Not all trades, but whatever.
Thursday, June 26
Lee To Portland?
David Lee |
Knicks
According to executives with two teams, the Knicks are discussing a swap of first-round picks with Portland. The Knicks would send the No. 6 pick, forward
David Lee and another player to the Trail Blazers for the 13th and 27th picks and a player, possibly
Steve Blake or
Jarrett Jack. (Portland is acquiring the 27th pick from New Orleans.) --
New York Times
The Knicks have talked to Portland about trading down, swapping No. 6 with 13, possibly gaining point guard Jarrett Jack. But a league source said Walsh has very little interest in trading down, only up. The Knicks have one big trade pawn -- Lee. And if he goes tonight, there will be lots of groans at the Garden's Theatre from the fans who enjoyed his grit.
"Everyone's calling the Knicks about David, if you want to do a deal with the Knicks, they want David Lee," his agent
Mark Bartlestein said. "With a new regime, it's always a possibility at this time of year." --
New York Post
Heat Getting Calls About Marion
Shawn Marion |
Heat
A source familiar with the situation said Wednesday night that the Heat already has received overtures from the Raptors, Pacers, Clippers and several other teams regarding
Shawn Marion, who is seeking the type of lucrative extension Heat President
Pat Riley appears reluctant to consider. Marion became eligible to be traded only after he allowed Tuesday's 6 p.m. opt-out deadline to pass. The timing puts him in play for a draft-night trade. --
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Bold Move Tonight?
Speculation is stronger than ever that the Heat will make a bold move in tonight's NBA Draft. One NBA source said Wednesday night that Miami remains active in trade talks involving its No. 2 pick. "They're the ones holding everything up," the source said.
"I've heard
Pat Riley isn't too impressed with
Michael Beasley," the source said. --
Palm Beach Post
Fresh Approach
Grizzlies owner
Michael Heisley made it clear that he will take a fresh approach to the NBA Draft, which unfolds tonight in New York with the Griz owning the fifth and 28th picks. "For the first time, I'm having major input," Heisley said. "That doesn't mean I don't think much of
Chris Wallace or any of my basketball people. It just means that like a lot of owners, I reserve the right to approve or not approve any decisions.
"What I'm not comfortable with is people getting the idea that I'm going to be like a
George Steinbrenner (the New York Yankees' owner). That's not my style. That's not the atmosphere. I'm just saying that I'm going to be informed and part of the decision-making." --
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Deal Shot Down
The Suns talked about trading
Leandro Barbosa to Portland, where he has high interest, for
Martell Webster, the No. 13 overall pick and perhaps Finnish point guard
Petteri Koponen. But the Blazers were keying on other options Wednesday, including ones with New York and New Jersey. --
The Arizona Republic
The Blazers, who have shown some interest in Barbosa, were thought to be interested in trading out of their spot to get him. But sources said a proposed deal involving Phoenix never included their No. 13 pick and a proposal of Valley native
Channing Frye, forward Martell Webster and a second-round pick was shot down by Portland. --
East Valley Tribune
Knicks Will Pick Gallinari
"The Knicks are going to take
Danilo Gallinari," Nets president
Rod Thorn said last night, referring to the Italian forward who had been at the top of his wish list all month. "And the others have yet to make up their minds. Which means that we still have three or four different guys who can drop to us." --
The Star-Ledger
Cats May Swap Picks With Griz
Last night a league source said that Charlotte was closing in on a deal with Memphis that would give the Bobcats the fifth pick, with their eye on
Russell Westbrook or
Kevin Love. --
New York Post
Brand Will Wait
Elton Brand |
Clippers
David Falk,
Elton Brand's agent,
Mike Dunleavy and team President
Andy Roeser have held discussions regarding his ability to opt out of the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. On Wednesday, Falk said the decision will be taken to Monday's opt-out deadline. Falk said Brand's preference is to work out a new, long-term deal with the team or play out the last season of his contract, in which he is due $16.44 million.
"It's not a question that we demanded anything or negotiated anything," Falk said, adding that his good working relationship with the Clippers' front office would benefit both parties. "We've had discussions with both sides on how he can finish out his career with the Clippers. My hope has been we can make a deal with both parties. That's our goal." --
Los Angeles Times
Price Too High
The most detailed talks have been with the Miami Heat and Seattle SuperSonics, to move to the second or fourth overall picks; however, as of Wednesday, both prices were deemed too high. Clippers vice president of basketball operations
Elgin Baylor said Wednesday no moves appeared imminent. --
Los Angeles Times
Diaw Will Remain A Sun
Boris Diaw |
Suns
Chances that
Boris Diaw would remain a Sun were all but assured Wednesday when numerous sources reported Toronto will trade its No. 17 pick along with guard
T.J. Ford and center
Rasho Nesterovic to Indiana for six-time All-Star
Jermaine O'Neal. --
East Valley Tribune
Can Cavs Move Up?
The Cavs reportedly talked to Portland (No. 13) about moving up to get Kansas swingman
Brandon Rush (6-6, 210). But a source said teams are asking for a first-round pick and maybe an established player to move up that far in the first round. The Cavs have also reportedly talked to Charlotte about many of its players. The Bobcats, who traded a future first-rounder for Denver's No. 20 selection, have been shopping forward
Adam Morrison, forward/center Sean May and possibly guard
Raymond Felton. --
The News-Herald
Contingency Deal Considered
There is at least one contingency deal the Nets are considering with Portland. If they don't get the player they want at 10 -- probably
Jerryd Bayless, but that possibility looked less likely last night -- they were prepared to swap picks with Portland at 13. In that case, the Nets would take
Robin Lopez and be satisfied. --
The Star-Ledger
Posey Wants To Return
James Posey |
Celtics
James Posey's agent made it clear yesterday that his client wants to return. "Certainly he needs to listen to everyone, but he really hopes that (the Celtics) want him back as much as he wants to stay there,"
Mark Bartlestein said. "One of the special things about this championship year was that everyone knew they were coming, and they still (won the title).
"The bottom line is that we want to get it done. The thing (that impressed) Posey is that the fans in Boston are so educated, they understand why he's so valuable, and how his play shows with things that aren't on the stat sheet."
"There will be a lot of interest. Who wouldn't want him" Bartlestein said. "But he loves it in Boston -- the ownership,
Danny (Ainge),
Doc (Rivers), the players. He wants to come back." --
Boston Herald
Mavericks May Target Diop
DeSagana Diop |
Nets
DeSagana Diop may be headed back to the Mavericks. The team for which Diop played nearly three seasons before getting traded to New Jersey in February may be prepared to offer him its full mid-level exception, an NBA source said Wednesday. --
The Dallas Morning News
Still A Contender
A source said
Mark Warkentien, who makes about $500,000 annually on a deal that goes through the 2009-10 season, remains in contention for a possible job as New York's general manager. --
Rocky Mountain News
Clippers Won't Qualify Livingston
Shaun Livingston |
Clippers
The Clippers will bypass giving
Shaun Livingston a $5.8-million qualifying offer due July 1, making him an unrestricted free agent. --
Los Angeles Times