David Aldridge is reporting a deal involving NY/GS

[akaarod03]

Aldridge just a few minutes ago on ESPN was saying that talks are ongoing between Golden State and New York. The players involved...and this might shock you.

Golden State trades NVE and Erick Dampier

Golden State receives Shandon Anderson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Kurt Thomas

What the hell? Here we are offering Antoine Walker and filler for Dampier. And this is what New York is offering? Mutombo is approaching 40 and has 2 years about 10 million left on his contract. Anderson has 3 years remaining and about 25 million left on his contract. Walker is a FA next year. Am I missing something?

[Murphy3]

Perhaps GS doesn't think much of AWalker.

[bernardos70]

You just beat me to it. You sure type fast!

I have no idea why Golden State would do this. If your contract figures are correct, then I'm inclined to believe GS wanted to dump Van Exel really bad and they couldn't dump him in Dallas. Still, why would they want to get rid of Van Exel when they're getting much worse contracts?

EDIT: Well Murphy, they don't think much of Walker...... I can take that reasoning, however, that would by implication mean they think Kurt Thomas, Mutombo, and Shandon Anderson are good players, better than walker. And when you sum up the horrible contracts, it just doesn't make sense whatsoever. Then again, Mark Cuban did find a way to dump Raef in boston......

[MavsFanFinley]

This makes no sense for GS. They've been trying to dump contracts and you sure don't get that with Anderson and Mutombo.

[jimmychipwood]

If Isaiah Thomas pulls off that trade, give him GM of the decade right now.

GS would be insane to make that trade.

[OutletPass]

At first glance, the money doesn't seem to match up...about 2.7 of difference.
At second glance, I don't think it makes sense for what GS SAID they wanted to accomplish.

[jayC]

Thats a ridiculous trade. So Thomas has acquired mohammed, tim thomas, stephon marbury and know maybe Dampier and Nick the Quick. That makes them so much better for a big eastern conference playoff run.

[scorched03]

how the heck did that happen. if that happens i'd be seriously surprised.

why would young GS want to advance a decade in age with the mountain of old and kurt thomas, while good is no spring chicken.
for the 3rd best center supposedly this season?

there has to be better offers, if not they keep him and try to retain him?

[MavsFanFinley]

Aldridge made it sound like this trade was going to happen.

Unless GS is making other trades, I just don't get this one. Are they that desperate for a center? And is Anderson going to be Robinson's replacement?

[scorched03]

realgm knicks board is up to 10 pages. funny thing is its a split in pro/against the trade

"Kurt Thomas is way more valuable then Erick Dampier. Nick Van Excel is just not needed on this ball club. The only deal that I can possibly fathom is Frank Williams,Deke Mutombo, and Othella Harrington heading to G State. If we have to deal Kurt Thomas then I say all deals are off. If we deal Harrington then Baker will be the backup." direct quote.... funny i wish he were the GM

[chumdawg]

It sounds to me as though the demand for Dampier has taken a nosedive. I bet GS ends up having to sell him quite cheap. (Which in my opinion is all he's worth.)

I also bet that particular deal doesn't happen.

[Kid California]

I read this trade a few days ago and i thought i didnt pay attention to it because i thought it was a freakin joke.

don't think the Knicks can get much for Mutombo, but maybe a package of Mutombo or Anderson along with Kurt Thomas could get New York one more missing piece to Isiah's puzzle. How would Dampier, Illgauskas or Dallas' Walker look in a Knicks' uniform?

Here is the Whole Article:

Points In The Paint

POSTED: 1:26 pm EST February 17, 2004

Philadelphia, PA -- The NBA's trading deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. (et). Teams that are primed for a playoff run will be trying to get stronger, while clubs that are suffering through a tough season will attempt to get rid of big contacts and free up salary cap space for a brighter future.

No one knows what is going to happen. Thursday could be a very active day, or the deadline could come and go without any deals. Rumors will be flying, and everyone will be dreaming up trades that will see star players changing addresses.

Remember, it is very difficult to make trades in the NBA because of the rules under the salary cap. In order for some deals to be completed, a third team and sometimes even a fourth has to be included in the transaction.

Here are some teams that could be busy before Thursday's deadline passes.

ATLANTA HAWKS - Atlanta has already traded away centers Theo Ratliff and Nazr Mohammed, forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim and guard Dan Dickau. General manager Billy Knight has brought in the expiring contracts of Rasheed Wallace ($17 million), Wesley Person ($7.7 million), Joel Przybilla ($2.4 million) and Michael Doleac ($1.6 million), as the Hawks are trying to clear between $20 million to $22 million under the salary cap.

There is talk that Wallace could be on the move again. But why would Knight trade Wallace when he has already achieved his goal to have flexibility under the salary cap for the future crop of free agents.

The deal would have to be perfect for Atlanta to move Wallace.

CHICAGO BULLS - The hope here is that general manager John Paxson has realized that this team is going in the wrong direction. The mix of veterans (Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams, Scottie Pippen) and youngsters (Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Jamal Crawford, Marcus Fizer and Kirk Hinrich) just isn't working. The recipe is wrong, and it is time to start over once again in Chicago.

The only player that Paxson should not think of moving is Hinrich, who is having a solid rookie season.

Crawford is eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season, but the Bulls can match any offer he receives. Chandler and Curry will be in similar situations after the 2004-05 season. I have a feeling Chicago will hold onto the three youngsters and look to deal Williams and Davis, both of whom were acquired from Toronto for Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and Lonny Baxter on December 1. Fizer is the one youngster most likely to be on the move.

Dallas and New Jersey could have some interest in Davis, while Williams has been rumored to be possibly headed to Philadelphia for guard Aaron McKie.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - The Cavs should entertain plenty of offers for starting center Zydrunas Illgauskas.

The Knicks and Mavericks should have the most interest in Ilgauskas, while it wouldn't surprise me if the New Jersey Nets made a phone call to Cleveland to see what it would take for them to acquire the Cavs' center.

Cleveland should probably hold onto Ilgauskas, who is a nice complement to rookie phenom LeBron James and up-and-coming power forward Carlos Boozer. However, the possibility of acquiring either Antawn Jamison or Antoine Walker from Dallas could be very enticing. James and Jamison or Walker would be a very lethal one-two scoring punch.

DETROIT PISTONS - Acquiring a forward that can score would not hurt Larry Brown and the Pistons. Orlando's Juwan Howard, who played his college ball at Michigan, can be had for the right price.

A future draft pick and a veteran player might be enough to bring Howard to Detroit.

DENVER NUGGETS - Denver is trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995. A veteran with playoff experience would definitely help the Nuggets.

The Nuggets do not want to trade for a veteran player with a lot of years left on his contract. Denver worked hard to free up salary cap space so it could make serious offers to impact free agents.

DALLAS MAVERICKS - The Mavs desperately need a center to have a chance in the postseason against the Western Conference powerhouses. Dallas does have some tradeable commodities.

I expect the Mavs to explore the possibility of dealing either Walker or Jamison. There should be plenty of interest, as both Walker and Jamison can light it up on the scoreboard.

The Mavs should seriously consider dealing one of their scoring forwards to Cleveland for center Illgauskas. If Dallas can't make a deal for Ilgauskas they could pursue a deal with New York for Mutombo and/or Kurt Thomas.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Things have not worked out the way Warriors' management was hoping. Golden State has some players that will spark interest around the league.

Point guard Nick Van Exel, who was acquired from Dallas in an offseason trade, center Erick Dampier and veteran forward Cliff Robinson could have new homes before Thursday's deadline passes.

The 37-year-old Robinson is the perfect player for a team that is headed towards a run at the postseason and needs some added scoring punch off the bench. The Denver Nuggets could be a perfect suitor for the veteran forward. It won't take much to pry Robinson from the Warriors.

Golden State should get a lot of phone calls regarding Dampier and Van Exel. But it won't be easy to move either player, as Dampier has an opt-out clause in his contract that he can exercise at the end of the season and he can leave without compensation. Van Exel also has an opt-out clause at season's end. Van Exel, however, most likely won't opt out because it would mean giving up $11.8 million.

MIAMI HEAT - The Heat will get some interest regarding guard Eddie Jones. Miami could use a low post presence and Jones could help the Heat acquire that type of player.

What about Jones to Golden State for Dampier and Speedy Claxton? Just a thought.

Miami would also love to move forward Brian Grant and his big contract.

NEW JERSEY NETS - The Nets are on a roll since replacing head coach Byron Scott with Lawrence Frank. New Jersey lost center Alonzo Mourning, who had a kidney transplant, to retirement early in the season. The Nets could be looking for some help in the middle.

New Jersey should inquire about Dampier and Chicago's Davis, but the price will probably be too high. I would not be surprised if New Jersey picks up a veteran player that can rebound and play defense.

NEW YORK KNICKS - Isiah Thomas will work the phones and see if he can find any takers for center Dikembe Mutombo and guard Shandon Anderson. Dealing Kurt Thomas is also not out of the question.

During the All-Star break, trader Isiah, who acquired star point guard Stephon Marbury and Anfernee Hardaway from Phoenix earlier this season in his first blockbuster trade as New York's team president, acquired center Mohammed and forward Tim Thomas in a three-team trade, which saw the Knicks part with forward Keith Van Horn and Doleac.

I don't think the Knicks can get much for Mutombo, but maybe a package of Mutombo or Anderson along with Kurt Thomas could get New York one more missing piece to Isiah's puzzle. How would Dampier, Illgauskas or Dallas' Walker look in a Knicks' uniform?

ORLANDO MAGIC - The dismal Magic will try and make a deal before Thursday's deadline passes. Orlando, which would rather have its nightmarish season come to end, will try and move forward Juwan Howard, who signed with the Magic as a free agent in the offseason.

Howard could spark some interest from the Detroit Pistons.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - I expect the 76ers to make one trade, maybe even two. However, neither deal will involve All-Star guard Allen Iverson.

Philadelphia could deal guards Eric Snow and McKie. The Sixers would probably like to trade disgruntled forward Glenn Robinson, but what team wants to inherit another club's problem.

The 30-year-old Snow could end up in Seattle, where he played two-plus seasons before being dealt to Philadelphia in January 1998. Snow to the Sonics for Brent Barry, who is sidelined with a broken finger, is a possibility, while Orlando may decide to trade forward Juwan Howard and shooting guard Gordan Giricek for Philadelphia's starting point guard. Snow signed a contract extension before this season that will take him through the 2008-09 season, which makes it difficult for the 76ers to trade him.

McKie has been rumored to possibly be headed to Chicago for power forward Jerome Williams. Not a very exciting trade.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - General manager John Nash has already traded, in separate deals, forward Rasheed Wallace and swingman Bonzi Wells. Nash has brought in Ratliff, forwards Abdur-Rahim and Darius Miles and Dickau.

Dale Davis could be the next to leave Portland. The 34-year-old forward/center should generate interest from certain teams. Nash could be talking to New York or New Jersey about Dale Davis.

Also, I ve also read that Grizzlies are offering Outlaw, Jake and a second rounder for Dampier

[ddh33]

If all these deals happen while the Mavs are left out in the cold with a team that seems destined to get drilled in the playoffs, I'm going to be severely disappointed.

I hate to sound so negative, but this team just doesn't inspire confidence in me. It's strange too...last season we couldn't beat any of the good teams, but I always felt that we had a better chance of winning it. This team looks destined to failure. I hope I'm wrong, and that I feel better in the morning. I'm sure I will...

[MavsFanFinley]

Aldridge was pretty confident that Rasheed Wallace would be traded to Detroit if they could find that 3rd team.

[scorched03]

this smells like the finley/jamison for wallace/bonzi rumor..... false!

and GS will suck if they do that because they get nothing except contract hell

[TheBaron]

New York could make a run at HCA if they did that. GS might actually do that but they would have to be idiots. If they are sure Dampier isnt coming back (and it doesnt look good. The "only playing for a contract talk he's had) they get something for him, but....what the h@ll?!?!?!

If NVE suddenly got healthy and Dampier continues to play like an all-star, they would have one h@ll of a punch

Dampier/ Mohammed
T. Thomas/ Johnson
Hardaway/ Harrington
Houston
Marbury/ NVE/ Norris/ Williams

Thats as good as any East coast team and is comparable with the better Western squads.

[MavKikiNYC]

ISIAH EYES DAMPIER AND DOLEAC

By MARC BERMAN and PETER VECSEY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL DOLEAC: Knick encore?



February 19, 2004 -- With Isiah Thomas expected to strike out with Erick Dampier and Rasheed Wallace at today's 3 p.m. trade deadline, the Knicks still might add a new center - and an old face.
Thomas is bent on bringing back Michael Doleac, who was placed on waivers by the Hawks yesterday. At least it's continuity.

Yesterday, the Knicks offered Dikembe Mutombo, Kurt Thomas and Shandon Anderson for Dampier and Nick Van Exel - both of whom have opt-outs.

The Knicks also made a separate offer of Thomas and Othella Harrington for Dampier. The Warriors aren't expected to accept either.

Doleac has all but agreed to re-sign with the Knicks if he clears waivers tomorrow, but Utah, Denver and the Clippers are considering claiming him and his expiring $1.6 million deal.

As part of the All-Star Sunday trade, Thomas gave the Hawks a second-round pick with the understanding it would waive Doleac.

Doleac wouldn't mind if the Jazz took him, but has already spoken to Thomas about returning.

"I'm from Utah," Doleac said. "[But] it would be good coming back. I'm waiting to see how it all pans out. I loved playing with Steph [Stephon Marbury]. I'm waiting."

Thomas is making a hard charge at a bigger fish at center - Dampier - but Indiana, Memphis and even Detroit, if the Wallace deal falls through, are front-runners.

Thomas believes Mutombo is too old to build a team around, and despite Nazr Mohammed's acquisition, still wants more depth in the pivot.

The chances of Dampier landing in New York are slim, but it's better odds than Thomas' chances of getting Wallace today. The Knicks have been extreme longshots for Wallace for weeks.

But the Knicks' ability to sign him as a free agent for the projected $5.1 million mid-level exception could be damaged if Detroit acquires him today from Atlanta. As one GM said, "I think when it's all over, Detroit will get him."

Multiple league executives said Detroit is the front-runner with their package of expiring contracts - Darvin Ham, Zeljko Rebraca, Bobby Sura, Lindsay Hunter and Tremaine Fowlkes and a first-rounder.

The Hawks want expiring contracts and it must total close to $16 million to make it work salary-cap wise. The Knicks have only one - Kurt Thomas' $5.5M. Isiah Thomas' only hope is to get three, four, five teams involved in what would be Isiah's greatest coup.

If Wallace stays put in Atlanta, he won't re-sign. If Wallace becomes a Piston, all bets are off. Detroit could sway him with a close-to-maximum contract.

Marbury enjoyed working the pick-and-roll with Doleac. Utah can use help up front, and GM Kevin O'Connor likes Doleac's local angle.

As the Knicks practiced, Isiah Thomas was holed up in his office. Through the blinds, you could make out a phone glued to Isiah's ear.

"I can't control my future," Mutombo said. "I know it's a tough situation. You want to be relaxed and make sure you don't go crazy."

[Dirkenstien]

Golden State would have to be crazy to do this ... it would be a shame to see a decent center slip through our fingers like that

[TheBaron]

Originally posted by: Dirkenstien
Golden State would have to be crazy to do this ... it would be a shame to see a decent center slip through our fingers like that

What did the Knicks offer that we couldnt?

[Dirkenstien]

Originally posted by: TheBaron

What did the Knicks offer that we couldnt?

The only thing I can think of is the Knicks can get Van Exel off of Golden State's hands and we cant

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: Dirkenstien

The only thing I can think of is the Knicks can get Van Exel off of Golden State's hands and we cant

Which means :


1.) Cuban/Donnie are willing to give this team(particularly Walker) a fair shot at how they would do in this coming playoffs.

2.) Golden State doesn't Want Jamison and his contract back and doesn't want Walker and his Poor-shooting either.... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]




Mavs are stuck with Walker, though I'm not too upset about it.

[Lvubun1]

The only reason why Knick fans are split is because they overrate Kurt Thomas more then any other team overrates any other player, this is the steal of the century. Their is a guy on the Warriors board who says he knows a team offical who told him the trade is now Dampier/NVE to the Nets, don't get it but who knows. As crazy as it sounds, the East is so close and up for grabs whichever team can grab that package might be the team to beat in the East. Dampier would be the best center in the East and I would bet my house NVE's knees somehow get a whole lot better for the playoffs.

[Poindexter Einstein]

The fact that the Knicks made this OFFER means little, unless GS says yes. Heck, the Mavs could "offer" TAW + Delk for Dampier. The only thing that has given this any wind is because the Knicks whispered it to Aldridge, so he would talk about it and make it look like Isiah is doing impossible stuff, IMO.