[Y! Sports] After the Buzzer

J.R. · Jan 29, 2010

[1/29/10 edition] Just some trade chatter and talks about the future for some players among some other news and notes.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...g=mc-afterthebuzzer012910&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

When the heralded 2010 free-agent market opens this summer, most of the public’s attention will be devoted to figuring out where LeBron James(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes) are going. But there’s another prominent All-Star who figures to attract a lot of interest from NBA suitors, and he just might be among the most likely players to change teams.

Joe Johnson(notes) has the Atlanta Hawks contending now in the Eastern Conference, but several league sources say they wouldn’t be surprised if the All-Star guard leaves this summer, specifically to sign with the Chicago Bulls. The Hawks’ perch near the top of the East would likely keep them from moving Johnson – or any of their other core players – before next month’s trade deadline, but rival team executives wonder if they’d at least be willing to listen to offers if they aren’t certain Johnson will return.

“At this point in my career, not too much is going to surprise me,” Johnson said. “Who knows what’s going to happen?"

“I’m one of those guys that always prepares for the worst, but always hope for the best.”

Business looks like it will be good for Johnson this summer. He turned down a four-year, $60 million extension offer from the Hawks in the offseason in hopes of landing a more lucrative deal this summer. While the Hawks might be on the fence about giving Johnson a max deal, one of the many teams with deep pockets that miss out on Bosh, James, Wade or Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) could make an enticing offer. Even if the Hawks advance deep into the playoffs, expect Johnson to check out all of his options.

“I try not to think about it much,” Johnson said.

The Hawks, meanwhile, would like Johnson to be more vocal and do more to promote the team. If he were to leave, Crawford could slide into his starting shooting guard position. Maybe the offense would even stagnate less if Johnson left.

But Johnson also is one of the game’s most proven scorers. Letting him walk would be a big risk.

“We’re having a good season right now,” Johnson said in his usual unassuming style. “When July comes, that’s when we will sit down and talk.”
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Staying or going?

With the trade deadline approaching, Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh can expect to hear his name discussed amongst all the speculation of possible deals. Multiple sources, however, said the Raptors don’t expect to trade the future free agent prior to the deadline. Team officials are optimistic about their chances to re-sign Bosh, and, if they can’t, the Raptors could potentially use him in sign-and-trade deals since they can offer the biggest contract.

“I know pretty much what’s going on,” Bosh said. “I knew coming into this there was going to be a lot of chatter, especially now that this trade deadline is coming. It’s just a part of the game. That’s what it is. I just keep doing my day-to-day and focus on what I’m doing right now.”

After a slow start, the Raptors entered Friday having won four games in a row and seven of their past 11.

“We’re playing OK,” Bosh said. “We’ve had a good couple of weeks. We just need to work on being more consistent. I think once everybody gets totally on the same page … we can be a pretty good team.

“We have another big, huge push, if not two or three. I think we can finish out the second half of the season very, very strong and get some momentum going into the playoffs.”
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Tip-ins

League executives list Phoenix forward Amar’e Stoudemire and Philadelphia 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala(notes) among the biggest names most likely to be moved before the trade deadline – and there’s even a chance they might be dealt for each other. If the cost-cutting Sixers did such a deal, they could try to use Stoudemire in a sign-and-trade during the offseason and not re-sign him. …

The Dallas Mavericks figure to be among the most active teams before the trade deadline. The Mavericks’ attractive trade chip: center Erick Dampier(notes), whose contract isn’t guaranteed beyond this season. Rival teams also say to keep an eye on the Minnesota Timberwolves, who continue to struggle and are also suffering in the attendance and sponsorship departments.…

After making two money-saving deals recently, New Orleans GM and coach Jeff Bower said: “I wouldn’t say we’re done. If there is something that presents itself where we can improve our team we will certainly look at it. But we’re looking at it from as basketball perspective.” Bower wouldn’t give any insight on whether he’d like to coach beyond this season.…

One GM said he wouldn’t be surprised if Washington Wizards guard Javaris Crittenton(notes) is out of the NBA next season. Crittenton was suspended for the rest of the season for his role in the gun incident with Gilbert Arenas(notes) and will be a free agent this summer. “There are a lot of point guards that can do what he does without his drama,” the GM said. Arenas, sources said, remains optimistic he’ll receive probation and no jail time when he’s sentenced on March 26.…

The Oklahoma City Thunder are drawing trade interest for their two 2010 first-round draft picks: one is theirs; the other they picked up from Phoenix in the Kurt Thomas(notes) trade in 2007. The Thunder also own Minnesota’s second-round pick this season.……

Two NBA scouts said not to be surprised if the usual Pac-10 draft pipeline does not produce a single first-round pick this year. The only Pac-10 Washington senior forward Quincy Pondexter is the only Pac-10 player who seems to be drawing strong interest from NBA teams. …
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