Matrix joins Kobe, Kirilenko, Jermaine, and others in wanting out; Williamson hangs 'em up after 12 NBA seasons; Skinner is a Sun, Green is a major sleeper, and the point guard carousel spins... 

 STOCK Watch 

THE MOST RECENT major NBA star to declare he wants to be traded? Shawn Marion (picture, top). The fantasy dominator reportedly told the Arizona Republic on Tuesday that he wants out of Phoenix. With two years left on his massive contract, Marion might be tough for the Suns to move. The Lakers are the most talked-about possible destination for him, but Marion's no sure thing to be traded. The Suns are on the verge of a championship and have long maintained that they won't make a deal that hurts their team. Marion's biggest beefs: he obviously wants a long-term extension, and he has also been quoted several times the past few years as saying he wants more public acknowledgment for his stellar contributions.

SPEAKING OF THE Suns, this week they added a player who might help them replace the traded Kurt Thomas. It's Brian Skinner, one of the more underrated defenders and rebounders in the Association. While Skinner isn't likely to start for Phoenix, he is a very serviceable veteran post player who averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 boards, and 1.1 blocks during the 2003-04 season with Milwaukee. If Skinner ends up getting some regular playing time in the Suns' rotation he might post some solid numbers.

THERE WAS A lot of action on the fantasy point guard front this week. First off, veteran playmaker Troy Hudson signed with the Warriors (fresh off their release of Sarunas Jasikevicius). If his ankles hold up, Hudson could become a solid backup for Baron Davis. Meanwhile sometimes-starter Devin Harris inked a five-year, $42 Million extension to stay with the Mavericks. He doesn't pass the ball enough, but Harris' new money should at least guarantee regular playing time. And Dee Brown, a backup last season with the Jazz, has also signed a new deal - - overseas, with Turkish club Galatasaray. That may mean more playing time in Utah for Ronnie Brewer.

AS RECENTLY AS 2002 Corliss Williamson was a real force in the NBA. That was the year he won the league's Sixth Man award while coming off the bench for the Pistons. But now it appears the Big Nasty has had enough of pro ball. Wednesday he announced his retirement from the NBA, and he's going straight into coaching (as an assistant at Arkansas Baptist College). Now 33, Williamson played 12 NBA seasons and averaged 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.

 SLEEPING Giant 

Gerald Green, F, Timberwolves
When Green was drafted straight out of high school in 2005 (No.18 overall), it was less a question of Îif' he would become a star, than "when." After spending two years mostly coming off the bench for the Celtics, Green may finally be ready for "when." Now 21, the uber-athletic swingman finds himself in Minnesota as a key part of the Kevin Garnett trade. Green has a chance to earn a regular starting job, and if he does he has the goods to put up big numbers. Last season Green averaged almost 23 points per 48 minutes played, a rate similar to stars such as Shawn Marion, Chauncey Billups, and Mike Miller. Snap him up if you can.

 INJURY Update 

LAST YEAR, THE Lakers often struggled in the paint, since so many of their usual big-men were injured. Lamar Odom (shoulder), Chris Mihm (ankle), and Kwame Brown (ankle and shoulder) all missed playing time (to varying degrees), which put a lot of pressure on youngster Andrew Bynum to produce. The Orange County Register reports Mihm and Brown are both making solid progress en route to returning, but that Odom is behind schedule in returning from shoulder surgery and might not be ready to start the regular season.
 

TOP 5    Defensive double-threats from 2006-07 1. Marcus Camby, C, Nuggets 2. Josh Smith, F, Hawks 3. Ben Wallace, C, Bulls (left) 4. Andrei Kirilenko, F, Jazz                                           5. Gerald Wallace, F, Bobcats