Peter Vecsey: Warriors Calling Around, Trying To Reroute Mashburn

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

Vecsey also mentions that Brian Grant is being offered around. 
Remember, 
there was some talk before the new CBA, of trading Walker for him...
               

   [New York Post]
   SPORTS
 

                                                       DONE DEAL FOR JAYSON

                    By PETER VECSEY
                    <snip>
                   *SOURCES say the Wizards are willing to spend $11M
                    per (no annual increase) for five years to re-sign Rod Strickland. Let's see if the
                    Rockets are willing to top that ... Contrary to reports out of Detroit, the Pistons
                    aren't dangling nearly as much as $24M for six seasons in front of Cliff Robinson. But
                    they definitely want the Suns free agent.

                    No one's quite sure why Antonio McDyess is turned off by the Suns or even if it's true.
                    Maybe the 6-11 powerless forward can't forget and forgive management and the coaching
                    staff for its profound lack of excitement for his rebounding and feel for the game early
                    last season. One way or the other, sources maintain McDyess has whittled his choices down
                    to the Rockets and Nuggets.

                    Re-signing with the Nuggets would be a real hoot, not to mention vindication for Allan
                    Bristow; fired when the team crashed to the bottom of the standings after the GM refused
                    to give in to McDyess' $100M contract demands and was traded to Phoenix for a bunch of
                    draft picks.

                    The top pick acquired translated into Raef LaFrentz. Thus the Nuggets are in position to
                    showcase the 6-11 rookie and McDyess in their frontcourt - and for $25-30M less than
                    originally demanded.

                    Of course, there's a price to pay somewhere else. Agent Tony Dutt is said to be asking
                    the Nuggets to give his other client, Nick Van Exel, a new contract as part of the
                    McDyess deal. Why aren't we surprised?

                    Sources say the Blazers are shopping Brian Grant and Jermaine O'Neal. One call they made
                    was to the Magic, offering the pair for Penny Hardaway. How could management resist
                    bringing a center named O'Neal back to Orlando?

                    Asked if Michael Jordan was the greatest NBA player of all-time, Larry Bird wryly
                    replied, "He's one of two." ... Funny how a limitations on high-end salaries brings out
                    the honesty in management. Spurs GM/coach Gregg Popovich, for example. "Tim Duncan is the
                    best player in the league. Now I can say that."

                    Could the Knicks and Pacers have backed their offers for Latrell Sprewell, or are the
                    Warriors just covering all their bases? Yesterday, Golden State was calling around the
                    league trying to find a place to re-route Jamal Mashburn should they accept Miami's
                    latest package of the former Kentucky star, Brent Barry and Dan Majerle. The Mysterious J
                    has her heart set on Sprewell coming to New York so he can choke Patrick Ewing.

                    The Sixers continue to talk to the Lakers about re-signing Derrick Coleman (30 pounds
                    overweight) and trading him to L.A. for Elden Campbell ... Bulls are in the hunt for
                    Pistons free agent Jerry Stackhouse ... Raptors have made a formal extension offer to
                    Charles Oakley. His response? Toronto has 90 days to impress me.

                    Kings and Clips are showing a passing fancy for Sherman Douglas, but the Nets are
                    expected to re-sign him for three years at $2M per ... Due to $30M salary cap, the
                    Blazers no longer can absorb Kendall Gill's $5M. But if they're able to move O'Neal, the
                    Bucks are hoping to pawn off Ervin Johnson on Portland.

                    Spurs want Vinny Del Negro back from Italy and he wants back. But San Antonio is still
                    desperate for another outside shooter to keep double teams from swarming all over Duncan
                    and David Robinson. Dell Curry, Dale Ellis and George McCloud are three names being
                    mentioned. Steve Kerr isn't on the list because he's almost a lock to sign with the
                    Pistons ... Timberwolves offered Chris Carr for Will Perdue; Spurs want Anthony Peeler.
                    <snip>