by Гүртэн » Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:58 pm
So the chance remains for something major. Here’s a look at the major moves that are likely to be considered:
Pau Gasol: He probably has the best chance of being traded among the current and former All-Star players. The Lakers are woefully short in the backcourt and with depth and athleticism. He was in that aborted preseason deal to the Rockets, and their interest is said to remain the most significant. The deal that’s been most speculated is Gasol for Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry. The Rockets are said to be high on Goran Dragic and Jonny Flynn to replace Lowry, and the Lakers desperately need a point guard under Mike Brown’s system. This is a deal, denied for now, that benefits both teams and seems likely to be made.
Chances of Gasol being dealt: 75 percent.
Dwight Howard: He’s the biggest name and seemingly the most likely to be dealt. But none of his supposed preferred destinations, at least New Jersey and Dallas, have anything worth taking for Orlando. Although the conventional wisdom is the Magic cannot afford to lose him for nothing like with Shaq in 1996, since then Orlando has proven to be a destination for free agents. So it makes sense to ride it out with Howard and see if he’ll wear the black hat and walk out on the team and for less money in free agency. I suspect the Magic is betting he won’t. If it were me, I’d take Andrew Bynum from the Lakers. But they seem determined to keep him and trade Pau and Howard hasn’t given any indication he’ll extend to stay with the Lakers.
Chances of Howard being traded: 25 percent.
Rajon Rondo: The Celtics are playing just bad enough that GM Danny Ainge will not have any problems breaking up his old gang. There’s not much to get for the likes of Kevin Garnett, but Rondo is the guy. Even since they traded Kendrick Perkins you get the sense he’s checked out mentally, if not with his play. More the feeling that the organization doesn’t have his back. There have been Rondo for Pau rumors and I thought they should have tried to trade him for Russell Westbrook. Portland’s got a bunch of young players and is going nowhere, so perhaps something there. His contract is reasonable for an All-Star and long, so he’s desirable. And the Celtics don’t want to be caught in that early 90’s fall without trading someone.
Chances of Rondo being traded: 60 percent.
Deron Williams: The Nets know he’s out the door if they can’t get Dwight Howard. The chances of getting Howard are slim by March 15, though the Nets believe they can accommodate Howard in free agency and thus keep Williams. But if Howard were to send a signal he’s not coming or resigning in Orlando would they try to get something for Williams before he jumped, presumably back to his native Dallas as they are looking for a replacement for Jason Kidd? It’s a tough decision to make. It’s maybe Orlando’s biggest mistake—among many—to continue to go for it and not have the pieces to make a trade for someone like Williams.
Chances of Williams being traded: 10 percent.
Michael Beasley: He’s hardly in the class of the above major players and there have been numerous rumors about a trade with the Lakers. You’d assume Minnesota would do it if they also took Martell Webster to get rid of the goofy guy factor. Beasley’s been coming off the bench and less productive of late, and you’d hardly want to pair him with Metta World, you’d think. Sort of the questionable decision to bring together Howard and Big Baby Davis, two guys a bit too fun loving.
Chances of Beasley being traded: 80 percent.
Al Jefferson: With the Jazz losing 13 of their last 19 after a surprisingly good start, the time may be right to begin that youth movement as they look less and less like a playoff team. They have young bigs who need some time and if you can’t get Howard or Pau, suddenly Jefferson would look awfully good. He’s not the athletic runner he might have been before his nee injury, but he’s a reliable scorer inside who can average 20. The Jazz is the sort of team you hear little from and then they move, like with Deron Williams last season. Jefferson is the odd man out.
Chances of Jefferson being traded: 50 percent.
Steve Nash: He’s not one of those caught up in chasing someone else’s championship. He’d probably stay in Phoenix if they paid him, though the thinking always has been he’d finish his career back in his native Canada. If the Raptors would give up maybe DeMar DeRozan, perhaps.
Chances of Nash being traded: 10 percent.
Monta Ellis: The high scoring Warriors guard is always the man to go who doesn’t go. You’d think it’s about time. It’s ever more clear the backcourt won’t work with Stephen Curry and now in Klay Thomson they have a young guy to work in. Plus, new high profile ownership is anxious to make a splash and get some notice. Would they do something with Boston for Rondo? They have been seeking a big. Jefferson? Utah has needed a two guard since Hornacek.
Chances of Ellis being traded: 60 percent.
Kevin Martin: The Rockets guard is among the unfortunate three to have to go back after the aborted Hornets deal and Martin, Scola and Odom all are having off seasons. Martin denied internet reports he wanted out and was unhappy, though Houston always is looking to do something major as well.
Chances of Martin being traded: 20 percent.
Ray Felton/Wesley Matthews: The Portland backcourt of the future is back on the bench, replaced by Jamal Crawford and Nicolas Batum. The play of Felton in New York versus now and Jeremy Lin enhances Mike D’Antoni’s standing again. They are not the sort of players you’d get that much for. But they are guys with value who can fill roles with a contending team. Portland’s stuck in a tough spot as a perennial likely first round playoff victim. So you wonder if they’ll look at a shakeup.
Chances of Felton or Matthews being traded: 20 percent.
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