HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

The Rumor Mill is updated every Saturday, and covers the latest NBA trade rumors, NBA draft projections and commentary from in and around the National Basketball Association.¿0a¿0a¿0a

RUMOR HAS IT

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In a new weekly section geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around… Here is this week’s “Rumor Has It…” ¿0a

GEORGE WANTS OUT: Last week George Lynch informed the Hornets that he no longer was interested in being part of the team, and that he wanted a trade. Lynch is rehabbing an injury in Dallas and has reportedly been very adamant that he would not report to Okalahoma City or anywhere else for that matter as long as he was still a Hornet. Lynch continues to say he was “promised” a contract extension – and has not received it, or even a discussion on the subject. Lynch is a 12-year NBA veteran, who averaged 3.7 points and 4 rebounds a game for New Orleans last year in 44 games. Lynch is owed roughly $3.2 million this season, the final season of his contract. The Hornets are reportedly lukewarm on the idea of trading Lynch – mainly because there is no market for him, The Knicks are one of the few teams to have contacted the Hornets, and no offer was made according to Hornets sources.¿0a

NO LOVE FOR DAJUAN: Dajuan Wagner has still not found any love, he met with several teams this summer including the 76ers who gave him a long look. But his history of illness has kept teams from signing him to a guaranteed deal – Dajuan is battling colitis (which causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, painful spasms, lack of appetite, fever, and fatigue.) Dajuan has had a series of bizarre injuries like this one, which limited him to 11 games last season. Still viewed as a gifted scorer, Dejuan’s durability is what’s keeping him out of the league – two eastern conference scouts mirrored that he might be a player picked up after a key injury hits – or when 10 day contracts can be issued in January.¿0a

RAFER AND THE ROCKETS: This week the Raptors ended their tumultuous relationship with Rafer Alston trading him to Houston for Mike James. There have been differing opinions on why this deal was done – according to well placed sources in Toronto, this had very little to do with last year’s run in with Sam Mitchell, and more to do with the desire for future cap space – it didn’t hurt that Houston was looking for an impact guard and willing to give Toronto the steady hand of Mike James in return. The Rockets view Rafer has a difference maker that can lead the break for Stromile Swift and Tracy McGrady – supposedly the Rockets liked what they saw in Rafer’s game film when he was in Miami, and hope they acquired that player in trade.¿0a

30 DAYS: The verdict on Antonio Davis is not in yet, but the President of the NBA Players’ Association, may be cutting his tenure short and retire – It was reported when the Bulls triggered the trade that sent Eddy Curry to the Knicks that Antonio Davis would be ultimately waived by the Knicks and then re-sign with the Bulls. The Knicks are no saying, no such agreement was made, and that they would like Antonio to stick around. The Knicks allowed Antonio to miss training camp to deal with personal matters in Chicago. Davis told media last week that he was undecided on his future. Knicks head coach Larry Brown continues to tell media that he would love to have AD in his locker room this year, but would not stand in his way if he did not want to be a Knick. There is no timetable on a decision, the Knicks would have to wait 30 days to release Davis under a new caveat introduced into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, that Davis was ironically involved in making, that prevents teams from trading for a player and them immediately cutting them.¿0a

NO SHOOTERS?: Not sure where this story comes from, but the common thought in the National media is that the Miami Heat do not have any shooters? Really – how about Jason Kapono who has a career .424 average from three… Gary Payton has made more than 1000 three point shots in his career and averaged .326 with Boston last season… James Posey, known more for his defense, hit 127 three’s last season in Memphis playing in 50 games and has a career .329 average from three… Antoine Walker is known for jacking up the three, but he’s made more 1100 of them in his career and averaged .323 last year… Jason Williams is also known to “stop and pop” – it’s his trademark shot – he too averaged better than 30% from NBA three last year. Miami has the shooters – and their inside game is gonna make opponents pick their poison. ¿0a

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KWAME AND GILBERT

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File this under drama – but in an interview with the Washington Post last week, Kwame brown told a Post reporter that the reason he “quit” on the Wizards during the playoffs was due to a moment in the playoffs were Brown alleges that Gilbert Arenas told Washington coach Eddy Jordan not to put Kwame back into a game. Brown allegedly confronted Arenas about it, then elected to “skip practice” saying he did not know what he would do to Arenas. At the time the story was Kwame was sick – he was ultimately suspended by the Wizards, who traded him to the Lakers this summer. Arenas denies the story as does Eddy Jordan – Brown has since claimed to have been misquoted by the Post, who has since played the audio for several other reporters… It’s impossible to doubt the physical gifts Kwame brown has, he is a legit 6’11 guy, with an array of low post moves. He is a good basketball player… The problem with Kwame is not his game – its his brain. Maybe Phil Jackson will be the guy that reaches Kwame and teaches him how to be a professional, and take responsibility for his actions and statements. Maybe Phil can keep Kwame’s head in the game for 48 minutes. What’s more likely is the Lakers will lean on Kwame and he’ll crumble, like he did for three season with the Wizards. Its more likely he becomes another example of wasted potential, and the over-hyping nature of the NBA… Like Jalen Rose, Derrick Coleman and Yinka Dare – drafted with high hopes and loafty expectations, but never able to deliver, because his wiring won’t allow him to be great. What separates a good basketball player from a great basketball player – the mental game… Tim Duncan has it… Kevin Garnett has it… even Kobe has it. Maybe Phil is the answer for Kwame, he was for Dennis Rodman.¿0a

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THE BULLS AND EDDY

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The drama between the Bulls and Eddy Curry is finally over. Eddy has cleared his physicals, and passed the scrutiny of a NBA appointed doctor who also reviewed the tests. The response to Curry’s situation has drawn opinions from both sides – there are those that said the Bulls were too tough on Eddy, and that they were trying to manipulate his value. It’s easy to say that – but there is a back story to the Eddy Curry situation that no one is talking about and it does have to do with money. Rumor has Eddy spent his rookie money frivolously – no surprise most NBA players do, but there was talk that Eddy had gotten himself into some pretty serious debt, and that the only way out was a massive contract – which is why Eddy pushed so hard for the Bulls to make a deal last year. The Bulls knew about Eddy’s situation and they were worried about Eddy making a bad personal decision, in favor of solving his financial issues. Eddy needed a deal. The Bulls needed to be sure they were not buying into a player, who’d ultimately drop dead on their floor or in their building. Rumor has it Eddy may have already taken the DNA test the Bulls were pushing for and did not like the results, hence his hard line stance on not taking the test for the Bulls. The Bulls held their ground and they should be commended for it – some will lambaste them for giving away Curry to the Knicks, but at the end of the day the Bulls did the right thing, for the right reasons and maybe one day Eddy Curry will understand that. The Knicks on the other hand need to win now, and getting Curry was worth the risk – The Knicks continue to run things like a kid with a new credit card – they will buy now and pay later – who cares how long or bad the contract is, they will deal with those problems tomorrow. Eddy got his deal. The Bulls got some nice pieces in return, and they become a bit of a player in free agency next year with a handful of draft picks to show for it. There was drama, for sure… but you know The Bulls did a good thing for Eddy, hopefully karma will return the favor.

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THE DRESS CODE

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Honestly the new “dress code” that’s expected to be handed down by the NBA is likely the biggest non-story yet… By and large most teams have had a dress code for some time, requiring players to look a certain way when not playing. Some teams are looser than others, and the NBA is simply looking to tighten this up – Business Casual means slacks and a sports coat – not a suit, not a tie. Most players wear something close to this anyway. This is not a radical departure. The goal is to present a more “professional” look – with the unstated goal of “look professional – act professional” – this is not a bad idea. When you’re paid an average of $4.5 million a year, the expectations of you are different. Grab a nice light-weight sports coat and call it a day. The fact that anyone has suggested this new policy may be unfair – those are exactly the players this rule is being designed for.

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SOME SHOTS

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Here are some of the random stories from the week…

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• TAYSHAUN: Tayshaun Prince is expected to ink a new five-year $50 million extension this week, insuring he stays with the Pistons. Word from Pistons camp is the entire team looks healthy and the style is much more up and down, a style that suits Tayshaun. The Pistons look to force the issue with Tayshaun early.

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• AMARE: Amare Stoudemire may not be an active participant in pre-season, in fact he may be undergoing surgery on his knee which has bothered him all summer. Amare recently signed a $70+ million extension, its believed he did not have the surgery in order to insure his deal got done. This could be a costly decision for the Suns.

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• GERALD GREEN: Gerald Green has again changed agents, many around the team scratch their heads, Green got a hefty shoe deal and trading card contract from agent Steve Kaufman – rumor has it Green is being handled by his family who have be horrific to work with, and filled Green’s head with unreasonable expectations. This could be troublesome for the Celtics, who need Green focused on basketball, not unrealistic business goals.

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• CHRIS SHERIDEN : Rumor has it Chris Sheridan will be joining ESPN.com as the replacement for Chad Ford, who has long been rumored to be phasing out his role with ESPN. Sheridan’s addition will add much needed credibility to ESPN’s NBA coverage. A veteran Associated Press reporter, Sheridan should bring balance and fact-based reporting to ESPN, and solid move by the word-wide leader in sports. Ford is expected to stay involved in a limited way.

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