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Hoopsworld.com
By Steve "BskBALL" Kyler
Dec 18, 2005
Link: Hoopsworld
NBA RUMOR MILL – Ron To Sacramento?
RUMOR HAS IT…
In this weeks section geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around… “Rumor Has It…”
The Hawks: Things are starting to settle down for the Hawks, turmoil in the locker room has cooled, and it seems the team has figured out that fighting internally is not going to make the season any better. There are two Hawks players being floated on the trade market one if Al Harrington, who is campaigning to be traded, the other is Tony Delk… Both players could be an attractive package to a team willing to give the Hawks young players, the Hawks look to be sitting on $15 to $18 million in cap space next summer, and a high draft pick.
Some HEAT: Things have continued to progress for the Miami Heat, and trade talk has settled somewhat, a HEAT source says that Mike Doleac is still the player the HEAT are open to trading, and they’d like to return a shooter, Voshon Lenard continues to mentioned, and it seems the Nuggets are receptive. The HEAT are supposedly holding the line, until they establish Shaq is 100% healthy and going to play out the season.
Some Size: Several teams are shopping for size - the Hornets, Hawks, Magic, Nets and Blazers have all made inquires about trading for “Bigs” and have made it clear they will deal for the right big man sooner than later.
Zach Attack: Count the days, despite denials from the Blazers two league said they were told Zach Randolph is tiring of being the scapegoat for the Blazers and tired of being Nate McMillan’s whipping boy – one source said Zach vented at a friend saying he was playing the same way he’s always played, and the same way he was playing when the Blazers re-signed him, and he’s frustrated that now all of a sudden the way he’s playing is not good enough and he’s growing tired of Nate’s barbs in the press – It seems its only a matter of time before something gives and the Blazers have no choice but to deal Zach, and several teams have interest in acquiring him.
RON ARTEST UPDATE
The circus that’s has become the Ron Artest situation continues, this time with Ron and his agent Mark Stevens, pleading to the media that Ron does not want a trade from the Pacers. Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh says he’s still moving forward with exploration of offers, but is puzzled why Ron did not come to the team with his frustrations. This week Ron called teammates, trying to mend the fence, but Jermaine O’Neal refused his call, and told media that if for some reason Ron was allowed back on the team, it would be “him or me” drawing the line, that he would not play with Artest again. Walsh has told media he’s heard from more than 20 teams, most were exploratory calls seeking Indiana’s price – some had real offers attached… Here are some of the offers floated according to league and team sources – Donnie Walsh has refused to openly discuss what has be offered.
Bonzi Wells & Kevin Martin - Its been suggested that Jermaine O’Neal was told of an offer from Sacramento that included good friend Bonzi Wells and “the kid they drafted last year”. A source close to the Kings says Bonzi has come to the realization that he wants to compete, and is finding the laid back atmosphere in Sacramento annoying and has hinted that he’d want a trade. The numbers work salary wise given the new 25% rule, for Sacramento they get Artest who they have coveted for some time, without giving up Peja – Indiana gets a player Jermaine O’Neal approves of, and a young player in Kevin Martin who they have scouted in each of the past too summers. Bonzi comes off the books next summer, so it’s not a long term marriage if it doesn’t work out, and Kevin is cheap – toss in a draft pick and this is the best deal floating around.
Kelvin Cato and a draft pick - The Orlando Magic called, they asked the price tag and its been suggested Kelvin Cato and his ending contract was mentioned, but a source close to the Pacers said, the Magic do have a package that would work for the Pacers and that would be Tony Battie and Jameer Nelson – Magic sources say there is no way they deal Tony without getting a big man in return, and the club is not open to the idea of trading Jameer at this point. The only way the Magic get Ron Artest is to give up a piece they have now, and it does not seem like they are willing to do that.
Three Way Through Atlanta
The speculation was that Indiana wanted Al Harrington back, and that Denver had eyes for Ron Artest, the scenario goes that Denver trades Earl Watson to Atlanta, who sends Al Harrington to Denver, who send Harrington to Indiana for Ron Artest – its likely one other players has to be included to make the change work in trade in the Watson to Atlanta leg. It’s been suggested that Nene would be included in the deal to sweeten the offer, but a league source denies that he’d be included.
Not New York Despite pleas from Ron Artest to be traded to the Knicks, a source inside the organization says Isiah Thomas is adamant that he is not bringing Ron Artest to New York, and that his calls to the Pacers were more to see if he could be of help in a three team trade that would help him be rid of Jerome James and Penny Hardaway and return useful pieces now, Artest is not viewed as one of them.
TWO FOR THE ROAD
You can call it the kiss of death for a coach – it’s the dreaded vote of confidence from the GM, and both Lawrence Frank of the Nets and Bob Weiss of the Sonics both got it this week. Rod Thorn told media that he did not think his club’s issues had anything to do with coaching, saying he thought the problems had more to do with players and says he’s committed to Lawrence Frank and his staff. Thorn has been working the phone pretty aggressively, looking to Houston’s Stromile Swift as a possible answer. Rumor has it Thorn is willing to come off Richard Jefferson for the right package of big men, and Jeff McInnis is said to be available after a very public pout about playing time. It seems the Nets will try to make a deal before making a coaching change, but if things do not improve in New Jersey, you can expect that there will be a change in the off-season, especially with Stan Van Gundy available. In Seattle Bob Weiss, is finding that the team that over achieved last year, is underachieving this year – some say its because Weiss plays favorites and some players feel like they are unwanted on the team. Rick Sund said the team this year reminds him of the team, two seasons ago that struggled due to effort and commitment by the players, he’s hopeful that things turn around for the Sonics, and would not entertain that a coaching change may be in order. Weiss got the Sonics job because there weren’t a lot of options for Seattle after Nate McMillan left, several people near the team say he’s a great guy, but better suited as a lead assistant, and expect the Sonics to make a change this summer.
