Updated: Feb. 17, 2005
Will Kidd, Abdur-Rahim have new homes soon?
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
So here we are, seven days from the trade deadline, and the flurry of trade rumors that normally bombard the NBA this time of year seem to be on vacation with the rest of the league.
The same names that have been on the trading block since the start of the season are hanging around. Only a few of them have been in active trade talks for the past month or two.
As we reported Monday, it's looking as though we're going to be in for a slow trade lead-up to the deadline. No blockbusters appear to be in the works. A few star-quality veterans are unhappy, but their teams don't seem inclined to trade them.
When NBA general managers are calling me for rumors instead of the other way around, you know things are slow.
What's the problem? Parity and uncertainty about a new collective bargaining agreement play a part. Probably more important, expiring contracts – the one commodity that always seems to be hot – don't have the value they once did. That's because NBA GMs believe there won't be a luxury tax this year. In previous years, teams that were over the tax threshold had a strong interest in slashing payroll at the last minute in an effort to avoid paying the tax. That's not going on this year, either.
So where are we? Although it sounds like some small deals might go down – an expiring contract or two might be moved – it would be irresponsible to suggest that anything else big is in the works.
Still, it's the trade deadline and you want your fix.
Insider is happy to oblige today with a three-part trade deadline primer.
We've spent the last week pulling together, with the help of a few NBA assistant GMs, the most comprehensive list of team trade assets on the net. Want to know what your team has to offer in a trade? Whether it needs to cut cap space? Whether it has a valuable trade exception or expiring contracts? Who on the team is untradable?
Insider goes through every team in the league digging for the answers.
We've also pulled together five trade rules to get you up to speed on what can and can't happen before the trade deadline. Insider readers have been asking for this all year.
For starters, though, here's our list of eight interesting players rumored to be on the trade block. Normally we'd refer to them as the eight guys most likely to get traded. Given the lack of substantive trade talk so far, however, we can't go even that far.
Eight Men Out?
Jason Kidd, PG, Nets
The deal: '05 Salary: $14.7 million. Remaining salary: 4 years, $75 million.
The skinny: Kidd's name first surfaced on the trading block last summer after the Nets traded Kenyon Martin to the Nuggets for draft picks. Kidd was furious at the time. He felt betrayed by GM Rod Thorn, who told Kidd when he signed that he'd do what it took to put a contender on the floor.
However, the decision wasn't Thorn's but new owner Bruce Ratner's. The Nets have since repented, bringing in Vince Carter and Cliff Robinson in an effort to make up the difference. The problem for Kidd is that while Thorn's patch-up job has been admirable, he and the Nets know it won't be enough to make them serious contenders in the East.
Two newspaper reports Wednesday claimed Kidd, over the past few days, told management he was unhappy and wanted to play in Minnesota with Kevin Garnett. Later that day, Kidd denied he asked for a trade while avoiding questions on whether he wanted to team up with Garnett.
"I'm a Net, and I'm going to try and win, so that's the biggest thing I'm concentrating on," Kidd told reporters Wednesday. "There are going to be rumors flying until the deadline has passed."
After Insider called numerous sources in the Nets and Timberwolves and close to Kidd, here's what we know.
Kidd is unhappy. Part of it is lingering resentment over the Martin deal. He feels strongly that, in the Nets' up-tempo system, the team needs an athletic four to run the floor and do all the things Kenyon used to do. For all of Martin's faults, he did understand how to play with Kidd and was a good fit in the Nets' system.
Guys like that don't come along every day. The Nets' plan of finding someone to replace Martin this summer, via their mid-level exception, doesn't sound particularly promising. There is only one free agent available who might be able to fill that role – the Grizzlies' Stromile Swift. However, there's a chance a team with more cap room will get to him first.
Without a dominant four or five, Kidd believes the battle is an upward one at best.
But that is not the only problem. Kidd is also upset about how many minutes coach Lawrence Frank has asked him to play over the last six weeks. Kidd has played 40 or more minutes in eight of the last 11 games, including a 48-minute game against the Lakers and a 49-minute game versus the Sixers in February.
Given his age, and the fact that he just came off the injured list in December after serious knee surgery, Kidd believes Frank is running him into the ground and increasing the likelihood he'll get injured again.
Kidd, or his agent, has spoken to the team about it, but he logged another 40-minute game Wednesday night. Ideally, Kidd wants to play about the same number of minutes the Suns target for Steve Nash, around 32 minutes per night. However, the Nets are so thin right now, they know they have no shot of winning if Kidd isn't on the floor most of the game.
It's in that environment that stories began to surface on Wednesday that Kidd wanted out again. From what Insider can gather from numerous sources, he did not ask for a trade. However, Kidd would prefer the Nets move him to Minnesota. Kidd believes he could win a championship with KG. He's not sold he'll win one in New Jersey with Richard Jefferson and Carter.
The Wolves want him. They made several offers to the Nets during the season to get him, and one Wolves source told Insider on Wednesday that the team still would be willing to pull the trigger on a deal for Kidd.
The holdup is Thorn. According to sources, Thorn is dead set against trading Kidd. He still believes Kidd is the best point guard in the league and there aren't many players who can bring to the Nets each night what Kidd can.
Given Thorn's desire to hold on to Kidd, the chances Kidd will be traded before the deadline are slim. The best Minnesota could do is try to piece together a three-way deal with the Blazers.
The Wolves could send Wally Szczerbiak and the expiring contracts of Latrell Sprewell and Ervin Johnson to the Blazers. The Blazers would send Darius Miles and Ruben Patterson to the Wolves and Shareef Abdur-Rahim (also an expiring contract) to the Nets. New Jersey then would move Kidd on to Minnesota. Despite the fact Miles is a base-year player, that deal works, with the addition of a minimum-salaried player or two, under trade rules.
The deal makes sense for the Blazers and the Wolves, but does it make sense for the Nets? While Abdur-Rahim isn't in the same league as Kidd, he's the type of four who would be a good fit in the Nets' offense. He's younger than Kidd and could be signed to a more reasonable contract this summer.
With Abdur-Rahim on board, the Nets could use their mid-level exception in an effort to land a point guard in free agency. While there isn't anyone of Kidd's caliber available at that price, it's much easier to get a good point guard for the mid-level than it is an athletic big man.
But for now, the whole idea of Kidd's moving is wishful thinking on the part of his camp and the Wolves. Thorn sounds like a man who is going to hold his ground. If that holds true over the next week, Kidd will be wearing a Nets uniform ... at least until next year.
Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
The deal: '05 salary: $3 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: The Bucks are in the toughest spot of any team in the league as the trade deadline approaches. Right now, Redd is the franchise. They cannot afford to lose him this summer and will be willing to pony up big money to re-sign him when he hits restricted free agency.
The problem is Redd also is eyeing Cleveland, and the Cavs are eyeing him. Redd is from Ohio and has privately expressed a desire to return there and play with LeBron James. To make matters worse, the Cavs are the hottest young team in the East, while the Bucks are slowly sinking into the abyss.
Bucks GM Larry Harris is one of the brightest young GMs in the business. What happens in the next week likely will define his future in Milwaukee.
If he holds on to Redd and re-signs him this summer, Harris will be a hero for his patience and steel nerves. If Harris holds on to Redd and Redd bolts to Cleveland, the Bucks will be left with nothing, and the franchise will have to start from scratch. Players such as Desmond Mason, Mo Williams and Dan Gadzuric are nice pieces, but you can't build around them.
It's not even a given that maxing Redd out in Milwaukee is the right thing to do. As good as Redd is, he too is probably a complementary player. If the Bucks max him out, they won't have the cash or the cap room to give him the supporting cast he needs to win.
That's why talk of a Bucks trade has grown in recent weeks. Both the Cavs and Nuggets would be willing to talk. If Harris could get a couple of young prospects – such as Luke Jackson and Anderson Varejao – out of the deal, he'd have to consider it.
Baron Davis, PG, Hornets
The deal: '05 salary: $12.2 million; Remaining contract: 4 years, $63 million.
The skinny: Two months ago, the Hornets were calling around trying to extract an All-Star for Davis. The laughter still hasn't stopped on some teams. Though Davis is unquestionably talented, he's injury-prone, and his attitude leaves something to be desired. The fact his contract is uninsured would seem to close the door to a deal.
But with the way Dan Dickau has played of late, at a fraction of the salary, the Hornets again have been quietly testing the trade waters for Davis. Their goal this time isn't to extract an All-Star but to get an expiring contract and a young prospect.
They'd also be willing to dump P.J. Brown straight up for an expiring contract.
By doing so, the Hornets could drastically cut payroll, go into the summer with a ton of cap room and begin rebuilding around young players such as Jamaal Magloire and J.R. Smith.
What's something that might work? What if the Clippers were willing to part with Kerry Kittles' expiring contract and Chris Wilcox? Or what about the Warriors and Dale Davis' expiring contract and Mike Dunleavy?
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, F, Blazers
The deal: '05 salary: $14.6 million. Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: The Blazers have a number of players in the last year of their contracts and a few more they'd just like to get rid of. Of all the players Portland potentially could move, Abdur-Rahim is the best bet.
He's not a great fit on the team. With Zach Randolph entrenched at the four after signing a huge $80-plus million extension, and Darius Miles and Ruben Patterson at the three, Abdur-Rahim always has been a difficult fit. Coach Mo Cheeks, at management's behest, moved Abdur-Rahim out of position to the three this year. He played well, but everyone knew it wasn't a great fit.
Chances are, Abdur-Rahim will not re-sign with the Blazers this summer. He asked for a trade last summer and has never been happy with his role there. The Nets, Timberwolves, Knicks, Sixers and Sonics have shown interest in the past. However, the Blazers haven't yet been offered enough to pull the trigger.
Expect the offers and the Blazers' willingness to move him to increase this week. Portland shouldn't just let him slip away for nothing, and Abdur-Rahim is too good for someone not to pony up an expiring contract and a nice young asset in return.
Glenn Robinson, SF, Sixers
The deal: '05 salary: $12.1 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: Robinson has sat at the end of the bench all season. For a time, he was injured, but it's more than that now. Head coach Jim O'Brien doesn't want him, and the Big Dog has been fine with milking that for all it's worth. He wants out and believed that sitting out would expedite the trade talk.
It hasn't. The problem for Robinson and the Sixers is that GM Billy King doesn't want to take back a long-term contract in return. He has been looking for another expiring contract to swap for Robinson. It sounds as though he got close with Minnesota in a deal for Latrell Sprewell, but you've got to believe Wolves GM Kevin McHale finally came to the realization he probably would be making things worse, rather than better.
A week ago, it appeared King was content with just letting the deadline pass without moving Robinson. But with Allen Iverson's recent diatribe about the direction of the team, King is under new pressure to get a deal done.
Several teams wouldn't mind giving up a very good player or two if King is willing to throw in one of his younger players, such as Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala or Kyle Korver. So far, King is resisting that direction.
Instead, look for the Sixers to bite the bullet and accept a good player with one more year left on his contract in return for Robinson.
Latrell Sprewell, SG, Timberwolves
The deal: '05 salary: $14.6 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: Kevin McHale might have rallied the troops for a moment by taking over as the Wolves head coach. But he knows, for the long haul, that some serious changes need to happen in Minnesota.
If such changes don't happen, the team risks losing not only the season but also Garnett. Although Sam Cassell and Szczerbiak are trade possibilities, Spree is the obvious target. His contract is expiring at the same time as his legs.
The problem is that, so far, owner Glen Taylor has been unwilling to green-light any deal that would give the Wolves a long-term salary in return.
If Taylor wants to see any return on the $70 million investment he has made this year, he's going to have to change his tune.
Donyell Marshall, F, Raptors
The deal: '05 salary: $5 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: Marshall may be the hottest guy on this list. A number of teams are after him because 1) his contract comes off the books this summer and 2) he can still play.
Teams such as the Heat, Nets, Rockets, Sixers, Knicks and even the Bulls have made concerted efforts to bring him on board. However, there are two reasons nothing has happened so far.
First, Raptors GM Rob Babcock has been insisting that whoever wants Marshall also must take Jalen Rose. Second, Babcock recently has begun to soften his first stance but has asked for a stellar prospect or two in return for Marshall.
Teams like Marshall … but not that much.
If Babcock lowers his asking price to something like a Dorell Wright, he might be in business.
Eric Williams, F, Raptors
The deal: '05 salary: $3.6 million; Remaining contract: 2 years, $8.2 million
The skinny: Williams is another guy teams are very interested in. He doesn't make much money, can play multiple positions and, with the exception of last week's public trade demand, has the rep as a great veteran to have in the locker room.
Several veteran teams – including Miami, Indiana and Philly – would love to get their hands on him. Given Williams' public protests in Toronto, this seems like a no-brainer for Babcock.
---------------
Will Kidd, Abdur-Rahim have new homes soon?
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
So here we are, seven days from the trade deadline, and the flurry of trade rumors that normally bombard the NBA this time of year seem to be on vacation with the rest of the league.
The same names that have been on the trading block since the start of the season are hanging around. Only a few of them have been in active trade talks for the past month or two.
As we reported Monday, it's looking as though we're going to be in for a slow trade lead-up to the deadline. No blockbusters appear to be in the works. A few star-quality veterans are unhappy, but their teams don't seem inclined to trade them.
When NBA general managers are calling me for rumors instead of the other way around, you know things are slow.
What's the problem? Parity and uncertainty about a new collective bargaining agreement play a part. Probably more important, expiring contracts – the one commodity that always seems to be hot – don't have the value they once did. That's because NBA GMs believe there won't be a luxury tax this year. In previous years, teams that were over the tax threshold had a strong interest in slashing payroll at the last minute in an effort to avoid paying the tax. That's not going on this year, either.
So where are we? Although it sounds like some small deals might go down – an expiring contract or two might be moved – it would be irresponsible to suggest that anything else big is in the works.
Still, it's the trade deadline and you want your fix.
Insider is happy to oblige today with a three-part trade deadline primer.
We've spent the last week pulling together, with the help of a few NBA assistant GMs, the most comprehensive list of team trade assets on the net. Want to know what your team has to offer in a trade? Whether it needs to cut cap space? Whether it has a valuable trade exception or expiring contracts? Who on the team is untradable?
Insider goes through every team in the league digging for the answers.
We've also pulled together five trade rules to get you up to speed on what can and can't happen before the trade deadline. Insider readers have been asking for this all year.
For starters, though, here's our list of eight interesting players rumored to be on the trade block. Normally we'd refer to them as the eight guys most likely to get traded. Given the lack of substantive trade talk so far, however, we can't go even that far.
Eight Men Out?
Jason Kidd, PG, Nets
The deal: '05 Salary: $14.7 million. Remaining salary: 4 years, $75 million.
The skinny: Kidd's name first surfaced on the trading block last summer after the Nets traded Kenyon Martin to the Nuggets for draft picks. Kidd was furious at the time. He felt betrayed by GM Rod Thorn, who told Kidd when he signed that he'd do what it took to put a contender on the floor.
However, the decision wasn't Thorn's but new owner Bruce Ratner's. The Nets have since repented, bringing in Vince Carter and Cliff Robinson in an effort to make up the difference. The problem for Kidd is that while Thorn's patch-up job has been admirable, he and the Nets know it won't be enough to make them serious contenders in the East.
Two newspaper reports Wednesday claimed Kidd, over the past few days, told management he was unhappy and wanted to play in Minnesota with Kevin Garnett. Later that day, Kidd denied he asked for a trade while avoiding questions on whether he wanted to team up with Garnett.
"I'm a Net, and I'm going to try and win, so that's the biggest thing I'm concentrating on," Kidd told reporters Wednesday. "There are going to be rumors flying until the deadline has passed."
After Insider called numerous sources in the Nets and Timberwolves and close to Kidd, here's what we know.
Kidd is unhappy. Part of it is lingering resentment over the Martin deal. He feels strongly that, in the Nets' up-tempo system, the team needs an athletic four to run the floor and do all the things Kenyon used to do. For all of Martin's faults, he did understand how to play with Kidd and was a good fit in the Nets' system.
Guys like that don't come along every day. The Nets' plan of finding someone to replace Martin this summer, via their mid-level exception, doesn't sound particularly promising. There is only one free agent available who might be able to fill that role – the Grizzlies' Stromile Swift. However, there's a chance a team with more cap room will get to him first.
Without a dominant four or five, Kidd believes the battle is an upward one at best.
But that is not the only problem. Kidd is also upset about how many minutes coach Lawrence Frank has asked him to play over the last six weeks. Kidd has played 40 or more minutes in eight of the last 11 games, including a 48-minute game against the Lakers and a 49-minute game versus the Sixers in February.
Given his age, and the fact that he just came off the injured list in December after serious knee surgery, Kidd believes Frank is running him into the ground and increasing the likelihood he'll get injured again.
Kidd, or his agent, has spoken to the team about it, but he logged another 40-minute game Wednesday night. Ideally, Kidd wants to play about the same number of minutes the Suns target for Steve Nash, around 32 minutes per night. However, the Nets are so thin right now, they know they have no shot of winning if Kidd isn't on the floor most of the game.
It's in that environment that stories began to surface on Wednesday that Kidd wanted out again. From what Insider can gather from numerous sources, he did not ask for a trade. However, Kidd would prefer the Nets move him to Minnesota. Kidd believes he could win a championship with KG. He's not sold he'll win one in New Jersey with Richard Jefferson and Carter.
The Wolves want him. They made several offers to the Nets during the season to get him, and one Wolves source told Insider on Wednesday that the team still would be willing to pull the trigger on a deal for Kidd.
The holdup is Thorn. According to sources, Thorn is dead set against trading Kidd. He still believes Kidd is the best point guard in the league and there aren't many players who can bring to the Nets each night what Kidd can.
Given Thorn's desire to hold on to Kidd, the chances Kidd will be traded before the deadline are slim. The best Minnesota could do is try to piece together a three-way deal with the Blazers.
The Wolves could send Wally Szczerbiak and the expiring contracts of Latrell Sprewell and Ervin Johnson to the Blazers. The Blazers would send Darius Miles and Ruben Patterson to the Wolves and Shareef Abdur-Rahim (also an expiring contract) to the Nets. New Jersey then would move Kidd on to Minnesota. Despite the fact Miles is a base-year player, that deal works, with the addition of a minimum-salaried player or two, under trade rules.
The deal makes sense for the Blazers and the Wolves, but does it make sense for the Nets? While Abdur-Rahim isn't in the same league as Kidd, he's the type of four who would be a good fit in the Nets' offense. He's younger than Kidd and could be signed to a more reasonable contract this summer.
With Abdur-Rahim on board, the Nets could use their mid-level exception in an effort to land a point guard in free agency. While there isn't anyone of Kidd's caliber available at that price, it's much easier to get a good point guard for the mid-level than it is an athletic big man.
But for now, the whole idea of Kidd's moving is wishful thinking on the part of his camp and the Wolves. Thorn sounds like a man who is going to hold his ground. If that holds true over the next week, Kidd will be wearing a Nets uniform ... at least until next year.
Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
The deal: '05 salary: $3 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: The Bucks are in the toughest spot of any team in the league as the trade deadline approaches. Right now, Redd is the franchise. They cannot afford to lose him this summer and will be willing to pony up big money to re-sign him when he hits restricted free agency.
The problem is Redd also is eyeing Cleveland, and the Cavs are eyeing him. Redd is from Ohio and has privately expressed a desire to return there and play with LeBron James. To make matters worse, the Cavs are the hottest young team in the East, while the Bucks are slowly sinking into the abyss.
Bucks GM Larry Harris is one of the brightest young GMs in the business. What happens in the next week likely will define his future in Milwaukee.
If he holds on to Redd and re-signs him this summer, Harris will be a hero for his patience and steel nerves. If Harris holds on to Redd and Redd bolts to Cleveland, the Bucks will be left with nothing, and the franchise will have to start from scratch. Players such as Desmond Mason, Mo Williams and Dan Gadzuric are nice pieces, but you can't build around them.
It's not even a given that maxing Redd out in Milwaukee is the right thing to do. As good as Redd is, he too is probably a complementary player. If the Bucks max him out, they won't have the cash or the cap room to give him the supporting cast he needs to win.
That's why talk of a Bucks trade has grown in recent weeks. Both the Cavs and Nuggets would be willing to talk. If Harris could get a couple of young prospects – such as Luke Jackson and Anderson Varejao – out of the deal, he'd have to consider it.
Baron Davis, PG, Hornets
The deal: '05 salary: $12.2 million; Remaining contract: 4 years, $63 million.
The skinny: Two months ago, the Hornets were calling around trying to extract an All-Star for Davis. The laughter still hasn't stopped on some teams. Though Davis is unquestionably talented, he's injury-prone, and his attitude leaves something to be desired. The fact his contract is uninsured would seem to close the door to a deal.
But with the way Dan Dickau has played of late, at a fraction of the salary, the Hornets again have been quietly testing the trade waters for Davis. Their goal this time isn't to extract an All-Star but to get an expiring contract and a young prospect.
They'd also be willing to dump P.J. Brown straight up for an expiring contract.
By doing so, the Hornets could drastically cut payroll, go into the summer with a ton of cap room and begin rebuilding around young players such as Jamaal Magloire and J.R. Smith.
What's something that might work? What if the Clippers were willing to part with Kerry Kittles' expiring contract and Chris Wilcox? Or what about the Warriors and Dale Davis' expiring contract and Mike Dunleavy?
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, F, Blazers
The deal: '05 salary: $14.6 million. Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: The Blazers have a number of players in the last year of their contracts and a few more they'd just like to get rid of. Of all the players Portland potentially could move, Abdur-Rahim is the best bet.
He's not a great fit on the team. With Zach Randolph entrenched at the four after signing a huge $80-plus million extension, and Darius Miles and Ruben Patterson at the three, Abdur-Rahim always has been a difficult fit. Coach Mo Cheeks, at management's behest, moved Abdur-Rahim out of position to the three this year. He played well, but everyone knew it wasn't a great fit.
Chances are, Abdur-Rahim will not re-sign with the Blazers this summer. He asked for a trade last summer and has never been happy with his role there. The Nets, Timberwolves, Knicks, Sixers and Sonics have shown interest in the past. However, the Blazers haven't yet been offered enough to pull the trigger.
Expect the offers and the Blazers' willingness to move him to increase this week. Portland shouldn't just let him slip away for nothing, and Abdur-Rahim is too good for someone not to pony up an expiring contract and a nice young asset in return.
Glenn Robinson, SF, Sixers
The deal: '05 salary: $12.1 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: Robinson has sat at the end of the bench all season. For a time, he was injured, but it's more than that now. Head coach Jim O'Brien doesn't want him, and the Big Dog has been fine with milking that for all it's worth. He wants out and believed that sitting out would expedite the trade talk.
It hasn't. The problem for Robinson and the Sixers is that GM Billy King doesn't want to take back a long-term contract in return. He has been looking for another expiring contract to swap for Robinson. It sounds as though he got close with Minnesota in a deal for Latrell Sprewell, but you've got to believe Wolves GM Kevin McHale finally came to the realization he probably would be making things worse, rather than better.
A week ago, it appeared King was content with just letting the deadline pass without moving Robinson. But with Allen Iverson's recent diatribe about the direction of the team, King is under new pressure to get a deal done.
Several teams wouldn't mind giving up a very good player or two if King is willing to throw in one of his younger players, such as Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala or Kyle Korver. So far, King is resisting that direction.
Instead, look for the Sixers to bite the bullet and accept a good player with one more year left on his contract in return for Robinson.
Latrell Sprewell, SG, Timberwolves
The deal: '05 salary: $14.6 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: Kevin McHale might have rallied the troops for a moment by taking over as the Wolves head coach. But he knows, for the long haul, that some serious changes need to happen in Minnesota.
If such changes don't happen, the team risks losing not only the season but also Garnett. Although Sam Cassell and Szczerbiak are trade possibilities, Spree is the obvious target. His contract is expiring at the same time as his legs.
The problem is that, so far, owner Glen Taylor has been unwilling to green-light any deal that would give the Wolves a long-term salary in return.
If Taylor wants to see any return on the $70 million investment he has made this year, he's going to have to change his tune.
Donyell Marshall, F, Raptors
The deal: '05 salary: $5 million; Remaining contract: none.
The skinny: Marshall may be the hottest guy on this list. A number of teams are after him because 1) his contract comes off the books this summer and 2) he can still play.
Teams such as the Heat, Nets, Rockets, Sixers, Knicks and even the Bulls have made concerted efforts to bring him on board. However, there are two reasons nothing has happened so far.
First, Raptors GM Rob Babcock has been insisting that whoever wants Marshall also must take Jalen Rose. Second, Babcock recently has begun to soften his first stance but has asked for a stellar prospect or two in return for Marshall.
Teams like Marshall … but not that much.
If Babcock lowers his asking price to something like a Dorell Wright, he might be in business.
Eric Williams, F, Raptors
The deal: '05 salary: $3.6 million; Remaining contract: 2 years, $8.2 million
The skinny: Williams is another guy teams are very interested in. He doesn't make much money, can play multiple positions and, with the exception of last week's public trade demand, has the rep as a great veteran to have in the locker room.
Several veteran teams – including Miami, Indiana and Philly – would love to get their hands on him. Given Williams' public protests in Toronto, this seems like a no-brainer for Babcock.
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