By this time next week, it’s almost a certainty that Caron Butler will be gone from Washington. The Wizards’ desire to move Butler has only increased in recent day. 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. 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.
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Tag: Rockets
The Rockets are currently 18th in the NBA in opponents points per game, and 22nd in opponents’ field goal percentage. Factor that with the Rockets being the 24th worst shooting team in the NBA, largely due to the abysmal play of Trevor Ariza.
Names like Kevin Martin and Andre Iguodala have been thrown around. The validity of these rumors has yet to be known.
The contracts of Andres Nocioni, and Beno Udrih, or Samuel Dalembert from the Sixers would likely be packaged with Martin and Iguodala, respectively.
I think the Sixers would like to dump Elton Brand as well, but in a scenario where the Rockets power forward rotation is their strongest, taking on a worthless player with a cap-crippling contract isn’t worth it, even if Iguodala would be the man coming back.
My source reported the Rockets and Sixers have been having discussions, but the Rockets have been hesitant of the inclusion of Samuel Dalembert with his trade kicker, and if the Sixers were to give up Iguoudala they’re asking for another young asset from the Rockets.
The Bulls have always seemed like a realistic destination, but with Salmons playing much better as of late, specifically from the perimeter, the rejuvenating play of Derrick Rose, trading for an older McGrady may not be the best idea. But in the case of taking a risk to make a playoff push, a package of Salmons, Miller, and Jerome James saves money for the Bulls and potentially brings them a player that could make an impact.
The Knicks have shown an obvious interest, but are not willing to part with their young first round picks, as the Rockets, for obvious reasons are not willing to take on the contracts of Jared Jeffries or Eddy Curry.
The Wizards are also in a need of a desperate shake up. Not in the real hopes of making the playoffs, but to change their identity and move on from the whole Arenas debacle, which has still yet to be resolved. Arenas is nearly immovable right now, as the Rockets had turned down a deal for Arenas, even before these incidents came up.
Regardless, a trade is bound to happen and with the Rockets quickly slipping in the Western Conference, the deadline to make a deal couldn’t approach any faster. Oddly enough, just like last season it all depended on the McGrady situation, specifically if he was healthy enough to make the Rockets into a contender.
Multiple sources say the Knicks have tried since the summer to engage the Rockets in trade talks for McGrady but have been unsuccessful. However, an opportunity could present itself after the latest episode – a reported spat with Adelman about McGrady’s return schedule – that reportedly even has infuriated Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who used to be one of McGrady’s staunchest supporters.
The Knicks could offer Eddy Curry, who could make up for the loss of Yao and has only one more year left on his contract after this season; add an expiring contract such as Chris Duhon, Al Harrington or Larry Hughes, and toss in someone such as Wilson Chandler .
In Mike D’Antoni’s system, the 6-8 McGrady could play as a big point guard. Like Iverson, he would come with a separate set of rules, but unlike Iverson, McGrady rarely is a problem off the court. Most of all, he would be a free agent next summer, and at 30 years old, he’s on a mission to get another long-term deal.
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