Insider trade rumors from the Eastern Conference

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

It's too bad Jay Williams got hurt. It sounds like the Antoine-for Williams,
Marshall and Fizer deal may have been close. Talk about a great trade. What
a shame.

I'm hoping for the Toronto deal - Antoine for Davis and the No. 4 pick.
Apparently that would net Bosh. If he's as good as advertised, it's a steal.
Davis' contract runs one year longer than Toine's, so it comes off the books
at the same time as Baker-hello, cap space. Miami is offering a similar type
of deal with either Grant or Jones and the No. 5 pick, but it sounds like
Bosh is the guy the Celts want if they're going to part with Antoine. I'd do
the Miami trade, snag Grant and then draft T.J. Ford, but there are no
indications the Celts are considering it.

If you're Toronto, and it comes down to a choice of Antoine, Rasheed or
Lafrentz, which do you do? Probably Rasheed, don't you think? Let's hope
they don't think so.

Mark


What happens when the biggest trade broker in the draft loses it's most
valuable trade chip to a motorcycle accident? The league rumor mill grinds
to halt. 
Such is the Chicago Bulls <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=chi>
' predicament after Jay Williams
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3600> ' suffered a
broken leg and possible other injuries Thursday. 
As late as Thursday afternoon rumors were churning that the Bulls were on
the verge of a big deal for one of their prize point guards -- Williams or
Jamal Crawford <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3407>
. According to one league source, the trade talk was so hot and heavy that
GM John Paxson was forced to back out of his trip to France to see Mickael
Pietrus
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/tracker/player?playerId=18464> ,
sending B.J. Armstrong and Pete Myers instead. 
Now everything is moot. With Williams' long term health in doubt, Paxson
can't afford to trade either player. That's too bad, considering one of the
rumored deals had the Bulls shipping Williams, Donyell Marshall
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2627>  and Marcus
Fizer <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3403>  to
Boston for Antoine Walker
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3112> . 
Without the Bulls in the mix, things won't be nearly as hot and heavy this
summer. 
Atlanta Hawks <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=atl>  
On the Block: Glenn Robinson
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2624> 
The Skinny: In February, everyone on the roster was on the trading block --
Robinson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3098> , Jason Terry
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3333> , Theo Ratliff
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3020> , Nazr Mohammed
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3272>  -- now with
the sale of the team imminent, everything's on hold. When owner David
McDavid finally takes the reins, hires a coach and GM (Pistons international
scout and former Mavs scout Tony Ronzone is rumored to be a frontrunner) the
team can begin dealing again. The first order of business, get the Big Dog
out of the house. Robinson put up great numbers last season, but the team
played better when he was out nursing injuries. 
Boston Celtics <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos>  
On the Block: Antoine Walker
The Skinny: Danny Ainge claims he won't shop Walker. But that hasn't stopped
him from listening to offers. Many GMs believe Walker is available, and
several teams are interested. The hottest rumor had the Celtics talking with
the Bulls about the above-mentioned deal for Williams, Fizer and Marshall.
With Williams' future in doubt, there's another possibility that might make
some sense: Walker and the No. 20 pick to the Raptors for Antonio Davis
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2143>  and the No. 4
pick in the draft. The Celtics are pretty high on Chris Bosh
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/tracker/player?playerId=18511> . 
Chicago Bulls On the Block: Jay Williams/Jamal Crawford?, Marcus Fizer,
Jalen Rose <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2636> 
The Skinny: No one was in a better position to pull off a blockbuster trade
on draft night than the Bulls. However, that all changed with Williams'
accident. At the time, the Bulls were positioning themselves to land a
veteran, sweet-shooting small forward with either their No. 7 pick or with a
combination of one of their two point guards and Fizer. Now, the team is
back to square one until they get an idea of the extent of Williams
injuries. Right now, things don't look good, which is a shame. A lot of
people believed that Williams would have a breakout year this year --
especially if he was moved to a different team. 
Cleveland Cavaliers <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=cle>  
On the Block: Ricky Davis
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3264> ?, Darius Miles
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3402> ?, Dajuan
Wagner <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3604> ?, Chris
Mihm <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3406> 
The Skinny: The minute the Cavs landed the No. 1 pick in the draft, the
rumors started that at least one of the Cavs young three -- Davis, Miles or
Wagner -- would be gone. Most assumed it would be Davis, who plays the same
position as LeBron James
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/tracker/player?playerId=18425>  and
Wagner. Not so fast. Several teams called to inquire about Davis and were
rebuffed by GM Jim Paxson. According to those sources, Paxson plans to start
James and Davis together in the backcourt. The Cavs are also pleased with
how vigorously Miles is working out this summer. They plan to bring Wagner,
the perfect spark plug, off the bench. That means, unless someone gives them
an offer they can't refuse, Mihm may be the only real trade bait they have
this summer. Considering his stock is hovering right around Enron's, that
can't be good. 
Detroit Pistons <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det>  
On the Block: Cliff Robinson, Michael Curry
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=915> , Corliss
Williamson <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3015> 
The Skinny: Larry Brown might not like it, but with young players like Darko
Milicic
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/tracker/player?playerId=18423> ,
Tayshaun Prince <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3621>
and Mehmet Okur <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3547>
clamoring for playing time next year, GM Joe Dumars will try to nip the
situation in the bud and trade away a few veterans before the term "logjam"
starts appearing on a daily basis. The question is, do any of these guys
have trade value. All three have reasonable contracts, but Robinson's poor
playoff performance (get a rebound Cliff ... just one), Curry's utter lack
of an offensive game and the four years remaining on Williamson's contract
makes this a tough sell. 
Indiana Pacers <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=ind>  On the
Block: Al Harrington
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3268> , Austin
Croshere <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3182> 
The Skinny: Harrington isn't technically on the block. The Pacers aren't
shopping him. But they know, and everyone else knows, that if they're going
to land a top flight point guard, they'll have to part with Harrington to
get it done. They have interest in Gary Payton
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=259> , but right now
it doesn't look like he has interest in them. They'd love to move Croshere,
but so far no one's biting on that nasty contract. 
Miami Heat <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mia>  
On the Block: Eddie Jones
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2633> , Brian Grant
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2631> 
The Skinny: The Heat don't have enough cap room to make a dent in the
free-agent market, unless they get Jones or Grant off the books. That's
going to be a tough sell unless Dallas falls in love again with Brian Grant.
Their best bet is to package one of the two with the No. 5 pick. Right now,
they aren't having much success. 
Milwaukee Bucks <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mil>  
On the Block: Sam Cassell
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1295> .
Not only are the Bucks planning for a future without Gary Payton, they're
also trying to see what Sam Cassell would fetch on the open market. A couple
napkins and a few ketchup packs would do. 
New Jersey Nets <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=njn>  On the
Block: Jason Kidd
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2625> 
The Skinny: Just kidding. Get it? Seriously with all of this talk of
sign-and-trades to Sacramento, San Antonio and just about everywhere else,
we pause to ask the question no one is asking. Why? Force Kidd to take a job
he's less comfortable with in San Antonio, if he really wants to bolt. The
minute the Nets open that door, Kidd will push right through it. 
New Orleans Hornets <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nor>  
On the Block: Ummm ...
The Skinny: Can someone trade the owners? Baron Davis
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3326>  and Jamal
Mashburn <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1275>
aren't going anywhere, so what does it matter? 
New York Knicks <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk>  On the
Block: Latrell Sprewell
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=858> , Kurt Thomas
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3012> , Charlie Ward
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2649> 
The Skinny: For the past three years every potential Spree trade scenario
has been hashed and rehashed. We're not going to get into all that here. But
one trade rumor bears mentioning. A deal to send Spree to the Rockets for
Cuttino Mobley <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3284>
and Glen Rice <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=281>
could be in the works. We know that Rice bombed the last time he played in
New York. But the cap relief would be nice, and it would free up some space
for the Knicks to take a top notch small forward like Maciej Lampe
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/d03/tracker/player?playerId=18461> . 
Orlando Magic <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=orl>  
On the Block: Grant Hill
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2626> 
The Skinny: Anyone? Please? 
Philadelphia 76ers <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=phi>  
On the Block: Eric Snow
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3045> 
The Skinny: Larry Brown never appreciated him, but now that Brown is gone,
he's safe, right? Not so fast. Several teams looking for a veteran point
guard (read Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta and Seattle) would love to get their
hands on Snow. The big question is whether John Salmons
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3624>  is ready to
come in and be the new whipping boy. 
Toronto Raptors <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=tor>  On the
Block: Antonio Davis
The Skinny: His name is everywhere at the moment. He could end up in Dallas.
Boston is a possibility. So is Portland. The Raptors have tired of Davis'
attitude towards Canada. They need fresh blood, and teams seem willing to
pay. Don't be surprised if they package him with their No. 4 pick and land
Rasheed Wallace <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3006>
, Antoine Walker or Raef LaFrentz
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3246> . 
Washington Wizards <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=was>  
On the Block: Jerry Stackhouse
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3005> 
The Skinny: Now that Michael Jordan
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=175> 's out of there,
expect the Wizards to do some serious cost-cutting this summer. Their
primary goal is to move Stackhouse while they can. The most prominent rumor
has them packaging Stack and Christian Laettner
<http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=837>  for Terrell
Brandon <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=398> 's
expiring contract. That would give the Wizards major cap room in 2004.