NBA Rumor Wire: Post-Trade Deadline Rumors

As you should know, the NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and with it goes the juicy rumors that everyone loves.

No, I won't be talking trade rumors today. Bring out the post-deadline rumors!

Isiah's Successor? 

The chairman of Madison Square Gardens and owner of the New York Knicks, James Dolan, has reportedly had informal talks with current Pacer's GM Donnie Walsh concerning a "presidential vacancy".

The two have met once, and are likely to meet again next week. The talks have not been labeled "formal" yet, but things should speed up now that the public knows about what's going on.

Isiah Thomas, current coach and president of the Knicks, is furious about the reports, according to the New York Post. He feels that he is put in an awkward situation by Dolan, making Thomas feel like a "lame duck".

There was certainly a change in his demeanor in the game last night when he was sulking on the bench. Players were teasing him and making faces behind his back.

The rumor that Walsh is heading to New York could be a simple tool for Walsh in his leverage for a bigger contract with New Jersey, but friends close to Walsh think that he wants a "new challenge".

Darius Miles 

The Portland Trail Blazers are probably hoping that the knee injury to Miles forces him to stop playing, so they can reap the benefits from Mile's three-year contract.

According to the Columbian, the Blazers will seek the opinion of an independent physician in the next two weeks, and hope to receive the final word before the season's end.

This is no insignificant thing. If Portland is allowed to waive Miles, they can open a roster spot, which they would use to sign last year's first round pick, Rudy Fernandez. The Trail Blazers would also receive $26.25 million in cap room, and would be left $19 million under the cap.

Sonic's Tanking Remainder of Season?

When Sonic's point guard Earl Watson was asked by the Seattle Times if his team has quit this season, he had a defiant response:

"Nah, this team hasn't quit. How do I know? Because everyone is here. Everyone practiced hard today. This team hasn't quit. I've never been a part of anything where a group that's quit on any type of situation in life or any situation out on the floor. I won't ever be a part of any group that quits. This team hasn't quit. Quit would be sitting on the sidelines and players saying they're injured and they're out for the season. To me, that's quitting."

New NBADL Team 

The Plain Dealer reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers will have a new NBADL team in Erie, Pennsylvania next year.

Cavalier's GM Danny Ferry has only good things to say about the NBADL:

"The D-League is growing and becoming more valuable every year. Because the team is a car drive away from both a scouting and an assignment standpoint, we should be better, have greater flexibility and be more connected."

Cleveland will more than likely share this new team with at least one other NBA team.