NBA Pre-Draft Trade Rumors Heating Up
June 5th, 2008 – Dr. Dime
Every year around this time the trade rumors start taking flight with the anticipation of the NBA draft. With the exception of the mid-season trade deadline, there is nothing better than the pre-draft workouts to get NBA team executives thinking long and hard about the future of their franchise and their current roster makeup. The creative juices start flowing in front offices and trade possibilities create ample fodder for NBA media and fans alike.
This year the rumors have probably been more rampant than most with many hot discussions taking place on several trade possibilities. The rumors started flying as soon as the season’s end was upon us. A lot of this was sparked by the musical chairs taking place in the coaching ranks, and the anticipation of the roster moves that may be necessary to accommodate a new coaching style and philosophy.
In no way, shape, or form do The Hoop Doctors believe most of the trade rumors will actually come to fruition. However, we do keep our ear to the ground and every now and then try to hit up our contacts on the business side of basketball for tidbits of what talks might be happening. We are a bit limited in that most of our contacts are in the New York area, but from time to time we get friend of a friend call or email on something that is brewing around the league. We also work hard for you, our readers in monitoring the mainstream and online media sources.
So with that said, as the buzz continues to grow on certain trade scenarios I will let you readers know. Some of the trade possibilities with more audible noise signals we have been hearing as of late are:
Jamal Crawford or Rip Hamilton to the Raptors
Ever since the New York Knicks hired Mike D’Antoni as their new head coach, the talk about town has been who will stay and who will go on the roster before the start of next season. There is no doubt that the new GM Donnie Walsh and new Head Coach Mike D’Antoni will want to put their stamp on this team immediately. I doubt this will mean a fire sale, but it will definitely mean they are working the phones to break up the old New York Knicks and create a new and hopefully much improved version.
Some talk that is starting to pick up steam is the Knicks interest in one of the two starting point guards of the Toronto Raptors. It is fairly clear the Knicks are writing off Stephon Marbury as their point guard of the future. Everyone in the league is aware of the situation in Toronto where their experiment of holding two starting caliber point guards, TJ Ford and Jose Calderon, on the same roster this season failed miserably. With Bryan Colangelo at the helm you can be sure a deal for one of the two point guards will get done before next season. Although Mike D’Antoni would clearly rather Calderon, due to his similarities in playing style to Steve Nash who was the epitome of D’Antoni’s system, most analysts are leaning towards Toronto moving the high energy scoring point guard TJ Ford. Although most teams in the league are going to try to low-ball Toronto on their offers for Ford, their obvious need for a more high profile swingman may lead to a deal Ford. Word on the street is that the Knicks are looking to offer up shooting guard Jamal Crawford and possibly one of their rebounding big men, if the Raptors will send them TJ Ford and one or two expiring contracts. Apparently the Knicks are currently collecting expiring contracts wherever possible so they can make a run at Lebron James in 2010 when he becomes a free agent.
On a lighter note another rumor that may be a bit more far fetched as it would require a couple of “if this happens”, then “this could happen” type situations. There is a rumor circulating that the Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo is trying to get his hands on Richard “Rip” Hamilton to fill their lack of scoring power at shooting guard. What do the Raptors have to offer Detroit? Not too much, but they do have some attractive expiring contracts in Jorge Garbajosa, Joey Graham, Rasho Nesterovic, and Anthony Parker. Considering Detroit and Joe Dumars are looking to rebuild after another Eastern Conference Finals loss, expiring contracts might be valuable to them to go after a big name free agent. In my view however, for this to actually happen the Pistons would have to be in need of a point guard so TJ Ford could be included in the deal to make it legitimate for both parties. If Dumars blows the roster up and moves Billups, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince, then who knows a young scoring point guard like Ford may match up nice with Pistons youth rally, Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson?
Yi Jianlian to the Warriors
I wouldn’t hold my breath, but there has been some discussion as of late whether or not the Golden State Warriors are going to once again go after Yi Jianlian before the draft. You’ll remember last year the Warriors traded Jason Richardson to the Bobcats at draft time to get the Bobcats pick, Brandon Wright. What has since emerged for the Bucks is a conflict at the PF spot where they have two similar players in Charlie Villanueva and Yi. Both are long, athletic, and can step out and shoot it from long range. Charlie V was clearly the better player of the two this year, and the Bucks may want to round out their team by trading Yi to the Warriors for one or two players and their first round draft pick. The Bucks have a good young core, and are one or two pieces away from being playoff bound in the Eastern Conference.
Jermaine O’Neal to the Cavs
Jermaine O’Neal’s representation has been making waves as of late by saying their client expects to be traded this summer, and would prefer that trade be to join the continually rising star Lebron James in Cleveland. Although the trade would surely be welcome by James who so obviously lacked a good offensive supporting cast in the Eastern Conference playoffs, O’Neal’s contract is so bloated it makes him difficult to move. The Cavs have a few expiring contracts they can offer such as Wally Szcerbiak and Eric Snow. The Cavs may even be willing to pay the hefty cash on O’Neal’s contract to get the past All-Star in hopes of showing King James they are committed to helping him get the championship he covets. Although O’Neal has been hurt regularly the past two seasons, word is that he is on the mend and expects to get back to his All-star form before next season. When you think about it, he is not that far removed from being considered regularly in league MVP talks.
Dwayne Wade to the Bulls
When it comes to crazy nonsense in the rumors department, this one has to take the cake. Dwayne Wade to be traded to his hometown Chicago Bulls in exchange for the #1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft + contracts. Although ESPN in this article makes a legitimate case for why the deal may actually be beneficial for the Heat for their future, it’s not going to happen! I would agree that it may indeed be beneficial for both parties, but if for some reason it turned out bad for the Heat they would never be able to shed the label of the team who made the craziest trade in NBA history by trading away Dwayne Wade before he even hits his prime. It’s not going to happen folks! (But I would agree its still fun to think about)
Have you heard a trade rumor lately that might have legs? Share it with our readers in the comments section below!
Great article Hoop Docs! I have also heard that the Knicks might trade Zach Randolph to the Sixers for expiring contracts and swapping draft picks.
[...] a quick note from our boys at The Hoop Doctors, word on the street is that the Raptors and Knicks are having preliminary talks about Jamal [...]
great post! haven’t heard of these trade rumors except for the Wade rumor. Yi will fit the warriors as their game isn’t a “pounding-low-post-big man” based. so being in golden state would higlight Yi’s skills.
Do you really think Dumars will break this Pistons team up?
[...] – The Hoop Doctors [...]
the Pistons are definitely going to rebuild. With expiring contracts of wallace and dyess they are going to have assets to make changes before they get too old. they are starting to look so old and sluggish on offense.
If the pistons trade to raptors, that would be the dumbest thing, unless they can land Chris Bosh. There is no one on that roster that would make Joe D swap his main 20 point scorer a night, in Hamilton, for anyone deserving on that team. They need a low post scorer and Garbosa or anyone else beside Bosh is not going to do it for them.
I heard a new rumor today that the Nuggets are in talks with the Pistons about a deal for Melo. Apparetnly the Pistons realize the mistake they made passing on melo and taking Darko and now want Melo. Maybe for Rip Hamilton and Maxiell. Possibly hometown boy billups.
[...] Crawford to Toronto for TJ Ford? Thehoopsdoctors.com have a bunch of stories detailing some of the rumours floating around the league right now. One [...]
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFFFFF COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOURRRRRRRSE
EXCUSE ME MISTER PLEASE
pene
pacers need to do a major over haul
trade willams/tinsley/oneal/diogu
release harrison,murray.
get players in here that will work with are system.
What about MIchael Redd and Mo Williams to the Heat or the Bulls in exchange for the number 1 or 2 pick. I don’t know but I think it makes sence.
the most likely trade for the pistons would be sheed tay for melo and camby if caps match maybe hayes johnson
I don’t know where the people on this site get their “information” but so much of it is clearly inaccurate, totally made up and outright ridiculous. As a follower of the Detroit Pistons I can’t help but notice all the misinformation.
E.g. “the most likely trade for the pistons would be sheed tay for melo and camby if caps match maybe hayes johnson” Hayes is an unrestricted free agent, which means he’s not “tradeable”…duh. No way the Pistons are going to send both sheed and amir johnson.
Or: “Apparetnly (sic) the Pistons realize the mistake they made passing on melo and taking Darko and now want Melo.” The 2003 draft is ancient history, kept alive by know-nothing fans who try to imply that they are smarter than all the GMs in the league. The Darko pick has nothing to do with anything going on today.
Or: “the Pistons are definitely going to rebuild.” and: “If Dumars blows the roster up…” Joe Dumars has made it very clear that he doesn’t believe in rebuilding. He won’t “blow up” the team or have a “fire sale.” He’ll trade one all-star for another to shake up the team but that’s it.
AI
do you have some form of schizophrenia? I don’t see either of your first two quotes in this post whatsoever.
By the way seems like you are a “know nothing fan” LOL
Keep on tilting that bottle. Dumars will make major moves. And if he doesn’t, the blue-collar Pistons will keep on declining with decreased skill and increased age. Wake up.
so now the cavs think about getting lebron help they should have thought about that this time last year
Merick,
All the quotes I cite are there on the page for you to read/find. In fact I cut and pasted each of them. Here are some clues: The first quote is from Austin June 13th, 2008 at 9:45 pm – immediately above my post. The second is from DaviEs June 9th, 2008 at 1:47 pm. The third is from Blazerboy June 6th, 2008 at 9:11 am. The fourth quote come from the article itself by Anklesnap.
All these comments reflect abject ignorance concerning the Pistons in general and what Joe Dumars has said in particular.
I agree with your first post that the only player on the Raptors roster that the Pistons would be interested in is Bosh – and he’s not available. Btw, it’s “Garbajosa” not “Garbosa,” and his contract was just bought out so he can’t be part of any trade.
Yes, Joe wants to make a major move. But to say the the “Pistons will keep on declining with decreased skill and increased age” is ludicrous after their 59-win season last year – second only to the Celtics in the league – and up from 53 the year before. I’d like to see them “keep on declining” just like that!
Al
Sorry my spelling not good. English is my second language. Pistsons did have good season, but it won’t last forever. And most GMs aren’t satified with good season of wins unless they make the finals. You have to keep improving. Pistons are good, but no chance at title as currently construction.
Merick,
Ok, I agree with you that “you have to keep improving.”
However, this is where we disagree, and I think Joe Dumars disagrees with you as well: The Pistons ARE good enough as currently constructed to win a title and they should have competed for one this year (and the last three years). That’s what’s so frustrating.
The Pistons had the players and the opportunity. They had taken home court away from the Celtics (only team to beat the Celts in Boston in the playoffs) etc. But they had major meltdowns at home in Game 3 and Game 6, similar to their meltdown against the clearly inferior Cavs the year before. Had they risen to the occasion against the Celtics, I have no doubt they would have beaten the Lakers the same way the Celts did – with excellent team defense.
The meltdowns were not because the Pistons didn’t have enough good players or the right players. They were a result of attitude and coaching. Some of the starters just didn’t want it as badly as the Celtics, and the coach would not remove those starters and play the younger players who did have the desire and motivation. Sauncers was like that all season but to an extreme in the playoffs. Solution: get a coach who will play only motivated players (done – Curry) and shake up the core. One trade involving one or at most two core players should do it. The Pistons already have enough youth in Stuckey, Amir Johnson, Afflalo and Maxiell – they just need to play them.
Hey AI,
Do you think that Prince play for Team USA announced is a good thing? Or should he take summer off. He is sort of skinny. I am worried he might get hurt in international play. Less tight foul calls. More rough these days.
Merick,
I don’t think any NBA GMs or coaches like the idea of their players playing in the Olympics due to risk of injury and/or fatigue in the following season. That said, Tayshaun is the one player I would least worry about in those regards. Yes, anyone can get injured, but so far Tay has been extremely durable despite (or because of) his thin build. As for fatigue, Tay will be fatigued at the end of the year regardless unless they find a legitimate backup for him. Key objective this off-season, as it was last off-season. I’m much more comfortable having Tay play in Beijing than Chauncey.
that’s true. Tayshaun has been durable in his career. Billups pretty durable too except this year hurt sometimes.
I think Chris Paul and JKidd will take care of point guard spot anyways for team usa
Yeah, they’re in great shape at PG with Paul, and Kidd, not to mention Deron Williams. But they’re set everywhere. I think Coach K likes having someone like Tayshaun, who plays hard defense, passes very well and only tries to score when needed. Consummate unselfish team player. Quite a contrast with many of the other superstars on the team.
I heard that spurs are going after J.R smith, and Elton brand, and if they do I think spurs might win the championship
Now I hear that if the Pistons cannot get Carmelo than they have also been talking to the Warriors about Baron Davis.
I have heard a few people mention Jermaine O’neal in trade talks. I feel he would be a good fit here in Chicago. If we grab Rose (which feel our need) we can package a deal that can send captain Kirk to the Pacers for O’neal. I have also heard a hinrick thomas package for Shawn Marion. I don’t think he improves our roster. we already have a log Jam of SF as is . Sure he can play the 4, but he would be under sized. Look for Kirk to be moved soon.
melo for jefferson is not a good trade 1 jefferson is injury prone 2 he’s not a scorer like melo, rasheed an rip or rasheed an prince once again prince only fits in a team like DET SPURS GS SUNS they would not help denver last thing i know AI didn’t come 2 denver just 4 them to have it just like phily AI wants 2 play with a star just like himself jefferson rip prince or rasheed is not it if they have to trade melo it has 2 be star 4 star denver needs to look into free agents an keep kleiza jsmith nene kmart camby AI MELO need sg or pg or even sf an move melo to sg if karl cant gett them better mid season let karl go plus staff needs a defensive minded asst.coachan teach melo an smith DEE look melo rebs went up scorering got better all he needs is DEE an stop bein selfish with the ball learn how to creat 4 his team mates jsmith is an upcoming superstar needs more playing time, defence need 2 get better an heat check himself denver can be a top 1-3 team in the wesr just need DEE an sum good players on free agents list an a new defence plays
J.O to T.O = conference finals which they will lose