Time To Pack: With the NBA trade deadline approaching, and teams starting to get a real feel for who they are going to be at the 20-game mark there are a few players who should be ready to hear the rumors, and a few more who should start packing for a move to another team in the coming weeks:
David Lee: The Knicks are going nowhere fast, and word from within the team is the locker room is toxic and there is a general "me-first" attitude, and it seems David Lee may not be in head coach Mike D'Antoni's long term plans.
The Knicks were extremely smart in inking Lee to a one-year deal because he is extremely moveable next summer in a sign and trade deal without being a Base Year Compensation player (something he is this year). Lee cannot return the full $7 million he's owed in trade now as the Knicks can only take back 50% of his salary. As a $7 million ending contract, Lee could fetch a better trade asset or be the sweetener to get a longer term contract like Eddy Curry or Jared Jefferies off the book in New York.
Odds of him being moved before the deadline: 60/40
(Note: David Lee, as a player signed to a one-year contract and having his Bird Rights, can also veto a trade if he doesn't like it.)
Monta Ellis: Monta hung 37 points on the Mavericks last night and is clearly the focal point of the Warriors offense; that said he's not happy in Golden State and as long as the Warriors are sticking with Don Nelson, Monta wants out.
He hasn't pulled a Stephen Jackson "demand," but its clear Monta and his agent are pushing for a move and several league sources say Nelson wants to see the move happen as well.
Ellis could return a far better asset than Jackson, who had a terrible contract. The Warriors are not giving Monta away, but if he keeps scoring like he has so far this season the list of teams that would seriously consider him is likely going up.
Odds of him being moved before the deadline: 60/40
Tyrus Thomas: The Bulls should get Thomas back in the next couple of weeks. Thomas broke his arm during a weight training session and has missed nine games so far.
Thomas unfortunately may never become the player he could be in Chicago for a number of reasons. The Bulls have made it clear they plan to be free agent players next summer, meaning Tyrus could see his rights renounced in order to clear space.
The Bulls publicly say they are commitment to Tyrus long term, but league sources say with Taj Gibson playing well in Thomas' absence and the general malaise surrounding Tyrus and head coach Vinny Del Negro, it is almost inevitable Tyrus gets shopped and ultimately moved.
Like the Warriors, Chicago is not giving Tyrus away, they will want real value for Thomas and the next month or so will really establish Tyrus' future in Chicago, if he plays lights out like Joakim Noah has, he'll be a Bull long-term, if he's inconsistent he may see the door.
Odds of him being moved before the deadline: 60/40
Caron Butler: Supposedly Wizards' guards Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas have talked through their differences. That doesn't mean Washington, who sits at 4-9 on the season are going to stay married to this roster.
League sources say the only tradeable assets the Wizards really have is Caron Butler and given the rift between he and the unmovable Gilbert Arenas, Butler is the odd man out.
The Wizards have a payroll north of $79 million, just shy of the NBA luxury tax threshold. If things for the Wizards do not improve in December, you can expect the team is going to try and make a change and Butler is the best chip they have to move.
Odds of him being moved before the deadline: 60/40
Tracy McGrady: Tracy doesn't trust the Rockets and the Rockets don't trust Tracy. There is no long-term future for McGrady in Houston and its clear Tracy may not be on the same page as head coach Rick Adelman.
The Knicks rumors are not baseless; they simply are not where the Rockets are leaning right now. Once Tracy returns to action and proves he still has top-tier ability teams may be more open to giving up real assets for McGrady - right now Houston has been offered junk and bad contracts. A team that might have interest in re-signing Tracy next summer, at a reduced rate of course, might be willing to give up a real asset if they see Tracy playing at a high level again.
The Rockets will not be significant free agent players in the summer of 2010, so landing some assets for McGrady now might be the best course for Houston. They are in absolutely no rush to make a bad deal, and they know that Tracy has a lot to play for.
December will be the month for McGrady. If he plays well and meshes in with his team he may survive the trade deadline, but if he struggles or slows down the progress Houston is making he's likely the easiest player to move.
Odds of him being moved before the deadline: 80/20
There are always other names to mention, the list above are the players most likely moved.
The 20-game mark is always the barometer for NBA teams; you tend to have played enough games to know who you are and where you fit into the grand scheme of the season. The 20-game mark is typically where you see teams embrace the need for change, until then, we'll just have to wait out the schedule.
Artest Talks Knicks: There is little doubt Lakers forward Ron Artest lives in his own world, whether its hanging out in L.A. with random Twitter followers or doing the bizarre (have you see Artest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!?) Artest is generally your guy.
The Queens-born Artest is a New Yorker, he makes that clear at the drop of a hat, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he thinks he has the answer for NBA players and the Knicks.
"Everybody knows how I feel about New York now," said Artest. "I was always trying to get there...I love New York. Maybe when my career is over I can go there and probably do something with the organization or something. I don't know. Maybe coach or something."
"I think people need to stop being scared and go to New York," Artest said to Frank Isola of The Daily News. "They're scared. They're so scared of the pressure and the media. I'm like, pardon my language, but I'm like, --- the media and --- everybody that's putting pressure on you. That's how I would take that."
The reality of the Knicks and the New York market in general is that while its easy to say market size and demographic matter, in the modern age they really don't, especially not in the NBA.
There was a time when going to the Knicks meant you'd earn more money on and off the court, but really those days are gone. The money is flat, the NBA salary cap has made the financial landscape even and the Knicks are no longer able to spend $100 million a season. The endorsement world is radically smaller, reserving big dollar deals exclusively for the big marquee names and those players get their money regardless of where they play.
There are 21.9 million people in the New York, North Jersey, Long Island metro area, and 21.9 million people can turn the smallest of NBA players into stars, just ask Nate Robinson. The allure of New York is not anywhere close to what it used to be.
NBA players love the City, the shopping, the nightlife and the atmosphere. There is no better place to be ridiculously wealthy than New York City. However, when you really look at the environment Madison Square Garden is far from a luxurious modern arena. There is a sense of history for sure, but its still one of the oldest venues in the league. The Knicks practice some 30 miles (almost an hour by car) from where they play. And if you have never been to New York it is a tough place to live and work.
Let's not talk about the media, which is a blessing and a curse. The New York media can make you a celebrity for sure, but they can also make you the villain – ask Scott Layden, Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury.
NBA players are not scared of New York, despite what Ron Artest may believe, they just don't view New York as the crown jewel of the NBA any more for a number of reasons. Until the Knicks get back to being a power team in the playoffs year after year as they were in the 80's and 90's, players see New York as a fun place to visit, just not sure how many players really want to live there.
The Passing of Abe Pollin: The NBA lost another great owner this week when Wizards' owner Abe Pollin died yesterday. Pollin had been battling a rare brain disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy.
It had been decided some time ago that when Abe did eventually pass, minority owner Ted Leonsis would take over ownership of Washington Sports & Entertainment. Leonsis previously bought two of Pollin's teams—the NHL's Washington Capitals and the WNBA's Washington Mystics. Leonsis has the right of first refusal to buy the rest of the Washington Sports and Entertainment Holdings and it is believed he'll close the transaction in the coming weeks.
Pollin bought the Baltimore Bullets in 1964 for $1 million; the franchise is now valued at over $353 million.
From all of us at HOOPSWORLD, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Wizards' family on their loss.
Celtics Pass On Iverson: The Boston Celtics hit a bit of a rough patch recently dropping four of their last eight games, including three of their last five.
Celtics' president Danny Ainge admitted to reporters that his team did have a discussion about free agent Allen Iverson, and whether they thought he'd fit in, in Boston and ultimately decided not to pursue him.
"We have had internal discussions about (Iverson)," Ainge said yesterday to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. "but a decision like this has to be unanimous, and it wasn't."
Ainge admitted his team discussed how Iverson could fit and whether he'd openly accept a reserve role in Boston.
"Those are all things to be considered, but we never got to the point where we discussed them with Allen or his agent," Ainge said.
"He's someone I would definitely consider if I felt we had a need," Ainge said. "But I like the team we have now, and we don't have that need."
Last season the Celtics brought in Stephon Marbury, after he gained his release from the Knicks. At that time Ainge met with his coaches and scouts as well as with his star players Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, who all unanimously endorsed signing Marbury.
That was not the case with Iverson.
"I love Allen Iverson as a player and as a person," explained Celtic captain Paul Pierce. "I have to say no comment on that one."
NBA Chats: There are three NBA Chats slated for today, starting with my weekly NBA Rumors chat at 10am. There are just 85 days until the NBA trade deadline and things are starting to heat up as the 20-game mark approaches. Coach Mike Moreau will host his weekly NBA Chat at 12pm EST. Mike was tough on the Raptors defense this week, so drop your X's and O's questions for Mike, he'll do his best to get to as many as possible. HOOPSWORLD Senior NBA Writer Tommy Beer bring up the late day chat at 8pm EST. There will be no chats on Thursday as our staff celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday, we'll return to a full slate of chats on Friday. You can always find the next chat here: Upcoming HOOPSWORLD Chats.
