TrueHoop: Trade ReportsNew name in trade talks: Mike Conley
February, 17, 2010 Feb 175:12PM ETComment Email Print Share By Chad Ford
Archive

Conley
It's rare that you hear a new name pop up on the trade front this late in the game, but two sources have told ESPN.com that the Grizzlies have let teams know Mike Conley can be had in exchange for cap relief and a good first-round pick.

The Grizzlies have had an on-again, off-again relationship with Conley since his rookie season. And with Jamaal Tinsley in place, and O.J. Mayo capable of swinging to the point, it sounds like they're ready to cut bait if the right deal comes along.

Although one source stressed that it's unlikely Conley is moved before the trade deadline, it's interesting that his name is even out there.Tags:Trade Reports
Spurs shopping Mason
February, 17, 2010 Feb 174:39PM ETComment Email Print Share By Marc Stein
Archive The Miami Heat have indeed expressed interest in San Antonio’s Roger Mason, but the Miami deal that interested the Spurs most is no longer possible.

The Spurs were hoping to tempt Miami into absorbing Mason’s $3.8 million expiring contract into a $4.3 million trade exception that would have enabled the teams to complete a deal without San Antonio needing to take back another player. A future second-round pick from the Heat would have completed the transaction.

But the Heat, dealing with their own luxury-tax issues like San Antonio and reluctant to add to their payroll, ultimately declined.

And the trade exception in question -- created through the departure of Marcus Banks in Miami’s Shawn Marion trade with Toronto on Feb. 15, 2009 -- expired Monday at midnight.

The Spurs and Mason’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, have mutually agreed to pursue trades before Thursday’s 3 p.m. trading deadline, but it’ll take a new trade construction to get Mason to Miami now if the Heat want to try again.

San Antonio is more than $10 million over the luxury-tax threshold, so the deal proposed Monday to Miami would have cut its tax bill by nearly 40 percent. Miami is roughly $2.8 million over the tax threshold.Tags:Trade Reports
Rockets, Knicks and T-Mac talk
February, 17, 2010 Feb 173:09PM ETComment Email Print Share By Chad Ford
Archive

McGrady
The Knicks and Rockets spoke Wednesday morning about a potential Tracy McGrady trade. Sources familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com that although the Knicks told the Rockets they remain interested in acquiring the shooting guard in a deal for Larry Hughes and Jared Jeffries, they are still unwilling to meet all of the Rockets' demands -- cap relief, Jordan Hill, the swapping of 2011 first-round picks and the Knicks' 2012 first-round pick.

"We'd like McGrady and the cap relief," one Knicks source said. "But the Rockets are asking for too much. We're willing to pay a premium to make a deal. But the price right now is still too high."

According to the source, the Rockets are still looking for other partners. The Bulls have been mentioned as a possibility, but sources believe their offer is less attractive than the Knicks' -- even if the Knicks don't give the Rockets everything they're asking for.Tags:Trade Reports
Nate to Boston? Not yet
February, 17, 2010 Feb 173:09PM ETComment Email Print Share By Chad Ford
Archive The Knicks also had several other trades brewing Wednesday. Two sources said the Celtics and Knicks are in advanced talks about a Nate Robinson-for-Eddie House swap. However, both sources stressed that a deal was not completed yet.

The Timberwolves also inquired about a possible Darko Milicic-for-Brian Cardinal deal. The Knicks might be inclined to pull the trigger (it could save them some cash this year) depending on what happens with the Rockets and Celtics.Tags:Uncategorized, Trade Reports
Cavs leading Amare chase
February, 17, 2010 Feb 172:38PM ETComment Email Print Share By Chad Ford
Archive

Stoudemire
All is still quiet on the Amare Stoudemire trade front. As of Wednesday afternoon, sources familiar with the negotiations said the Suns have yet to signal whether the team will trade Stoudemire to the Cavs or Heat -- or whether it will trade him at all.

The Cavs have been pushing for the Suns to give them an answer. But Phoenix is holding out and likely will wait until Thursday to make a decision, according to sources.

Of the two teams vying for Stoudemire, only the Heat have actually received permission from the Suns to speak to Stoudemire's agent. The Cavs, as of Wednesday afternoon, have yet to call.

Still, sources close to the negotiations say that, right now, Cleveland is the front-runner. Why? Because the Heat have yet to offer the Suns a deal that would beat the Cavs' offer of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson. One source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com that the Heat have yet to offer Michael Beasley or either of their two first-round picks.

"I'm not sure Miami is willing to pay the price for Amare," a Suns source told ESPN.com. "We have to get something for him. We're not giving him away. If Miami gets serious, then I think they would get him. But right now, they are not showing they're serious."

Is there a possibility Stoudemire won't be traded at all?

"It's possible," the Suns source said. "We haven't been blown away with an offer yet."

If the Suns decide to keep Stoudemire, it could be a rocky few months. A source familiar with the negotiations told ESPN.com that the Suns and Stoudemire have ended all talks on a contract extension. If Stoudemire plays out the season in Phoenix, he'll likely leave this summer.

"He's being personally wooed by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade," the source said. "On the other side, he's being actively shopped by the Suns. He feels like he may be more wanted elsewhere."Tags:Trade Reports
Wizards willing to deal Jamison to Cavs
February, 17, 2010 Feb 1712:24PM ETComment Email Print Share By Chad Ford
Archive

Jamison
For weeks, sources close to the situation have asserted to ESPN.com that the Wizards were reluctant to trade Antawn Jamison. During the past 72 hours, however, the Wizards' position on Jamison appears to have softened considerably.

Sources say the Wizards and Cavs had discussions on Tuesday about several potential deals that would send Jamison to Cleveland. The same sources said talks ended without a firm offer from Cleveland.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Wizards are waiting on the Cavs to see whether those potential deals become an actual trade.

"The ball is in Cleveland's court," one source told ESPN.com. "If Cleveland comes back with a firm offer based on the potential deals they discussed, I think the Wizards will move Jamison."

The Wizards' new stance on Jamison is being fueled by two factors. First, the trade of Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood for Josh Howard has left the team in rebuilding mode. And Jamison, who signed an extension with the club 18 months ago expecting to be on a contender, would like to be traded to a team with title aspirations.

"Jamison is a great guy," one source said. "He's been a model player for the Wizards on and off the floor. The Wizards don't want to lose him. He's been a rock in the locker room. However, I think the Wizards want to do right by him. He's at the end of his career. He deserves to have a chance to win a title."

The other factor is the Wizards are currently over the NBA's luxury-tax threshold. At least one potential deal discussed with Cleveland on Tuesday (Jamison and Mike James for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jamario Moon) would put the Wizards below the tax this season. Getting below the tax could save the Wizards around $10 million this year once you factor in rebates that teams under the tax receive from the league.

If the Cavs decide to pull the trigger on the Amare Stoudemire deal instead, look for the Wizards to explore ways of trading Jamison during the summer.
Tags:Trade Reports