League sources told ESPN Insider over the weekend that Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the Sixers' Eric Snow and the Raptors' Alvin Williams are all being dangled right now. Zydrunas Ilgauskas The Knicks could put together a package of Charlie Ward, Travis Knight and Othella Harrington that would put them in the picture. Ward only has $2 million worth of salary protection on his contract next season, Knight has just one more year left on his deal, and Harrington's salary won't do any major cap damage. The move would allow the Cavs to clear about $5 million in additional cap room for next summer and $11 million of cap space for the summer of 2004. The Jazz could also be interested, possibly shipping Greg Ostertag, John Amaechi, Jason Collins and a No. 1 draft pick. And the Blazers, always willing to wheel and deal, have looked at moving soon-to-be free agents Scottie Pippen and Antonio Daniels to Cleveland for Ilguaskas, Tyrone Hill and Michael Stewart. Eric Snow Snow's status might even be more tenuous. Several league sources told Insider the Sixers are once again shopping their point guard in return for a post player. While Snow has been a valuable piece of the Sixers puzzle, coach Larry Brown feels that he has enough depth with Aaron McKie and rookie John Salmons to make Snow expendable. Snow's salary, $4.1 million a year, and his solid point guard play makes him attractive trade bait. Several teams are still looking for a point guard and are rumored to be interested in Snow. The Warriors would swap Danny Fortson straight up in a heartbeat. The Hawks likely would part with a combination of rookie Dan (bleep)au and Nazr Mohammed. And the T-Wolves are ready to part ways with Joe Smith. However, whether any of those players would help Larry Brown turn around his Sixers is questionable. Alvin Williams The emergence of Rafer Alston, combined with the team's lackluster play, has management looking to cut costs. You can add Jerome Williams and Antonio Davis to this list as well, but Alvin is generating the most interest right now. First, he's a big point guard, something just about everyone in the league covets. Second, his contract is pretty long, but he's not making outrageous money (around $5 million a year). Where will he land? Look to Boston, where the combo of Shammond Williams and Tony Delk is struggling. The Celtics could offer a package of Shammond Williams (free agent this summer) and Eric Williams (one more year left on his contract) that would allow the Raptors to clear some cap room. Hidayet Turkoglu According to Smith, the Kings are looking for a lottery-caliber draft pick in return for Turkoglu. Many in Sacramento thought Turkoglu was poised to send Doug Christie to the bench after a solid off-season playing for the Turkish national team, but lately Turkoglu has struggled to find minutes in a deep rotation that includes Keon Clark and second-year guard Gerald Wallace. Turkoglu becomes a restricted free agent after next season and according to Smith, the Kings have spread the word that he's available. Smith's article Drew Gooden Gooden is more interesting. It's hard to believe Grizzlies GM Jerry West, who proclaimed that Gooden a legit candidate for Rookie of the Year, would pull the plug on his first draft pick so quickly. The problem for the Griz right now is fit. Pau Gasol is their power forward of the future, and Gooden has struggled to adapt to playing small forward. His struggles have led to decreased playing time. Gooden's pouting over his role with the team hasn't helped things. Smith suggests that the Grizzlies may be willing to rekindle talks with the Magic. This summer, the Grizzlies were trying to get the Magic to agree to a Stromile Swift for Mike Miller swap. Will they up the ante to Gooden for Miller? I would love for the Lakers to get a hold of Eric Snow!. He's not the best ofeender but he is good deffender.
The Griz do have 2 get rid of 1 of their young forwards, but I would get rid of Swift or Battier before Gooden. Hell, I even think Gooden is better than Gasol! Gooden will have a bright future, they'd be dumb to shop him.
My thoughts. Z should stay in Cleveland. Why would the warriors want eric snow when they have a decent pg in arenas. Alvin Williams is hat the celtics need. Hedo is having a tough time getting minutes so he should be traded. The griz should just stay how they are.
Z for those 3 scrubs makes no sense for Cleveland. I don't think Brown would want Joe Smith simply cause Smith is not a great defender...maybe Marc Jackson would be a better fit. He has Philly roots playing at Temple and he produces when given the minutes. Hedo definately needs to get traded. Sac is just too deep and he isn't developing his skills sitting on the bench. A lot of teams fighting in the East should definately give up a draft pick for him. I think Jerry West will make a move during the off-season and will find out what Hubie Brown needs to win. The Lakers should trade Devean George for Battier or Gooden or Watson. I hear Alvin Williams is going to end up with the Pacers if they aren't able to deal for Payton. Look for Bender to get dealt and possibly Croshere.
