http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1827125 By Marc Stein ESPN.com The Dallas Mavericks, while still hoping to convince the Los Angeles Lakers to send them Shaquille O'Neal, look to have completed another major trade on the eve of the NBA draft, ESPN.com has learned. The Mavericks, according to league sources, have acquired the No. 5 overall pick in Thursday's draft from Washington as part of a package that features Antawn Jamison, the newly minted Sixth Man of the Year, as the prize catch for the Wizards. The other players involved in the deal were not immediately known. Sources, however, say the Mavericks hope to use the No. 5 pick -- or possibly another player or players acquired in the deal -- to sweeten the package they can offer the Lakers in exchange for the disgruntled O'Neal. It is also possible, sources say, that the Mavericks will pursue additional trades with the other pieces they land from Washington. ESPN.com reported late Tuesday that, according to Lakers sources, L.A. refuses to deal O'Neal to their Western Conference rival unless Dallas makes Dirk Nowitzki available. Mavericks sources maintain that Nowitzki remains off-limits, but the prospect of adding the No. 5 pick to a package that could include point guard Steve Nash (via sign-and-trade), Antoine Walker (who has just one year left on his contract) and promising rookie Josh Howard should at least get the Lakers' attention. If the Lakers do eventually consent to trade O'Neal, in the wake of Shaq's demand for a trade last week, their goal would be injecting their roster with quality youth and depth to surround Kobe Bryant. If the Mavericks can't swing a subsequent deal for the No. 5 pick, they will undoubtedly weigh the merits of drafting Pavel Podkolzine, the 7-foot-5 center from Russia. Jamison's appeal to the Wizards is obvious. Instead of gambling on more youth at No. 5 with an inexperienced roster already, Washington gets an established frontcourt scorer who should contend for an All-Star spot in the East after accepting a bench role without complaint in Dallas. Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.
LMAO, I had to post it with the link only to save time and get it first. Thanks to the Cat for the heads up.
Well it's an interesting deal - the movement has begun. I would be floored if the Lakers dealt Shaq to the Mavs, but Dallas may just be exchanging currency -- the #5 pick is the kind of asset that the likes of Orlando may want.
Yes, this scares me too. But, if they trade for Shaq, then they lose the only guy I think Orlando would move T-Mac to the big D for, Dirk. Unless some kind of Finley, sign and trade for Nash, #5, maybe Walker might interest them. I don't see Nash going to Orlando, but Finley, Walker, and the # 5 could catch "Weis-ass's" eye.
I dont think Orlando is going to take anything but Nowitzki for McGrady if that is where you are going Clutch. #5 pick isnt much different than the #7 pick from Phoenix and they had Marion attached to it at least. I was thinking that perhaps the #5 pick might be good bait (for starters) to move to Orlando from Washington's perspective to obtain Francis. Guess that's not going to happen. To move the #5 pick for Jamison means that the Wiz must be sending some solid contracts back to the Mavs. Wonder what those are?
Well, if Dirk is truly untouchable, according to Cuban, then what do they have left that will get them both, if just one?? Especially if Nash doesn't approve of a S&T with either LA or Orlando. Whats left?? Walker, Finley, Howard and Daniels?
Is Finley, Walker and #5 better than Francis, Mobley, and Cato? I dont konw. Finley is horribly overpaid as is Walker. And Walker might leave after a year. That would leave you with #5 and Finley for McGrady. That's terrible!
Given that it is a lottery team dealing with Mark Cuban, my guess is Gilbert Arenas, Jerry Stackhouse, Kwame Brown and Jared Jeffries.
why wouldn't the bobcats of looked into trading for jamison with their #4 pick? i mean, i know they want Okafur, but Jamison would be an instant all star for them with a lot less risk than a rookie (as in uncertainties, cuz we all know he can produce).
Well, that's what ESPN News says. Dallas can package Stackhouse, Finley, #5 and Nash for Shaq. That could do it.
Laettner is a cap burden. So it is Stack/#5 for Jamison. Advantage Mavs. Stack is a cap burden too but he can play. Stack is about equal to Jamison really. Not too much of a difference in my book. So that is like getting #5 for nothing! Advantage Mavs!
Agreed. Both Stack and Finley play Kobe's position and Nash plays Payton's position. And this assuming that Dallas has convinced Nash to sign with LA. Are they going to invest almost $50 MIL in two positions??? Makes no sense.
