Tuesday, February 15 Updated 9:10 AM EST


Mourning expected to sign with Heat, but when?
WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Alonzo Mourning
Raptors
HeatFeb. 15 - Mourning, cut by the Raptors last week
after agreeing to a buyout worth between $9 million and
$10 million, is ecpected to sign with the Heat after
clearing waivers Tuesday, but the South Florida
Sun-Sentinel suggests the Heat might not sign Mourning
right away. The team plays Wednesday but then not again
until Feb. 22, after the all-star break. Rather than
make a roster move for one game, the team could wait a
day or two.
Waiting also would give the Heat the opportunity to
discuss trades at the All-Star Game, possibly clearing a
roster spot that way.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Jalen Rose
Raptors
Heat?
Knicks?
Trail Blazers?
Feb. 15 - Rose has been mentioned in trade rumors all
season, but mostly as a condition for teams interested
in the expiring contract of teammate Donyell Marshall.
The Heat and Knicks were among the teams thought to be
considering making the package-deal trade, but now it
appears Rose might stay put.
Rose told the Toronto Globe & Mail he's resigned to the
rumors and doesn't plan to push for a trade. "Ten days
before the trade deadline, I'm pretty sure my name is
going to be in every rumour or every other phone call,"
Rose told the paper. "We'll just have to wait and see
what happens."


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Latrell Sprewell
Timberwolves
SixersFeb. 14 - The Timberwolves, according to league
sources, are still attempting to move disgruntled
swingman Latrell Sprewell in the wake of Flip Saunders'
firing and recently tried to ship him to Philadelphia
for Glenn Robinson, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports.
Such a deal would have created a rather interesting
backcourt partnership of Sprewell and Allen Iverson for
at least the rest of the season. But the deal broke
down, sources said, when Minnesota insisted on Willie
Green as part of the package from the Sixers.
Both Sprewell and Robinson are in the final year of
their respective contracts, but one or more low-salaried
Sixers would have to be included because the featured
players' salaries ($14.6 million for Sprewell, $12.1
million for Robinson) don't come within 15 percent of
each other.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Glenn Robinson
Sixers
BucksFeb. 14 - The Sixers have discussed a deal with
Milwaukee that would send Glenn Robinson back to the
team that drafted him in exchange for Keith Van Horn,
who was drafted by Philadelphia in 1997, ESPN.com's Marc
Stein reports.
Milwaukee wants to move Van Horn for Robinson's expiring
contract mainly to give itself more financial
flexibility to re-sign star guard Michael Redd, who
becomes a free agent July 1. The Sixers, though, are
apparently hesitant to make the swap because Van Horn
has one season left on his deal at nearly $16 million
and proved as recently as the 2002-03 season that he and
Iverson aren't the best fit as a tandem.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Carlos Boozer
Jazz
?Feb. 11 - The Jazz are denying ESPN Insider Chad Ford's
Feb. 10 report that the team is open to trading Boozer,
the Deseret News reports.
But while Jazz senior VP Kevin O'Connor said there was
"no credence" to the Insider report, team owner Larry
Miller said Feb. 9 "there's at least three teams I know
about that would like to have [Boozer]," according to
the newspaper.
Miller recently questioned the nightly dedication of
Boozer, who signed a six-year, $68 million contract with
the Jazz in July.
Several league sources told Ford the Jazz are open to
trading Boozer. While a Jazz official brushed off the
rumors to a certain extent, they weren't totally
dismissed. The Jazz are not shopping Boozer or holding a
fire sale. But would they consider trading him if the
right deal came along? Yes.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Matt Harpring
Jazz
?Feb. 11 - While Carlos Boozer has some teams knocking
at the Jazz's door, teammate Harpring seems to be the
primary Jazz quarry for most teams, Insider Chad Ford
reports.
But Harpring recently told the Deseret News that he has
no desire to leave the Jazz, even during their
disappointing season.
"I've invested a lot of time and hard work here, and I
want to see this be successful," he said. "And I still
think we can be. This year is looking more grim. But
that doesn't mean the future is grim, too."


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Eric Williams
Raptors
?Feb. 11 - Williams, angered by lack of playing time and
the Rafer Alston-Sam Mitchell soap opera, wants to be
traded.
GM Rob Babcock told the Toronto Sun that he had to learn
of Williams' unhappiness through the media and was
disappointed the forward did not come to him. Babcock
also denied agent Mark Bartelstein's claim that he
previously had asked the Raptors to trade Williams.
Williams signed with the Nets last season as a free
agent and was unhappy when the Raptors acquired him in
the Dec. 17 Vince Carter trade. After starting 16
consecutive games with the Raptors, he's been used
sparingly by coach Mitchell.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Tim Thomas
Knicks
?Feb. 11 - When the Feb. 24 trade deadline passes,
Thomas still might find himself a Knick.
But he did not exactly get a vote of confidence from
Knicks president Isiah Thomas, who declared the forward
is "probably having the worst year of his basketball
life,", the New York Daily News reports.
Thomas is shooting a career-low .398 from the field. He
has one year remaining on his contract, has been riddled
with injuries and is mourning the deaths of his sister
and a cousin.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Mike Dunleavy
Warriors
Grizzlies?
Feb. 10 - The Warriors are contemplating all types of
deals, and there's a split in the organization on
whether the team should try to trade Dunleavy Jr.,
sources tell Insider. Memphis has showed interest in
Dunleavy in the past and has pieces to offer in return,
but given the team's future cap situation, can the
Grizzlies afford to re-sign Dunleavy? He's eligible for
a six-year extension this fall and becomes a restricted
free agent in 2006.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Paul Pierce
Celtics
CelticsFeb. 10 - ESPN Insider Chad Ford reports that the
Celtics have decided to hold on to Pierce for the rest
of the season.
The team previously had floated the idea of trading
Pierce as the centerpiece to a major overhaul of its
roster.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Steve Francis
Magic
Nuggets?
Feb. 10 - Magic GM John Weisbrod is a no-nonsense guy
who has been frustrated with his team's lackluster play
since he traded Cuttino Mobley to the Kings for Doug
Christie last month.
Sources tell ESPN Insider Chad Ford that Weisbrod feels
Francis hasn't been the same since the trade and might
not be the guy to lead the team long term. He's been
especially frustrated with how poorly the team is
playing on defense.
If things don't get better, two things could happen One,
the team could attempt to trade Francis for a more
traditional point guard. Or two, the team could let head
coach Johnny Davis go and bring in a coach who could
better control Francis.
Last month, the Magic declined a Nuggets' offer of Andre
Miller, Nikoloz Tskitishvili and Voshon Lenard in
exchange for Francis.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Juwan Howard
Rockets
Trail Blazers?
Knicks?
Feb. 10 - The Rockets are trying hard to move either
Howard or Maurice Taylor, two players they feel are too
much alike, league sources told Insider. Ideally, the
Rockets would like to get a mobile, shot-blocking,
rebounding big man in the mold of Kelvin Cato.
Cato, for all of his faults, was able to protect Yao
Ming on the defensive end. Howard and Taylor are not
doing that.
The Rockets have talked to a number of teams about
deals. The most serious appears to be with the Knicks.
The Rockets have been trying to pry Kurt Thomas out of
New York. According to source, the Knicks are only
willing to give up Jerome Williams at this point.
The Rockets did discuss a Taylor-for-Derek Anderson
swap, as ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported last week.
However, that deal was contingent on the Blazers finding
a trading partner for Shareef Abdur-Rahim first. If the
Blazers find a deal for Abdur-Rahim (according to
sources they are trying to find a top-level shooting
guard in return), then they would have some interest in
Taylor as a backup to Zach Randolph.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Toni Kukoc
Bucks
BucksFeb. 10 - One guy who won't be traded before the
Feb. 24 trade deadline is Kukoc, Insider has learned.
Despite several published reports to the contrary, Kukoc
is ineligible to be traded this year. He signed a
one-year deal last summer. Because the Bucks used their
Bird rights to sign him, he can't be traded.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Antoine Walker
Hawks
Celtics?
Knicks?
Wolves?Feb. 10 - Walker might be popular fodder for
trade rumors, but the Hawks insist there are no deals in
the works. GM Billy Knight told the Atlanta Journal
Constitution the Hawks "don't have anything on the front
burner" regarding Walker. Walker has indicated he'd like
to stay in Atlanta, but because his salary is huge
($14.6 million) and he's in the final year of his
contract, he's attractive to teams looking for a scorer
for the stretch run whom they can lop off the payroll
come summer.
In December, the Celtics were rumored to be interested
in re-acquiring Walker, though a team source told
Insider the rumor was unfounded. The Knicks had shown
interest in Walker last summer when he was still a
Maverick.
The Oakland Tribune recently floated a possible
four-team trade that would send Walker to Minnesota,
with Golden State sending Clifford Robinson and Dale
Davis, both of whom have expiring contracts, to Atlanta.



WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Dale Davis
Warriors
Bucks?
Hawks?Feb. 10 - Teams continue to be interested in Davis
and his expiring contract, who has been languishing on
the Warriors bench due to a bad back and a run-in with
head coach Mike Montgomery. The 35-year-old Davis is
being paid $10.1 million this season.
The Oakland Tribune speculates the Bucks, if they're
convinced Michael Redd won't re-sign in the offseason,
could be interested in packaging Redd and Keith Van Horn
for the expiring contracts of Davis and Clifford
Robinson, along with Mike Dunleavy Jr. and a future
draft pick. The deal would leave Milwaukee more than $20
million under the cap in the offseason.
The paper also suggests a possible three-team deal that
would send Davis and Robinson to Atlanta, Antoine Walker
and his expiring contract to Minnesota, Latrell Sprewell
to Dallas and Marquis Daniels or Devin Harris and the
expiring contract of Alan Henderson back to Golden
State.


WHOINTERESTEDTHE SKINNY

Jamal Sampson

Hawks?Feb. 9 - Sampson wore out his welcome with the
Bobcats just as they were discussing a trade with the
Hawks, the Charlotte Observer reported.
The Bobcats cut Sampson on Feb. 8 because the
forward-center had a questionable work ethic and ability
to play through pain, the newspaper reported. The Hawks
were supposed to scout Sampson during a recent
Bobcats-SuperSonics' game, but Sampson did not play
because of back spasms.
The Hawks eventually decided not to send a second-round
draft pick to the Bobcats for Sampson. The Bobcats might
keep the spare roster spot open to become a factor in
the final two weeks before the Feb. 24 trade deadline,
the Observer reports.

Steph and Kurt for Franchise and Cato works.

I think that would be an awesome trade

Kurt could play C next to Howard.

Any chance we could be in the running for Boozer?

I'm sure there'll be a bunch more rumors after/during all star weekend.



I don't expect too much involving the Knicks, though.

Posted by firefly:

Fish. getting Cato for Kurt is good for two reasons. A. It opens things up for Sweetney to at least try and nail down the starting job. And B. His contract expires after next season at the same time as TT's and Penny's, so it gives us another option then.

While you may be right that Steph is a better point guard then Francis, you have to admit, that he's a better teammate, and a better player all round. I still think its a good trade

Why is Francis the better teammate? Because his team is having a better season? The last few years, it looked the reverse where Marbury was the better teammate. Francis was complaining of headaches and sitting out or underachieving and averaging like 16/5. Francis is a better rebounder than Marbury but that's it. Marbury's a better passer and more consistent player on a nightly and yearly basis.

Kurt and Steph for Cato and Francis is a lateral trade, IMHO. Sorry.

However, I did see the Sixers trying to trade Glenn Robinson and the Bucks wanting to trade Van Horn. How about a three-way? Glenn Robinson to the Bucks, Tim Thomas and someone to the Sixers and Van Horn and someone to the Knicks.

Posted by Solace:

Kurt and Steph for Cato and Francis is a lateral trade, IMHO. Sorry.

However, I did see the Sixers trying to trade Glenn Robinson and the Bucks wanting to trade Van Horn. How about a three-way? Glenn Robinson to the Bucks, Tim Thomas and someone to the Sixers and Van Horn and someone to the Knicks.

that's not a bad idea at all. but there's no reason for the Sixers to take Tim. They didn't want to take Van Horn's contract, which is similar to Tim's. Oh well.

that's not a bad idea at all. but there's no reason for the Sixers to take Tim. They didn't want to take Van Horn's contract, which is similar to Tim's. Oh well.

Actually it was reported that they didnt mind taking on his contract. The reason the trade fell through was because for a straight up trade, the Sixers had to include another contract, and the Bucks wanted Willie Green. But if we get involved, there doesnt need to be any fillers.

Posted by firefly:

Kurt and Steph for Cato and Francis is a lateral trade, IMHO. Sorry.
However, I did see the Sixers trying to trade Glenn Robinson and the Bucks wanting to trade Van Horn. How about a three-way? Glenn Robinson to the Bucks, Tim Thomas and someone to the Sixers and Van Horn and someone to the Knicks.

Actually, that trade works straight up, but does that actually help us at all? Its not like KVH is playing well right now. And doesnt he have a extra year on his contract?

What worries me, is maybe Isiah's has this in mind with his bridge-building speech about how much he loved KVH as a person and a player.

Actually, thats a good question. If we disregard the whole Nazr-Doleac thing, who would you rather have TT or KVH?

I'd take Van Horn over TT, no question. When he's 100% healthy again, he's going to be putting 18 and 8. TT is barely putting up 10 and 3.

KVH would give us the shooter Marbury needs and he's proven that he can play well in NY. Of course his defense is terrible so you would still need a real center.

Dream 2005-06 lineup:
C-Bogut(16pts, 11rebs, 2.5blks)
PF-Sweetney(12pts, 9rebs, 1.5blks)
SF-KVH(17pts, 7rebs, 1blk)
SG-Ariza(for defense and hopefully his jumpshot becomes consistent)
PG-Marbury(20pts, 8assists)

6th man: Crawford
7th man: Eddie robinson

that team will be a force folks



[Edited by - gunsnewing on 02/16/2005 13:58:03]

While I would rather have KVH than TT. I like Ariza over both. I would like for him to continue to get 25mins a game for the rest of the season.

Posted by Bonn1997:

Posted by gunsnewing:

KVH would give us the shooter Marbury needs and he's proven that he can play well in NY. Of course his defense is terrible so you would still need a real center.

Dream 2005-06 lineup:
C-Bogut(16pts, 11rebs, 2.5blks)
PF-Sweetney(12pts, 9rebs, 1.5blks)
SF-KVH(17pts, 7rebs, 1blk)
SG-Ariza(for defense and hopefully his jumpshot becomes consistent)
PG-Marbury(20pts, 8assists)

6th man: Crawford
7th man: Eddie robinson

that team will be a force folks



[Edited by - gunsnewing on 02/16/2005 13:58:03]

Not convinced Van Horn is gonna go from 10/5 this year to 17/7 next year.

you really don't understand that KVH is currently at 10 & 5 because he's no longer playing big minutes after the injury do you??

He was at 18&8 before the injury so I think its safe to expect his usual stats of 17 & 7 next year. The only reason he might not average that much would be because he's on a good knicks team but if he averages 13Pts & 7Rebs on 45FG%, 40%3P & 85FT% it would be a heck of a lot better than TT's 10 & 3 on a BAD team!

look at his career, there is no reason to expect another 10 & 5 year.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/keith_van_horn/index.html

He most likely won't play in the 4th quarter unless they need to score on the final possesion since he's great for only 3 quarters. But then we have Ariza, JYD or E-Rob to use in the 4th.

Plus his $15mil Contract expires at the same time as TT's and 15mil is more valuable than 13mil!

[Edited by - gunsnewing on 02/16/2005 14:19:11]