Tired of all these rumors starting?
Feb 9th, 2008 by Brian Chin
With the trade deadline coming up – and fast – general managers around the league are putting their offers out early in hopes of finding that one missing piece. Pau Gasol became the newest Laker earlier in the week. Shaq Daddy became the newest member of the Suns just days later. Damon Stoudamire was signed by the Spurs a few weeks ago to help with the point situation. It’s been a frenzy to say the least.
But who’s left? Who’s still being talked about?
Jermaine O’Neal (Pacers) – Accepts that he might be traded to New York, where his former coach Isiah Thomas reigns. Is a trade to New York likely? The Pacers are right there in the battle for the eighth playoff spot so I don’t see them moving Jermaine for no apparent reason. Sure, the Knicks would love to add O’Neal, but they don’t have any assets the Pacers would want in return.
Zach Randolph (Knicks) – Randolph and Thomas don’t get along and Zach is getting huge money for being a massive pylon. Will he be moved at all? Again, I don’t think any teams want to take on his salary or his attitude. Sorry Isiah, you’re stuck with him until 2010-2011.
Sam Cassell (Clippers) – When Brand went down, the Clippers season went with him. Cassell could be reunited with his former mates Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in Boston, however, I don’t see what the Clippers could want from an already depleted Celtic roster. The Clippers would rather just keep Cassell’s expiring contract instead of taking on a new one.
Jason Kidd (Nets) – Kidd wants out and, unfortunately, he will get his wish. I hate when players dictate their future but the Nets need to get rid of him and soon. He’s the biggest detriment to this team. He isn’t a leader. He isn’t a warrior. He’s cancer. I don’t know why people think otherwise. He has his coaches fired, he requests players to play with and, lastly, he’s a stat whore. He gets his and he’s done for the night. Look for him to get moved to Dallas and disrupt an already formidable Maverick squad. Avery, watch your back.
Vince Carter (Nets) – Tin Man Vince probably won’t be going anywhere for two reasons: 1) Every coach in the league knows he just “goes through the motions” when he plays and 2) Vince is getting paid a huge amount to shoot jumpers. He’s locked up until 2011-2012 when he’ll be making $18 million. Good job Rod Thorn, idiot. Didn’t you see this coming when Toronto signed him? 
Mike Bibby (Kings) – Keeping Bibby would be a mistake. I didn’t think he’d be on the move last year but, with only two years left on the books, teams might be interested in taking on his contract for an opportunity at a title. He’s a good player, a good team player and I don’t know why the Kings won’t move him and start the rebuilding process sooner rather than later.
Ron Artest (Kings) – Ron’s not making a lot of money ($8 million), but any teams looking for a former defensive player of the year who’s capable of lighting it up should take a gamble on Artest. Sure, he attracts a media storm wherever he goes – but he does want to win and he does play defense. Who cares if bouncers at clubs reject him, Artest should be a hot commodity for the elite teams. His opt out next season makes him all the more desired.
Andres Nocioni (Bulls) – If he’s barely getting any time in Chicago (25.9 per game), teams should look at Nocioni as an alternative to Artest. Both players are making about the same amount, but Nocioni does it without getting intro trouble. He’s in the last year of his contract so, the least the Bulls could do, is get something in return for him.
Who shouldn’t be talked about?
Chris Webber (Warriors) – I don’t know why they brought in Webber. He’s old. He’s slow. Don Nelson is even starting him over a younger, much more athletic Andris Biedrins. Do the Warriors NOT want to better their team? If you saw any of the highlights of Webber’s return – you’d see that he’s everything I described above, and worse. Good job Chris Mullen, you officially won the worst GM of the year award.
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