Western Conference

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San Francisco Chronicle - Judging by Baron Davis' immobility after Saturday's win over the Cavaliers, the Warriors will be without their starting point guard until after the All-Star break.

Davis, who sprained his right ankle at the end of the first quarter, sat in the visitors' locker room with his foot heavily taped 30 minutes after the game. He couldn't put a sock on without assistance, strapped a soft cast over the foot, and ultimately left the arena in a wheelchair.

Though X-rays taken after the game were negative and the Warriors are officially listing him as day-to-day, Davis sounded prepared for an extended stay on the sidelines.

"The way it feels now, I don't even want to talk about it," he said. "The good thing is, it's a clean sprain. I just got to work out, ride the bike, work on my shot while I'm off. And when I get back, I'm going to lead us to victory."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39115/20060213/baron_davis_out_until_after_all_star_break/


The News Tribune - After the Sonics dropped an uninspiring 120-112 overtime decision to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night at KeyArena, Sonics coach Bob Hill said the team has 11 days to make a personnel move or he is cashing in the season.

Hill has been insinuating for weeks that Ronald Murray is not an adequate backup point guard. But after he played Murray only eight minutes Sunday, watching him miss three shots and commit two turnovers, Hill said he needs help.

“Everybody in Seattle sees we need a backup point guard,” Hill said. “Everybody in our division, everybody we play knows we need a backup point guard. (General manager) Rick Sund is great, he is working, he is doing everything he can to help. We need help. If we can get some help, we can be really good this year.”

Sund has pursued a trade with Denver for Earl Watson and spoke with Boston about acquiring Marcus Banks before Banks was traded to Minnesota.

But if he is unable to consummate a deal by the Feb. 23 trade deadline, Hill said the team is giving up on the competitive portion of the season.

“I think if we don’t make any trades, or we don’t change the team at all, you have to look at playing Johan (Petro) and Robert (Swift) and throwing them the ball, putting sets in for them, developing them even further, getting Damien (Wilkins) on the floor even more,” Hill said. “I think that is the direction we would go, total development of the younger guys.”

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39117/20060213/hill_make_a_trade_or_change_focus/


New York Daily News - Isiah Thomas' conversations with Seattle have centered on Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson, a sign that the Knicks are trying to surround Eddy Curry with rugged power forwards.

Malik Rose is a similar-type player, but the Knicks, according to league sources, are willing to trade Rose and perhaps Trevor Ariza to the Sonics if they can get Fortson and Evans in return.

With Antonio Davis gone, Rose has emerged as the vocal leader in the locker room. He is also the lone Knick with a championship pedigree, having won two titles with the San Antonio Spurs .

"Malik has been great," Larry Brown said of Rose being a positive influence on the team's younger players. "He's really been helpful. A number of them have talked to me about that.

"When you're losing it's important to have character guys in the dressing room. We have good guys in the dressing room."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39109/20060213/knicks_target_fortson_evans_to_surround_curry/
 
"There is, however, a strong possibility the Warriors could stand pat this time around -- which would be fine with Mullin, who said he still has confidence the current roster can get it done. "You always want more. You always want to do better," said Mullin, whose team entered Sunday two games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. "But this is where we are. We got ourselves here. I think these guys can answer the bell."

"For example, the Warriors were offering forward Troy Murphy, guard Derek Fisher, swingman Calbert Cheaney and forward Zarko Cabarkapa to Boston in exchange for Paul Pierce (which does fit under the collective bargaining agreement). The Warriors could sweeten the proposal by using their exception to acquire Celtics point guard Dan Dickau in a second transaction, cutting the $6 million he'll earn over the next two seasons off Boston's payroll."

"Mullin said he doesn't feel pressed to cash in the exception by the deadline. If the exception expires, it wouldn't be like the Warriors got nothing out of the Robinson deal, considering they used the second-round pick they received to draft guard Monta Ellis."

"So the Warriors' most-feasible bait until this offseason is Cabarkapa, Cheaney, swingman Mickael Pietrus and post Andris Biedrins. They may not be in demand enough to land the type of player that would provoke Mullin to pull the trigger."


Mario Elie reportedly is the only one who'll stand up to Baron Davis. Elie wouldn't relent last week when Davis was yelling at the bench and ignoring plays. Also with the Warriors, Mickael Pietrus now starts ahead of Mike Dunleavy Jr. and his new $9 million annual contract."

"Dunleavy's father, Clippers coach Mike Sr., is eager to acquire his son because, with Corey Maggette out, he thinks the Clippers could make a run deep into the playoffs with another key player."

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-0602130106feb13,1,2945667.column?coll=cs-bulls-utility

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/basketball/nba/golden_state_warriors/13859730.htm

The Warriors are going wild with all this talk. ;)

"(Tracy) McGrady, as uncharacteristically as his 3-of-20 shooting night, left the building without working out, as is his postgame routine, and without speaking. Through much of the Rockets' 21st win, he seemed as disconsolate as in the 21-win season in Orlando that brought him to Houston."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3654736.html
 
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Denver Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera is expected to miss 2-3 weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday.

The team's physician cleaned out loose particles from the knee in what the team called a successful procedure. Najera has played in all 53 games this season, averaging 5.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39124/20060213/nuggets_najera_out_2_3_weeks/

That's just bad for the Nuggs...
 
NY Post - The Sonics aren't the least bit interested in assuming Malik Rose's obligation past this season, or taking on the burden of Jamal Crawford's five-year, $43M tab in any kind of trade, with or without Fortson and/or Potapenko, unless the Knicks are prepared to part with Frye. Lee won't get it done.

In other words, the Sonics and Knicks have very little to talk about and, consequently, despite what has been written, have talked very little.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39127/20060214/sonics_arent_interested_in_malik/
 
"Isiah Thomas' intention is to trade Penny Hardaway's expiring contract by the Feb. 23 deadline, but the Knicks president may wait until that day before pulling the trigger, believing offers will get stronger. The Post reported Sunday he was discussing a deal for Hardaway with four teams — Seattle, Denver, Orlando, Portland — trying to create more room under the salary cap. A league executive who has spoken to Thomas said yesterday that a fifth team is slowly emerging and could be the Timberwolves or Lakers. The Knicks want an established young player such as Earl Watson, Marko Jaric, Reggie Evans, Darius Miles or Lamar Odom."

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/59993.htm
 
"Few teams have inquired about reserve center Vitaly Potapenko, who asked for a trade last month, and the Sonics are prepared to let power forward Vladimir Radmanovic walk away after the season without receiving compensation."

"Seattle SuperSonics coach Bob Hill has allies on the team. A day after Hill said the team would give up battling for the Northwest Division title and begin developing players if general manager Rick Sund was unable to trade for a backup point guard in the next 10 days, his two team captains said they understood Hill’s approach and did not have a problem with it."

“The guys that we have potentially may or may not be here next year,” Ray Allen said after the team practiced at Marquette University’s Al McGuire Center. “Organizationally, if our chances are slim to make the playoffs, we have to focus on who is going to be here in the future. It seems like a logical move. Our young guys have been playing well. It does get frustrating when you feel like you have to play for next season.”

"Sonics co-captain Rashard Lewis concurred. “Right now, we are not playing well,” Lewis said. “It is not looking too bright for us. When you know you are not going to make the playoffs, why play your main guys and get somebody injured when you can start focusing on next season?”

"The Sonics are prominently mentioned in various trade rumors around the league – even ones that don’t make much sense – and it appears as if forward Reggie Evans is being pursued by a number of teams that could use his rebounding skills."


Here where his NBA career began, Flip Murray ponders his short-term future. Nine days before the NBA trade deadline, Murray remains with the Sonics, working to snap out of a prolonged slump that has sapped his value to the team. Murray is no longer the Vinnie Johnson-type spark plug off the bench. He is no longer a solution at backup point guard. And he is no longer a productive option to spell Ray Allen. Murray is one of a handful of players whose numbers and effectiveness have declined under coach Bob Hill."

"(Bob) Hill said he would talk to Murray this morning about his slump. But he said he believes the primary reason Murray has slipped this season is the one-year qualifying offer he signed in the offseason that offered little long-term security."

"Murray denies he is being dogged by the rumors or that it's affecting his play."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sonics/2002804006_soni14.html

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/sonics/story/5524862p-4976655c.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/259436_sonx14.html

Sonics - checking out for 05-06 ;). As expected pre-season, Seattle wasn't going to be like the 04-05 team at all.
 
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"Making matters worse, in only his second season, Snyder is developing nicely with the Hornets, for whom he is now starting at shooting guard. His numbers are climbing. The other night, he scored 28 points in a win over Minnesota."

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_3507227

I've always really liked Snyder since he was drafted, but was stuck on a loaded Jazz team, and was barely played, not in the regular roation. Now since December, he's worked his way up quite fast on the Hornets, playing consistently well, and putting up good numbers. He was awesome vs. Minnesota. Think he'll be a very good player in 2-3 years.

In a move that even caught the Blazers' locker room by surprise, (Darius) Miles was activated Monday, and the Blazers' most talented and dynamic player gave the team the lift it had been searching for in a 91-83 win over Charlotte. "He was a spark," said point guard Sebastian Telfair, who had five of the Blazers' 26 assists. "He gave the whole team a certain comfort level. Just seeing him out there gave us a new level of confidence."

"Jason Quick told the guys on SportsRadio 1080 The Fan this afternoon the Blazers and Bobcats are talking about a swap that would include Travis Outlaw and F/C Melvin Ely."

http://www.oregonlive.com/weblogs/blazersblog/

Nice to see Miles is back, he was having a damn good season before he had to get knee surgery.

I'd love for Sac to trade for Ely, the guy is a good young big who can play on both ends well.
 
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David Aldridge said in the pre-game tonight that Phoenix is looking to clear salary to re-sign Diaw and someone else (Marion or Barbosa), and said look for James Jones to be involved.

I REALLY wanted this guy in the off-season, but was too valuable. Too late now though, I'd think.
 
"(Eddie) Griffin. The 6-10 forward has gone missing almost as much as Jaric lately, starting 21 games in a row, then getting four DNP-CDs since Feb. 6. Griffin's name surfaced in a proposed deal for Clippers forward Chris Wilcox, until Wilcox was dealt to the Sonics. He's young (23), has good rebounding and shot-blocking instincts and is under contract for two more seasons at a reasonable price ($2.8 million average)."

http://www.startribune.com/511/story/253145.html

Get 'em, Geoff. :)
 
"The Lakers refused to part with Lamar Odom in a potential deal for Ron Artest - the Pacers wanted to do it - but they are starting to get the notion that they are never going to win big with Odom. While people like Phil Jackson went into the season thinking they could win 50 games, the Lakers are seeing what Miami and the Clippers did: When Odom is not his team's No.1 star, he gladly retreats into the woodwork and too often isn't a factor."

"If L.A. decides to deal Odom this summer, the Knicks are locks to try to make a move. Brown rates Odom and Utah's Andrei Kirilenko as two of the most underrated players in the game."

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/392486p-332880c.html
 
OC Register - Kobe Bryant consistently had the largest crowd of reporters around his table during the NBA All-Star Game's media session Friday.

Popular lines of questioning were Bryant's 81-point game and the next Team USA, but there was also interest in how he is handling playing for a mediocre Lakers team with an uncertain future.

Bryant said he and Coach Phil Jackson aren't that uncertain about it.

"When Phil and I have talked about the future of this team, we both feel like we're not that far away," Bryant said. "One piece, two pieces, maybe. So the vision that we have for the team may be a little different from the direction other people may see us going in. As long as we're on the same page, we're fine."

About the salary-cap space the Lakers will have in 2007 to sign free agents, Bryant said: "I get calls every day from players wanting to come out to L.A. and play. If Mitch (Kupchak) was to ask me about it, I would just tell him and let him handle it from there."

Bryant didn't name the players calling him, but he did say several former teammates called with congratulations after his 81-point game: Caron Butler, Chucky Atkins, Ruben Patterson and Tyronn Lue. Bryant also said Baron Davis called.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39204/20060218/kobe_fielding_calls_from_players_who_want_to_join_the_lakers/ (have to register to get original link, so posted this).
 
Salt Lake Tribune - If the Jazz pull a blockbuster, Carlos Boozer is the guy who will go, and last season's trade rumors have been revived by the 24-year-old's return to action just in time to showcase his recovery from a four-month-long hamstring injury.

The rumors are based on the assumption that the Jazz have grown furious with the most-celebrated free-agent in team history, have tired of paying him more than $11 million a season while he sits out with injuries, and have concluded that his $68 million contract was a mistake.

O'Connor denies that any of that is true. Yet he doesn't completely rule out dealing his highest-paid player, either.

"He [was] hurt. We know he was hurt, but there's not much you can do if people don't believe you," O'Connor protested. "Would we listen to offers? We'll listen to anything. It would be irresponsible not to. But these [reports] that we're trying to dump Carlos, they are coming from people who don't know Carlos and who don't know us. It's ridiculous, but it's part of the business."

http://sltrib.com/jazz/ci_3525327

Salt Lake Tribune - Matt Harpring is an NBA veteran at more than just scoring points and grabbing rebounds. "I've been about to be traded since I got here four years ago," Harpring scoffed at the notion that his name is being circulated. "After awhile, you learn not to listen. I don't even know when [the deadline] is. That sort of stuff is just talk, and you can't let it bother you."

Still, Harpring's situation is a little different this season, and not because of his bad right knee; that, he's had before. No, Harpring may be marginally more marketable this season because his four-year, $18 million contract expires in June.

That allows a team to acquire Harpring and his current $5 million salary with little risk. He is a decent scorer off the bench, averaging nearly 12 points per game, and could provide depth for a contender - then come off its salary cap at season's end.

"If he hadn't missed so many games [because of his knee], he would be really attractive," said a Western Conference personnel director. "As it is, a team might be willing to take a chance on him."

http://sltrib.com/jazz/ci_3525327

Harpring would be great for a team like the Heat, who need/should/are expected to make a move. Let Walker be the back-up PF instead of SF.
 
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Mercury News - Thirty games to figure out who Mickael Pietrus really is, how he fits into the Warriors' big picture and which players, if any, need to be moved out of his way.

That's what the Warriors face starting Tuesday in Sacramento, and you can follow along if you still have the stomach to endure another playoff-free season.

They have 30 games to decide if Pietrus is better than Mike Dunleavy, worth as much money as Troy Murphy, as valuable as Jason Richardson and as essential as Chris Mullin has envisioned.

A new long-term Pietrus deal would draw major financial blood from the Warriors, unless Mullin traded away one or two of the players to whom he has already committed large dollars. You know the list, and it starts with Dunleavy and Murphy.


http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39213/20060219/last_30_games_will_decide_pietrus_fate_with_warriors/ (couldn't find link)

Interesting.
 
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"While a lot of media members have been critical of the deal that sent Sam Cassell and a future No.1 draft choice to the Clippers for Marko Jaric, (Kevin) McHale still likes the trade. "I actually thought Marko played pretty well. Right now he's out of the rotation, but I thought Marko had some good games and bad games," he said. "Overall, I thought he did a good job. Marko's a very, very good basketball player. Right now he's sitting, but I'm sure he'll get another opportunity at some point."

"McHale also believes in another recently benched player, Eddie Griffin. "Eddie had some very, very good games for us earlier," he said. "But right now we're struggling to find our rotation. So I feel bad for Eddie also." McHale said that the team has a long way to go."

http://www.startribune.com/507/story/256944.html

Neither have played/played well since Dec./Jan.
 
"Trail Blazers forward Ruben Patterson not only thinks Portland should make a trade but also has a destination in mind for himself. Of Thursday's impending trading deadline, the 30-year-old defensive specialist said, "The team needs to make a deal. There are a lot of guys who are unhappy here." The 6-foot-5 veteran then enlisted for a trip to the Heat. "They need a defender," he said. "If I went there, they would see a new Ruben Patterson. Ah man, that would be lovely. They could use me."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-ira19feb19,0,6640827.column?page=1&coll=sfla-sports-front

The Heat really could use him. Be that spark to get them back to being legit. Hasn't had any problems and has played well for Portland since coming back from susp.
 
Latest from Jaric in Minnesota:

"Jaric said he appreciates Wolves management's public statements of support, but that doesn't change the fact he isn't playing much. "It's not what we said, it's what we do," Jaric said. "I respect and appreciate how they talk to the media. I just want to see if they really want me to be a part of this team. Nobody needs to baby me and tell the media Marko's good or Marko's bad. I know my value. If you really respect me, then show me. If not, then make a move. That's the bottom line."

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/13921805.htm

Ouch.

"Flip Murray, Reggie Evans and Vitaly Potapenko are all available. The Sonics need to improve their depth while looking forward to a bounce-back season next year."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/ian_thomsen/02/20/trade.prospects/index.html
 
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Mercury News - Dwane Casey has said that he is going to tone down the playoff talk because he wants his team to focus on playing each game and not look too far down the road. No approach Casey has used during the last two months has worked.
The Wolves are 2-8 in the month of February, just 4-9 since the multiplayer trade with the Boston Celtics on Jan. 26. Casey and the players continue to talk about needing more time to come together.

That process is taking longer than anyone could have predicted when the trade was made. At that point, Minnesota was three games under .500. Now, at 23-30, they are seven games under.

What's worse, there's a buzz growing among some media members nationally that Garnett's trademark fire and passion is all but extinguished. He wasn't particularly emotional, at least visibly, against the Wizards.

Garnett took just two shots (and scored two points) in the fourth quarter as he faced double-teams from the Wizards' defense.

"I play off raw emotion, and people don't know that when you play off raw emotion it takes a lot out of you," Garnett said. "I play on both ends. (Antawn) Jamison had 10 points, so I was proud of myself about that. In my younger days I would get all riled up on a couple plays and didn't have nothing come the second half. I learned to channel my energy in different ways. I still curse I just don't curse with the kids in the front row no more."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/13929282.htm

I feel for KG...
 
NY Times - First dispatched from was forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who balked at a six-year, $42 million offer from the Sonics last off-season and instead signed a one-year tender. Struggling and wildly inconsistent, Radmanovic was dealt to the Clippers for forward Chris Wilcox, who had fallen out of favor in Los Angeles.

Radmanovic will be a free agent at the end of the season and General Manager Rick Sund said indications were he would not re-sign with the Sonics. His departure is expected to be just the start.

The acquisition of Wilcox leaves a surplus of power forwards and could spell an end to the Seattle careers of Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson. Once a starter, Evans is now the last man on the bench. Fortson, battling injuries, has not played since Jan. 6.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/22/sports/basketball/22sonics.html
 
Packt said:
If Kevin's name didn't end with Mchale, he'd be let go a long time ago. I didn't realize the Wolves gave up a first round pick (lottery protected) in that deal. There was no way Marko could've ever made giving up that pick worth it.

It was a good trade at the time. The pick may have been high, yeah, but Jaric came off a great season and Cassell was playing like crap. Hindsight is 20/20, give the guy a break. Not all of us have the gift of foresight.
 
Once again, booyah to the Boston Celtics :)

San Antonio Express-News - The Knicks also reportedly have talked to the Timberwolves about exchanging Quentin Richardson, who rarely plays, for Marko Jaric, currently pouting after losing his starting spot to Marcus Banks.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA022206.8C.COL.BKNmonroe.12d985d9.html

Don't understand where this fits in for the Wolves, already having Hassell/McCants/Davis/Reed, guess he'd back-up both of SG/SF?
 
Kings113 said:
Once again, booyah to the Boston Celtics :)



http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/stories/MYSA022206.8C.COL.BKNmonroe.12d985d9.html

Don't understand where this fits in for the Wolves, already having Hassell/McCants/Davis/Reed, guess he'd back-up both of SG/SF?

geeez....seems like the knicks are trying to engineer the nba's greatest week-long overhaul. kg, steve francis, kenyon martin, marko jaric, etc etc etc...at least isiah is considering every possibilty, however bad some of them may be (salary wise, ego wise, etc).
 
I think Isiah is putting all these rumors out himself, just to confuse the issues and keep everyone from figuring out what he's really going to do. Either that, or he doesn't actually know what he's going to do so he's just putting everything out there to see if something sounds logical. Of course, if it does it will be the one deal he WON'T make.
 
VF21 said:
I think Isiah is putting all these rumors out himself, just to confuse the issues and keep everyone from figuring out what he's really going to do. Either that, or he doesn't actually know what he's going to do so he's just putting everything out there to see if something sounds logical. Of course, if it does it will be the one deal he WON'T make.

well...NY just acquired steve francis from the magic for trevor ariza and penny hardaway (expiring contract). the rumor was francis for jamal crawford and maurice taylor, so the deal was close to the rumor. however, that rules out the possibilty of the knicks getting KG for channing frye and penny hardaway, which was another rumor coming from NY. i'm not a big fan of trade checkers, but i wonder if NY could still pull off a KG for frye and *insert a bunch of other players here.* some combination of frye, crawford, and/or taylor? i don't know what all their contracts look like, but i do know that NY's payroll is big enough to accomodate matching salaries, so i guess KG is still a possibilty of them...
 
Houston Chronicle - According to the Houston Chroncile Derek Anderson is attracting some interest, with up to five teams considering acquiring the shooting guard.

The Rockets have tried to complete a deal to move Anderson to the Heat, Cavaliers, Lakers, Nuggets or Magic.

However, each team had other, greater priorities, making a deal with the Rockets unlikely until closer to today's 3 p.m. deadline.

"Everyone's aggressive right now to try to better their team," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "I don't think there's one team that's not aggressively looking to better their team. Some general managers will tell you that. Usually the losing ones, like us ... you guys would think we were nuts if we said, 'You know what, we really like how it's going this year. This is good stuff right here, so we're going to stand pat and feel good.'

"The other ones are going to try to con you. They're trying to get better, too. Detroit is, I'm sure, going to try to find a backup point. Either you're going to try to get better or you're trying to dump contracts so you can get better.

"Either way, you're trying to do something. But every article is the same: We don't expect anything to happen. If it doesn't, 'It's hey I told you.' If it does, it came up at the last second."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/39302/20060223/rockets_looking_to_move_anderson_to_one_of_five_teams/ (no link available)

When he's back, I think he'd be useful for any of those teams.
 
"The (Seattle Sonics) dealt three disgruntled players in two separate deals Thursday, moving Vitaly Potapenko and Reggie Evans in a four-team deal with Denver, Portland and Sacramento for former Sonic Earl Watson and veteran Bryon Russell. Two hours later, the club sent one-time promising guard Flip Murray to Cleveland for guard Mike Wilks. Evans went to Denver, which also received former Sonic Ruben Patterson from the Trail Blazers. The Nuggets sent Watson and a future second-round pick to Seattle and also shipped Voshon Leonard to Portland. Potapenko went to Portland, which then traded him to Sacramento along with forward Sergei Monia for forward Brian Skinner. Finally, the Nuggets received Portland guard Charles Smith to complete the deal."

"The three new Nuggets could play tonight in Minnesota if the nine players involved in the four-team swap pass their physicals on time. "I'm very happy," (Ruben) Patterson said Thursday night. "It's a blessing. It's a dream come true."

"Nuggets coach George Karl called the 6-foot-5 Patterson his new defensive "attack dog," adding that he had coveted the swingman since his days coaching Milwaukee. The Nuggets often say any move they make must take defending champion San Antonio into account. Asked about defending Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, Patterson said, "I'd definitely love to take that challenge. I've been watching Denver in the playoffs and definitely seen Ginobili give them problems." Denver Post

"Calling himself "extremely happy" to join Denver, the 6-8 (Reggie) Evans explained his rebounding skill by saying, "It's just a matter of trying to be real active. ... My main thing is this - if you have a different colored uniform than me, you're an enemy of mine."

"The trade also is friendly to Denver's future payroll. Having unloaded Watson, the Nuggets are in less danger of having to pay the luxury tax in 2007-08, when forward Carmelo Anthony is in line to begin the first year of a contract extension that could be for the maximum. Evans signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract before this season and will become a free agent this summer. Because he lost his Larry Bird rights, Evans had to agree to the deal, and any contract the Nuggets give him next summer above the minimum would have to come out of their midlevel exception."

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/260761_trade24.html

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3540926

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_4492860,00.html

I'm liking the Nuggs again, been on and off with them, mostly off. I think that trade will make them a good team again instead of a .500 or decent team.
 
"Forward Andrei Kirilenko did not practice Tuesday and according to the Jazz his availability for tonight's Delta Center meeting with Charlotte will be a "game-time decision." Kirilenko missed the second half of Monday's win at Golden State due to muscle spasms in his lower back, the same problem that caused him to miss three road games in late December — all Utah losses."

http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635188409,00.html

Could really hurt Utah if he's out for at least 3 games again.
 
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