Hoopshype

[Sources]

Seems the Suns will be standing pat with AI after 3 deals fell through at last minute, and are still prepared to pay a max for AI.

[Sources]

Although Suns management is saying that they'll match up to a max for Iverson, most around the league believe they are posturing to get him at a discount. Either way Iverson is not happy after hearing he was the franchise then was openly shopped.

[Sources]

Sacramento Kings front office is reportedly happy with the new acquisition of Dee Brown, and want to thank Hubert Davis for his 2.5 seasons with the Kings.

On Dee Brown, Kings GM said "We needed a PG and Daniels did an admiral job filling in, but Brown fits the team's build: he handles the ball well, plays great defense,and can shoot the 3. We'll need him to do all 3 if we want a chance to compete in the West.

[Sources]

After multiple seasons of limited minutes, Gheorghe Muresan's unhappiness reached a tipping point today, where he demanded a trade out of Milwaukee. Despite hesitance to break up the front court cohesion developing this season, the Bucks dealt Muresan swiftly to the Dallas Mavericks for some more Eastern European front court depth, veteran wing Rex Chapman, and an unprotected Wizards pick for the upcoming draft.

Murmurs around the Bucks front office indicate the Bucks may pursue some more moves if possible, but won't do anything drastic that may break up core cohesion.

[Sources]

Raptors management seen buying champagne after hearing news of Bucks trade. Reports are the Raptors long feared the front court depth of the Bucks, but now that they sold it off, them winning the division was "a wrap".

[Sources]

Despite the Rockets emergency press conference, sources close to the team say they are still quietly fielding offers for ALL members of their team. ALL.

[Sources]

Despite the Rockets's owner's confidence in his press conference last night, other GMs around the league do not seem as confident in their future. The VanMemphis Grizzlies have batted away "more than a handful" of trade offers for the Top 5 protected Rockets pick in the last 24 hours. While the Grizzlies actually feel it would be prudent to "sell high" on the pick and wold move it for an interesting offer, they also feel that the Rockets will have no issue rejoining the top of the league. They seem however to be content with waiting this scenario out as I have heard that they punted on trades including one for a former all star PF, one for multiple 25-29 range picks, and everything in between. "It's a very fluid situation, but we feel we need to do our due diligence and wait and see where the pick could potentially land. We can afford to wait"

[Sources]

According to various sources, the Rockets have been engaged in heavy talks with an unspecified team to trade Shaquille O' Neal. Talks have intensified and both sides are working on ironing out a few kinks. Key pieces have been agreed upon but salary cap issues and draft picks appear to be holding up the deal

Rockets are also in intense negotiations involving Brad Daughtery, PJ Brown, or Nick Anderson for a 2000 1st. Not sure if related to the Shaquille O' Neal talks, but most likely due to getting out of the luxury tax as well as getting an additional asset for quality veterans. Expect a decision some time in the morning.

The Rockets and their GM may part ways after the season to end their 10 year relationship. Sources are indicating the Rockets want a fresh start while the GM is wanting to focus full-time on other opportunities.

[Snuglife91]

If i'm reading that right, why would the rockets even be allowed to move shaq? That sounds like a great big Frye you to whoever takes over the team.

[Sources]

Reports are that there could be a high number of All-Star caliber talent on the move as the deadline approaches. Finding suitors for these talents is proving difficult however, as the common currency of draft picks have less perceived value than normal due to the weak 2000 draft class.

[Sources]

After missing exactly 30 games, hearing that rookie PG, Baron Davis, will play tonight. He was told he could wait until they returned from their 6 game road trip, but he flew out to Toronto to surprise them as soon as he got the all clear from team doctors in Vancouver today. He has been out since 12/30

[Sources]

With Stacey Augmon set to return, young phenom Tracy McGrady is reportedly unhappy with returning to a supporting role. When asked about stepping up in Augmon's absence, McGrady replied, "I mean, Stacey's been good for us man, but I'm ready to take this team to the next level, somewhere none of us has ever been. I'm ready man."

[Sources]

A source from within the Blazers front office is saying that the team has received calls from a couple teams trying to get them to trade their future for really good big men about to hit the decline. No movement yet.

[Sources]

New Seattle management has scheduled one on one workouts with Mike Miller, Jamal Crawford and Mike Miller to meet in two days. They are staggering the workouts 3 hours apart with the apex being the following morning where they'll bring in their only current player Wally Szerbiak to play a live action games. I've been told that Seattle has no clear favorite and is even open to moving their eventual pick. More clarity will come once the draft order is announced.

[Sources]

Orlando is hard shopping Jerry Stackhouse with the wing heavy draft ahead. Orlando has introduced new billboards reguarding their rebuild to the fans :

[Sources]

New Seattle management has scheduled one on one workouts with Mike Miller, Jamal Crawford and Mike Miller to meet in two days. They are staggering the workouts 3 hours apart with the apex being the following morning where they'll bring in their only current player Wally Szerbiak to play a live action games. I've been told that Seattle has no clear favorite and is even open to moving their eventual pick. More clarity will come once the draft order is announced.

Picture of the new Sonics' GM as he was making this quote

[Sources]

According to some league sources, Shawn Kemp is being actively shopped by the Warriors. As one source was quoted, "If you've got a blue potential player or 2 on a rookie contract and a pick, Kemp is probably yours." There's been little to no word on Ceballos, Snow, and Sabonis, but one can only assume they are being shopped as well if Kemp is on his way out.

[Sources]

With the draft looming on the horizon, offseason trade talks are beginning to heat up, but nothing is likely to be finalized until the lotto. Rumor has it that one lotto team is a "lock" to seek a trade if they are unable to land a pick high enough to select one of their two targets.

[Sources]

Charlotte owner Preston Allen is asking the city to help finance a new arena, but so far the local government has given a strong no to the franchise. Under the reign of GM Nick Malone, the Hornets have struggled to eek out profits each year. It's hard to blame this all on management though. Allen seems determined to explore other options as a home city if Charlotte doesn't change their minds.

[Sources]

Sources close to league office says a team with sunny skies and beach weather will have a "very happy lotto night"

[Sources]

Hearing the happiest place on Earth may somehow, get happier.

[Sources]

Bulls #1
Magic #2
Spurs #3

Enjoy

[Sources]

Upon the unveiling of the draft order, sources in the Portland front office are excited about their white-hot bright future and noted that they have been setting up private workouts with many of the top prospects. They are notably high on the likes of Mike Miller, Joel Pryzbilla, Hedo Turkoglu, and Chris Mihm.

[Sources]

There's a feeling that the Wizards' hesitation is just a sign of things to come. One GM has referred to this draft as a "total crapshoot" and says that "one pick could mess up three other teams' plans and cause them to stall for time while they're writing up a new plan on the fly."

[Sources]

Talks are heating up in Chicago. Sources say that GM PrepP is entertaining two significant offers. One is a win-now; the other is more future-oreinted. GM PrepP is not afraid to shake things up and make some moves (as we saw in his inaugural season), but will he be able to meet the increasing demands of young star Kobe Bryant to surround him with a championship-caliber team?