Zach Randolph - Trail Blazers Nets? Dec. 28 - It appears the entire Blazers' team has now soured on Randolph, ESPN Insider's Chad Ford reports. He's only the guy GM John Nash gave a reported six-year, $83 million contract extension to this fall. Things have gotten so rocky in Portland between the team and Randolph that the Blazers have internally kicked around the idea of trading Randolph. With Shareef Abdur-Rahim on the roster, the team already has another top-notch power forward. And unlike Randolph, he's shown a willingess to play within a system, out of position and get his teammates involved. However, Randolph is virtually untradable. Because the first year of his extension exceeds the 12.5 percent maximum raise allowable from the $1.8 million Randolph makes this season, Randolph has what is called a "poison pill" contract. For cap purposes, his contract is averaged out through the life of the deal. That means that the team trading for Randolph would have to be able to accept Randolph's average of $12.2 million in salary. However, the Blazers would only be able to take back what he makes right now ? $1.8 million. Only a team with $10 million in cap room or a major trade exception would be able to make a trade like that work. Only one team, the Nets, qualifies. Samuel Dalembert - 76ers SuperSonics Mavericks Suns Hawks Raptors Nets Dec. 28 - Dalembert is getting minutes and winning fans all over the league, Insider's Chad Ford reports. Why isn't head coach Jim O'Brien one of them? Despite Dalembert's impressive numbers starting the Sixers' last seven games (9.1 rpg, 2.6 bpg), O'Brien remains convinced that the team is better off with a big guy who fits better into his defensive schemes. O'Brien has complained all year that Dalembert's unwillingness to get out and guard the high-post pick and roll was hurting the whole defensive schemes. Dalembert is a more traditional shot blocker who likes to hang around the basket. The Mavericks, Suns, Hawks, Raptors and Nets have all made serious inquiries about his availability. Over the past week that number has continued to swell, with the SuperSonics the latest team to try to pry him away from Philly sources tell Insider. It's clear the GM Billy King doesn't want to trade Dalembert. Will his coach pressure him to make the move against his better judgment? Right now the signals are mixed. Two teams told Insider over the past week that they got a "wait and see" answer from King ? a definite shift away from the "no way" responses teams got just a month ago. However, another team told Insider on Monday that King told them there was no way he was moving Dalembert this season. P.J. Brown - Hornets Nets? Dec. 28 - The Nets have tried their best over the past week to convince the Raptors to give up Donyell Marshall or the Warriors to give up Cliff Robinson, Insider's Chad Ford reports. So far, neither team is budging. The addition of Jerome Moiso will help a little, but the Nets know they need a more-established low post player if they're going to have a serious shot at making a run in the East. Over the last several days, the Nets have begun talking to the Hornets about Brown. Hornets ownership is considering cleaning house. That was made even more apparent on Dec. 27 when they shipped out David Wesley. If the team moves Baron Davis for young players and cap space, Brown likely will be the next to go. The Nets own $15.4 million in trade exceptions, making a swap of Brown for nothing a piece of cake. However, new owner Bruce Ratner is still wavering on taking on the entire three years, $24 million left on Brown's contract. Combine Brown's deal with Vince Carter's contract, and the Nets would've been better off financially re-signing Kenyon Martin.
