NBA Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash and Latest NBA Trade Buzz
As the Feb. 24 trade deadline approaches, NBA trade rumors will undoubtedly heat up.
Thankfully for you, we at Bleacher Report keep track of this stuff.
Carmelo Anthony and Steve Nash continue to be hot items, and two teammates got into a fight over cards.
For 10 of the top NBA rumors circulating lately, read on.
10. O.J. Mayo: Fight With Teammate May Be Last Straw
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Recently Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo and teammate Tony Allen reportedly got into a fight on a team flight that left Mayo black and blue.
The fight, sparked by a debt Mayo owed Allen in a game of cards, may be the last straw for the Grizzlies.
Mayo has already fallen out of favor with coach Lionel Hollins in Memphis and is currently the team's sixth-man.
According to Alex Kennedy of HOOPSWORLD:
"League sources [believe] that the fight increases the chance that Mayo will be traded before February's deadline," he wrote. "For weeks, Mayo has been anticipating a trade and telling those close to him that a deal could occur before the trade deadline. While Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has met privately with the guard to dismiss trade rumors that have surfaced, sources say that there aren't many others in the organization that remain firmly planted in Mayo's corner."
First-round draft pick Xavier Henry is currently listed above Mayo on the Grizzlies' shooting guard depth chart. Interestingly enough, with Henry battling injury, it has been Allen who has filled in at shooting guard.
9. Stephen Jackson: Is He Headed to Chicago?
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With the Chicago Bulls hoping to upgrade at shooting guard, they've reportedly been very active on the trade market.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson may be an option, as well as O.J. Mayo.
USC coach Kevin O'Neill, longtime college head coach and NBA assistant, has experience working with Jackson and thinks Jackson's a better fit with the Bulls than Mayo.
"Jackson is a better shooter and probably is a better fit alongside Rose," (USC coach Kevin) O'Neill said. "Mayo is more of a slasher and wants the ball in his hands to take it to the basket, which takes the ball out of Rose's hands. (That's why) Jackson is probably a better complement to Rose."
8. Baron Davis: Will He Stay with Clippers after All?
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Los Angeles Clippers point guard Baron Davis has been heavily criticized, even by the team owner during play, in a forgettable year for Davis.
He's been reported as a possible trade target for Michael Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats, even.
But recently he's been stepping up his play, has started to develop chemistry with star Blake Griffin, and appears to be playing with a lot of more heart and purpose.
He was the catalyst for the Clippers' win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
After the win, coach Vinny Del Negro had this to say (via ESPN Los Angeles):
"No turnovers was the key," Del Negro said afterward. "I liked his aggressiveness, I told him after the game. He's a huge catalyst for us when he can play like that with that aggression. It opens the court up for all the other guys."
Teammate DeAndre Jordan called him a "leader" after the win.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers: How Will They Rebuild?
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Greg Kozarik of DSN reports that sources have said the Cleveland Cavaliers, in light of their recent woes, will not come out and make a trade just to make one.
They apparently are looking for draft picks or a trade that would help them at both the present and the future.
The Cavs have reportedly been interested in the Nets' Devin Harris, the Wizards' Andray Blatche, and the Kings' Omri Casspi.
Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison are reportedly being shopped.
6. Boston Celtics: Celtics Keep Von Wafer and Delonte West
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The Boston Celtics appear happy with role players Von Wafer and Delonte West.
They had until tonight to either waive them or guarantee minimum contracts to the pair.
The Celtics have reportedly decided to do the latter.
Apparently, guard Von Wafer didn't even know his future with the team was at stake tonight.
Via the Boston Herald:
“I never really thought about it. I just wanted to keep playing.”
5. Wilson Chandler: Knicks President Say Knicks Will Keep Chandler
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After not signing New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler to a long-term contract extension as the deadline passed on Oct. 31, president Donnie Walsh came out and said he would be keeping Chandler.
Chandler scored 31 points Tuesday against the San Antionio Spurs in the Knicks' 128-115 victory.
Via the NY Post:
Wilson has played at the top of the league in some games this year and [Tuesday] night was a good example, the way he played against a top team and they couldn't deal with him," Walsh said. "He was shooting well from the outside, his uncanny ability to change direction in the air. He's gotten stronger and become a better defender. His game has jumped a lot."
Chandler reportedly will ask for a five-year, $60 million contract as a restricted free agent.
4. Kevin Martin: Rockets Say He Won't Be Traded
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Houston Rockets guard Kevin Martin, averaging over 23 points, has seen his name pop up in various trade rumors based on the team's sluggish 16-19 start.
But the Rockets apparently won't trade Martin, even to the Dallas Mavericks, who have been interested in bringing the high-scoring guard aboard.
3. Steve Nash: Suns
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It's no secret why Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash's name continues to come up in trade rumors.
Although trading him away would not be a popular move in Phoenix, the Suns aren't going anywhere with what they currently have.
The team is currently 14-19, despite Nash averaging 16.9 points per game and 10.5 assists.
Sam Amick of AOL FanHouse reported that "a source who was recently briefed on the Suns' thinking" says the Suns are "on the fence" regarding what to do with Nash.
The Knicks, Thunder, Rockets, Trailblazers, and Bobcats have all been seen to be good matches.
2. Carmelo Anthony: Nets Back To Making Progress in Possible Deal?
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And the Carmelo Anthony trade rumblings go 'round and 'round.
After backing out of Anthony talks a week ago after endless pursuit, the New Jersey Nets are reportedly back for the roller coaster ride.
According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger:
"The Nets, after backing away a week ago, are slowly starting to make progress again on a Carmelo [Anthony] deal," he said on CBS Sports' NBA Drive podcast. "Most executives believe that will go right down to the deadline, because the Nuggets believe they can get the same deal then that they can get now. And the Nets aren't going anywhere either. They want Carmelo."
1. Larry Ellison: After Losing Warriors, Says He Tried To Buy Hornets
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Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle and one of the richest men in the world, says he tried to buy the New Orleans Hornets after losing out in the bidding sweepstakes for the Golden State Warriors in the offseason.
Via the San Jose Mercury News:
"'I did offer $350 million' for the New Orleans Hornets, Ellison told reporters, adding that he was 'slightly outbid' by the National Basketball Association when the league bought the bankrupt team last month from owners George Shinn and Gary Chouest."
Ellison, considered the favorite to land the Warriors in the offseason, lost out in the bidding war when his offer came after the deadline.
There were even rumors if he bought the Hornets he would have moved them to San Jose, in perhaps a spiteful move. He was rumored to be upset about losing out on the Warriors.
