Walsh Doesn't See Marbury in Miami

Walsh said Miami is not a place he'd want Stephon Marbury to wind up. Marbury said he has two teams "he can play for," referring to Boston and Miami. Walsh said, "There has to be a motivation on our part [not] to do something that could end up hurting us." Yesterday on Fox Radio in L.A., Marbury confirmed The Post's story that the Celtics gave him a commitment that they would sign him if he became a free agent. Source: New York Post

Marbury Feels Heat

Stephon Marbury officially added Miami to the list of serious suitors during an interview on ESPN's SportsCenter yesterday.

"I've spoken to Boston, to Miami, Mark Cuban (Dallas owner)," Marbury said. "All those talks I'm having is irrelevant because I can't get out of my deal." Source: New York Post

Miller soon to be a Heat?

Miller, who is still a highly productive center with one of those valuable contracts that expires in 2010, does have a skill set the Cavs would like. He can shoot from the outside and is a good rebounder, like Ilgauskas. Which is why they have had discussions with the Kings about Miller, but so have other teams. The Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday that Miller may soon be a member of the Miami Heat. Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Kings Talk Heats Up

While many scenarios are being discussed, the Kings are closely watching the current trade talks between Miami and Toronto. If Raptors forward Jermaine O'Neal doesn't go to the Heat for small forward Shawn Marion, the Kings could be the benefactor. The Heat, numerous league sources said, has had recent talks with the Kings and offered Marion for center Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas. But Miami also wants the Kings to take Marcus Banks, the little-used, sixth-year point guard who has this season and next remaining on his contract for a combined total of $5.1 million.

Miller and swingman John Salmons remain the most likely significant players to be traded. According to a source close to the team, Portland is among the many teams that has expressed interest recently as well.

Sacramento Bee

The Heat are trying to see how the team is meshing out without Marion. So far, the Heat are good without him. Also, Mark Blount had played 2 decent games coming off the bench.

Kings Looking to Clear Cap

The situation could affect the Kings in a roundabout way. They are believed to have had discussions regarding a deal that would send Marion to Sacramento and center Brad Miller and forward Kenny Thomas to Miami. The Heat small forward has a contract worth $17.1 million that would expire this summer and potentially help expedite the Kings' sluggish rebuilding process. The Heat, of course, badly needs a big man and could use the frontcourt help during its playoff push.
Source: Sacramento Bee

Heat wants Jamario Moon in the deal.

According to a league source, the Heat also is attempting to acquire Raptors second-year small forward Jamario Moon in the deal.
Source: Sacramento Bee

Marion to Dallas or Toronto?

The idea that Miami would send Shawn Marion to Toronto before the Feb. 19 trading deadline is a natural on multiple levels and, according to one insider, has been "circulating for awhile." But ongoing discussions toward a possible Marion-for-Jermaine O'Neal trade, according to NBA front-office sources, are not the only talks Pat Riley is having these days. Source: ESPN.com

Plugged-in sources say that Riley wants to see how O'Neal, who only returned to the Raptors' lineup Friday, holds up physically in a handful of games before taking the discussions any further. And as stated above, sources indicate that there are other teams in contention for Marion, most notably Dallas in a trade that would feature Josh Howard going to Miami for Marion. Source: ESPN.com


Howard obviously isn't a center, but the 28-year-old would appear to fit better alongside Wade and rookie Michael Beasley than Marion, since he wouldn't cut into Beasley's minutes at power forward like Marion sometimes does. Howard also has a contract that fits into Miami's long-range plans, with a salary of $10.4 million this season, $11.4 million next season and a team option for 2010-11 at $12.3 million. Acquiring Howard now would give the Heat almost a season and a half to gauge how he functions as a Wade sidekick, with no obligation to slice into their future salary-cap space if they don't like how it looks. Because its original three-way deal with Charlotte and Oklahoma City featuring Raymond Felton unraveled last week, Dallas still has Jerry Stackhouse's virtual expiring contract ($7 million this season, only $2 million guaranteed next season) to facilitate such a swap. A package of Howard and Stackhouse works for Marion cap-wise. Source: ESPN.com

O'Neal, according to sources and various Internet reports, has told friends and acquaintances that he expects to be dealt to Miami. League sources tell the Star that nothing is expected to happen in the next 24 or 48 hours and it could be more than a week before any deal is finalized. The Raptors have a home game against Phoenix today and start a three-game road trip in Atlanta tomorrow; the Heat played last night and today and begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday. One thing is certain, and that is the Raptors are shopping the 30-year-old O'Neal, who played Friday night for the first time in 10 games in Toronto's loss to the Indiana Pacers after missing nine games with a knee injury. Source: Toronto Star


The irony is this: The Heat will have wound up trading Shaquille O'Neal for Jermaine O'Neal, who actually earns more money over the same span as Shaq. Right now, Shaq is better. While the inside word is the Heat wants to make sure Jermaine is healthy, one can't help but wonder if Marion's recent play also isn't creating some second-guessing. Saturday was his third consecutive double-double. One thing to know: Udonis Haslem said he is beyond the acrimony that had festered for years between himself and Jermaine. He said he now views O'Neal as someone making an honest effort to prolong his career. Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"The Matrix" going to Cleveland?

The Cavaliers have had ongoing discussions with the Miami Heat about an Anderson Varejao and Wally Szczerbiak for Shawn Marion trade, a league executive familiar with the discussions said. Miami has had discussions with several teams lately on Marion, including the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings, sources say, but Cleveland could deliver the most intriguing proposition.

For the Heat, Szczerbiak has a $13 million expiring contract, and Varejao has a player’s option on $6.2 million. He’ll likely opt out. This leaves Miami with a chance to negotiate a new contract with Varejao, or let him lapse and allow the Heat even more cap space for the summer.. Still, Cleveland is 20-4 and hesitant to mess with the chemistry. Nevertheless, the Cavs are trying desperately to win a championship with James prior to 2010 free agency.

Brown loves to play big lineups with Varejao on the floor, but Marion could give the Cavs the versatility on defense that he did the Suns. In the same series, Marion could cover Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Against the Celtics, Marion could spend time on Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett. For the Cavs, it’s something to consider as the days and weeks churn toward the Feb. 17 trade deadline.

- Source: Yahoo! Sports

Trade Shawn Marion for Emeka Okafor?

It's no secret that restricted free agent, center-forward Emeka Okafor is not happy with the Charlotte Bobcats. Okafor wants to be traded to another team. Sources say Okafor is ready to move on and if the Bobcats want the best value from him, they should arrange a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat and get Marion. Marion's uptempo style and tight defense will help the Bobcats in many ways. They will be smaller but faster and more athletic. The Heat should consider this trade because they are in desperate need of a center. It's a win-win for both teams.

Pat Stepping Down

Just heard some news that Pat Riley is stepping down as the head coach. An official announcement today at 4pm ET. Who will be the next head coach? Some are saying Erik Spoelstra (currently the assistant coach).