NBA Trade Rumors

Deng to Orlando talk legit, but unlikely

Bulls general manager Gar Forman talked Wednesday about having plenty of options on the table right now.

One rumor that does have some legs is Luol Deng to Orlando for forward Mickael Pietrus and center Marcin Gortat. It has been discussed, according to a source, but talks have not gotten serious and there is no proof the Bulls are inclined to make such a move.

This deal would save the Bulls about $22 million in future salaries, but it wouldn’t give them any more cap space to add a second free agent this summer. In fact, it would erase about $300,000 in cap space, which probably makes this move unlikely.

Like Deng, Gortat is signed through 2014. He’s due $28 million over the next four years after Orlando matched a generous offer sheet from Dallas a year ago. He averaged 3.6 points and 4.3 rebounds last season backing up Dwight Howard. Pietrus (8.7 points last season) is signed for two more years at about $15 million.

Orlando seemed to be disappointed in Vince Carter (big surprise) and is looking for another reliable scorer. The Bulls wouldn’t mind moving Deng this summer to add a second free agent, but they’re not likely to trade him for two reserves and no cap relief.

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Short of trading Paul, one possible solution to solving the Hornets’ tax problem would be dealing David West. But a salary dump like that would only set off more alarm bells and accelerate Paul’s pursuit of a trade to a championship contender. With the understanding that I’m glad these are Bower’s problems and not mine, here’s the rest of the pre-draft buzz with less than 24 hours to go:

Most available name on the trade menu? By far, it’s Elton Brand. The only way Philly will be able (or willing) to trade the No. 2 pick will be if someone is willing to take Brand and his albatross of a contract. Same goes for Minnesota’s No. 4 pick (which comes with Al Jefferson as the booby prize). Several teams have made credible offers to pay the freight for Beno Udrih or Francisco Rodriguez, but the Kings don’t want out from under those contracts badly enough to give up the No. 5 pick without getting back a player they like.

Tony Parker, as you know, can be had for the right deal as the Spurs consider handing the reins to George Hill and getting back enough talent to make the most out of essentially a two-year plan to ride Tim Duncan until the end. Richard Jefferson can definitely be had. No takers so far.

Rival GMs report that the Raptors have made Jose Calderon[/B] available in addition to Hedo Turkoglu, but face the same obstacles as the Spurs do in trying to move Jefferson. Zach Randolph is in the same boat with Memphis.

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The New Jersey Nets and Indiana Pacers are discussing a blockbuster draft trade that would send All-Star forward Danny Granger and the 10th pick to the Nets for Devin Harris, Yi Jianlian and the third overall pick, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Pacers plan would be to move up and take Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors with the third overall pick and plug their need for a young point guard with Harris.

No deal was imminent, and one source said the Nets’ interest in the Pacers’ offer was “lukewarm.” There could be other pieces added to the package to the make the salaries match up under league rules.
 
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