Insider

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

Here's today's Insider trade roundup. I'll put the most specific Celtics
reference at the top, with the Brent Barry stuff just below that.



Mark



While a deal for Steve Francis isn't going to happen before the
deadline, the Rockets are trying to see whether they can find someone
interested in Bostjan Nachbar, Maurice Taylor and/or Kelvin Cato. With
the Celtics looking for more firepower, and with their two expiring
contracts, you can add them to the list of potential suitors. Ainge is a
big fan of Nachbar's. All the Rockets are looking for is a little more
cap flexibility at this point.



MARK'S TAKE: Nachbar is just the kind of sweetener to look for in a deal
for a Mo Taylor type player. He's in the same position Jiri was in
before this season - lots of talent, just waiting for his opportunity.
He's bigger, and a better pure shooter than Jiri, but not the
ball-handler. I'd compare him, at least in style of play, to Peja
Stojakovic. Great pickup. And adding more of the European players
encourages more movement and passing.



Here's more from Insider:



Speaking of the Sonics, it appears that the team has finally come to the
realization that it has a small window of opportunity to make something
happen with the expiring contract of Brent Barry and is talking to a
number of teams around the league. One source told Insider on Tuesday
that Vladimir Radmanovic's agent has been pushing for the Sonics to get
Radmanovic out of Seattle. Radmanovic and Barry have the same agent,
David Bauman, and he's been making phone calls of his own trying to find
a package that works for the Sonics. With other assets like Ronald
Murray and, to a lesser extent, Jerome James, what's the hold-up?
One league executive said that the Sonics are asking for too much. "They
want a lot for those guys, and I mean a lot," the exec told Insider.
"There's a lot of interest in that package, but no one's prepared to
give up a seven footer or an all-star for them. I think right now that's
what Rick (Sund) feels he needs to justify the trade. If he sticks to
that line of thinking, I don't see anything happening."

Talks with the Bulls, a natural trading partner, have gone nowhere. The
Sonics are insisting that either Eddy Curry or Tyson Chandler be
included in any deal. Paxson is willing to talk, but is only willing to
give up Crawford and/or Fizer in return. Talks with the Pacers (for Al
Harrington and Austin Croshere) and the Wizards (for Kwame and Christian
Laettner) are also going nowhere.

The hottest rumor on Tuesday evening had the Sonics talking to the
Raptors about a swap that would send Barry and Radmanovic to Toronto for
Donyell Marshall and Morris Peterson. There was also talk that the trade
could be expanded into a three-way deal with the Blazers. The Raptors
have been in the hunt for a center so that they can move rookie Chris
Bosh back to his natural position at power forward. Under that
arrangement, Radmanovic and Barry would head to Portland, Davis would go
Toronto, Marshall and Peterson would head to Seattle and the Raptors
would send Michael Curry and Michael Bradley to the Blazers. However,
the same sources said that the Sonics are concerned that they're not
getting enough in return for Radmanovic.

If Sund can't get what he wants, there shouldn't be any reason to rush
into a trade. Radmanovic, Murray and James will all have value this
summer. But still, with the Sonics in the hunt for a playoff berth and
the availability of Barry's expiring contract, it's hard to believe that
the team can't find a deal that makes sense for them.