Official Speculation & Free Agency Thread (PtXI, Mods close)

[ADRajX]

I like this

Monta Ellis - G - Warriors

Monta Ellis had a case of the flu that went unreported by Warriors media prior to their 93-91 loss to the Blazers on Monday, but Mark Jackson decided to use it as an excuse to bench Ellis for Nate Robinson down the stretch of the game.
Ellis (3-of-9 FGs, 10 points, five assists) and Stephen Curry (3-of-10 FGs, eight points, eight assists) weren't great last night, but they weren't exactly chopped liver, either. As for Ellis, he was jumping around, smiling, and very energetic throughout the game and looked very unhappy on the sideline when benched. Jackson said after the game that he asked Ellis if he was feeling well early in the fourth quarter, and Ellis' 'yes' answer wasn't convincing enough. Robinson went on to blow the game with his normal assortment of bad basketball I.Q. plays and Ellis left the arena without talking to reporters. Hand down, man down.

[BelgianMagic]

Looks like ORL isn't an option anymore for JR ..

He only has "NYK? LAL? LAC?" left on his twitter account

[WeAreVenom]

I like this

Monta Ellis - G - Warriors

Monta Ellis had a case of the flu that went unreported by Warriors media prior to their 93-91 loss to the Blazers on Monday, but Mark Jackson decided to use it as an excuse to bench Ellis for Nate Robinson down the stretch of the game.
Ellis (3-of-9 FGs, 10 points, five assists) and Stephen Curry (3-of-10 FGs, eight points, eight assists) weren't great last night, but they weren't exactly chopped liver, either. As for Ellis, he was jumping around, smiling, and very energetic throughout the game and looked very unhappy on the sideline when benched. Jackson said after the game that he asked Ellis if he was feeling well early in the fourth quarter, and Ellis' 'yes' answer wasn't convincing enough. Robinson went on to blow the game with his normal assortment of bad basketball I.Q. plays and Ellis left the arena without talking to reporters. Hand down, man down.

[jjtreyball]

I really like the one where we get Gordon and Ellis and the trade seems fair and makes sense gitrdone

[rcklsscognition]

Looks like ORL isn't an option anymore for JR ..

He only has "NYK? LAL? LAC?" left on his twitter account

Just saw that as I was jumping back on the Ellis bandwagon.

[rcklsscognition]

Now, apparently, the belief is that the 7-foot Kaman, who is making $14 million in the final year of his contract, could be bought out if the Hornets end up failing to get a deal they want for him. Kaman, acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers last December in the trade for Chris Paul, has played in three of the Hornets’ past four games. He totaled 27 points and 13 rebounds Monday in an 86-80 win over Utah. “If they could get him, that would solidify the championship,’’ said the source who spoke about Miami’s interest in Kaman. The source believes there is no realistic chance the Heat could trade for Kaman by March 15 because they don’t have the right pieces. FOXSports.com

That just makes me sick. It's enough that they get the "big 3", I don't think we need to keep plopping for guys on the team for basically free. Takes the fun out of the game.

[Furinkazan]

what are you still mumbling about

its ole news

It's unclear whether Smith was being serious, but Magic General Manager Otis Smith indicated to the Orlando Sentinel that his team is not considering the 6-foot-6 guard.

[cb1115]

When he says after Monday night's game, "I want to be great for this team," and, "I want to carry this team to a championship," you salute him. At least he's talking about the Magic and not somebody else — for now.

If this is a critical part in him reversing field and possibly remaining with the Magic, then he and the club need to work on turning him into a finisher. It all starts, of course, with Howard at the free-throw line, the bane of his existence.

Unusual for him to care this much if he wasn't thinking about staying, isn't it? When I asked him after everybody left whether anything had changed in his trade scenario, he didn't say no. "Just have to be patient," he said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-schmitz-timberwolves-0214-20120213,0,7682453.column

Hmmm....

[ADRajX]

When he says after Monday night's game, "I want to be great for this team," and, "I want to carry this team to a championship," you salute him. At least he's talking about the Magic and not somebody else — for now.

If this is a critical part in him reversing field and possibly remaining with the Magic, then he and the club need to work on turning him into a finisher. It all starts, of course, with Howard at the free-throw line, the bane of his existence.

Unusual for him to care this much if he wasn't thinking about staying, isn't it? When I asked him after everybody left whether anything had changed in his trade scenario, he didn't say no. "Just have to be patient," he said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-schmitz-timberwolves-0214-20120213,0,7682453.column

Hmmm....

[ZeusIsLoose]

When he says after Monday night's game, "I want to be great for this team," and, "I want to carry this team to a championship," you salute him. At least he's talking about the Magic and not somebody else — for now.

If this is a critical part in him reversing field and possibly remaining with the Magic, then he and the club need to work on turning him into a finisher. It all starts, of course, with Howard at the free-throw line, the bane of his existence.

Unusual for him to care this much if he wasn't thinking about staying, isn't it? When I asked him after everybody left whether anything had changed in his trade scenario, he didn't say no. "Just have to be patient," he said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-schmitz-timberwolves-0214-20120213,0,7682453.column

Hmmm....

I am wondering if something big is going to happen not involving Dwight. Nash? Monta? In reality, Id say Monta because it seems that GSW wants to go in another direction and Jerry West has been known to just give players away (cough!! Pau Gasol)

[ADRajX]

IDK why, but I just have this gut feeling that I'm going to wake up one day to a trade and Ellis is going arrive in Orlando at a press conference holding up a Magic uni... and Dwight next to him, Otis, and SVG in all smiles

Don't judge... let a man dream

[ZeusIsLoose]

IDK why, but I just have this gut feeling that I'm going to wake up one day to a trade and Ellis is going arrive in Orlando at a press conference holding up a Magic uni... and Dwight next to him, Otis, and SVG in all smiles

Don't judge... let a man dream

That could be reality. BUT at the expense of probably Ryan Anderson. i am hoping JJ, but we shall see.

[BelgianMagic]

IDK why, but I just have this gut feeling that I'm going to wake up one day to a trade and Ellis is going arrive in Orlando at a press conference holding up a Magic uni... and Dwight next to him, Otis, and SVG in all smiles

Don't judge... let a man dream

I had a dream like this once ..

But that dream didn't have Otis & SVG in it

[94_MagicFan]

I think we all have that Same dream

[KingRobb02]

I didn't see it all either, I assumed it was Eric Gordon but had posted to see if anyone could confirm. I hope it wasn't an Insider article about Ben Gordon

It I could talk to Otis I would just throw a large bag of players at Otis and say do whatever you want with these guys and bring me Ellis/Biedrins. The fact that NO wants to deal Kaman and Gordon isn't happy there, plus we want Ellis and Golden State wants Kaman, is just ripe for a 3-way trade for us. I hope Otis gets something done.

INSIDER: LINK

The prospect of starting over with a name like Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries or even Andrew Bynum is little consolation

To say that his teammates aren't playing up to his expectation is not necessarily a slight to them. Some of them are quite good. Ryan Anderson has been one of the league's feel-good surprise stories of the season. You could do a lot worse than Jameer Nelson running the point.

The trade scenarios being bandied about now are not good for Orlando, because they all involve Howard leaving town.

Here are three trades that could net the Magic a sidekick for Howard -- and possibly convince him to stay in Orlando:
Trade Scenario No. 1: Anderson and Earl Clark to the New Orleans Hornets for Eric Gordon
...The risk is, of course, the shaky status of Gordon's health....
Trade Scenario No. 2: Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Redick to the Lakers for Pau Gasol
...Anderson's shooting would open up the floor for Andrew Bynum to operate...Turkoglu would fill the role previously occupied by Lamar Odom...
Trade Scenario No. 3: Anderson and Nelson to the Boston Celtics for Rajon Rondo
...This automatically gives the Magic the best point guard/center combo in the league since Shaq and Penny Hardaway...

For anyone who isn't aware, this has been an all week thing at ESPN with a different Howard topic every day. If anyone wants to see anything else let me know.

Monday: WINNING A HOWARD TRADE By Austin Link TeamRankings.com
Tuesday: HOLLINGER PER DIEM on best potential teammates. He only looked at the Mavs, Lakers, Nets, Bulls, Clippers, and Magic Players. Bynum was obviously the worst fit at -82, but second worst was "Glen Davis, minus-69.8: Great work, Otis." The best fit was Chris Paul at 187 with the next bunch not even close to touching him (Rose 114, Redick 113, Ray Allen 109, Deron 103, Turk at 94). It was based on stuff like rebound rates,pure point rating, shot creating, and shooting. Guys on short term deals like Ryan weren't evaluated because they can leave this summer.
Wednesday: BROUSSARD: FIVE EAL TRADES Insane. Not even worth reading
1. The Magic trade Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson to the Miami Heat for Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade
2. The Magic trade Howard and Turkoglu to the New York Knicks for Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler
3. The Magic trade Howard, Turkoglu and Richardson to the Atlanta Hawks for Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia
4. The Magic trade Howard, Turkoglu and Nelson to the Los Angeles Lakers; the Magic receive Andrew Bynum from the Lakers and Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry and Chase Budinger from the Houston Rockets; the Lakers send Pau Gasol to the Rockets.
5. Send Howard and Turkoglu to the Chicago Bulls for Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and the first-round pick the Bulls received from the Charlotte Bobcats (which is unprotected in 2016)
Today: TRADE EVERYONE ELSE
Friday: DWIGHT AND LEBRON

[BelgianMagic]

I didn't see it all either, I assumed it was Eric Gordon but had posted to see if anyone could confirm. I hope it wasn't an Insider article about Ben Gordon

It I could talk to Otis I would just throw a large bag of players at Otis and say do whatever you want with these guys and bring me Ellis/Biedrins. The fact that NO wants to deal Kaman and Gordon isn't happy there, plus we want Ellis and Golden State wants Kaman, is just ripe for a 3-way trade for us. I hope Otis gets something done.

INSIDER: LINK

The prospect of starting over with a name like Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries or even Andrew Bynum is little consolation

To say that his teammates aren't playing up to his expectation is not necessarily a slight to them. Some of them are quite good. Ryan Anderson has been one of the league's feel-good surprise stories of the season. You could do a lot worse than Jameer Nelson running the point.

The trade scenarios being bandied about now are not good for Orlando, because they all involve Howard leaving town.

Here are three trades that could net the Magic a sidekick for Howard -- and possibly convince him to stay in Orlando:
Trade Scenario No. 1: Anderson and Earl Clark to the New Orleans Hornets for Eric Gordon
...The risk is, of course, the shaky status of Gordon's health....
Trade Scenario No. 2: Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Redick to the Lakers for Pau Gasol
...Anderson's shooting would open up the floor for Andrew Bynum to operate...Turkoglu would fill the role previously occupied by Lamar Odom...
Trade Scenario No. 3: Anderson and Nelson to the Boston Celtics for Rajon Rondo
...This automatically gives the Magic the best point guard/center combo in the league since Shaq and Penny Hardaway...

For anyone who isn't aware, this has been an all week thing at ESPN with a different Howard topic every day. If anyone wants to see anything else let me know.

Monday: WINNING A HOWARD TRADE By Austin Link TeamRankings.com
Tuesday: HOLLINGER PER DIEM on best potential teammates. He only looked at the Mavs, Lakers, Nets, Bulls, Clippers, and Magic Players. Bynum was obviously the worst fit at -82, but second worst was "Glen Davis, minus-69.8: Great work, Otis." The best fit was Chris Paul at 187 with the next bunch not even close to touching him (Rose 114, Redick 113, Ray Allen 109, Deron 103, Turk at 94). It was based on stuff like rebound rates,pure point rating, shot creating, and shooting. Guys on short term deals like Ryan weren't evaluated because they can leave this summer.
Wednesday: BROUSSARD: FIVE EAL TRADES Insane. Not even worth reading
1. The Magic trade Howard, Hedo Turkoglu and Ryan Anderson to the Miami Heat for Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade
2. The Magic trade Howard and Turkoglu to the New York Knicks for Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler
3. The Magic trade Howard, Turkoglu and Richardson to the Atlanta Hawks for Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia
4. The Magic trade Howard, Turkoglu and Nelson to the Los Angeles Lakers; the Magic receive Andrew Bynum from the Lakers and Luis Scola, Kyle Lowry and Chase Budinger from the Houston Rockets; the Lakers send Pau Gasol to the Rockets.
5. Send Howard and Turkoglu to the Chicago Bulls for Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson and the first-round pick the Bulls received from the Charlotte Bobcats (which is unprotected in 2016)
Today: TRADE EVERYONE ELSE
Friday: DWIGHT AND LEBRON

Some very interesting trade ideas .. Thanks for posting this

[BadMofoPimp]

^^^^Those trades definitely gives me ideas for NBA 2k12^^^^

Other than that, it just appears another media person trying to stir things up or get more clicks on his links. Sometimes, I think ESPN does get their ideas while playing NBA2k12!

Wait, could NBA2k12 actually be considered a Source

[MagicFan41]

When he says after Monday night's game, "I want to be great for this team," and, "I want to carry this team to a championship," you salute him. At least he's talking about the Magic and not somebody else — for now.

If this is a critical part in him reversing field and possibly remaining with the Magic, then he and the club need to work on turning him into a finisher. It all starts, of course, with Howard at the free-throw line, the bane of his existence.

Unusual for him to care this much if he wasn't thinking about staying, isn't it? When I asked him after everybody left whether anything had changed in his trade scenario, he didn't say no. "Just have to be patient," he said.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-schmitz-timberwolves-0214-20120213,0,7682453.column

Hmmm....

I am wondering if something big is going to happen not involving Dwight. Nash? Monta? In reality, Id say Monta because it seems that GSW wants to go in another direction and Jerry West has been known to just give players away (cough!! Pau Gasol)

I definitely noticed the Monta benching last night at the end of the game and was perplexed! When you need a big shot down the stretch you bench your go-to star who has come up big in past games? Really?? He looked pissssssssssssed!

[BN]

Rondo would definitely solve all of our problems, but I just don't see the Celts biting...

[InFlames]

The Celtics would never trade Rondo to us LOL