Player Movement Thread (Was Free Agency Thread)

[Skates]

We need an emoticon of someone simultaneously smacking Sammy in the head and someone kicking BK in the arse for articles like that one.  That pretty much sums up the problem with Sammy, he can never accept that he is a role player and simply work at excelling in his role of shotblocking and rebounding.  A lot of his problems with team Canada this summer were said to be ego related adn I really don't have trouble believing that.

Every time I think about the fact that BK gave Sammy that huge contact AND included a trade kicker it makes me get a migraine.  Why the trade kicker?  Did he offer Sam a Lear jet too? Aghhhhh!!!!  I don't even want to know what kinds of goodies BK might have hidden in WG's contract, it boggles the mind.  BK could be the only person who shows up at an auction and he would still bid the price of everything way up as his right and left hands could not help but bid against each other.

[Skates]

Today's trade rumors:


Mavs and Bobcats:

The Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder put the pieces in place for a three-team trade late last week, but NBA front-office sources said Sunday that those talks have gone "dormant."

Sources told ESPN.com that the full deal, as originally constructed, would have sent Raymond Felton, Nazr Mohammed and Sean May from Charlotte to Dallas, landed Earl Watson and Dallas' DeSagana Diop with the Bobcats and shipped Jerry Stackhouse to the Thunder along with a future second-round pick.

The Boston Globe reported in its Sunday editions that a trade headlined by Felton and Watson was "in the works," but sources with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com on Friday and again Sunday that the discussions have gone quiet.

"Dormant is a good word," one source said.

It was unclear Sunday night if the trade can still be resurrected or revised, but sources say one impediment is an injury suffered in Tuesday's victory over Boston by Bobcats rookie guard D.J. Augustin, which could suddenly make Charlotte reluctant to part with Felton. Augustin is expected to miss at least 10 days after he aggravated the abdominal injury in Saturday's victory over Washington.

If the trade can be revived, Watson would be moving to Charlotte as a veteran backup to Augustin, whose emergence has led many executives around the league to presume that Felton would be moved before the league's Feb. 19 trading deadline. Felton is playing on an expiring contract that pays him $4.1 million this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer.

The Bobcats, furthermore, have been to trying to add Diop to their front line as a defensive specialist since he was a free agent last summer. As ESPN.com reported in July, Charlotte offered Diop the same five-year deal worth more than $32 million that the 7-foot center wound up signing with the Mavericks.

Dallas has been shopping Stackhouse, Diop and Brandon Bass for weeks in hopes of acquiring a player of Felton's caliber. But if he winds up going to Dallas, Felton would have to fit into a rotation of lead guards which already features Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and J.J. Barea.

Mohammed and May -- whose conditioning has been repeatedly criticized by first-year Bobcats coach Larry Brown -- were earmarked in last week's trade talks as replacements for Diop to back up Mavs center Erick Dampier.

The possibility of Stackhouse winding up with the Thunder has been discussed for weeks, sources said, with that scenario first surfacing in a standard two-team deal that would have sent Watson to Dallas. Stackhouse, 34, has played in only eight games this season but can be bought out next season for $2 million, making the former All-Star's current $7 million salary a virtual expiring contract.

If these three-way talks dissolve completely, Dallas is expected to continue to push hard for at least one trade before the February deadline, with Stackhouse's cap-friendly contract and possibly another former All-Star -- swingman Josh Howard -- in play.

"Dallas is talking to everyone," one rival executive said.

Kings available players:

t seems like every team the Kings face recently could potentially become their trade partner.

It was Chicago with its need for a Brad Miller-type big man, then Miami and its similar need and desire to deal Shawn Marion, and now Dallas. The Mavs could use Miller as well, and the history of last summer should not be forgotten here.

The Kings were offered Brandon Bass and Jerry Stackhouse for Ron Artest when Josh Howard was the guy they really wanted. Now, it sounds as if Howard is far more available than he was then. What's more, the reports of a possible three-team deal with Dallas, Charlotte and Oklahoma City reminded me of a recent conversation in which I was told by a league source that the Kings were part of talks involving the Thunder (with Earl Watson in the equation) and a third team. Don't be surprised if something eventually goes down that is a variation of some of these pieces and involves the Kings.

And as a reminder, Miller isn't the only one being shopped here. The Kings are open to almost all possibilities and John Salmons - who is averaging a career-high 19 points per game on 47.6 shooting and a career-high 39.6 percent from three-point range - is near Miller on the list of available players.

Bucks-Griz deal brewing?

It?s hardly a secret the Milwaukee Bucks have been working the phones to make a trade,

There have been continuous rumors forward Charlie Villanueva is being shopped and whispers about Michael Redd being dealt. Backup guard Charlie Bell?s name has also been bandied about in trade talks and it is believed some teams have contacted the Bucks about the availability of veteran small forward Richard Jefferson.

The latest rumor to surface is the Bucks possibly trading backup point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Joe Alexander, who was the eighth overall selection in last June?s NBA draft, to the Memphis Grizzlies.

In return, the Bucks would obtain point guard Michael Conley Jr., who was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2007 draft. The Bucks would also likely receive a future draft choice.

I?ve been told both teams have virtually agreed on the conditions of the trade and only Bucks owner Herb Kohl had to give his stamp of approval. Bucks general manager John Hammond, reached in North Carolina where he was on a scouting trip, said it was his policy not to comment on any trade speculation.

As a rookie last season, Conley played in 53 games and started 46. He averaged 9.4 points and 4.2 assists.

But Conley has struggled this season, starting only 18 of 37 games. He is averaging 7.5 points and 4.9 assists.

Sessions spent most of last season in the NBA's D-League with Tulsa before becoming the Bucks starting point guard when Mo Williams got hurt.

Sessions played well then and is playing well now, although he has been used primarily as a back up to Luke Ridnour. Sessions is averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 assists.

Alexander has played sparingly behind veteran small forward Richard Jefferson. He has appeared in 27 games, averaging 4.1 points.

Conley, who worked out for the Bucks before last year?s draft, is making $3.63 million this season. He?ll earn $3.88M next season with a team option for $4.91M the following season.  Alexander is being paid $2.4 million this season and Sessions makes $711,000.

[tk76-]

Thx.

[tk76-]

Hard to believe that Memphis and Bucks rumor.  I would love a chance at a Memphis draft choice.  They can protect it out to 2012 if they want, but eventually it will be a lottery pick, because that franchise is not going anywhere.  Also interesting to here that some young PG's are on the market.

[Skates]

Hard to believe that Memphis and Bucks rumor.  I would love a chance at a Memphis draft choice.  They can protect it out to 2012 if they want, but eventually it will be a lottery pick, because that franchise is not going anywhere.  Also interesting to here that some young PG's are on the market.

It definitely looks like Conley is headed for his succeed or bust second destination at some point.  Lowry has been starting over him.  Sessions did not look all that impressive when Isaw him play, but he puts up big numbers at times.  I think he is a defensive sieve.  The Bobcats desire for a defensive minded big keeps me thinking they could be a player for Sammy at some point.

[tk76-]

I think you meant to say:

The Bobcats desire for a defensive minded big keeps me thinking hoping and praying they could be a player for Sammy at some point.

[Skates]

Raymond Felton + Nazr Mohammed's bloated corpse works out salary wise.  Would you do it?

[tk76-]

I would not.  I guess it depends on how good you think Felton is.  I think he is too small to play next to Lou, and not good enough to play in his place.

As for Nazr, I would rather grossly overpay Sam to play 20 min a game than save 6M and play Nazr 15 min.  I guess it depends what the 6M you free up gets you.  If it is Felton, then I just don't think it gets you enough.

With that trade kicker, I don't think Sam is going anywhere- unless it is part of some bigger deal involving Millers contract as sweetener.  I mentioned at RealGM, something like Miller+Sam for JO.  That would make the team a player in 2010. 

As I said, I don't think Sam is going anywhere.  He just have to adapt to an Eric Dampier type role.  If you ignore his salary he can still bring some positives in a limited role.

[Skates]

I would not.  I guess it depends on how good you think Felton is.  I think he is too small to play next to Lou, and not good enough to play in his place.

As for Nazr, I would rather grossly overpay Sam to play 20 min a game than save 6M and play Nazr 15 min.  I guess it depends what the 6M you free up gets you.  If it is Felton, then I just don't think it gets you enough.

With that trade kicker, I don't think Sam is going anywhere- unless it is part of some bigger deal involving Millers contract as sweetener.  I mentioned at RealGM, something like Miller+Sam for JO.  That would make the team a player in 2010. 

As I said, I don't think Sam is going anywhere.  He just have to adapt to an Eric Dampier type role.  If you ignore his salary he can still bring some positives in a limited role.

And if you want to re-sign Felton, who is a restricted FA, what will it cost and how much would that eat into any savings from Andre Miller.  I don't see Felton as worth keeping unless he is seen as a successor to Miller at PG.  As a combo-gaurd I would rather just keep Lou who already ahs a reasonable contract.  Mohammed is useless.  How in god's name did he get that contract?  I don't even think it was one given out by BK.   

[tk76-]

It looks like several 22M players are available:

J.O. (2yr)
TMac (2yr)
Kidd (exp)

Just in case you can't count, 22M is equal to Sam+Miller.

[Skates]

Portland is said to be motivated to make trades after the Miles signing screwed up some of their cap plans:

Raef LaFrentz, Trail Blazers: One thing is certain -- the Blazers will make a trade before the deadline, especially now that they're motivated by the financial implications of the Darius Miles debacle. And if the Blazers are dealing, LaFrentz will somehow be involved. His $12.7 million expiring contract is insured, making it even more appealing.

In addition to LaFrentz, the Blazers could package Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, Jerryd Bayless and/or Channing Frye in a big deal.


A deal for Miller and Dalembert could easily be made with this team, although a deal for Miller alone might be more likely.  They have expiring contracts, an abundance of young shooters and PG's, a bad contract or two like Pryzbilla that we could actually find useful in replacing Sam.  Miller would help them win this year and help them get further under the cap next year.  Lots of possible packages there for our guys, of course, they could also package some of those same guys to grab one of the $22 million guys you mentioned.

[Skates]

Reggie breaks Steve Blake nearly in half.  Does this make the Blazers a more or less likely trade partner?  If Blake is out long term they will need a PG fast, but without Blake coming back the Sixers would be tossing the season out if they move Miller.

[tk76-]

I read Blake has a mild (grade 1) shoulder separation.  Should heal in a few weeks.  I doubt that in itself prompts a move by the Blazers.

[Skates]

If the team keeps playing well Stefanski won't be able to move Miller without getting a ready to play PG back in any deal.  I imagine the team will concentrate on moving Sammy alone for now as has been reported everywhere.  A Sam for Hinrich plus a tall guy deal would be great once Brand is back.  Hinrich could replace most of Willie and Ivey's minutes with a better player and be ready to play PG full time if needed next year.  We would still have enough bigs for a good rotation this year, plus we get Jason Smith back next year unless he goes in the deal for Hinrich.  One can dream I suppose.

[Skates]

Chad Ford on the PG prospects that might be available in June:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=FordDraftWatch-090115