NBA BUYERS / SELLERS THREAD(off season activity)

[chanman7483]

WHAT UP???

Its about that time again! Trade/free agent speculation / activity usually follows the NBA Finals and conitnues for most of the summer. Lets get started!

-Kobe Bryant: Chose to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Potential destination? Lakers, Suns?

-SHAQ: Demanded a trade immediately after the finals following news that Phil Jackson was going to retire. Potential destination? Dallas.

- There's been a lot of reports (albeit on ESPN) that have Tmac, the disgruntled 2 time defending scoring champ, going to Houston for a package that would involve Steve Francis.

-I see Dallas being involved with a lot of moves this off season. They made the mistake(and admitted it) of getting too many great offensive players, if that's possible. This created poor chemistry, as everyone was fighting for the ball. Look for Dallas to move some of its unnecessary parts(Antoine Walker, Antawn Jamison, Nash?) to acquire a key player to plug their sizeable hole in the middle. I say Nash because i see him as expendable because of Marquis Daniels' excellent performance in the second half of last season.

Feel free to add to this list!

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by chanman7483

-Kobe Bryant: Chose to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Potential destination? Lakers, Suns?

I've heard the Clippers mentioned as well.

-SHAQ: Demanded a trade immediately after the finals following news that Phil Jackson was going to retire. Potential destination? Dallas.

I see him as a Net next year.

-I see Dallas being involved with a lot of moves this off season. They made the mistake(and admitted it) of getting too many great offensive players, if that's possible. This created poor chemistry, as everyone was fighting for the ball. Look for Dallas to move some of its unnecessary parts(Antoine Walker, Antawn Jamison, Nash?) to acquire a key player to plug their sizeable hole in the middle. I say Nash because i see him as expendable because of Marquis Daniels' excellent performance in the second half of last season.

Feel free to add to this list!

Nash is a FA (not sure if he's restricted), but they could persue a sign and trade.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

As I drove around today, the sports talk jabberers had new scenarios on Shaq and Kobe every five minutes. You would never know that there are two contending baseball teams here. Sad.

Consensus is that Shaq is gone. For obvious reasons the Lakers would like to send him east, but the only likly candidate, Indy, will probably not want to give up their O'Neil for the larger, but much older model.

One semi reliable talk host said that TMack and Shaq have been speaking several times a day trying to figure out how to both end up in Dallas. I also heard the Tmack related rumour that you mentioned, so who knows. Shaq alone to Dallas is also much discussed, but the Lakers would want Nowietski.

Other Shaq destinations: Sacramento, Clippers.

The most frequent Kobe discussion involves the Clippers as well, with Phoenix a close second. Most feel that he'll probably stay with the Lakers because they can pay the most, and his wife wants to stay in LA.

It seems that Rudi T. and Pat Riley are the frontrunners to replace Phil. Most think that if Riley would relax his demands for "control", the job would be his, but because he won't, Rudi has the inside track. Henry Bibby is mentioned as a bailout.

What fun. I enjoy this more than the games.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper
What fun. I enjoy this more than the games.

Same here! If Shaq were to go to the Nets, what could the Nets possibly give to appease the Lakers that the Mavs couldn't? The only thing I can see is that the Lakers woudln't want to trade Shaq to a conference rival.

[yankeegeek]

Originally posted by chanman7483


Same here! If Shaq were to go to the Nets, what could the Nets possibly give to appease the Lakers that the Mavs couldn't? The only thing I can see is that the Lakers woudln't want to trade Shaq to a conference rival.

The Nets would send the Lakers a package of Kerry Rittles(Final year of contract), Kenyon Martin(Give him a max contract),and Nene Kristic. Nene was drafted two years ago and has stayed in Europe. While in Europe he has developed into a terrific Center. If he was in the draft today he would be a top 5 pick according to the experts.

That is the deal that would bring Shaq to the Nets. I would do it in a second. Kidd, Jefferson and Shaq could win a championship.

[YankeeClemens22]

I doubt that Shaq will be in NJ next year. Dallas seems more likely, and ESPN said Cuban is willing to part with Nowitzski.

For the Lakers, it is impossible to get fair value in return for Shaq. They just need to maximize whatever they can get.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by YankeeClemens22
I doubt that Shaq will be in NJ next year. Dallas seems more likely, and ESPN said Cuban is willing to part with Nowitzski.

I actually read the opposite - - That Dirk is as close to untouchable as anyone can get. And if the Lakers were asking for Dirk, I'd say no immediately. Reason being that now w/ the Lakers looking like they're going to restructure, Dallas will be more of a front runner and more of a threat to a weak Lakers team. If i'm the Mavs, I'd go for some solid defensive players... a Ron Artest type. However, the only Artest rumor i've heard is Artest for Peja.

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by yankeegeek



The Nets would send the Lakers a package of Kerry Rittles(Final year of contract), Kenyon Martin(Give him a max contract),and Nene Kristic. Nene was drafted two years ago and has stayed in Europe. While in Europe he has developed into a terrific Center. If he was in the draft today he would be a top 5 pick according to the experts.

That is the deal that would bring Shaq to the Nets. I would do it in a second. Kidd, Jefferson and Shaq could win a championship.

That's the deal I heard as well...

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by chanman7483


I actually read the opposite - - That Dirk is as close to untouchable as anyone can get. And if the Lakers were asking for Dirk, I'd say no immediately. Reason being that now w/ the Lakers looking like they're going to restructure, Dallas will be more of a front runner and more of a threat to a weak Lakers team. If i'm the Mavs, I'd go for some solid defensive players... a Ron Artest type. However, the only Artest rumor i've heard is Artest for Peja.

Ditto.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by chanman7483
The only thing I can see is that the Lakers woudln't want to trade Shaq to a conference rival.

That may be a huuuuge factor. Although I am far from an NBA cap expert, wouldn't it follow that clearing Shaqs 30mil would allow the Lakers to chase that many more FAs?

[yankeegeek]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper


That may be a huuuuge factor. Although I am far from an NBA cap expert, wouldn't it follow that clearing Shaqs 30mil would allow the Lakers to chase that many more FAs?

The Lakers will try like crazy to not trade him to another team in the West. That is part of the reason that the Nets make sense. They can offer K-Mart, Kerry Kittles, and Nene Kristic. Tthe Lakers get a big man(Nene). Get a big strong Power Foward(K-Mart). Get a guy that is in the last year of his contract(Kittles). They could get Kittles and trade him for something too.


The Nets might make the best sense for the Lakers. It is a trade that could help both teams. The Nets could win with Jefferson, Kidd and Shaq. Kidd and Shaq together could be terrific. With the way Jefferson is developing, this is a team that could win a championship.

[Yankee Bulldawg]

Shaq has put his home up for sale in LA meaning some kind of trade is being worked on. Most likely i say he winds up in Dallas. Mark Cuban first said he would'nt trade Dirk, but later said if he could trade for Shaq he would trade Dirk straight up in a heartbeat.

[Irony Of It All]

The Mavericks have apparently traded Jamison to the Wizards for Stackhouse, 5th pick, and others. Speculation is they're hoping this along with a package of players will land them Shaq. Sports Center also mentioned that there are only 3 teams that can realistically resign Shaq for the money he wants: The Knicks, Blazers, and Mavericks. Of the 3, only the Mavericks have the players necessary to make a trade.

[Yankee Bulldawg]

and if i'm not mistaken Shaq said Dallas is his top choice of where he wants to play next season.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by Irony Of It All
The Mavericks have apparently traded Jamison to the Wizards for Stackhouse, 5th pick, and others. Speculation is they're hoping this along with a package of players will land them Shaq. Sports Center also mentioned that there are only 3 teams that can realistically resign Shaq for the money he wants: The Knicks, Blazers, and Mavericks. Of the 3, only the Mavericks have the players necessary to make a trade.

The Wiz also threw in Laettner.

As far as the Wiz go, I don't see how this made sense - - They have Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes, both ball hogs. Throw Antawn into this mix and you have a situation where there's 1 ball to be shared among 3 guys who need the ball to be successful. However, I think they're happy to see Stackhouse out of there.

As far as this goes for impacting the Mavs, I think this gives them one less tradable commodity and a player that ultimately plays the same exact game as Michael Finley in Stackhouse. Stackhouse is another player that needs the ball to be successful as he's not a good spot up shooter nor does he play defense all that well. My guess is that they package the no.5 pick, stackhouse and someone else for Shaq? I don't know if the Lakers will want to take on Stackhouse's burdensome contract(3 yrs remaining at 7, 7.5, 8mil) though.

The rebuilding process in Orlando could be in full swing if Dallas turns around and tries to package the no.5 pick and a combo from their pool of talent for Tmac. I see this as a realistic possibility, as Orlando could take Okafur/Howard at the 1 pick and solidify their front line and with the no.5 pick take Luol Deng or Ben Gordon(my darkhorse a la Dwaybe Wade). I think that would be an ideal option for Orlando, as TMac is looking to move on:

"We talk all the time about it," McGrady told FLORIDA TODAY on Saturday. "Me and the Big Fella are trying to get to Dallas together now." <- Sorry, I don't have a link, just saw this on another forum.

If i'm the Magic, I'd much rather make a deal w/ Dallas instead of Houston. Houston would give Francis, Mobley and someone else for Tmac. Look what those 2 have done in what... 5 seasons together with houston. Absolutely nothing. They are both totally unwilling to play a team game, as they continually go one on one. Look at what they did to Yao. Here are the Rockets, with a 7'5 center who could eventually be the best bigman of our generation on their team, and they're playing keepaway from him!

It looks like Phoenix is trying to make a serious run at some free agents. They traded their no. 7 pick to the bulls for a second round pick, a future first round pick and cash.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=1827142

With this transaction, the Suns have 16.3 Million free now to make a run at some free agents. I think Kobe should take a serious look at the Suns as a possible destination. Imagine him teaming with Joe Johnson, Marion and Amare?

This off season is going to be interesting

[chanman7483]

bump?

Completely baffled by the NBA draft.

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by chanman7483


As far as this goes for impacting the Mavs, I think this gives them one less tradable commodity and a player that ultimately plays the same exact game as Michael Finley in Stackhouse. Stackhouse is another player that needs the ball to be successful as he's not a good spot up shooter nor does he play defense all that well. My guess is that they package the no.5 pick, stackhouse and someone else for Shaq? I don't know if the Lakers will want to take on Stackhouse's burdensome contract(3 yrs remaining at 7, 7.5, 8mil) though.

I think Finley would be the one to go in any Shaq deal unless the Mavs are willing to trade Nowitzki.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by Irony Of It All


I think Finley would be the one to go in any Shaq deal unless the Mavs are willing to trade Nowitzki.

And we know that's not happening. If i'm the Lakers I woudln't want Nowitzki. Obviously he's good but i'd rather have a package of players ... because after all, the Lakers are totally rebuilding their team.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by chanman7483
bump?

Completely baffled by the NBA draft.

What GM will be around long enough to see if any high scholl kid turns out?????

The quality of play in the NBA will continue to erode.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper


What GM will be around long enough to see if any high scholl kid turns out?????

The quality of play in the NBA will continue to erode.

Yup. No longer are people taking players who are pretty much guaranteed to contribute immediately AND continue to improve(a la dwyane wade)... nope... instead lets just take players who we THINK will be good... yet we have no real idea.

The best pick of the draft was Ben Gordon going at 3... Doesn't it make sense to take the best player on a championship team? Yup. I'm hoping for big things out of Gordon.He and Nelson from Orlando are my picks to make the biggest impact this year.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by chanman7483


The best pick of the draft was Ben Gordon going at 3... Doesn't it make sense to take the best player on a championship team? Yup. I'm hoping for big things out of Gordon.He and Nelson from Orlando are my picks to make the biggest impact this year.

I agree that Gordon was a nice pick, but I am absolutely certain that Ameka will lead the Bobcats to a club record for victories this next season.

[chanman7483]

At least the draft made me not as mad about losing 2 first rounders from this yr and next yr for the Knicks. They lost the picks in the deal for Marbury, but as far as this draft goes, and the one for next yr...it doesn't look like there's much NBA ready talent. Good times

[Yankee Bulldawg]

The Bulls got 2 very good picks in Ben Gordon and Loul Deng

[yankeesrule2000]

With the Bull's Draft it look's they wont keep restricted Free agent Jamal Crawford, and he can be on his way to the knick's in a sign and trade or a MLE free agent offer..

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by yankeesrule2000
With the Bull's Draft it look's they wont keep restricted Free agent Jamal Crawford, and he can be on his way to the knick's in a sign and trade or a MLE free agent offer..

That's the LAST thing the knicks need! ANOTHER shoot first PG / undersized SG!

If i'm Isiah, I don't touch him w/ a ten foot pole...Crawford needs a ton of shots to be effective... he ain't gonna get em on the knicks.

[chanman7483]

TMAC TRADED TO HOUSTON!!!!

"The long-rumored Magic-Rockets deal became official on Tuesday. Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines are headed to Houston, and Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato move to Orlando."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

Hopefully the link works for you.

I think this is a great deal for the Magic. Initially, I didn't think that the Rockets could offer the best package(although i'm biased b/c i really didn't like the combo of Francis and Mobley). But now that I look at the trade, Orlando becomes an instant contender w/ the allstar backcourt duo.

Additionally, there is no pressure to get Yao involved. On top of that, Dwight Howard won't have to carry the offensive load, and Jameer Nelson can be brought along slowly.

I think Tmac could either benefit greatly from this or totally flop. He'd benefit if he learned to use Yao as a weapon. Yao could set picks for him and if he got doubled off the pick Yao would be able to hit the 18 footer. He'll flop if he tries to play like he did in the east... the western teams are better equipped to handle him.. and lets face it, The rockets supporting cast as of now, outside of yao, is just as bad as orlando's was last year.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by chanman7483


I think Tmac could either benefit greatly from this or totally flop. He'd benefit if he learned to use Yao as a weapon. Yao could set picks for him and if he got doubled off the pick Yao would be able to hit the 18 footer. He'll flop if he tries to play like he did in the east... the western teams are better equipped to handle him.. and lets face it, The rockets supporting cast as of now, outside of yao, is just as bad as orlando's was last year.

I think that your analysis is exactly on point. Yao is not only everything that you said, but he is the best passing big man in recent memory. The offense needs to run through him.

Maybe Tracy is more motivated to win a championship than post numbers, but I doubt it.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by Socal Pinstriper


I think that your analysis is exactly on point. Yao is not only everything that you said, but he is the best passing big man in recent memory. The offense needs to run through him.

Maybe Tracy is more motivated to win a championship than post numbers, but I doubt it.

I have a gut feeling that Tmac will defer to Yao a little more than Francis did. Reason being is that TMac knows how it is like to get triple teamed all the time... he knows how it feels like to have to carry the load for a whole season and still lose. With all of this experience he has as "the man" and what it requires, I think he'd be more than happy to let some of that go on Yao's shoulders.

But then again, Tmac could just say 'outta the way big man and keep scoring his 30-35 a game..poor Yao. Get him out of there!

[SoCal Pinstriper]

Originally posted by chanman7483


I have a gut feeling that Tmac will defer to Yao a little more than Francis did. Reason being is that TMac knows how it is like to get triple teamed all the time... he knows how it feels like to have to carry the load for a whole season and still lose. With all of this experience he has as "the man" and what it requires, I think he'd be more than happy to let some of that go on Yao's shoulders.

But then again, Tmac could just say 'outta the way big man and keep scoring his 30-35 a game..poor Yao. Get him out of there!

IMO, Yao will win at least one title. It remains to be seen if he takes Tmac along.

[chanman7483]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

Nash signs a 5 year deal w/ the Suns.

I guess this officially takes them out of the running for Kobe...

[chanman7483]

Mavs sign Marquis Daniels to a 6 year 38 Million dollar deal.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

I'm not doubting that fact that Marquis was a solid player last year. He was definetly damn good. However, he played that way for HALF A YEAR. Life must be damn good when Mark Cuban is your owner. That's a huge contract for someone w/ his experience.

I'm looking to see who will take the big shots this year for the Mavs. We all know that Dirk can't handle any pressure what so ever... Finley is just bad... Nash used to be able to break down the D and score pretty easily.

I'm secretly hoping for Dallas to get Shaq... I'm starting to feel bad for them.... each year they get pounded by teams b/c they have no inside presence at all.

[nyyfanatic85]

As a Rockets fan I'm pretty excited about the upcoming season. We still need a forward though, BAD. Mo Taylor isn't gonna cut it.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/NA...s_la&fext=.jsp

Yes, Shaq was dissed majorly, not just by Kobe, but by the entire Laker organization, but even my Shaq-apologist bf can see that the Diesel is being a huge baby. Why, Shaq? WHY?! Well, I know why... but all the stubbornness and crying has hurt him a bit in my eyes.

Well... my bf always says Slava would be the best center in the East. Now he'll get a chance to make his case in the West.

And finally...

D*MN.

[chanman7483]

Hey, don't start getting sad yet... you might be getting even more sad in the weeks to come when Kobe comes to the knicks!

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by chanman7483
Hey, don't start getting sad yet... you might be getting even more sad in the weeks to come when Kobe comes to the knicks!

For me, the most disgustingly sickening part of that prospect is the innumerable Kobe-haters, here and elsewhere, who will immediately do a 180 on him the second he'd sign with them. If Kobe goes to the Knicks, do THEY become "the Rapers"?

[destiny0o2]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35


For me, the most disgustingly sickening part of that prospect is the innumerable Kobe-haters, here and elsewhere, who will immediately do a 180 on him the second he'd sign with them. If Kobe goes to the Knicks, do THEY become "the Rapers"?

Obviously a good point. I just don't see it happening with the Knicks anyway. I thought he decided that it would be either the Lakers or the Clippers.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=1842524

Vlade Divac is one of my most hated NBA players. In fact, I am pretty sure I put him in my top 5 most hated athletes in all of sports in that thread awhile back. This is not a good thing. Once again, we need a crying smiley on this board.

[yanksrule51]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=1842524

Vlade Divac is one of my most hated NBA players. In fact, I am pretty sure I put him in my top 5 most hated athletes in all of sports in that thread awhile back. This is not a good thing. Once again, we need a crying smiley on this board.

Thats a pretty sucky "replacement" for the diesel.

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Originally posted by yanksrule51


Thats a pretty sucky "replacement" for the diesel.

Indeed. Although anyone would be a sucky replacement...there just isn't one.

[sanfranciscojetergirl]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?id=1842524

Vlade Divac is one of my most hated NBA players. In fact, I am pretty sure I put him in my top 5 most hated athletes in all of sports in that thread awhile back. This is not a good thing. Once again, we need a crying smiley on this board.

That sick, why would he want to go back to the Lakers now, after Shaq left.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by sanfranciscojetergirl



That sick, why would he want to go back to the Lakers now, after Shaq left.

For the Kings, that's the equivalent of a washed up David Cone going to the Red Sox... although he is no longer of use to us it still pisses us off &po'd&

[chanman7483]

Looks like Erick Dampier is leaning towards the Knicks

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1842804

He would come to the Knicks in a sign and trade for Nazr Mohammad and Othella Harrington. While I would favor this move b/c it would give us some much needed size and a dependable rebounder, I still have my reservations.

Erick Dampier has done nothing before his walk year. This could just be a coincidence, that he just realized how to play ball this past year. However, it coudl also mean that he's a lazy dude who just got his ass in shape to make $ off the free agent market. I could see him just totally slacking off and being content w/ the 9 mil a year he'd be looking to command.

Also, trading away Othella would probably stall a sign and trade for Jamal Crawford... He was supposedly a big part of the trade that was going to happen with the Bulls.

I feel good about this though. Any change to what is on the knicks roster now is a good thing. I can see The knicks looking more and more like a western conference team... athleticism in Marbury, Tim Thomas, Shandon Anderson.. some quality bigs in Kurt Thomas, Nazr and hopefuly Mike Sweetney... assuming we get Dampier, we now have a legitimate big man who can board and bang w/ the best of them... if you add crawford, youu add more athleticism, more speed, more shooting...

I hope it all works out.....