RUMOR HAS IT…

In this week's section geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around the NBA …

Brad Miller: On Wednesday night 32-year old center Brad Miller turned back the clock - helping the Sacramento Kings beat the Golden State Warriors 135-133 in overtime.

Miller played almost 52 minutes, contributing 30 points and 22 boards.

Brad has been long rumored to be on the trading block considering his age and salary.  In addition to the $11.4 million he's earning for the current season, Miller is set to make $12.3 million next year.

Considering Sacramento is just 10-30, look for Brad Miller to be one of the most talked about names as the trade deadline inches ever closer.

Miller has been linked to the Chicago Bulls for guard Larry Hughes, who (like Brad) has a second, high-dollar year left on his contract.  That may or may not be an appealing option for the Kings depending on what kind of talent they can acquire from Chicago in addition to Hughes.

The Chicago rumors have been relatively quiet lately - perhaps Sacramento is looking in a little bit closer to the East Coast.

While this has yet to be confirmed, the Kings might be an ideal suitor for exiled point guard Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks.

In addition to bolstering one of the Kings' weaker positions, a Marbury trade could provide Sacramento with enormous salary cap flexibility this summer.

The Knicks would prefer to trade Stephon and are looking for players with two-year deals to field a somewhat competitive roster for the 2009/10 season - but more importantly have as much cap space as possible to go shopping for a banner crop of free agents.

Miller's passing ability and face up game would be a nice fit in Coach Mike D'Antoni's system.  The Knicks would be able to cash out a disgruntled player for a very workable center.

Based on simple economics - can the Kings even refuse an offer of Marbury for Kenny Thomas and Miller?

Thomas has been languishing on the Kings bench for years.  His contract finally runs out conveniently before the summer of 2010.

Based on their current roster, Sacramento projects to be over the cap come July.  If they were bold enough to make a deal for Marbury - they'd be able to chop off $21 million from their books next season.

Additionally forward/center Mikki Moore is only guaranteed $2 million of his final $6.2 million (for 2009/10) and the retired Shareef Abdur-Rahim's $6.6 million will be expunged from the team's salary number as well.

Count on the Kings to land a high draft pick and they would still find themselves armed with some $18-$20 million in cap room this summer.

Whether they decide to go shopping immediately or parlay that into a number of smaller moves as they too look to cash in on the 2010 crop . . . that'd be for the Kings to decide.  Flexibility is the name of the game.

Some of the bigger names in 2009 could include Kobe Bryant, ex-King Hedo Turkoglu, Carlos Boozer, Shawn Marion, Mehmet Okur, Allen Iverson, Lamar Odom, Andre Miller, Jamal Crawford, Chris Wilcox, Jason Kidd and many others.  Sacramento might also be in a position to make a sizable offer to a restricted free agent like David Lee, Marvin Williams, Raymond Felton or Charlie Villanueva.

Cap room can also be a valuable trade tool as the Los Angeles Clippers were able to attain forward/center Marcus Camby for a conditional second-round pick.

Brad Miller is not an easy talent to part with and Stephon Marbury certainly comes with his share of baggage - but it's a move that could very well be the key to financial freedom for the Sacramento Kings.

Clippers Aren't Dumping Talent: General Manager and Head Coach Mike Dunleavy was adamant Wednesday night that the Los Angeles Clippers are not looking to break up a team that they feel could have won 50 games this season were they healthy.

"Why would you take a chance when you potentially could have the best front line in basketball?" asked Dunleavy.

He went on to praise the chemistry between Camby and forward Zach Randolph - as well as Camby and center Chris Kaman.  He also anticipates that Kaman and Randolph will fit together - likening it to the pairing of Kaman with ex-Clipper Elton Brand.

Considering how well rookie guard Eric Gordon has played for Dunleavy - the team isn't looking to acquire an expensive, aging two-guard (a la Vince Carter).

Obviously health is a priority for the Clippers and an issue they've faced since the opening day of training camp.  At worst the team final comes together on the court and starts to build chemistry for a more successful 2009/10 season.

Additionally, Camby told Ramona Shelburne of the LA Daily News that "I'm here for the long haul."

Camby's name is a popular one but the Clippers simply aren't putting the player Dunleavy called the team's MVP on the market.

Whether the Clippers are right about this - or in denial - is subjective.  What matters is the decision makers believe in the squad they already have . . . so take any and all Clipper rumors with an enormous grain of salt.

Chris Mullin Going Home?  The Golden State Warriors have recently restructured internally which has left Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin on the outs.

Mullin is essentially a lame duck with an expiring contract and little to no chance that he'll return.

Common speculation has him picking up with the New York Knicks - but a source with knowledge of the situation says that Mullin is taking a more roundabout way home.

Chris was born in Brooklyn, New York - the Knicks play in Manhattan.

Word is Mullin will join up with friend Kiki Vandeweghe, General Manager of the New Jersey Nets. 

While it's unclear exactly what title Mullin would hold with the Nets - the position is said to be waiting for him.

The Nets still have every intention to move to New York.

Which borough? 

Well Brooklyn of course . . .