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John Hollinger

  (2:03 PM)

Greetings everyone -- trade deadline is eight days away and action is heating up. So are the playoff races, so we have plenty to discuss. Let's get to it....

eric (wisconsin)

will the bucks do anything towards the deadline

John Hollinger

  (2:04 PM)

I believe they will be active in trying to deal Ersan Ilyasova (who has raised his value with some great performances lately) and Stephen Jackson. Not sure they'll find takers, but it won't be for lack of trying.

Matt (Winnipeg)

Do you see the Raptors making any moves towards the deadline? What is the market like for players such as Barbosa and Calderon?

John Hollinger

  (2:06 PM)

There isn't much of one, which is what makes moving them problematic. Raptors don't want to just dump Calderon, but those are the type of offers out there. I think they'll have some conversations but end up standing pat.

Mike (Albuquerque)

John, do you think the Nugget's are willing to move some of their many assests to land a Pierce or anyone else or do you see them seeing how this season plays out with their depth?

John Hollinger

  (2:07 PM)

If Denver makes a deal it's more likely to go younger rather than older, but they have a lot of pieces that intrigue other teams so they'll be in the middle of a lot of conversations.

Aaron (MN)

What will the Jazz do about Al Jefferson, does he have a future there with Favors looking over his shoulder?

John Hollinger

  (2:08 PM)

I think the Jazz need to look to move one of their bigs, and Jefferson is the one that makes the most sense. I'm not totally clear what the market is for him; they may have an easier time in the summer when more teams have cap space and can do an uneven trade.

Lee (California)

LAL-HOU Deal still working?? Gasol for Scola, Dragic, Martin, NY 1st Pick?

John Hollinger

  (2:09 PM)

I'm not privy to any of these conversations, but a deal where the Lakers trade Pau for a chunk of Houston's depth makes all kinds of sense in both directions.

DW (SF, CA)

Why do the Warriors insist on keeping the Curry-Ellis backcourt intact?

John Hollinger

  (2:09 PM)

"Insist" is too strong. The more problematic issue that the Warriors insist that Ellis is an all-star caliber player and want to get one back in return if they trade him. Good luck with that.

Paul (Cleveland)

How about that Kyrie Irving? What do you think his ceiling is?

John Hollinger

  (2:11 PM)

Heck of a player, reminds me of a bigger CP in some ways with how under control he is all the time and his technical skill. Wouldn't shock me if he's the league's best PG in five years.

Paul (Cleveland)

Do you think the Cavs try and move Jamison? Does anyone even want him?

John Hollinger

  (2:12 PM)

The second question is the more operative one. Jamison's contract is big enough that it's difficult to work into a trade, so he may end up staying in Cleveland.

Paul (Memphis)

Do you think the Grizz will make any kind of moves before the deadline? Sam Young for a shooter or servicable back up PG?

John Hollinger

  (2:13 PM)

Trading Young for a real backup point guard would make a lot of sense, but I'm not sure there's much of a market for him right now. That's Memphis's best asset, though, since I don't think they're trading Mayo.

mike (cle)

what about sessions? cavs going to move him?

John Hollinger

  (2:14 PM)

I think they'll try, but they won't give him away either because they know they can still move him over the summer or even next trade deadline. No hurry from their end.

Rip (Chitown)

Is the MVP award worth anything if LeBron doesn't win it this year? He's on pace for the most efficient season ever, which has to go down as one of the greatest ever. How could a season like that not get MVP?

John Hollinger

  (2:15 PM)

Don't sweat it. I've yet to hear a single important voice make a heartfelt case for another player to win it.

Steve (Portland)

Are the Blazers going to move Wallace?

John Hollinger

  (2:16 PM)

The Blazers will move pretty much anybody except Aldridge and Batum, and they might even move Batum if the right Canadian point guard came along. So yes, expect conversations involving Wallace, Felton, Crawford, Camby and Matthews.

In math classi (Indy)

Will the Pacers go after Rondo, Ellis, or Gordon? If not then who?

John Hollinger

  (2:17 PM)

I think Pacers are very intrigued by Rondo and really like Gordon if they keep the cap space heading into this summer. Ellis? Haven't heard anything about him and frankly I think he's a weird fit on a team that already needs more passing, not less.

Mitch (NYC)

How about sending Melo to Golden State and bringing David Lee back?

John Hollinger

  (2:18 PM)

and now comes the part where Knicks fans wildly overreact to whatever just happened. I didn't realize the Knicks were the first team in history to lose the Dallas-San Antonio back to back.

Bob (FL)

Why did LAL turn down Beasley for a first round pick? Seriously, why?

John Hollinger

  (2:19 PM)

The Lakers aren't taking on money. You'll notice the Odom trade was basically a salary dump, and that they haven't exactly been burning up the phone lines trying to use that trade exception they got in the deal.

Tim (PA)

Is Luke Ridnour on his way out of Minnesota?

John Hollinger

  (2:20 PM)

It makes a lot of sense for Minny to trade either Ridnour or Barea, since they pretty strongly duplicate each other's skills. But for my own personal entertainment. I am hoping Minnesota acquires another point guard.

Deal or No Deal (Dallas)

Lamar Odom and Shawn Marion for Josh Smith and Kirk Hinrich? Throw Roddy in there too?

John Hollinger

  (2:22 PM)

Dallas is preserving cap space for the Dwight-Deron double (or least half of it), so they're not going to do a deal where they take on money. Also, this particular deal you mentioned doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hades of getting the Hawks' OK.

J (Orlando)

Common now it's time for D12 talk....assuming the Magic aren't going to move him, what players are they going after to keep him happy and who is most likely to go?

John Hollinger

  (2:23 PM)

That's the problem isn't it? They're trying to trade but don't have anything other teams want. J.J. Redick? Justin Harper? It's going to be very hard for them to get anything more than a veteran mediocrity with a bad contract, which unfortunately is something they already have in spades.

Adam (Tampa Florida)

Any teams interested in Detroit's Prince?

John Hollinger

  (2:25 PM)

I think he may still have some trade value, yes, but his contract makes it hard. Detroit would have to take back something nearly as bad.

Mike (Los Angeles)

Is Nocioni the most-likely expiring contract outside of Kaman to be moved? Who have you heard is interested?

John Hollinger

  (2:26 PM)

The Sixers will likely dangle Nocioni as bait, but I'm not sure that alone will get them very far. Where rubber meets road is their willingness to deal Turner, Iguodala or Williams; those are the players that will fetch something.

Steve (Mobile, AL)

This is probably going to be the most boring trade deadline ever, right?

John Hollinger

  (2:27 PM)

Not sure about boring, but if Dwight and Nash don't move it will have the worst smoke-to-fire ratio in history.

John (SLC)

Will the Jazz realistically make a trade? Harris has to have some trade value.

John Hollinger

  (2:28 PM)

I would say Harris has limited trade value because he makes 9 mil next year and he isn't worth that much. But I have a feeling Utah will explore all available options with him, as our Marc Stein reported earlier this year.

John Hollinger

  (2:28 PM)

BTW, Knicks fans are going nuts in here proposing Melo trades. Stop it. He'll make a shot this year, I promise.

dc (dc)

Has Otis Smith surpassed Wes Unseld and Kevin McHale in the worst GM ever sweepstakes?

John Hollinger

  (2:29 PM)

Isiah Thomas takes offense at your glaring omission. And no, he's not nearly in that category.

Ali Nagib (Chicago)

Is there going to be anyone on the buyout scrap-heap after Mar 26 that has the potential to make a difference for any of the contenders, particularly the Bulls and Heat?

John Hollinger

  (2:30 PM)

Certainly Chris Kaman could make a major difference for Miami if he's willing to go there. In general, buyout players will mean much more to Miami, because Chicago already has ten good players (at least) whereas Miami still trots out the remnants of Juwan Howard on occasion.

Rick (DAL)

Follow up to ali's question- Has any bought out player ever made a difference for a contender?

John Hollinger

  (2:31 PM)

Are you saying Mike Bibby wasn't a difference-maker last year? For Dallas, that is.

Ricky Roo (Twin Cities)

Was my first quarter-season a fluke? Am I basically as good as my European stats suggsted?

John Hollinger

  (2:32 PM)

Wondering the same thing, especially after seeing him gack that wide-open layup last night. Here's the thing, though, and I touched on this in today's Per Diem -- his defensive value is real. Been a major difference on that end.

Regina Johnson (San Diego)

Will the Knicks make the playoffs?

John Hollinger

  (2:32 PM)

Still looking good on that front. Viva la East. Milwaukee's lost a couple tough ones of late that could have made things much tighter.

Pat (Chicago)

Re: Rick from Dallas: PJ Brown on the Celtics

John Hollinger

  (2:33 PM)

Wasn't a buyout technically; If I recall correctly he was chilling at home and hadn't signed with anybody all year.

Paul (Miami)

I think Mike Brown have terrible leadership... He can't control kobe, bynum. What's your thinking?

John Hollinger

  (2:34 PM)

The big problem is that Phil had the gravitas to tell Kobe to cool it on the crazy jacks in crunch time. Mike Brown doesn't. The Lakers basically spend the last two minutes of every game riddling their feet with bullets by running the Kobe Hero offense instead of playing real basketball.

Ponyboy (Memphis)

do you think the Grizzlies could take the Thunder in a 7 game series this year with a healthy Rudy Gay and the return of Zbo?

John Hollinger

  (2:35 PM)

Put it this way -- I think it would be very, very interesting. Grizzlies match up very well against OKC, and I think they're emerging as a serious contender if Z-Bo comes back healthy.

Duane (NC)

Any 'Cats moves at the deadline?

John Hollinger

  (2:36 PM)

Boris Diaw to Sonic. Not the team, the fast-food chain.

Evan Stone (Los Angeles)

Provided it's not against OKC, can the Wolves make it past the first round if they make the playoffs?

John Hollinger

  (2:38 PM)

I think you just answered your own question. Minnesota will be a major underdog against any of the teams in the West's top six today, but OKC remains by far their most likely opponent.

dc (dc)

You can't let this day go by without saying something nice about Trevor Booker, can you?

John Hollinger

  (2:38 PM)

One of the few redeeming things about a forgettable season in D.C. Look forward to getting a closer look when they're in ATL next week.

Fake name (Indianapolis)

I've heard almost everybody say, "Indiana needs a super-star to play with Granger." But with the amazing potential Paul George has, should they trade Danny to get a super-star?

John Hollinger

  (2:40 PM)

My take on Indiana has been consistent all year -- they need a creator who can pass. George isn't that guy, at least yet, and Granger clearly isn't that guy. A good pick-and-roll point guard would get West, Hibbert, Granger, Hill et al a ton of easy jumpers that they'd knock down. Instead they have Granger going 1-on-1 to try doing the same thing.

Greg M (Portland)

Why would the Blazers want to leverage their future cap space with Ridnour?

John Hollinger

  (2:41 PM)

Ridnour only makes 3.5 million ... it's not too tough to slot him in and still have enough room to make a splash this summer.

kid (pdx)

who are blazers realistically looking at landing?

John Hollinger

  (2:43 PM)

I think they'll end up doing the Crawford-Ridnour deal, with some extras thrown in. Just makes too much sense on both sides not to.

Tim (Philadelphia)

Since last year the media voted that Gary Neal was better than Greg Monroe, shouldn't Monroe be a top candidate for MIP?

John Hollinger

  (2:43 PM)

well played. Monroe is definitely in the running regardless. Lin is still the front-runner but he's coming back to the pack.

Bo (ATL)

Is a Hinrich for a first round pick still possible between the Hawks and Lakers?

John Hollinger

  (2:44 PM)

I just don't see L.A. being willing to take on that kind of money, especially for a fairly marginal upgrade.

Nick (Chicago )

any news on Wilson Chandler? Seemed like a lock to sign with Denver, then Toronto got involved, now nothing?

John Hollinger

  (2:45 PM)

Chandler can ONLY sign with Denver between now and the end of the year. They were still haggling last I heard, but he may decide to test restricted free agency this summer instead. By the way, Patty Mills is in a similar situation with the Blazers.

John (Philly)

It doesn't make much sense to me to have Iguodala and Turner on the same team, either way one of them gets moved before the deadline?

John Hollinger

  (2:45 PM)

I think it's possible for the reasons you mention, but I think if anything like that happens it's far more likely to be in the summer when they've had more time to evaluate.

Farhan (Street of LA)

Any chance LA gets Monta Ellis for Gasol and picks?

John Hollinger

  (2:46 PM)

Better hope not. That would be one of the worst trades in NBA history.

Jeff (Denver, CO)

That coast to coast from Irving last night hurt. I'm a Nugget fan and a Carolina fan...horrible ending. That said, nice work to the kid...he wins ROY running away, right?

John Hollinger

  (2:47 PM)

He could take the rest of the year off and still win it, yes. I think Afflalo will regret defending him full-court so closely on that play.

Ben (South Carolina)

any interest or chance knicks get rid of lin

John Hollinger

  (2:48 PM)

None. They'll be able to keep him fairly inexpensively as an Early Bird free agent under the Gilbert Arenas rule. And with all that money tied up in the frontcourt, even New York needs one or two bargain players.

Andy (Chicago)

D.Rose turn it up a notch tonight against the Magic to make a statement to Howard that Chicago is the place to be?

John Hollinger

  (2:49 PM)

Oh, you still think is Howard stuff is about basketball? How cute.

Patrick (Tampa)

With Barea's ankle suddenly looking very glass-like, can the Wolves really trade Ridnour?

John Hollinger

  (2:50 PM)

It's a complication, but if they get Crawford he can play backup PG for 10 minutes -- he's done it everywhere else he's been.

Micah (San Antonio)

Does San Antonio make a move? Camby, Birdman?

John Hollinger

  (2:51 PM)

Go back and try and find trades made by the Spurs at midseason. In 2005 they traded for Nazr Mohammed, but that's all I can think of from the last dozen years. Historically they've done their work in the summer and then let it ride with that crew.

bsulli (chi)

Can you please explain to me why Dwight Howard wouldn't want to come to Chicago???

John Hollinger

  (2:53 PM)

It's cold, the accent is grating, and deep-dish pizza sucks. (Yes, I'm intentionally antagonizing Chicago fans. Sorry, this is too easy).

Carlos (Orlando)

John could you clarify why Otis is not a terrible GM? I am having an extremely hard time understanding that.

John Hollinger

  (2:54 PM)

That's not what I said. I just said he wasn't in the McHale-Thomas class of awfulness. He's at least had some positive moves on his record (hiring Stan, drafting Gortat, Ryan Anderson trade, etc.)

The Triangle (back in LA)

I want it back!

John Hollinger

  (2:55 PM)

Not sure the triangle will make Fisher, Blake, Murphy and Metta five years younger. Also, the Lakers didn't run it much even last year.

BK (LA,CA)

Any possible Pistons deals out there at all? What names/possibilities?

John Hollinger

  (2:56 PM)

I'd look at Tayshaun Prince, Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye -- Pisons are overloaded with combo forwards and should look to deal at least one for a real big man. Easier said than done, however. They'd obviously trade Ben Gordon or Charlie V in a second but there's no market for either.

Robbie (Jacksonville)

Rondo, George, Granger, West, & HibbertDoes that starting linup make D-Rose and 'Bron shiver at the thought of playing them in the Playoffs?

John Hollinger

  (2:58 PM)

You mean if they can get Rondo for FREE? Yes, I think that would improve their chances. Unfortunately the Celtics would very much like to get something in return.

Chris (NYC)

How many more Luke Ridnour questions will you take? This has to be some kind of record.

John Hollinger

  (2:59 PM)

It is now.

Matt (Portland)

Why exactly is Dallas more appealing than Chicago to Dwight? Weather?

John Hollinger

  (3:00 PM)

Honestly, I've yet to hear a really good explanation for this and wonder if it's just bluster to create an "alternative" to New Jersey and force the Nets to act sooner rather than later.

Dave (OKC)

Woud Aaron Brooks be a possible signing for backup pg?

John Hollinger

  (3:01 PM)

Not possible, actually -- as a restricted free agent he can only sign with Phoenix after March 1. He'll either re-up with Suns or remain restricted this summer.

Mr. T (OKC)

any Thunder trade rumors/suggestions to shore up their title run?

John Hollinger

  (3:02 PM)

The Thunder have been reluctant to tinker with their nucleus and I don't expect them to make any short-term fixes for a veteran backup point guard. If they deal, it will be for a long-term piece.

Nathan (Colorado )

Why doesn't a contender go and trade for Ray Allen?

John Hollinger

  (3:03 PM)

Oh, I think they'll try. He could replace what Chauncey was giving the Clippers, for instance. Not sure yet what Boston's position is on trading vs. re-signing with Allen and KG, could be a very interesting deadline for Celtics.

John (Dallas)

As to the appeal of Dallas, Cuban, Deron potentially wanting to come home, and lack of state income tax could be some reasons for Dwight to become a Mav.

John Hollinger

  (3:04 PM)

If Dwight plays with Deron, I doubt it will be in Dallas. They'd each have to leave some serious wampum on the table, even in Mavs unload all their other players except Dirk.

John Hollinger

  (3:05 PM)

Folks, that's all the time I have but thanks again for the great questions. We'll do this again next week and have the time sorted out.