NBA Insider...Feb 21: Trade Rumors; NBA, NBAPA to make a deal?; David Stern
Trade rumors have GMs seeing Redd
By Chad Ford
DENVER On behalf of the NBA, we'd like to offer two apologies.
The first is for a dud of an All-Star Game. If you saw it, and stayed awake, you don't need an explanation. If you didn't, this should sum it up: A lumbering, out-of-breath Zydrunas Ilgauskas was a serious candidate for MVP.
The second is for what's shaping up as a dud of a trade deadline. Teams have until 3 p.m. ET Thursday to make trades this season. Insider spent the weekend in Denver talking to GMs and agents in an effort to glean what's going to happen over the next four days.
What we came away with is a pretty good understanding of what's not going to happen.
Overall, Insider talked to front-office execs from nearly every team, as well as numerous player agents. As soon as one good rumor would start flying, it would just as quickly be shot down. Bad rumors were as prevalent as stretch Hummers this weekend.
Here's the latest on the good, bad and ugly trade talk that went down in Denver, from Michael Redd to Peja Stojakovic and Lamar Odom to Carlos Boozer.
Might Milwaukee deal Redd after all?
Michael Redd remains the most talked-about player on the block. That's because many teams believe he's this year's Rasheed Wallace a player who has the potential to put a contender over the top.
Michael Redd
Shooting Guard
Milwaukee Bucks
Profile
2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
47 22.2 4.2 2.5 .448 .858
The question, of course, is whether Milwaukee GM Larry Harris actually would trade Redd.
Friday afternoon, multiple sources told Insider that Harris was leaning strongly toward not dealing his star shooting guard. By Sunday afternoon, those same sources were painting a slightly different picture after Harris received some interesting offers over the weekend.
What hasn't changed is the Bucks' desire to do whatever it takes to re-sign Redd this summer.
While Harris has heard the same rumors Insider has about Redd's desire to play in Cleveland when he becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season, Harris believes the cash the Bucks can offer will be too much to pass up.
Because the Bucks own Redd's Bird Rights, they can offer him an extra year and raises of 12.5 percent instead of 10 percent. When you add it up, the difference in numbers is pretty significant. Redd would have to leave a lot of money on the table to sign in Cleveland or any place other than Milwaukee.
But two things could end up thwarting Harris' plan. First, the collective- bargaining agreement expires June 30. If owners get their way, contract lengths will be reduced, as will raises, and that will take away some of the Bucks' leverage.
While teams trying to re-sign their own players likely still will be able to offer an extra year and bigger raises, if the numbers both go down, the advantage isn't nearly as significant.
Second, signing Redd to a huge deal would put the Bucks in some financial hardship. He's not really a "max-contract" player, meaning the Bucks would have to overpay to keep him. On most good teams, Redd would be the No. 2 option. Overpaying for a No. 2 is a tough position for a small-market team.
Cleveland, on the other hand, is a Redd acquisition away from being a legitimate contender for the Eastern Conference crown. Given that Redd is from Ohio and wants to play with LeBron James, the writing might already be on the wall.
It's not too late for the Bucks to reconsider and Harris might be doing just that.
A league source told Insider Sunday night that Harris received some pretty impressive offers over the weekend. Good enough, in fact, that they might have put Redd back in play. Just don't look for the Bucks to trade Redd to Cleveland. According to a source, the Bucks don't want what the Cavs have to offer Luke Jackson, Anderson Varejao and/or Sasha Pavlovic.
Keith Van Horn
Small Forward
Milwaukee Bucks
Profile
2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
31 10.7 5.2 1.3 .448 .869
However, there are two types of offers that could pry Redd out of Milwaukee. The first would be one that helps the Bucks create cap space this summer. If a team is willing to swap an expiring contract and a draft pick for Redd and Keith Van Horn, the Bucks might consider it.
The Blazers, for example, could offer Shareef Abdur-Rahim's expiring contract and either a pick or the draft rights to someone like Sergey Monya for Redd and Van Horn. That deal would give the Bucks roughly $20 million in cap room this summer enough to sign two top-flight free agents.
Another possibility? The Wolves could offer Latrell Sprewell's expiring contract and Wally Szczerbiak for Redd, Van Horn and Joe Smith, giving the Bucks a decent Redd replacement in Szczerbiak and just under $20 million in cap room this summer.
The other type of offer that might nab Redd is one in which a team offers a young prospect with star quality in return. A number of teams including the Hawks, Bulls, Nuggets and Clippers could offer such a deal.
Why would a team give up so much for Redd knowing there's a good chance he'll bolt for Cleveland this summer? According to the same league source, "You'd be shocked how many teams are willing to take the risk."
Given the risk Harris faces if he loses Redd, he might be wise to pass it on to someone else.
California dreaming?
The hottest rumor this weekend had the Kings and Lakers talking about a trade of Peja Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson for Lamar Odom. However, from what Insider could gather from several sources, it isn't going to happen.
Peja Stojakovic
Small Forward
Sacramento Kings
Profile
2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
45 19.7 4.2 1.9 .443 .920
Two sources claim the Kings proposed the deal, but the Lakers weren't interested. Another source claimed there was nothing to the rumor to begin with.
The Lakers like Stojakovic a lot, and they sound like they're willing to move Odom. However moving Odom for Stojakovic would create a pretty gaping hole in L.A.'s front line. It's a great deal for Sacramento, but I'm not sure it's a good one for the Lakers. Unless, that is, they can turn around and swap Caron Butler for a legitimate four to replace Odom's rebounding.
What is clear is the Kings have reached the point where they're willing to move Stojakovic for the right piece. He hasn't been a great fit in their offense this year, and he remains unhappy in Sacramento. If the Kings don't move him before the trade deadline, there's a good chance they'll trade him this summer.
Lamar Odom
Small Forward
Los Angeles Lakers
Profile
2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
49 15.7 10.3 3.5 .475 .695
Sunday, Odom's name surfaced in another rumor, one that had him, Butler and Jumaine Jones going to the Jazz for Carlos Boozer and Matt Harpring.
On it's face, the rumor seemed reasonable. As Insider first reported almost two weeks ago, the Jazz would consider moving Boozer if the right deal came along. Could Odom and Butler, be the right deal?
There would be questions about whether a guy like Odom, with his checkered past, is really a fit in Utah. But his reputation is far worse than his bite these days. Insider talked to people from the Heat, Lakers and USA Basketball about Odom this weekend, and they all swear he's changed.
Pairing him in the frontcourt with Andrei Kirilenko would give the Jazz the most versatile forward combo in the league. And as much as Harpring has been great for Utah, Butler is better.
Carlos Boozer
Power Forward
Utah Jazz
Profile
2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
51 17.8 9.0 2.8 .521 .698
While this deal would be a better fit for the Lakers than the one for Peja, it still would be a mistake. Boozer has struggled against the bigger power forwards in the West, and neither he nor Harpring has the upside of Odom and Butler.
However, just hours after hearing this rumor, Insider caught up with Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor in the hall just before halftime of the All-Star Game. His response? "It's ludicrous," O'Connor told Insider. "There's no truth to it. I don't know where this is coming from."
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak also shot down the rumor, claiming the team had offered Odom to no one.
Another rumor bites the dust.
Restless in Seattle
Ray Allen's ongoing frustration over his contract status could become an issue as the deadline approaches. While sources claim the two sides are not far apart, apparently the Sonics haven't budged off their offer in a while.
Ray Allen
Shooting Guard
Seattle SuperSonics
Profile
2004-2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
48 23.9 4.2 4.1 .430 .885
While it has been reported that Allen is demanding a six-year, $100 million deal, a source close to the negotiation said Allen actually is asking for "much less." Seattle's offer is believed to be around six years, $68 million.
Allen is growing frustrated. He hasn't been in Seattle long enough to feel any real loyalty to the franchise. The ownership situation looks like it's in flux, as does the front office. When he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, there's a strong chance he'll bolt if he doesn't get a deal done.
"On an organizational side, Seattle still has to step up and do the right things," Allen said this weekend. "[With] Seattle, sometimes I get mixed messages. Sometimes I don't know if they want to keep me."
Allen has been pushing the Sonics to make a big trade before the deadline to help the team ensure it can build on its regular-season success in the playoffs. However, he believes the club just wants him to keep his mouth shut.
"In Seattle, I've seen a lot of things that I feel like I can change," Allen said, "and I think sometimes they don't take too kindly to me making suggestions."
That led Allen to a series of "downer" statements this weekend that seem to back the idea he will sign elsewhere if an extension isn't worked out soon.
"Right now, what I'm trying not to do is project myself somewhere," he said. "It's hard for me to focus in on one place. Even to think I'll be back in Seattle is hard, because it might not happen."
The Sonics know the risk and have hedged their bets, knowing there will be very few teams under the cap next summer that can give Allen the contract he's looking for. Of the teams that can, the Cavaliers and possibly the Clippers are the only ones that appear likely to spend their cash on a player such as Allen.
The Sonics believe that if neither of those teams makes Allen an offer, he'll have to stay in Seattle. Clearly Michael Redd is the Cavs' first choice, but if he stays in Milwaukee, sources claim Cleveland would pursue Allen.
If there isn't progress toward a new contract in the next day or so, the Sonics might have to consider a trade.
"It would be tough to blow up the team given how well they've played," one GM said. "But if they are going to lose him for nothing this summer anyway, might as well get something back right now."
Dealing blind
You can blame the NBA and the Player's Association for some of the slowdown in trade talks. Many GMs were hoping the league and the union would hammer out the framework of a new collective-bargaining agreement this weekend so teams would have a better understanding of the rules they'll be dealing with this summer.
While everyone is pretty optimistic that they will avoid any sort of lockout, there still aren't enough specifics to give GMs the info they really need to make deals now. The biggest issue on the table is some sort of modification of the luxury tax. If the threshold goes up, or if it totally disappears (very unlikely), some GMs would be emboldened to spend.
Curry confident of deal before season ends
By Chad Ford
DENVER -- Leaders from the NBA and players' association met Friday in their latest attempt to avert a lockout this summer.
Players' association president Michael Curry sounded convinced after the meeting that the two sides would reach a deal before the season ends.
"I'm very optimistic that we'll get a deal done before the end of the regular season," Curry said. "It's almost impossible to get one done in the playoffs."
"We just know the logistics. Once the playoffs start, it becomes difficult to get a deal. Better now than later."
NBA commissioner David Stern and union head Billy Hunter were more reserved in their assessment of Friday's talks, however.
"In the language of diplomacy, it was frank, open, cordial and constructive but there still are substantial differences," Stern said.
"We're working on it," Hunter said in reaction to Stern's statement. "As David commented, I think we made a lot of progress. We've still got a lot of differences."
Stern said that there would be no more talks during the All-Star break and there would be no announcement of a basic agreed upon framework when he holds his annual All-Star Game press conference tomorrow.
Stern said the two sides would begin negotiating again the first week in March.
Sources on both sides of the table told ESPN.com earlier Friday that felt that a deal was close and were cautiously optimistic that agreement would be reached soon.
However, the language on both sides was a bit more subdued later Friday.
"We have a pretty good idea where the deal might be and where it might not be," Stern said. "Whether we have the will to close the gap is the issue. We're not there. We're not going to tell anyone that we're going to get there, but we're not going to get there for wont of trying. And that's what we committed today."
"We're going to closet ourselves for a period of time and see if we can't close the gap and get a deal. That may require some changes of position on both sides along the way and there was some conversation on how committed we have to be to the deal."
Hunter said that the biggest hurdle now is for both sides to drop the vague proposals and start hammering out the specific details.
"Nobody has made concessions. We've talked in generalities. What could happen? That kind of thing. Not necessarily someone putting forward a proposal that say here's what I'm willing to do. We decided to back away from that and lay it out. For example, here's what kind of deal I can make and what kind I can't make. If we can bridge the gap, it's all well and good."
How big is the gap?
Stern and Curry both used the word "tweaks" to describe the changes they were looking for.
However, Stern was quick to point out that the word "tweak" was a subjective one.
"One man's tweak is another man's large grab," Stern said. "We are both seeking to tweak the deal."
According to sources on both sides, the league is looking to shorten the length of guaranteed contracts, reduce player raises and create a real minor league out of the NBDL.
The players want to end the luxury tax on teams and the escrow taxes on players.
When Curry was asked whether shortening guaranteed contracts from six years to four years was a tweak, he was quick to respond, "that's not a tweak."
What the issues ultimately boil down to is whether a well-managed team can be competitive and still make money.
Hunter says the league is already there. Stern says they're not there yet.
The only issue both sides seem to totally agree on is that they don't want to end up like the NHL, which just canceled its season because of an ongoing labor war.
"We don't want to repeat what happened in hockey," Hunter said. "We went through a lockout seven years ago and we don't want to go there again."
That's why Stern believes something needs to give soon if both sides are going to avoid an ugly work stoppage.
"I learned from hockey if you think that a move at the last second can do the deal, you may be raising the stakes too much and eliminating the flexibility that might come from making your move earlier."
In Friday's meeting, Curry was joined by players Theo Ratliff of Portland, Eric Snow of Cleveland, Pat Garrity of Orlando, Ervin Johnson of Minnesota, Damon Jones of Miami, P.J. Brown of New Orleans and Malik Rose of San Antonio.
The owners were represented by Jerry Colangelo of Phoenix, Steve Mills of New York, Wyc Grousbeck of Boston, Micky Arison of Miami, Larry Tanenbaum of Toronto and Stan Kroenke of Denver.
Prosperity is recognized, differences remain
By Chad Ford
DENVER -- NBA commissioner David Stern conducted his annual "State of the NBA" press conference Saturday and concluded the league is healthy.
He was "Easy Dave" on All-Star weekend; will an agreement come as easily?
"The state of the league is pretty good, but it could use some improving as an economic matter," Stern said. But Stern also said league revenues were better than ever. This season, Stern said, the league is on pace to set records for attendance, gate receipts and the highest local TV revenues in the history of the league.
Stern, however, was quick to add that owners were spending too much of their revenue on player salaries. That is why the league has been unable to come to an accord with the players on a new collective-bargaining agreement.
The collective-bargaining agreement is set to expire June 30. Stern was joined at the podium by union chief Billy Hunter and both expressed confidence they would get a deal done before the end of the season.
"I'm really optimistic that we'll be able to do it," Stern said.
A year ago, Stern and Hunter sat at the same podium and pledged to immediately begin working on a deal. One year later, they're still talking, but the general tone on both sides is very positive.
Stern and Hunter refused to get into the particulars of their differences, but both said significant progress had been made.
This public stance is consistent with what sources in the league and in the players' association have been telling ESPN.com for the past several weeks. Both sides are privately saying they are cautiously optimistic that a lockout will be avoided.
Hunter said the sides would meet again in early March for five straight days of collective bargaining. Stern said they would meet three days a week from now until the end of the season in an effort to hammer out a deal. The goal is for the sides to begin exchanging concrete proposals. Up until now, most of the bargaining has been less formal.
"We're trying to eliminate the posturing and get to the nitty-gritty," Hunter said.
Sometimes, the devil can be in the details in collective bargaining. Both sides agree the scale of their differences isn't as large as in 1998, when the league went through a seven-month lockout, but there still are differences.
Hunter has called the owners' push to implement a hard cap "repugnant," and Stern has been fighting hard for the players to make concessions on issues such as contract lengths, raises and implementation of a real minor league.
Still, both sides recognize the league is doing well and they don't want to kill the golden goose.
"Our players are making a substantial sum of money," Hunter said. "The league appears to be thriving, and we would be foolish, you know, to not make every effort to make a deal and to be separated by something that shouldn't be something that prohibits that from occurring."
Both sides also agree that getting something done sooner rather than later could help the image of the NBA.
"We think there's a possible window of opportunity for which we can generate a lot of good will," Hunter said.
While discussion of the bargaining talks dominated the press conference, Stern hit on a number of other items.
--Stern promised the new agreement would give the public all the assurance it needs that steroid and drug use, including marijuana, weren't taking place in the NBA.
"I think it would be prudent to eliminate that even as a question," Stern said. "It's not a problem at the present time that we think we have. But it's a potent issue as it relates to baseball and the media around it, and we think it would be smart of us to deal with it."
--Stern reiterated his commitment to creating a true NBA minor league. "One of the things we'd like to do is have young players subject to having their contracts assigned, but we understand that there can be differences of opinion on that issue," Stern said. Creating a minor league has been an issue in the bargaining process. The players and league must collectively agree to a system.
Hunter said he's still not convinced the league needs a minor league. "It would be difficult for me to envision some of those guys [the players in Friday night's Rookie-Sophomore game] being in the D league,' Hunter said. "But it's just something that we have to address as we go."
--The league will expand the National Basketball Development League by four teams in the next year, Stern said. While Stern didn't reveal exact locations of the new teams, he said they would be located in the southwest United States.
--Stern said there had been no application for the reinstatement of Ron Artest from his season-long suspension.
Rumor Central
Jazz shoot down Boozer talk
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Carlos Boozer
Jazz
Lakers?
Mavericks?
Feb. 21 - Jazz GM Kevin O'Connor emphatically shot down a weekend rumor that Utah was considering shipping Boozer to the Lakers for a package including Lamar Odom. "It's ludicrous," O'Connor told Insider's Chad Ford at Sunday's All-Star Game. "There's no truth to it. I don't know where this is coming from." Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak concurred, telling Ford he hasn't offered Odom in trade to any team.
League sources have told Ford the Jazz are open to trading Boozer. While a Jazz official brushed off the rumors to a certain extent, they weren't totally dismissed. The Jazz are not shopping Boozer or holding a fire sale. But would they consider trading him if the right deal came along? Yes.
Jazz owner Larry Miller recently questioned Boozer's nightly dedication and said there are "at least three" teams that would be willing to take on the six-year, $68 million contract the 23-year-old signed last summer.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Michael Redd
Bucks
Trail Blazers?
Timberwolves?
Cavaliers?
Nuggets?
Feb. 21 - Bucks GM Larry Harris insists he doesn't want to trade Redd by Thursday's deadline and fully expects to be able to re-sign his star shooting guard when he hits free agency this summer. But a league source told Insider's Chad Ford at the All-Star Game that Harris has received some intriguing offers for Redd, and that Harris might reconsider his stance.
While reports indicate that Redd eventually wants to wind up in Cleveland, the Bucks aren't interested in what the Cavs are offering in trade at this point. That package is said to include Luke Jackson, Anderson Varejao and/or Sasha Pavlovic. What the Bucks do want if they deal Redd is either cap space this summer or a young potential star.
But if Redd is determined to sign in Cleveland this summer, would any team trade valuable assets for him now and risk winding up with nothing come July? A source told Ford, "You'd be shocked how many teams are willing to take the risk."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Alonzo Mourning
Raptors
Heat
Feb. 21 - Rather than sign Mourning and have to waive someone to make room on the roster, sources tell the Palm Beach Post the Heat are likely to wait until after Thursday's trade deadline to see if it can clear a roster spot another way. The delayed signing has nothing to do with Mourning's health, the sources tell the paper.
Mourning originally was expected to sign and join the team on its road trip to Chicago and Indianapolis. Mourning's contract with Miami most likely will be for a prorated share of the $1.1 million veteran minimum salary, meaning the Heat will pay him only about $375,000 for the rest of the season.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Lamar Odom
Lakers
Kings?
Jazz?
Feb. 21 - Odom's name came up in two trade rumors during the NBA's All-Star Weekend, but the Lakers deny they've discussed dealing Odom with anyone. One rumor had Odom going to Sacramento for Peja Stojakovic, while the other had Odom and Caron Butler packaged to acquire Carlos Boozer and Matt Harpring from the Jazz.
The 25-year-old Odom has four years and $45.2 million left on his contract after this season. He is averaging 15.7 points and 10.3 rebounds for L.A. after coming over from the Heat in the Shaquille O'Neal trade.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Ray Allen
Sonics
Lakers?
Clippers?
Cavs?
Nuggets?
Sonics
Feb. 21 - While the Sonics and Allen reportedly aren't that far apart in their negotiations on a new contract, the team might have to consider dealing its star shooting guard if progress toward a deal isn't made in the next few days.
Seattle has been counting on its ability to re-sign Allen this summer if he becomes a free agent, because there are few teams who will be under the salary cap and could offer him a deal anywhere close to what the Sonics can offer. However, one of those teams could be Cleveland, which has Michael Redd first on its shopping list but would settle for Allen if Redd signs elsewhere.
If Seattle begins to think that risk is too great, the team could look to deal Allen now rather than lose him in free agency. "It would be tough to blow up the team given how well they've played," one GM told Insider's Chad Ford. "But if they are going to lose him for nothing this summer anyway, might as well get something back right now."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Peja Stojakovic
Kings
Lakers?
Feb. 21 - Stojakovic let it be known early in the season that he wanted out of Sacramento, and a rumor flying at the All-Star Game suggested the Kings are ready to oblige. Though the report Peja for Lamar Odom eventually was shot down, there's still a chance the Kings could move the veteran small forward.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Antoine Walker
Hawks
Bulls?
Celtics?
Knicks?
Wolves?
Feb. 21 - The Chicago Tribune suggests the Bulls might try to pry Walker out of Atlanta if the Hawks are willing to take back Antiono Davis' contract, which has one more year, and rookie Andres Nocioni. However, the paper also suggests Atlanta might be more interested in dealing Al Harrington, citing "insiders" who believe the team made a mistake in trying to build around the former Pacers forward.
Walker is in the last year of a contract that pays him $14.6 million this season, and he will provide cap relief for whichever team owns his rights at the end of the season.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Gary Payton
Celtics
?
Feb. 21 - The Celtics reportedly still are seeking a No. 1 pick in exchange for Payton, who can become a free agent after this season. Such a high price makes a trade unlikely, but reports continue to mention The Glove as a short-term rental for a team looking to make a playoff run. Among the teams mentioned as possibly interested are the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Kings. The Chicago Tribune reminds readers that Celtics' boss Danny Ainge was enamored with Sonics rookie Robert Swift at last June's draft and could try to craft a deal to pry him loose.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Matt Harpring
Jazz
Lakers?
Feb. 21 - Harpring was mentioned in the rumor that had Carlos Boozer going to the Lakers for Lamar Odom, but the rumor was quickly shot down by both teams. Nevertheless, Insider's Chad Ford has been hearing that Harper has been the object of affection for most teams knocking at the Jazz's door.
However, Harpring recently told the Deseret News he has no desire to leave the Jazz, even during their disappointing season. "I've invested a lot of time and hard work here, and I want to see this be successful," he said. "And I still think we can be. This year is looking more grim. But that doesn't mean the future is grim, too."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Donyell Marshall
Raptors
Spurs
Knicks
Heat
Timberwolves
Rockets
Feb. 18 - If the Raptors are going to talk to other teams about Donyell Marshall, now is the time. The Toronto Star speculates that Marshall's agent, Andy Miller, and Raptors GM Rob Babcock will meet at some point during All-Star Weekend in Denver.
Marshall, a free agent at season's end, is unlikely to re-sign with Toronto, the newspaper reports.
