Friday Insider

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First-half surprises

by Chad Ford

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Also Below: The Fourth Coming of MJ? | Did the Cavs blow it with LeBron? | Peep Show

Now that we're officially at the halfway mark of the 2002-03 NBA season, it's probably time to step back and reflect a little bit on what we don't know. What we don't know? Over the next few weeks, everyone will tell you what you already know. It's no surprise that the Kings are the best team in the league and the Mavs are running a close second. It's no surprise that Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant are duking it out in the MVP race. You may have had your reservations, but are you really shocked that the 7-foot-6 kid from China all but has the Rookie of the Year trophy wrapped up? And say what you will about Kings coach Rick Ademlan and Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, but they've been getting it done for a long time now.

Insider's mission is to tell you what you don't already know. Here's a look at four first-half surprises that few people called back in October. . .

Jermaine O'Neal

Forward-Center

Indiana Pacers

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

38 19.6 10.1 2.3 .481 .733

Now forming an MVP exploratory committee:

Jermaine O'Neal, F/C, Indiana Pacers

Who would've thought in October that it would be the NBA's other O'Neal leading his team to a first-place record in the conference? He hasn't taken a huge jump statistically, but O'Neal has added a dangerous weapon to his arsenal this year. Move over Reggie Miller. O'Neal is emerging as the go-to clutch Pacer in the fourth quarter. This month alone he's had a couple of last-second game winners. "He's taken a huge leap this year," one Eastern Conference GM told Insider. "He was an all-star last season, but this year, he's a superstar. He gained a lot of confidence last season and learned from his mistakes in the playoffs. He's no longer afraid to take the ball with the clock winding down. His development is the big reason the Pacers have taken such a big leap this year. What he does doesn't always show up on the stat sheet. But it is showing up in the standings."

The Next Wunderkid: Nene Hilario, F/C, Denver Nuggets

Yao and Amare Stoudemire are deservedly getting all of the attention, but lost amidst the hype is the play of the 6-foot-11 beast from Brazil whose nickname is "Baby." Hilario had a much slower start than Yao or Stoudemire, but over the last month he's been on fire, averaging 13.3 ppg. Now here's the kicker. Unlike Yao and Stoudemire, who are surrounded with all-star caliber players to take defensive pressure away, Hilario is doing his thing without any help. He doesn't even own a go-to offensive move yet. He gets his points the new fashioned way with freakish athleticism and physical strength. "He's going to be really, really good," one Western Conference GM said. "Most people haven't seen him because of where he plays. He's a lot like Stoudemire because of he has that rare combination of athleticism, size and strength. He's so tough and energetic. He's progressed more than any other rookie in the league."

Stephon Marbury

Point Guard

Phoenix Suns

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

42 21.4 3.0 8.1 .418 .774

The Proverbial Team No One Wants to Play

in the First Round: Phoenix Suns

Picked to finish in the cellar of the Western Conference, the Suns' dramatic turnaround this season has many prognosticators wondering what the [censored] they were thinking in October. The team has a young all-star caliber point guard, Stephon Marbury, who's finally realized that it takes more than random jump shots to propel a team into the playoffs. His defense and unselfishness this season have made a huge difference. The Suns also have one of the most versatile and unique small forwards in the league in Shawn Marion. And of course, Amare Stoudemire's toughness, energy and athleticism have added the element that the Suns have been missing for the past decade. Add in solid veteran play by Penny Hardaway and Scott Williams, and plenty of youthful exuberance from the likes of Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen, and the Suns seem poised to make some noise in the West for the next five years. "I'm not sure why everyone was down on them," one Eastern Conference GM said. "They have a lot of talent on that team. I'd kill to have three guys who can all fill up the stat sheet the way Steph, Marion and Stoudemire can. They great thing about them, is they'll keep getting better. I think they'll be the Pacers of the West in another year."

Mission Impossible: Eric Musselman, Golden State Warriors

He never played in the NBA. He was buried behind Lon Kruger on the bench in Atlanta. Has a slight stature and uses motivational techniques that most people in the NBA believe are unworkable against the jaded NBA players of today. But Musselman's biggest obstacle this season was his team. The lowly Warriors, the laughingstock of the league. Last season's version won a mere 21 games, ousted their head coach and finished the season winning just five of their last 24 games. With no significant additions to his roster, Musselman, at the mid-season point, has the Warriors just two wins away from last season's mark in the toughest conference in the NBA. They've beaten the Lakers twice, and swamped the Nets in Oakland Thursday night. "They're tough," one Western Conference GM said. "Eric has them playing the right way. I didn't think that was possible with that crew. They hustle, play defense, run the floor and genuinely believe that they're going to win every night. All of the credit goes to Eric. He created an atmosphere of winning there. And he brought in guys like [Earl] Boykins who survive and thrive in the league based almost solely on their will power to succeed. If the Warriors keep this up, it will be a crime if he doesn't win coach of the year. I think they can make the playoffs."

O'Neal saves Pacers

Mark Montieth / Indianapolis Star

Nuggets Found Gem In Hilario

Mark Hale / New York Post

Phoenix's Marbury finally has it figured out

Chris Perkins / Palm Beach Post

Stoudemire's legend grows well beyond central Florida

Bob Young / Arizona Republic

Warriors outplaying the champs

John Crumpacker / San Francisco Chronicle

The Fourth Coming of MJ?

It's been a long goodbye.

The Michael Jordan retirement tour looks suspiciously like the opening act for the Rolling Stones these days. Just how long can we watch 100 year olds with diapers rock on?

Michael Jordan

Shooting Guard

Washington Wizards

Profile

2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

42 18.4 5.5 3.8 .438 .810

I'm sure, when Jordan plays his last game in the United Center tonight, that the standing ovation will be sweet, the crowd will bow down to the master, and Jerry Krause will find more fingers to point at everyone but himself.

According to MJ, there will be no more false retirements. No more comebacks. No more surprises. He won't be cryogenically frozen until Kwame Brown learns how to play.

This is it for MJ in the Wizards. We all believe Michael on that one.

But is MJ's career over?

The Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith wonders aloud today whether MJ may bolt the Wizards after next season and head down to Charlotte to breath life into a franchise that's on life support before it's even born.

Jordan taking jump shots at 41? Will he wear short shorts and an oxygen mask too?

The truth is that Jordan hasn't embraced D.C. the way D.C. has embraced him. His contract expires at the end of next year and a chance to go home to North Carolina and be part of building something out of nothing has to intrigue him. If part of that rebuilding process is playing Steve Kerr for another season or two, what's to stop him?

The fourth coming of Jordan may not have the appeal of the first three. But it's probably the one that makes the most sense. How long can we keep saying goodbye? Methuselah would be proud.

It might not be MJ's swan song

Sam Smith / Chicago Tribune

1 last time

Mike Downey / Chicago Tribune

Did the Cavs blow it with LeBron?

The aftermath of the John Lucas firing continues to haunt the Cavs. The latest? High school phenom LeBron James told the Cleveland Plain Dealer Thursday that he won't play for the Cavs if they draft him with the No. 1 pick. That's a huge blow to a team that traded away its best player and basically tanked the season just to get a 25 percent chance of landing Bron Bron.

"I tell you what, LeBron will never play for the Cavs after this," a source close to LeBron told the Plain Dealer. "LeBron really likes coach Lucas. He was mad when he heard about it. . .Kobe [bryant] and a lot of other guys have had a say about which franchises they wanted to play for, and this might make LeBron cross the Cavs off his list."

Could it get any worse for GM Jim Paxson? While the Cavs may want to laugh the whole threat off, other NBA teams will tell you that it's very real. Steve Francis was that last lottery pick who refused to join the team that drafted him. The Grizzlies were eventually forced to trade him to the Rockets. Almost everyone agrees that they got the short end of the trade in the long run.

The truth is that no one can force James to play for a team he doesn't want to. He could simply refuse to sign a contract with the Cavs and re-enter the draft the next year. His legend would probably grow if he decided to wait another year before playing. Of course, the Cavs would never let that happen. They'd rather trade his draft rights for something, then get nothing for their first-round pick.

But the loss in revenue, popularity and impact players would be huge. According to Brandon Steiner, an influential sports marketing consultant based in New York, the Cavs easily could rake in $10 million to $15 million in new money a year if James joined Cavs.

"Just in terms of increased ticket sales and higher advertising revenue alone, the Cavs would get millions and millions from having LeBron," Steiner told the Plain Dealer. "If they aren't already praying they'll get [James], they'd better get started on it."

Of course, the whole situation could lead to a snowball effect. One league source told Insider that Darius Miles has been quietly pushing to get out of Cleveland. His threat? No matter what, he won't re-sign with the Cavs when he hits the free-agent market in a couple of years. While theoretically, that gives the Cavs plenty of time to change his mind, it's just another example of the mindset that has gripped the franchise.

"I've been in a situation before where we've been at the bottom of the barrel but nothing like this," Miles said. "We haven't been having fun."

Lucas firing may cost Cavs shot at James

Tim Rogers / Cleveland Plain Dealer

Lucas firing could cost Cavaliers dearly

Roger Brown / Cleveland Plain Dealer

Peep Show

Chicago Bulls: Chicago assistant coach Bill Berry said Donyell Mashall was playing defense to which Marshall took offense. In fact, if Jalen Rose hadn't stepped in, they would have been fighting right there on the floor with 1:55 to go in the third quarter of Wednesday night's game. "That's just something you can't have," Rose told the Chicago Tribune. "Incidents like that sometimes take away from the team concept. If he had been in the game, I think we would have won." Marshall was never put back in the game and the Bulls lost to Orlando, 94-91. "Players and coaches sometimes see things differently," Marshall said. "I don't control the subbing," Marshall said. "I can't put myself in the game. Obviously, I would like to always play. But that's not my decision."

Houston Rockets: Glen Rice lasted 10 minutes in Thursday's practice before his sore shoulder gave out. "I can't afford to rush into it right now," Rice told the Houston Chronicle. "It's really hard to determine how far I've got. The true test will be when I'm able to practice more." Rice hasn't played since hurting Jan. 11 and refuses to have season-ending surgery on the left shoulder. "I look at the team this year, and we're so much more improved," Rice said. "You want to be out there. And you want to be able to do what you can to help get the team to the next level. And it can't be done on the sidelines."

Denver Nuggets: Point guard Chris Whitney is ready, willing and able but team doctors may have something to say about his latest announcement on his left ankle. "If it's healed sufficiently, I'll be back out there," Whitney told the Rocky Mountain News. "It feels good. I think I can go out there and play [against the Nets]." Doctors will take one more MRI on Monday morning before the Nuggets release John Crotty to make space for Whitney on the roster. Meanwhile, Juwan Howard will miss tonight's game to attend an uncle's funeral in Chicago before returning to play in Saturday's game.

Los Angeles Clippers: Andre Miller is out for tonight's game against the Timberwolves but Eric Piatkowski is in. Miller returned to Los Angeles to attend the funeral of his stepfather and will join the team in time for Sunday's game. Piatkowski will be activated today from the injured reserve list for an abdominal strain. Michael Olowokandi is also expected to miss tonight's game due to a bruised right thigh.

Assistant mum on flap with Marshall

K.C. Johnson / Chicago Tribune

Rice's shoulder not ready to go

Megan Manfull / Houston Chronicle

Nuggets slowly prove skeptics wrong

Chris Tomasson / Rocky Mountain News

Eager-to-play Whitney awaits medical verdict on bone bruise

Chris Tomasson / Rocky Mountain News

Piatkowski Set to Return

Elliott Teaford / Los Angeles Times

[JTFan31]

Thank you very much weasel for the insiders post. I read all of them every day. There was a section on East and West trade rumors on insiders, do you think u can post that here please. I would greatly appreciate it and so will every one else. Again Thank you Weasel.

[Teeareess]

On both the Thanks and the request.

Might not say so everyday, but a lot of us read and enjoy these posts. Thanks for taking the time!

[Guest]

appreciate the thanks guys -

Nuggets change their tune on Camby

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Marcus Camby

Nuggets

Sonics? Lakers? Bulls? Jan. 23 - Maybe Marcus Camby isn't going anywhere after all. After a month of trade speculation swirling around the fragile center, the Denver Post is reporting that the Nuggets have contacted Camby's agent about a potential three year extension. "It's something I have to look into when the time is right," said Camby, whose status is day to day after spraining his right ankle Friday in his Nuggets debut against Cleveland. "They've definitely expressed interest to my representation. It's something I am definitely interested in. It shows their commitment to me. They've been bending over backward for me and trying to make sure that I'm all right. You want to be surrounded by people like that. I haven't even played double digits in minutes yet they still think so highly about me and my game. I like to be around people like that."

Why would the Nuggets trade him? They wouldn't mind getting his deal off their cap. With teams like the Sonics, Bulls and Lakers looking for help down low, Camby, if he's really healthy, would be a big coup. Not only is he a legit all-star when he isn't injured, his contract is pretty reasonable. He has only two more years on his contract, and one of those is a team option.

Despite his most recent comments, Camby sure acted like he was angling for a trade. He admitted last week that he's unhappy in the current situation and wouldn't mind being shipped off to a contender. "I'm an East Coast guy," Camby told the Denver Post. "I grew up in Connecticut, went to school in Massachusetts and played the majority of my pro career in New York. Coming out West in itself has been a big adjustment for me. My whole life is on the East Coast. I'm basically out here by myself. No family or nothing."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Shareef Abdur Rahim

Hawks

Lakers, Sonics, Bulls, Heat, Spurs, Nuggets Jan. 21 - Sagging attendance and sagging AOL/Time Warner stock could force Hawks president Stan Kasten to sell off his stars for more cap room. According to Chicago Tribune, just about everyone is available, with the Hawks preferring to land players whose contract will be expiring so they can get under the salary cap and start over. Look for Abdur Rahim to be the big prize.

Who would be interested? What about the Lakers, who have roughly $11.3 million in salaries they could dump? Or the Sonics, who could send a package of Kenny Anderson and Vladimir Radmanovic? The Sonics almost dealt Gary Payton for Abdur-Rahim two seasons ago. Could they get him for much less now? The Bulls have been searching for veteran help and have plenty of young players -- Jamal Crawford, Marcus Fizer -- to trade. If the Cavs really want to start winning now, a combination of Tyrone Hill and Darius Miles from the Cavaliers could jump start the process.

And don't forget the Heat, Nuggets and Spurs. Abdur-Rahim is better than almost any free agent those teams could land this summer. The Heat have Alonzo Mourning's salary they could use to acquire Abdur-Rahim. The Nuggets have Juwan Howard's. And the Spurs have Hawks favorite Steve Smith's to play with. If these teams were willing to take on another unwieldly contract (like Henderson's or Mohammed's) and throw in a prospect or a draft pick, would the Hawks do the deal?

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Austin Croshere

Pacers

Lakers, Sonics, Sixers, Hornets Jan. 17 - The Pacers are working the phones trying to find a home for Croshere or Ron Mercer. They need to get at least one of those salaries off the books to have a realistic shot at signing Jermaine O'Neal, Reggie Miller and Brad Miller this summer. They'd prefer to move Croshere, who has struggled to get playing time because of the team's depth at forward. O'Neal, Artest, Al Harrington and Bender are eating up all of his minutes right now and the Pacers would love to clear that logjam. They'd also love to dump the five years and $38 million remaining on his contract. If the Pacers could move Croshere this fall, they'd clear an additional $7.6 million from the cap.

Several teams, including the Lakers, Sonics and Hornets, have shown some interest in Croshere. His ability to play both the inside and outside game would be attractive to a team like the Lakers, who need help on the boards on the defensive end but like to spread the floor on offense. He's basically a younger, stronger version of Robert Horry. Would the Lakers ship off Horry to the Pacers for Croshere and a pick? Even a combination of Samaki Walker, Tracy Murray and Mark Madsen would do the trick if the Lakers can't stomach losing Horry. The Sonics (for Kenny Anderson), the Sixers (for Derrick Coleman), the Hornets (for P.J. Brown) and the Cavs (for Tyrone Hill) are other teams the Pacers will be calling the next six weeks.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Tyrone Hill

Cavs

Magic, Sonics, Lakers Jan. 15 - Can Tyrone Hill help a contender? He's wondering the same thing right now. Hill was recently benched by coach John Lucas to make way for younger players, despite leading the team in rebounding at 9.1 rpg. "Who would be happy?" Hill told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I've done everything [the organization] has wanted me to do since training camp. If they want to put me on the bench, that's their choice. I'm not a young guy anymore, and I wish they'd take that into consideration."

Hill will be an attractive commodity as we head toward the deadline. Hill's in the last year of a contract worth $6 million. Coach John Lucas said Hill, a 13-year veteran, was put into a tough situation because of the team's commitment to developing younger players. "I'm playing the younger guys and obviously that's not going to go well [with veterans]," Lucas told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Hill's in a contract year and I'm sensitive to that. But Tyrone's been a professional throughout all of this."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Gary Payton

Sonics

Pacers

Blazers

Hawks

Bucks

T-Wolves

Warriors Jan. 14 - The Sonics are reeling and team president Wally Walker acknowledged Monday that the team is listening to trade offers, including ones for veteran Gary Payton. "To say that we're listening, that means that there are people out there that might have some interest in our players," GM Rick Sund told the Seattle Times. "I told our players this: No one is untouchable. No one, and that's true."

Payton is in the final year of a seven-year deal and becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season. Payton's agents made claims before the season about their unwillingness to re-sign with Seattle after overtures for a contract extension were denied. Even though team owner Howard Schultz has reiterated that he wants Payton to retire a Sonic, the writing on the wall is becoming clear in Seattle -- the Sonics aren't ready to compete right now for a championship. That means anyone not named Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason is expendable.

Who would be interested? The Pacers are obviously at the top of the list, but they no longer have the players to get a great deal done. Jamaal Tinsley is available, but the Sonics would have to eat the contracts of Austin Croshere and Ron Mercer to make that happen. The Sonics aren't willing to give up all of that for a guy who infuriated management close to the draft by refusing to work out for them.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Kwame Brown

Wizards

Clippers, Magic, Bulls, Blazers Jan. 13 - Much was made last week about the Magic's offer of two first-round draft picks for Kwame Brown. The Wizards shot the offer down. Apparently, the Magic aren't taking no for an answer. The latest, according to the Orlando Sentinel, has the Magic possibly throwing in Mike Miller to sweeten the deal. Gabriel believes that Brown is a star in the making and just needs to be free of Jordan's stifling influence to blossom. If they cannot get Brown, the Magic also like forward Etan Thomas -- at the right price.

Brown said he is bothered by the recent wave of reports that have him mentioned in trade talks. "I get phone calls from people who say. 'You're getting traded,' " Brown told the Washington Post. "I get frustrated hearing it. To hear that, it's like 'They don't want me?' " Brown said he has been assured that he won't be dealt. Coach Doug Collins told the Washington Post last week that the team is not contemplating a significant trade or roster move (read trading Kwame Brown) that would sacrifice the development of its young nucleus for a potential playoff run or to appease Michael Jordan in his last NBA season. "People are always going to speculate, but Kwame's been better every game. We're not trading Kwame," Collins said. However a Wizards told the Post that although they do not want to ship Kwame Brown, they would at least think about a deal if they could acquire another young, big player, such as Clippers forward Elton Brand.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Darius Miles

Cavs

Bulls

Raptors Jan. 13 - Coach John Lucas continues to fuel speculation that Darius Miles may be gone. The play of Ricky Davis and rookie Dajuan Wagner continue to make Miles look like a third wheel. "I'm not sold the three of them can play together," Lucas said. So far, Davis and Wagner have been at their best with undrafted Smush Parker at point guard. "I understand when Smush is on the court, the other two perform better," Lucas said of Davis and Wagner. "But I didn't trade my best player [Andre Miller] to allow Smush to operate better."

While there's no truth to the rumor that he's heading to Toronto for Vince Carter, the Bulls have been looking for a new home for Jamal Crawford ever since Jay Williams landed in their laps. He'd be a great fit in Cleveland. With the 6-foot-2 Wagner playing at the two, the Cavs need a big point guard to help out defensively. Crawford has the skills and athleticism that Lucas has been looking for in his point guard. On the Chicago side, GM Jerry Krause has coveted Miles since draft night. If the Bulls throw in a protected No. 1 pick, would the Cavs pull the trigger?

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Jamal Crawford

Bulls

Cavs

Warriors

Magic

Sonics

Knicks

Wizards Jan. 13 - Crawford said he's prepared to head back to the bench, once Jay Williams returns from injury, but he has a hard time figuring out how Williams has beat him out for the job. "I know I can be a starter in this league," Crawford told the Chicago Tribune. "I started last year and we were 4-2. I just have to keep playing and accept my role. But I think we play well when I'm in the lineup." If nothing else, Crawford's recent run is improving his trade value. However, GM Jerry Krause continues to insist that Crawford's not going anywhere. "I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not interested in trading him," Krause said.

Still, there should be plenty of interest. Crawford has been mentioned in rumors that have him going to the Cavs as part of a Darius Miles package, to the Warriors in exchange for Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the Magic, along with Marcus Fizer, for Mike Miller.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Todd MacCulloch

Sixers

Knicks, Sonics, Blazers Jan. 10 - According to the New York Daily News, the Sixers are shopping MacCulloch around the league. The Knicks are one of several teams the Sixers have contacted to see if there's an interest. MacCulloch, who makes $4.9 million this season, has another four years left on his contract after this season. The Knicks have been out searching for a legitimate big man for several years.

Other teams that have shown an interest in MacCulloch in the past may be more willing to cut a deal. The Sonics have coveted him for some time and may be willing to do a deal if the Sixers take one of their useless big men (Calvin Booth, Vitaly Potapenko) off their hands. The Blazers have also been combing the catacombs for another big body in the middle and pursued MacCulloch when he was a free agent two summer ago. They might be willing to part with one of their extra point guards (Antonio Daniels or Jeff McInnis) or even swingman Ruben Patterson.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Kenny Anderson

Sonics

Heat, Pacers, Bucks, Raptors, Warriors, Grizzlies, Wizards Jan. 9 - Sonics coach Nate McMillan is getting sick of the Sonics lack of low post play and the constant complaining for guard Kenny Anderson. "I've got two free-agent point guards who want minutes," McMillan, speaking of Gary Payton and Anderson told the Seattle Post Intelligencer, "and I've got five big men who all play with a similar style. Until we make some moves, this is what we're going to have to work with."

The Sonics have the silver bullet when it comes to trade talks. Anderson, who makes $9 million a year, is in the last year of his contract. His trade value as high as just about any all-star in the league. Teams like the Heat, Pacers, Bucks, Raptors, T-Wolves, Warriors, Grizzlies and Wizards would bend over backwards to get their hands on him. Not only does Anderson have the ability to help a team in the playoff hunt right now, he almost guarantees that it'll be a player in the hot 2004 free-agent market.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Damon Stoudamire

Blazers

Knicks?? Jan. 9 - Stoudamire, who's buried at the end of the bench in Portland, is praying that the Knicks come and rescue him. "I would love to play here," Stoudamire told the N.Y. Post. "New York has always been the Mecca of basketball to me, and if that would happen, I would look forward to that." During a break in Sunday night's Blazers-Knicks action, fans behind the Portland bench began begging for Stoudamire to get traded to the Knicks. "I'll stay in your dog house to get here," Stoudamire reportedly said. Stoudamire told the Oregonian this weekend that he believes his benching is a directive from the office of team president Bob Whitsitt, not coach Maurice Cheeks.

Don't expect the Knicks to bite. The emergence of second-round pick Milos Vujanic, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Yugoslavia, should give the team its point guard of the future when he joins the Knicks next season. Vujanic is not only the best point guard in Europe right now, he's Europe's best player period. Since the Knicks will be able to sign him at a relative bargain, don't expect them to create more problems by adding another point guard to the mix.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Robert Horry

Lakers

Grizzlies, Bucks, Heat, Pacers Jan. 8 - Over the past few seasons, the Lakers have been stubborn when it comes to trade talk. "That's not the case this year," GM Mitch Kupchak told the L.A. Times. Kupchak would not say he is shopping players, only that he is listening and mulling the possibilities. "Yes, there have been conversations regarding personnel," he said. "As we get closer to the February deadline, there will be more."

Despite all the commentary to the contrary, the Lakers do have assets. Robert Horry is basically in the last year of his contract because of a team option on his final season. Samaki Walker, Tracy Murray and Mark Madsen are also in the last year of their deals. In the NBA, there is no better currency. Combine their salaries and the Lakers have $11.3 million in very marketable assets.

If Kupchak can convince owner Jerry Buss to spend the money, and if he can talk Jackson into shaking up the roster, the Lakers can be players. How great would Brian Grant look in Laker gold? Or what about Tim Thomas? Or a combination of Toni Kukoc and Anthony Mason? The Pacers would part with Austin Croshere and Ron Mercer. And some combination of Stromile Swift and Lorenzen Wright may fit the bill in Memphis as Jerry West tries to get his team under the cap.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Raef LaFrentz

Mavs

Knicks Jan. 7 - Forget about the latest report in the New York Daily News claiming that the Knicks are in hot pursuit of Mavs big man Raef LaFrentz. LaFrentz signed a seven-year, $69 million contract last summer, making him a base-year compensation player. For trading purposes, LaFrentz makes $7.2 million this season, but the Mavs can only take back $3.6 million in return.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Jason Terry

Hawks

Heat? Blazers? Jan. 6 - A rumor published in the N.Y. Post had the Hawks putting Terry on the trading block. According to the report, the Heat (dangling Eddie Jones) and Blazers are interested in Terry. While GM Pete Babcock denied on Sunday that they were shopping Terry, he didn't rule out the possibility of trading him. "No question, we're talking," Babcock said. "Anything that makes us a better team now and for the future and makes sense financially will be considered and is being considered. But I can tell you that we do not feel that we have to move certain players. And certainly Jason is not being shopped."

Heat coach Pat Riley was also quick to shoot down the rumor. "Bulls---. That's all I'm going to say. It's absolute bulls---," Riley told the Sun Sentinel on Sunday. "You can quote me on that."

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Brian Grant

Heat

Sonics, Bulls Jan. 6 - The Heat may not be talking trade with the Hawks, but coach Pat Riley is trying to find a new home for either Grant or Eddie Jones. The Heat need to move one of the two players to get far enough under the cap to make a run at a top tier free agent this summer. The most prominent rumor making the rounds in front offices around the league has the Heat and Sonics talking about a swap that would send Grant and Anthony Carter to the Sonics in return for Kenny Anderson (in the last year of his contract) and Calvin Booth. Sources inside both clubs would not confirm the talks to Insider.

The Sonics don't really miss Vin Baker, but they do miss having a tough defender in the paint. Grant, one of the all-time NBA nice guys, would fit in perfectly into the Sonics system. Carter only has one year remaining on his deal after this season, and would provide backup for the Sonics should Payton come up lame. The Heat, by pulling the trigger on the deal, would clear an additional nine million off the books for this summer. The only downside for the Sonics at this point, is the loss of flexibility. If the team keeps Anderson, they'll clear the nine million off their books and be in a position to make a run at a top free agent like Kidd of Elton Brand. However, if the plan is to re-sign Payton anyway, why bother. He's use up any additional cap room the team would have anyway.

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Vince Carter

Raptors

Cavs

everyone Dec. 31 - A report from the Toronto Sun has the Raptors and Cavs talking about a a trade that would send Vince Carter to Cleveland in return for Darius Miles and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. According to the Sun, Carter isn't happy in Toronto and there is now an uneasiness between him and the franchise. Players and members of the team's basketball staff, according to the report, believe Carter has not worked hard enough during his rehab and has not practiced hard when he's healthy. Carter has played in only 10 games this season for the Raptors.

The Raptors laughed off the rumor on Monday. "There is absolutely no truth to that story whatsoever," general manager Glen Grunwald told the Toronto Star. The deal also doesn't work salary wise. Carter earns $10,067,750 this season, while Ilgauskas and Miles combine to make $15,642,960. That could be fixed if the Raptors threw a retiring Hakeem Olajuwon into the deal. However, Carter is a base-year player this season, meaning that the Raptors could take back only about $5 million of his salary in any deal.