The Opening Tip: Thursday, Feb. 17
Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings | Comments
- Chris Broussard, ESPN.com: “The New Jersey Nets reached out to the Denver Nuggets about a week ago to resume trade talks concerning Carmelo Anthony, according to league sources. The two clubs are discussing a smaller version of the 13-player, three-team trade they nearly agreed to last month. Detroit was a part of that deal and would have sent Richard Hamilton to New Jersey, but the Pistons are not involved in the new talks. With talks between Denver and the New York Knicks picking up steam over the past couple of weeks, the eventual trading of Anthony to his favored destination of New York before the Feb. 24 trade deadline was beginning to appear imminent. But the Nets’ re-emergence is a serious threat to New York’s chances since Denver covets New Jersey rookie Derrick Favors and the numerous first-round draft picks the Nets can offer.”
- Al Iannazzone, Bergen Record: “With a week to go before the trade deadline, the Nets and Nuggets are talking Carmelo Anthony again. But the Nets have other potential deals in the works. They have been unhappy with Devin Harris’ level of play and commitment to the team lately and are trying to move him, with Portland a possible destination. The Nets and Blazers have exchanged trade proposals and still are discussing a deal. Harris and veteran point guard Andre Miller are the main pieces, but more players are involved, multiple NBA sources said. It’s doubtful the Nets will trade Harris, who turns 28 in two weeks, straight up for Miller, who turns 35 next month. The Nets want to expand the trade and are trying to include disappointing free-agent signing Travis Outlaw, who began his career in Portland. The Blazers are interested in shooting guard Anthony Morrow. Portland’s backup shooting guard Rudy Fernandez has been discussed, a source said. The Nets have talked about adding another big man so Joel Przybilla and his expiring contract also may be involved. If the Nets’ talks with Denver turn serious, Harris may be needed for that deal. Everything is up in the air.”
- Kerry Eggers, Portland Tribune: “But [Trail Blazers GM Rich] Cho won’t trade Andre Miller unless he gets a starting point guard to replace him. That probably means if a trade is made, another will be, too. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a third team get into the act to facilititate a move. I won’t be surprised, either, if the Blazers stand pat. With all the troubles swirling around other playoff teams in the Western Conference, a don’t-rock-the-boat approach might be a winner in the short term. The bigger picture, of course, is the long term. But for another season or two, anyway, having Miller at the point and Marcus Camby in the post isn’t that bad of an option.”
- Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: “With the trade deadline a week away, there is still every indication that the Rockets will be very active in talks. They still seem very willing to take on contracts, still hoping their expiring contracts and young talent can bring help. They won’t do something just to bolster this season, but that was never the plan, anyway. Daryl Morey has always been trying to find long-term help. And it could come at any position. Chances are that if there is a major deal it will be for someone now unavailable. Morey said he had no inkling at the All-Star break last season that he would get Kevin Martin at the deadline. The Kings changed their position. The Rockets, in a move they did not see coming, offered Carl Landry to make the trade work. “
- Kirk Minihane, WEEI: “All season long there have been rumors of [Rasheed] Wallace perhaps coming back, but [Danny] Ainge did not seem to endorse such a suggestion. ‘My guess is that he’s not in great shape and no I haven’t had any contact with him,’ Ainge said. ‘We’re full of big guys, we have plenty of big guys.’”
- Ken Berger, CBSSports.com: “As the league prepares for a bargaining session Friday in Los Angeles that will mostly be for show, it’s true that a significant number of owners remain focused strictly on the bottom line. There is unwavering support for commissioner David Stern’s stated goal of reducing player salaries by $750 million to $800 million, but reducing costs is far from the only goal. Sources familiar with the owners’ stance say the undercurrent of concern about the players’ power and control has never been greater. This viewpoint was seared into their consciousness last summer, when James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh baffled league executives — and scared the Rolexes off many an owner — by doing what players have almost never done before. Given the choice between money and something else, they chose something else. ‘This league is getting dangerous,’ Hornets point guard Chris Paul told CBSSports.com. ‘There’s a lot of really good teams at the top, and you just want to put yourself in a good situation to give yourself longevity and things like that. Guys want to win multiple championships, if at all possible.’”
- John Reid, New Orleans Times-Picayune: “The Hornets could be looking to obtain frontcourt court help to make their bench stronger for the final 24 games after the All-Star break. There has been speculation the Hornets are pursuing forward Antwan Jamison from the Cleveland Cavaliers, but sources said a deal is not likely before the Feb. 24 deadline, although the Hornets remain interested. League sources said the Hornets also could be seeking more scoring help at shooting guard beyond starter Willie Green and backups Marco Belinelli and Marcus Thornton.”
- Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee: “The NBA trade deadline is a week away. Kings forward Carl Landry knows that well. As one of the Kings mentioned most in trade rumors because of his expiring contract and relatively low pay ($3 million), Landry is used to hearing he might be dealt by Feb. 24. … Landry said he hadn’t spoken to management, but his agent Aaron Smith has stayed in contact with the Kings.”
- Vincent Goodwill, Detroit News: “Tayshaun Prince has worn only one uniform as a professional, but he said he’s open to being moved — to the right situation. ‘It would be something I’d definitely look at,’ Prince said after the Pistons’ 115-109 overtime win against Indiana on Wednesday at The Palace. ‘Who wouldn’t want be in that situation, to have an opportunity to play for another championship?’ The trade deadline is a week away, and Prince’s championship experience — along with his smarts, versatility and savvy — is coveted around the NBA. If the Pistons were to move Prince, he’d be a big addition to a team with aspirations of playing in June. Quietly, he’s playing the best and most efficient basketball of his eight-year career, even though the Pistons are struggling to stay in the playoff hunt. His 14.4-point average is the second-highest of his career. However, Prince said being traded isn’t something he thinks about or desires. His contract expires after this season and he’ll be a free agent for the first time. Moving to another city for 25 games isn’t something that exactly appeals to him.”
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