Feature Article: Basketball Trade Rumors and Notes for July 24th
1. Knicks would deal anyone but Stoudemire for Paul
2. Mavericks balked at Shaquille O'Neal's salary demands
3. Rose believes McGrady could help Bulls
4. Lakers, Brown remain in talks
5. Appears Iguodala will not be a Clipper
1. Knicks would deal anyone but Stoudemire for Paul
The New York Post is reporting Why wait until 2012 when you have a shot at him now?
According to an NBA executive familiar with Knicks team president Donnie Walsh's thinking, the Knicks are willing to include in a trade anyone other than Amar'e Stoudemire for Chris Paul, knowing how badly the superstar point guard wants to come to New York.
The Knicks will soon find out if Paul is available.
On Monday, Paul is expected to meet with new Hornets GM Dell Demps, new coach Monty Williams and president Hugh Weber in the Big Easy, according to a Hornets official.
"Amar'e won't be traded, but everyone else is available," the executive said.
Three weeks ago, the Hornets president said New Orleans will not trade Paul this summer and the Knicks and Nets backed off. There is no assurance New Orleans will acquiesce to Paul's demands."
2. Mavericks balked at Shaquille O'Neal's salary demands
THe Dallas Morning News is reporting There was a time, in the not-so-distant past, when Shaquille O'Neal rumbled across the country collecting nicknames and championship rings by the bundle, his career one great, giddy joyride, set to his own thumping soundtrack. He was the Diesel and the Big Aristotle, the Big Cactus and the Big Witness and always the life of the party.
Except the greatest, giddiest free-agent party in NBA history is proceeding without him. Shaq is the Big No-Show, which prompts the question: Is it time for the Big Farewell?
Twenty-three days have passed since the free-agent market opened. Sixty-five players have signed new contracts, including 13 centers. Darko Milicic got $20 million. Johan Petro got $10 million.
Yet O'Neal — the Most Dominant Ever, according to the syntactically awkward title he gave himself — is unemployed. Is this the end? Possibly.
This limbo is largely self-created. O'Neal, according to team executives, is seeking an $8 million salary. He wants a two-year deal. He is 38. He has trouble staying healthy. He can be helpful in spurts, but he is no longer the menacing figure who once ruled the paint.
''I don't know who takes him," said an Eastern Conference scout, citing O'Neal's diminished production.
The Chicago Sun Times is reporting "With the recent addition of Kurt Thomas, the Bulls have 11 players locked up and will be looking to add one more player -- preferably a guard -- to the roster in the next week or so.
Derrick Rose made it clear Friday he hopes that player is Tracy McGrady.
'I think that if he comes along he can help our team,'' Rose said after the Team USA workout at the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus. ''A player like him, with his experience and how he plays, I think he'll help us.''
That depends on the health of McGrady, who has had multiple surgeries on his left knee, including microfracture surgery about a year and a half ago.
McGrady, 31, is a seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion, but he wasn't the same explosive player when he returned to the court last season. After being dealt to the New York Knicks before the trade deadline in February, he averaged 9.4 points in 26 minutes."
the L.A. Daily News is reporting The Lakers' pursuit of Shannon Brown continues.
After signing free agents Matt Barnes, Steve Blake and Theo Ratliff this month, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said he's still negotiating with Brown's agent about a possible return to the two-time defending NBA champions.
"We're still talking to Shannon," Kupchak said Friday at the Lakers' El Segundo training facility. "I think there's a good chance that in the next couple of weeks we can have some resolution with Shannon.
"I'm optimistic."
Brown terminated his contract with the Lakers, leaving $2.1 million on the table in an attempt to land a bigger and better deal.
A return to the Lakers has always been one of several options for the high-flying backup guard.
The Chicago Bulls also have been mentioned as a possible destination for Brown, who averaged 8.1 points and 1.3 assists in 20.7 minutes last season.
The signing of Barnes and Ratliff on Thursday seemed to signal an end to his tenure with the Lakers, but Kupchak said he wouldn't hesitate to re-sign Brown."
The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting "Various reports are saying that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to get in touch with the 76ers about swingman Andre Iguodala.
When contacted yesterday, Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski said that he would not comment on any trade talks.
A trade of Iguodala now doesn't seem to jive with what new coach Doug Collins has been saying since his May hiring, which is that he is looking forward to coaching Iguodala and it is his belief that the 6-7 Arizona product can be one of the best defensive players in the league.
"I think this summer is such a great thing for his career," Collins said yesterday, while on his way to the airport to catch a flight to Las Vegas to watch Iguodala practice with Team USA. "I'm very excited about being his coach. We need him for the type of defensive team we want to be. I think he can be the best defensive player at his position in the league."
Carmelo could force trade to Knicks this season: report
It seems more and more likely Carmelo Anthony will not sign a contract
extension with the Nuggets, which likely will force the team to trade
him, perhaps to the Knicks.
ESPN.com reported last night that Anthony is "going to make it real
clear that he's not coming back" to Denver, according to an NBA source.
"Both Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and Anthony already are well aware that
they don't have a future together, sources say. That became clear to
Kroenke at a reception after Anthony's July 11 (wedding) to La La
Vasquez in Manhattan," the report says.
Not only does Carmelo Anthony apparently have his heart set on playing
in New York, but a close confidant of the NBA superstar told The Post
yesterday that he is a better fit for the Big Apple than LeBron James.
"Nothing would bother him," the confidant said of Anthony playing here.
"The media wouldn't bother him because he really likes people. The
pressure wouldn't bother him because he loves to have the game in his
hands. Nothing bothers him."
Ellsbury could be done for the season Jacoby Ellsbury is scheduled to return to Boston today and could be shut down for the season after his exam in Los Angeles with Dr. Lewis Yo***** revealed a possible rib fracture, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Wigginton, Scott won't be traded this season The Orioles are virtually finished running their 25-man roster through nontrade waivers, and several players, including potential trade chips Ty Wigginton and Luke Scott, did not clear and cannot be traded for the remainder of this season.
