layupdrill
02-18-2009, 05:49 AM
The World Famous LayupDrill Rumor Mill
2/18/09 When the season first began, there were thoughts of the Houston Rockets finally making it out of the first round, led by the Rockets new “Big 3″ of Yao Ming, Ron Artest, and Tracy McGrady. The one major question was if injuries would allow the 3 to make that happen. Tuesday night, that question was answered. Tracy Mcgrady told ESPN’s Stephen A Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3914888) that he will be having surgery on his injured knee, and that will end his 2008-09 season.
Injuries have also hit the Boston Celtics, as reserve guard Tony Allen will have thumb surgery that will end his regular season. The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/02/18/tony_allen_surgery_cassell_trade_out/) reports that though the Celtics at one point were stacked in the back court, now they will have to rely on Eddie House primarily off the bench. There is still potential that the Celtics can sign a free agent big man, which would solve depth issues there, such as Micheal Doleac, Scott Pollard, or Othella Harrington. Stay tuned…
In an interesting twist, late Tuesday night The New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/02182009/sports/knicks/lee_could_still_be_sent_packing_155753.htm) reports that the Portland Trailblazers once again made a call to the Knicks regarding the availability of David Lee. Reportedly, any deal including Lee would also mean taking the contract of Eddy Curry as well, which will probably kill any chances of a deal.
Raptors GM Jerry Colangelo came out yesterday evening and also denied the rumors swirling around yesterday about a potential three team deal involving Chris Bosh. The Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/02/18/8428121-sun.html) reports that Colangelo said flat out,
“If I can be very clear here, there is no truth to that,”.
(http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/02/wheeling_any_dealing_wizards_j.html)
The Cleveland Plain-Dealer (http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/02/wheeling_any_dealing_wizards_j.html) reports that contrary to what everyone in the Cavs front office is saying, they are looking to make a deal. With the Amare Stoudemire talks stalled, the Cavs are said to be looking at Marcus Camby or the Wizards Antawn Jamison. Washington, who many feel may be interested in unloading contracts and clearing cap space for a lottery pick anyway, may listen to a Jamison for Wally swap.
Finally, don’t expect Magic small forward Hedo Turkoglu to re-sign with Orlando after this season. Hedo can opt out after this season, and when the Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportsmnotes18021809feb18,0,3176868.story) asked him the status of any contract extension, Turkoglu replied, “there is a lot of work to be done to reach an agreement.”
2/18/09 When the season first began, there were thoughts of the Houston Rockets finally making it out of the first round, led by the Rockets new “Big 3″ of Yao Ming, Ron Artest, and Tracy McGrady. The one major question was if injuries would allow the 3 to make that happen. Tuesday night, that question was answered. Tracy Mcgrady told ESPN’s Stephen A Smith (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3914888) that he will be having surgery on his injured knee, and that will end his 2008-09 season.
Injuries have also hit the Boston Celtics, as reserve guard Tony Allen will have thumb surgery that will end his regular season. The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/02/18/tony_allen_surgery_cassell_trade_out/) reports that though the Celtics at one point were stacked in the back court, now they will have to rely on Eddie House primarily off the bench. There is still potential that the Celtics can sign a free agent big man, which would solve depth issues there, such as Micheal Doleac, Scott Pollard, or Othella Harrington. Stay tuned…
In an interesting twist, late Tuesday night The New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/02182009/sports/knicks/lee_could_still_be_sent_packing_155753.htm) reports that the Portland Trailblazers once again made a call to the Knicks regarding the availability of David Lee. Reportedly, any deal including Lee would also mean taking the contract of Eddy Curry as well, which will probably kill any chances of a deal.
Raptors GM Jerry Colangelo came out yesterday evening and also denied the rumors swirling around yesterday about a potential three team deal involving Chris Bosh. The Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/02/18/8428121-sun.html) reports that Colangelo said flat out,
“If I can be very clear here, there is no truth to that,”.
(http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/02/wheeling_any_dealing_wizards_j.html)
The Cleveland Plain-Dealer (http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/02/wheeling_any_dealing_wizards_j.html) reports that contrary to what everyone in the Cavs front office is saying, they are looking to make a deal. With the Amare Stoudemire talks stalled, the Cavs are said to be looking at Marcus Camby or the Wizards Antawn Jamison. Washington, who many feel may be interested in unloading contracts and clearing cap space for a lottery pick anyway, may listen to a Jamison for Wally swap.
Finally, don’t expect Magic small forward Hedo Turkoglu to re-sign with Orlando after this season. Hedo can opt out after this season, and when the Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orl-sportsmnotes18021809feb18,0,3176868.story) asked him the status of any contract extension, Turkoglu replied, “there is a lot of work to be done to reach an agreement.”