HoopsHype.com Rumors

Tuesday, February 16

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Sources with direct knowledge of negotiations between the Cavaliers and Wizards deny a report that the Cavs have made an offer (Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon, first-round pick) for Antawn Jamison. The clubs have had discussions, but no offer is on the table, according to the sources.ESPN.com

There are reports in the New York Daily News and Boston Herald that the Knicks and Celtics are close to a deal that would send Nate Robinson to Boston. ESPN.com

The Houston Rockets have narrowed their long-running quest to trade Tracy McGrady to offers from the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls and plan to choose between the offers Wednesday, according to sources with knowledge of the Rockets' thinking. ESPN.com

The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks are "making progress" in their Tracy McGrady trade discussions, according to a source close to the talks, and Knicks president Donnie Walsh is expected to speak with owner Jim Dolan on Wednesday to discuss the parameters of the deals that have been discussed, and how best to proceed forward. ESPN.com

The Cleveland Cavaliers have made significant progress in trade discussions with the Washington Wizards, offering Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon( and a No. 1 draft pick for Antawn Jamison and Mike James, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Despite LeBron James' desire for Stoudemire, sources say some within the Cavs aren't completely sold that acquiring the Phoenix Suns All-Star forward is the best move at the trade deadline. The front office and coaching staffs have to walk delicately when dealing with James on these trade scenarios, because ultimately he has to buy into the move they make. Yahoo! Sports

With rampant speculation that Miami is trying to pry Amare Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns before the Cleveland Cavaliers can get him, here are two possible scenarios. According to an NBA source, the Heat are offering Daequan Cook, Quentin Richardson, Dorell Wright, Mario Chalmers and draft picks to the Suns. ESPN.com

Another league source said the Suns would like to attach Jason Richardson to a Stoudemire trade, which would relieve Phoenix from having to pay Richardson's $14 million salary next season. ESPN.com

A source close to the process told ESPN.com that the Wolves recently said no to a potential Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas for Jefferson deal, telling the Bulls that they aren't going to move Jefferson by the trade deadline, which is consistent with what Wolves GM David Kahn has been saying for weeks. However, a Deng-and-Thomas deal was the most realistic trade scenario we've heard for Jefferson. ESPN.com

Howard Beck: A source involved in TMac talks says Rockets are weighing 2 offers, from Knicks and Bulls. Fun happenstance: Knicks play Bulls tonite & Wed. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Drew Gooden is likely to negotiate a buyout with the Wizards, sources tells Y! Sports. Bucks, Bobcats, Nugs and return to Mavs all possible. Twitter.com

Michael Lee: According to sources, Gooden is tired of being traded & doesn't want to move again. A return to DAL seems possible if agreement is reached. Twitter.com

Chris Tomasson: Nuggets have called a press conference at 7 p.m. MST. 9News reported George Karl will miss time with medial ailment. Karl will be there. Twitter.com

The San Antonio Spurs are trying to unload Antonio McDyess and the remaining $7.5 million owed him after this season to possibly clear a way to make a trade for Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

The Spurs have been searching for expiring deals to move McDyess, who will make $4.9 million next season and is guaranteed about $2.6 million in 2011-12. Trading McDyess would free minutes and give them greater flexibility to re-sign Thomas this summer if they want. Thomas would give the Spurs a younger, more athletic complement to Tim Duncan, and could be part of a future frontline with former first-round pick Tiago Splitter and rookie DeJuan Blair. The Spurs are shopping Roger Mason, who is in the final season of his contract, with the help of Mason’s agent. In addition to Mason, they have a number of other expiring contracts – Michael Finley, Matt Bonner, Ian Mahinmi among them – to possibly offer the Bulls. Yahoo! Sports

Adrian Wojnarowski: Drew Gooden is likely to negotiate a buyout with the Wizards, sources tells Y! Sports. Bucks, Bobcats, Nugs and return to Mavs all possible. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Miami tried to enlist Charlotte as 3rd-team to make Amar'e deal but failed, league sources said. Udonis Haslem would've gone to Charlotte. Twitter.com

Ramona Shelburne: Look for Clippers to continue to be players before Thursday. Twitter.com

The Knicks and Bulls are waiting to hear back from the Rockets on their intentions with regard to Tracy McGrady, a high-level source involved in the process told CBSSports.com Tuesday. New York is hopeful its proposal involving Jared Jeffries and his $6.9 million owed in 2010-11 -- along with some combination of first-round picks after 2010 -- will be successful in landing McGrady and his $23 million expiring deal. The combination would dramatically enhance the Knicks' efforts to clear enough cap space to sign two max free agents this summer. Completing a deal with Houston involving Jeffries would get the Knicks within about $1 million of that goal -- an amount that theoretically could be trimmed by buying out Eddy Curry's contract. CBSSports.com

The Knicks have had discussions with both the Rockets and Bulls about deals that would bring Tracy McGrady and Tyrus Thomas to New York. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, the Knicks say they aren't sure where they stand with either team. McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, initiated talks with the Knicks and has been trying to make a deal happen, according to a source close to the process. The Knicks believe McGrady can still play and are hoping he can both lead them to a playoff berth and help convince LeBron James to come to New York this summer. Even if McGrady can do neither, he would allow them to get further under the cap this summer if they can include Jared Jeffries in a deal with Houston. ESPN.com

The Wolves continue to rebuff teams looking into the availability of Al Jefferson. A source close to the process told ESPN.com that the Wolves recently said no to a potential Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas for Jefferson deal, telling the Bulls that they aren't going to move Jefferson by the trade deadline, which is consistent with what Wolves GM David Kahn has been saying for weeks. However, a Deng-and-Thomas deal was the most realistic trade scenario we've heard for Jefferson. ESPN.com

Chris Mannix: Spent the morning checking out Knicks/McGrady-multiple sources confirm Knicks very much in the mix, have been pushing hard. No. 1 priority. Twitter.com

Chris Mannix: However, sources warn that the Rockets have multiple offers on the table that they like better and that NY remains a longshot. Twitter.com

Cleveland's interest in Antawn Jamison dates to last season and apparently has spawned some radio rumblings in the D.C. area about the Wizards and Cavs discussing a deal that would swap Jamison and Mike Miller for Shaquille O'Neal. I've been encouraged by both teams to dispel that notion in the strongest possible terms. Both teams resoundingly shot down the idea when we checked with them. Got a flat "no" from one of the two teams and a louder "BIG no" from the other. The Cavs still covet Jamison, but giving up Shaq to get him makes no sense, even if they do successfully strike a deal for Amare Stoudemire before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. ESPN.com

Adrian Wojnaroski: Cavs talks with Wash for Antawn Jamison have intensified today, sources say. Cleve needed to relent on some pieces for possible deal there. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnaroski: If the Knicks trade with Houston happens, Larry Hughes will be in the package -- not Al Harrington, league sources tell Y! Sports. Twitter.com

Mike Wells: cross milwaukee off the list for murphy, according to a source. Twitter.com

In a related roster move, the Clippers also waived combo guard Ricky Davis. Davis, 30, in his 12th NBA season is averaging 4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 36 games in 2009-10. Clippers.com

Why trade one expiring deal for two others? According to league sources with knowledge of the Clippers thinking, the decision was pretty much made for them once the team obviously faded from playoff contention by losing eight of its last nine games. Had the Clippers remained in the playoff hunt, Camby would likely still be a member of the team. Once they faded, there wasn't much sense in keeping a 35-year old center for the final 27 games of the year and, more importantly, his $13.7 cap hold on the books for next summer. ESPN.com

The team thought so highly of Camby, sources said, that it tried to keep him and his agent in the loop on this deal so as not to upset him the way the Nuggets did two summers ago when they shocked him with a trade to the Clippers. "We loved Marcus in the two years he played for us and hope he has success with Portland if they make the playoffs this season,'' general manager Mike Dunleavy said. "We made this deal because we could add Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw, who we like a lot, while maintaining our salary cap flexibility for this summer. This move also frees up significant playing time for DeAndre Jordan and Craig Smith.'' ESPN.com

Wendell Maxey, eating some crow: Camby easily fills the void left by both Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla. The move reunites Camby with his old running mate in Denver, Andre Miller. Those two connected for a lob or two in the past. Now Portland is showing they’ve got bigger plans than sitting in the 8th seed out West. Oregonian

Sean Meagher: Camby said he's happy to be reunited with #Blazers assistant coach Bill Bayno. Bayno was an assistant coach at UMass when Camby played there. Twitter.com

Contrary to myth, Bryant says his mind isn't empty at such moments. The zone is not a quiet place. He hears the same chatter everyone else hears, but he doesn't react. He doesn't fear. "If you make it, great. If you miss it—what's there to be afraid of?" Failure? "If you're afraid to fail, then you're probably going to fail," he says, laughing. "You know what I mean? Fuck it." GQ

Can he look to the future with the same serenity? Can he imagine a day when he and O'Neal, retired and mellowed, will sit down to a quiet dinner, bury the hatchet—reminisce? "No!" he shouts. He wrinkles his nose as if the suggestion is not only distasteful; it downright smells bad. Not that he still harbors ill feelings, he adds quickly. He's just not that kind of guy. Linger over dinner, sipping wine-talking? That's not his style. "I'm not a big reminiscer," he says. GQ

Pau Gasol is not the greatest player on the Lakers, but the Spainard is the best in Europe. For a second year in a row, Gasol was named European player of the year for 2009, FIBA announced. The award is just one in a growing list of recent honors for the 7-foot center. In 2008, Gasol led Spain to an Olympic silver medal. He then won an NBA championship with the Lakers and followed that by helping Spain win its first European championship gold medal in Poland in September. Orange County Register

Brandon Jennings: I'm Bipolar. (true Story) Twitter.com

Kevin Durant on Twitter: "@DwightHoward im taller than u ... can i play center too?" Dwight Howard's response: "@KevinDurant35 lol yea u can. Only against a wnba team." ESPN.com

Kobe Bryant won't play in the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, a team source told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher. ESPN.com

Derrick Rose will play tonight against the New York Knicks at the United Center, but center Joakim Noah still is a question mark. "His foot's a little bit sore," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said of Noah. "So we'll probably be a little bit cautious and get him some rest, but I want to wait and see." Noah missed the last four games before the All-Star break because of plantar fasciitis of the left foot and may be held out a bit longer. "We're going to look at that," Del Negro said. "Just give him some more rest for the next two, three, four, five [games]. It just depends. The plantar fasciitis is very difficult [to get rid of]. He's feeling better. He's not where he'd like to be and we want to be smart about it." Chicago Sun-Times

Indiana Pacers center Jeff Foster will miss the rest of the season after undergoing what the team calls successful back surgery. The team says the procedure was done Tuesday at the Indiana Orthopedic Hospital. Foster is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall. AP

Tim Kawamani: If he can't buy Warriors, Larry Ellison muses to USA Today that he might buy another NBA team & move it to San Jose. http://bit.ly/9u1xbN Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources tell Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports that the Blazers deal with the Clips for Marcus Camby has been completed. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Blazers send Travis Outlaw, Steve Blake and $3 million to Clippers for Marcus Camby. Twitter.com

Adrian Wojnarowski: Portland is throwing $3 million into Camby package, league source says. That's why Clips chose this deal -- not anything else. Twitter.com

Wendell Maxey: travis outlaw on his trade to the clippers: "It doesn't bother me. This is a business. I'll just go somewhere else and play." Twitter.com

Marc Berman: D'Antoni doubts he'll meet with T-Mac today. Knicks are holding shootaround at United Center. T-Mac skedded to fly here to train. Twitter.com

Al Harrington was in the Bahamas over the all-star break and didn't hear about any of the Knicks/Tracy McGrady talk until he returned on Sunday. "When I got home all my texts came through and everybody's asking me did I get traded here and there," Harrington said. "And I didn't hear anything about it. Obviously I'm still here and I want to be here." Newsday

Michael Wallace: If Spurs are to trade Roger Mason, keep an eye on the Heat. Pat Riley went hard after Mason 2 years ago in free agency. Twitter.com

Mark Bartelstein, the agent for Spurs guard Roger Mason Jr., has clarified comments about Mason's desire to be traded to a team that could offer more playing time. "It's not a trade demand," Bartelstein told the Express-News on Monday night. "It's simply, if there's an answer to the problem of not enough minutes, and everybody can come out good, they should look at that. That's all that's going on." San Antonio Express-News

Bartelstein said Mason was "happy playing for (Gregg Popovich) and San Antonio has been good to him." "It's just that players like to play," Bartelstein said. Bartelstein insisted Mason would be comfortable finishing the season with the Spurs, should a suitable trading partner not be found. "One of the things I really enjoy about working with the Spurs is you can have conversations like this, where you can find something that is good for everyone," Bartelstein said. "They really try to do the right thing by players." San Antonio Express-News

One league executive said he expects the Spurs to make overtures at the Miami Heat, who are shopping a number of players, including power forward Udonis Haslem and small forward Dorell Wright. San Antonio Express-News

Team officials couldn't comment specifically, but it makes sense that they will be watching closely to see if Washington waives or buys out either Drew Gooden or perhaps Quinton Ross or James Singleton. Of the four Mavericks traded, Gooden probably took the news the hardest, along with Ross, who grew up in Dallas. Gooden has been moved around throughout his career, but it has never been because of lack of production. Dallas Morning News

Accordingly, here are two opinions on the all-star weekend that was in Dallas. Playing the role of wide-eyed rookie: Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. Raptors forward Chris Bosh will portray the seen-it-all veteran. "The Cowboys Stadium, that was crazy," said DeRozan, who participated in the slam dunk competition on Saturday. "I ain't never seen nothing in my life similar [to] that. It was crazy. 108,000 people, it was crazy." Times Colonist

"Hectic. It was more all-star, not all-star break. All-star work," said Bosh, the Dallas native who played in Sunday's all-star game. "I'm very glad to be back. There was a lot of demand back in the hometown, so I was ready to go right around Saturday." Times Colonist

Noah, we found out, relaxed at a "very, very nice" beach in the Bahamas with his phone off and his hobbled feet in the ocean. Needless to say, he wasn't watching Taj Gibson in the Rookie/Sophomore Game on Friday. Nor did he catch any of Sunday's festivities. "I was focused on other things," he said. How did his weekend compare with Rose's? "I definitely had a better time," said Noah, one of the All-Star snubs. ESPN.com

Following Tuesday morning's shootaround, coach Vinny Del Negro said Derrick Rose will play Tuesday night against the Knicks with his sore right hip and back. Joakim Noah is almost certain to miss his fifth straight game with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Chicago Tribune

Los Angeles Clippers center Marcus Camby may have unknowingly attended his own farewell dinner on Monday night. The Clippers are on the verge of completing a trade that will send Camby to the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources said, but the veteran center is not happy about the potential deal. Yahoo! Sports

The proposed trade, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, will send Camby to Portland in exchange for forward Travis Outlaw, guard Steve Blake and cash. Yahoo! Sports

The Trail Blazers will trade forward Travis Outlaw and guard Steve Blake to the Los Angeles Clippers for veteran center Marcus Camby, an agent for one of the players has confirmed to The Oregonian. Outlaw late Monday night said his agent, Bill Duffy, informed him that the deal should be finished on Tuesday. "He said it is still being finished, but that it should go through,'' Outlaw said. Oregonian

One league source cautioned that the Blazers’ ownership had yet to sign off on the deal. The Denver Nuggets also are trying to make a last-ditch effort to bring back Camby before the Portland deal is finalized. After taking the call from Kaplan, Camby immediately walked out of the restaurant. A source close to Camby says that while he recognizes the benefits of playing for a better team, he is upset because his family is comfortably settled in Los Angeles. He had hoped to re-sign with the Clippers this summer. Yahoo! Sports

One source close to the situation originally said the sides had agreed on the deal, but multiple sources later clarified that the trade is several steps from completion. A league source said "serious substantive talks" have been held and that the deal is at the "goal line" but has not received approval from either Clippers owner Donald Sterling or Blazers owner Paul Allen. Neither team could be reached for comment and no trade call has been scheduled with the league. Nothing was expected to be consummated until Tuesday at the earliest. ESPN.com

A person involved in the discussions confirmed to CBSSports.com that the scenario was alive, but cautioned, "Nothing's done." Pending league approval and the negotiation of cash considerations that would make the deal a winner with money-minding Clippers owner Donald Sterling, the Blazers would be sending Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw to the Clippers for Camby, a solid basket defender whose $7.7 million expiring contract makes him the perfect rental for the Blazers. CBSSports.com

In a text message to ESPNLosAngeles.com, Camby said that he "hadn't heard anything about it" from either his agent or the Clippers. He has said that he would prefer to remain in Los Angeles, but he understands why his name continues to come up in trade talks. ESPN.com

“He likes the Clippers, he likes the organization, he likes L.A.,” the source said. “His wife is happy in L.A. And he’s not one for change. He’s definitely not happy about this.” Yahoo! Sports

Camby isn’t the only one angry. Said one Clipper: “All the guys are upset because our best defensive player got traded basically for a backup point guard and money.” Yahoo! Sports

Numerous contending teams are bidding on Camby, but L.A. insists on inclusion of Al Thornton ($2.8M next season) or Sebastian Telfair ($2.7M) to create ample cap room to recruit LeBron. Imagine the hype competing against Kobe for a championship, fan adoration and advertising dollars in the same city, in the same building! New York Post

"I'm cool with it,'' Outlaw said of the trade. "It doesn't bother me. This is a business. I'll just go somewhere else and play. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the opportunity Portland gave me, but I also know it's a business.'' Oregonian

The Miami Heat have intensified their efforts to trump Cleveland in the chase for Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, sources close to the situation said Monday. The Heat emerged from the All-Star break even more determined than they were before to find a third team to help them broker an Amare deal before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline. Miami is "coming hard" after Stoudemire, one source said. ESPN.com

Although the Heat have first-round picks available to sweeten any Stoudemire deal -- with the Suns hoping to come away with at least one first-rounder if they decide to trade Stoudemire this week -- sources say Phoenix has no interest in taking back Jermaine O'Neal's hefty expiring contract because, at $23 million, it requires more players to be worked into the deal than the Suns are comfortable with. ESPN.com

Yet one source insisted Monday night that the Suns have not ruled out taking back forward Michael Beasley as part of a Stoudemire deal. The Heat -- after carefully preserving their salary-cap space for months -- are suddenly pushing hard to make a big trade splash now if possible instead of waiting for free agency in July and gambling on the idea that they can lure a marquee name such as LeBron James or Chris Bosh to South Beach to flank Dwyane Wade. ESPN.com

Stoudemire rejected two-year extension so push is on to re-deploy him with the apparent stipulation that either Richardson or Barbosa comes off owner Robert Sarver's battered books as well. Heat's proposition of O'Neal and Beasley and a No. 1 was turned down due to character issues shadowing the Kansas State forward. New York Post

Money is at the heart of the potentially league-altering trade the Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns continue to ponder that would bring All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire to Cleveland. The Cavs, according to sources, are waiting for an answer with their offer that centers around Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson but may include another player or draft pick. The Cavs have established other trade options, but they are waiting for resolution to their Stoudemire bid before doing anything else. Cleveland Plain Dealer

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The Cleveland Cavaliers' pursuit of Amare Stoudemire continues, but in case they can't land the Phoenix Suns' All-Star forward, they have begun talks with the Golden State Warriors about Corey Maggette. Despite their league-high 13-game win streak, the Cavaliers are leaving no stone unturned in attempting to improve their team and bring the city it's first major sports league championship in 46 years. ESPN.com

In addition to speaking to the Washington Wizards regarding Antawn Jamison and the Indiana Pacers regarding Troy Murphy, Cleveland is in discussions with the Warriors about Maggette, according to four sources with knowledge of the talks. Stoudemire is far and away the Cavaliers first choice, and sources close to Stoudemire said a report Monday that he told Cleveland he doesn't want to play there is false. ESPN.com

According to a source, the Cavs and Indiana Pacers have not progressed in talks for forward Troy Murphy since last week. Contrary to a Monday report in the Los Angeles Times, the Cavs do not have a deal in place for Murphy if the Stoudemire option falls though. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Sources say the Cavaliers are willing to send Zydrunas Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson, a first-round pick and another player (to make the deal work financially) to Phoenix for Stoudemire, but while the Suns mull over their options, Cleveland remains one of the most active teams in the league leading up to Thursday's trade deadline. The Cavs might need a Plan B, as the Miami Heat are pushing hard to land Stoudemire as well, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Monday night. ESPN.com

Marcus Thompson: I'm told Maggette for Ilgauskas could happen closer to Thursday if other options fall through for Cleveland. Twitter.com

Marcus Thompson: I heard same thing RT @STEIN_LINE_HQ: @chris_broussard just filed an extensive piece on Cavs adding Maggette to its Amare fallback list. Twitter.com

"You guys can stop saying we don't play well together," Stoudemire tweeted. A pick from the perennially contending Cavs obviously wouldn't be as enticing as a Miami draft pick, but sources say that Cleveland also continues to chase longtime target Antawn Jamison in case Miami assembles a better deal for Stoudemire. It likewise remains to be seen whether Philadelphia decides to make Andre Iguodala available after making it clear before the All-Star break that they are not prepared to surrender Iguodala in a Stoudemire deal. "They're the wild card," one source said of the Sixers. ESPN.com

As Thursday's NBA trading deadline approaches, the likelihood of the 76ers' trading swingman Andre Iguodala has lessened. One source close to the team indicated that Iguodala was very unlikely to be traded. Another source close to negotiations said that "unless they change their position," the Sixers would not be trading Iguodala and are absolutely not looking to shed salary. Philadelphia Inquirer

Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski has maintained for weeks that the team would not make a decision based on finances - their 2010-11 payroll is already over the threshold for the luxury tax - only entertaining scenarios that make basketball sense. According to those close to the team, that philosophy has not changed. One NBA source said that there's no clear indication from Stefanski exactly what deal the Sixers might be looking to make, more of a feeling out on what might be available. Philadelphia Inquirer

The same source said the Rockets are willing to entertain smaller-scale trade scenarios with the Sixers, those not involving Iguodala or McGrady. Philadelphia Inquirer

Should the rival Cavs land Stoudemire from Phoenix, though, it won’t set off an alarm in the C’s front office, according to the source. “I don’t think it would give them more urgency than they already have,” the source said. Boston Herald

Ray Allen, who has an expiring max contract, remains the Celtics’ largest trade bait. The team continues to measure the veteran guard’s appeal on the market, but Ainge is reluctant to pull the trigger. Allen still is considered an important asset and likely will finish the season with the Celts. Boston Herald

General manager Danny Ainge declined comment on any trade discussions with other teams, but league sources said the Celts still are working the phones, with their primary goal to land a backup point guard - especially one who can defend. Boston Herald

Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich, who’s due to make an average of $9 million per year through the 2011-12 season, and Charlotte’s D.J. Augustin, who has one year left on his rookie contract (with a team option for 2011-12), remain possibilities. Boston Herald

PISTONS: As of yesterday, they were not tempted by any offer for Hamilton. New York Post

The Knicks are denying reports that they are close to completing a trade for Tracy McGrady. The complicated deal, reported by Yahoo! Sports, has the Knicks acquiring McGrady's $23 million expiring contract for Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill and either Al Harrington or Larry Hughes. New York Daily News

Brian Windhorst: Cavs fans ought to watch Knicks-Hou talks. If NYK clears that cap space, they reach goal of having 2 max contract slots. Gamechanger. Twitter.com

League sources said the Bulls are still involved in talks with the Nuggets Rockets and Spurs regarding Tyrus Thomas. It's unknown if the Knicks' pursuit of Tracy McGrady has affected their interest in Thomas. But Del Negro, with whom Thomas recently feuded and drew a one-game team suspension, offered this response when asked if he could coexist with Thomas should he not be dealt by Thursday's deadline. "No question," he said. "Tyrus is a guy who can help us win games. He's done it in the past. I expect him to do it if he's here. And I know he will. I don't have any issue coaching anybody." Chicago Tribune

Tracy McGrady's chances of being traded to the Knicks have improved to "50-50," according to a source, as team executives returned home from All-Star weekend Monday to strategize before Thursday's trade deadline. CBSSports.com

Also, Knicks sources claim that Walsh is not prepared to give up on Hill, the eighth overall pick of the 2009 draft who has played sparingly. McGrady's health is also a factor. His surgically repaired left knee has forced him to miss most of the last two seasons. A Rockets official admitted that "there is no way of knowing how long and how hard" McGrady can play on a daily basis. New York Daily News

Walsh and his long-time friend, Arn Tellem, McGrady's agent, are trying to figure out a way to get McGrady to New York prior to Thursday's trade deadline. According to a person familiar with the negotiations, a more plausible scenario is the Knicks signing McGrady after the deadline once he reaches a buyout agreement with Houston. "I don't think the Knicks are doing anything except waiting for McGrady to be released," the source said. New York Daily News

Apart from the McGrady haggling, Walsh is in the hunt for a pure playmaking marksman (Kyle Lowry, for instance), who, unlike Chris Duhon, can make defenders pay for going under David Lee's screen. For whatever it's worth, Jeffries and Jordan Hill also are being marketed for an expiring contract. I'm sure under-the-breath responses have been, "If it were Brandon Jennings, OK." New York Post

According to two NBA sources, the Nuggets have inquired about a number of big men, including Tyrus Thomas of Chicago, Ronny Turiaf of Golden State and Ben Wallace of Detroit, but right now, nothing sounds serious. Denver Post

The San Antonio Spurs’ front office is working with Roger Mason’s agent to trade the veteran guard to a team where he can have a significant role. “Roger had a terrific season last year after the Spurs had a bunch of injuries, and now that everyone is back healthy and his minutes are limited, the Spurs are trying to do the right thing and find a good spot for him,” Mason’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Yahoo! Sports on Monday. Yahoo! Sports

Mason, 29, is averaging 19 minutes and 7.4 points per game. He averaged 30 minutes and nearly 12 points a game a season ago. Mason is in the final season of a two-year deal with Spurs. One league executive says there’s “significant” interest from other teams in dealing for Mason. Yahoo! Sports

"I'd be happy if we didn't make a trade. I think we're playing well and the different guys we have at each position are doing well, so I don't know if we need one," Bosh said after his sparkling performance in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game. Bosh admits to being like so many fans leading up to the deadline in that he can't tell what's real and what's made up. "I really don't know what's on the table or what could happen, but I don't think so," he said. League sources categorized the Raptors as quiet during all-star weekend, and the overriding sense is that president and general manager Bryan Colangelo won't do anything of substance. Toronto Star

Ray Allen is well aware that his name, more than any other Boston Celtic player, has been the subject of trade talks. An NBA veteran, Allen refuses to allow the issue to affect his play. "Regardless of where I am, my job never changes," he told CSNNE.com on Monday night. "One thing I learned when I first got to the league, there are so many things that you're not going to be able to control, so don't worry about them. That's how I lived my life." CSNNE.com

When it comes to possibly getting traded, Al Harrington insists he appreciates the interest. The Knicks forward is in the middle of trade rumors again, this time with the Rockets in a deal for Tracy McGrady. Harrington insisted yesterday he isn't bothered by the buzz. "I shrug it off," he said. "I always look at it like, when people want you, that's a good thing." Harrington has been dealt four times already -- from the Pacers to the Hawks in 2004, back to the Pacers in 2006, to the Warriors in 2007 and to the Knicks in 2008. Three of the four trades involved Donnie Walsh teams. New York Post

But it has to be. The Nets don't expect any significant help to arrive by Thursday's trading deadline. There are some possibilities described only as "minor," none with a better than 50-50 chance of happening. "There's always some activity," said GM and interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe. "The way you think about things is, 'This is our team.' You're looking at different possibilities on how to improve it. . . . You talk to everybody. You make sure everybody knows where you stand, what you're trying to accomplish. "If it happens, it happens. But the way you look at it . . . is 'This is the team.' " New York Post

The Cavaliers reportedly are the frontrunners for Stoudemire. The Pacers could re-enter the picture if the Cavs-Suns deal falls through. The Pacers want center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (and his expiring contract), forward J.J. Hickson and a first-round pick from the Cavaliers for Murphy. "I don't pay attention to the rumors," Murphy said. "I know there's a possibility I could be traded, but as I said before, I know it's part of the business. I didn't turn my computer on and read any of the rumors while I was away over the (All-Star) break." The Pacers also have talked with Sacramento and Milwaukee about Murphy. Both teams have expiring contracts and young prospects that could entice the Pacers. Indianapolis Star

While Mitch Kupchak works the phones, Vujacic is powerless except to shoot and shoot and shoot … and hope he stays. He’s a guy who wore a purple “U Can’t Beat LA, fool” T-shirt in Portland and said it was given to him by “David” – and I wasn’t sure if he meant Beckham or Arquette, because Vujacic has become friends with both. (It’s Arquette, who has a new clothing line.) “I’m a Laker and I’m proud of it,” Vujacic said. “There are ups and downs. This year, I didn’t play as much. If opportunity knocks at the door this second part of the season and I play now, I’m ready and I’m excited. But whatever comes within the next couple of days, we can’t control that.” Orange County Register

“Whatever happens in the second part of the season, we’ve just got to play the right way,” Vujacic said. “When we play the triangle, when we move the ball and we play as a team, that’s when I enjoy playing – within the system. That’s how we played years ago, and that’s how we should play in order to win.” Vujacic doesn’t mean to complain or bad-mouth, but he would love a return to the spring of 2008, when he was out there so often and producing at crunchtime. That idea is not nearly as sexy as the prospect of Hinrich coming aboard. But Vujacic has played very well in 14- and 16-minute runs the past two games and – according to Jackson – “changing the game” when sent in for the struggling Walton in Utah. “Everybody’s saying that I’m back or ‘Machine’s back’ or whatever,” Vujacic said. “But to me, it’s funny; I was just not playing the first part of the season.” Orange County Register

Q. Could this group that you have now, if it doesn't change significantly, have a total turnaround next season? Eddie Jordan: I believe this group can do it, can get better and be a perennial playoff contender. I really do. You see more growth. You see a better understanding of how we want to play basketball at both ends of the floor. I remember sitting down right at the end of our 12-game losing streak with some of our players and them saying - now this is not a knock on any other coaches - this is the first time we've been taught this sort of system, defensively and offensively. How to call the commands, how to recognize things defensively and what we're supposed to do offensively. Everything was new. People understand that not everyone is going to have a winning record, especially with the development that was needed and a new system and a new process. Philadelphia Daily News

By averaging 7.0 points in four recent games on a 10-day contract with Golden State, Coby Karl has raised his seasonal average to 4.0 per game. The top seasonal NBA scoring average his father, Nuggets coach George Karl ever had was 2.7, although dad did once average 8.1 in the ABA. The Warriors elected last week not to sign Karl to a second 10-day contract. But Karl, who said he will return to the D-League's Idaho Stampede and be in uniform for Friday's game against Iowa, relishes having had the opportunity to log real NBA minutes for the first time. "It was a special opportunity for me,'' said the guard, who played sparingly with the Lakers in 2007-08, was out of the NBA last season, and started this season rarely playing with Cleveland before being waived last month. "I hadn't been on the floor like that any point in the last three years. I was finally able to be on the court and actually show some players and NBA personnel that I can play at (the NBA) level.'' FanHouse

Karl expects other teams will as well. The hope now is for Karl, averaging 27.2 points in five D-League games this season, to keep playing well for the Stampede and find another NBA job by the end of the season. Until the NBA again calls, at least George Karl has plenty of memories. "Although it was only a 10-day contract those four games (with the Warriors) were an incredible gift to watch my son play in a couple of those games real good basketball,'' said the coach. "(Golden State coach Don Nelson) gave him that shot, and I'm hoping he'll get another shot.'' FanHouse

Swingman Caron Butler, center Brendan Haywood and guard DeShawn Stevenson all were shipped to Dallas. If you're keeping track at home, that means a 14-game improvement in the standings from the 17-33 Wizards to the 32-20 Mavericks. "I'm very excited, just happy to have a better shot to just compete for a title,'' said Butler, who, like the other new arrivals, wasn't able to practice Monday because the trade wasn't fully official, but all three should be available for Tuesday's game at Oklahoma City. "That's every player's dream every season is to have a realistic shot at the title. That opportunity was taken away and God answered my wishes and now it's given back to me. So I'm happy.'' FanHouse

"I had a feeling for while, probably for like two weeks,'' Butler, averaging 16.9 points, said of likelihood he would be dealt. "I've been through this before. Where there's smoke there is fire. I know that it was steaming up real hot. I knew some things were about to happen, to take place. I was praying and hoping that it was a good situation. Obviously, being in Dallas, you can't lose with that.'' Butler called it a "breath of fresh air'' being dealt and said it was best from a basketball standpoint. But Butler did talk about how he will miss a city that "accepted me with open arms.'' Haywood, averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds, expressed similar sentiments. He said he will miss people in Washington but also is in the mood to do some winning. "It's a situation that you're happy and you're sad,'' Haywood said. "I'm glad I'm going to a team that is contending and a team that is competing. But, at the same time, I'm sad I'm leaving a lot of friends behind. A lot of good people.'' FanHouse

Like Butler, Haywood could sense a deal coming as Thursday's trade deadline got closer. "I got to the point where I talked to my agent [Andy Miller], and we figured it was 50-50,'' Haywood said. "After a while, I figured it was probably going to happen, especially with the luxury-tax issue.'' FanHouse

Or have you forgotten about Erick Dampier? “You mean have I spoken to Damp about this?’’ Carlisle said to me when I posed the question of the “other’’ starter whp might be benched. … “Well. ...’’ Carlisle continued after Monday’s practice, which introduced not only starting candidate Butler to his new team but also center Brendan Haywood, already tabbed by Mavs owner Mark Cuban as a “top-five center’’ in the NBA. “Um. … you mean, have I spoken to Damp in the same way (that he’s spoken to Jet)? Well. … that’s a question that represents something we keep within the team. So I’m not going to answer that question.’’ DallasBasketball.com

"Now I have to deal with it," Oden says of his season-ending knee injury. "I've had thoughts of 'not again,' but I've never doubted myself." USA Today

"I've been injured in the past, but it's nothing that's been this severe where I miss the whole chunk of the season. It's new to me," says Przybilla, who was averaging 4.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. USA Today

According to Jensen, the rehab process is more difficult for Przybilla. Aside from cardio work in the pool, he’s not able to do much. Oden on the other hand, has been down this road before. “I think being through the process once before, he knows what he has to do. I think he’s making an effort to make sure he’s eating the right things and we have a nutritionist that he talks to,” Jensen said of Oden. Beyond the Beat

Kevin Ding: Walton has same pinched nerve in back and -- to be frank -- is unlikely to help rest of season. Could affect trading Morrison. Twitter.com

The Lakers knew when they rested Luke Walton earlier this season that his back problems were complex enough that they might return — and they have, to the point that Walton realistically is not going to give the Lakers much contribution the rest of this season. Phil Jackson suggested it remains possible that Walton’s pinched nerve could improve to the point that he could “help us in the playoffs,” but the Lakers don’t have much reason to believe improvement is coming. The problem is such that it could continue to hound the Walton and the club even beyond this season. Orange County Register

Kobe Bryant will rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers when they face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times. Bryant has missed three straight games, all of which the Western Conference-leading Lakers have won, since spraining his left ankle against the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 5. ESPN.com

Bryant, along with banged-up center Andrew Bynum, returned to practice on Monday, according to the Times. "He said he didn't have the normal strength he'd like to have, but it'll come back," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson told the newspaper about Bryant. "That's just getting back in the flow and getting some strength there again, reconditioning it. He hasn't played in two weeks, so there's a lot of things that he was trying out and trying to figure out -- passes that went awry and shots he was reluctant to shoot -- but he'll come [around]." While Bryant is set to return Tuesday, the Lakers could have Bynum back as well, according to the Times. He has missed the last two games with a bruised right hip. "I'm definitely limited, but I'm going to try to give it a go," Bynum told the newspaper. "I just want to see if it'll get worse. Every step you take, the muscle rubs over the top of it and it's real painful." ESPN.com

It’s a challenge perennial All-Stars like Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Boston’s Kevin Garnett both warned Durant about last weekend while the Thunder’s first-time selection was in Dallas. "Your eyes are wide open,” said Wade, a six-time All-Star, of first-timers. "You want to go to every event possible to enjoy the experience. But once the weekend is winding down you’re tired. You go back to your regular season and you get even more tired, especially if you have some back-to-backs.” Oklahoman

Allen Iverson has returned to the Philadelphia 76ers after missing five games to be with his ill daughter and expects to play Tuesday night against Miami. Iverson returned to practice Monday for the first time since Feb. 2. Iverson was voted an Eastern Conference All-Star, but skipped Sunday's game to spend additional time with his family. He says doctors are still not sure what is ailing his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah. "It was tough to leave her and my wife and kids," Iverson said. "But I do have a commitment and an obligation to be with my team and to do my job. But it is rough. I think this is the only thing I do in life where for a couple hours during the game I don't think about nothing but [basketball]." AP

Whatever the case, Noah said the sore left foot that kept him out of the final four games before the All-Star break is improving. He practiced for 15-20 minutes Monday and, barring swelling, said he'd take the court when the Bulls begin a four-games-in-five-nights stretch against the Knicks on Tuesday night. "I'm expecting to play," Noah said. "My foot feels a lot better. I'm not 100 percent. But it feels better than it did a couple weeks ago when I was playing. Chicago Tribune

Roy is listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Rose Garden. He said the only way he will play, though, is if he wakes up in the morning and feels great. Thus, Roy estimated that a more likely return is Friday versus Boston. “I’m still keeping it open,” Roy said. “I felt OK today. But I don’t feel like I was totally back to where I’m good at.” Columbian

Aaron Nelson, the club's head athletic trainer, said Barbosa is continuing rehabilitation on his surgically repaired wrist and will not travel with the team. He said it appears Barbosa's return will fall within the original four- to six-week period projected before the surgery. Barbosa said he is "very happy with the way my wrist is moving right now." Arizona Republic

On Monday, I asked coach Erik Spoelstra to clear up the issue, and he said that Beasley "had to" wear the brace. It sounded a lot less optional coming from Spoelstra than it did from Beasley, of course. "He has to wear it," Spoelstra said. "But he's getting close. If everything goes well, he'll probably be cleared some time this road trip. I know he's been a little frustrated with it, how it feels. It's been almost a month, which has gone fast." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

For the first time since spraining his left, non-shooting thumb Jan. 29 at the Detroit Pistons, backup point guard Mario Chalmers went through a full-contact practice Monday. He worked during the session in Philadelphia with the thumb taped, in a splint. "He didn't have any problem with it," Spoelstra said. "He said sometimes with the passing it felt a little bit uncomfortable, but no pain." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

But there are philosophical views. Is Karl worth more than, say, a top bench player who makes about the same on a typical NBA team? Or is he worth what is made by a starting forward who averages 12 points and 10 rebounds? "The market is always changing," Karl said when asked to assess his value. "There have been times where coaches have been paid in the upper $6 (million), $7 (million), $8 million area. We've had (Los Angeles Lakers coach) Phil (Jackson) and a few others go higher than that. But I think a coach is as valuable as any starter. If you had to say the value, that's the way I can give you a value. A good coach is a good starter. "Now, some starters make $10 million, some starters make $5 million, some starters make $2 million. But, I think, from a standpoint of basketball value, a good basketball system is as valuable as maybe your fourth- or fifth-best starter." Denver Post

On average, NBA coaches make about $4 million, so the Nuggets' offer to Karl puts him on par with his peers. Asked what a coach is worth, Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups was diplomatic. "I don't know. That's a tough question. But a coach is valuable," Billups said. "I can't put a price on that, can't put a number on that, because all fourth or fifth starters make different money. But a coach is very valuable to a team. They have to implement a system and then they have to put players in position to make the best out of the system, and exploit their talents. A coach is very valuable." Denver Post

Q. Has there been a point in the season where you thought this group of players that you inherited weren't suited to run your Princeton offense? Eddie Jordan. No. I think it's the right way to play basketball for anybody. There are ways to sort of get past some of the touches that normally you would go to. Like a lot of offense, it goes through the center. We've tweaked it where we've gone through our forwards a little bit more. I've done that before. And there are times when Sammy [Dalembert] needs to touch the ball and certainly when Elton's [Brand] in the game, the offense can go through him. And you find out who can run the pick-and- roll better. Jason Kidd ran good pick-and-rolls. Gilbert [Arenas] had 'isos' in the offense. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison shot threes as part of the offense with screens. That's how you tweak the offense. That's where you tip the scales toward those strengths. And we used the pick-and-rolls for Lou [Williams]. And Andre [Iguodala] is getting some shots at the elbow and some two-man games. Philadelphia Daily News

Jordan: When I sat down and talked to [chairman Ed Snider] before the season, questions came up as to where is our leadership coming from? Well, let's see. That's a question. Is it coming from Elton, is it coming from Andre, is it coming from Lou? We also asked if Sammy can be more consistent. All these question were at the beginning of the season and we said we don't have the answers yet. But this is what we're trying to get to. We wondered if Lou could play the point, which he did well up until he got hurt [broken jaw on Nov. 24]. Can Thad [Young] play different positions, the four, the three? We found out that he's better at four after trying him at three. Is Andre a two, is Andre a three? We wanted to go big with Elton at four and Sammy at five. All these things were question marks and we tried to get through it. And now we're finding out the strengths of our team. We know better than we did in November and December.
Philadelphia Daily News

Q. And how do you evaluate yourself this season? Jordan. I don't want to give myself a grade. I say 'Do I come in being positive? Do I come in with energy? Do we pick out things as a staff to improve upon?' And we've done that. That's why we're becoming better. We have a veteran coaching staff that has gotten teams to achieve. I know that we all need to get better. I know that I need to get better as a coach. I learn that every day. But we understand the formula. We believe in the formula and that we're getting better at it. Philadelphia Daily News

Charlotte Bobcats managing partner Michael Jordan recently told coach Larry Brown he's doing everything he can to buy controlling interest in the team. "I'm trying my hardest to get this thing done,'' Brown quoted Jordan as saying last week. Then Brown added, "I'm hopeful that at the end of the day Michael will be running the Bobcats.'' Charlotte Observer

"He just said, 'Larry, I'm trying my best' (to buy the team) and I know he is,'' Brown said. (What would it mean to have as prominent a former player as Jordan as a majority team owner?) "He's as good a player as we've ever had in this sport. He's a wonderful guy. I think when the NBA bounced back, Magic (Johnson) and Larry (Bird) and Michael sustained it. A lot of people owe a lot to him. And I don't think (commissioner) David Stern takes that lightly. I think he admires Michael and realizes what he means to our sport. "I just think we've got to have him involved. I see Magic involved (with the Los Angeles Lakers). I see guys like (Joe) Dumars involved, and it's only made our league better. I just can't see the NBA without him being involved.'' Charlotte Observer

"I'm still a little bit stunned, to be honest," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. He kept the proof, just in case. Cuban was given the turnstile count in red pen on a white sheet of note paper with NBA letterhead before stepping on the court during a break in play to announce the number to the crowd. He stood with Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner. Cuban paused for effect and called for a drum roll. He read the number, the crowd cheered being part of history, and then Cuban decided he didn't want to let go of history. He kept the paper. He folded it neatly and still had it in his back right pocket hours later, with plans to frame the note. "It was a spectacle taken to the next level," Cuban said. It was a number being knocked into the stratosphere is what it was. "It's a game-changer for all future events," he said. "Everybody's always going to point to this and try to out-do it." NBA.com

People in the top couple levels Sunday basically paid to watch the game on the video board. They were at squinting distance, with little hope for most of making out a face and having to settle for, in some cases, being able to decipher a jersey number. But they were there. It was that kind of festival atmosphere. "Some of those fans who were so far away from the floor, it's like they were in the greatest sports bar of all time," West starter Steve Nash said. "They had the best big screen, the beer was cold and they could hear the action, the crowd participation. I'm sure they had a blast here." NBA.com

Ski Austin, an NBA executive vice president, said the record crowd of 108,713 at Cowboys Stadium as well as the entire region gets high marks from the league. The NBA has no interest in regularly playing its All-Star games in football stadiums, Austin said, but Arlington might be the exception. "When you talk specifically about Cowboys Stadium, it's an intriguing idea," Austin said about holding future All-Star games there. "Things went so well for us, I think it has to be on the short list of cities and markets that we would put into a rotation." The attendance at Sunday night's game – the largest crowd ever at a basketball game – was more than the six previous NBA All-Star games combined. All of those were held in traditional basketball arenas. Dallas Morning News

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say they helped seize nearly $200,000 in fake NBA merchandise during All-Star Weekend in the Dallas area. More than 4,000 pieces of counterfeit items were seized from arena parking lots, hotels and flea markets. The items included more than 500 jerseys, 3,300 T-shirts and 37 hats. AP

Shaquille O'Neal is a true Renaissance man. The 15-time NBA All-Star has long led a varied life off the hardwood as an actor, rapper, US deputy marshal, comedian -- and now he's ready to take on the art world by curating an exhibition he expects to be a slam dunk. The 7-foot-1 O'Neal's first show is set to tip off on Friday at the FLAG Art Foundation on West 25th Street in Chelsea, and it is fittingly titled "Size DOES Matter." It runs through May 27 and features 66 works selected by Shaq. They range from Robert Therrien's colossal sculpture of a table and six chairs that dwarf even the Cleveland Cavalier center to a portrait of O'Neal by Willard Wigan that's so tiny it can sit in the eye of a needle. New York Post

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