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Berger On Gasol, Rondo, Jamison, Jackson, Okafor

March 9th, 2012 at 4:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com has a few late-Friday afternoon updates on the trade market for us. Here are the highlights:

Berger echoes a number of other reporters who say that, while the Lakers and Rockets are discussing Pau Gasol, no agreement has been reached yet.
The Celtics had been fielding offers for Rajon Rondo in recent weeks, but have disengaged from those talks.
The Trail Blazers have "made it clear" they're accepting offers for Gerald Wallace.
Antawn Jamison's camp is intrigued by the possibility of Jamison going to the Lakers, but Los Angeles hasn't expressed any sort of serious interest in the veteran, says Berger. Even if they were interested, I can't see a way the two teams could match up, given Jamison's $15MM+ cap figure. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers are aggressively seeking future assets for Jamison.
One executive predicts that "no one's touching" Stephen Jackson unless he's bought out by the Bucks.
In addition to pursuing offers for Chris Kaman, the Hornets are also shopping Emeka Okafor.
The Timberwolves are gauging interest in Wayne Ellington and Anthony Tolliver.

The Celtics’ Asking Price For Ray Allen

March 9th, 2012 at 1:48pm CST by Luke Adams

The Pacers could use an upgrade at two guard, and president of basketball operations Larry Bird knows his old team in Boston has a good one who might be available. But Bird told Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston.com that the Celtics' asking price for Ray Allen was too high for his liking.

"When [Celtics GM] Danny [Ainge] and I talked about trading for Ray, he wanted Tyler Hansbrough and a first-round pick," Bird said. "If that's the value he's putting on Ray Allen, he ain't getting it. That tells me he's in no hurry to trade him."

While the Celtics' asking price for Allen could drop before next Thursday, Bird predicted that Boston's Big Three would remain intact for the rest of this season. Allen and Kevin Garnett are earning a combined $31MM+ in the final year of their deals, so simply letting those contracts expire would clear a good chunk of cap space for the Celtics this summer.

Latest On Chris Kaman

March 9th, 2012 at 11:38am CST by Luke Adams

The Hornets continue to explore possible trades for Chris Kaman, according to SI.com's Sam Amick. The Rockets, Pacers, Warriors, Heat, and Celtics are among the teams still interested in the Hornets' center.

According to Amick, the Rockets and Warriors are reluctant to make a move for Kaman until they know more about Dwight Howard's situation — both teams are interested in acquiring Howard, even without assurances that he'd be around long-term.

Even if Houston, Golden State turn their focus to Kaman, they may have trouble finding a deal that works. With new ownership not yet in place, the NBA-owned Hornets are seeking draft picks or young players, and it seems unlikely any team will meet the league's demands at this point. Rival executives have complained about the complications that come with dealing with league officials in trade negotiations, according to Amick.

While Kaman is the Hornets' most likely trade candidate, virtually anyone on the roster is available for the right long-term assets, sources tell Amick.

Bogut Drawing Interest From Several Teams

March 9th, 2012 at 11:13am CST by Luke Adams

11:13am: This is the first time since drafting Bogut that the Bucks aren't immediately turning away trade inquiries, reports ESPN.com's Marc Stein. However, Stein says Milwaukee is insisting Jackson is included in any deal, as Woelfel hinted at earlier. The Wizards are one of the teams most interested in Bogut, Stein adds, though a source says "the price is high."

9:00am: Andrew Bogut is still on the shelf with a fractured ankle, but that hasn't stopped teams from showing interest in him. According to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times, a "slew of teams" have discussed the possibility of acquiring the former first overall pick, either internally or with the Bucks.

The Bucks aren't on the verge of making any moves, but have engaged in several trade talks, and appear open to dealing anyone, says Woelfel. He adds that, while Bogut has never publicly expressed a desire to be dealt out of Milwaukee, there are "whispers" that a strained relationship with coach Scott Skiles, along with the team's lack of postseason success, may have the 27-year-old thinking about a change of scenery.

Woelfel names the Magic, Hawks, Celtics, Rockets, Hornets, Wizards, Bobcats, and Warriors as clubs who have some level of interest in Bogut. Some of those teams are more realistic suitors than others, but Woefel points out that Bogut's age and contract make him a potential fit for contenders as well as lottery teams.

The Bucks have a chance to be one of the league's more active teams at the trade deadline — Milwaukee possesses obvious trade candidates such as Beno Udrih and Stephen Jackson, and a less obvious trade candidate in Ersan Ilyasova. Woelfel says that ideally Jackson's contract could be included with Bogut's if the Bucks were to consider dealing their big center, though finding a logical match for their combined $21MM+ salary could be a challenge.

Amico On Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, Magic

March 8th, 2012 at 7:52pm CST by Sean Highkin

Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico has posted a rundown of the trade-deadline needs of four teams: the Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, and Magic. Here are the highlights:

Amico believes the Lakers should surrender first-round draft picks for Ramon Sessions to address their point-guard issues, arguing that they will not likely find an equally-skilled player in the draft.
Kirk Hinrich would be the safest bet for the Clippers, with Ray Allen likely costing too much. Amico also mentions Jamal Crawford as a possibility.
Amico points to J.J. Hickson as a potential low-cost trade target who could benefit from being around Kevin Garnett.
Amico says the Magic should do everything in their power to convince Dwight Howard to stay, and trade him only if it becomes clear that is impossible.

Ainge: “Nothing Close” On Trade Front

March 8th, 2012 at 4:55pm CST by Luke Adams

There's still a week left until the trade deadline, but for the moment, the Celtics definitely aren't on the verge of making any moves, GM Danny Ainge told Boston's WEEI on The Big Show today.

"As of right now we have nothing close to happening," Ainge said. "It’s not from a lack of trying. Not necessarily to make major changes but to make small changes at least" (via Paul Flannery of WEEI.com).

Ainge added that he doesn't feel the Celtics need to completely rebuild their roster, but that he wouldn't be interested in a deal that sacrificed future assets to add depth for this season. The GM also said he's receiving a handful of calls each day, and that there's still plenty of time for things to pick up before March 15th.

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Josh Smith Still Hoping For Trade

March 8th, 2012 at 2:04pm CST by Luke Adams

Josh Smith, who has been the subject of numerous trade rumors in the past, has let the Hawks know that he wants be traded by next week's deadline, reports Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cunningham hears from a source that Smith would like a fresh start in a situation "where he can better reach his potential on and off the court."

Smith wanted out of Atlanta at the end of last season, according to Cunningham, and that desire has resurfaced recently for a number of reasons. The 26-year-old believes the Hawks didn't do enough to promote his for All-Star consideration this season, and wants to play for a franchise he feels is more dedicated to winning a championship, says Cunningham.

Earlier today, ESPN.com's Chad Ford ranked Smith as one of the likeliest big-name players to be traded by the deadline, behind only Rajon Rondo. Recent reports have suggested the Celtics and Timberwolves had some interest in Smith, though Atlanta wouldn't be interested in simply acquiring players on expiring contracts. Cunningham adds the Warriors to the teams who have inquired on Smith, but says the Hawks have yet to indicate whether they want to move the former 17th overall pick.

Smith, who has a 15% trade kicker included in his current deal, is eligible for unrestricted after next season, in the summer of 2013.

Berger On Howard, Pierce, Jackson, Beasley, Nash

March 8th, 2012 at 12:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The latest Postups column from Ken Berger of CBS Sports is packed with interesting deadline notes, so let's dive right in…

While Berger doesn't necessarily predict a quiet deadline, he points to other factors that could contribute to reducing trade activity this season: For potential contenders, the need to roll the dice on a veteran is offset by a strong draft class this summer. Additionally, the amnesty clause gives teams an alternative to trying to offload bad contracts in trades.
The Rockets and Warriors maintain interest in trading for Dwight Howard without assurances that he'd sign long-term. Houston also continues to be "in hot pursuit" of Pau Gasol.
The Celtics are "prepared to entertain offers" on Paul Pierce, but he may be the hardest of Boston's Big Four to move, since he doesn't have an expiring contract like Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, or the youth of Rajon Rondo.
One executive says the Trail Blazers, who have been among the most active teams, need to make major changes.
Rival execs think that the Hawks may deal Kirk Hinrich in the next week.
The Cavaliers are open to absorbing salary in exchange for the right assets.
Stephen Jackson has drawn an "amazing" number of inquiries, though most interested teams would want the Bucks to take on future salary to complete a deal.
The Magic and Nets could look into trading for Michael Beasley, with both teams ultimately sharing the same goal — enticing Dwight Howard by upgrading their rosters at other positions.
Steve Nash is content to remain with the Suns this season, in part because it's not in his nature to ask out and become the bad guy. "He'd like to go and win," a person connected to Nash said. "But he's not prepared to play the Carmelo [Anthony] card." To me, that suggests he'd be a long shot to re-sign in Phoenix at season's end.
Berger also shared an update on Jamal Crawford, which we covered in today's Crawford rumor round-up.

Ford On Rondo, Smith, Kaman, Wallace, Nash

March 8th, 2012 at 12:20pm CST by Luke Adams

While a number of NBA executives are anticipating a quiet trade deadline, the conversations ESPN.com's Chad Ford has had still lead him to believe that significant deals will be made. In an Insider-only piece, Ford listed ten impact players who could be moved, from the most likely (Rajon Rondo) to the least likely (Steve Nash). Here are the highlights from Ford's column:

Even though the Celtics insist they won't trade Rondo, that isn't consistent with what rival GMs are saying after talking to GM Danny Ainge. Ford thinks Ainge would move Rondo if he could get two solid pieces in return.
The Hawks have been exploring potential Josh Smith deals "for years" and would be interested in an offer that nets them a legit point guard and a decent forward.
Chris Kaman has drawn "a lot of interest" from the Warriors, Rockets, and Heat.
The Blazers appear more open to trading Gerald Wallace now than they were at the start of the season. Ford thinks the Magic could make a big push for the 29-year-old forward.
If the Magic hang onto Dwight Howard, the Nets will stay the course with Deron Williams, but a Howard trade anywhere besides New Jersey could force the Nets to explore trade options for Williams.
Ford says it doesn't make much sense for the Suns and Steve Nash not to consider a trade, since Phoenix could end up losing Nash for nothing at season's end anyway.
Monta Ellis, Pau Gasol, and Eric Gordon also cracked Ford's list.

Celtics Notes: Trade Talk, O’Neal, Moore

March 8th, 2012 at 8:55am CST by Luke Adams

Here's the latest on the Celtics, who suffered a resounding, 32-point defeat in Philadelphia last night….

Coach Doc Rivers isn't anticipating any major moves in the next week, as he tells Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "I'm sure there will be more rumors, there's nothing you can do about that," Rivers said. "We pretty much know what we want to do…. Like I said a week ago, I'd be surprised if we did anything. Obviously, if we find someone out there who wants to give us a player, we'll take them."
The Celtics don't intend to trade any of their expiring contracts for young players with uncertain futures, a source tells Washburn.
Jermaine O'Neal is still debating between season-ending surgery or a cortisone shot for his injured wrist, says Washburn.
Also within Washburn's piece, Rivers says he isn't considering assigning E'Twaun Moore to the D-League.
Dan Duggan of the Boston Herald doesn't believe the Celtics will make a trade, but cautions that pre-deadline comments made by Rivers and GM Danny Ainge last year gave no indication that the Kendrick Perkins deal was coming (Twitter links).