http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2232000&name=sheridan_chris&CMP=ILC-INHEAD Early trade buzzposted: Monday, November 21, 2005 Trade activity typically subsides during the first month of the NBA season, and this year has been no different. Only five trades have taken place since training camps opened, and none since the start of the regular season three weeks ago. But teams are still talking, and the pace of deal-making should pick up after Dec. 15, when players who signed over the summer become trade eligible. Since the teams are talking to each other, we're talking to them as well to find out who's available and who will be. Here's the Top 5 on our Most Likely to be Traded List, aside from Kevin Garnett. P.J. Brown, New Orleans Hornets. With the team temporarily located a long way from his hometown of Slidell, La., the main factor that kept P.J. married to the Hornets is a nonfactor now. The 36-year-old would be happy with a trade to a contender, and his $8 million salary this season and next has made him the most sought-after big man on the trade market (other than Garnett). Coach Byron Scott wants to keep Brown, but owner George Shinn is rebuilding. Other teams expect the Hornets to wait 20-25 games before becoming active on a Brown trade. Zoran Planinic, Nets. Looks as though New Jersey has been showcasing the third-year 6-foot-7 Croatian point guard caught, who's in a crowded backcourt numbers crunch along with fellow reserves Jeff McInnis, Lamond Murray and Jacque Vaughn on a team desperate for size. He's signed through next season, and he's shown flashes. Detractors point out he loves the nightlife, he loves to boogie -- too much, maybe. The Portland Trail Blazers entry: Zach Randolph/Darius Miles. The relationship is already rocky between new coach Nate McMillan and the two young multimillionaires, and the Blazers might be seriously rethinking their earlier decision to commit a combined $134 million to the two athletically gifted but averse-to-authority forwards. Randolph's skill level gives him huge trade value, but there aren't many players signed through 2010-11, and he's one of 'em. The Cleveland Cavaliers entry: Luke Jackson/Sasha Pavlovic/Eric Snow. There isn't enough room in a tight Cavs rotation for the two backups, Jackson and Pavlovic, and both have been showcased by a team that has stormed out of the gate. If the Cavs want to keep both youngsters, they can deal Snow to New York for Malik Rose and make Damon Jones their starter. Rose and Snow are both under contract through '08-09. Knicks coach Larry Brown loves Snow, and Cavs general manager Danny Ferry is a fan of Rose, his former teammate, so it seems to make sense for both teams. Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls. There's no question the Bulls love him, but they're also desperate for size if they want to make a serious run this season. As of now, they'll have more cap room than anyone next summer, but the best available free agent big man might be Nazr Mohammed (depending on what happens with Ben Wallace). If they move Deng, they'll get value -- and perhaps a better big man than what'll be available next summer. There won't be any room for Deng next season if Peja Stojakovic and Andres Nocioni are the small forwards.
I haven't watched Miles for a while. I always thought he could be a heck of a player if he could keep down the TOs and get a decent mid-range jumper. Has he changed at all since his Clipper days?
The mid range is much improved. He's nails with the 12-17 footer from the free throw line extended all the way down to the baseline. If the defender gets up on him, he takes it to the rack. He still has too many turnovers but Van Gundy can work him over on that issue. I'd like to see him serve as the 3 offensively for us, with him also taking the rougher defensive assignment on the opposing 2/3.
Luol Deng is great, if we can get him. Young, athletic, scorer, could be a great defender, play with heart.
We could use a dirty player like PJ Brown or anybody from Portland. I mean either Randolph or Miles. A little change of perspective for Yao. We can trade away Juwan or Swift. Send DA back to Portaland
Even though I hate the guy Zach Randolph would be a nice addition. It's clear that this team needs another player who can score. He would give the Rockets two players that can score in the post. The problem is Swift would likely be involved in the deal but we couldn't move him because he just signed a new contract.
I don't see Chicago parting with Deng for anything we got, unless somehow maybe there was another team involved. Still don't see it as possible. Deng is young, on a rookie contract, and has shown nothing but promise. His value is very high right now. Zach Randolph.........I just don't see him being a fit. He's got to shoot and he's a p___ poor passer. He's also very selfish and immature. And he's got a max salary, along with being a poor defender and a reputation for being lazy. I just don't see him as a fit. I think he's tremendously overrated, overpaid, and a train wreck waiting to happen. He is maybe 1/100 of a step above Stephon Marbury in the line of players that I would like to see as Rockets. Marbury is at the bottom of the pile by the way.
I sure would like to see PJ on this team if we could then trade Juwan for something else. How about PJ and Kirk Snyder for Wesley, Moochie, and next year's #1 pick. Then trade Juwon straight up for Darius Miles. Yao/Deke PJ/Stromile/Baxter Darius/Bowen TMac/Snyder Head/Alston/Barry Sura, DA, Glover Rotate the inactive list....maybe stick Snyder on there when Sura comes back.
Please no Zach Randolph! That guy is nothing but trouble! HUGE contract and bad demeanor. Randolph has been in the league for 5 years, but he still has a body of a high school kid. He would made the all star team if he can hit the gym once in a while.
There isn't much of a need for those guys, plus, we don't exactly have the right tools to make good trades right now. All of our guys are playing bad and don't have much trade value. Even though we are guard heavy, I think we need an athletic SG that can play good defense. Head is good, but he is a rookie and a bit undersized. A guy like MoPete would be cool or even better, Corey Maggette? I can wish can't I?
Howard and Westly+ pick for Randolph Team would be better off. Yao would be better off because Randolph would take some of the pressure of him. Head would see more playing time is a plus also. C-Yao PF-Randolph SF-T-Mac SG-Anderson PG-Alston If we can win with that team, something is wrong.
If Darius Miles will sit on his anger, if we could acquire him for expiring contracts and picks, then we'd have a hell of an athletic, defensive team; Miles could defend the 2 if need be.... With Miles, TMac, Swift, Yao and Deke on D, we'd be OK.
