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In a typical year, the NBA trade deadline falls on the Thursday after the All-Star game, making the weekend a particularly intense time for swap talks. Because of the lockout, though, this year’s trade deadline was pushed back to March 15, giving front-office types 18 post-All-Star days to ponder their moves. That does not mean, however, that the weekend passed without the typical feeler discussions we’d normally see.
Consider the extended version of this year’s trade-rumor season to be underway, then. There is, of course, one very big player overshadowing all of the trade market. But there are also about a dozen teams very conscious of their cap space situation, which could hinder player movement. Still, these are some players to keep an eye on:
Dwight Howard, Magic.
He’s the big fish, and the latest rumor, according to the Orlando Sentinel, has the Lakers back in the mix, sending Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to the Magic, with the Raptors acting as a third party, sending point guard Jose Calderon to Orlando.
The Lakers had disengaged from Howard talks, and have said they won’t trade Gasol and Bynum in exchange for him, but there is, of course, plenty of time for them to re-engage. They don’t have much competition—the Nets have tried to find ways all year to collect enough assets to entice Orlando to trade Howard but had to put those plans on hold with center Brook Lopez, the key to any trade with the Magic, injured. The Knicks have nibbled at the Howard possibility, but would probably have to deal Carmelo Anthony to make it work, and that’s a longshot.
Until Orlando gets a credible offer, the scenario in which Howard finishes out his contract with the Magic and hits free agency in the summer remains the most probable.
Ray Allen, Celtics.
While there has been plenty of focus on Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, **** indicate Allen has generated the most interest from contenders. He is a knock-down perimeter shooter and a veteran who can blend well with any team. Even at age 36, Allen is in great shape and, as a free agent after the season, an easy fit into a team’s books.
The Celtics don’t want to trade Allen, but if they continue to slide and are offered a young piece or a draft pick, making a deal would be hard to resist.
Shawn Marion, Mavericks.
Dallas has played better and gotten itself back into championship form, and Marion remains an important and underrated cog. But if the Mavericks believe they have a chance to land both Howard and Deron Williams in free agency next summer, they have to rid themselves of Marion’s salary now and use the amnesty clause on Brendan Haywood in July.
That, of course, would mean chipping away even more at the defending champs’ roster, which would be difficult given the players the Mavericks already lost and the fact that there’s no guarantee Williams and Howard will come to Dallas.
Stephen Jackson, Bucks.
Jackson has painted himself into a tough corner. He has not gotten along with coach Scott Skiles, and making matters worse, he has struggled badly on the floor, shooting 35.7 percent from the field and 27.8 percent on 3s, averaging just 10.5 points.
Problem is, he is making $9.3 million and has another year on his contract. The Bucks would give him away, if possible.
Nicolas Batum, Blazers.
Portland has two starting-quality small forwards, Batum and Gerald Wallace. Batum will be a restricted free agent next summer after failing to reach a deal with the Blazers on an extension in January. It’s unlikely that Portland will make long-term commitments to both Batum and Wallace, and considering the Blazers’ holes at point guard and in the frontcourt, trading Batum now for some immediate help makes sense.
Batum averages 13.9 points in 27.8 minutes, and shoots 42.3 percent on 3s, and there are plenty of teams that love his potential—he is still only 23.
Jose Calderon, Raptors.
Toronto would like to create cap space, and the easy way to do so would be to shed the $10.5 million Calderon is owed next year, which would free up more than $20 million this summer. The Raptors could use the amnesty clause on Calderon—who has played better and stayed healthy this year—but shuttling him somewhere else for a trade exception or an expiring deal allows Toronto to use amnesty elsewhere.
Michael Beasley, Timberwolves.
Beasley has reestablished some of his value in Minnesota, but ultimately, he is still a tweener and the Timberwolves want to see rookie Derrick Williams on the floor more. The Lakers’ interest in Beasley is real, but Minnesota would like to get something of value in return for him. If all they can get is a trade exception, they’d have to consider it.
