The Phoenix Suns have been fishing for another first round draft pick and have been dangling Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa as bait. The latest out of Phoenix is that the Suns may have found their pick. The Suns would reportedly send Diaw to the Toronto Raptors for point guard TJ Ford and the #17 pick.

The primary stumbling block to this rumor is that TJ Ford has been fairly adamant that he wants to start, which is the reason for the trade in the first place. Ford is likely to lose his starting spot to Jose Calderon, and would like to be traded to a situation where he can continue to start. That wouldn't be the case in Phoenix, where unless Steve Nash has some nasty injury Ford would continue to be a reserve. Then there's the fact that Suns GM Steve Kerr is interested in a player he doesn't think will be available when the Suns pick at 15, and the Raptors' #17 pick doesn't help that situation at all.

A more likely move would be for the Suns to send Barbosa to Portland, where the #13 pick is rumored to be in play. While there's a lot of truth to the Blazers wanting to deal picks for players, new head coach (and former Blazer) Terry Porter seems to be leaning towards keeping Barbosa in Phoenix. Barbosa has offered up that he would really like to stay, as well.

It appears there is more work to be done for the Suns to move up in the draft and get their targeted player.

Mullin Keeping Warriors in Tact?

A couple of weeks ago the media in the Oakland area was a buzz with trade possiblities. First and foremost was a Brandon Wright for Yi Jianlian deal, which was getting play in both Milwaukee and the Bay Area. Now Warriors GM Chris Mullin is speaking out, letting anyone who will listen know that he's not dealing Brandan Wright for anyone - even Yi Jianlian, who would draw a huge crowd from San Francisco's considerable Chinese population.

Mullin also took the opportunity to let everyone know that he's going to match any offers that come in for restricted free agents Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins, even if that means matching maximum offers from other teams. Of course max deals for Ellis and Biedrins might cost Mullin the long-term future of Baron Davis. Davis is actively seeking an extension, but the two sides are reportedly miles apart in terms of agreeing to a number.

What's more likely is that Mullin is banking that neither Biedrins nor Ellis will get max offers, or at least hoping to make that a reality by sending out the meme that he will match any and all offers. The truth is that if Ellis and Biedrins both get max offers Mullin will have to choose who to keep. It would be difficult for the Warriors to match two max deals and still offer Davis anything close to what he's asking for - and capable of getting on the open market.

Turiaf Out?

The Lakers are among the teams with some key free agents to either lock up or let walk. Sasha Vujacic has been vocal about his desire to stay in LA, and the improvements he showed over the 2007-08 season should make him very attractive - both to the Lakers and to possible suitors. On the other hand, the Lakers also have to make a decision about Ronny Turiaf, who is expected to get some love and is rumored to be on the short list for the Utah Jazz. Turiaf was huge in the Lakers' upset of the San Antonio Spurs, often stepping up and stopping Tim Duncan when Pau Gasol was unable to do so. Turiaf is also one of the more inspiring stories in the league, having overcome open heart surgery to become a significant factor off the bench for the Western Conference champs.

The Jazz would likely have to buy out Jarron Collins to make room for Turiaf, but $2.1 million seems a small price to pay for such an exchange. The Jazz are a fiscally conservative team, but they also understand that some tweaks are needed to get to the next level - especially in the brutal West. Turiaf is someone who could immediately make the Jazz better (and certainly more physical) on the front line. He might be enough to get them back to the Western Conference Finals next season.

Turiaf has expressed his desire to stay in LA, as has Vujacic. The question becomes - if Lamar Odom is dealt, what will the Lakers need to fill in the gaps created by the trade?