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Chad Ford

  (12:56 PM)

Trade deadline is in two hours. Here's the deal folks. My phone is rining off the hook right now. I want to be able to get you the most current information which means we may have to pause once or twice. Be patient. If I hear anything, you'll be the first to know. . .Let's roll.

Nick

It's getting late. Rasheed to Detroit: on or off? I think Atlanta and Boston are sensing the urgency in the Pistons and trying to milk all they can from them, and that's the stall. Might Artest's injury be a factor for Dumars ultimately deciding to take the conservative route?

Chad Ford

  (1:01 PM)

They're still talking. I just talked to sources in two of those cities and they're still trying to hammer a deal out. I'm not sure what the odds are, but it's encouraging that they're still talking. Here's a possibility that works based on a few tidbits that I've picked up. Again, just to be clear, nothing is done yet.Pistons get: Rasheed WallaceCeltics get: Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter and a No. 1Hawks get: Chris Mills, Zeljko Rebraca, Bob Sura, Mike James and a Pistons No. 1That's the best I can do right now. If I hear anything concrete or definitive, I'll let you know. These deals are very tricky and there isn't much incentive for Atlanta or Boston to do it, but it sounds like the Pistons are trying hard to make it happen.

Joe (New York)

Are the knicks going to do anything else before the deadline? If so what will they do? Dampier and Van Exel?

Chad Ford

  (1:03 PM)

They would've loved to have gotten Rasheed, but I really don't think they're in it. Van Exel and Dampier would be a nice consolation prize, but again, I don't think they have enough to encourage the Warriors to make a deal happen. They still could move Shandon Anderson, Frank Williams, Othella Harrington or Mike Sweetney, but I doubt it will be a blockbuster. Then again with Isiah, he's proving that you can never count him out.

Gunner: Hayward,Ca

Chad, There's no secret the Warriors are shopping Damp and Van Exel. Any other possible destinations , except to NY that you know about? And for whom?

Chad Ford

  (1:05 PM)

I think the best chance to move Damp is to Memphis who really would like to get him. The problem is that everyone wants Stromile Swift and Shane Battier to get a deal done. I think that's too rich for Memphis' blood. There was also talk of Jerome James and Vladimir Radmanovic going to Memphis, but again, the Sonics were insisting that Battier be included and the Grizzlies are balking. Jerry West is very smart. He's not going to overpay for a guy who's been inconsistent his entire career regardless of what he's doing this year.

Dave, Salt Lake CIty

With the Jazz trading Deshawn Stevenson for Gordon Giricek and Keon Clark along with Ben Handglogten for Tom Gugliota and two first round picks, how did they fare this morning?

Chad Ford

  (1:08 PM)

I like what Utah did here. The picks are huge down the road and Giricek is a nice asset that they'll consider resigning. It's also big for Phoenix because of the luxury tax money that they'll save on the deal. As far as the Magic go, I have no idea why they made this trade. The must see something in Stevenson that Jerry Sloan didn't.

Joseph Theriault, Auburn Maine

What do you think will happen with Allen Iverson? Will he be traded before the deadline of 3pm today? If so who do you think has the best chance of getting the star

Chad Ford

  (1:09 PM)

I don't think he's going anywhere. I just don't think the Sixers had enough time to make the deal before the deadline. I'm pretty sure they are going to address the situation this summer, especially if their terrible season continues for the rest of the season. I think Iverson will likely change teams in the summer.

Chad Ford

  (1:13 PM)

Sorry . . . on the phone, hold on

Jason Grass Valley, CA

The Sonics Brent Barry has been in the middle of many trade rumors, in your opinion which trade would be of the biggest benefit for the Sonics?

Chad Ford

  (1:18 PM)

I think Barry would be a good fit in Portland or Boston. Only way either makes sense though is if they get a third team involved from the Sonics perspective. A three way with Toronto has been discussed by everyone, but it looked late last night like it wasn't happening. Barry may be stranded.

Celtics Fan

Do you think Danny Ainge pulls the trigger on a move? If so what move will he make and will it be like all of his other moves - BAD?

Chad Ford

  (1:20 PM)

I think Danny will do something. The Detroit thing is out there. So is a deal with the Rockets that would bring back Maurice Taylor and Bostjan Nachbar. I think Danny really wants to put one more big stamp on the team. Obviously Chucky Atkins doesn't really fit the profile . . . Taylor and Nachbar make a little more sense, though Taylor's salary is just awful. I expect to see them do something before the end, just not sure what yet.

Greg (Virginia Beach)

Is Tracy McGrady the ARod of basketball? A Great player that need to be in a big market.

Chad Ford

  (1:20 PM)

Great point. Too bad the NBA doesn't have the Yankees to bail him out. I think Isiah and 28 other GMs would like to play that role, but I doubt Orlando lets go of him.

Levi, Springfield, MO

Any word on some last-minute Bulls deals?

Chad Ford

  (1:22 PM)

All quiet on the Bulls front so far. They've been shopping Marcus Fizer hard, but it looks like they won't be moving Eddy Curry or Jamal Crawford. I think they should move both, personally, but apparently Paxson didn't find anything out there he felt was worth pulling the trigger on.

Jake, San Diego, CA

I enjoy your articles Chad, but you seems so caught up in the "freeing cap space" mentality. However, that strategy only works if you can intice free agent's to your team. And since incumbant teams have such an advantage, is that really a smart way to build a team? Isn't it better to build a team through trades and the draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:25 PM)

It depends on the team Jake. Atlanta would've been better off getting some cap space and using the rest of their assets to get a few players via trade. There's no way they're landing 20 million worth of top free agents. For better teams like Detroit and Phoenix, the cap space is the way to go. They can lure big time free agents there and keep the costs under control. You're right that I do prefer that teams have financial flexibility, but you're also right that some teams can't really take advantage of it because of location, the poor play of the team, or just the lack of talented free agent class. The draft is very tricky to rebuild from because players come in so young.

joey beaumont,tx

anything with the houston rockets? steve francis? kelvin cato? anybody being traded or shopped around

Chad Ford

  (1:30 PM)

I don't think Francis is going anywhere right now. There have been a lot of rumors, but I think the Rockets will sit back and wait until the summer. They've shopped Kelvin Cato, Mo Taylor and Bostjan Nachbar, but no bites yet.

Mike (DC)

Are you hearind any rumblings out of the Wizards camp? Is the Knight for Dooling and Ely dead? Are there other trades in the works?

Chad Ford

  (1:36 PM)

They're trying to package Knight with a contract to get either a big man or more cap room for next summer. There's been rumblings that they're in the Dampier sweepstakes, but it doesn't make much sense. If they can move Laettner and get an expiring contract back the team will have over $10 million under the cap next season.

Chad Ford

  (1:39 PM)

OK big Sheed news coming in just one minute. Hold on, I think we may have a deal. I'll be back in one minute.

Chad Ford

  (1:43 PM)

It looks like the Pistons have traded for Sheed. I'm awaiting word on details but a very good source has confirmed that they have a "done deal."

Chad Ford

  (2:00 PM)

Here's the details:Boston gets: Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter and the Pistons first round pick this year.Detroit gets: Rasheed Wallace and Mike JamesAtlanta gets: Chris Mills, Zeljko Rebraca, Bob Sura and the Bucks first round pick owed to Detroit.

Chad Ford

  (2:01 PM)

Sorry for all of the delays folks. This has been crazy and I'm going to have to stop the chat. Hopefully it was worthwhile. You were the first people in the country to read about the trade. I'm writing up a story now . . . thanks for coming everyone. We'll do this again next week.