The Baron Demands a Trade

[Evilmav2]

Davis stirs up Hornets' nest

By Roscoe Nance, USA TODAY


Baron Davis and his agent are demanding that the New Orleans Hornets trade the two-time All-Star guard to improve Davis' chances to win an NBA title.

The Hornets have reached the playoffs seven of the last eight seasons while competing in the Eastern Conference. The team moves to the Western Conference this season after the expansion Charlotte Bobcats displaced them in the East. The Hornets will compete in the new Southwest Division, which also includes San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Memphis and is regarded as the most competitive division in the NBA.

"After talking with Baron and evaluating what the Hornets organization has been doing this offseason, I'm concerned with Baron's current status and his future with the team," Todd Ramasar, Davis' agent, told USA TODAY. "Baron was really disappointed with them losing the first round of the playoffs. I want to put him in the position where he can contend for a title or at least be in a position where he can reach the NBA Finals."

Davis, 25, is in the second year of a six-year, $85 million contract and the Hornets said that while there are some issues that need to be addressed, they will not trade him.

"We've got to straighten out some things," Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said but would not go into any details. "He's our franchise player. There's no possibility we'll trade him. We have no intention of even inquiring about trading Baron."

Davis didn't name a specific team he would like to play for but Ramasar said that his client would be a good fit with teams such as New York, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami.

"I trust my agent," Davis said. "He has my best interests at heart. I'm just focused to play well in the NBA."

Ramasar said he and Davis had hoped the Hornets would add a veteran to help Davis carry the scoring load. Davis averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game last season but to get it he averaged 40 minutes a game, eighth in the league.

"I think it's too much pressure that the Hornets are putting on Baron as an All-Star to carry that team," Ramasar said.

Davis met with Hornets officials following their first-round loss to Miami in May and told them that he believed they needed to upgrade the roster. The Hornets' only moves have been to sign forwards Rodney Rogers and Chris Andersen and guard Alex Garcia. They also drafted high school star J.R. Smith.
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[EricaLubarsky]

he wants to get away from Mashburn too.

[poohrichardson]

The Hornets would be better off getting rid of Mashburn.. no matter what they get for him.

[dirk2003]

Terry and Stack for Baron.

[dirk2003]

Kind of makes me regret the Mavs trading Walker already.

[ddh33]

Not that interested, even if he is talented.

Personally, I think these "superstars" need to start getting traded for each other. Give Baron Toronto, and let Vince have New Orleans. Then, they can see that things aren't always better elsewhere.

[sturm und drang]

Enough with the trade demands, overpaid cry babies. The inmates are running the asylum.

[FilthyFinMavs]

Originally posted by: dirk2003
Terry and Stack for Baron.

I'm all for that deal. I mean now we are talking about a top 3 point guard in this league. A 25 year old top 3 point guard in this league. This ain't no Kidd here.

[vinnieponte]

Lets do it! Terry & stack for davis would be a steal. If this could happen, what is the time frame until this trade could ever happen?

[mary]

Since the Hornets are now in our division, I doubt they would even consider trading him here...but he's incredibly talented and would be a huge improvement at our PG position. What if NO offered him up, but we had to throw in Harris. (which I guess means it couldn't be done until December) Would you?

[FilthyFinMavs]

Only problem with trading for Baron is that Harris would pretty much be wasted here.

[V2M]

He's in the 2nd year of a 6yr/$85m deal and he's had some weight concerns and injury problems over the last couple years. Baron's talented but so are Terry, Harris and Stack. I'm not interested in trading for him and I don't believe the Mavs' are either.

[Simon2]

Not interested. I like the talent the Mavs have right now. I actually like Baron's game but a major concern is health. He seems to be injured or ailing all the time. For that amount of money, the Mavs need someone they can depend on. Baron may be a better player than Terry but for the amount of money, Terry is a steal. Let's see what this group can go first.

[DubOverdose]

I like the guy, but I don't want him if he will demand a trade. I lose respect for FRANCHISE players demanding trades. They put their own goals above the team.

[NBAGnome]

Baron reminds me a lot of Walker. Loves to shoot 3s, isn't particularly a gifted 3 point shooter, hes also one of the few point guards (the only one?) with questionable free throw shooting.

At 6 years and 80+ million, i wouldn't want him for the mavs.

[LRB]

I'll stick with what we got.

[Nash13]

They put their own goals above the team.

But in this case, his goal is to win a championship, so don't be too upset.

Since i'm biased to JT, i wouldn't trade for him. Our team would probably be better how it is rather than trading Terry/Stackhouse. And for those that want Dirk to shoot more, you would be very opposed to get Davis.

[Drbio]

The Mavs aren't interested I am sure, but if so, who else would be a little nervous about another year of too much star power?

[MavsFanFinley]

I'll pass thanks. I like the team we're going with.

Terry/Stackhouse for Davis doesn't work on it's own according to realgm anyhow. They'd have to throw in George Lynch. Or we're looking at a 2 for 3 and that's not really something we can afford. And I don't see them salivating over some of the pieces we'd want to unload if we were to expand such a deal.

[fin4life]

although terry/stackhouse for Davis/lynch is tempting.... I have to pass on it. It is not a bad idea, but it seems like a lateral trade to me. If we were trimming roster or getting a draft pick I might change my mind.

[sike]

i guess a contract has no value in the 2004 NBA....teams are so scared that these guys will ruin the team with constant backbiting and whining that they feel their hand is forced...nice to see the quality of player the NBA is producing these days...

[MFFL]

Amazing how off base a lot of posters are when it comes to acquiring talented players.

Remember that the final trade was Dale Davis and Speedy Claxton for Baron Davis.

[mroh]

Oh dear Warrior nation went crazy that day.