Insider Special: Rumours (updated 6/21)


Mavs, Lakers deal makes sense

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Lakers
Mavs
Pacers
Grizzlies
Blazers Jun. 21 - Reports out of Dallas claim owner Mark Cuban would give up anyone on his roster, with the exception of Dirk Nowitzki, for Shaq. That's bull. A source in Dallas told Insider over the weekend that the Mavericks absolutely would be willing to give up Nowitzki and Antoine Walker for Shaq. The Mavs aren't going to win a championship without a real presence in the middle. No one else they have can command a decent big man back in a trade.

The Pacers, Grizzlies and Blazers are also possible trading partners for L.A., but a trade with Dallas makes the most sense by far.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Lakers
Lakers
Suns
Clippers
Spurs Jun. 21 - Kobe has opted out of his deal and likely will take his time deciding where he wants to play next year. Sources close to Bryant told Insider over the weekend that his first choice still is to remain a Laker. The same sources contend Bryant had little to do with the Lakers' break-up. With at least one championship contender, the Spurs, clearing enough cap room to make a run Kobe, the Lakers will have serious competition for his services.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady
Magic
Rockets
Suns
Pacers
Clippers
Grizzlies Jun. 21 - The Rockets are rumored to be the leading suitors for McGrady, offering a combo of Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato for McGrady and Juwan Howard. That sounds like a fantasy trade that every other owner would veto. We know Magic GM John Weisbrod is a hockey guy, but even he should know this is a terrible deal for the Magic.

The Suns, Clippers and Pacers all look like they could make offers that might make Weisbrod pull the trigger. Some of it will come down to T-Mac's preference. He wants to play in Houston, but the Rockets' offer isn't close to those of the other three teams. At the end of the day, we see either the Suns or Clippers landing him.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Ron Artest
Ron Artest
Pacers
Magic
Grizzlies Jun. 21 - The volatile Artest, this season's Defensive Player of the Year, decided to skip the Pacers' mandatory exit interview at the end of the season, stating only: "There was nothing to talk about. We lost." Rumors have spread that he could be part of a package put together by Indiana and sent to Orlando for Tracy McGrady. But Pacers general manager Donnie Walsh seemed to quell that thought by saying to the Orlando Sentinel: "If there's going to be interest in doing a deal with us, [Magic GM John Weisbrod] is going to get back to me. He hasn't done that. I don't know where it stands."

Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune writes that there may be another possibility and Artest may be headed to the Grizzlies, but doesn't give any other details beyond that.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Kenyon Martin
Kenyon Martin
Nets
? Jun. 21 - With the Nets on the verge of being sold and management ordering cost-cutting moves to facilitate this process, Martin may have played his last game as a Net. The New York Post is reporting that the restricted free agent is still asking for a maximum contract and that the Nets wouldn't match it should another team offer it to him.

According to the paper, the Nets, who are already paying Jason Kidd a max contract and have Richard Jefferson becoming a free agent next season, are also trying to buyout the contracts of Lucious Harris and Rodney Rogers.

WHO WHAT THE SKINNY
Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Lakers
Retirement Jun. 18 - A source tells ESPN's David Aldridge on Friday that the Lakers have contacted University of Southern California head coach Henry Bibby to discuss their likely head coach opening. Reached by telephone, Bibby said, "I'm at USC right now, and I'm here. I'm not at liberty to comment on anything right now." The Lakers are also believed to have contacted former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich about their expected vacancy. Tomjanovich, who resigned as Rockets' head coach during the 2002-03 season after being diagnosed with cancer, is still under contract to the Rockets for two more years.

Citing sources it did not name, the June 18 Los Angeles Daily News reports that team owner Jerry Buss is expected to tell Phil Jackson that the coach is not welcome back for a sixth season. Jackson's current five-year, $30 million contract expires June 30 and talks about an extension ended in the winter. The News reports the main issue is not financial: Buss favorite Bryant, a free-agent to be, and Jackson are tired of working with eachother.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Erick Dampier
Erick Dampier
Warriors
Warriors
Knicks
Grizzlies Jun. 18 - Center Erick Dampier expects to decide by the end of next week whether to stay with the Warriors or opt out of his contract, he told the AP on June 17. Dampier, 29, is coming off the most productive season in his eight-year career. He averaged a double-double with 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds while also blocking 1.85 shots in 32.5 minutes per game. Before the February trading deadline, the Knicks and Grizzlies showed great interest in Dampier.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Aaron McKie
Aaron McKie
76ers
Knicks
Bobcats Jun. 18 - Knicks president Isiah Thomas reportedly hopes to make yet another deal by June 22 after the Bobcats conduct their expansion draft. The June 18 New York Post reports the Knicks want to trade Othella Harrington -- who's on the Knicks' protected list -- to the Bobcats for a player the new team can skim off other rosters in the expansion draft. Who might that player be?

The Post reports Thomas wants 76ers swingman Aaron McKie, who has a long-term contract that the Bobcats would not want to keep. The Knicks want McKie as insurance should Allan Houston's knees continue to creak. Harrington and Dikembe Mutombo, each with a year remaining on his contract and each on the Knicks' protected list, might be Charlotte-bound.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Blazers
Nets Jun. 17 - Several sources claim that the Blazers all but have a deal in place to move Abdur-Rahim. The question is where? As Insider first reported last week, several league sources are claiming that the Blazers are talking to the Nets about trading Abdur-Rahim for Kerry Kittles, Aaron Williams and the No. 22 pick in this year's draft.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Peja Stojakovic
Peja Stojakovic
Kings
Pacers? Jun. 17 - After Chris Webber'ss derogatory comments about Stojakovic after the Kings lost in the second round, several teams have inquired about Stojakovic's availability. One team that could make some sense here is the Pacers. The Kings might consider an Al Harrington-and-Ron Artest-for-Stojakovic-and-Doug Christie deal, though giving up Artest may just be too much to swallow for the Pacers.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace
Pistons
Pistons
Knicks Jun. 17 - We've all just assumed that Wallace will re-sign with the Pistons this summer. They can offer him more money and he just won a ring there. That, however, doesn't seem to be gospel. It's still very possible Wallace could elect to sign with New York as a free agent.

"That's where he wanted to go from Portland and we tried like hell to get it done," said his agent Bill Strickland, adding it's too early to speculate on whether Wallace will sign with Detroit.

"Don't get me wrong, I think they're a great group of guys that I'm playing with," Wallace said. "But my family, they are going to have the last decision."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Elden Campbell
Elden Campbell
Pistons
Bobcats Jun. 17 - The Detroit News is reporting that the Pistons are so eager to get Campbell off their books that they've left him unprotected for the expansion draft and offered the Charlotte Bobcats a future draft pick and $3 million to take him. This would free up approximately another $4.4 million for the Pistons as they try to re-sign both Rasheed Wallace and Mehmet Okur.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Malik Rose
Malik Rose
Spurs
Bobcats Jun. 9 - Rose can see the writing on the wall. His days in San Antonio appear to be numbered as the team likely won't protect him in the upcoming expansion draft.

"It's like a mathematics problem," Rose said in the Express News. "They have to leave a certain number of players off to protect a certain amount of players. ... They have to protect the guys they think are going to help them the most. And I'm not going to be on that list."

Since signing a long-term deal two years ago, Rose has clashed with head coach Gregg Popovich often. "That was one of the greatest moments in my life," Rose said of his $42 million deal, "and it's turned out to be a huge thorn in my side for certain reasons."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher
Lakers
? Jun. 15 - Like most Lakers on the current team, Fisher can and looks like he will opt out of his contract at the end of this week. The Los Angeles Daily News reports that while the point guard hopes to stay with his current team he also hopes to receive a longer more lucrative contract and more playing time. And he also knows that this may be the last time he can make such demands. "This is probably the last time I'll be in this position in my career, in terms of being at an age where you still can capitalize on where you are and really have some value to teams -- and hopefully to this team the most," Fisher said. Fisher is making $3 million per season on his current deal which has two years remaining and the Lakers would retain his Bird rights if he does opt out.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Bruce Bowen
Bruce Bowen
Spurs
Spurs Jun. 14 - Bowen has become one of the best defenders in the NBA and maybe too good for the Spurs. This weekend, the swingman who was named to the NBA's All Defensive team opted out of his contract that would have paid him $4 million next season.

"After the season Bruce had and the great recognition he received for being first-team All-Defense, this is probably a nice opportunity for him," general manager R.C. Buford said in the San Antonio Express News. The move makes Bowen an unrestricted free agent and gives the Spurs additional cap space approaching one maximum level deal many believe they will offer Kobe Bryant.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Grant Hill
Grant Hill
Magic
? Jun. 10 - Believe it or not, there are teams out there who want Hill. Or, rather, the cap space Hill can potentially create. "I've had four or five teams call about Grant," Magic general manager John Weisbrod said in the Orlando Sentinel. "It's a little surprising."

Of course, the acquiring team would still be on the hook for the remaining $47 million in salary, but it would come off the books if Hill reinjures himself and is forced to retire. The risk, though, is that Hill would refuse to quit and the team would be stuck with him and his contract. "It excites me that teams still want me and are willing to take a risk," Hill said, missing the point. "The bottom line is that I want to play and I want to play here."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford
Bulls
? Jun. 10 - Officially, Crawford will soon become a restricted free agent, meaning he doesn't work for the Bulls. And if that's the case, then Crawford is refusing the attend summer workouts at the Bulls' Berto Center even if he does want the Bulls to re-sign him. "I don't know if I'll be back," the point guard said in the Chicago Sun Times. "I think about it all the time, and it will be interesting. I'll talk to the Bulls first because I love playing for Scott Skiles, but I'll be prepared for anything. If some team is interested in me, I'll be interested in them."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Raptors
Raptors Jun. 10 - The Toronto Star is reporting that Carter isn't asking for a trade and the Raptors aren't involved in any trade talks. However, tension is mounting after the team refused to hire Julius Erving. The paper mentions nothing specific except to say that Carter has privately mentioned his dissatisfaction.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marcus Camby
Marcus Camby
Nuggets
Nuggets Jun. 9 - It's official. Camby opted out of his contract with the Nuggets in hopes of securing a longer deal with the team, which he hopes happens soon. "If they come out correct, I don't have no reason to go with any other cities or any other teams," he said in the Denver Post. "I would definitely want to get (a contract) out of the way as soon as possible."

The move also helps the Nuggets, allowing them protect another player on their roster in the expansion draft. "I see it as a positive for both sides, really," Vandeweghe said Tuesday. "At the end of the day, I think Marcus wants to be in Denver, and we certainly want him back."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Troy Hudson
Troy Hudson
Timberwolves
Timberwolves Jun. 9 - Rehab on his injured ankle will begin in a month, but free agency began last week for Hudson when he opted out his contract with the Timberwolves. Although he hopes to stay with the team, he also hopes to be getting paid more than the $2.1 million he was due if he had kept his current deal.

"My only concern right now is, I would love to be in Minnesota," Hudson said in the Star Tribune. "I have a house here. I'm type of player who's tired of moving around. It's a Midwestern city, I'm from the Midwest. This is where I want to be. I'm a free agent right now, I'm not denying it, but for me, right now, the Timberwolves are my team. I wish I could sign a contract tomorrow. But it's a negotiating process, they have to do what's best for them and I have to do what's best for me . . . You just get to point where you feel that you deserve a little more."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning
Nets
Nets Jun. 8 - The Nets hope Mourning comes back. Jason Kidd said he expects Alonzo to come back. But someone, obviously, forgot to check with Morning. "Barring a miracle, no, that is not my intention," said Mourning in the Bergen Country Record.

"My intention right now is to continue to focus on making sure that this new organ that I have in me stays in me. I don't want to go through that procedure again."

Mourning is still recovering from kidney surgery, though he has made constant appearances behind the Nets' bench. "As far as the possibility of me playing again, that is something that yes, being around the game, obviously I think about," he said. "But it is not an issue. The important issue is making sure that my body keeps its kidney."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Earl Watson
Earl Watson
Grizzlies
Timberwolves Jun. 8 - The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that the Timberwolves are trying to work out a deal through the Charlotte Bobcats and the expansion draft that would land them Watson. The paper also reports that franchise player Kevin Garnett would much rather have Troy Hudson back, but Hudson appears set on testing the free-agent market. Hudson, who is expected to opt out of his contract soon, could make $2.1 million with the Timberwolves next year.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Head coach
Head coach
Hawks
Mike Brown
Del Harris
John McLeod
Dwayne Casey
Mike Woodson
Mike Fratello Jun. 7 - The list of potential head coaches for the Atlanta Hawks continues to grow, with the Indianapolis Star reporting Pacers associate head coach Mike Brown will interview for the job next week. As Indiana's defensive coordinator, Brown was largely responsible for the Pacers improved play on that end of the floor.

He is now on a list in Atlanta that already includes Dallas assistant Del Harris, Denver assistant John McLeod and Seattle assistant Dwayne Casey. Others expected to interview are Detroit assistant Mike Woodson and former Atlanta and Cleveland head coach Mike Fratello.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Antonio McDyess
Antonio McDyess
Suns
Rockets Jun. 7 - The Rockets wanted Antonio McDyess when he was at his peak a few years ago. They might finally have a shot at him now.

"I have had no ... conversations with the Houston Rockets about Antonio McDyess," McDyess' agent, Andy Miller, told the Houston Chronicle. "But Antonio has indicated to me that, one, remaining in his adopted hometown of Houston, Texas, is very appealing to him. He loves the city and community. Two, he has a high regard and respect for the team, its personnel, management and coaching staff. And three, this would provide him the opportunity to win, to contribute to the success they are having, and to go over and above what they've already achieved."

McDyess averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds from 1998-99 through 2000-01 but has played in only 52 games since because of lingering effects of a major knee injury.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Grizzlies
Grizzlies Jun. 7 - No one knows better than Jerry West that Memphis needs to make a move to get to the next level, but potential trading partners might as well scratch Gasol off their wish list.

"Every once in a while I hear Pau Gasol's name mentioned in trades," West told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "The last six champions in the NBA have all had a player who is very good with his back to the basket. And unless somebody is offering us Shaquille O'Neal or Kobe Bryant or a player of that magnitude, I would never be willing to trade Gasol. Another player in my mind is James Posey."

West, however, did say he is trying to put together a deal and wouldn't be opposed to including the team's draft picks.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac
Kings
Kings
? Jun. 4 - Vlade Divac may be a free agent, but he's still a King at heart. "The Kings are my first option," said Divac in the Sacramento Bee. "I feel like a King. I came here six years ago because I believe in Geoff (Petrie) and the things we can do. It would have to be perfect situation for me to leave."

Recently, Divac has considered teams like the Clippers and Lakers (where he started his career) and even retirement. But with the Kings' future in flux, he seems to want to stick around and see it through. "I think we have the best team in the league," he said. "It just has to click together. What really ticks me off is that I saw great talent, I saw opportunity, and we didn't capitalize. I don't know why it happened."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Al Harrington
Al Harrington
Pacers
Pacers
Bulls Jun. 4 - Al Harrington may be the odd man out of the Pacers' small forward rotation. "This is an unbalanced roster," coach Rick Carlisle said in the Indianapolis Star. "There are a glut of guys at the small forward spot, and there haven't been enough minutes. I don't think this team will be back in our exact form next year. I just think there will be some changes, through free agency, the draft or trades. There's going to be some things that are different, without question."

Harrington believes he should be starting. Carlisle believes he should be starting. The problem is that there can be only one starting small forward on the team and the Pacers already have Ron Artest. "This has been a tough situation for Al," Carlisle said. "I view him as a starter in this league. As the summer progresses we'll see what takes form. If there was the opportunity for him to be a starter here, that would be great. If there isn't, it may be time for him to move on to another team."

The Bulls are interested in Harrington, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, but likely won't be willing to trade the No. 3 pick in the draft for him.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Gary Payton
Gary Payton
Lakers
? Jun. 4 - Rather than change his address and head coach for a second time in two seasons, Gary Payton may, instead, change his mind and his own style of play to stay with the Lakers.

"Let me work at standstill jumpshots if that's what it's going to be," Payton said in the Orange County Register. "In the summer, if that's what I want to do, I'd work on that."

It has been reported in the past that Payton was unhappy with the current Laker situation and would opt out of his contract at the conclusion of the season. He has since softened his stance and linked his stay to Karl Malone. But this is the first sign that he would go to such an extreme to remain in L.A.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Eddy Curry
Eddy Curry
Bulls
Mavs
Sonics
Blazers May. 28 - According to the Chicago Tribune, both the Grizzlies and SuperSonics have contacted the Bulls about Curry, as both look for a low-post presence to contend in the big-man dominated West. The paper suggests the Grizzlies could offer Pau Gasol and Shane Battier for Curry, Chicago's first-round pick (No. 3 overall) and one of the Bulls' bad contracts.

Or, the paper proposes, Seattle could offer Ray Allen and the No. 12 pick in the draft for Curry, the No. 3 pick and a bad contract of someone like Jerome Williams or Antonio Davis.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Kurt Thomas
Kurt Thomas
Knicks
? Jun. 3 - Knicks head coach Lenny Wilkins mentioned the need for a stronger, bigger power forward, which immediately started speculation that the Knicks might use veteran Kurt Thomas as trade bait despite the fact that he had just signed a four-year extension worth about $30 million. The New York Daily News reports that any deal would have to include a 20 percent trade kicker that might scare off any potential suitors for Thomas. Besides, he is already the team's leading rebounder, second in blocked shots and, "I think everybody saw I could play with the injury," he said. "I don't think that will be a factor or anything."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Bulls
? Jun. 2 - Though Pippen has said he probably will retire, the Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports Bulls GM John Paxson could use Pippen's contract to help balance a trade involving the No. 3 pick in this year's draft.

"To get deals done, you need salaries to match up," Paxson told the paper. "We'll have to use whatever means we have to make a deal. I can't rule out anything or rule in anything."

Pippen has one year left on his contract at $5.4 million.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Ray Allen
Ray Allen
Sonics
Nets? Jun. 2 - According to the N.Y. Post, the Nets have contacted the Sonics about a deal for Allen, entering the final year of his contract at $14.625 million, that would send Kerry Kittles and a combination of other players to Seattle. Kittles is scheduled to make $10.2 million next season and is likely to be left unprotected in the expansion draft.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Antoine Walker
Antoine Walker
Mavericks
? Jun. 2 - The Dallas Morning News reports that if the Mavericks retain Walker for next season, he likely will be relegated to a reserve role. If that's the case, the paper suggests, he might be more open to a trade or to opt out of the final year of his contract, worth $14.5 million.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Mavericks
Mavericks
Nuggets
Suns Jun. 1 - Nash is among the free agents Denver will be pursuing, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein, but the team with the best (albeit slim) chance of wooing Nash away from virtual blood brothers Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley is Phoenix.

Nash never sold the house he bought as a Phoenix youngster -- his family still uses it -- and the early word is the Suns will make Nash their No. 1 free-agent target, not Kobe Bryant, since they see actually landing Bryant as a long-shot fantasy.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Mehmet Okur
Mehmet Okur
Pistons
Pistons
Mavericks
Suns
Nuggets
Jazz May. 28 - The Detroit Free Press is reporting Okur may command as much as $8.5 million in free agency. "I'm excited about my future," Okur told the paper. "I'm not nervous about what might happen this summer. I know that if we do well and keep playing that people will pay attention. Everything will be OK."

At that price, though, the Pistons might have to decide if they want to focus on the immediate future with Rasheed Wallace or look down the road with Okur. It has become apparent that they cannot sign both.

"I'm happy here," Okur said. "This is where I started. My friends are here. I'm happy with coaches and my teammates. I have a good time with them. It's a lot of fun. I don't want to talk about (free agency) because we're doing well, and that's what's important right now."

If the Pistons cannot re-sign Okur, the second-year PF/C from Turkey will have plenty of suitors. The Deseret News of Utah indicates the Mavericks and Knicks have joined a list that already included the Suns, Nuggets and Jazz.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Greg Ostertag
Greg Ostertag
Jazz
Jazz
Mavericks May. 27 - Utah may have been his first and only NBA gig so far, but home has always been Texas for center Greg Ostertag. And when he becomes a free agent on July 1, he has no reservations of returning. "I'm hoping they'll bring me in to talk about it at the appropriate time," Ostertag said in the Dallas Morning News. "I'm not a scorer and they don't need a scorer. They need a rebounder and shot-blocker, which I can be. I'm going to look at all my options. But it would be my ultimate dream to play in Dallas."

The paper goes on to note that the Mavs could split their mid-level exception between Ostertag and Marquis Daniels, spend their $1.6 million minimum exception on him or negotiate a sign and trade with the Jazz. But even if Ostertag stays in Utah, he is expected to take a big cut from the $8.6 million he made last season with the Jazz.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Brent Barry
Brent Barry
Sonics
Sonics
Nets
Nuggets
Cavs
Warriors May. 25 - Expect the Nets, Nuggets, Cavs and Warriors to make runs at Barry in free agency, according to the New York Daily News. The paper indicates Barry will be seeking the mid-level exception of $5 million per year over three to four years. However, the Seattle Times cites sources who say Barry has turned down a three-year, $18 million deal to re-sign with the Sonics and is seeking a four-year contract. The Times indicates the Sonics still hope to re-sign him.