djohn2oo8
02-06-2010, 03:54 PM
As stated previously in this cyberspace, Martin tops the Mavs' list (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4665036/mavs-register-interest-in-kings-martin) in their search for a dependable second scorer to flank Dirk Nowitzki (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=609). Sources say, however, that Dallas would likely have to recruit a third team to present the quality big man presumably needed to prompt the Kings to alter their thinking.
The Wiz and Mavs, meanwhile, have discussed a deal that would swap Josh Howard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2006) and one other player (such as James Singleton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2873) or Quinton Ross (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2188)) for Butler and DeShawn Stevenson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=808). But Dallas has little interest in taking back Stevenson and is still weighing whether Butler can help pull the All-Star Weekend hosts out of a spiral that has been openly addressed this week (see Box 4) by Mark Cuban.
"We're just in a funk right now," Cuban said Wednesday night, publicly acknowledging his desire to make a move just a week before much of the league descends upon Big D.
As for a Wizards-Rockets deal, one source with knowledge of the talks says the obstacles preventing the teams from closing in on a McGrady deal haven't changed much. The Wizards are believed to be willing to surrender coveted center Brendan Haywood (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1000) along with Butler but want a player from Houston's scrappy core -- such as Luis Scola (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1781), Carl Landry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3217) or Shane Battier (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=976) -- that the Rockets aren't willing to surrender in addition to McGrady's $22.5 million expiring contract.
As my ESPN.com colleague Chad Ford wrote Thursday (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=TradeWatch-100204), Washington's preference is moving Butler ahead of team statesman Antawn Jamison (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=385), who has been chased hard by Cleveland since last season and with particular vigor since the Cavs lost out to Charlotte in the trade race to acquire Stephen Jackson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=378).
http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100206-07/latest-chatter
The Wiz and Mavs, meanwhile, have discussed a deal that would swap Josh Howard (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2006) and one other player (such as James Singleton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2873) or Quinton Ross (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2188)) for Butler and DeShawn Stevenson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=808). But Dallas has little interest in taking back Stevenson and is still weighing whether Butler can help pull the All-Star Weekend hosts out of a spiral that has been openly addressed this week (see Box 4) by Mark Cuban.
"We're just in a funk right now," Cuban said Wednesday night, publicly acknowledging his desire to make a move just a week before much of the league descends upon Big D.
As for a Wizards-Rockets deal, one source with knowledge of the talks says the obstacles preventing the teams from closing in on a McGrady deal haven't changed much. The Wizards are believed to be willing to surrender coveted center Brendan Haywood (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1000) along with Butler but want a player from Houston's scrappy core -- such as Luis Scola (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1781), Carl Landry (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3217) or Shane Battier (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=976) -- that the Rockets aren't willing to surrender in addition to McGrady's $22.5 million expiring contract.
As my ESPN.com colleague Chad Ford wrote Thursday (http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=TradeWatch-100204), Washington's preference is moving Butler ahead of team statesman Antawn Jamison (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=385), who has been chased hard by Cleveland since last season and with particular vigor since the Cavs lost out to Charlotte in the trade race to acquire Stephen Jackson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=378).
http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100206-07/latest-chatter