I think Dikembe's going to Cleveland.

I think Chicago and Cleveland are both fighting for Dikembe's expring deal, and the question is which one of these teams we're gonna give him to. I think the pot could be sweetened on both ends by adding a Nazr or a Frank. I don't think the trade is dead at all and its probably irresponsible to say a trade was dead when there hasn't been any principle agreement on either side. I think there are lot of forumalations happening and something will be worked out by the 14th.

My only fear is if another team comes in and makes a good offer for Crawford.

Posted by VDesai:

I think Chicago and Cleveland are both fighting for Dikembe's expring deal, and the question is which one of these teams we're gonna give him to. I think the pot could be sweetened on both ends by adding a Nazr or a Frank. I don't think the trade is dead at all and its probably irresponsible to say a trade was dead when there hasn't been any principle agreement on either side. I think there are lot of forumalations happening and something will be worked out by the 14th.

My only fear is if another team comes in and makes a good offer for Crawford.

Frank was part of the Moochie version of the deal. Its just too strange that after supposedly the Bulls had agreed to make the deal with Moochie included, as an article reported today, all of a sudden the possible Cavs deal appears and now they want Mutombo again. Are they trying to prevent NY from landing Big Z? Its just strange.

Anyway, the deal can't be dead. After talking for so much about scenarios and apparently reaching an agreement, if there is something to be worked out they should just work it. JC and his agent are already angry with the Bulls because of not making a deal while most players have one. After this I can't imagine the Bulls bringing him back. And with all the rumors, the pressure is on both teams to make an official deal.

Posted by joec32033:

Actually Knicksfan, it isn't weird...Eddie Robinson will have to be included in the package for Z with Thomas (him and Thomas for Z works perfectly)....Now Eddie Robinson is alot more valuable to the Knicks, Chi is probably holding out for a pick now as seeing Eddie Robinson is going to net the Knicks an All-Star Center...

Interesting... Then I hope the Cavs agree in recieving E-Rob and the Bulls keep it alive too.

Anything new on the possible trades? Hasn't ESPN mentioned something new?

ok...I have been looking all over the web for ANYTHING that even suggests that this trade is dead and I have found nothing.....ESPN, REALGM (which is suprisingly quick with breaking news), Hoopsworld, Hoopshype, ProSports, InsideHoops, CBSportsline...there is absolutely nothing out there that quotes Ford saying what people are posting.....If you can find a link post it please...

I just wrtoe what I heard on ESPN news at about 3:20 today.. and a couple of people have agreed with what was said by Chad Ford on ESPN NEWS Hotlist, so i'm not trying to make rumors up here just repeating what Chad Ford said. Sorry but there is no link to it because it was on TV

Posted by Starks3:

ok...I have been looking all over the web for ANYTHING that even suggests that this trade is dead and I have found nothing.....ESPN, REALGM (which is suprisingly quick with breaking news), Hoopsworld, Hoopshype, ProSports, InsideHoops, CBSportsline...there is absolutely nothing out there that quotes Ford saying what people are posting.....If you can find a link post it please...

I just wrtoe what I heard on ESPN news at about 3:20 today.. and a couple of people have agreed with what was said by Chad Ford on ESPN NEWS Hotlist, so i'm not trying to make rumors up here just repeating what Chad Ford said. Sorry but there is no link to it because it was on TV

I am not saying you are....I am just saying I can't find anything about it. I think Ford went out on a limb on this one...I mean, if this really was anything, not only would ESPN post it, but you would have a ton of other sites, like the ones I mentioned publishing it too....I just can't wait to read the papers tommorrow to see if there is anything in them...

If this doesn't happen, I will actually be more disappointed that we have to keep Shandon, Mooch and Othella than missing out on Craw. It's either us or Denver and I think we have to play hardball with ChiTown now....One of the first lessons I learned in negotiating is don't be afraid to stand up and walk away from the table...

It's an absurdly lopsided deal. I'll be very happy if it goes through

Here's more proof to show that the deal is not as close as we once thought
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-040712nbabits,1,483135.story?coll=cs-home-headlines
From tommmorow chicago's papers

Doesn't bother me.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/13/sports/basketball/13nba.html

N.B.A. NOTEBOOK
Knicks and Bulls Are Still Talking
By STEVE POPPER

Published: July 13, 2004

The Knicks and the Chicago Bulls have worked on a deal that has steadily increased the number of players being considered, with nearly half of the rosters involved, but it appears the deal may have stalled.

The Knicks presented the Bulls with an offer over the weekend that would bring guard Jamal Crawford to New York in a sign-and-trade transaction that would include Jerome Williams, Eddie Robinson and Chris Jefferies. The Knicks would send to Chicago Shandon Anderson, Frank Williams, Othella Harrington, Cezary Trybanski and Moochie Norris. It is the inclusion of Norris that caused problems.

The Knicks insist that Norris be included, but the Bulls prefer Dikembe Mutombo. The Knicks are not budging, holding onto Mutombo for what they hope is a better deal down the road, according to a team official who did not want to be identified because the league does not permit any announcements until tomorrow. But the Bulls, like the Knicks, have no interest in Norris, whose contract extends three more seasons and totals $13.55 million.

The Bulls issued an e-mail message yesterday announcing that General Manager John Paxson would not comment until there was something to comment about.

While each team is waiting for the other to blink, the Knicks can issue an offer sheet to Crawford tomorrow for approximately $40 million over six seasons - or about $15 million less than he would get if a sign-and-trade deal was worked out. If Crawford agrees, then the Bulls would have to decide whether to match the offer for a player they have little use for.

"There is no rush," the Knicks official said. "We could tender an offer sheet, but it doesn't have to be Wednesday. We laid it out for the Bulls and it's for them to respond now."

The Knicks have had discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers about a deal that could send Mutombo, Kurt Thomas and another player for center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. But that deal, according to the Knicks official, most likely will not progress until after Cleveland has exhausted the 15-day period in which it can decide to match Utah's offer to forward Carlos Boozer.

it's a poker game right now. They're all sweating, cause the bulls only card is that they can match if the knicks tend an offer sheet to craw.

If they do, they won't be able to play him a lot without slowing their new backourt developpement. So, basically, his trade value will go down.

We know it and they know it.

So they must gain somehting instead of nothing, but we must not get f.cked for a player they won't have a use for.

Next days will be interesting.