Updated: Feb. 22, 2005, 1:45 PM ET
Trade rumors getting ugly
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
Trade rumors come in three flavors: The good, the bad and the ugly.
With good ones, you can verify that not only are the teams talking, but there's actual interest in getting a deal done.
The bad ones are when there might have been a phone call and a discussion of a player, but at least one team, for whatever reason, never really seriously considered doing the deal.
The ugly ones not only aren't happening, but never were discussed and make no sense for at least one of the teams allegedly involved. In short, they look a lot like the "reports" out of L.A. and New York over the weekend that the Jazz had agreed to send Carlos Boozer to the Lakers for Caron Butler, Devean George and Vlade Divac.
That scenario, reported both by Fox Sports' Jack Haley and the New York Post's Peter Vecsey, reeks of all three "ugly rumor" criteria.
As of late Monday, Haley was standing by his story. Tuesday's L.A. Times quoted Haley as saying, "I'm very confident in my report. Whether it happens or not is not important." Vecsey at least admitted in his Tuesday column that he hadn't bothered talking to Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor before reporting it. When he did, he found out the same thing most of us found out Sunday. The rumor, to quote O'Connor, is "ludicrous."
Monday, Insider quoted O'Connor as saying there was no substance even to a much more plausible rumor – Boozer and Matt Harpring for Lamar Odom and Butler. Insider also asked O'Connor on Sunday about the other scenario – Boozer for Butler, George and Divac – but he shot it down so quickly we didn't even bother writing about it.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Carlos Boozer[/size]
[size=-2]Power Forward
Utah Jazz[/size]
[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]51[/size][size=-2]17.8[/size][size=-2]9.0[/size][size=-2]2.8[/size][size=-2].521[/size][size=-2].698[/size]Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak also denied Monday that the two sides were even talking.
Now comes word – via the same Jazz official that told Insider two weeks ago the Jazz would be willing to move Boozer for the right player, preferably an All-Star-caliber point guard – that the chances of a Boozer trade actually happening before Thursday's deadline are slim.
Several weeks ago, Jazz owner Larry Miller was frustrated with Boozer to the point Miller was pushing for a trade. Now, the two sides have made up. Without a push from ownership to get a deal done and if Butler, George and Divac is the best they can get in return – the Jazz would be crazy to trade him.
Raps running out of time
Most GMs believe the team most likely to make a bad move before the deadline is the Raptors.
Toronto GM Rob Babcock already did it once when he essentially gave Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets, and several teams are hoping he does it again with Donyell Marshall.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Donyell Marshall[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Toronto Raptors[/size]
[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]44[/size][size=-2]10.6[/size][size=-2]6.1[/size][size=-2]1.1[/size][size=-2].426[/size][size=-2].800[/size]Remember Babcock originally insisted that Jalen Rose be attached to any deal for Carter. Eventually he relented. Will the same hold true for Marshall? Two sources told Insider on Tuesday that Babcock already was shifting his position in hopes of getting a good prospect in return for Marshall.
One bad rumor floating around on Monday had the Raptors sending Marshall to the Heat for Udonis Haslem, Dorell Wright, Michael Doleac and Wang Zhizhi. However, a source in Miami told Insider that while the Heat want Marshall badly, they don't want him that badly.
A number of other teams – including the 76ers, Knicks, Rockets and Bulls – have shown interest in both Marshall and Eric Williams.
However, a report that the Sixers were offering Samuel Dalembert for Marshall was deemed "ludicrous" by a Sixers source.
That word "ludicrous" sure is making the rounds these days.
A tangled Webb in Sacramento
You've got to love the double-talk that goes on at the trade deadline. Just as Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was claiming he never "offered" Lamar Odom in a trade, the Sacramento Bee, citing a source within the Kings, said a trade of Peja Stojakovic for Odom was discussed but rebuffed by Kings GM Geoff Petrie.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Chris Webber[/size]
[size=-2]Power Forward
Sacramento Kings[/size]
[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]45[/size][size=-2]21.1[/size][size=-2]9.8[/size][size=-2]5.4[/size][size=-2].447[/size][size=-2].789[/size]As we reported Monday, two independent sources told Insider the deal was initiated by the Kings and shot down by the Lakers. Another source claimed there was nothing to the rumor.
The Kings want to do something by the deadline. As we've been saying for months, the team would love to move Chris Webber instead of Stojakovic. The problem is that only one team, the Knicks, has much interest. Unfortunately, the Kings have little interest in what the Knicks are offering in return.
Webber has another three years and $62 million left on his contract. No wonder Isiah wants him.
Since the chances of finding a real trading partner for Webber look slim, the team has turned its attention to finding a new home for Stojakovic, who likely will opt out of his contract at the end of next season and find a new home on his own.
Baron on the block?
The New Orleans Hornets denied Monday that they have any intention of trading Baron Davis.
That's not true, according to multiple league executives who claim to have been offered Davis in a trade recently.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Baron Davis[/size]
[size=-2]Point Guard
New Orleans Hornets[/size]
[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]17[/size][size=-2]19.7[/size][size=-2]3.9[/size][size=-2]7.3[/size][size=-2].371[/size][size=-2].771[/size]Davis' injuries and bad attitude have been a major problem this year. With the stellar play of Dan Dickau, who makes a fraction of what Davis does, New Orleans would move Davis in a heartbeat if it could get cap relief in return.
Davis returned to practice Monday. When asked how Davis' attitude was at Monday's practice, head coach Byron Scott said, "It was OK. It wasn't great, it wasn't bad. It was OK."
Scott then said it wasn't his job to improve Davis' attitude.
"My job is not to get guys to bring a great attitude; my job is to get them to play basketball," Scott said. "And that's the bottom line. If he's ready to play basketball, we're ready to have him back. If he's not, then we have to look at that and talk to him about that. As far as his attitude, once he gets with these guys and starts playing, all of that comes along with the territory. Everybody here, so far, has been great. The guys have been playing hard, the attitude has been great, the camaraderie of this team has been fantastic. So we want to make sure that we keep it that way."
Teams are interested in Davis but are concerned about his health and his uninsured contract.
The team that makes the most sense for Davis is the Clippers. They could offer Kerry Kittles and Zeljko Rebraca's expiring contract and be good to go. That is, of course, if Donald Sterling actually is willing to take that big a hit on his salary cap.
Shaun Livingston is the Clippers' point guard of the future. But given his size, he could play in the same backcourt with Davis, who probably is more of a two than a one anyway.
Dreading Redd
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Michael Redd[/size]
[size=-2]Shooting Guard
Milwaukee Bucks[/size]
[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]47[/size][size=-2]22.2[/size][size=-2]4.2[/size][size=-2]2.5[/size][size=-2].448[/size][size=-2].858[/size]Bucks GM Larry Harris isn't the only one sweating a possible Michael Redd trade before Thursday's deadline.
"When you have all the uncertainty, unfortunately, it's part of the game," Bucks head coach Terry Porter told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "As a player you just do the things you can control.
"Obviously, we don't want to lose Mike. He's very important to the organization going forward. It's a tough situation because Mike is a total free agent. If nothing happens and he walks, it would be a very difficult situation for our franchise."
One-game showcase
The Portland Trail Blazers got a pretty big break Monday when forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim was cleared to begin playing again. The Blazers play Wednesday, giving them one last chance to showcase him before the trade deadline.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Shareef Abdur-Rahim[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Portland Trail Blazers[/size]
[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]23[/size][size=-2]15.7[/size][size=-2]8.0[/size][size=-2]1.3[/size][size=-2].508[/size][size=-2].881[/size]Abdur-Rahim claims he's 100-percent healthy after undergoing elbow surgery earlier in the season. "I feel good, I really do," Abdur-Rahim told The Oregonian. "I'm confident, and I don't anticipate any problems."
He also has changed his tune in recent weeks about a possible trade. During the summer he threatened to hold out if he wasn't traded. Now he says he wouldn't mind sticking around.
"Now I would like to stay the rest of the year," Abdur-Rahim told the paper. "I don't have a problem with Portland, or the organization, and I would be open to [re-signing]. But ultimately, I have to look out for what's best for me, and that's the thing, the decision will be in my hands."
Still, the Blazers know the likelihood of Abdur-Rahim's staying is slim. Right now he has four players – Zach Randolph, Theo Ratliff, Ruben Patterson and Darius Miles – ahead of him on the depth chart.
-----
Trade rumors getting ugly
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
Trade rumors come in three flavors: The good, the bad and the ugly.
With good ones, you can verify that not only are the teams talking, but there's actual interest in getting a deal done.
The bad ones are when there might have been a phone call and a discussion of a player, but at least one team, for whatever reason, never really seriously considered doing the deal.
The ugly ones not only aren't happening, but never were discussed and make no sense for at least one of the teams allegedly involved. In short, they look a lot like the "reports" out of L.A. and New York over the weekend that the Jazz had agreed to send Carlos Boozer to the Lakers for Caron Butler, Devean George and Vlade Divac.
That scenario, reported both by Fox Sports' Jack Haley and the New York Post's Peter Vecsey, reeks of all three "ugly rumor" criteria.
As of late Monday, Haley was standing by his story. Tuesday's L.A. Times quoted Haley as saying, "I'm very confident in my report. Whether it happens or not is not important." Vecsey at least admitted in his Tuesday column that he hadn't bothered talking to Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor before reporting it. When he did, he found out the same thing most of us found out Sunday. The rumor, to quote O'Connor, is "ludicrous."
Monday, Insider quoted O'Connor as saying there was no substance even to a much more plausible rumor – Boozer and Matt Harpring for Lamar Odom and Butler. Insider also asked O'Connor on Sunday about the other scenario – Boozer for Butler, George and Divac – but he shot it down so quickly we didn't even bother writing about it.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Carlos Boozer[/size]
[size=-2]Power Forward
Utah Jazz[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]51[/size][size=-2]17.8[/size][size=-2]9.0[/size][size=-2]2.8[/size][size=-2].521[/size][size=-2].698[/size]Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak also denied Monday that the two sides were even talking.
Now comes word – via the same Jazz official that told Insider two weeks ago the Jazz would be willing to move Boozer for the right player, preferably an All-Star-caliber point guard – that the chances of a Boozer trade actually happening before Thursday's deadline are slim.
Several weeks ago, Jazz owner Larry Miller was frustrated with Boozer to the point Miller was pushing for a trade. Now, the two sides have made up. Without a push from ownership to get a deal done and if Butler, George and Divac is the best they can get in return – the Jazz would be crazy to trade him.
Raps running out of time
Most GMs believe the team most likely to make a bad move before the deadline is the Raptors.
Toronto GM Rob Babcock already did it once when he essentially gave Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets, and several teams are hoping he does it again with Donyell Marshall.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Donyell Marshall[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Toronto Raptors[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]44[/size][size=-2]10.6[/size][size=-2]6.1[/size][size=-2]1.1[/size][size=-2].426[/size][size=-2].800[/size]Remember Babcock originally insisted that Jalen Rose be attached to any deal for Carter. Eventually he relented. Will the same hold true for Marshall? Two sources told Insider on Tuesday that Babcock already was shifting his position in hopes of getting a good prospect in return for Marshall.
One bad rumor floating around on Monday had the Raptors sending Marshall to the Heat for Udonis Haslem, Dorell Wright, Michael Doleac and Wang Zhizhi. However, a source in Miami told Insider that while the Heat want Marshall badly, they don't want him that badly.
A number of other teams – including the 76ers, Knicks, Rockets and Bulls – have shown interest in both Marshall and Eric Williams.
However, a report that the Sixers were offering Samuel Dalembert for Marshall was deemed "ludicrous" by a Sixers source.
That word "ludicrous" sure is making the rounds these days.
A tangled Webb in Sacramento
You've got to love the double-talk that goes on at the trade deadline. Just as Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was claiming he never "offered" Lamar Odom in a trade, the Sacramento Bee, citing a source within the Kings, said a trade of Peja Stojakovic for Odom was discussed but rebuffed by Kings GM Geoff Petrie.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Chris Webber[/size]
[size=-2]Power Forward
Sacramento Kings[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]45[/size][size=-2]21.1[/size][size=-2]9.8[/size][size=-2]5.4[/size][size=-2].447[/size][size=-2].789[/size]As we reported Monday, two independent sources told Insider the deal was initiated by the Kings and shot down by the Lakers. Another source claimed there was nothing to the rumor.
The Kings want to do something by the deadline. As we've been saying for months, the team would love to move Chris Webber instead of Stojakovic. The problem is that only one team, the Knicks, has much interest. Unfortunately, the Kings have little interest in what the Knicks are offering in return.
Webber has another three years and $62 million left on his contract. No wonder Isiah wants him.
Since the chances of finding a real trading partner for Webber look slim, the team has turned its attention to finding a new home for Stojakovic, who likely will opt out of his contract at the end of next season and find a new home on his own.
Baron on the block?
The New Orleans Hornets denied Monday that they have any intention of trading Baron Davis.
That's not true, according to multiple league executives who claim to have been offered Davis in a trade recently.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Baron Davis[/size]
[size=-2]Point Guard
New Orleans Hornets[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]17[/size][size=-2]19.7[/size][size=-2]3.9[/size][size=-2]7.3[/size][size=-2].371[/size][size=-2].771[/size]Davis' injuries and bad attitude have been a major problem this year. With the stellar play of Dan Dickau, who makes a fraction of what Davis does, New Orleans would move Davis in a heartbeat if it could get cap relief in return.
Davis returned to practice Monday. When asked how Davis' attitude was at Monday's practice, head coach Byron Scott said, "It was OK. It wasn't great, it wasn't bad. It was OK."
Scott then said it wasn't his job to improve Davis' attitude.
"My job is not to get guys to bring a great attitude; my job is to get them to play basketball," Scott said. "And that's the bottom line. If he's ready to play basketball, we're ready to have him back. If he's not, then we have to look at that and talk to him about that. As far as his attitude, once he gets with these guys and starts playing, all of that comes along with the territory. Everybody here, so far, has been great. The guys have been playing hard, the attitude has been great, the camaraderie of this team has been fantastic. So we want to make sure that we keep it that way."
Teams are interested in Davis but are concerned about his health and his uninsured contract.
The team that makes the most sense for Davis is the Clippers. They could offer Kerry Kittles and Zeljko Rebraca's expiring contract and be good to go. That is, of course, if Donald Sterling actually is willing to take that big a hit on his salary cap.
Shaun Livingston is the Clippers' point guard of the future. But given his size, he could play in the same backcourt with Davis, who probably is more of a two than a one anyway.
Dreading Redd
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Michael Redd[/size]
[size=-2]Shooting Guard
Milwaukee Bucks[/size]
You must be registered for see images attach
[size=-2]Profile[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]47[/size][size=-2]22.2[/size][size=-2]4.2[/size][size=-2]2.5[/size][size=-2].448[/size][size=-2].858[/size]Bucks GM Larry Harris isn't the only one sweating a possible Michael Redd trade before Thursday's deadline.
"When you have all the uncertainty, unfortunately, it's part of the game," Bucks head coach Terry Porter told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "As a player you just do the things you can control.
"Obviously, we don't want to lose Mike. He's very important to the organization going forward. It's a tough situation because Mike is a total free agent. If nothing happens and he walks, it would be a very difficult situation for our franchise."
One-game showcase
The Portland Trail Blazers got a pretty big break Monday when forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim was cleared to begin playing again. The Blazers play Wednesday, giving them one last chance to showcase him before the trade deadline.
[size=-2][/size][size=-1]Shareef Abdur-Rahim[/size]
[size=-2]Forward
Portland Trail Blazers[/size]
You must be registered for see images
[size=-2]Profile[/size][size=-2][/size]2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS[size=-2]GM[/size][size=-2]PPG[/size][size=-2]RPG[/size][size=-2]APG[/size][size=-2]FG%[/size][size=-2]FT%[/size][size=-2]23[/size][size=-2]15.7[/size][size=-2]8.0[/size][size=-2]1.3[/size][size=-2].508[/size][size=-2].881[/size]Abdur-Rahim claims he's 100-percent healthy after undergoing elbow surgery earlier in the season. "I feel good, I really do," Abdur-Rahim told The Oregonian. "I'm confident, and I don't anticipate any problems."
He also has changed his tune in recent weeks about a possible trade. During the summer he threatened to hold out if he wasn't traded. Now he says he wouldn't mind sticking around.
"Now I would like to stay the rest of the year," Abdur-Rahim told the paper. "I don't have a problem with Portland, or the organization, and I would be open to [re-signing]. But ultimately, I have to look out for what's best for me, and that's the thing, the decision will be in my hands."
Still, the Blazers know the likelihood of Abdur-Rahim's staying is slim. Right now he has four players – Zach Randolph, Theo Ratliff, Ruben Patterson and Darius Miles – ahead of him on the depth chart.
-----
