http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-070506smithinside,1,4008387.column?page=2&coll=cs-home%20-headlines

Remember Garnett?

Or what about my deal from two years ago? I thought I was way ahead of the curve on this one, and if the Mavs could have closed Game 3 of the Finals last year we'd never be talking about it. Seeing the Mavs then as an offensive team that couldn't win, I suggested a Nowitzki-for-Kevin Garnett swap. Nowitzki soon will be named the league's MVP. The general sentiment in Dallas is he has to go. The Dallas Morning News reported there were two fans at the airport when the Mavs' plane arrived from Oakland.

The general consensus is that the Lakers, with Kobe Bryant apoplectic about change (and I can't blame him), will make a big-time play for Garnett, who lives in Malibu and is friendly with Bryant. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak seemed to concede prospect Andrew Bynum and everyone else but Bryant is available, though friends of Garnett insist he won't seek a trade and the Timberwolves, losing millions, will keep him and then save his salary if he leaves.


"Do something and do it now," said Bryant, who is an old 28, having come in as a teenager and having played in 131 playoff games (Michael Jordan had played in 70 playoff games at the same age). "We are going on three years of still being on ground zero. When I re-signed here, they promised they would build a contender and build a contender now. I don't want to have to wait anymore."

Option B is said to be Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. But sources say O'Neal already has told the Pacers he wants to be traded to the Knicks and former Pacers coach and close friend Isiah Thomas. Would the Pacers take Stephon Marbury or maybe a package with Steve Francis, Jared Jeffries and Channing Frye and the Bulls' first-round pick, which the Knicks own in the swap?

And would Minnesota now swap Garnett for Nowitzki? That would give Dallas the tough guy they feel they need after shriveling up for the Warriors, and it would give the Timberwolves a star and a good guy.

If the Lakers fail, Bryant has an opt-out after the 2008-09 season and the Bulls could be well under the salary cap by then.

Bryant told me he was serious about going to the Bulls before he re-signed with the Lakers, and highly regards the Bulls' organization and the way the team is being built. He's one player who has no fear of stepping into the Jordan legacy. In fact, he'd likely embrace it.

"I hate to even think about me going someplace else," Bryant said.

But he could, if all else fails.

stevie and frye and JJ for O'neal? Make it happen.

Posted by franco12:

Posted by Caseloads:

stevie and frye and JJ for O'neal? Make it happen.

That deal is too good to happen. Two over paid stiffs and a soft rookie and late first round pick for JO? Granted, he'll probably only play 53 games for us- but still, a deal you would have to do.

Isiah needs to learn to say no, though and be tough in any negotiation.

A big no thanks to Jermaine.

If Isiah trades Lee and we are not a championship contender I will have to hang up the orange and blue untill hes gone

Posted by Caseloads:

stevie and frye and JJ for O'neal? Make it happen.

This would be the best deal for the knicks. It might be too much for JO in my opinion. Still if Bird wants the pick then the knicks need a sweetner. That kid they drafted from Memphis would be one.

Pacers will not be taking back Francis in any deal and they for surely will make ISAYUGH bend over on any potential trade. If it were to happen just be prepared for the inevitable unprotected Lottery Picks being given away. The Pacers have all the leverage at this point, they really don't need to trade J.O.

Posted by SupremeCommander:

It's pure speculation.

"Would the Pacers take" indicates that this is a HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION.

best trade scenario for indy would be S&T jermaine for vince + boone + marcus

Before the off-season ends everyone will have their own knick related rumor.

Crawford/QRich + Malik + Lee.

I don't get it...is it just plain stupid to pair O'Neal with Curry, or will it allow us to make a run at a championship. You can't have it both ways.

I too doubt that front-court will work because they take up largely the same space on the court. Isiah seemed to think that Frye's game was hurt by the focus on Curry, multiply that by ten with JO. Curry needs a defensive specialist next to him that eats up rebounds while scoring largely on opportunistic put-backs. Not someone who also needs plays called for them in the post.

Which is why I wouldn't take a chance on the only trade scenario that would realistically bring O'Neal here...One that includes David Lee as the primary piece. Because that’s what it is going to take. Frye + Rose + Robinson + Crawford? Fantasy. Too many players, not enough young potential for an all-star, and you aren't saving Indiana money. So why would they do that?

Guys, I think we can expect a couple of things:

1. Steve Francis - the dumbest, most selfish player in the NBA will not return
2. Q Richardson - had major back surgery, there's a good chance he's done