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NBA Grumblings: East Coast Bias

http://www.sportsgrumblings.com/basketball/articles/articles/160/1/NBA-Grumblings--East-Coast-Bias/Page1.html

Scott Sargent

Scott Sargent is the Senior NBA fantasy analyst for Sports Grumblings. He is a lead writer for DroppingDimes.com, and has been featured on SI.com. He also contributes his sharp analysis for Sports Grumblings for fantasy football fans.

By Scott Sargent

Published on 06/28/2007

Amare Stoudemire to Atlanta isn't likely to happen according to GM Kerr

Coming up on draft time, it seems like the only time an Eastern team is mentioned is as the “other” team in a blockbuster trade. The latest big name to frequent the news is Atlanta. Yes, you read that right. Atlanta. Ironically, the Hawks have had their names in print because NBA stars both young and old (and Chinese) have zero interest in playing for teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. Check out the latest on these three teams and the rest of the red-headed stepchildren in this week’s East Coast Bias…

Atlanta Hawks

As mentioned, the Hawks went from one of the youngest teams in the NBA that also had two top-11 draft picks and was still in search of a point guard to possibly being one of the youngest teams in the NBA with a new center in Amare Stoudemire…while still needing a point guard. With the Minnesota Timberwolves now treating Kevin Garnett like an in-law, the missing link seems to be an Eastern Conference team. Congratulations Atlanta, you seem to be that team…for now. If the deal doesn’t go down, look for Al Horford to be donning a Hawks jersey in the near future along with whichever point guard they can obtain either via draft or trade.

Boston Celtics

Ironically, it was the Celtics seat that is now occupied by the Hawks in the “KG deal.” The cog in that trade is the fact that no one seems to want to play in Boston…including Paul Pierce. Pierce has gone on record saying that he wants to jump on the diva bandwagon by demanding a trade if the Celts do not do anything to improve the current roster. Couple Shawn Marion not wanting to play in Boston with the fact that Boston didn’t land one of the top-2 tankalicious draft spots and we may be in for a roller-coaster ride until November. The bright spot for Pierce and company is that the fifth draft spot does not appear to be on the trading block any longer and that we’ll get to see what Danny Ainge considers to be one of the “most NBA-ready” rookies in the draft donning the green and white this season.

Charlotte Bobcats

Bobcats fans (both of them) read an unfortunate news blurb this week when all-hustle wing man Gerald Wallace decided that he was going to opt out of his final year and become a free agent this summer. Lucky for those fans, and the ‘Cats, wallet-holder Michael Jordan has declared his team to be one of the bigger spenders of this offseason. With that said, we may likely see Wallace back in Charlotte, just with a lot more money. Other potential free agent targets may be forward Rashard Lewis and guard Chauncey Billups. Regarding the draft, the Bobcats are picking eighth and have recently discussed shipping that pick to Phoenix. Keep an eye on this one.

Chicago Bulls

Despite being one of the teams mentioned any time a star wants out of his current surroundings, the Bulls look like the only moves they’ll be making in the near future are via the draft. Chicago’s picking ninth, so while there will definitely be talent available at that point, the hard part will be hoping that targeted players fall. Looking to add some bulk to the front court, Joakim Noah and Spencer Hawes seem to be the names floating around the most. Of course, if given the chance to move that pick for a veteran big man, one would have to think that John Paxson would have to consider it.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Though owner Dan (Gilbert) has given general manager Dan (Ferry) the “OK” to dip into the luxury tax, it doesn’t look like Cleveland is going to go to great lengths to sign current free agents Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic. While they’re expected to match reasonable offers, the Cavs are in no need to spend a ton on either of them given the current make-up of the team. They would definitely not draw as many charges as they did last season, but so it goes. Regarding the draft, Cleveland has no picks this season thanks to trading one away for the uber-talented Jiri Welsch, but would like to move into the draft via trade if possible.

Detroit Pistons

While it’s a bit of older news, Chauncey Billups has opted out of his final year under his current contract. Following suit are forwards Chris Webber and Antonio McDyess, who are both likely on the tail end of their respective careers. Fear not, Pistons fans. Ronald Murray has decided to pick up his option, so he’ll be in Detroit for at least another season and will reportedly make $1.9 million. Expect to see plenty of Darko Milicic references though, as this year’s draft will likely dip into a few montages regarding draft-day busts. Talk about a good time.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers had their five seconds of trade fame this week when they were rumored to be a part of the massive Kevin Garnett deal that would have seen about 10 players’ current jerseys hit the clearance rack in a mall near you. Now that these have died down, the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly contacted Larry Bird’s crew to see if Jermaine O’Neal is in fact still available. While the Pacers have no picks in the upcoming draft, they would love one and the Lakers are currently drafting 19th overall. Interestingly enough, Kobe Bryant’s buddy Andrew Bynum continues to be the wrench in the gears as the Lakers still refuse to part with him – even if does mean keeping Bryant happy.

Miami Heat

Some of the biggest news for the Heat as of late has been the talks of draft prospects having terrible workouts and falling all the way to Miami at #20 overall. Two of the more recent names mentioned have been Texas A&M guard Acie Law IV and University of Florida forward Julian Wright. If either of these players fall, it may be for a reason. However, I’m sure Miami would love to get their paws on any player that may have been on the top-15 of any other team in the NBA.

Milwaukee Bucks

Fewer teams have been discussed in draft diatribes more than the Bucks. One of the hotter rumors around the NBA now features the Dallas Mavericks trying to move up to the #6 slot, owned by Milwaukee, by trading trackstar guard Devin Harris. Harris would fill a positional need of the Bucks as Mo Williams and Earl Boykins will be testing the free agent market, but the front office would have to decide if he’d be worth passing on for the chance to draft Ohio State’s Mike Conley Jr. Other interesting Bucks news is the fact that the team is (understandably) disgruntled with forwards Joakim Noah and Yi Jianlian. Both draft prospects have refused to workout for the Bucks – though Jianlian has sited the Chinese government as the scapegoat for wanting to play in a larger market. Not only is it bad enough that stars are picking and choosing whom they want to play for, but draft prospects as well? Ask Eli Manning how that’s worked out – discounting his bank account, of course.

New Jersey Nets

New Jersey has recently tried to bolster their front court by making a bid for current Bobcat Sean May. The Nets pick 17th overall and offered up a straight swap, which was promptly turned down. Apparently, Charlotte is willing to give the overweight May yet another shot. With that pick, New Jersey will likely target BC’s Sean Williams, Duke’s Josh McRoberts and LSU’s Glen Davis – apparently to fill the role that May would have given a trade. Regarding the current team, it appears that Vince Carter will be apart of the Nets next season. Carter was one of the bigger question marks of this summer, but apparently New Jersey digs his “uncluchness,” and is willing to throw big bucks his way.

New York Knicks

While Isaiah Thomas would love to bring Kevin Garnett to New York, reports have cleared that thought very quickly by claiming that New York does not have anything that would be able to convince Minnesota to part ways with the Big Ticket. Ohio State’s Daequan Cook surprised a lot of pundits by leaving school early as his freshman season was mostly filled with off-bench play. However, the 20-year old Cook has apparently had some huge workouts this spring and could have vaulted himself into the mid-to-late first round. As such, the Knicks are reportedly one of the teams very high on the guard and would consider nabbing him if he’s still there with the 23rd overall pick.

Orlando Magic

While Greg Oden has been compared to Patrick Ewing by some, the real Ewing has been offered another contract with newly-hired Magic coach Steve Van Gundy. Ewing’s main role would be to help 21-year old Dwight Howard’s development into one of the best big men in the game. The Magic will also be one of the teams interested in the abovementioned Rashard Lewis as he would fill the role that will likely be left by veteran Grant Hill. Orlando is also reportedly set to offer to Darko Milicic, whom they believe to still be the “2” of the 1-2 punch of the future, along with Howard. Of course, if Vince Carter or Chauncey Billups were to actually leave their teams, Orlando would be right there waiting.

Philadelphia 76ers

While some teams have zero picks in this year’s draft, Philadelphia has four with three being in the first round. Rumors have circulated that general manager Billy King has considered shipping the 12th overall and a player (likely Andre Miller) to Atlanta – in dire need of a point guard – for their third pick. While debating on their draft selections, the 76ers also have some free agents to worry about. Joe Smith is reportedly atop the 76ers list, and they’re hoping to resign him at a decent price. Smith had a strong finish to the season after returning from some personal issues, so if they can get him back sans competition, he could be a decent producer again. Oh, and add him to the “Darko” list when it comes to the whole lottery-selections-gone-wrong montage.

Toronto Raptors

While reports circulated that the Raptors were looking to move guard Jose Calderon, Bryan Colangelo has squashed those rumors in a recent Toronto Sun post. Calderon is a very efficient player and would be a super-sleeper come next season if he were to land on a team that would give him starters minutes. However, Colangelo likely doesn’t care about your fantasy roster and is holding on to the speedy guard. One player that Toronto will likely be without come next season is wingman Morris Peterson. Peterson’s days in Toronto came to a rough halt with the signing and successes of Anthony Parker, but his services have been rumored to be on the way to Utah.

Washington Wizards

And as usual, all of the Washington Wizard news focuses around guard Gilbert Arenas. Arenas had recently gone public with his contract situation, but has also recently rescinded these words by saying that he wants to stay with the team as long as they “go forward.” Great PR move, Gil. The Wizards have the 16th selection in the draft, but are far from comfortable with that spot. They’re considering moving up or down, or simply drafting the best player available come that time. Washington could definitely use some help in the frontcourt, but if they can’t get it via the draft, I would look for them to continue testing trade waters as the summer unfolds.

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