bajaden
Hall of Famer
Let's Make A Deal: There are just 59 days until the NBA trade deadline. With the clock ticking down, more and more teams are starting to entertain more "serious" trade talks. Here are the teams who seem more interested in making a deal, and some of the players they are shopping:
This is from Hoopsworld, so take everything with a grain of salt. Well if your going to have the salt, you might as well have a Corona with it.
Charlotte: The Charlotte Bobcats are one of the more aggressive shoppers in the league right now, they are trying to get Larry Brown players more to his liking and word is they would trade just about anyone on the roster not named DJ Augustin. The prime guys being shopping appear to be Raymond Felton, who according to some near the situation would welcome a fresh start with another team. The other Charlotte players being shopped include Adam Morrison, a player with almost no trade value as well as Big Sean May, who could have the worst trade value on the team. The Bobcats have a number of guys no one wants, so the idea of them finding a splashy trade seems fairly remote, but that has not stopped them from going after deals. Expect the Cats to trigger at least one more move before the February 19th trade deadline, and expect the deal to involve moving out Raymond Felton.
Sacramento: The Sacramento Kings are also being aggressive in talks, more or less trying to establish value on Brad Miller. The Kings are also open to moving John Salmons, who may be the more impressive chip the Kings have to cash. The Kings are looking to re-tool this summer so ending deals matter more than talent, although sources close to the situation say picking up a young guy still on a rookie deal with upside might be enticing enough to get the Kings to move. The Kings are trying to package Brad Miller with Kenny Thomas, and were linked to the Miami HEAT's Shawn Marion although it seems there may not be enough interest from the HEAT to get that deal done. The scenario that seems most appealing to the Kings would be swapping Brand Miller and Kenny Thomas to the Cavaliers for the ending contract of Wally Szczerbiak and impressive rookie J.J. Hickson. The Cavs have maintained almost no interest in making a deal, but adding an experienced offensive threat in the frontcourt like Miller might be an interesting upgrade for the Cavs, if they decide to make a move. Moving J.J. Hickson might not be smart in the long term, even though Brad Miller might cement a NBA Finals run and give the Cavs much needed depth at the center position.
Oklahoma City: The Thunder are going nowhere quickly, and like the Kings are looking to turn some of their more veteran players into future flexibility and assets. Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and Earl Watson are all rumored to be available, but sources close to the situation say the Thunder are not looking at long term deals, unless its to acquire a legit future all-star type player. Smith could be a very interesting piece for a playoff team, sources close to the situation say Smith was virtually guaranteed he'd be moved by the trade deadline. The Thunder have been thoroughly impressed with Smith's professionalism so far this season. The Raptors, Magic and HEAT could do a lot worse – all three are rumored to have taken a pass at Smith and the Thunder.
Golden State: Add the Golden State Warriors to the imploding fast, list… The Warriors are not only a bad team, but the chemistry and unity in the locker room appears to be at an all-time low. By contrast the Warriors were one of the tighter groups last year, just goes to show that roster moves do not always make a team better. The Warriors are rumored to be shopping rookie Anthony Randolph and second year player Brendan Wright; both players are firmly in Don Nelson's doghouse. Free agent acquisition Corey Maggette is not too far behind those guys, but reports of a slightly torn Hamstring may limit what teams would offer for an injured Maggette who is in the first year of a five-year $50 million deal. The Warriors have engaged some talks with teams about Marco Belinelli, but seem less interested in moving Marco these days as he is starting to find a role in Nelson's system.
Toronto: The Raptors are shopping for upgrades and are looking for swing players and possibly a backup point guard. The Raptors have also been linked to rebounders and might be a team in the hunt for OKC's Chris Wilcox, although it seems Joe Smith might be the guy they are targeting. The Raptors are rumored to be shopping Anthony Parker who has struggled this year, as well as Andrea Bargnani, although sources close to the team say Bryan Colangelo is not ready to give up on "Bargs" just yet. Raptor sources admit he might be one of the few attractive chips the Raptors have to cash, but he appears to be a last-option type guy. The Raptors might be best suited offering up a Bargnani package and a first round draft pick to the Sacramento Kings for John Salmons. The Kings' swingman might be exactly what the Raptors are missing.
There are several other teams looking for deals including the Knicks and the Wizards but neither seems close to anything serious. The Orlando Magic may be buyers towards the deadline, but Magic GM Otis Smith seems more than happy with his roster so do not look for Orlando to get too crazy, despite reportedly having JJ Redick and Brian Cook on the market. Sacramento: The Sacramento Kings are also being aggressive in talks, more or less trying to establish value on Brad Miller. The Kings are also open to moving John Salmons, who may be the more impressive chip the Kings have to cash. The Kings are looking to re-tool this summer so ending deals matter more than talent, although sources close to the situation say picking up a young guy still on a rookie deal with upside might be enticing enough to get the Kings to move. The Kings are trying to package Brad Miller with Kenny Thomas, and were linked to the Miami HEAT's Shawn Marion although it seems there may not be enough interest from the HEAT to get that deal done. The scenario that seems most appealing to the Kings would be swapping Brand Miller and Kenny Thomas to the Cavaliers for the ending contract of Wally Szczerbiak and impressive rookie J.J. Hickson. The Cavs have maintained almost no interest in making a deal, but adding an experienced offensive threat in the frontcourt like Miller might be an interesting upgrade for the Cavs, if they decide to make a move. Moving J.J. Hickson might not be smart in the long term, even though Brad Miller might cement a NBA Finals run and give the Cavs much needed depth at the center position.
Oklahoma City: The Thunder are going nowhere quickly, and like the Kings are looking to turn some of their more veteran players into future flexibility and assets. Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox and Earl Watson are all rumored to be available, but sources close to the situation say the Thunder are not looking at long term deals, unless its to acquire a legit future all-star type player. Smith could be a very interesting piece for a playoff team, sources close to the situation say Smith was virtually guaranteed he'd be moved by the trade deadline. The Thunder have been thoroughly impressed with Smith's professionalism so far this season. The Raptors, Magic and HEAT could do a lot worse – all three are rumored to have taken a pass at Smith and the Thunder.
Golden State: Add the Golden State Warriors to the imploding fast, list… The Warriors are not only a bad team, but the chemistry and unity in the locker room appears to be at an all-time low. By contrast the Warriors were one of the tighter groups last year, just goes to show that roster moves do not always make a team better. The Warriors are rumored to be shopping rookie Anthony Randolph and second year player Brendan Wright; both players are firmly in Don Nelson's doghouse. Free agent acquisition Corey Maggette is not too far behind those guys, but reports of a slightly torn Hamstring may limit what teams would offer for an injured Maggette who is in the first year of a five-year $50 million deal. The Warriors have engaged some talks with teams about Marco Belinelli, but seem less interested in moving Marco these days as he is starting to find a role in Nelson's system.
Toronto: The Raptors are shopping for upgrades and are looking for swing players and possibly a backup point guard. The Raptors have also been linked to rebounders and might be a team in the hunt for OKC's Chris Wilcox, although it seems Joe Smith might be the guy they are targeting. The Raptors are rumored to be shopping Anthony Parker who has struggled this year, as well as Andrea Bargnani, although sources close to the team say Bryan Colangelo is not ready to give up on "Bargs" just yet. Raptor sources admit he might be one of the few attractive chips the Raptors have to cash, but he appears to be a last-option type guy. The Raptors might be best suited offering up a Bargnani package and a first round draft pick to the Sacramento Kings for John Salmons. The Kings' swingman might be exactly what the Raptors are missing.
This is from Hoopsworld, so take everything with a grain of salt. Well if your going to have the salt, you might as well have a Corona with it.
