ESPN Inside info for the fam
Iguodala's market includes Cavs?
3:15PM ET
Andre Iguodala | 76ers |
Interested: Cavaliers?, Mavericks?, Rockets?
Iggy's possible new teams
* Dallas. With Josh Howard struggling for the Mavs, the teams could swap Howard and Iggy for each other.
* Houston. A deal here would likely involve the Sixers getting T-Mac's expiring contract in exchange.
* Cleveland. The Cavs have Zydrunas Ilgauskas' expiring contract to dangle. Though ESPN's Ric Bucher tweets Friday afternoon that "league source says take Cleveland out of Iguodala Sweepstakes."
* Phoenix. The Sixers could receive Amare Stoudemire in return, though it's uncertain whether he'd want to re-sign with them. If not, such a move would still clear cap space for them.
UPDATE: Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer writes: "According to several league sources, the Cavs and Sixers have been in talks about Iguodala. The talks remain open and it is still possible the Cavs could trade for him, contrary to other reports at the end of the last week. At this point, however, the two sides are just in discussion and have not progressed to the serious stage."
During trade season here, we've previously noted the market value of Samuel Dalembert of the Sixers. He's long been a player Philadelphia would like to deal.
Elton Brand is also another contract the team wouldn't mind dumping somewhere else.
But as the deadline approaches, the team might instead be willing to part ways with perhaps their best talent, Andre Iguodala, in a bit of a blow-up-the-team move with them struggling this season to free up some cap space.
We've previously written about the possibility of the Sixers dealing Iguodala to the Rockets for Tracy McGrady. This would be a huge coup for the Rockets, as they'd be getting an All-Star-caliber player. Yes, they'd have to take on the remaining four years and $56.3 million on Iguodala's contract, but it would be at the expense of McGrady's essentially dead contract. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported yesterday that the Rockets will only consider a trade with Philly if Iguodala is involved.
Two other teams the Sixers might try to convince to take on Iguodala are Dallas and Cleveland.
As Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas noted yesterday, Josh Howard is in a funk, and there's a chance he could be dealt. His $10.9 million expiring contract could be traded straight up for Iguodala.
If Dallas takes on Iguodala, it could alter the winds in the West and have the Mavs better equipped to take out the Lakers in the playoffs.
Cleveland is also looking to add some punch at the trade deadline, as Antawn Jamison, Troy Murphy and maybe even David West are all in the mix for them. Word is they'd prefer to have one of these stretch-four players, but as ESPN's Marc Stein explains, the Cavs coveted Stephen Jackson earlier this season, so don't rule out Iguodala to the Cavs just yet.
Marc Stein
Cavs have risk in trading for Iguodala
"Open to any trade that will help them convince LeBron James to stay in Cleveland -- as witnessed by their early season run at Stephen Jackson and their well-chronicled interested in a floor-spacing power forward such as Antawn Jamison or Troy Murphy -- LeBron's Cavs are on the short list of teams that would consider absorbing the four years and $56 million left on Iguodala's contract after this season. The determined pursuit of Jackson until his November trade from Golden State to Charlotte only makes it more apparent that the Cavs are not solely focused on 'stretch fours' as they're known in the modern game. Iguodala, though, is difficult for Philly to move because of all that money he's still owed ... The Cavs have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Would they still want Iguodala on their payroll if LeBron leaves and plunges Cleveland into that worst-case position?"
Chad Ford
Sixers likely to make deal
"It sounds as if the Sixers are very motivated to make a deal that gives them salary relief right now. They've been dangling Iguodala, once the cornerstone of the franchise, to any team willing to take Samuel Dalembert, too. Cleveland, Dallas and Houston have been mentioned as possible suitors. While Iguodala might be a little overpaid (and Dalembert is way overpaid), both players could help a team. Given that, I have to believe Philadelphia is going to find a way to make this happen."
Bosh staying?
11:22AM ET
Chris Bosh | Raptors
There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Chris Bosh in Toronto and whether the Raptors will deal Bosh by the trade deadline.
Bryan Colangelo told the Toronto Star on Friday that he has no plans to move Bosh this season.
"The calls are a lot less frequent, and it's a lot less focused on Bosh. Everybody starts with, 'Well, apparently you're not trading Bosh, so can we talk about so-and-so?'" Colangelo said. "Our intention is, we're not going to move him, so we're not discussing a scenario (that includes Bosh)."
For his part, Bosh says he doesn't want to be traded. "No, no, no, no," he told the Globe and Mail.
Colangelo says Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd. are willing to pay the luxury tax in the future if it means staying competitive.
"They want to win and they're committed," Colangelo said. "I'll leave it at that."
Amare all but gone?
11:22AM ET
Amare Stoudemire | Suns
ESPN.com's J.A. Adande spoke with Amare Stoudemire and Suns general manager Steve Kerr on Thursday and there is a sense that Stoudemire's days in Phoenix are coming to an end.
"I'm 50-50," Stoudemire said. "They've shopped me around for two maybe three years. It's not a great feeling to feel that way. I feel like the confidence in me is not quite there within them, for them to want to shop me around so much."
"Obviously with a player of Amare's caliber, an All-Star player, when the rumor mill starts it's tough to stop, because he's such a high-profile player," said Kerr. "Especially when a guy is a free agent at the end of the year, potentially. That's why you're going to see Amare and Chris Bosh in the news here the next few weeks. It's just business as usual. We always look at this as, 'How can we make our team better?' Re-signing Amare long-term, or any other option, whatever we do is going to be designed to make our team better."
Hinrich to Lakers not imminent?
10:27AM ET
Kirk Hinrich | Bulls
The possibility of Kirk Hinrich being traded to the Lakers was a topic that was touched on earlier this week.
The Daily Herald reported yesterday the Bulls have had discussions with the Lakers about Hinrich, most likely for Adam Morrison and Sasha Vujacic, but nothing is imminent.
The team has been active in trying to trade Kirk Hinrich and his $17 million over the next two seasons in an effort to clear more cap space for this summer. John Salmons is another guy they'd like to trade for expiring contracts.
With the Lakers not extending Jordan Farmar this season and Shannon Brown playing well in a reserve role, the Lakers could part with the expiring contracts of Farmar, Adam Morrison and Josh Powell to acquire Hinrich.
ESPN's Chad Ford outlined a scenario where Derek Fischer could be traded to the Bulls as well. Ford also notes Hinrich to the Lakers works best out of the other potentially available point guards.
The biggest hurdle for the Lakers is the two years and $17 million remaining on Hinrich's contract after this season, as both ESPN's John Hollinger and ESPN Los Angeles' Brian Kamenetzky.
Chad Ford
Hinrich most likely for L.A. out of potentially available PGs
"The three big names mentioned in connection to Los Angeles have been Devin Harris, Andre Miller and Kirk Hinrich. The Nets want more than expiring contracts for Harris, so I think they're out. The Blazers aren't eager to move Miller, especially down the coast to a Western Conference rival. That leaves the Bulls, who want to get further under the salary cap to make a run at two free agents this summer. Hinrich has been solid in a backup role for the Bulls, but he's expendable. While the Lakers would have to commit to the remainder of Hinrich's contract, it's a deal that makes a lot of sense for both sides."
John Hollinger
Money biggest hurdle
"I think the problem here is money -- I don't think Dr. Buss is anxious to spend an extra $18 million in 2010-11 money when his team is good enough to win the West as it is. If the Lakers don't make a deal, that will be why."
Insider
ESPN Los Angeles
Trades for salary not likely
"As for trades, I don't think the Lakers will be all that active, because they don't want to bring back much salary down the road ... So I don't think in the end Chris Bosh or Hinrich end up here." -- Brian Kamenetzky
Chad Ford
Hinrich trade works for Bull and Lakers
"I like it for both teams. Some sort of combo of Adam Morrison and Derek Fisher for Hinrich would help both teams -- Lakers now and Bulls this summer."
Bigs for Blazers
10:26AM ET
Portland Trail Blazers
Options for Portland
* Brendan Haywood. The Wizards are in sell mode, and Haywood has an expiring contract. He's averaging nearly a double-double this season.
* Jeff Foster. Several Western Conference teams like what Foster brings on the defensive end.
* Brad Miller. The Blazers have inquired, but Bulls are reluctant to part with him.
For several weeks now we've noted that the Blazers, if they are to make a deal at the trade deadline, will likely bring in a big man on an expiring contract, as both Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla are injured and out for the year.
So here are some potential names to keep an eye on: Jeff Foster of the Pacers; Brad Miller of the Bulls; and Brendan Haywood of the Wizards.
The Blazers have a large collection of wings they could potentially trade back to any of these locations, as well as Steve Blake's expiring contract. Andre Miller could also be in the mix, though GM Kevin Pritchard has publicly stated Miller isn't on the market.
Marc Stein
Blazers interested in Haywood
"The Blazers have indeed registered their interest in Washington center Brendan Haywood, given Haywood's obvious appeal as a short-term replacement -- with an expiring $6 million contract -- for the fallen Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla. But one source close to the situation said that the talks didn't go far when the Wiz indicated that they'd want both Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum headlining the return package for Haywood, who's averaging 9.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Portland, meanwhile, continues to insist in the strongest terms that guard Andre Miller is not available, even as rival teams continue to whisper otherwise. "
Potential Arenas destinations
10:23AM ET
Gilbert Arenas | Wizards
With word that the Wizards and Gilbert Arenas may be headed for a buyout, it's never too early to look at teams that could potentially add Arenas to their roster.
Earlier this month, ESPN's Marc Stein brought up the Magic as a possible destination, due to Arenas' relationship with GM Otis Smith. ESPN's Chris Sheridan also discussed the possibility of him joining the Knicks, as the team is still looking for a point guard.
And in the Weekend Dime, Stein also throws out another potential suitor: Cleveland.
Marc Stein
Cavs, others could be in play for Arenas
"One source close to the situation told ESPN.com that Arenas ultimately landing in Cleveland with the team that has regularly tortured the Wizards in recent seasons -- as a sidekick whose arrival would theoretically help the Cavs ensure the re-signing of LeBron James -- is a legit possibility to file away. You can likewise count on more teams popping up as potential destinations if Arenas can reach buyout terms with the Wiz to become a free agent. For all the supposed drawbacks, Arenas averaged 22.6 points and 7.2 assists in 32 games this season and will be only 28 when next season starts. Too many teams will have money to spend this summer -- with only a handful of difference-makers expected to be on the market -- to prevent Arenas from attracting interest."
@ Brand being trade bait
