ESPN trade scuttlebutt

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

ESPN Trade rumors:


Ike Austin

 Suns general manager Bryan Colangelo has confirmed he is speaking to the 
Heat about a trade for Austin, "but I would put us in the unlikely 
category," Colangelo told the Arizona Republic on Sunday. There are reports 
that the Suns have offered Cedric Ceballos and Mark Bryant for Austin.


With Mashburn out, and Austin gone via FA at year end.  This could happen 
for Ceballos or even Cliff Robinson.



Joe Smith

 Warriors GM Garry St. Jean confirmed that he is working the phones to 
trade Smith. "Hopefully, Monday or Tuesday. I don't want to do it 
Thursday,'' St. Jean told the San Jose Mercury News. ... The Mercury News 
said one potential deal has Smith going to Miami for Isaac Austin and Dan 
Majerle. ... The most active rumor about Smith had him going to Orlando for 
swingman Nick Anderson, the San Francisco Examiner reported. Orlando also 
would surrender its claim to the Warriors' first pick in the June draft if 
it falls in the top three of the lottery. ... The Zone's Mitch Lawrence 
says Philly and Detroit also have had discussions with the Warriors.


Damn, could we come up with a better offer than Nick "I hate the charity 
stripe" Anderson




  Kenny Anderson

 Toronto acquired Anderson in the Damon Stoudamire deal, but it's no secret 
that Anderson doesn't want to play for the Raptors. They'll have to trade 
him. ... One deal would send Anderson, Shawn Respert, Chris Garner and Zan 
Tabak to Detroit for Lindsey Hunter, Jerome Williams and Grant Long, says 
The Zone's Jeffrey Denberg. ... The Knicks need an upgrade at point guard, 
and Anderson is a New York native. But The Zone's Mitch Lawrence says the 
Knicks should wait until Stephon Marbury becomes a free agent in 1999.


Christian Laettner


 The Warriors reportedly are talking trade with the Hawks. Specifically, 
free agents-to-be Laettner and Joe Smith would change teams. That's 
interesting, The Zone's Mike Monroe says, because Laettner and Warriors 
coach P.J. Carlesimo have a hate-hate relationship. "I hate him and he 
hates me," Carlesimo says.