Point guard analysis from Insider

["Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here's Insider's take on what really is a competitive market for the
minimum-wage lousy point guards around the league. For what it's worth,
Mookie Blaylock (who they mention is high on the C's list) has always been
one of my least favorite players. He launches more bad shots than Antoine.
And now that he's old, he's not the defender he used to be. Basically, he
stinks. Of course, they're also looking at Damon Jones. I'm going to go
gouge my eyes out now...

Free-agent point guard logjams 

It's two weeks into the free-agent period and there are still a whopping
eight teams that don't have a solid starting point guard. 

Was Cavs GM Jim Paxson right when he told the media at the Darius Miles
press conference that teams can get by without a solid point? Paxson pointed
to a slew of Phil Jackson teams in pointing out that point guards aren't
everything. The Nets, of course, disagree. 

Insider made some phone calls to check on the status of each team's point
guard search. 

WANTED: STARTING POINT GUARD 

T-Wolves: The team lost Chauncey Billups to the Pistons and still isn't sure
whether Terrell Brandon will ever be able to play basketball again. That
leaves the Wolves with no one at the point. The team has been in hot pursuit
of Clippers free agent Jeff McInnis and has talked trade with the Spurs for
Antonio Daniels. However, the most they have to offer is Anthony Peeler. If
worse comes to worse, the Wolves may settle for someone like Troy Hudson if
he lowers his contract demands. 

Heat: The team is still negotiating with free agent Rod Strickland. The
issue, right now, is guaranteed years. The Heat are looking for a one-year
deal to free up cap room next summer. If it falls apart, the Heat like
Travis Best, but have the same issue with the number of years they're
offering. They too have talked trade with the Spurs, but their offer of
LaPhonso Ellis is underwhelming. A veteran like Damon Jones or Greg Anthony
may have to do the trick. Will Avery, who played for the Heat in the summer
league, is another option. 

Knicks: There isn't anyone blowing the Knicks away in free agency. They've
shown mild interest in McInnis, but it doesn't look like he'll land there
anyway. They also would love to get their hands on Nick Van Exel, but right
now Dallas isn't biting on their offer of Kurt Thomas and Charlie Ward. Rod
Strickland is another possibility for them, if the price is right. 

Blazers: They're close to signing McInnis. All that stands in their way is
some pretty strong interest from the T-Wolves. If the Blazers do sign
McInnis, look for Damon Stoudamire to come off the bench next season. 

Nuggets: Kenny Satterfield isn't going to get it done. Mark Jackson would be
a better fit as coach of the Nuggets than point guard. Which leaves . . .
like the Heat, the Nuggets are reluctant to offer anyone anything more than
a one-year deal. They want to keep their options open for next season. If
Troy Hudson were to takes his demands down a notch or two, there may be a
fit. They could get Rafer Alston on the cheap. The team is also talking to
the Wizards about a trade that would send Tyronn Lue and a future No. 1 to
Denver in return for James Posey. 

Cavs: The Cavs turned down an Antonio Daniels-for-Chris Mihm offer
Wednesday, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. The Cavs have interest in
Daniels, but desperately want to move forward Lamond Murray in any trade
they make. The Spurs have had interest in the past in Murray, but are
reluctant to take on the remaining four years of his contract. If Daniels
falls through, the Cavs may settle on a one-year guard like Damon Jones or
Erick Strickland to keep the team afloat. Alston may be a nice fit here. 

Warriors: They're dangerously close to the luxury tax and are leaning toward
seeing what Gilbert Arenas and rookies Steve Logan and Jiri Welsch can do
this season. 

Celtics: The C's are waiting for the chips to fall. Right now, they have
Shammond Williams and Tony Delk, who can play the point, but aren't great at
it. They only have a minimum, one-year contract to offer and are hoping
someone like Erick Strickland falls into their laps this year. They have
their eye on Warriors free agent Mookie Blaylock and Damon Jones. 

WANTED: SOLID BACK-UP POINT 

Bucks: Sam Cassell is unpredictable and the team jettisoned Alston. They
drafted point guard Ronald Murray, but he's at least a year away. The team
needs a veteran point as insurance. They've been talking to Best for some
time, but still haven't come to an understanding. There's always the
possibility that they just bring Anthony back. 

Pacers: The team has been trying to trade for another veteran point all
summer. They like Jamaal Tinsley, but think he needs someone to share the
burden with. Rod Strickland remains a possibility, and the Pacers have made
contact with Alston and Jones. Don't rule out a trade here. The Pacers are
stacked at small forward and would move a player like Jonathan Bender or Al
Harrington for the right price. Would the Bulls part with Jamal Crawford? If
worse comes to worse, they re-sign Kevin Ollie. 

Jazz: Raul Lopez will be get a chance to back up Stockton this season, but
the Jazz feel they need a third point guard as insurance. They took a look
at Avery in the summer league and have called Jones. Strickland is another
strong possibility here. Whomever they sign, it will probably be for one
year.