Basketball: NBA Rumors

Originally posted by TRD
Hornets to interview Hill
New Orleans Times-Picayune

The Times-Picayune's Jimmy Smith and John Reid report that the Hornets are expected to interview Nets assistant Brian Hill for their head coaching vacancy today. Both Rudy Tomjanovich and George Karl have dropped out of the running for the job.

Hill was good with the Magic, I think he'd do a good job getting the Nornets outta thier slump.

if the pistons goto the finals look for wallace to re sign

Originally posted by Ben
if the pistons goto the finals look for wallace to re sign

I think they have gone far enough that Coach Brown can talk him into staying for a hile, to see what they can accomplish in a whole year together. Unless the Knicks come with real big money...

Top pick could help Magic keep McGrady
Florida Today

The Magic may have a better chance of convincing Tracy McGrady to stick around if they land the draft's top pick. Magic senior VP Pat Williams told Florida Today's John Denton that "if things break well for us, Tracy might be as happy as we are".


Bulls may put Chandler on block
Chicago Tribune

The Tribune's K.C. Johnson reports that the Bulls may start shopping Tyson Chandler. If the Bulls end up with the No. 1 pick, they could draft Emeka Okafor and deal Chandler.


Cavs could target Barry, Kirilenko
Akron Beacon Journal

The Cavaliers may go shopping for a point guard and a forward in the offseason. Beacon Journal columnist Terry Pluto writes that Brevin Knight, Brent Barry, Stephon Jackson and Andrei Kirilenko may all be on the Cavs' wish list.


Carter wants Raptors to give Dr. J a shot
Toronto Sun

The Sun's Bill Harris reports that Julius Erving is Vince Carter's choice to be Raptors' new GM. Carter believes that Dr. J "would bring credibility and a lot of great things to this organization".


Nuggets' Bzdelik feeling good
Denver Post

Coach Jeff Bzdelik isn't letting speculation about his job status sour him on GM Kiki Vandeweghe and the Nuggets. Bzdelik told the Post's Marc J. Spears that "I feel really good about my situation and feel really good about the organization".

Originally posted by TRD
Top pick could help Magic keep McGrady
Florida Today

The Magic may have a better chance of convincing Tracy McGrady to stick around if they land the draft's top pick. Magic senior VP Pat Williams told Florida Today's John Denton that "if things break well for us, Tracy might be as happy as we are".
Cavs could target Barry, Kirilenko
Akron Beacon Journal

The Cavaliers may go shopping for a point guard and a forward in the offseason. Beacon Journal columnist Terry Pluto writes that Brevin Knight, Brent Barry, Stephon Jackson and Andrei Kirilenko may all be on the Cavs' wish list.

With the #1 pick things just might be looking up for the Magic.

And I sure hope that the Jazz can find a way to hang on to Kiralinko, he was the best player this past year.

Bulls should trade pick for veteran
Chicago Tribune

Tribune columnist Sam Smith writes that the Bulls could try to trade their first-round pick for Wally Szczerbiak, Antawn Jamison, Shane Battier, Al Harrington or Shareef Abdur-Rahim. If the Bulls can't deal for a veteran, Smith suggests that they trade down from the third spot and select Oregon's Luke Jackson.


Bobcats may move up to No. 1
Charlotte Observer

Bobcats GM Bernie Bickerstaff thinks that he may be able to strike a deal with the Magic or the Clippers for one of the draft's top two picks. Bickerstaff told the Observer's Rick Bonnell that "if these teams could get veteran help to improve their position, they'd listen".


Jazz thinking about moving up
Deseret News

The News's Tim Buckley reports that the Jazz may trade up in the draft. The Jazz could try to deal the 14th, 16th and 21st picks for the 6th, 7th or 8th pick.


Ostertag could sign with Mavericks
Dallas Morning News

The Morning News's Eddie Sefko reports that Jazz center Greg Ostertag would like to suit up for the Mavericks next season. Ostertag says that it would be his "ultimate dream to play in Dallas".


Scott waiting for word from Hornets
New Orleans Times-Picayune

The Hornets have put former Nets coach Byron Scott on hold. The Times-Picayune's Jimmy Smith and John Reid report that Scott, who interviewed for the Hornets' head coaching job last week, has yet to hear back from the team.

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I don't see why the Jazz would want to move up, I can't think of a player, except Okafor, who would be worth it in this draft.

I saw that Scott has agreed in principle to coach the hornets nest

Originally posted by Gibbs Baby!!!
I don't see why the Jazz would want to move up, I can't think of a player, except Okafor, who would be worth it in this draft.

No kidding. Compared to last year's LeBron, Carmelo, Dwayne Wade draft this year's NBA draft is a real downer.

McGrady may spurn Magic for Lakers or Spurs
Florida Today

Florida Today's John Denton reports that Tracy McGrady will let the Magic know by July if he plans to stay in Orlando. If McGrady opts out of his contract, he says that he would like to join the Spurs or the Lakers.


Bryant has all the cards
Los Angeles Times

Kobe Bryant may come out on top in his power struggle with Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson. Times columnist Bill Plaschke writes that Bryant "will probably be allowed to approve the coach and maybe the big man" if he re-signs with the Lakers.


Bulls could deal Curry to Grizzlies or Sonics
Chicago Tribune

Tribune columnist Sam Smith writes that center Eddy Curry is the "only real bait the Bulls have". Smith suggests that the Bulls include Curry in a package deal for the Grizzlies' Pau Gasol and Shane Battier or the Sonics' Ray Allen.


Will Wallace re-sign with Pistons?
Detroit News

Rasheed Wallace may be leaning towards re-signing with the Pistons. Wallace told the News' Jim Spadafore that there is a "strong possibility" that he will stay in Detroit.


Okur could break bank in offseason
Detroit Free Press

The Suns, Nuggets and Jazz could all make bids for Pistons restricted free agent Mehmet Okur. Sources told Free Press columnist Drew Sharp that Okur could be in line for a mulityear deal worth as much as $8.5 million per season.

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Originally posted by TRD
McGrady may spurn Magic for Lakers or Spurs
Florida Today

Florida Today's John Denton reports that Tracy McGrady will let the Magic know by July if he plans to stay in Orlando. If McGrady opts out of his contract, he says that he would like to join the Spurs or the Lakers.

Go figure, he wants to join one of the two best teams in the league. I wonder why?


Will Wallace re-sign with Pistons?
Detroit News

Rasheed Wallace may be leaning towards re-signing with the Pistons. Wallace told the News' Jim Spadafore that there is a "strong possibility" that he will stay in Detroit.

Of course he'll stay there, he has fit in well, and he has a coach there whoo he really enjoys.

Ainge checks out Korean phenom
Boston Globe

"Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge traveled to Santa Monica, Calif., to watch a workout Thursday featuring 7-foot-3-inch South Korean Ha Seung-jin."

Cavaliers size up UConn's star
Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Cavs made it known they are seeking a backup point guard. There's a slim chance (Ben) Gordon will be available when the Cavs select at No. 10 but that doesn't stop Gordon from dreaming."

Scott's agent talked to Lakers
Los Angeles Times

"Lewis Katz, the agent for Byron Scott, contacted the Lakers in recent weeks to gauge the team's interest in his client in the event Jackson did not return, according to a Laker source."

Howard a Hawk? It still could happen
Atlanta Journal

"For Knight to acquire the player he covets, he likely would have to convince either the Orlando Magic or the Los Angeles Clippers that a package including Jason Terry and the No. 6 pick is enough to secure one of the top two spots."

Nets mulling Abdur-Rahim
New York Daily News

"According to league sources, the Nets and Portland have discussed swapping Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams for Shareef Abdur-Rahim. While nothing is imminent, the Blazers are looking to trade their unhappy forward, who will receive $14.6 million in the final year of his contract."

T-Mac, talk Shaq into coming back
Orlando Sentinel

"There are some NBA rumors floating around about Shaquille O'Neal trying to talk Tracy McGrady into opting out of his contract after next season and signing with the Lakers. I've got a better rumor: How about T-Mac talking Shaq into opting out of his L.A. contract after next season and signing with the Magic?"

Lakers should swap O'Neal for McGrady, clear cap room for Yao
Chicago Tribune

Tribune columnist Sam Smith writes that the Lakers could trade Shaquille O'Neal to the Magic for Tracy McGrady. Smith also believes that the Lakers may try to sign Yao Ming when he becomes a free agent.


GM's ineptitude could cost Magic McGrady
Orlando Sentinel

Magic GM John Weisbrod may run Tracy McGrady out of Orlando. Sentinel columnist Jerry Brewer writes that Weisbrod will be to blame if the Magic "lose another superstar because of ineptitude".


Bulls may try to acquire Harpring or Harrington
Daily Herald

The Bulls may be in the market for a small forward. Daily Herald columnist Mike McGraw writes that the Jazz's Matt Harpring and the Pacers' Al Harrington could both be on the Bulls' wish list.


Pistons' Wallace needs to be selfish in offseason
Detroit News

News columnist Terry Foster thinks that Rasheed Wallace should take his time before deciding if he will re-sign with the Pistons. Foster advises Wallace to "listen to offers and then be selfish".


Jazz may draft center to replace Ostertag
Deseret News

News columnist Mike Sorensen thinks that the Jazz may let free agent center Greg Ostertag walk. Sorensen suggests that the Jazz draft BYU's Rafael Araujo or Colorado's David Harrison if they lose Ostertag.

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