Kicking off trade rumor season: T-Mac, J-Smoove and Skip To My Lou
Tracy McGrady (photo. Marc Morrison)
It’s never too early to start with offseason trade rumors, and two days after the Lakers recorded 2009′s crowning W, there were already All-Star and franchise-caliber players popping up in the rumor mill. T-Mac is at the center of a rumored deal to New York, which would include Larry Hughes going to Houston along with possibly Cuttino Mobley‘s expiring contract. If there’s any truth to this, the biggest obstacle would be the fact that Cuttino is already retired and has a career-ending heart condition that everyone knows about. But as we learned from Keith Van Horn‘s mummy being excavated to make the Jason Kidd/Devin Harris trade work, NBA teams will find a way to make a deal happen by any means necessary. Mac still has the name recognition to sell some tickets and jerseys in NY, but don’t think the Knicks are looking at him as any kind of savior. His $23 million contract comes off the books in 2010, when they’re gonna clear as much space as possible to get LeBron … In Orlando they’ve got a brewing PG/QB controversy, but we’re thinking Rafer Alston will be the one traded to clear the way for Jameer Nelson. Could a team like Philly or Golden State be in the market for Skip? What about his hometown Knicks? Or here’s a crazy idea: Trade Skip to the Lakers for Derek Fisher. The salaries are almost identical, Fisher makes more sense as a hired-gun backup to Jameer at this stage in his career, and the Lakers could stand to get younger at that position … The Hawks are reportedly shopping Josh Smith, too … Philly has been looking to deal Sam Dalembert ever since they hired Eddie Jordan, and now a realistic potential deal has surfaced: Dalembert to Charlotte for Nazr Mohammed and Vlad Radmanovic, with the Sixers also getting a 2nd-round pick or the two teams swapping 1st-round picks … About a week away from NBA Draft night, you never know what to believe when you hear about certain teams liking certain players, as they’re often trying to throw competitors off the scent and/or set up potential trades. Yesterday’s reports said the Knicks (8th) are high on Arizona PF Jordan Hill as a possible David Lee replacement, and the Warriors want a combo guard, either Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans or Jrue Holiday. But what does that mean for Monta Ellis? … George Karl to a Denver paper about J.R. Smith: “We know that we’ve got to put up with some of his craziness and wildness, but the more he becomes team-efficient, the better he’ll become as an All-Star type player.” No one’s denying J.R. has a load of talent, but cracking that West All-Star guard class is nearly impossible. Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Steve Nash, Manu Ginobili, O.J. Mayo and Kevin Martin will make it tough … We’re out like The Dalembeast …
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June 16th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
michael jordan shoes says:
An elephant said to a mouse ,”no doubt that you are the smallest znd most useless thing that Ihave e ver seen .”
“Pless ,say it again .Let me take it down .”the mouse said .”I will tell a flea what I know.”
June 16th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Laker Fan says:
Rafer Alston to LA? Is there a worse fit for the triangle offense than a dribble happy guard who can’t shoot? This is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard, how do you have a real job discussing basketball? Wow.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:05 am
chebs says:
word to tha bird, tmac will explode in 09-10 mark mah words fellas
June 17th, 2009 at 3:36 am
nosmelone says:
T-mac and Skip in NY would be interesting and would work for possibly freeing up space in the future for some other guy!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 4:23 am
ponky_alolor says:
@ post 2, yep that’s exactly how i think that rafer trade would be… a lot of B.S.
What Lakers need is someone to use up Vujacic’s minutes.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:25 am
BRUCE says:
If the Lakers trade D-Fish, the fans are going to burn down the Staples Center! D-Fish has earn the right to retire as a Laker. Skip might have the handles but D-Fish can hit the big shots, run the triangle, and keep Kobe in check!
June 17th, 2009 at 4:37 am
M Intellect says:
JR Smith is more talented then every guard in the Western Conference apart from Kobe.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:47 am
solomon (el latino machismo) says:
WTF @ post # 7
June 17th, 2009 at 4:59 am
RICK773 says:
LAWD..I hope post 7 was being sarcastic
June 17th, 2009 at 5:06 am
alf (from melmak) says:
i think the most intriguing situation would be that of iverson.
larry brown is right when he said that he would like his former player to retire in the right situation — with a contender. but i think his ego would get in the way.
in my fantasy world, i would have utah signing him with their mid-level exception.
the jazz would then trade boozer for bosh and kirilenko for rip hamilton.
the starting unit would then have d-will, rip, brewer, bosh, and okur. iverson would be the sixth man with the bench also featuring milsap and korver.
my meal allowance says that is a championship team. take me back to dreamland.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:05 am
YOUNGFED says:
I for one would love for the Pistons to move in hard on J-Smoove he’s our type of player allday.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Joshua says:
http://kall-jo.mybrute.com
t-mac in new york is gonna be a problem he is gonna return to at least 80% of his former level and that is enough to be allsar calibre player watch my words
June 17th, 2009 at 6:08 am
danksy says:
@ 2 5 and 6
i fully agree with u, Fish HAS to retire as a lakers, the man is a legend.
Also if we are going to trade for any1 it needs to be a back up player, the starting 5 is perfect, as long as Bynum can find his old pre injury form.
the only players the lakers should consider trading are farmar, vujacic and morrison
im even happy to keep luke walton after he playoffs, he did he job
June 17th, 2009 at 6:19 am
QQ says:
Because my Magic won, I feel good, and I don’t feel the T-Mac hate as strongly compared to any other day.
Thing is… Talking about T-Mac is like talking bout lottery numbers: You never know what you will get. NEVER. This season can be T-Mac’s ‘fuck you’ run to all haters (like me!) where he will dominate the game like it was 2003. Or, this will be the season where he will prove once again that he is a soft-as-diarrhea gunner with no passion for the game, destroying his team’s chemistry, and whining throughout the whole season?
You never know. I recall before last season began, people were excited about the Rockets team because with Artest in the roster, T-Mac will finally have a reliable scorer by his side. People were saying T-Mac will shed the soft label, carry his team, along with the two stars, and he will finally achieve playoff success. So I guess yall know what happened.
Although I hate T-Mac’s lack of passion, I don’t hate him personally. I really want him to suceed, cause he is one heck of a player. Top 2-3 shooting guard back when he was scoring like crazy. But the thing that annoys me (and I assume, all other haters) is that you just don’t see him working hard. You see no fire, no intensity, no passion. It’s not that we hate the guy; it’s that we hate that he has so much potential and we don’t see him working at it at all. See the difference, fucking T-Mac apologists.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:20 am
QQ says:
*Because my Magic REACHED THE FINALS…
Sorry. LOL. I got overwhelmed there, haha.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:27 am
QQ says:
And about my fan (also known as my impostor):
I can think of only four people who can be in love with me in such wonderful way:
1. Some jealous Magic fan who was forgotten here in Dime once I repped the Magic like crazy starting last year. I guess he wants some love too, seeing all cats were only congratulating me during our run.
2. Some fan of other teams that hates my loyalty to my squad. I guess it irks them that I rep the Magic so hard, saying they will win even if it’s against the odds, and in this season’s case, BEING FUCKING RIGHT ABOUT IT.
3. ‘jamesinva’: Some guy who told me here ‘I hope the Magic loses, so you will be in pain’. HAHAHAHAHA. That’s the best line ever, this side of late 90′s soap opera scripts.
4. Austin Burton, because of how I was hatin on T-Mac, Austin’s lover.
I LOVE HAVING FANS!!!!!
PS: T-Mac still sucks, Burton.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Sweet English says:
Yo, QQ, as much as i respect your opinion, will you and your ‘imposter’ fuck off somewhere else and bitchfight there, it’s getting kinda annoying.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Sweet English says:
good point about t-mac though…
June 17th, 2009 at 7:26 am
QQ says:
@ Sweet:
I didn’t start it bro. I just want to clear my name, ya heard, LOL. Cause some cats are actually believing that asshole is me. Come one now.
But to be fair, you have a point, and I will now stop. Just help me burn that fucking douche, ok? LOL.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:56 am
that's whats up says:
Skip is better off backing Jameer up next year, but his ego won’t let him
It doesn’t matter who coaches the T-Wolves they will still suck.
It doesn’t matter who plays in new York until someone teaches Nate Robinson how to pass the ball. That little munchkin is sitting at home sewing his ballerina costume getting ready for next years dunk contest.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:20 am
E$ says:
cali so broke, they don’t even want to pay for a Laker parade…LMAO!
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Lakers will celebrate the team’s 15th NBA title with a parade Wednesday that the financially troubled city either badly needs or can’t afford, depending on who you ask.
Kobe Bryant, coach Phil Jackson and others will take a route that begins at Staples Center and winds up at the Coliseum for a rally despite a week marked by complaints about the $2 million cost and worries about a repeat of the hooliganism that followed the team’s Sunday night championship-clinching win over the Orlando Magic.
Private donors stepped up to ease most of the money concerns, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa defended the decision to stage the parade, saying it’s important to celebrate even at a time of high unemployment and home foreclosures.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Rafa23 says:
@ E$
thats not exactly breaking news, maybe it was 1 week ago…
btw, kevin mchale out as wolves coach:
http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/59865/20090617/love_tweets_that_mchale_is_out_as_coach/
June 17th, 2009 at 8:32 am
showydisplay says:
I’m in HOUSTON! I know the TMac story all too well. TMac will never return to his 2003 form now thats a fact no need to even dream about that. Not to say he wont get an occasional 30 pt game here and there but overall he will prolly average something like 15 pts per game and prolly focus more on play making and passing instead of scoring. If you know TMac you know that his passion is gone and the type of guy he is that passion cannot be re-kindled. Its a wrap… Trade him or let him play it out and bank on the available funds and get a quality star.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:39 am
E$ says:
The finals was over on Sunday, but it’s last week news??
June 17th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Rebuttle says:
Jordan Hill will be the biggest bust of the draft.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:45 am
JuiceMode says:
“Or here’s a crazy idea: Trade Skip to the Lakers for Derek Fisher.”
Crazy indeed. Recent posts got it right too. Don’t think the Magic would be too hot on a player who just did what Fisher did to them…
June 17th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Kudabeen says:
Great George Karl qoute:
Says Nuggets coach George Karl: “I’ve yelled at [Spurs coach Gregg] Popovich numerous times: ‘You don’t coach in the NBA, you’ve had Tim Duncan. You’ve had 10 years of Tim Duncan. He’s your policeman.’ We all want a Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash. They do so much for you. … Chauncey polices a lot of the stuff.”
Every team needs a general.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:33 am
doc says:
He better not trade Sammy for them bums.Sammy aint shit hiself but hes the lesser of them evils.We already got Kapono what the hell we need Vlad for.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Pedro says:
larry hughes and Mobley’s are in there last year of contract anyway. why would the Knicks spend Mobley’s contract on something like this. Makes no sense. expect Mobley’s contract to be included in a Jeffries deal.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Phillyfanatic says:
I don’t care about any of the other trade rumors, but any trade potentially involving Dalembum OUT of Philly…I’m all for it!!!!
I would trade Dalebum for 2 used Kia Optimas…
I would trade him for a pair of Jordan #2′s….
I would trade him for a BUS ticket to watch the parades in LA….
I would trade him for 3 homeless guys with beat up pairs of Scottie Pippen’s…
June 17th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Celts Fan says:
Sammy’s not bad, he just needs a low-post scorer near him, but he’s a solid rebounder/shot blocker. If EB can come back healthy and merge into the team without ruining their offense, expect a career year from the Dalembeast
June 17th, 2009 at 10:38 am
doc says:
Whats a career year like 13 points and 10 boards because if u watch Sammy like I watch Sammy that block shot shit is a mirage or fakeout whatever u wanna call it.He average 2 blocks and 2 goaltends a game so for real he aint blocking shit.And he 7 feet so he should get 10 boards by just putting his hands up.With that said,Nazi aint did shit in years and Vlad is Turrible.They asses want Sammy so bad give us one of them point guards they working with.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
POPPI GEE Mobile says:
T will indeed be a problem, Houston would be dumb to trade him specially for Hughes. If anything trade strength and conditioning coaches with another team. For real something has to be done with Yao because this is 2 playoffs straight where he has had to go out for injury. Any ideas about trading him lol?
June 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
jdstorm says:
Speaking of crazy trades, what about,
Skip to Sactown for Beno. Rubio might have to spend another year in europe. and sallaries are about the same.
or a really crazy one involving TMAC.
Washington send, Mike James, Ethan thomas, Deshawn Stevenson to the rockets, and Pick 5 to NJ
Nets send Vince Carter and pick 11 to Wash, Yi to Houston
Rockets send Tmac to Jersey. Cap Space. $$$$$$$$ (may happen in 2010
June 17th, 2009 at 11:27 am
doc says:
@gee-Sammy for Yao all day.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Kobeef says:
@jdstorm
If that trade actually works it is pretty cool. Especially the part where NJ gets T-Mac and his expiring contract. Nice work.
@Dime
Derek Fisher to the Magic? Are you on crack? How many times in the playoffs did we hear Kobe and Phil talk about fisher being a critical piece of the team. Not going to happen. Fish would retire before getting shipped out of LA again.
Dalembert has the tools to be a starting 5 but the past two years have shown me that he couldn’t give a shit about playing basketball. No team should get excited about him.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:56 am
hagoth says:
wow,
even dime reporters can write the stupidest things sometimes. your right though, it is a CRAZY idea to deal trade Rafer for Fish. No matter how old the media says hes getting, hes clutch. period.
Rafer? we gots shannon brown so no thank you.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
BERN BROGDEN aka BINO BROWN STR8 UP N DOWN says:
@ 30 – YUP! ME 2!!
I would trade Dalebum for Drake’s new mixtape.
I would trade Dalebum for a dutch, a loosy, a 50 cent hug, and 4 chicken wings fried hard wit salt, pepper ketchup and hot sauce.
I would trade Dalebum for Adam Morrison.
I would trade Dalebum for a pair of used Dickies.
I would trade Dalebum for general purposes….
He’s a great BACK UP. Not A STARTING 5 ’5′
sidebar: I heard while the other bigs are practicing on post moves…he’s working on 3 point shots (he never shoots those in a game, does he????)
June 17th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Ekstor says:
@ E$ (#24)
The story first broke the day before game 7 (Saturday the 13th)…
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-lakers-parade14-2009jun14,0,7322867.story
June 17th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Derek Fisher for Rafer Alston??
Yeah the next rioting picture would be me robbing Mitch’s house.. hell no i dont want no former And 1 star running the triangle.. he takes bad shots.. he just looks good when they actually falling.. Like Phil said you keep a player like Fisher cuz he wont complain about minutes or doing whatever is neccessary.. he wouldnt care if Farmar started he would just turn into a good backup.. Rafer lost his minutes and complained during THE FINALS.. shit right after the specific game.. aint no more of an arrow than that..
@ QQ – yeah and why does do keep harassin me as well?? u sure u aint got split personalities?? lol
@ DOC – i think Dalembert is a keeper.. hes a good BACKUP.. you guys just need a real bigman..
@ TO ALL TMAC HATERS – dude will come back hard next year.. Well MAYBE.. but im pulling for him to do so.. his stroke is sweet and a YEARS rest can only help.. he got his time.. you saw what Houston was missing in our matchup.. there was no go to player to gut the game out.. if Tmac is anything he is a good crunch time player.. i feel being frustrated but its crazy to write off such a talented player..
June 17th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Tmac was murder in NBA LIVE 03!
F that shit!
June 17th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
JayTea says:
Isn’t skip like 31? that doesn’t do much for the youth movement. Fisher should come off the bench next year and let Farmar or Brown battle it out for the start.
Alston’s a baller but his sh1t attitude really showed during the playoffs.
I did love that headband spin on House, LOL!
June 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
dk says:
@ All the moronic McGrady boosters ( cats had a worthless career )
News just broke hes due to miss the first month off the season. Cross your fingers and auction your souls in hopes thats all he miss
June 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
ricky says:
the reason fisher came back to l.a. is for his daughter so I doubt he is going to be traded
June 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Kudabeen says:
That Dalembert trade is wack. I’m wit Doc. Sign and trade Raymond Felton with another good piece along with the trade in draft position that would be interesting.
I think the Sixers should sign Sessions so I don’t care about the drafting a point guard. I do think they should draft Terrence Williams or Sam Young to replace Willie ultimately and compliment the non-Defense of Kapono. Williams can push the rock and has a good all around game. Tough kid and all.
Skip to Sac makes much more sense than LA. I’ve been on this site sense Shannon was drafted saying that he can be a difference maker if given a chance. Larry Brown gave him a little light and he was dealt to LA where an even better coach really allowed him to succeed. He is solid and he will always do the work.
Lakers should draft Chase Budinger to play off Kobe and take Sasha’s minutes.
Fish/Farmar/Shannon
Kobe/Chase/Shannon
Ariza/Luke/Chase
Odom/Gasol/Bynum
Bynum/Gasol
That is another champion contender depth chart. Farmar has to prove again that he is ready or Shannon will be.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
dk says:
@44 I never looked at it tgat way before, kudos. I think if you subtract chase out of there, theres a chance that squad could beat, Utah, Houston, Denver and Orlando n a playoff run, but thats a maybe
June 17th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
QQ says:
@ Everyone – I really apologize that you have all had to witness this ongoing fued I’ve had with this cock sucking “impostor”. I agree with everyone that it really has become quite ridiculous, so from here on out, I’m going to trust that you all know who is the REAL QQ, versus the “IMPOSTOR QQ.” I’ve repped the Magic for quite sometime now, and most of you have come to understand my stance on issues like team loyalty, doubters/haters, and really seeing through the bullshit that the media throws at us. I’m going to trust that you all are able to discern who’s the real me and who’s the “IMPOSTOR”.
And as I’ve mentioned to the Impostor, dude get a life, take some meds, see a doctor, whatever. I’ve genuinely concerned for this apparently disturbed individual who seems to developed some sort of crush on me. At any rate, FUCK YOU IMPOSTOR. YOU WILL NEVER BE THE REAL QQ.
IT TAKES BIG BALLS, AND A LARGE COCK TO BE THE REAL QQ. AND YOU’RE JUST A HATING ASS COCKSUCKER.
Everyone, Help me BURN the IMPOSTOR out! For the integrity of our postings. Call out the impostor everytime you discern that it’s him.
Appreciate the Love yall!
PS BURN THE IMPOSTER!!!!!
June 17th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Ballin 305 says:
Noone cares
June 17th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
RonnaBonBon says:
lakers should have gotten reggie evans for vujacic
any other serviceable big men for 5 mil?
anyone think wayne ellington is gonna drop to 29?
June 17th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Kevin Nostradamus Love says:
Sorry to break this to all the Lakers and Magic fans wishing for a sign and trade for either Odom, Ariza or Hedo if they can’t be resign. There will be no sign and trade for any of those players because the teams do not want to take back a similar salary in return. So the Lakers and Magic are either going to sign those players or lose them for nothing this summer.
Reggie Evans would not of been a good fit for the Lakers because he is not an offensive threat and would mess up the spacing and clog the lane. Besides he is too short and short armed to defend bigs in the league. All he is good for is rebounding.
T-Wolves NBA Champs in 2015!!!