ESPN Insider article...

["Jaims" <jaims@info.com.ph>]

Hello guys.  I am wondering if there's someone (big man) we could use by
acquiring via trade here:

Summer trading block
begins to fill up
by Chad Ford

Some teams build via the draft. Other teams build through free agency. And
others, like the Nuggets right before the trade deadline, build by
subtraction. It's the old Vietnam strategy -- destroying the city to save it.
With the season beginning to wind down for half of the league, we're getting
our first good glimpse at who does and doesn't fit into the long-range plans
of teams struggling to climb out of the cellar.
Of the 13 teams with losing records, almost all have players they'll try to
ship out this summer. For more successful teams looking for that missing
piece, could any of these guys fit the bill?
Here's an early sneak peek at who could be on the trading block this summer in
the East. Big names with big games, from Andre Miller to Glenn Robinson, could
be wearing new jerseys next season.
Friday we'll tackle the Western Conference.

Heat -- Pat Riley's plan is to try to lure a couple of top-flight free agents
during the summer of 2003. To clear enough cap space, he's going to have to
push this summer to move either Brian Grant or Eddie Jones. Both players have
been a disappointment in Miami. Grant has seemed lost since Alonzo Mourning
returned from his illness late last season. Jones has shown flashes of the
player he was in L.A. and Charlotte, but isn't the long-range bomber nor the
uber athletic, rangy small forward who Riley's always coveted. If Riley can
find a way to swap one of those two for a top draft pick or a guy like Lamar
Odom or Keon Clark, they're gone. On the flip side, given Grant's and Jones's
huge contracts, moving them won't be easy.

Knicks -- GM Scott Layden will be working the phones again this summer to see
if there is any interest in Allan Houston, Marcus Camby or Latrell Sprewell.
With Houston's huge deal, Camby's history of injuries and with Spree being a
fan favorite, don't expect Layden to have a lot of luck. Instead, his most
tradeable asset at the moment may be Kurt Thomas, who has been putting up
double doubles the last month. Thomas has just two years, at around $5 million
per, remaining on his contract.

Cavs -- This team has major issues, and most of them surround what to do with
point guard Andre Miller this summer. Yes, the Cavs realize that Miller may be
the best point guard in the game. But, Miller alone can't turn around the
Cavs' fortunes. With a series of draft blunders, salary-cap problems and a
roster full of medical marvels, the Cavs might need to seriously consider
shipping Miller out in return for a couple of young, athletic impact players.
Impossible you say? That's what everyone said about those Jason Kidd trade
rumors last spring. A more modest course would be to see what they could get
for Chris Mihm or Wesley Person. Stop laughing.

Bulls -- They have too many young projects and will have another lottery pick
to boot this summer. Don't be surprised to see the Bulls package their No. 1
(unless they have the top pick in the draft and a shot at Duke's Jason
Williams, then all bets are off) and either Marcus Fizer or Jamal Crawford (or
both) for a veteran All-Star to give Jalen Rose some help. The way Jerry
Krause is talking, he thinks the Bulls are going to make a big upgrade this
summer.

Raptors -- They need to get more scoring help for Vince Carter. They'd love to
move Alvin Williams or Hakeem Olajuwon, but more realistically, they may have
to part ways with either Antonio Davis (if they can find any takers for his
huge deal) or Jerome Williams to get any value in return.

Wizards -- Whether Michael Jordan comes back or not, they'll be some house
cleaning this summer in Washington. Jordan has a great handle on who can and
who can't help this team. Christian Laettner, Courtney Alexander and Hubert
Davis will be shopped.

Bucks -- If the team falters in the playoffs, expect major changes to take
place this summer. Coach George Karl's primary target is Glenn Robinson. But
Anthony Mason, Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson aren't safe either. If GM Ernie
Grunfeld doesn't clean house a bit, it might be Karl who walks out that door.

Celtics -- The team needs to find a way to get under the luxury tax threshold
and re-sign Rodney Rogers this summer. That means the Celtics need to find a
taker for one of their bigger salaries. Given Kenny Anderson's strong play
this year and his favorable contract (only one year left), has his value ever
been higher?

Nets -- The team has to figure out a way this summer to convince Jason Kidd to
re-sign when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2003. Expect them to use
Keith Van Horn as trade bait to lure a more athletic small forward to Jersey.

Sixers -- If Larry Brown is around, you know there'll be at least one or two
trades. The Sixers continue to get interest in Eric Snow. With the Hawks and
Pistons in desperate need of a point guard, would a draft pick, or a young
prospect like DerMarr Johnson or Rodney White convince Brown to part with the
Sixers' floor leader?

Hornets -- They like their team, but wouldn't mind swapping owners George
Shinn and Ray Wooldridge for a pack of Tic-Tacs.