Chris Broussard: It looks like it's Portland or bust for Vince Carter, according to a person with knowledge of the trade talks surrounding New Jersey's star forward. "It's looking like it's going to be head-to-head between Carter and Richard Jefferson," the person said. "I think Jefferson's going to be the one who goes to Portland." While Carter may be the better player, Portland's concerned with Carter's age (he turned 32 last month) and the three years, $51 million left on his contract (though only $4 million of the $18 million in his final season is guaranteed). The Nets have their own concerns about Carter's contract and that's why they've been shopping him. They've spoken with San Antonio, Houston and Dallas but nothing has come of those talks. Discussions with San Antonio have broken down because the Spurs, while willing to part with Bruce Bowen and Fabricio Oberto, are not willing to include Roger Mason Jr. and George Hill in the deal. Houston would have traded Tracy McGrady for Carter, but McGrady's announcement that he'll have season-ending microfracture surgery killed those chances. "There will be no Vince deal," another source close to the situation said, referring to the Rockets. The Los Angeles Clippers, who since training camp have regretted signing Baron Davis to a five-year, $65 million deal, have tried to get involved, proposing a three-team move that would send Davis to Houston, McGrady to New Jersey and Carter to LA. But no one but the Clippers liked that deal. If Carter doesn't go to Portland, will the Nets send him wherever they can? "I'd be surprised if they did a straight salary dump, but at the end of the day that might be best for their organization," said one source. As for Milwaukee's Jefferson, it's far from a done deal that he'll join the Blazers. The Bucks would love to send Jefferson to Portland in a deal that would bring back Raef LaFrentz's expiring contract, but another executive close to the talks said, "It's not dead but there's nothing happening right now." The Bucks' talks with San Antonio about Jefferson have stalled as well. Portland's telling teams it has 15 different players it can get for LaFrentz. But many executives around the league are skeptical, saying the Blazers like to talk about deals but are always hesitant to pull the trigger on anything significant.
Deal Coming Soon It looks like we're going to get Jefferson or Carter. Either way it looks like we will finally have a solid SF
This thread is for tonight any and all updates on http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=TradeTalkRoundup-090218 Until/unless a trade is actually close or finalized. Ed O.
Hmm.. I wonder why the Bucks would prefer taking on Wally's contract than Raef's if they were to trade with Cleveland instead.
Chad Ford: The Bucks got some more momentum in their quest to find some salary relief for Richard Jefferson Wednesday evening. Sources say that the Bucks had discussions with the Cavs about a possible Jefferson for Wally Szczerbiak swap. The Cavs have gotten much more active over the past 48 hours making pitches to Washington for Antawn Jamison and the Clippers for Marcus Camby. However, the Wizards and Clippers have both given the Cavs the stiff arm. Another source also confirmed that the Blazers did make a call to the Bucks to renew discussions of a possible Jefferson for Raef LaFrentz swap. The two teams had spoken on and off about a deal for several weeks but the Bucks hadn't heard from them in recent days. The Blazers, as of this evening, were also still trying to find a way to put together a better package for Gerald Wallace after the Bobcats turned down an preliminary LaFrentz for Wallace offer earlier in the day. The Bobcats would still like the Blazers to take back Nazr Mohammed or to throw Nicolas Batum into a deal. ^
Re: Portland or Bust for Carter (UPDATE) as of 9pm est We don't even need to pray bcause if there is a trade for either to the Blazers it will be RJ not VC. VC has to bad of a contract and is to old for the Blazers.
Note, too, that Wallace's name is still alive: Take Nazr and Wallace, especially if we just need to send them, say, Frye. Ed O.
I think that there are two reasons: 1. Wally can still contribute. The Bucks are in a playoff hunt. Are they going to win the title? No. Would it be great for them to keep staying alive? Sure. 2. Maybe they want to have a backup if Portland doesn't pull the trigger... Ed O.
This lines up perfectly with my initial thoughts on the Ruffin Deal. If the stickler in this deal is Batum, then I would imagine we have to do it.
knicks chat says we are getting carter not rj this guy seems certain. 9:14 [Comment From Richard Jefferson] Hello Tommy, please tell me I am heading to Portland. The future of the Bucks is boring with myself/injured Redd/Bogut/Gadzuric clogging up most of the cap. 9:15 sorry bro, I know your a west coast guy but it looks like it's vince. THe blazers have the same offer out for a few players, and it seems they are sold that Vince gives them what they want moving forward. They are still looking for a PG. [Comment From Mark] Please tell me the Blazers are gonna get VC before the deadline is up! 9:20 The blazers are so volitile right now I can see it not happening, but from what I'm hearing, he'll be a blazer....
They've got some guys to play at that 2/3 spot like Bogans, Bell along with young guys like Mbah a Moute and Alexander. They need to find out if those guys can play rather than paying more to Wally compared to Raef. Makes sense then. But if it's between Raef and Wally... seems like a no brainer to me. Ah, who knows!
