Basketball: NBA Rumors (June 04)

Hill says trade is on verge
Florida Today

"Grant Hill thinks that the much-debated trade involving All-Star guards Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis and others is finally going to happen. Hill, in Houston on Saturday displaying his extensive African-American art collection at Texas Southern University, told Houston TV station KTRK that he's been informed by Orlando Magic management that the deal should become official any day now."

Howard ready to go, but so is T-Mac
Florida Today

"Steve Francis, the key piece of compensation in a potential trade with Houston, has held an in-depth conversation with Magic management, suggesting that a deal might be imminent. But as he did with Thursday's drafting of Howard, Magic general manager John Weisbrod continues to keep all discussions shrouded in mystery."

Heat made call to Magic
Miami Herald

"The Heat called Orlando about Tracy McGrady, but a package of Eddie Jones, Caron Butler and the No. 19 pick isn't as attractive as Houston's offer of Steve Francis and others."

Kobe could sign with Clippers
Los Angeles Times

" Hard as it may be to believe, the assumption the Lakers locked Bryant up by letting Phil Jackson go and putting O'Neal on the block is wrong. People close to Bryant say he hasn't committed himself to the Lakers and is still actively considering the Clippers."

Shaq Won't Keep Pacers
New York Post

" A week ago, the Pacers were informed Shaquille O'Neal had them on a short list of teams he'd eagerly embrace should the Lakers comply with his wish to be traded. A couple days ago they were deleted. Shaq has whittled the group down to the southern or southwest franchises with guaranteed good weather, reveals one of his peeps. 'I truly believe the Lakers are out there seriously listening to offers,' said a Western Conference executive, 'but I don't believe they'll pull the trigger on anything anytime soon."

Francis to meet with Magic GM
Houston Chronicle

The Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen reports that Rockets guard Steve Francis is expected to meet with Magic GM John Weisbrod today. Although Francis was upset when he learned that he could be included in a trade for Tracy McGrady, he now says that he is "cool about everything".


Does Webber want to move to L.A.?
Newsday

Newsday columnist Jon Heyman writes that Chris Webber has hinted that he may be willing to join the Lakers. The Kings could package Webber and Mike Bibby in a deal for Shaquille O'Neal.


Nets may not be able to afford to keep Big Three together
New York Post

The Nets may have to break up their Big Three. Sources told the Post's Fred Kerber that the Nets may have to part with Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin or Richard Jefferson if they fail to unload Kerry Kittles and his bloated contract.


Bulls could start shopping Curry
Chicago Tribune

Tribune columnist Sam Smith believes that Bulls center Eddy Curry may be the "big name in the summer trade market". The Bulls could ship Curry to Memphis, Denver, Portland, Dallas, Seattle, Indiana, New York or Miami.


Jackson unlikely to re-sign with Hawks
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It doesn't look like Stephen Jackson will be back with the Hawks next season. The Journal-Constitution's Michael Lee reports that Jackson could land with the Spurs, Pacers, Bulls or Blazers.

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Just wondering are the Lakers above the Luxury tax right now. I don't think that there are many other teams in the league that could afford to take Shaq, without going over, so he may stay in LA

Lakers are 'poison' to Shaq
Los Angeles Times

The Times' Tim Brown reports that the Lakers may not be able to convince Shaquille O'Neal to stay in L.A. One source said that Shaq wants to bolt "because the environment there is poison".


Nets may hold on to Big Three
Newark Star-Ledger

The Nets may not have to trade Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin or Richard Jefferson after all. Although Nets CEO Rod Thorn would like to get the team under the luxury tax threshold, he told the Star-Ledger's Brad Parks that "it's not something that's necessarily going to have to be done this year".


Nuggets should target Nash, Curry
Denver Post

Post columnist Mark Kiszla thinks that the Nuggets should try to sign Steve Nash. Kiszla also suggests that the Nuggets pass on Kenyon Martin and pursue Eddy Curry instead.


Is Crawford a match for Bulls?
Chicago Tribune

The Tribune's K.C. Johnson reports that the Knicks, Nuggets, Sonics, Bobcats, Suns, Jazz and Clippers could make bids for Bulls restricted free agent Jamal Crawford.

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Suns have money to burn
Arizona Republic

The Republic's Paul Coro reports that Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Mehmet Okur, Vlade Divac, Adonal Foyle, Brent Barry, Troy Hudson, Derek Fisher, Emanuel Ginobili and Quentin Richardson could all be on the Suns' free agent wish list.


Nuggets may go on shopping spree
Denver Post

The Post's Marc J. Spears and Adam Thompson report that the Nuggets could have around $23 million to spend on free agents. The Nuggets will likely throw money at Kenyon Martin, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili and Marcus Camby.


K-Mart set to hit market
Newark Star-Ledger

The Star-Ledger's Brad Parks reports that Kenyon Martin will become a restricted free agent on Thursday. Although the Jazz, Hawks, Suns, Spurs, Pistons, and Clippers will all have enough cap room to sign Martin, the Nuggets appear to have the best shot at making him an ex-Net.


Shaq trade unlikely
San Jose Mercury News

Mercury News columnist Skip Bayless doubts that the Lakers will trade Shaquille O'Neal. Bayless writes that unloading Shaq would be as "historically stupid as the Red Sox shipping Babe Ruth to the Yankees".


Ginobili may visit other teams
San Antonio Express-News

The Express-News' Johnny Ludden reports that Spurs guard Manu Ginobili plans to "explore his free-agency options". The Nuggets and Suns could both make runs at the restricted free agent.

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