owner Bruce Ratner. The Newark Star-Ledger reports Kidd will officially request a trade at this time. "He took the Nets' money because they told him they were going to try to win the championship -- false pretenses," Kidd's friend told the paper. "Knowing Jason, he'll want out. I'd bet that he's not playing until they trade him."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Vince Carter
Raptors
Knicks?
Hornets?
Jul. 30 - Not only does Carter want out of Toronto, but the New York Daily News is reporting that he knows exactly where he wants to go. According to the paper, Carter will announce publicly on Saturday that he wants to play for the Knicks. "The last thing Toronto wants is for things to turn ugly," a source told the paper. "Vince likes New York; he has a relationship with Isiah and he wants to play there."
The Toronto Sun reports that this is just another rumor like the one that had Carter and Jalen Rose going to New Orleans for Jamaal Magloire and P.J. Brown. "I have better things to do than to spend half my days refuting things that aren't even close," general manager Rob Babcock said of the Hornet scenario. "This is something completely false and has no merit to it at all. There's absolutely zero, zero discussion at all about anything like that." Another rumor had Carter going to Seattle for Ray Allen.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Jon Barry
Nuggets
Hawks
Nuggets
Clippers
Retirement?
Jul. 30 - Barry, a free-agent guard, told the Rocky Mountain News he'll consider retirement if he doesn't receive what he considers an acceptable offer. Barry, 35, who played for the Nuggets last season, has been taking with several teams, including the Hawks and Clippers, but hasn't received a concrete offer. Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe said Denver has "a lot of interest" in Barry, but hasn't decided how he'll use the team's available cap space ($2.3 million).
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Erick Dampier
Warriors
Knicks
Hawks
Grizzlies
Pacers
Suns
Jul. 29 - The Knicks have reportedly upped their offer to Golden State, offering Kurt Thomas and Othella Harrington (who is in the last year of his contract) to the Warriors for Dampier in a sign-and-trade. Thomas could provide the Warriors with a much-needed veteran presence at the four, though Chris Mullin might balk at the five years, $36.8 million left on his contract.
If things don't go that way, Dampier will likely sign the Hawks' offer. The Hawks have, according to sources, upped their offer to Dampier now that they've received considerable trade interest from several teams, including the Grizzlies. The Warriors may not be interested in doing a sign-and-trade, but the Hawks wouldn't be averse to signing Dampier and then trading him. If they sign Dampier, they won't be able to trade him until Dec. 15th.
There's always the risk, given his history, that Dampier will get injured and become untradeable before the deadline. But if he goes to Atlanta and plays well for a few months, it may convince a team like the Grizzlies or Pacers to make a trade that could help fill a number of holes that the Hawks have.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Darius Miles
Blazers
Blazers
Hawks
Clippers
Bobcats
Jul. 29 - Portland wants to re-sign him, but its original offer sheet was very low, causing Miles to look elsewhere. Unfortunately for Miles, unless the Hawks, Clippers or Bobcats come through, he's not going to be able to cash in on the free-agent bonanza the way some were. That's the curse of restricted free agency. If the Blazers trade Shareef Abdur-Rahim, they might be more willing to commit. There's no question Miles wants out of Portland. He was stunned when the team offered him a contract that started lower than its one-year tender offer ($5.9 million). The few teams left with cap room have been reluctant to make offers because the Blazers are claiming they'll match. Several teams are willing to do sign-and-trades, but the Blazers are refusing to talk.
That leaves Miles with just two options. One, he can still try to convince a team like the Clippers, Hawks, Suns (if Quentin Richardson's offer isn't matched) or the Bobcats to make him an offer. The Clippers make the most sense. He flourished in L.A. and has a rock-solid relationship with Corey Maggette, Elton Brand and rookie Shaun Livingston. He works out with all three at Hoops the Gym in Chicago all summer. He's also best friends with Quentin Richardson. The two would love to be reunited.
If that doesn't work, Miles can accept Portland's one-year tender offer and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Doing so guarantees that he'll bolt the Blazers next summer. Like most free agents, he'd prefer to get a deal done now before the collective bargaining agreement expires . . . but given the current climate in Portland, sources say he's on the verge of taking the tender offer.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Mo Williams
Jazz
?
Jul. 29 - Williams worked his way into the Jazz rotation last season, which resulted in Utah tendering a qualifying offer to the young point guard. However, the Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that Williams might be looking for a team with more playing time available since the Jazz already have Carlos Arroyo and Raul Lopez under contract.
"We didn't draft a point guard and we didn't sign a [new] point guard," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said. "That's what he should be looking at." By giving Williams the offer, the Jazz can match any other offers that may come his way.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Karl Malone
Lakers
Lakers
Spurs
Heat
Jul. 28 - Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, says there is no news to report yet but the South Florida Sun-Sentinel ran a story in which Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale said the Mailman is headed for Miami. The story originally ran in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Manley admits that the Heat and Malone have had ongoing discussions. Heat general manager Randy Pfund doesn't deny his interest in Malone, but knows it may be awhile before Malone even decides to play again, much less for which team.
"Obviously Karl Malone is a name we have a lot of interest in," Pfund told the Palm Beach Post. "We're heavy at that spot, but Karl is special."
The Lakers are now offering $1.65 million to Malone, who has yet to say he would return at all after having offseason surgery on his knee and finger. The Spurs, meanwhile, have offered the future Hall of Famer $1.1 million.
WHO
INTEREST
THE SKINNY
Veteran small forward, guard
Jul. 28 - The Heat are pursuing a power forward, most notably Karl Malone, but they're looking to add a veteran small forward and experienced point guard as well. According to the Palm Beach Post, Eric Williams and Bob Sura are among the players the Heat are targeting.
Williams, 32, spent last season with Cleveland and Boston, and his known for his defensive prowess. "He could be that person," Miami GM Randy Pfund said. "He's a good all-around team guy, a good defender and a winner."
At point guard, the Heat have Dwyane Wade and Keyon Dooling, but Pfund says the team needs more depth. Sura, 31, can play both guard spots and provide instant offense off the bench. Other guards the Heat could consider are Charlie Ward, Kenny Anderson, Brevin Knight and Lindsey Hunter.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Jamal Crawford
Bulls
Bulls
Knicks
Jul. 28 - The much-publicized deal between the Knicks and the Bulls over Crawford has again fizzled. Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas flew all the way to Chicago on Tuesday to finalize the deal, but insisted on keeping Moochie Norris in the package instead of Dikembe Mutombo. The Bulls have long ago declined such a deal and Thomas returned to New York empty handed. The Arlington Daily Herald reports that even if a deal is not done that would pay Crawford $42.8 million over six years in the sign-and-trade proposal, the Bulls are offering the restricted free agent $39 million over that same amount of time.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Blazers
Nets
Jul. 26 - With the news that the Blazers have signed Trenton Hassell to an offer sheet, Nets CEO Rod Thorn announced that the deal for Abdur-Rahim was over. "The deal is dead," Thorn said in the Newark Star-Ledger. "It was probably dead anyway."
New Jersey was offering Portland Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams and a draft pick for Reef, but Kittles is no longer needed if the Timberwolves do not match the Hassell offer. "Portland blew an excellent opportunity and the Nets blew a chance to replace Kenyon Martin," Reef's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said in the New York Post. "I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't disappointed."
According to the New York Post, the Nets are now interested in Clippers backup forward Chris Wilcox.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Antoine Walker
Mavericks
Sixers
Knicks
Jul. 26 - Antoine Walker predicts he could be playing for New York next season, assuming the Knicks can work a trade for the Mavericks forward.
"I think I'm going to be in a Knick uniform. That's my prediction, but we'll wait and see," Walker told ESPN.com on July 23. "I've got to go, but obviously I'm under contract, so they don't have to move me. I don't know if the grass is greener for me elsewhere, but there had been too many negative things with the situation in Dallas. They left me unprotected [in the expansion draft] and all the trade talks, and they made moves like Steve [Nash] going the other way [signing with Phoenix]."
A possible Knick trade could include Kurt Thomas but would also mean more players for an equal salary swap. Walker said he has spoken to the Knicks as well as the 76ers. A potential trade with the Sixers could include Glenn Robinson.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Vin Baker
Cavs
Knicks
Jul. 22 - Baker recently traveled to Cleveland to meet with Cavs GM Jim Paxson. Baker, who is coming off a season where he spent weeks in rehab and is recovering from "minor" heart surgery, happens to be a client of Aaron Goodwin, the agent for LeBron James. There aren't many power forwards who can replace Carlos Boozer, but Baker would be a gamble.
The New York Post reported that Baker's first choice is the Knicks. Baker met with GM Isiah Thomas and coach Lenny Wilkens, according to the paper, and his re-signing could happen soon.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Robert Horry
Spurs
Heat?
Jul. 21 - Shaquille O'Neal is now openly recruiting several former teammates and Horry is one of them. With needs at power forward, shooting guard and point guard, with very limited cap space, Miami is hoping Shaq's presence will entice players to join the team at lower rates. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports the Heat have half of their mid-level exception, a $1.6 million exception and a $1.5 million veterans exception to offer.
"It depends on whether some guys are looking to get every last dollar or if some are willing to take a little less to come to Miami and play with Shaq in this energetic city," GM Randy Pfund told the newspaper. "Over the next few days we'll see which guys fit into the minimum slots and which guys we can offer a little bit of money to, to see where the market goes. There's still money flowing out there, and we have to be prudent."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Stromile Swift
Grizzlies
Grizzlies
Hawks
Bobcats
Jul. 20 - Swift expected to be a hot commodity this summer, but the Grizzlies made it known they planned to match any offer, and the market cooled pretty quickly.
The Hawks and Bobcats could use him and have enough cash left to make the Grizzlies sweat. The Hawks spent some time talking with Erick Dampier on Monday, but walked away from the meeting with the feeling that they weren't going to land him. Expect them to turn their attention to signing Swift now. He's the best free-agent big man on the board and he'll come cheaper than Damp.
The Bobcats would also be a fit. They've been stockpiling bigs, but they don't have anyone of Swift's caliber. A front line of Swift and Emeka Okafor would be among the most athletic in the league.
With that said, none of this precludes the Grizzlies from matching. They claim they want Swift back, and if they lose out on Dampier, they may have no choice but to pay him that cash. Without him, their front line takes a major hit. With the way other teams in the West are improving, they may not be able to afford to let him go.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Paul Pierce
Celtics
?
Jul. 15 - Pierce isn't going to lie. He told the Boston Herald he was about to demand a trade like Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter and Shaquille O'Neal, but he sat down one last time with coach Doc Rivers and everything changed. "I just wanted to spend some time with him and talk about things. It was real good. He talked about the way he wanted to use me and the things he expects from me. It was great. I mean, after hearing what he had to say, I have a lot of confidence in Doc and what we can do with this team. Then (Tuesday) I had a talk with Danny (Ainge) and he gave me some good reassurances about what we're doing.
"Last year was just so hard. I know I don't ever want to go through anything like that again. There were things happening that I really didn't understand at the time. But hearing it from Danny really helps now. I can see what he wants to do. So I'm here for the long term. I signed the big contract because I want to be here, and I bought a house back there last summer. I'm willing to deal with whatever comes up."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Shawn Marion
Suns
Hornets?
Jul. 14 - The Suns may have added Steve Nash and signed Quentin Richardson to an offer sheet, but they're just getting started. At least one paper in the Phoenix is saying that the team will now send Shawn Marion packing in exchange for a big man.
The Suns, say the East Valley Tribune, don't want a high-scoring lineup with undersized Amare Stoudemire at center and Marion at power forward. They'd rather have Stoudemire at power forward and bring in a legit center. The article goes on to state without any quotes that their target could be Jamaal Magloire of the New Orleans Hornets, who have lost their all-star small forward, Jamal Mashburn.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Allan Houston
Knicks
?
Jul. 14 - Leaving Allan Houston exposed in the expansion draft is one thing. But openly courting Jamal Crawford, who plays the same position as Houston, is another. And the New York Daily News says that these moves could pave the way for Houston leaving New York.
"I can't control who comes," said Houston. "The decision to leave me unprotected was a decision Isiah made in assuming that they wouldn't have the money to do that. I don't take offense to any of that. I don't think I have room in my mind to think about anything else. I'm so focused on being healthy and being the best I've ever been that I don't even have room in my mind to think about Crawford or expansion. I had to be told that Shaq got traded. I don't have a lot of room in my head to put too much in there."
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Kurt Thomas
Knicks
Knicks
Mavs
Cavs
Jul. 13 - One rumor has Thomas going to Cleveland for Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Another has Thomas involved with Vince Carter. Yet another has him in a deal that would bring Antoine Walker and Erick Dampier to New York.
"You hear a lot of rumors so maybe something is going to happen," Thomas said in the New York Daily News. "I have no idea if I'm going to be here. I just know that when training camp starts, wherever I am, I'm going to be in great shape."
Trade rumors aren't anything new for Thomas, but they have more impact now that the power forward doesn't seem to be getting along with team president Isiah Thomas or point guard Stephon Marbury.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cavaliers
Cavaliers
Knicks
Jul. 12 - The Cavs have reportedly contacted the New York Knicks about a trade involving Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas and another player to make the salaries match. The Cavs are still reeling from the Carlos Boozer debacle while the Knicks are becoming more and more desperate to make a move in any direction.
Of course, the Knicks are still in discussions with the Bulls over Jamal Crawford and with the Mavericks over Antoine Walker. The intriguing aspect of this deal, as reported by the Willoughby News Herald, is that the Cavs may try to unload Z for less in the attempt to get far enough under the cap to match Boozer's offer sheet from the Jazz.
WHO
INTERESTED
THE SKINNY
Othella Harrington
Knicks
Bulls
Jul. 9 - After heated words were exchanged, Knicks president Isiah Thomas agreed to get Harrington off the payroll as part of an offseason trade. Othella was upset he was left off the playoff squad and Thomas was upset that Harrington had yet to distinguish himself from the other undersized power forward the Knicks had under contract.
"I'd be shocked if he was in a Knick uniform at training camp," David Bauman said in the New York Post. "His Knick days are numbered. We want him out in a major way. The Bulls would be a good fit." Talks continue between the Knicks and Bulls in a trade centered on Jamal Crawford.
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