rumors

[John Lyell <Jlyell@concentric.net>]

Sportline rumor among others:



All Mercer can bring is Samaki Walker ?  Ron should sign for what the C's 
offer or he may end up turning down big bucks and end up getting very 
little as Joe Smith did.


The lakers are rumored in a 3 way with Rice going to Portland, Jermaine 
O'neal & some one else to Orlando & Penny to LA.


Portland also as earlier reported probably will move Rider & Jackson for 
Steve Smith.

Who was it that questioned  "Why would Portland make such drastic changes 
?" looks like it could happen.


Come on Pitino offer Mercer , Anderson, & Barros or  Battie if we have to 
for Penny or Steve, they are proven talent. Are Anderson & Mercer really 
valued that low   ?


Sportsline:

Rumors persist that Rick Pitino and the Boston Celtics have their eye on 
Baker, and they could be pushing for a sign-and-trade deal with Antoine 
Walker that would include one other team. Meanwhile, the Sonics appear to 
be leaving free-agent forward Detlef Schrempf out of the equation, offering 
him only the $1-million veteran exception, which he has blasted as an 
insult ? it looks like he'll wind up in Portland.

Rockets free agent Charles Barkley could be a possibility to fill the 
Schrempf-sized void, but he wants to win a title and Seattle doesn't appear 
like it's going to any time soon.

Also, the Sonics could bring in Kings free agent Vernon Maxwell should the 
Richmond deal not work out. Imagine the smack that motor-mouths GP and Mad 
Max could generate together.

L.A. Clippers
There was some talk about Penny Hardaway heading to L.A. ? but that buzzed 
past quickly and lit on the crosstown Lakers.

The Clippers main priority is signing their own free agents, chiefly 
forward Maurice Taylor. Sherman Douglas and Darrick Martin have not been 
the answer at point guard, thus the Clippers' coveting of Baron Davis in 
the draft. When Davis went one spot ahead of L.A. to Charlotte at No. 3, 
the Clippers snapped up Lamar Odom -- a potentially awesome pick but one 
who doesn't fill their greatest need.

The Clippers would love to land a free-agent point guard, especially 
Terrell Brandon, but Brandon is the cream of a miniscule crop and likely 
will stay in Minnesota. There is talk that they are interested in Nick Van 
Exel, but the Nuggets' ballhandler is expected to stay in the Mile High 
City.

L.A. Lakers
Penny Hardaway linked up with old Orlando nemesis Shaquille O'Neal? Penny 
finding enough shots to soothe his delicate ego in a lineup with stars Kobe 
Bryant and Shaq?

As improbable as it sounds, rumblings out of L.A. suggest the Lakers are 
interested in bringing in Hardaway in a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando 
that would send Lakers guards Glen Rice and Derek Fisher to the Magic. 
Lakers vice president Jerry West reportedly talked to Hardaway last week at 
the Orlando guard's request.

Hardaway isn't the only big-name guy the Lakers have been associated with 
in the free-agent market. The Scottie Pippen-for-Glen Rice rumor refuses to 
die as some are saying coach Phil Jackson wants the 6-foot-7 forward to 
come in and run the triangle offense. And Charles Barkley has suggested the 
Lakers might be a good fit for him. Hey, he'd have massive choices in 
late-night entertainment in the City of Angels -- and have a decent shot at 
winning that elusive ring.

And Mitch Richmond, too, could be in the Lakers' future if the Pippen and 
Penny deals don't develop.