Contra Costa Times: "Point guards Earl Watson (Seattle), Marcus Banks (Phoenix), Carlos Arroyo (Orlando) and Steve Francis (New York) are available."
Basketball News Services: "After weeks of speculation in New York, Steve Francis is still with the Knicks and without a place in the rotation if and when he ever gets back from his knee problems. If ever a buyout made sense, this is it. More than that, this is one of those rare times that a team could give a player $30 million in severance pay and consider it a tremendous cost savings. Assuming Francis' knee problems are temporary and he once again can at least be a solid NBA player, this one makes sense for everyone."
Contra Costa Times: "Pau Gasol: Reports out of Memphis are that the Grizzlies' dominant forward has asked to be traded and the team is looking to appease his request. Several teams are interested in a proven low-post player. The Chicago Bulls, who have an expiring contract (P.J. Brown) and young talent to spare, are considered the front-runners."
Memphis Commercial Appeal: "The team with the best chance of making a deal with the Grizzlies is the Chicago Bulls. Grizzlies president Jerry West wants forward Luol Deng (6-9, 21 years old), forward Andres Nocioni (6-7, 27), and veteran P.J. Brown (6-11, 37) and his expiring contract. It would a real coup if West could pull off that deal, perhaps the best move since he took over running the franchise. But Bulls general manager John Paxson has been slow to pull the trigger on the deal. And with good reason."
Memphis Commercial Appeal: "Reports out of Boston say the Celtics would be willing to part with Al Jefferson (6-10, 22), and Gerald Green (6-8, 21) for Gasol. Jefferson is a nice player who's shown improvement during his three years in the league, averaging 14 points and 10 boards this season. But he's nowhere near the caliber of player Gasol is. And neither is Green."
Memphis Commercial Appeal: "The latest report came last week, saying the Grizzlies wanted Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge (6-11, 21), Sergio Rodriguez (6-3, 20) and Jamaal Magloire (6-11, 28) for Gasol. It was a report that was quickly shot down by the Trail Blazers. First off, the Blazers are in cost-cutting mode, so they likely wouldn't be interested in Gasol's hefty contract. Second, coach Nate McMillan is doing a nice job of blending their young talent, including Aldridge and Rodriguez, around forward Zach Randolph."
Memphis Commercial Appeal: "The rumors, the talk, the speculation continue to swirl around the NBA regarding the future of Grizzlies forward/center Pau Gasol. Where will the former All-Star land after asking owner Michael Heisley for a trade? The truth is, despite the names being tossed about in possible deals, most either don't make sense from the Grizzlies' standpoint, or that of the trading partner. And for that reason alone, don't be surprised if Gasol is still a Grizzly beyond the Feb. 22 trade deadline. There's a good chance he could still be around when the team reports for training camp next season."
Contra Costa Times: "Vince Carter: The New Jersey Nets swingman is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract at season's end, making him a free agent. The Nets, who certainly aren't expected to make any real noise in the playoffs, have reportedly been considering getting something for Carter now instead of risking losing him for nothing this offseason. Carter expects to demand a pricey new contract, and the Nets might be ready to give up on the trio of Carter, point guard Jason Kidd and swingman Richard Jefferson."
Basketball News Services: "New York’s Nate Robinson will defend his crown in the 2007 Sprite Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS™, Feb. 17 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Robinson will compete against three first-time entrants – Boston’s Gerald Green, who is an alumnus of the NBA Development League, Orlando’s Dwight Howard and Chicago’s Tyrus Thomas – for this year’s title."
Basketball News Services: "The judges of this year’s Sprite Slam Dunk competition will include [Michael] Jordan, who is the all-time All-Star Game scoring leader with 262 points in 14 appearances; 1985 and 1990 Slam Dunk champion and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins; 1997 Slam Dunk winner and starting guard for this year’s Western Conference All-Stars Kobe Bryant; 2000 Slam Dunk winner and 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star reserve Vince Carter and 11-time NBA All-Star and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving."
Basketball News Services: "Being named an All-Star or to one of its ancillary competitions - slam dunk contest, three-point shootout, rookie challenge - means a lot to a player, his team, his coach, and his fans; but what does it mean to his collectibles? For an established star the answer is not much."
East Valley Tribune: "Nash, who first started experiencing pain in the shoulder when he woke up Thursday morning and has seen it get progressively worse since, will sit out for at least tonight’s game in Portland. The Suns then have two days off before hosting Atlanta Friday. Suns head trainer Aaron Nelson said rest and treatment is the best course to ease the inflammation that is causing spasms in the neck and shoulder area. “It’s really sore and not very mobile,” said Nash, who was pulled for good with 1:05 left in the first half. “Now it hurts just sitting on the sidelines. Everything is just spasms everywhere. Just changing directions, the shoulder is frozen and the pain really comes."
East Valley Tribune: "His knee is still not right, but Bell was able to practice Sunday and expects to play tonight after sitting out against the Jazz. “It was better than (Saturday),” he said. “It would have to not feel well (today), but this is the first day I ran on it since San Antonio so we’ll see. “It still feels kind of heavy, like there is still fluid in it. But if I can move it, I can play.”
Basketball News Services: "The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Utah Jazz’s Mehmet Okur today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, Feb. 4."
Contra Costa Times: "Mike Bibby: The Sacramento Kings guard hasn't played up to his $12.5 million salary this season. What's more, he doesn't fit well with a defensive coach in Eric Musselman or next to a defensive star in Ron Artest. The glory days of the offense-only Kings appear to be over, which means Bibby isn't as useful."
Contra Costa Times: "Corey Maggette: The Los Angeles Clippers still want to move him, though owner Donald Sterling publicly expressed his desire to keep Corey Maggette (a ploy to increase Corey Maggette's value?). The reality is it has become obvious the Clippers need to enhance their team if they plan to compete with Phoenix and Dallas, and Maggette is the one player other teams want."
Basketball News Services: "In practice I’m a headache for these guys because I feel like no one can box me out and every day we go and they tell Coach ‘I’m not going to try to box James out’. I just want every rebound, everything that comes off the rim, offensively or defensively, I want it. I’ve gotten better on the offensive end, and I’m starting to get involved more on defense, it just comes naturally."
Orange County Register: "Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said it is unlikely the Clippers would make a trade before the Feb.22 deadline. But one player - not named Corey Maggette - wants out. Corey Maggette requested a trade more than a month ago, through his agent. The Clippers explored options but none surfaced that interested them. Now second-year forward James Singleton wants to change teams. Singleton was the first player out of the locker room after Wednesday's victory over Chicago. "I don't want to sound like I'm whining," Singleton said. "I just want to play, and I don't think it'll be here. I'm never getting the opportunity, and so I told my agent to call them and ask them to trade me."
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