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Monday, February 8

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Butler winding up somewhere in Texas is most likely, with Washington probably deciding between Dallas' and Houston's competing offers before next week's All-Star Game. The Wizards are determined to get a young player back, though, and the Mavericks' only non-geezer is rookie guard Rod Beaubois -- while Houston has a young guard like Kyle Lowry and an expiring big man contract in forward Luis Scola to pair with McGrady's $22 million expiring deal. NBA.com

The Wizards' desire to move Butler has only increased in recent days, since they found out they will indeed get some cap relief from the NBA this season after losing Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton to suspension for the rest of the season. Washington's cap number will be reduced almost $4 million, according to sources -- pro-rated amounts of the remainder of Arenas's $16.1 million and Crittenton's $1.47 million salaries -- taking its cap number to a little more than $74 million. The cap threshhold is $69.9 million, meaning Washington could avoid paying tax if it can pare another $4 to $5 million in salaries off its books. NBA.com

That means Butler, though I suspect the Wizards will ask inquiring teams to remove Mike James and/or DeShawn Stevenson from their payroll as well. NBA.com

(Don't discount Portland, either. While much has been made of the Blazers' pursuit of Washington center Brendan Haywood, the Blazers have just as much, if not more, interest in Butler, and are willing to put $3 milliion in cash toward a deal -- which certainly interests the Wizards. But Portland's refusal to put any of its young players other than Martell Webster in any potential deal puts it on the outside looking in. As has been reported, the Wizards want either Nicholas Batum -- no chance -- or Rudy Fernandez -- not likely, as he is a favorite of many inside the Blazers' braintrust. The Lakers would also love to repatriate Butler with Kobe Bryant, who would love to have him. But L.A. doesn't have the expiring contract/young player assets necessary to get seriously involved.) NBA.com

As for Jamison and Haywood, Washington would rather hold onto both, though there's always a deal out there that can change someone's mind. Cleveland, as everyone knows by now, wants Jamison, but the Cavs still don't want to part with second-year forward J.J. Hickson, whom the Wizards looked long and hard at before taking JaVale McGee in the 2008 Draft. The Cavs and Rockets are also in the market for extra picks for 2009, and are willing to pay for them. NBA.com

Amar'e Stoudemire? For all the talk that a trade is a done deal, two people who should know swore to me Sunday that it's much more likely the Suns hold onto STAT than make a trade. NBA.com

Same thing now. Stoudemire is playing well -- 21.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 55.4 percent shooting -- for a team exceeding expectations and has stayed healthy, yet it will have taken management more than half the season to offer an extension. So, 50-50, and that's before knowing whether the Suns are coming with what he considers a credible proposal. "He wants to stay," assured one person who knows Stoudemire well and has discussed the situation with him. NBA.com

The consensus among league executives is that he won't be traded. Most teams believe he wants a max contract upon becoming a free agent but does not deserve it. To get him, teams will have to give up a decent package of players, too, when he may only stay a few months. And then there are the health concerns. "Nobody's going to commit [financially] to him now," one front-office veteran said, "so you're not going to get a lot. And they're going to want a lot." NBA.com

Said another: "They're working hard to do something with him. It wouldn't surprise me if they did. It also wouldn't surprise me if they don't do anything because they can't get what they want." NBA.com

Would Philly bite the bullet anyway, and make a deal, sending Iguodala out West? Not without some certainty that Stoudemire wouldn't opt out after next season, and the Sixers still believe he will, meaning they'd get probably wind up with nothing, as they certainly aren't going to be in a position to give him the $60 million for three years that he's been seeking. That's a non-starter for Philly. NBA.com

Would Chicago mind if Stoudemire opted out? Probably not. He's not their target next summer; I remain convinced Dwyane Wade and/or Chris Bosh are. So if the Bulls deal for Stoudemire and he walks, that's just $17 million more in cap room for them. NBA.com

While the speculation revolving around Iguodala has been most prevalent lately, one of my sources who is familiar with the situations of the Sixers and the Houston Rockets suggests that the Sixers "are not prepared to break up their team." Could be. Philadelphia Daily News

I'm told by a source familiar with the Sixers' thinking, "Teams around the league are not put off by that contract." At the same time, there have been talks with Phoenix (and probably every other team). The Suns, for example, are supposedly interested in taking Iguodala and Dalembert for Amare Stoudemire ($17.7 million next season, with a right to terminate early, with a contract that reportedly includes a trade kicker). The Rockets were said to have renewed interest in Iguodala and Dalembert for Tracy McGrady's expiring $23 million contract. Philadelphia Daily News

My source described the Suns and Rockets rumors as "old news," as if to say there's nothing substantial with either team, at least for now. Comcast SportsNet reported that, according to a source, the Suns "desperately want Iguodala." Philadelphia Daily News

But I believe the Sixers have had conversations with Cleveland, which apparently is interested in giving LeBron James one more significant piece. There have been stories that the Cavaliers have focused, in some order, on Washington's Antawn Jamison, Indiana's Troy Murphy and Iguodala. Oh, and there have also been Iguodala mentions in Sacramento and Dallas. Philadelphia Daily News

Danny Ferry on whether or not he thinks the Cavs can win a championship without making a trade: “No matter what were gonna have to be healthy and no matter what were gonna have to play with a good rhythm. But if we can do those two things we have I think as good of a chance as anyone. We have a good versatility to our roster that we haven’t had and LeBron is playing better basketball than he ever has. I think adding Shaq to the picture. There’s a lot of good things and a lot of things to like about our team, but the hardest part and the heaviest lifting is in front of us. We certainly respect that and we certainly understand that we gotta take it day by day to put ourselves in the best position to succeed. I like our team. As far as the trade things, today I sit here and say that I would be surprised if something happened, but that may change over the next two weeks. Maybe we do something and maybe we don’t. I do like our group of guys right now. I like the way we’re playing and I like the rhythm that we have as a team. If we don’t do anything, I do think we have a chance to win the whole thing.” Sports Radio Interviews

Mike Dunleavy on if the Clippers plan to be players during this year’s trading deadline: “Absolutely. Right now we’re looking to better our team. If there’s an opportunity somehow to make an impact move this year to make us better this year and give us a spark, we’re going to do that. And if not, there will be players in the off-season and we’ll see if we can get lucky.” Sports Radio Interviews

Minnesota Timberwolves boss David Kahn says he won't trade any of the team's core players this month. Kahn was adamant on Monday that dealing Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn or Corey Brewer before the deadline would be a mistake. He says the Wolves could make what he terms a minor move before the Feb. 18 deadline, but that's all. AP

I spoke with Brandon's agent over the weekend and he assured me that Bass is not getting traded. Both sides still want to make the situation in Orlando work and believe that a split at this point would be premature. Bass isn't moving before the deadline. HoopsWorld

And so the organization must weigh this question: Does it wait until a more fiscally responsible time to sign Durant at the risk of alienating a player who, at 21, is already in the running for MVP? "I never pictured myself with another team," Durant told SI.com during Oklahoma City's weekend visit to Golden State. "I like these guys so much. I like being around them. But I know this is a business here. A lot of different things happen. As far as being on the basketball court, these are the guys I envision myself playing with. But we'll see what happens." SI.com

Durant's agent, Aaron Goodwin, declined to comment for this story. But it seems highly plausible that if Durant is not seriously discussing an extension minutes after negotiations can begin, he could consider it insulting given both his and the team's meteoric rise. (Having won only 23 games last season, the Thunder already are six games better this year and are vying for a playoff berth.) "If it doesn't happen, maybe they forgot or whatever," Durant said. "I don't know. I don't know, maybe they got some other things going on." SI.com

But the star forward insisted that, in terms of financial opportunity, living in Oklahoma City does not prevent him from realizing the same things he might get in a larger market. "I don't understand why people think about that," Durant said. "Especially players. If you are playing well, the market is going to start to go because of who you are. I don't worry about that. I didn't worry about that when I was 9 working hard in the gym each day trying to get to this level. The market stuff is bogus to me. Technology is everything now. Just turn on the TV and you will see where Oklahoma City is. If we win and continue to play well, that will take care of itself." SI.com

Manu Ginobili never thought he'd wear another team's uniform. Now, he has to allow that it is possible. "I said it many times: if you had asked me a year ago, a year and a half ago, it was basically no question in my mind that I was going to be a Spur, probably, forever," Ginobili said last week. "But it didn't happen. Injuries first, Olympic Games or whatever, it didn't happen, and now I'm three months away from becoming a free agent. So I know it's going to happen. And I owe it to myself. It's probably going to be my last contract. So I'm going to sit, study the offers, see what's out there for me and then make a decision." NBA.com

But Ginobili's injuries and past commitments to the Argentinian National Team for international competition, which culminated in a gold medal for the Argentines in Athens in 2004, combined with the Spurs' long playoff runs this past decade, have put a lot of mileage on his tires. Ginobili is done with international play now after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich made his displeasure plain. But San Antonio is willing to let him explore free agency -- and willing, it seems, to let him walk. "It's different," Ginobili said. "I was in this situation after my second year in the league, when I was a free agent. But I didn't think it was going to be at this point. But now it will and now I've got to make up my mind. And I'm going to be ready to change teams if I have to"... NBA.com

On the other hand, the Bulls, I'm told, are terrified that if they don't move Thomas by the 18th, he'll happily accept the one-year, $6.2 million qualifying offer Chicago would have to tender him this summer as a restricted free agent -- a complete non-starter for a team that is determined to save every penny toward next summer. And if they don't tender him and let him walk as an unrestricted free agent -- what Milwaukee did last summer with Charlie Villanueva, for example -- they will have let Ben Gordon and Thomas scoot town in consecutive seasons while getting nothing in return, and that would be a hard sell to Bulls fans. NBA.com

Sending Thomas to Houston as part of a package for Tracy McGrady's expiring contract would seem to be the way to go. The problem, though, from a source in the middle of all this, is that Houston is not interested in Kirk Hinrich, whose contract would be central toward making a deal with the Rockets work. (Chicago still has expiring pieces like Brad Miller that could make a deal possible, however.) NBA.com

Thorn declined to trade targets but one team official said don't expect the Nets to be traders in the big man sweepstakes of potential free agents: "The Jazz are talking to a lot of teams about [Carlos] Boozer but we're not one of them," the official said. New York Post

Interest in Nets players is lukewarm. Some teams, including Toronto, like Hassell. There is interest in Josh Boone, but he has fallen out of the rotation and off the radar and is a hard sell. Teams like Chris Douglas-Roberts for his minor salary ($736,000), but he would not bring back value -- and the Nets like him, too. New York Post

"We're not looking to trade Chris," Thorn said. "He's more guard than forward but through circumstance, has played forward and still had very good moments. I can understand why [teams] like him. He has talent and a small salary." New York Post

Players are distraught, ticked off and some want to be anywhere but here. Thorn denied that he would release veterans, such as Bobby Simmons and Trenton Hassell, if unable to accommodate them with a trade. They could be bought out, but players rarely look to give up money. New York Post

"I'm very hopeful we can work something out," said agent Mark Bartelstein, who represents both Simmons and Hassell. "Those guys deserve it and could help a playoff team. Rod and Kiki feel the same." New York Post

Acie Law and his camp have been given permission from the Charlotte Bobcats to talk to teams and try to find a situation that makes sense for the point guard. The New York Knicks have shown the most interest in Law and his expiring contract. The Indiana Pacers have also had some conversations with Law and could be a potential suitor if New York doesn't work out. Law still has a lot of potential and many believe he could still be a great point guard if put in the right situation. HoopsWorld

Apparently Antoine Walker needs the cash pretty badly -- after not landing an NBA gig he has taken a physical and signed to play with Guaynabo in Puerto Rico. Former Bull (and Buck and Hornet) Marcus Fizer will join him. NBC Sports

Smart Gilas Pilipinas is looking at two NBA veterans and a former PBA import as candidates for naturalization and replacement for Jamal Sampson, who failed to meet the team officials’ expectations. Earl Barron, a member of the 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat who suited up for Red Bull years ago, has been considered for inclusion to beef up the Filipinos’ ambitious Olympic bid. The Philippine Star

It was revealing to hear Dwyane Wade after the Heat’s Saturday loss to the Bulls openly question coach Erik Spoelstra for being predictable, that teams know what the Heat will do and yet they continue to do the same things. NBA.com

Michael Wallace: Heat's Dwyane Wade denies rift with coach Monday amid Miami's 5-game skid. Twitter.com

It was a torpid Heat locker room Saturday night. I listened to veteran Udonis Haslem complaining to the regular team beat writers about being too critical of the team’s talent: "Just look at other teams and I don't get overwhelmed by their roster," Haslem said, referencing teams like the Bulls and even Cavs, "Taking nothing away from Cleveland, they're one of the best teams in the league. They’ve got LeBron. We got D-Wade. They got Shaq averaging about 12 and seven. We got J.O. (Jermaine O’Neal) averaging about 12 and seven. They got Mo Williams averaging 16. We got Bease (Michael Beasley) averaging 16. It's not lack of talent. I'm sick of people saying that." NBA.com

Thomas declined to speak with the media following practice. Del Negro said the incident is in the past and Thomas is back in his good graces. "We've got to move on from there," Del Negro said. "We've got a game tomorrow night; let's focus in on that. For me, that stuff's in the past." Said point guard Derrick Rose: "He apologized right after that happened, just saying he was sorry and stuff like that, so we got that out the way. Now, we're focused on just winning games. That was in the past." Chicago Sun-Times

New Orleans native Chris Duhon nearly wore his Drew Brees' Saints jersey to practice today. But Duhon decided it was not the proper thing to do with the club on a losing stretch. But Duhon is back as the Knicks' starting quarterback and they need that Brees magic. Mike D'Antoni confirmed today Duhon will return as starting point guard with Nate Robinson going back to the bench in a shooting-guard role. The N8 experimented lasted two games, with the Knicks losing both, to Milwaukee and Cleveland. Robinson sat out of practice to rest his strained groin – perhaps for the Slam-Dunk Contest Saturday. New York Post

But along with that effort and passion comes an enormous, sometimes detrimental, amount of pride. One of my favorite quotes from him early in his Pistons days came when he was being interviewed on television and a reporter referred to him as a defensive specialist: "I'm not a defensive specialist, I'm a basketball player," Wallace responded, obviously annoyed. Booth Newspapers

Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman will replace the Trail Blazers’ Brandon Roy in this weekend’s All-Star game. Roy injured his right hamstring last month. Roy, in his fourth season with the Blazers, made the All-Star team as a reserve for the third straight season. AP

Ross Siler: Deron Williams on Carlos Boozer's All-Star fate: “I think he should be in. Personally, I don’t see who else could make it over him.” Twitter.com

"I don't think about it all," Ellis said. "I've got 10 or 12 more years to be an All-Star." San Francisco Chronicle

I loved this story I heard about Kevin Durant. I know the goofballs like Gilbert Arenas get the attention, but it was All-Star reserves selection week and players were being asked to be ready to talk with TNT, which was announcing the selections. The team was told in advance and Durant said he didn’t want to know, that he wanted to be surprised when it came near announcement time because he was so excited he didn’t want the surprise spoiled. Yes, they really are still kids and it’s nice when they maintain the enthusiasm as many more do than you think. NBA.com

Dave McMenamin: According to Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Bynum will "probably" not play against the Spurs, Kobe is a game-time decision (left ankle). Twitter.com

The Los Angeles Lakers could be missing two starters Monday night when they host the San Antonio Spurs. Kobe Bryant did not participate in the team's shootaround and spent the time undergoing "diagnostic tests" on his sprained left ankle, according to Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Andrew Bynum, who suffered a bruised right hip that caused him to sit out the second half of Los Angeles' win in Portland on Saturday, is probably not going to play, according to Jackson. ESPNLosAngeles.com

Celtics' captain Paul Pierce practiced briefly Monday and is "questionable" for the Celtics' visit to New Orleans Wednesday. "Paul didn't do a lot, we actually pulled him out early," Rivers said of Pierce. "He wasn't moving around very well. He's questionable, I think he's going to play but right now we'll wait and see. We have a forced day off because we have to get to New Orleans before the parade." Boston Globe

Carmelo Anthony was again non-committal on Monday afternoon when asked if he would play on Tuesday against Dallas. But the Nuggets star said he continues to improve in coming back from an ankle injury. "Hopefully I can get back out there tomorrow," Anthony said after practice today in Denver. "It felt good out there today. It's getting better each day. Pretty much I was doing a lot that I could do before I got hurt." Denver Post

Reggie Evans has put a time on returning to NBA game action: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, when his Toronto Raptors face the Philadelphia 76ers. The Raptors forward was informed, however, of the problem with that goal after Monday's practice. That game is scheduled to tip at about 7:10 p.m. "That's good news," Evans said, "because if I get in [as a reserve] it will be 7:30. Do the math." National Post

Delonte West could return to the Cavaliers' lineup when Cleveland hosts New Jersey on Tuesday. ESPN.com

Mike Dunleavy On if it was his decision to step down as the coach or if it was owner Donald Sterling’s: “No it was my decision. In matter of fact I called back in this week after the New Jersey and Minnesota losses, and Mr. Sterling…said I just don’t feel comfortable after the Minnesota game without Kaman in the lineup; let’s see if we get Kaman back what happens…I just felt like you know what, maybe a change is better, and I don’t know the answer whether it will or it won’t be. I just felt like going forward, we need to go on a run and maybe someone else can do it. And I can focus my efforts on scouting players and the draft and getting ready for next summer..well, we have the trading deadline coming up as well. And then free agency coming up next summer. We have a ton of money, we have all our draft picks. The franchise has never been in a better position as far as a nucleus of young talent, and expiring contracts all coming up this summer.” Sports Radio Interviews

Some have suggested Thorn has a "short list" of coaching candidates, but he emphatically denied that. "Have I thought of some names? Of course," said Thorn, who likely would present names to Prokhorov. "But I have discussed those names with no one. So for someone to say this guy is on the list or that guy is on the list, is wrong." New York Post

Hidden amidst all the trade talk recently was the disclosure last week on ESPN.com that former Rockets and NBA executive George Postolos, who's been sniffing around the Charlotte Bobcats for more than a year, has made another bid for the team that may require Michael Jordan to exercise his right of first refusal on matching any offers for the team by the end of the month. Postolos is well-known in league circles, and especially to commissioner David Stern, who has been an advocate of his since Postolos came to the league office in 1996 as his special assistant. After two years at that job, the Rockets hired him as chief operating officer. With the Rockets, Postolos was involved both with the negotiations that brought Yao Ming to the NBA from China and with the financing and construction of the Toyota Center, and became the team's president and chief executive in 2002. NBA.com

Postolos left the Rockets in 2006 to form The Postolos Group, and has been looking for a sports franchise to buy ever since. His consortium has looked into buying majority stakes in the Grizzlies, 76ers and Blazers in recent years, according to industry sources. He first made a bid for Charlotte in 2009, but Bob Johnson, the team's current owner, wasn't willing to sell. NBA.com

Last summer, Charlotte traded the first Draft pick in franchise history, center Emeka Okafor, to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler. Many around the league suspected that, while Chandler is a solid pivotman, the real reason behind the deal is that it will save the Bobcats more than $23 million over the life of the two players' contracts -- Okafor has two addtional seasons on his deal at $12.4 and $13.4 million, respectively, through 2013. And clearing the team's books of Okafor's $72 million contract may have made buying the team more palatable to an outside group. NBA.com

The father of a former NBA player who is now a Northwest Classen High School coach was arrested early Sunday in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found at his son's house. Oklahoman

Broadcast before the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIV, Cavaliers' forward LeBron James and Magic center Dwight Howard starred in a remake of the iconic 1993 Super Bowl spot "The Showdown," which featured Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in trick-shot competition for some greasy fast food. The new 2010 version, titled "Check This," pits James against Howard in their own unique 540-spin on the battle for a Big Mac. It also features the reappearance of "Larry Legend," who apparently has been masquerading as The Hamburglar since the mid-80s. Yahoo! Sports

An intriguing, albeit unsubstantiated, rumor hit the English-language bit of the internet today. Apparently, ESPN’s much-touted “30 for 30” series, in which independent directors create from start to finish a short documentary on a sports subject, will be taking on a film entitled “Jednom braca” (“Once Brothers”). “Once Brothers” is a documentary film about the Team Yugoslavia squads of 1988-1991, dream teams that include a roster filled with names like Vlade Divac, Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja, Žarko Paspalj, Predrag Danilovic, Stojan Vrankovic, Jure Zdovc, Zoran Cutura, Zdravko Radulovic, Zoran Radovic, Zoran Savic and Aleksandar Ðordevic. Ball In Europe

Though team president Danny Ainge has publicly ridiculed the Allen trade reports, several NBA executives told CBSSports.com that the Celtics have been actively trying to parlay Allen's $19.7 million expiring contract into an asset that could keep them in the mix during the upcoming playoffs and also help them for the next several seasons. CBSSports.com

The most recent inquiry, sources say, involved Sacramento sharpshooter Kevin Martin, who'd be a good fit with Boston's remaining core. Kings officials might be talked out of their reluctance to deal Martin if they could pry a prolific big man out of a third team brought into the discussions or in a separate transaction before the deadline. CBSSports.com

If the Celtics kept Allen and let his contract come off the books, they'd still be over the cap this summer with no avenues besides sign-and-trades to acquire a starting shooting guard. That's why Boston also has expressed interest in the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich, an excellent defender and ball-handler who would give the Celtics a starting two guard next season at $9 million and in 2011-12 at $8 million. The Bulls' motivation would be cap relief. CBSSports.com

The Kings, who are not planning to be big free-agent shoppers this summer, aren't seeking to acquire cap space alone. They want assets -- and the Celtics don't have a young big man to offer. The Bulls, who almost certainly will move Tyrus Thomas, might need to be invited into that conversation to satisfy everyone's needs. CBSSports.com

"Danny has said, 'I can't go back to square one where we were prior to the Garnett deal,'" the person said. "At the All-Star break, they’re going to look in the mirror and say, 'Cleveland got better, we can't beat Orlando, and we can't even beat the Hawks. We’re not going to win it this year.'" CBSSports.com

League sources say Dallas remains among the teams hoping the Kings change their stance regarding trading shooting guard Kevin Martin, and the slim chances at a deal can only be aided by each team's recent play. Sacramento Bee

Any deal sending Martin to the Mavericks would likely have to involve a third team. Additionally, sources say Minnesota has considered adding Martin to its backcourt. It's not known, however, whether Timberwolves general manager David Kahn would trade either member of his formidable frontcourt – Al Jefferson or Kevin Love. Sacramento Bee

Cleveland is also providing James with the best chance to win, which James says is his top priority. The Cavs have now won 11 straight games and are on pace to lock up the NBA's best record for a second straight year. The Knicks have to root for Boston, Orlando or Atlanta to knock off Cleveland during the postseason because a second trip to the NBA Finals would likely result in James re-signing with the Cavs. "That's what we're thinking," said one Cavs official. "You never know what could happen but I think he'll stay." New York Daily News

"I think they're trying to show LeBron that (Danilo) Gallinari is a good piece to build around," said the Cavs official. "I like him as a player but right now he's one-dimensional. And a lot of those other guys are free agents and won't be back. The Knicks are going to get someone this summer. I have no idea who that is but they're still a few years away from being a contender." New York Daily News

Judging from the way James acted and talked on Saturday, the Knicks appear to be the last thing on his mind. "They have some really good players, some really good shooters," James said when asked about the Knicks. "When they're not shooting the ball well, they're not very good because they don't get to the paint a lot." New York Daily News

Asked if he would consider re-signing in Sacramento if the Kings traded for him, Stoudemire shrugged and said, "Like I said before, man, the main objective here is to win a championship sooner rather than later, so that's my goal." The Kings considered making a move for Stoudemire last season but are not believed to be interested this season. Sacramento Bee

Nash said it would be a shame to see Stoudemire traded away, with the team playing as well as it is. "I think everyone feels good about our team and wants it to stay the same," he said. "It's not really in our hands. A lot of it has to do with contracts and extensions and stuff and those areas are fairly personal matters. We've just got to worry about the things we can control and keep building as a team." Canadian Press

Multiple sources say the Cavs will stand pat at the trade deadline unless they are overwhelmed by a deal. Wizards forward Antawn Jamison might be the only way to truly get their attention. News-Herald

Most of the chatter centers on the Washington Wizards, who appear ready to clean house in the wake of the suspension of Gilbert Arenas. Caron Butler, earning $9.8 million this season and under contract for one more year, is the primary name bandied about. The obvious fit, in terms of salary, would be to ship Josh Howard and his expiring contract, since it has a team option for next season. Dallas Morning News

The Mavericks are one of the teams expected to be active in the trade market. Owner Mark Cuban said publicly that changes are coming, and Dallas — one of the few teams not terrified of the expected smaller salary cap — is on the phones hard, according to sources. The Mavericks have more than $17 million worth of expiring contracts, including forward Josh Howard, who has an $11.8 million team option for next season. Contra Costa Times

The Sixers need to emulate San Antonio (Tim Duncan), Cleveland (LeBron James), Miami (Dwyane Wade), Toronto (Chris Bosh) - teams that once did everything they could to position themselves for a top draft pick just to get their hands on a franchise-caliber player. They also need to keep pursuing McGrady, who told me, "I'd love to finish this season in Philadelphia." Philadelphia Inquirer

But in O'Neal's most recent game he dismantled the Chicago Bulls down low, scoring 24 points, grabbing 16 rebounds, and swatting away three shots. It was like someone had hit a button on a time machine, and the throwback performance raised questions as to what O'Neal had planned for the rest of his career. "It's very important to be in a position in the next four of five years to play for that ultimate goal," O'Neal said. "I'm sure anybody who's free this summer is going to be looking for the same thing." HoopsWorld

"Nobody likes to play 82 games and have a losing season," he said. "That's very, very difficult. It wears on you mentally, and it wears on you physically. We take a pounding to our bodies, and you just want to make sure it's for a purpose. "I've experienced a lot of things in my career," O'Neal continued. "I've had my own shoe, national commercials, All-Star games, USA teams, big contracts—and I don't feel validated because I haven't had the opportunity to play for a championship. That's all I'm worried about right now." HoopsWorld

"I'm not worried about free agency," he said. "I don't worry about who's talking about who. I don't read papers, and I don't listen to talk shows. I don't do any of that stuff because it doesn't matter to me. I left Indiana for a purpose. If it was about numbers, I would've stayed there… To me, it's about now and trying to win." HoopsWorld

Thomas met with general manager Gar Forman on Saturday, the day the team imposed its latest discipline. The meeting went well and the Bulls are continuing their efforts to move Thomas. Chicago Tribune

Starter-turned-sub Chris Douglas-Roberts, who left the game in the second quarter with back spasms, is another player who may not be here much longer. The Nets continue to have discussions about the talented swingman, whose frustration with losing often is mistaken for discontent with his personal situation. Memphis, where Douglas-Roberts played collegiately, is one of the teams that inquired about him. Bergen Record

The Nets want to see if they can move Simmons — who’s on an expiring contract that pays him $11.2 million this season — before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. If they can’t, Simmons could be released at some point after that so he can join another team. "[Nets president] Rod [Thorn] is compassionate to Bobby’s situation," Simmons’ agent Mark Bartelstein said. "He feels bad. He feels very strongly that he can help a lot of teams and we’re trying to work together to get something done." Bergen Record

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Even if the Nets do manage to turn things around in the next season or two, Battie won’t be around. He’s in the final year of a contract that pays him $6.3 million and he turns 34 on Thursday. He expects to be elsewhere. “I think I still have some game left in me,” Battie said. “My body feels good. I think on the right team I could be a P.J. Brown-sort of a plug for a contender. Hopefully, I get that opportunity.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram

When asked about the likelihood of a trade before the deadline, James thinks back to the first time he was traded six years ago. "I remember when I got traded from Boston to Detroit, when we won the NBA championship back in 2004, my agent called me and said, 'Mike, I'm ninety-nine percent sure you're not going to get traded.' That one percent was enough to get me traded from Boston to Detroit so you never know," he says. HoopsWorld

That one person is, of course, Wizards head coach Flip Saunders. After showing up to training camp twenty-five pounds slimmer, James feels he has been disrespected by Saunders. Even with Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton out of the picture, he has not been given a chance to play. Randy Foye and Earl Boykins split the point guard minutes while James has been reduced to a cheerleader. He feels he is being overlooked and believes that people are forgetting what he can bring to a team. "Obviously," he answered when asked if he was being underestimated as a player. "I still work hard and if you liked me in the past, you'll like me now because I haven't stopped working, I haven't gotten satisfied. I still love this game and I still believe I can help a team win. It's tough because it feels like all of the work I'm doing, I'm doing in vain. I'm working to stay in shape and then when the games start, I'm just sitting on the sidelines." HoopsWorld

With so much time to ponder his future, James recognizes one situation with greener pastures. As the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to discuss a deal for Antawn Jamison, he can't help but imagine what life would be like as a Cavalier if he were to be somehow included in the trade. "It would be surreal because it's a team that's contending for a championship. For them to think about me, to want me, while they're thinking about winning a championship that just lets me know that they believe I can help their team get further," he says with noticeable excitement. HoopsWorld

Garrett Temple will be called-up to the Houston Rockets tomorrow. This doesn't surprise me one iota. While Temple is averaging a rather pedestrian 14.9 points, 3.7 boards and 3.4 assists while shooting 43% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc, he knows the system and fills a void with both Trevor Ariza and Kyle Lowry expected to not be available until after the all-star break. Ridiculous Upside

Kahn said it's "too early to tell" if the upcoming trade deadline proves significant for his team, but he reiterated he will not trade any of his "core" players, such as Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Jonny Flynn. How 'bout the draft rights to Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic? "Certainly Rubio," Kahn said. "Pekovic, it's too early to see if he is or isn't." Minneapolis Star Tribune

At the NBA All-Star Game next weekend, George Karl will coach Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony. That could have been an everyday occurrence if fate hadn't detoured. The Nuggets coach said Saturday that back in 2005, Denver had a trade on the table with Atlanta, which had the No. 2 pick in the draft. The plan was for the Nuggets to draft Williams, now an all-star for the Jazz. "I don't know why we didn't do it or what happened, but there's no question that I thought he'd be a great player," Karl said. "I like him because his passion and energy for the game is contagious. It's fun to watch and it's difficult to play against." Denver Post

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was understandably less enthralled with the events of Feb. 1, 2008. At the time, he called what Memphis did — swapping an All-Star to the Lakers for a collection of what at the time were seen as spare parts — “beyond comprehension.” Popovich's stance on the deal has since softened — “I was just trying to be a wise-ass,” he said recently — but its impact on the Western Conference power structure has not. “It changed the whole landscape in the West,” Popovich said. San Antonio Express-News

According to sources, Thomas, upset with his decrease in playing time, went on a profanity-laced tirade with the target being head coach Vinny Del Negro. From the start of the game, the loss of Noah's rebounding presence was felt as Jermaine O'Neal had 8 rebounds alone in the first quarter, but the Bulls were able to take advantage of the Heat's 9 first half turnovers and headed into the first half with a 49-42 lead. Examiner

Thomas' wild first quarter, which included two goaltending infractions, a turnover on a crosscourt pass and a running, left-handed hook, led to Del Negro benching him for the second quarter and words were exchanged on the bench. By night's end, the words turned to shouts. Chicago Tribune

Thomas grew up with loving uncles instead of a father but still once told the Tribune he "couldn't take other males telling me what to do." Contrast that to the recent night in Philadelphia, when a reflective Thomas engaged in a long conversation about rising above adversity and staying professional. Chicago Tribune

Team insiders suggested the Bulls have tried several tactics to help Thomas understand the role they want him to play, but it hasn't helped. When he first came back from a broken arm on Dec. 26, Thomas averaged 16 points, 8.3 points and 2 blocks in his first three games. Arlington Heights Daily Herald

If you stayed to the end of Saturday’s Trail Blazers-Lakers game, you might have seen an exchange of words between Portland General Manager Kevin Pritchard and the Lakers’ Lamar Odom. “It was a private discussion between myself and Lamar,” was all Pritchard would say. Portland Tribune

No, the troubling part came when a voice inside the Boston locker room suggested the Celtics were still better than Orlando, despite a 1-3 record against the Magic this season, including two losses at home. "One of the guys said, 'We're better than Orlando,' and I said, 'No you're not. That's a bunch of crap,'" Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after Sunday's 96-89 loss at TD Garden. "They beat you three games, two at your place. They're better. They knocked you out of the playoffs last year. "Orlando's better than us right now. Atlanta's better than us right now. L.A.'s [the Lakers] better than us right now. Those are the teams that have beaten us. That doesn't mean that we can't be better than them at some point. But right now, those teams are better than us." ESPN.com

"We're a defensive team first, and we shouldn't allow teams to score 36 points," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. "Especially at home." Added Kevin Garnett: "I think we're better than 11 points. We definitely have to put forth a better effort in executing, and we will. You hate to see that third quarter come like that. I'm sure we're going to watch film and learn from it and then apply it, but we're better than 11 points." ESPN.com

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett react to Sunday’s stunning 96-89 loss to the Orlando Magic. “It’s unpleasant,” Garnett said. “We don’t like that at all. Our goal is to establish home court and try to add that as an advantage and we really haven’t done that consistently, at least against good teams.” WEEI.com

"I love our team on paper," Rivers said, "but we tend to be front-runners. When we get a good lead we relax, and teams take advantage of it and then you're caught. And it's tough to turn it back on. It's rare in a game that you outscore a team three quarters and lose the game. But our third quarter was so bad." South Coast Today

Cavs guard Daniel Gibson never intended for his nickname, "Boobie," to become public. "It's really a childhood name that I didn't want to get out," he told NBA TV. "It's nothing I promoted myself. Being a rookie I had (Eric) Snow, David Wesley and Damon Jones on the same team. We got to talking about nicknames and mine came up and me being a rookie, that's what everyone called me. It just stuck from there. With the memories it has on it — my grandmother passed away, and she's the one that gave me the name — so it feels good to hear it when the fans say it." News-Herald

The second-year forward is averaging 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in his last three games. He’s also shooting 59 percent from the field (17 of 29) in that span. O’Neal has an affinity with Hickson. He loves to poke fun at him. But he’s also become a mentor. "A lot of players now think they need plays called (for them) to be effective," O’Neal said. "LeBron is going to get double and triple (teamed). He’s the greatest passer in the game right now. That going to give you some shot opportunities right there. "If you work hard on the offensive and defensive boards, there are some shots right there. I’m going to look for you when I get doubled. He’s been cutting and rolling to the basket. He’s playing phenomenal." Morning Journal

O’Neal has four championship rings to his credit. When he talks, the younger guys on the team listen. "Guys know I speak from experience," O’Neal said. Morning Journal

Nash has averaged 17.6 points, 11.8 assists and 1.6 turnovers during the win streak and is at 18.4 points and 11.1 assists for the season. Besides Nash's 2006-07 season, the only NBA player to have those averages for a season in his 30s was Magic Johnson, who did it at 30 and 31. "If we were a little bit better record-wise, they would be talking about him for his third MVP," Gentry said. "Unfortunately for us, we've let some games slip away, and we don't have a record of a Cleveland or the Lakers or a team like that, so those are the guys that they're talking about. Overall, he's had his best year since I've been here." Arizona Republic

After Foye went 0 for 3 and finished with just two points in the Wizards' loss to Boston on Monday -- his worst outing since replacing Gilbert Arenas as the starter -- Saunders met with Foye to discuss his expectations and demands for a point guard. Foye has averaged 18.5 points and shot 46.4 percent (13 of 28) the past two games. "We all know when you're doing something bad. We all know when you're taking bad shots or taking good shots," Foye said. "My main focus right now is just being aggressive, no matter what." Washington Post

"The four years I've been under Nellie, it's always been like that," Ellis said. "We've never just had a consistent lineup since he's been here. We can't make that as an excuse. We've just got to go out and stick with the game plan and do what we do. Contra Costa Times

"Everybody's got to be on the same page. It doesn't matter if he puts you in the starting lineup tonight or takes you out tomorrow. That chemistry still has to be there within the team." Contra Costa Times

It would have been easy for O'Brien to send Ford back to the bench when Watson returns for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Bulls if Ford had played badly. But Ford played well. "No, I'm not surprised (about my play) because at the end of the day it's a win-lose situation," Ford said. "The only successful thing that can come out of this is me playing well. If I didn't play well, it could have been for multiple reasons. It just showed that even though I wasn't playing, I was still getting a workout in. I was mentally ready for whatever happened. "It's about being patient, but you know in the NBA, things are always going to come back around." Indianapolis Star

Terrence Williams: Finding out tomorrow if I'm in the dunking contest. Twitter.com

Terrence Williams: " IF " I'm in the dunk contest I need some ideas fast an please be serious. Twitter.com

Back spasms forced Kobe Bryant to miss the fourth quarter of a loss at San Antonio last month. It's uncertain if his latest injury will keep him out entirely against the Spurs this time. Bryant could miss his second straight game as the Los Angeles Lakers face the Spurs on Monday night at Staples Center. Bothered by a sore left ankle he originally suffered at Philadelphia on Jan. 29, Bryant sat out Los Angeles' 99-82 win at Portland on Saturday. It was the first game the 12-time All-Star missed since March 7, 2007, because of a suspension. ESPN.com

In the waning moments of Saturday’s 99-92 defeat to the Pistons, Devin Harris and Jarvis collided in midair as they pursued a loose ball. Both men lay on the floor near midcourt for several moments before being helped up and into an examination room. X-rays on both were negative. Harris has a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and Hayes a bruise on his left lower leg. Both are day-to-day. The Nets don’t play until Tuesday, so it’s possible one or both could return by then. But Hayes was limping badly as he left and Harris said he only could lift his left arm about three-quarters over his head. Bergen Record

“It’s not as bad as the one I had last year and I don’t expect to be out as long as I was last year,” Harris said. “We’ll see how it feels and we’ll re-evaluate.” “It feels bad,” Hayes said. “It feels bad now.” Bergen Record

Don’t expect LeBron James to drag out his free agent experience come the summertime. He sounds as if he plans to make that decision soon after the July 1 opening so that he can concentrate on the FIBA World Championship in Turkey this summer. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told AOL Fanhouse that he was confident that James would return to Team USA. When asked if he was closer to making a decision about his participation James said: ‘’I’ve got a really busy schedule and you guys already know my schedule what’s got to happen this summer,’’ he said. ‘’Once I take care of business I’ll be able to give a better commitment to the team.’’ Akron Beacon Journal

Chris Mannix: The more people I talk to, the less I believe the Clips reached out to Isiah. This wreaks of an IT crony reaching out for their man. Twitter.com

Chris Douglas-Roberts: Oh, I'm happy that the real Del Harris story came out. When in doubt, throw CD-R in the article. Anyway, apologies not accepted. Twitter.com

According to an ESPN.com story, the owners' proposal would cut maximum guaranteed salaries to almost a third of their current level. The offer also calls for players' existing contracts to be restructured to any salary limits set by a new labor deal. "I think doing that is probably the fatal flaw, because if there is one way to unite the entire NBA against a single thing it would be to go after everybody," Foyle told the Orlando Sentinel before the Magic played the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. "I think what this proposal has done has done us a favor. It has basically mobilized all our players. "Guys are calling. Guys what to know what's happening and they want to get involved. So, I am in a way happy that they [the owners] did what they did, because I think now they have awakened not only the players who have been constantly involved in these kinds of negotiations, but they've awakened the guys that would have been on the outside looking in." Orlando Sentinel

According to sources, the Players' were preparing for a 50/50 revenue split using the same Collective Bargaining frame work that's already in place and simply modifying some aspects, such as length of contract and where the salary cap and luxury tax lines would be set going forward, possibly on a sliding scale. HoopsWorld

The Pistons might not officially be for sale, but already a hot rumor about the next owner has started buzzing. And it isn't Red Wings/Tigers owner Mike Ilitch. Or Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos. Or a member of the Ford family. Or even Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, in a wild franchise swap. But there is a Cavaliers tie. The person is David Katzman, a former business associate with Gilbert at Livonia-based Quicken Loans/Rock Financial and Fathead, and a former vice chairman of the Cavs. Detroit Free Press

Katzman is the founder and managing partner of Camelot Venture Group, a Farmington Hills-based private investment firm that, according to its Web site, deals primarily in online direct-to-consumer companies, technology and financial services. He is listed as a member of several companies' boards of directors. He attended Michigan State, earning a degree in accounting and finance, and Detroit College of Law. Detroit Free Press

There have been years in which spring has seemed to arrive in North Texas by this time in February, when flowering trees were already in bloom. This is not one of those years. "We've been struggling to get out of the 40s so far this month, and we're going to struggle to make 40 degrees each day of this week," said Jessica Schultz, meteorologist at the national Weather Service's Fort Worth office. Dallas Morning News

Casspi has an audience with NBA Commissioner David Stern after today's practice at Madison Square Garden. The Kings originally planned to stay overnight in Toronto and fly to New York today, but upon learning of the arrangements, Westphal revised the schedule. The change enabled the Kings to arrive at their Manhattan hotel in time to watch the Super Bowl. Sacramento Bee

Chris Paul: Words can't express how happy I am for the city of NEW ORLEANS rite now...to kno those guys and how hard they've worked...VERY DESERVING!!! Twitter.com

Brandon Jennings: Why is Lamar Odom in that taco bell commercial??? Khloe got the hook ups yo. Hey get it how u get it. Twitter.com

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