http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/articles/20030722/484359.html Proposed deal includes Sprewell, 5 teams NEW YORK -- Latrell Sprewell could be on his way out of New York, with Keith Van Horn coming to take his place as part of a proposed four- or five-team trade being discussed Tuesday night, The Associated Press learned. ESPN.com reported the trade would be a four-team deal also involving Atlanta and Minnesota, with Glenn Robinson headed to Philadelphia and Terrell Brandon going to Atlanta. Sprewell would end up in Minnesota. Sources with knowledge of the trade talks who spoke on condition of anonymity told the AP the deal also involved other players, and that a fifth team was involved. One of the additional players would be Minnesota forward/center Marc Jackson, and the fifth team was believed to be the Sacramento Kings. The identities of the other players involved could not immediately be determined. Agents for two of the players, who asked not to be identified , said they felt the deal was likely to be finalized Wednesday, although they cautioned it could fall apart because of the number of teams and players involved. If it goes through, it would be one of the larger trades of recent years. The deal would bring an end to Sprewell's five-season tenure with the Knicks which included a trip to the 1999 Finals but ended acrimoniously after the four-time All-Star arrived for training camp last fall with a broken hand -- an injury he failed to notify the Knicks about. He averaged 16.4 points and shot only a shade over 40 percent -- some of the lowest numbers in his 11-year career. Van Horn has spent only one season in Philadelphia after playing his first five with the New Jersey Nets. He was criticized in Philadelphia for his play in the postseason when his scoring averaged dropped almost five points from his regular-season average. His departure from the Nets came after critical comments from teammates following New Jersey's four-game loss to the Lakers in the 2002 NBA Finals. The Knicks were known to have proposed a straight-up Sprewell-for-Van Horn deal, but such a deal would have left the already-small 76ers with an even worse shortage of rebounders. It's thus possible that Philadelphia could be the trade destination for Jackson, who played at Temple. But in order for that trade to work salary-cap wise, the 76ers would have to include another player, perhaps Greg Buckner, in the deal. The addition of Van Horn would also create an even bigger logjam at power forward for the Knicks, who already have Clarence Weatherspoon, Othella Harrington, Antonio McDyess and rookie Michael Sweetney at that position. Additionally, New York uses Kurt Thomas, a natural power forward, as its center. It thus stands to reason that Knicks general manager Scott Layden could be trying to land Kings center Keon Clark, who would fill New York's glaring need for a shot blocker. The salaries of Thomas and Clark are nearly equal. Sacramento also has been discussing moving forward Scot Pollard, and has been in talks with Indiana regarding a three-team deal that would include the Pacers' Ron Mercer, according to a source with knowledge of those talks. Robinson, a two-time All-Star, was Atlanta's leading scorer last season with an average of 20.8 points. But the Hawks, despite guaranteeing a playoff berth to their season ticket-holders, had a poor season and missed the playoffs with a 35-47 record. They would be interested in Brandon, whose career is likely over because of repeated knee injuries, because his $11 million-plus contract is due to come off the salary cap in February. The team that holds his rights would then use that space to have extra maneuverability on the free agent market or in trades. Sprewell would fill a hole at shooting guard for the Timberwolves, giving them a starting lineup of Troy Hudson or Sam Cassell at point guard, Wally Szczerbiak at small forward, Kevin Garnett at power forward and recently signed free agent Michael Olowokandi at center.
I think we are staying with the team that we have minus Posey.......I guess we are going to wait till next year to make the big splash. I think management its going to see what Van Gundy can do with the team we have now..
wow Minnesota's making some great moves this summer. With this move, they are in the elite group in the West again and that just makes it even harder on the Rockets.
Nope not us in on that trade. I wish it was. I do believe that Minn. just got much better also. I hope that JVG can do something with the players we have now. We have talent.
I don't know. Miami could use another big body. But they're dealing for Lamar Odom as well, so I don't know if we could get in on that action and ship off Cato for Mark Jax, or...or...or anything, I guess.
Really? It depresses me! All our competition for playoff spots are getting noticably better and we are not.
Kings saw Mark Jackson hold his ground, sort of, against shaq in teh playoffs. They don't have anyone to do that. They would be smart to add Jackson.
How many threads in how many different forums are we going to see on this topic???!? Just wondering...this is about 4 in this forum and 4 in the other.
The only teams that have gotten noticably better are 2 teams that would have been seeded higher than us anyway. This will not really effect us. Now if the Suns, Jazz, Sonics, or any other team in the 7th through 10th slot improved dramtically then maybe we should worry.
It is depressing as a Rox fan, but when you take into account how little they have don in recent years to get KG some help... this offseason has been huge for Minny. I agree with RRiver..I'm impressed.
Indeed it is. It would appear that people are absolutely deparate to link the Rockets to any and all roster moves that are going on with other teams.
No they're not. #6 seed Portland is worse. They have a winning record with Pippen, a losing record without him. #7 seed Utah - Completely different team, no way are they going to the playoffs or even compete for a berth. #8 Phoenix - maintained the status quo.
True. But ironically, the Wolves got rid of their second largest contract(10mil/year) in Brandon. They replaced him with Spree(12.3mil/year), E.T. (4.8mil), and the Kandiman(4.9mil). Put in Garnett(25mil/year) and Wally(10.5mil/year), and their starting five puts them about 14 mil over the cap. That just amuses me.
