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Get ready for the onslaught on rumors, speculation and sourced stories involving the Rams dealing their No. 1 overall pick to Tampa Bay. It's no secret the Rams need a quarterback and they are believed to have an interest in trading for one of the Philadelphia Eagles three signal callers -- Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb or Michael Vick. St. Louis also will consider drafting Oklahoma's Sam Bradford, who will hold a private workout March 25. But the latest trade scenario includes a Bucs quarterback. Foxsports.com is reporting the Bucs and Rams have discussed a deal that would send Tampa Bay's No. 3 overall pick, a third rounder and quarterback Josh Johnson to St. Louis in exchange for the No. 1 overall selection. It doesn't necessarily mean the Rams view Johnson as their potential starter in 2010. But it may indicate that Johnson, who went 0-4 as a starter last season, has some trade value.
"The T-Mac Show" at the Garden. It was a thriller and one of the more memorable Garden nights. McGrady put on a smooth-as-silk superstar performance in his debut, scoring 26 points in 32 minutes with five assists, but didn't have anything left and D'Antoni benched him in the overtime. McGrady was treated as the savior, playing his first game since Dec. 23. It was worth noting, Kevin Durant thought Tracy McGrady resembled the player he was pre-surgery and pre-Knicks. Durant, upsetted T-Mac's debut with a superb 36-point performance in a 121-118 overtime Thunder victory, said he was not surprised by McGrady's outburst. Durant believed that McGrady simply needed to be on the court. And Tracy beleives that Durant is a younger him. Which is almost a fair comparison I would say. McGrady wore No. 3 but not as a tribute to Stephon Marbury but to publicize a documentary he's filmed in Africa, called "3 points." He's worn No. 1 but that is taken by Chris Duhon. For the NYK fans who loved McGrady's show, there might be more next season. McGrady said Friday he'd stay for less if the Knicks can add a couple of max stars. Maybe he's the star. I know Walsh is glad Tracy has said that.
The Chicago Bulls are trading Tyrus Thomas to the Charlotte Bobcats for Flip Murray, Acie Law and a protected first-round draft choice, pending league approval, according to a league source. Inconsistency has plagued Thomas, who has been an impact player at times with his athleticism and shot-blocking ability. The Bobcats beat out both Denver and San Antonio, who had both had significant interest in Thomas. Charlotte is trying to make a playoff push in the east and trying to make the postseason for the first time in franchise history. This deal all the more sensible for the Bulls who are getting serious about the 2010 free agency. The Bobcats on the other hand get a good portion of the season to take a look at Thomas and decide whether to commit to him long terms. Thomas is set to be a restricted free agent at the end of this season. Tyrus could show up as an incredibly focussed player utterly capable of wrecking any opposing team's night. They needed a big man because of the injuries to the ones they have so I say it was a win win situation for both teams. Although the Bulls must not be serious about the playoffs this season.
The Knicks contacted the Milwaukee Bucks about Luke Ridnour, but the talks stalled when the Knicks wanted to expand the deal to include Jared Jeffries, according to a source close to the negotiations. the conversation demonstrates that Knicks president Donnie Walsh is working on a backup plan if a deal for Tracy McGrady, which would include Jeffries, falls apart. The NYK did send Darko Milicic to Minnesota for Brian Cardinal, who is expected to be released.
On the other end, the Bucks have agreed in principle to a trade that would send forwards Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander to the Chicago Bulls for guard John Salmons. The contracts of Warrick and Alexander both expire at the end of the season, potentially freeing up space for the Bulls to bid for marquee free agents in the offseason.
Well I guess we all have been fooled by the Rockets or have we? Reports have it that the deal has the Rockets sending Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry, and Joey Dorsey to the Kings for Martin, Sergio Rodriguez, Hilton Armstrong, and Kenny Thomas. The question will be whether or not this will be T-Mac's final stop. ESPN.com reported that the New York Knicks will work with the Kings and Rockets on Thursday morning to acquire McGrady in a three-team swap. Two league sources tell Y! Sports the Kings are unsure whether they will keep McGrady or expand the trade. I know Tracy is really hoping that he gets to stay with the Kings. Supposedly, if T-Mac stays with the Kings and ends up with a buyout, he hopes to join a playoff contender. A source close to him says he would like to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers or Cleveland Cavaliers. It isn't clear if either one of those teams want him but I mean why would you turn a former All-Star down? Kevin Martin was upset himself but the good news was brought to him at halftime. Imagine that? But hey, like I always say the game is still a business. Martin will be reunited with former Sacramento coach Rick Adelman.
Update:
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Knicks have successful unloaded Jared Jeffries and brought in, for a couple months anyway, Tracy McGrady. The particulars: McGrady, Sergio Rodriguez, and Houston's 2011 first round pick to the Knicks; Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries, Hilton Armstrong and the Knicks' first-round picks in 2011 and 2012 (with top-1 protection in 2011 and top-5 protection in 2012) to the Rockets; Larry Hughes, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey to the Kings. The Knicks better hope get LeBron or Dwade or this will be for nothing.
Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James was arrested Tuesday on domestic violence charges. James’ girlfriend, according to the police report, said the running back grabbed her around the neck and pushed her to the ground. She complained of pain to her neck and of abrasions from being pushed down in a parking lot. Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti said Wednesday that he is “concerned" about the off-field issues but insists his coaches are doing all they can to “make sure their athletes do the right things and understand right from wrong." Springfield police said they were not ready to discuss details of the incident. According to the Oregon Ducks website, "few players have ever made the impact in their initial campaign at Oregon as the Pac-10's Offensive Freshman of the Year" as he has, by becoming the first freshmen ever to earn the team's "Most Outstanding Player" award. It's always something with these Oregon running backs.
The Cleveland Cavaliers improved their chances of getting to the NBA Finals by getting Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison in a three-team deal. The traded center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a first-round pick to Washington. The Wizards sent newly acquired forward Drew Gooden to Los Angeles Clippers while also getting back Al Thorton and Brian Skinner. The Clippers also are sending Sebastian Telfair to the Cavaliers. It appears the Cavaliers move is a gesture showing soon-to-be free agent LeBron James a commitment to winning. Now they can counter Rashard Lewis. The Cavs had no answer for Lewis last postseason in losing the East title to the Magic. Among other things, Jamison lightens LeBron James’ workload and provides offense that Anderson Varejao doesn’t. This does not give them an automatic pass through the East and on to the Finals to face Kobe and the Lakers. Although the Magic don’t seem to quite have the mojo they did at this time last season, they certainly aren’t intimidated by the Cavs of LeBron and Shaq. The Cavaliers wound up with a great deal, losing only Zydrunas Ilgauskas and the lowest of first-round picks. So how was Cleveland was able to keep J.J. Hickson? All along, the potential deal had been Stoudemire for Ilgauskas, Hickson, Danny Green and that likely No. 30 pick. But Cleveland took Hickson out of the negotiation today and Phoenix folded on it and does not expect to make a deal. The other most likely candidate for a Stoudemire trade was Miami because of the Heat's interest in him but the Heat have not put together any offer that comes close to enticing the Suns. A third team would likely need to be involved. He again did not say that he would prefer to stay with the team but emphasized how hard he would continue to play for his teammates if he is not traded.
The well-respected Vic Carucci of NFL.com is reporting that the Patriots remain interested in the Carolina star. Carucci reported last offseason that New England was taking a look at trading for Peppers, and has this today on the Web site:
We reported in this space a year ago that it was likely the Panthers would trade Peppers to the New England Patriots after he signed his one-year, franchise-tag contract. The deal never happened, but sources say the Pats, whose inability to consistently pressure the quarterback was their biggest drawback last season, remain very interested in acquiring Peppers. They're encouraged that they could gain some leverage if the field for bidders is reduced by possible restrictions on the final eight playoff teams to sign free agents.
However, New England faces a challenge in putting together a strong enough contract to land Peppers while also being able to re-sign nose tackle Vince Wilfork and signing quarterback Tom Brady to a long-term contract in the near future. The Patriots could place a franchise tag on Wilfork for $7 million, although he would clearly be unhappy by such a move.
Fit is important for Peppers. That's not to say he's going somewhere at a cut-rate price because it feels right (he's gonna get his money), but it is to say that identifying "the best place" for Peppers isn't necessarily going to be a purely financial thing.
Tiger Woods will end nearly three months of silence Friday when he speaks publicly for the first time since his middle-of-the-night car accident sparked stunning revelations of infidelity. However, his agent said Woods will not take any questions from a small group of media. “This is not a press conference,” Mark Steinberg said Wednesday. Glad to hear that he is finally having a press conference though. I cannot wait to hear what he will be speaking about. Woods is to speak at 11 a.m. Friday from the clubhouse at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., home of the PGA Tour. I hope it is to say that he is coming back to the game sooner than people are expecting him to be. Steinberg said in a telephone interview that Woods had taken some recovery steps and quoted the agent as saying, “Tiger feels as though it’s time to make amends and to publicly do that.” Woods to “discuss his past and his future”.
Interesting rumors a day before the trade deadline is that the San Antonio Spurs are shopping forward Richard Jefferson. Remember how Jefferson was supposed to lift the Spurs into a position to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference? It hasn't happened as Jefferson has struggled to fit into the Spurs' disciplined defensive system and San Antonio has struggled with injuries and an aging roster. Jefferson had a much better season with the Bucks. Not to mention he is having his lowest production since he was a rookie averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Jefferson was touted as the missing piece for the Spurs to bring them back to the NBA Finals. There are only a few teams that could take on Jefferson’s contract, and even fewer that would willingly add more than $15 million to their payroll before the Summer of 2010. But the first teams that come to mind are middle-of-the-pack playoff squads such as Toronto or Charlotte.
