NBA Rumor Mill for Feb.3

With the Gasol to LA trade, the NBA rumor mill is in high gear this week - check out these stories.....

Rumors Woodson tries to keep focus amid criticism, calls for his job
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:53 pm EST


The 18-24 Atlanta Hawks have lost six of their last seven games. Since their five game win-streak in late December, the Hawks have won just four times in 16 games. And that includes their 1-4 mark on their recent Western Conference swing.

With each loss the criticism of coach Mike Woodson has gotten stronger and stronger, as have calls for him replacement, but Woodson's focus remains on the task at hand.

"People can talk about my job and do whatever they need to do there, but that's not my concern," Woodson said. "I'm still the coach here and my job is to get these guys ready to play. And every game that we play, we have a four-game stretch we've got to take care of here, becomes an opportunity for us to turn things around."

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Heat "quietly" shopping Shaq?
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:42 pm EST


ESPN reported Thursday that the Miami Heat is ''quietly shopping'' center Shaquille O'Neal as the Feb. 21 trade deadline approaches.

''I'm not commenting on rumors and reports anymore, but that's not true,'' said coach Pat Riley on Thursday, refuting an O'Neal trade report for the second time in January.

Source: Miami Herald


Isiah admits Knicks in need of a point guard
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:40 pm EST

Isiah Thomas made an admission Saturday: the New York Knicks are in need of a point guard. Thomas essentially blamed this season's disaster on not having stability at the point. Though Thomas has handed the keys to Jamal Crawford, he knows Crawford is not the prototype for the position.

"Most championship teams have to have the right point guard to orchestrate [things]," Thomas said. "That's been a problem for us this year. Injuries are part of the game."

Thomas' remarks indicate the Knicks will seek a point guard at the Feb. 21 trading deadline as their No. 1 priority. Mike Bibby of thme Sacramento Kings, the New Jersey Nets' Jason Williams and the Seattle SuperSonic's Luke Ridnour reportedly are available. The Knicks have inquired about Bibby.

Source: New York Post

Sonics could trade or re-sign Thomas
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:39 pm EST

The one player the Seattle SuperSonics are anticipating they will be asked about in coming weeks is center Kurt Thomas, who has an expiring $8 million contract and has shown he can still play at a high level. Thomas entered Thursday averaging 7.3 points and 9.3 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game.

The Sonics may consider re-signing Thomas for next season because he has been such a positive influence on the younger players and he is the team's most legitimate center in years.

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Lakers deal for Gasol won't prompt Mavs to deal for Kidd
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:38 pm EST


For anyone believing that the Los Angeles Lakers' surprising trade for Pau Gasol raised the stakes for the Dallas Mavericks to complete a deal for Nets point guard Jason Kidd, Mavs owner Mark Cuban said it did not.

"We love our team," Cuban wrote via e-mail Saturday. "We don't feel urgency to do anything.... As always, 99.99 percent of talks result in nothing, and the deals that do get done are always the ones you have heard nothing about. We don't expect to do anything at all."

Source: Star-Telegram

Rockets want to hang on to Landry
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:32 pm EST


Assuming he does not accept the tender offer the Rockets will surely make, Carl Landry can become a restricted free agent. If the Rockets do not use some of their mid-level exception to sign him, the longest contract they can offer would be two years, after which they would again have the right to match any offer.

"We're really happy with his development and have him in our long-range plans,'' general manager Daryl Morey said. "He's the type of player we think can contribute to us for many years.''

Source: Houston Chronicle

Knicks' James to Isiah: "Use me or move me"
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:32 pm EST

Jerome James feels a sense of loyalty to Isiah Thomas, who gave him a five-year, $29 million contract three years ago. Still, the fNew York Knicks center, who has battled a foot injury and played just two games this season, said Saturday that he wants to be traded in the offseason to a team where he can play out the final two years of his deal.

"I'm hoping that either they use me or move me," James said. "I love Zeke [Thomas]. I'm not trying to disrupt the team. I know I've been injured. ... I know he feels pressure to throw me out there, and I said, 'No, don't throw me out there. Don't change nothing.' I'm not looking to be moved right now. We can make a playoff push. But the summer is always there. Do it then. If they aren't going to use me, move me."

Source: Seattle Times

Nuggets trying to deal for Cassell
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:31 pm EST


The Denver Nuggets have inquired about acquiring Los Angeles Clippers guard Sam Cassell, though trade talks have not intensified, a team source said.

The Nuggets have a sturdy starting backcourt in all-star Allen Iverson and Anthony Carter, who is playing the best basketball of his career. But with reserve Chucky Atkins (sports hernia surgery) out until at least mid-March, and reserve J.R. Smith playing inconsistently, Denver would like to have insurance down the stretch.

Source: Denver Post


Cavs lack trade assets, but may pursue Grizzlies Miller
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:29 pm EST


Cleveland Cavaliers General manager Danny Ferry has been very active in recent weeks trying to put together a deal. However, he made a failed pitch for Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, just as he made an offer for Kevin Garnett before he was moved to the Boston Celtics last summer.

Ferry has also been in discussions with the Sacramento Kings about point guard Mike Bibby and with the New Jersey Nets about point guard Jason Kidd. But the circumstances remain the same: Ferry does not have many tradable assets. Teams at this time of year want expiring contracts, and the largest one the Cavs have belongs to Ira Newble at $3.4 million.

But Ferry is expected to continue to try to push through a deal before the trade deadline in three weeks. He might turn his sights to another Grizzly, shooting guard Mike Miller.

Source: Beacon Journal


Mavs would give Kidd 1-year, $20M extension
Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 12:27 pm EST


Aside from thme Dallas Mavericks being a legitimate championship contender as currently comprised (a prerequisite), a source close to agent Jeff Schwartz claims Mavs owner Mark Cuban would be willing to give Jason Kidd the one-year, $20 million extension (for 2009-2010) he was unable to get from the New Jersey Nets .

At the same time, trade talk between the two teams has been brief. "Some ideas have been exchanged," according to someone in the know, "but nothing is close."

"They want what we don't want to give up," reports a Mavericks hall monitor.

Source: New York Post