http://www.statesman.com/sports/cont...sptcolumn.html
NBA trade rumblings as deadline approaches
Kidd trade may be back on; look for Riley to stay active.
SPORTS COMMENTARY: SAM SMITH
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Monday, February 18, 2008
NEW ORLEANS — While the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets continue working to restructure the deal involving Jason Kidd — the latest reports are that it's back on — the clock is ticking toward Thursday's trade deadline in the NBA.
There will be activity, and Pat Riley may be in the middle of it again.
Yes, he made that big Shaquille O'Neal trade with Phoenix, which no one thought was possible. (O'Neal's Suns debut, by the way, looks to be Wednesday at home against Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson, the latter of whom Shaq dubbed Benedict Arnold.)
But if you tell me Riley is building a team around Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion, I tell you that you don't know Riley and you don't know NBA history. Pat "Small Ball" Riley? I don't think so.
The consensus is the Heat will let Marion's deal expire after next season and head for a big man like Elton Brand, a free agent after next season whom Riley tried to recruit as a free agent in 2003.
Riley made his reputation coaching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Los Angeles. He sat out a year and then went to the Knicks to coach Patrick Ewing.
He didn't even get his first Miami suntan before he traded for Alonzo Mourning. Then he swooped in and traded for O'Neal.
Riley needs a big post-up presence, obviously younger than Shaq.
So what about Eddy Curry?
It seems his time in New York is coming to an end. For the first time in a long time, the Knicks could be ready to subtract payroll. With Stephon Marbury entering the last season of his contract, the Knicks actually would be under the salary cap after next season with Curry off their ledger. The expiring contracts of Jason Williams and Ricky Davis could help make that happen.
So the Knights just might get rid of Curry and the team-killing Zach Randolph, who said predictably last week: "What we're doing now ain't working. We need to do something."
What coach other than Riley would believe he could motivate and put Curry in position to succeed?
How much could it possibly cost? Curry is only 25.
Riley isn't patient enough to wait two years for his team to develop, and he needs a big center. Curry could be that player.
Meanwhile on the Mavericks-Nets front, sources say Dallas swingman Trenton Hassell and the retired Keith Van Horn will be plugged into the trade in place of Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George. The Nets may be willing to do that because of Van Horn's expiring contract.
If the NBA approves of the deal, New Jersey would receive young point guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop, guard Maurice Ager, forwards Hassell and Van Horn, two first-round draft picks and $3 million in cash for Kidd and forward Malik Allen.
League insiders say Dallas also has been working the phones for a big man, focusing mostly on Denver's Nene, out after cancer surgery, and Kenyon Martin, a Dallas high school product finally regaining his health after knee operations. Martin is averaging 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in seven February games.
But this would only happen if the Kidd deal falls apart, because the Nuggets would want Devin Harris.
Some other possibilities:
The Lakers want a more traditional small forward with shooting range than Lamar Odom. The Wizards' Caron Butler could be that guy.
The Kings are working feverishly to get Ron Artest out of California's capital. The Nuggets and Knicks are the teams most often mentioned.
The Grizzlies' Mike Miller is supposedly headed out — perhaps to Denver. They also will move a point guard, most likely Kyle Lowry, leaving Mike Conley and Javaris Crittendon in Memphis.
The Spurs don't make many major moves, but San Antonio is looking to deal Francisco Elson.
The Rockets would like to be rid of Bonzi Wells.
The SuperSonics have had enough of their French connection and are offering Johan Petro and Mickael Gelabale. Seattle also would like to move Wally Szczerbiak and Damien Wilkins.
The 76ers are offering Gordan Giricek.
The Warriors' Mickael Pietrus wants out.
This column contains material from other wire sources.
I'll take Szczerbiak and Kurt Thomas for whoever.
Barry, Elson, Bonner, whatever
get that done.
Dude seriously, no way in we're getting Szczerbiak unless he's bought out. The contract is way too ing huge.
Spurs are looking to trade Elson.
The Sky is blue.
The earth is round.
i'm surprised bonner wasn't mentioned too since he's also in Pop's dog house.
Given Sam Smith record, Spurs have a great chance to make a big deal.
Wally S makes like $12 million a year.
Hopefully it's not for Melvin Ely!Given Sam Smith record, Spurs have a great chance to make a big deal.
that is shocking news
Im honestly suprised the Rockets are looking to deal Bonzi.
But again this is Sam smith, so hes more than likely wrong.
How about Elson for Bonzi Wells and Mutombo, works salary wise, and those contracts are all expiring.
Mutumbo will help us in the age department, that's for sure
Bonzi would be good for matchup problems that our other SG/SF's have problems with like ...Paul Pierce and...Bonzi?
How did Elson play in the All-Star game?
Wouldn't the Spurs be only interested in dealing Elson to reduce their salary threshold (in order to not pay tax)? So, any deals would have to take that into account.
Spurs will not make a BIG trade after coming off a successful RRT, and with a system that takes a year to learn, not to mention Parker and Barry yet to return.
However, if they can trade Elson for a useful piece that would be great.
As for Bonner, he strikes me as a guy who needs court time to be effective, and his opportunity comes next year when Rob has retired.
now there's only one problem. who wants him?
This pretty much say that there's probably little chance of that happening.
Anyone who has a player with a contract in Elson's salary range with years left on it.
If the Spurs make a "big trade" then it will likely be Barry + Elson who are dealt. I don't see the Spurs moving more than two players and I think the other two players with expiring contracts, Finley and Horry, would be much less likely to be moved.
nawwwwwwwwwwww ya think
It's kinda sad how quickly everyone has given up on Bonner considering how promising he looked at times earlier this season.
Not that I necessarily blame them.
Elson For Bonzi...Should help our rebounding and would be great in the smal ball lineup..
I don't understand why people have given up on Bonner (not that it matters; you can't make a personnel decision anymore than I can). He isn't playing because Pop wants Horry to be in shape. Bonner is the sacrificial lamb for Horry's minutes, and it's far from clear if he's in Pop's dog house.
What's the incentive for Houston? Don't laugh but Jackie Butler is more likely to return back to the Spurs than Bonzi to San Antonio.
Expiring contracts only work if they help the other team get rid of an albatross immediately. If the other team has an expiring contract with a player making less (as is the case with Bonzi making less than Elson), it wouldn't make sense to do the deal. Butler on the other hand makes less money than Elson, but has another year to his contract. If the primary goal is to get rid of the lux tax, a Butler deal is more likely.
I think some people are getting way too excited for what they might get in return. We are most likely to get a scrub who will sit on IR list to save us money from the lux tax, just like Melvin Ely last year.
I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine...(cough cough SCOLA)
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