[rquoter]• It’s been well documented that the Cavaliers’ infatuation with Antawn Jamison has been rekindled. What’s been underplayed is the reason behind it: LeBron James is the one driving the team’s pursuit of Jamison, according to a source, and Cavs GM Danny Ferry – as usual – is trying to appease the King. A couple of problems: The Wizards want a young asset in return, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas – while a fit salary-wise – doesn’t fit that description. The sensible piece to include in the deal would be J.J. Hickson, whom the Cavs are reluctant to give up. But if the Cavs got Jamison, what value would Hickson be to them as their fifth big man? One scenario that is believed to be under discussion would have the Cavs hoping the Wizards bought out Ilgauskas after the trade, using some cash added to the deal by Cleveland. That way, the Cavs could sign Ilgauskas back on a minimum deal, giving them the player James covets (Jamison) and a 7-foot-4 insurance policy for Shaquille O’Neal. The Wizards would have to ask themselves if getting out from under Jamison’s contract and adding Hickson is enough to justify a deal that would get them under the tax next summer, but not under the cap. • If the Cavs can’t get Jamison, Indiana’s Troy Murphy is Plan B. And yes, there’s a Plan C -- Andre Iguodala. Whereas the Cavs’ front office believes Jamison could help them win a championship this year, Iguodala would be more of a long-term solution. And he better be, with four years and $56 million left on his deal. • Rumblings about Ray Allen being on his way out of Boston are accurate, but only if the Celtics can get back a player who’d crack the top eight in their rotation. One scenario that has been discussed would have Allen going to Chicago for Kirk Hinrich and another piece – John Salmons? – to satisfy the salary requirements. If it came to fruition, what an intriguing swap it would be for teams that waged such a thrilling postseason battle only eight months ago. Since Allen’s $19.7 million contract expires after the season, acquiring him would leave Chicago flush with cap space for a 2010 free-agent binge centered around Chicago native Dwyane Wade and an additional superstar. • One of Allen’s teammates also is generating some interest: Kendrick Perkins, who’d be a perfect fit for a team like the Pistons, who are desperate for a post presence. But Perkins only makes $4.3 million, and it’s difficult to imagine the Celtics parting with him given the way Kevin Garnett is gimping around. • Other than Cleveland, only a handful of teams are active in trade talks and willing to take on money. The others are Dallas, Boston, Portland and potentially Denver, which could get ownership approval for a big enough name – though no such possibility is imminent. The Nuggets are steadfastly refusing to include J.R. Smith in any deal, and their quest for a big man will have to go in a different direction with Indiana’s Jeff Foster likely out for the year with back issues. • The Mavs, behind big spender Mark Cuban, are always buyers at the deadline. Nothing has changed this year, with the Mavs said to be targeting help at shooting guard in a deal that would likely include Josh Howard and Erick Dampier. • The Blazers’ interest in Wizards center Brendan Haywood is understandable, considering the catastrophic injuries to Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla. But an expiring contract – such as the one belonging to Travis Outlaw – won’t be enough to pique Washington’s interest. As with Jamison, the Wizards want useful assets in return. In this case, sources say, Washington has asked for Rudy Fernandez and has been strongly rebuffed. Consider those talks stalled for now, but don’t discount a revival before Feb. 18 for these reasons: 1) The Blazers’ desperate need for a big man, and 2) Their ability to get ownership approval to take on money in the right deal. • Miami also has expressed interest in Haywood, but sources say that would require taking on money in the deal – something Heat president Pat Riley has been unwilling to entertain. • There are differing opinions in Utah as to what strategy to pursue with Carlos Boozer. Ownership wants to trade him to avoid paying luxury tax. Coach Jerry Sloan wants to keep him because he thinks the Jazz can make playoff noise. All in all, the Jazz might be better off keeping him because their payroll will be roughly $58 million – under the projected tax line – after his $12.7 million salary comes off the books this summer. But don’t discount a solution that would solve both problems: Trading Boozer to the Pistons, who have long coveted him, for Tayshaun Prince. Such a swap would give the Jazz a playoff-tested defender with length and all but get them out of the luxury tax for this season. Prince would be on the books for $9 million next season, but he’d be easy to trade because of his expiring contract. Plus, the difference between owing and receiving luxury tax money this season would be roughly a $7 million swing. • Tracy McGrady’s level of availability – as in, very available – far exceeds the seriousness of the offers Houston has received, sources say. “A lot of talk,” is how one person in contact with Rockets officials characterized the status of the Free T-Mac campaign. Ditto for Amar’e Stoudemire in Phoenix. • While there are only a few select buyers in the trade market, there are about two dozen sellers – but none more serious than the Sixers. Philadelphia is said to be open to trading anyone and everyone, and the conversations always start with the guys with the most money committed to them: Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert, and Iguodala. Good luck. [/rquoter] http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/11838893/19891570?source=rss_blogs_NBA
That got my attention, If it involves them trading away their 1st pick unprotected(giving us a proper a shot at Favors or Wall, franchise players IMO), the rockets would have to be crazy not to take on Brand & Iggy contracts.... --RB
I'd certainly agree, but it all comes down to a salary issue for Les. Brand gets paid a ton of (undeserved) money over the next 3 years. Iggy gets paid a lot, too, though he is at least younger, healthier, paid less and contributes more. Moreover, it's hard to imagine the Sixers trading away their first round pick, even with significant salary cap relief, as it will be a great pick and they are looking to "rebuild" which can't be done if you don't have draft picks. In the world of COMPLETELY out there trades, you could do something like: Scola, Hayes, Cook, Dorsey for Boozer, Utah's first round pick from NY, future first rounder from Utah (or this year's, if not traded to Timberwolves, as it would if the pick is 17 or lower) Cook and Dorsey are throw-aways. Hayes does a solid, workman-like effort, but you can see how he is being increasingly marginalized, especially since he plays a lot with Shane and Trevor. Scola is great, hard working and underpaid, but Boozer, when healthy, is certainly a better player. Pretty much every player in the deal is on the last year of the contract. If February 18th rolls around and the Rockets are still on the outside looking in, as they currently are, I'd go ahead on do this. I think it cements a lottery birth this year as you never know with Boozer's health, and as good as he is when healthy, you are giving up 2 players getting solid minutes for just one in return...but cementing that lottery birth might be a good thing. Then you'd effectively have 2 lottery picks in the draft, either (or both) of which could be top 3, plus a future pick... Without the draft picks, and assuming Boozer and Lowry are resigned, next year's lineup becomes: Brooks, Lowry Battier, Budinger Ariza, Boozer, Landry Yao, Andersen and with the draft picks you could get, just as a potential examples, two of Patrick Patterson, Willie Warren, Wesley Johnson, Stanley Roberts, Xavier Henry, Greg Monroe, etc. ------------------------ In the event of Les really opening his pocketbook, and Philadelphia really really wanting salary cap relief, you could do the above Utah trade, and a Philadelphia trade, say: T-Mac, Lowry, future first rounder for Iggy, Dalembert, Philadelphia 2010 first rounder and now, you're team would be: Brooks, Will Conroy Iggy, Budinger Ariza, Battier Boozer, Landry [Yao - when healthy], Dalembert, Andersen Plus 3 lottery picks in the draft this year (Utah's via NYC, Philadelphia's, Houston's) plus a future first from Utah, less a future first to Philadelphia. Of course, you'd be stuck with Dalembert's huge contract (with trade kicker) and could lose Boozer, who becomes a free agent (to not lose him would definitely go over the salary and luxury cap next year), and also need to find a new competent backup PG. But those 3 lottery picks, each of which could potentially be a top 3 pick, would be great assets. And if everyone is resigned, and stays healthy, and just 1 of the picks turns into a real player (and with Morey drafting, I'd think that'd be the minimum, but would anticipate doing even better) out of the draft or via trade, then you'd have a team that could compete for championships and built for the future.
why, he's on the last year of his contract, isn't enormously overpaid, could be helpful to a competing team (so is attractive both as a contract and player), but isn't that helpful to the Rockets at the moment (short of maybe helping them get a 7th or 8th seed, which one could argue actually hurts more than helps at this point)... Did the organization say something about Hayes being untouchable?
Hayes has a team option that, if he is traded, any team will pick up. In fact, the Rockets are going to pick it up. He is undervalued. They're not trading him.
Why on earth would Philly trade the franchise player AND their first round pick? The whole point of getting rid of Iggy is that they would be starting over (which is why they'd take T-Mac for his expiring contract to help them get a draft pick). That's just getting greedy, if we got Iggy and Dalembert straight up for T-Mac, that would be a fantastic trade for us.
Is the option automatically picked up in the event of a trade? I didn't know that. I can foresee the Rockets picking up the option, but I think the whole "undervalued" argument about Chuck is a little overplayed. He can be a great role player, who does amazing things considering his size, but he isn't really helping this current squad a ton, and probably doesn't get a ton of minutes on a championship caliber front line - good example being his 12 mpg last year. That said, he is a great role player to have for those 10 mpg, if necessary, and as insurance in case someone goes down, and is fairly paid. But regardless of what happens, if it comes down to the Rockets picking up Hayes option, and resigning a player like Lowry, just as a hypothetical, bye bye Chuck.
I really wonder why Ben Wallace isn't on the trading block. Dude has a tiny expiring contract. He is healthier than he has been in 3 or so seasons. He is a starting center on a lot of teams in the league. I'm sure a contender would love to have him in their play off run. Worth a second rounder or so. Pistons are going no where fast and should stockpile picks.
really? I think under van gundy he was a superstar for that team. but right now with adelman? hmmmmm................chuck hayes is very much a option if the other team really insisted we give up something of value
