NBA Trade Rumors
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After completing the greatest free-agent coup in NBA history, Miami Heat president Pat Riley continues to surround Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh with strong complementary talent. The Heat have reached an agreement with 32-year-old guard Eddie House on a two-year contract for $2.8 million, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday. The second year of the deal is a player option for $1.4 million. Miami beat out the Chicago Bulls to get House. With a history of clutch shooting that includes multiple big games with the Boston Celtics over the past three years, House will help support Miami's starry core off the bench."
Juli 29
Chicago Sun-Times
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Now that it appears the Bulls won't sign Tracy McGrady, they'll have to look elsewhere to find a fifth guard and 12th man on the roster. The Bulls have talked with the Portland Trail Blazers about sharpshooter Rudy Fernandez, but the chances of a trade happening don't seem promising, according to a source. The Bulls' offer of forward James Johnson was rejected and there's really no one else on the roster that makes sense. The Blazers also have reportedly talked to the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks about Fernandez."
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The Knicks are one of three teams in the running to acquire guard Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers, The Oregonian reports. The 6-foot-6 Spaniard and his agent have requested a trade, and the team had discussions with the Knicks, Celtics and Bulls. "I'm confident that Portland is cooperating and finding a solution for everyone involved," agent Andy Miller told the newspaper. Two seasons ago, Fernandez made 159 3-pointers, an NBA rookie record. He is unhappy serving as a backup to Brandon Roy and being used primarily as a shooter rather than a playmaker, according to the report. "I totally understand how he feels," coach Nate McMillan said. "He was a star in his league. He was"
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The last two items on Celtics president Danny Ainge's check list are a big man and a shooter, and while the free agent market for marksmen is slim, the buzz coming out of Portland according to Jason Quick of the Oregonian is that Boston is one of the teams interested in making a trade for Rudy Fernandez. Stuck behind Brandon Roy in a crowded Blazers backcourt, Fernandez has wanted out of Portland for a while and the Blazers are looking to make his wish come true. The aim would be to ship the 25-year-old Spaniard to a team in the Eastern Conference, with Boston, New York and Chicago being the frontrunners. At $1.25 million, Fernandez would come at a bargain next season. After averaging 10.5"
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After meeting with New Orleans team brass, Chris Paul said he wants to play for the Hornets "for many years to come." Right, and LeBron James wanted to stay in Cleveland. So yes, the Nets will make the obligatory calls to see what chance, if any, exists of prying the All-Star point from the Hornets, despite Paul's pledge of Hornet allegiance after Monday's meeting with team execs. The chances are not good, but the Nets do have the pieces to put together a competitive package. But Paul's free agency in two years plus Net reluctance to part with rookie Derrick Favors would be just two major sticking points from the New Jersey perspective. "I'm not going to comment on that other than to say"
Juli 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
columnist John Reid
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In their first face-to-face meeting Monday, new Hornets general manager Dell Demps made quite a favorable impression on Chris Paul, sources close to Paul said. Demps also bought the franchise a little time with Paul, its star point guard, who had grown impatient with the team's inactivity during free agency. After hearing Demps' plan for retooling the roster, Paul, a three-time All-Star, is on board with the team's direction and will not seek to force a trade, according to sources close to him. Although Paul has refrained from offering details about Monday's meeting with Demps, Coach Monty Williams and team president Hugh Weber, sources said it was similar to a family sitting around a"
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Rudy Fernandez, the Spanish shooting guard who wants out of Portland and has been on the Knicks' radar for months, is back in their sights again. With nearly $3 million in salary-cap space remaining and lacking depth at the position, they are again pursuing a deal for a player, 25, who averaged 8.1 points on 37.8 percent shooting in 23.2 minutes per game last season. Yet, even though their cap room enables them to fit someone due to make $1.25 million next season (with a $2.2 million team option the next year the Knicks could decline to preserve 2011 cap space), there's one potential problem. Portland wants a first-round pick (and possibly nothing else) in any Fernandez deal. The Knicks"
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Josh Howard played just four games for the Washington Wizards last season, but that apparently was all the time that both sides needed to decide that the relationship should be extended. Howard agreed on Wednesday to a one-year deal with the Wizards, according to his agent Derek Lafayette. Lafayette said the details within the contract have not been finalized, but a league source said it is expected to be worth close to $4 million with incentives based on games played, minutes played and minutes averaged. The deal was confirmed by a team source. Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld was unavailable for comment. "He has made a decision to return to the Wizards," Lafayette said. "We're just happy"
Juli 29
Houston Chronicle
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A year after the Rockets brought in David Andersen to help fill the void left by Yao Ming's injury, they no longer had the void and on Wednesday no longer had Andersen. With their frontcourt suddenly overcrowded, the Rockets shipped Andersen to the Toronto Raptors for a 2015 second-round pick the Raptors received from the Los Angeles Clippers, but only if that pick is between the 51st and 55th picks of the draft. The Rockets also will send $1 million to the Raptors to complete the deal but will have a net savings of $4?million. Andersen, a 6-11, 245-pound center, is under contract for two more seasons, but only $185,000 of the final season of his contract is guaranteed."
Juli 28
Houston Chronicle
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Yao Ming caused a familiar stir with comments in China on Tuesday, saying he might have to consider retiring if his surgically repaired and restructured left foot does not fully recover. "If the foot injury does not heal next season," Yao said in an interview with Chinese state media, "I might choose to call it quits." Though the comment created the customary ripples of reaction from Beijing to the corner of LaBranch and Polk, the Rockets were unconcerned with Yao's seeming uncertainty about his condition, arguing that Yao had already recovered. Yao returned to the court in late May and has been going through extensive, full-contact workouts at Toyota Center. Rockets general manager Daryl"
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The Oregonian reported Tuesday night that the Bulls are among three teams engaged in trade talks with the Trail Blazers for swingman Rudy Fernandez. Fernandez, long rumored to be available, also is being linked to talks with the Celtics and Knicks, the paper reported, citing Fernandez's agent, Andy Miller. The Bulls still are seeking to add outside shooting for their 12th contracted player after witnessing an underwhelming workout from Tracy McGrady on Monday. The Bulls also have had conversations with representatives for shooting guards like Keith Bogans, Roger Mason Jr. and Eddie House, sources previously told the Tribune. The Bulls have been offering 2009 first-round pick James Johnson"
Juli 28
San Antonio Express-News
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It's still two months and a few days before the Spurs begin training camp, but it's never too early to challenge a widespread misperception. Though he was the Spurs' starting point guard for 18 of the final 23 regular-season games and all 10 playoff games, George Hill wants the basketball loving world to know his rapid development at the position has not rendered three-time All-Star point guard Tony Parker expendable, no matter how much speculation to the contrary has hit the rumor mill this summer. Hill has seen and heard most of the rumors, which aver that Hill's progress, combined with the fact Parker's contract expires after next season, makes Parker prime trade bait. "I've heard that"
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With Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels all re-signed, there's a clearer picture of what the Celtics will look like going into next season, but team president Danny Ainge said he's still looking to make a couple more additions, particularly a shooter and a big man. Out west trying to cobble together a vacation around a constant stream of phone calls, Ainge said, "We still have to finish it up. We're still looking at a couple more players." The big man that the rumor mill has constantly connected to the Celtics in recent weeks is Shaquille O'Neal, and even though Ainge wouldn't directly address the team's interest in the 38-year old center, Ainge said there have been"
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The Celtics have been seeking a tough-minded defender to replace Tony Allen, now that he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. And according to a source, their interest could spread to former Celtic Delonte West, who is expected to be waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves after the club acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday. West, whose full contract is not guaranteed if waived by Aug. 5, could be the moderately priced defender the Celtics seek, but of course, he would come with a plethora of issues. West pleaded guilty to weapons charges in a strange case where he was caught carrying three guns while on a motorcycle in his native Maryland last year. He received eight"
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Wilson Chandler is calm amidst the trade-rumor storm. The Knicks' swingman is being dangled as part of a potential trade package for Hornets point guard Chris Paul, but the swirling rumors haven't affected Chandler's offseason preparation. Chandler was at the Garden last night for the Liberty's 77-72 victory over San Antonio and told The Post he is working hard in anticipation of playing alongside new Knicks Amar'e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton. "I try to think about things I can control," Chandler said. "I've just been in the gym working on my game. Everything's going pretty good. Working on my ball handling, shooting, few moves, first step." Chandler averaged 15.3 and 5.4 rebounds last"
Juli 28
Los Angeles Times
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Aside from Lakers forward Matt Barnes being introduced at a news conference Tuesday (he will wear No. 9), Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak shared two morsels of news regarding other off-season developments. Kupchak maintained his optimism that he expressed last week that the team would re-sign Shannon Brown, who opted out of a contract that would have paid him $2.15 million next season. "I do feel good about signing back Shannon Brown right now," Kupchak said. "It's not going to go on for the whole summer. I would guess in the next week to 10 days we'll have a resolution. That's my guess." Kupchak also said he hasn't been told whether Lakers guard Kobe Bryant plans to have surgery to"
Juli 28
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Shavlik Randolph, the only veteran to play on the Miami Heat's summer-league team earlier this month, Tuesday became the second member of that squad to receive a contract. Randolph, who had two brief stints with the Heat this past season, is the 14th player under contract for 2010-11, but unlike the previous 13 players signed, did not receive a fully guaranteed contract. Teams are allowed to carry as many as 20 players in the offseason, but must cut to 15 by opening night. Teams can dress 12 players on game nights. Randolph is the fourth power forward under contract, joining Toronto Raptors free agent Chris Bosh, Portland Trail Blazers free agent Juwan Howard and returning Heat free agent"
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The Orlando Magic will put their title hopes into the hands of coach Stan Van Gundy and General Manager Otis Smith for a while longer. The Magic will announce Wednesday that Van Gundy and Smith have had their contracts extended through the 2012-13 season. The extensions were first reported on OrlandoSentinel.com. While technically the general manager, Smith has a new title: president of basketball operations. The club also has promoted Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins to team president and his contract runs through 2012-13. Bob Vander Weide, who held the title of club president and is the son-in-law of owner Rich DeVos, is now the chief executive officer and vice chairman of the"
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The Warriors reached an agreement to sign free agent guard Jannero Pargo, his agent confirmed. Pargo — a 6-foot-1, 185-pound combo guard entering his eighth season — gets a two-year deal at the veteran minimum, which totals just over $2.4 million ($1.15 million this season, $1.27 million 2010-11). The deal will be announced next week, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. The Warriors basically swapped backup guards with Chicago. Golden State signed and traded C.J. Watson to the Bulls last week. Watson's departure left the Warriors in need of a veteran backup behind starting point guard Stephen Curry. Pargo, 30, isn't as consistent a shooter as Watson. Last season with Chicago, he shot"
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Damien Wilkins' father played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He would like to do so himself. Wilkins, a free-agent swingman, said he worked out Tuesday with the Cavaliers. He said others in the workout included free-agent guards Von Wafer and Alan Anderson. Wilkins, 30, is the son of Gerald Wilkins and nephew of Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins. His father played in the NBA from 1985-99, including 1992-94 with the Cavaliers. During that time, Damien averaged 25 points-per-game as an eighth-grader for Revere Middle School in Akron, Ohio. "It went well,'' Wilkins said by phone about the workout in Cleveland. "They're a very good organization. They've got a great team even though they lost"
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At the urging of Rudy Fernandez and his agent, the Trail Blazers have engaged in accelerated trade discussions to deal the disgruntled, once-popular shooting guard to one of three Eastern Conference teams. Boston, Chicago and New York are all in the running to land the 6-foot-6 Spaniard, who set an NBA rookie record two seasons ago by making 159 three-pointers. Fernandez, 25, is unhappy in Portland because of limited playing time behind All-Star Brandon Roy and because of the playing style of coach Nate McMillan, who primarily used Fernandez as an outside shooter, not the playmaker Fernandez believes he can be in the NBA. Fernandez has two years remaining on his contract, which will pay"
Juli 27
CBSSports.com
columnist Ken Berger
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The developments in New Orleans on Monday had all the hallmarks of modern-day damage control: A rosy statement via Twitter, some positive spin in a media availability session that was noticeably devoid of actual information and apparent reasons for optimism that Chris Paul's desire to be traded will quiet down for a while. In other words, the smokescreen formed exactly as planned after Paul met for 90 minutes with the Hornets' new basketball decision-making team in New Orleans. This is the united front being portrayed to the outside world. On the inside, little has changed: Yes, Paul wants to win, but realizes that for reasons beyond the control of new GM Dell Demps and new coach Monty"
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Tracy McGrady left the Berto Center on Monday without a contract offer after working out for roughly an hour and then meeting with Bulls management after lunch. This time, it wasn't McGrady's choice. Ten summers after flirting with the Bulls before joining his home state Magic in free agency, the seven-time All-Star told reporters joining Derrick Rose and Co. represents his top choice as he tries to resuscitate a career derailed by microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2009. According to two people who witnessed the workout, McGrady shot the ball well but didn't move with much fluidity or exhibit superior conditioning. Andy Greer, who served as an assistant with the Rockets along with"
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Jamal Crawford, the league's reigning Sixth Man of the Year, has requested a contract extension from the Atlanta Hawks, according to league sources. The 30-year-old Crawford made his request three weeks ago, but with the Hawks focused on re-signing All-Star Joe Johnson and other free agents, talks have not progressed to the serious stage. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10 million next season."
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The Celtics made official yesterday the re-signing of swingman Marquis Daniels. The team announced it had signed the 6-foot-6 Daniels after his disappointing first season with the club. The seven-year veteran missed 28 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery and averaged a career-low 5.6 points in 51 games. In the Celtics' last 25 games, Daniels sat out two, scored two points seven times and was held scoreless six times."
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The Toronto Raptors have finally landed Lithuanian forward Linas Kleiza, whose four-year deal worth $18.8 million US became official on Monday. Toronto signed Kleiza to an offer sheet on July 8, and the Denver Nuggets declined to match the deal, paving the way for the six-foot-eight, 245-pounder's move to the Raptors. Kleiza, 24, spent last season with Olympiakos in Greece and was one of the top players in Europe during the season. He was second in Euroleague scoring, averaging 19.7 points as Olympiacos made it all the way to the European championship."
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In the process of surrounding their core with a solid second unit, the Celtics have had discussions about bringing Eddie House back to Boston. House, whose shooting streaks helped the Celtics win the title in 2008, was shipped to New York at the trade deadline last February for guard Nate Robinson. "It's something [Celtics president] Danny [Ainge] and I have discussed,'' House's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. "But nothing's imminent.''"
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The Miami Heat have re-signed free agent forward Shavlik Randolph to an undisclosed contract. Randolph had two separate stints with the Heat last season. He appeared in two games after being signed as a free agent on September 28, then was waived on December 14. After a brief tenure with Portland, Miami re-signed him on April 6."
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Amar'e Stoudemire and Channing Frye were the Suns' big men who made a lot of shots and a lot of money with their play. Louis Amundson made a lot of friends. His popularity in Phoenix over the past two seasons prompted nearly as much local interest in his free-agency future but he said it still appears that won't keep him in Phoenix. "It's too bad Phoenix didn't value me enough to keep me around," Amundson said. "I felt like it was a great situation and I gave everything I have. It's a business and I'm trying to have a thick skin. "I was always concerned (about the chances). Knowing they signed Hakim Warrick and Channing for that much money ($30 million over five years), that was not a good"
Juli 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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The Timberwolves' already svelte payroll grew slimmer still Monday night when the team traded guard Ramon Sessions, center Ryan Hollins and a 2013 second-round pick to Cleveland for the contracts of Delonte West and former Wolves guard Sebastian Telfair. Shortly after the Wolves traded away one of their three point guards, Yahoo! Sports reported that Jonny Flynn --who started 81 of 82 games as a rookie last season -- will need surgery to repair a hip injury and will miss the next three to four months. A Wolves spokesman said he couldn't confirm that Flynn will need surgery, but that timetable would cause him to miss training camp and perhaps the first month of the season. Neither West nor"
Juli 27
Chicago Sun-Times
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During his workout Monday at the Berto Center, Tracy McGrady showed he has made physical progress since last season and is capable of being a contributor this season, according to a source. But despite the seven-time All-Star being physically able to fill the secondary bench role the Bulls are looking for, the team's brass isn't yet convinced McGrady will be a good fit after meeting with him following the workout, the source said. Before sitting down with management and coach Tom Thibodeau, McGrady spoke with reporters and addressed the issue of whether a veteran two-time scoring champ works as a bench player on a young team. He sounded as if his joining the Bulls was a foregone"
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Kurt Thomas spent part of Monday afternoon running down the reasons he signed with the Bulls for his 16th NBA season. One name kept resurfacing: Tom Thibodeau. "As an assistant, his approach was unbelievable," said Thomas, who spent five seasons with the new Bulls coach when they were with the Knicks. "He was known for putting in 15-hour days. He's solid and knows how to talk to players. "When you see how hard he works, you want to work that hard too. To see his growth over all these years, I think now that he has this (head coaching) opportunity he'll be very successful." Thomas, who will turn 38 in training camp, also spoke excitedly about his new teammates and the Bulls' offseason"
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Tracy McGrady was scheduled to meet with Bulls management Monday afternoon after working out at the Berto Center for roughly an hour in the morning. McGrady told reporters the Bulls represent his first choice. Contrary to published reports, Bulls management has made no final decision regarding the signing of McGrady. A seven-time All-Star, McGrady played 30 games last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009. "I feel good," McGrady said at the Berto Center. "I've been battling to get back to rare form. Still coming off surgery. It's been a tough road, but I feel pretty good compared to my last game that I played in New York. I was still going through"
Juli 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said Monday that Chris Paul did not ask the team to trade him on Monday and Demps said he felt sure Paul will be playing for the Hornets next season. "This morning Chris Paul and hisagent Leon Rose and his brother C.J. Paul met with Hugh Weber and Monty Williams. We met about 10 a.m, met for hour and half. It was a very productive meeting. I was encouraged. First time I met Chris good opportunity to open lines of commnication. Chris has good points. He's a smart, intelligent person. I was excited about meeting." The Hornets read a statement from Paul indicating he was pleased with what he heard from the Hornets brain trust. "The meeting went"
Juli 26
Chicago Sun-Times
columnist Rick Telander
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Tracy McGrady. Name has a ring to it. Oh, yeah. McGrady was a near-superstar who fired in a ton of points for the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets back in the day. Had knee problems. Pouted a bit, as I recall, but nothing terrible. Two-time scoring champ. Seven-time All- Star. No NBA titles. Just joined AARP. Hmmm. Kind of a poor man's George Gervin? At any rate, the Bulls reportedly are giving McGrady -- who started only 24 games last season for the Rockets and Knicks and played in only 59 games the last two seasons -- a tryout today to see if he's fit and willing to take a bench role with the team. Funny, but McGrady is only 31, even though this will be his 14th season in the NBA. I"
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The New Orleans Hornets prepared for their highly anticipated sitdown with star guard Chris Paul by turning away the latest flurry of trade calls from other teams, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com that teams inquiring about Paul's availability in recent days -- and there have been several after persistent media reports suggesting that Paul will formally request to be traded at a meeting Monday -- were greeted with the same resistance to Paul offers that the Hornets have maintained for months. "They say they aren't moving him," one rival team executive said of the Hornets."
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Stephon Marbury yesterday told The Post it was "total nonsense" that he turned down a chance to play for Miami Heat's "Dream Team." In fact, the former Knick, who played for Shanxi, China, last season, wants to play in Miami and still hasn't given up hope. Marbury, back in China for promotional events, said a Chinese reporter mixed up the translation of his remarks and that it was erroneously reported he had rejected the Dream Team's overtures -- an account picked up in New York. The 33-year-old told The Post that the Heat contacted him in early July before LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh formed the Dream Team and told him they would get back to him after "they handled all the"
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Xavier Henry, the Grizzlies' lottery pick who sat out the entirety of the Las Vegas Summer League due to a contract dispute with Memphis, still hasn't signed his rookie deal. As noted previously on FanHouse, the Grizzlies have refused to offer Henry the maximum amount allowed under league rules, which equates to a 2010-11 salary of $2 million, without Henry agreeing to tie $300,000 of that to performance bonuses. That's where the dispute lies -- Henry (represented by powerful Arn Tellem) thinks the incentive clauses are out of line and won't sign, and the Grizzlies won't concede to get a potentially valuable young talent into the program. Specific details of what Henry would have to do to"
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Tracy McGrady was scheduled to meet with Bulls management Monday afternoon after working out at the Berto Center for roughly an hour in the morning. McGrady told reporters the Bulls represent his first choice. Contrary to published reports, Bulls management has made no final decision regarding the signing of McGrady. A seven-time All-Star, McGrady played 30 games last season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009. "I feel good," McGrady said at the Berto Center. "I've been battling to get back to rare form. Still coming off surgery. It's been a tough road, but I feel pretty good compared to my last game that I played in New York. I was still going through"
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The Orlando Magic might be atop the wish list of disgruntled point guard Chris Paul -- which is expected with center Dwight Howard on their roster -- but they don't sound very confident of landing him anytime soon. They are not convinced that New Orleans will be bullied into trading their franchise player, not with two years remaining on his contract. And they still are not interested in taking the bloated contract of teammate Emeka Okafor to make it happen because it would sentence them to long-term payroll disaster. A desperate team with more salary cap flexibility -- like the New York Knicks, for example – would be more accommodating for the Hornets, if they decide there is no choice"
Juli 26
Portland Tribune
columnist Kerry Eggers
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Everywhere you go in town, people want to know: "Think we're gonna get Chris Paul?" Well, I don't know. First, let's find out the result of Monday's meeting that will include New Orleans' all-star point guard along with president Hugh Weber, new general manager Dell Demps and new head coach Monty Williams to discuss the future of the club. Over the past week, we've had daily reports from sources – alleged members of Paul's camp – who say he wants to be traded, that he has New York atop of list, that he has Orlando atop of his list, that he has Portland on his list, ad nauseum. And one report says his agent, Leon Rose (yes, the same guy who helped steer LeBron James to South Beach), has"
Juli 26
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
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The Dallas Mavericks are in negotiations to bring back forward Tim Thomas, a team source confirmed Saturday. Thomas started last season with Dallas but took a leave of absence to care for his critically ill wife and missed the rest of the season and playoffs."
Juli 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Whether Chris Paul remains with the New Orleans Hornets or gets traded to another franchise largely will depend on the outcome of today's meeting with new general manager Dell Demps, Coach Monty Williams and team president Hugh Weber. Trade speculation has been swirling since Paul declared last month that if the Hornets are not serious about winning a championship, he would be open to a trade. Hornets officials said they plan to explain their short- and long-term goals during the meeting and address any of Paul's concerns that could include New Orleans' inactivity in free agency and the delay in the ownership transfer. It will be Demps' first face-to-face meeting with Paul since taking"
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The signing of Royal Ivey last week put the Thunder at 16 contract players, one more than NBA rules permit teams to carry into the regular season. That means someone must go. Mo Peterson will be 33 next month but can still contribute on the court and has earned a reputation in his 10 seasons of carrying a first-class attitude away from it. Don't expect Peterson to be waived. Daequan Cook, 10 years younger than Peterson, provides much of the same assets and essentially is on a one-year trial run as a 3-point specialist in OKC. Cook figures to be on the opening-night roster as well. Since the Thunder's coaching staff and front office is pleased with the returning nine-man rotation, and No."
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Like everyone else, coach Stan Van Gundy has heard and read the scuttlebutt that connects the dots between the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets all-star point guard Chris Paul. "Much ado about nothing," Van Gundy said, turning to Shakespeare or maybe Seinfeld. All you need to know is this: Van Gundy doesn't expect that General Manager Otis Smith will interrupt Van Gundy's on-going tour of major-league ballparks any time soon to prepare him for a long-shot blockbuster trade. As far as the Magic are concerned — Smith labels the Paul saga as "rumors" — they just happen to be caught up in the speculation. Paul hasn't publicly demanded to be traded, but according to various sources in"
Juli 25
Dallas Morning News
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The Mavericks are in negotiations to bring back forward Tim Thomas, a team source confirmed Saturday. Thomas started last season with Dallas but took a leave of absence to care for his critically ill wife and missed the rest of the season and playoffs."
Juli 25
Detroit Free Press
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From glancing at many e-mails and message board posts, panic appears to be the mood of Pistons nation. While the league has witnessed a pretty active summer, all the Pistons have to show for the first three weeks of free agency is the re-signing of big man Ben Wallace to a two-year, $3.8-million deal. Efforts to sign center Brendan Haywood or trade for center Tyson Chandler have been unsuccessful. But training camp is still nearly two months away, so there is time for president of basketball operations Joe Dumars to make a move. Several teams are ripe for trade negotiations, and the Pistons still need frontcourt help."
Juli 25
Los Angeles Times
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The Lakers have added veterans Steve Blake, Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff this month. Their next addition might be more familiar to Lakers fans. General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he was optimistic that the Lakers would re-sign free-agent guard Shannon Brown. "We're still talking to Shannon," Kupchak said Friday. "I think there's a good chance that in the next couple of weeks we can have some resolution with Shannon. I'm optimistic." Brown opted out of a contract that would have paid him $2.15 million next season. Kupchak also said he had initiated talks with the agents for second-round picks Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter, who played well for the Lakers' summer-league team. Neither"