Pacers.com
Conrad Brunner
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=580003616
Conrad Brunner
http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=580003616
If you listen closely, you can almost hear the plungers being primed.
When the season ended, there was quite a bit of consternation about two factors: 1) the Pacers' need for substantive roster change and, 2) the difficulty Larry Bird would face in making it happen.
Thanks to the events of the postseason, however, it appears the trade market could offer quite a bit more flexibility than previously anticipated. Several teams have been added to the once-slender list of those potentially heading into blowup mode, and more could be joining.
Phoenix – The Suns have been built for speed but if Coach Mike D'Antoni is fired, an assumption that hasn't yet thappened, it could signal a change in philosophy that could precipitate a major move or two. It would seem silly to deal either Steve Nash or Amare Stoudemire, leaving Shaquille O'Neal as the biggest bargaining chip.
Dallas – With the Jason Kidd trade not exactly delivering as hoped and Avery Johnson out -- and it looks like Rick Carlisle stepping in -- the Mavs are at a crossroads. They'll likely continue to build around Dirk Nowitzki but it looks like just about everybody else could be on the table. Don't expect the Pacers to inquire about Josh Howard but Erick Dampier could draw interest.
Denver – Like the aforementioned pseudo-powers, the Nuggets have some major decisions to make. Will George Karl stay? Are Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson worth the trouble? Early buzz is Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Nene comprise Denver's opening hand at the table.
Washington – The Wizards could lose two of their big three with both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison heading into free agency, so this could become sign-and-trade central.
Golden State – The primary problem in dealing with the Warriors is their near-total state of flux due to free agency. Assuming Baron Davis opts out, they'll have six players under contract and just three of those (Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson and Andris Biedrins) are in the nucleus.
Chicago – With a coaching change comes the likelihood of roster change and the Bulls are a bit of a mismatched bunch. Kirk Hinrich was untouchable a year ago but that likely has changed. Ben Gordon's name is constantly in the rumor mill, but a guy like Tyrus Thomas should be more intriguing to the Pacers, who are looking for length and athleticism in the frontcourt.
New Jersey – It appears either Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson will be dealt. The Nets may have lost faith in Nenad Krstic after two seasons of injury problems. Devin Harris isn't going anywhere, which could mean Marcus Williams is available.
Charlotte – Where Larry Brown goes, change is sure to follow, although it seems unlikely the core of Raymond Felton, Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace would be altered. There is one caveat. Brown needs strong, disciplined point guard play and if he doesn't think he'll get it from Felton, the promising young talent could be made available.
New York – Donnie Walsh will no doubt put his stamp on the Knicks with at least one major trade early in his tenure but, oddly, the most attractive commodity may be Stephon Marbury simply because he's entering the final year of his contract. The players most commonly sought are Jamal Crawford and David Lee but they also happen to be precisely the type of players Walsh likes to build with.
It's likely more teams will soon join the list. The Hawks may well gain the mindset that they're one player away after challenging the Celtics and could be tempted to part with young talent; Cleveland needs to the reach the conference finals to validate its roster, otherwise more changes are needed; Houston could be compelled to make a major move after falling in the first round once again; and don't rule San Antonio out of the mix should the aging Spurs lose to the Hornets.
Once the playoffs end, the games will really begin.
When the season ended, there was quite a bit of consternation about two factors: 1) the Pacers' need for substantive roster change and, 2) the difficulty Larry Bird would face in making it happen.
Thanks to the events of the postseason, however, it appears the trade market could offer quite a bit more flexibility than previously anticipated. Several teams have been added to the once-slender list of those potentially heading into blowup mode, and more could be joining.
Phoenix – The Suns have been built for speed but if Coach Mike D'Antoni is fired, an assumption that hasn't yet thappened, it could signal a change in philosophy that could precipitate a major move or two. It would seem silly to deal either Steve Nash or Amare Stoudemire, leaving Shaquille O'Neal as the biggest bargaining chip.
Dallas – With the Jason Kidd trade not exactly delivering as hoped and Avery Johnson out -- and it looks like Rick Carlisle stepping in -- the Mavs are at a crossroads. They'll likely continue to build around Dirk Nowitzki but it looks like just about everybody else could be on the table. Don't expect the Pacers to inquire about Josh Howard but Erick Dampier could draw interest.
Denver – Like the aforementioned pseudo-powers, the Nuggets have some major decisions to make. Will George Karl stay? Are Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson worth the trouble? Early buzz is Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin and Nene comprise Denver's opening hand at the table.
Washington – The Wizards could lose two of their big three with both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison heading into free agency, so this could become sign-and-trade central.
Golden State – The primary problem in dealing with the Warriors is their near-total state of flux due to free agency. Assuming Baron Davis opts out, they'll have six players under contract and just three of those (Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson and Andris Biedrins) are in the nucleus.
Chicago – With a coaching change comes the likelihood of roster change and the Bulls are a bit of a mismatched bunch. Kirk Hinrich was untouchable a year ago but that likely has changed. Ben Gordon's name is constantly in the rumor mill, but a guy like Tyrus Thomas should be more intriguing to the Pacers, who are looking for length and athleticism in the frontcourt.
New Jersey – It appears either Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson will be dealt. The Nets may have lost faith in Nenad Krstic after two seasons of injury problems. Devin Harris isn't going anywhere, which could mean Marcus Williams is available.
Charlotte – Where Larry Brown goes, change is sure to follow, although it seems unlikely the core of Raymond Felton, Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace would be altered. There is one caveat. Brown needs strong, disciplined point guard play and if he doesn't think he'll get it from Felton, the promising young talent could be made available.
New York – Donnie Walsh will no doubt put his stamp on the Knicks with at least one major trade early in his tenure but, oddly, the most attractive commodity may be Stephon Marbury simply because he's entering the final year of his contract. The players most commonly sought are Jamal Crawford and David Lee but they also happen to be precisely the type of players Walsh likes to build with.
It's likely more teams will soon join the list. The Hawks may well gain the mindset that they're one player away after challenging the Celtics and could be tempted to part with young talent; Cleveland needs to the reach the conference finals to validate its roster, otherwise more changes are needed; Houston could be compelled to make a major move after falling in the first round once again; and don't rule San Antonio out of the mix should the aging Spurs lose to the Hornets.
Once the playoffs end, the games will really begin.
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