NBA 2010

[texasdave]

The San Antonio Spurs make (presumably) the first major move of the NBA off-season by acquiring Richard Jefferson and giving up next to nothing. If this trade goes through as reported, move over Kobe. Enjoy that one-year run. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ml?eref=sircrc

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A Bucks official with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday that Milwaukee plans to trade scoring forward Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto, giving them a veteran cast and financial flexibility.

The person confirmed the pending trade to The Associated Press and requested anonymity because the deal is not official until a call later Tuesday. ESPN.com first reported details of the deal.

The Bucks are sending Jefferson away less than a year after acquiring the scoring forward in a draft day trade last season with New Jersey for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Jefferson's contract has two years and $29.2 million remaining on it.

Jefferson was a steady offensive force for Milwaukee last season after spending his first seven years in New Jersey. He averaged 19.6 points and shot a career-high 39.7 percent from 3-point range while starting all 82 games.

Spurs guard Tony Parker said he would welcome a big, athletic player like Jefferson.

"He's a great wing," Parker said. "It's something we don't have on our team."

Parker and Tim Duncan had little offensive help in April when the Spurs lost in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Jefferson gives San Antonio a scoring threat it sorely lacked last season, especially when Manu Ginobili was out with injuries.

Jefferson became the Bucks' biggest offensive threat after Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut suffered season-ending injuries, but the Bucks' tight financial situation made a move necessary. Milwaukee does not want to pay the NBA's luxury tax, which last year hit teams dollar-for-dollar once they reach $71.15 million in total payroll.

Redd, Bogut and Jefferson are scheduled to make more than $41 million combined this season.

The trade was a shock to at least one Bucks player: Charlie Villanueva posted "RJ traded to Spurs. Wow" on his Twitter account before the trade was official.

The deal actually might allow the Bucks to keep Ramon Sessions or Villanueva himself, since both are restricted free agents.

Bowen, Thomas and Oberto give the Bucks a veteran group. None is signed beyond the upcoming season.

Bowen, 38, is a 13-year veteran known for his defensive efforts against the Western Conference's top guards. Thomas, 36, has played 14 years in the NBA, primarily at forward and center, and has been a bench player each of the last three seasons, averaging 4.3 points last year.

Oberto, 34, has played four years in San Antonio, averaging 3.6 points per game in his NBA career. Last season he underwent a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by texasdave

The San Antonio Spurs make (presumably) the first major move of the NBA off-season by acquiring Richard Jefferson and giving up next to nothing. If this trade goes through as reported, move over Kobe. Enjoy that one-year run. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and Jefferson.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...ml?eref=sircrc

I love the Spurs organization. That's a typical Spurs move right there. And if Bowen gets bought out by Milwaukee there's a chance the Spurs could sign him to a minimum deal.

Another potential big trade or two could be had this weekend, with the Rockets willing to unload McGrady to move up in the draft and the Celtics making it known that Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo are available. I can't fathom Rondo being available, but maybe Ainge knows something I don't.

[Scrap Irony]

Word is he (Rondo) is difficult for teammates to deal with. He was known to be extremely shy and introverted. He also doesn't like the chest pounding antics pre-game many engage in (again, according to previous reports and rumors during his time at Kentucky).

Still, if he plays like he did against Chicago and consistently hits that 15-18 footer, he's a legitimate Triple Double guy. As is, he's mid-career Jason Kidd without the gigantic contract. I'd take him on my team in a heartbeat.

[Revering4Blue]

The Wolves will reportedly trade Randy Foye and Mike Miller to the Wizards in exchange for the #5 pick in Thursday's draft, Oleksiy Pecherov, Etan Thomas and Darius Songaila.

Assuming this deal is finalized on Wednesday, the Wizards instantly become a credible playoff team in the East. They also manage to shed three bad contracts without taking any back -- Miller's deal ends after 2009-2010 and Foye becomes a restricted free agent. The Wolves are expected to keep both the #5 pick and their own #6 pick, without looking to move up in the draft. Jun. 23 - 7:53 p.m. ET
Source: ESPN.com

A high-ranking Bucks official said Tuesday that the team is in the process of trading newly acquired center Fabricio Oberto to Detroit for power forward Amir Johnson.

If this deal goes through, and it sounds like it will, the Bucks will have a power forward to replace Charlie Villanueva, who may be lost to free agency this summer. Then again, the Bucks do have some added flexibility to re-sign CV and Ramon Sessions after today's three-for-one trade with the Spurs. If Johnson starts for the Bucks he should have a breakout season. Jun. 23 - 7:57 p.m. ET
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

[cincrazy]

Originally Posted by Scrap Irony

Word is he (Rondo) is difficult for teammates to deal with. He was known to be extremely shy and introverted. He also doesn't like the chest pounding antics pre-game many engage in (again, according to previous reports and rumors during his time at Kentucky).

Still, if he plays like he did against Chicago and consistently hits that 15-18 footer, he's a legitimate Triple Double guy. As is, he's mid-career Jason Kidd without the gigantic contract. I'd take him on my team in a heartbeat.

I had heard some speculation he was a different kind of guy, but didn't know it was that big of a problem. I would do it for the right set of guys, but it's such a risky move. I really think Rondo can end up being one of the best point guards in the game. The guy saved their season with his play last year.

I saw a rumor that had him going to the Grizzlies for Conley and Gay... I think Ray Allen was included in the deal, can't remember for sure. But I love that move for Boston, I think Conley is going to be a star if given the chance.

[NJReds]

The Knicks reportedly bought the 28th pick in the draft from the T'wolves for $3M.

[texasdave]

That's a first. A player being described as difficult because he likes to be left alone. How hard can it be to deal with someone like that? Just leave him alone. Problem solved.

[Revering4Blue]

Originally Posted by texasdave

That's a first. A player being described as difficult because he likes to be left alone. How hard can it be to deal with someone like that? Just leave him alone. Problem solved.

On the nose.

You are a wise man, Dave.

[Revering4Blue]

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired the 22nd pick in Thursday's NBA draft from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the 24th and 56th picks in this year's draft, and worst of their second round picks in 2010.

The trade has been agreed to in principle by the two teams. It should be finalized by the league office later today.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban posted twice on Twitter: "We think we can get our guy at 24" and "You never know when 2nd rd picks can come in handy."

Why would the Blazers move up two spots in the draft? The word around the league was the Kings had zeroed in on Omri Casspi with the 23rd pick. Casspi could be a good pick for the Blazers to either keep or to bring over this year to provide more toughness in the front court.

Another potential target for the Blazers could be Florida's Nick Calathes, Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair, Georgetown's DeJuan Summers or VCU's Eric Maynor.

For the Mavericks, they pick up a couple of extra picks to move two spots in the draft.

Huh?

Blair should be long gone by 22.

Side question:

Will Hansbrough be drafted ahead of Blair?

[Revering4Blue]

NBA front-office sources say that the Warriors are close to trading Jamal Crawford to the Hawks for Acie Law and Speedy Claxton.

The Warriors made it crystal clear that Crawford wasn't part of their plans next season, and this move gives them salary cap relief and a capable backup PG in Law. It's unclear where the Hawks would use Crawford in their backcourt -- he's not a pure PG like free-agent-to-be Mike Bibby and they already have an All-Star shooting guard in Joe Johnson.

If this trade is finalized the Warriors will only have Stephen Jackson and Acie Law to show from the ballyhooed deal with the Pacers 2.5 years ago. Troy Murphy, while overmatched defensively, is a double-double machine. Mike Dunleavy, granted he won't return until early 2010, has outperformed Stephen Jackson. Ike Diogu was dealt to Portland last year in the deal for Jack and Brandon Rush.

Conclusion:

The much-maligned Pacer's front office deserves credit. The last three major deals---Golden State, Toronto and Portland--have worked out favorably for Indiana. They need to get it done Thursday, as well.

[Razor Shines]

Originally Posted by Revering4Blue

If this trade is finalized the Warriors will only have Stephen Jackson and Acie Law to show from the ballyhooed deal with the Pacers 2.5 years ago. Troy Murphy, while overmatched defensively, is a double-double machine. Mike Dunleavy, granted he won't return until early 2010, has outperformed Stephen Jackson. Ike Diogu was dealt to Portland last year in the deal for Jack and Brandon Rush.

Conclusion:

The much-maligned Pacer's front office deserves credit. The last three major deals---Golden State, Toronto and Portland--have worked out favorably for Indiana. They need to get it done Thursday, as well.

I agree. I know that the writer from the Star is hoping that the Pacers draft Blair. And I've seen a couple mock drafts by "experts" with the Pacers drafting Hansbrough.

[texasdave]

Interesting rumor: If this is true the Phoenix Suns are going to have to rise once again from the ashes because they will have noone left from those teams of a couple years ago once Steve Nash signs elsewhere.

According to the same source that disclosed Terry Porter was about to be fired as Suns coach, the Rockets are leaning toward swapping Tracy McGrady's expiring $22M contract, Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks for Leandro Barbosa and Amare Stoudemire, who owns an escape clause after next season and is demanding an extension this summer to waive it.

New York Post

[texasdave]

Hello, Amar'e!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4285514

Yao Ming's broken foot is not healed and the Houston Rockets say the All-Star center is out indefinitely.

[Chip R]

Originally Posted by texasdave

Hello, Amar'e!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4285514

If you're a basketball player and you have problems with your feet, you're in trouble. Just ask Bill Walton.

[texasdave]

For the most part I would agree. But didn't Zydrunas Ilgauskas have major foot problems early in his career? He seems to have gotten past that. He may be the exception to that rule.