Is LeBron still the one?
by Chad Ford
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Also Below: Darko's troubles aren't over just yet | Who are the best of the rest? | Darko's agent has more tricks up his sleeve | Peep Show
The biggest topic of discussion among NBA executives during All-Star Weekend had nothing to do extra playoff games, Michael Jordan's last All-Star Game, Yao Ming's first All-Star Game or the rising tide of violence and disciplinary problems polluting the NBA.
No, the biggest topics of discussion among the guys who have to run NBA teams were an 18-year-old high school shooting guard with a Hummer, and an obscure 17-year-old, 7-footer from Yugoslavia.
LeBron James and Darko Milicic weren't invited to All-Star Weekend, but judging by the buzz they were creating in Atlanta, you would've never known.
Last season, all anyone could talk about was Yao Ming. Now that we know what we've got with him, apparently it's time to move on.
Players and GMs alike already were weighing in on the impact James and Milicic will have in the NBA. Everyone had an opinion on LeBron. Everyone had a question about Darko.
Is a LeBron backlash brewing? Michael Jordan said LeBron would be an "average" NBA player when he came into the league. Other players weren't even that gracious.
The sky, or maybe the universe, who knows, is the limit for LeBron James.
"LeBron's in for a rude awakening," former prep star Tyson Chandler told Insider. "All that stuff that you get away with in high school, they take that away from you in the NBA. Your best stuff. Teams figure that out, and then they won't let you do your thing. I'm constantly trying to add stuff, but right now a lot of is forced."
Jay Williams, the poster child for staying in school, thinks the high school kids miss a lot by skipping college.
"There's little things that they're missing that they would've had if they stayed in school. Like hard work," Williams said. "Tyson is working hard, and Eddy's figuring it out, but when I was in high school, I thought running a couple of suicides was a tough workout. Your eyes are really opened when you get to college. They instill a work ethic there."
Memphis rookie Gordan Giricek tried to put the situations of the two stars into perspective.
"I came straight out of high school to play professionally," he said. "I had a chance to go to a university, but when I looked at what I wanted to do with my life, it makes no sense. You go to college to get smarter in the field of your future job. My future job was basketball. I knew this. I wasn't going to get smarter about basketball studying history in college. I know it is a risk, but kids are smart enough to make their own decisions."
Ironically, the GMs I talked to weren't worried at all about LeBron's decision to skip college and come straight to the NBA.
"He's ready," one Eastern Conference GM told Insider. "Kevin Garnett was ready. Amare Stoudemire was ready. This kid is ready. He understands the game, is fundamentally sound and understands the effort it takes on the floor to get it done. He's really wise beyond his years. I'm not saying he'll be a superstar overnight, but I think he can have the same impact that Yao and Stoudemire are having this year."
One Western Conference coach went even further. "He'll be starting in the All-Star Game next season. I just hope he's wearing our jersey."
LeBron James would be fitting addition to Bulls' Romper Room
Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun-Times
Go ahead LeBron, get it off your chest
Tom Knott / Washington Times
Kids that are seen and hurried
Sam Donnellon / Philadelphia Daily News
King of cha-ching
Bob Cohn / Washington Times
Darko's troubles aren't over just yet
The most shocking question at All-Star Weekend was simply this, "Is LeBron James still the No. 1 pick?"
NBA beat writers, GMs, coaches, even players were all asking me the same question. I'm one of the few members of the media who has seen both James and Darko Milicic play live. If Darko is as good as advertised, they posited, wouldn't teams be crazy to draft a guard over a big man?
Darko Milicic, 17, is seven feet tall and has a full complement of skills.
There's a pretty simple answer to the question. Darko could be the next Hakeem Olajuwon and it wouldn't matter. Given the ticket sales and fan interest LeBron will generate, no team in its right mind, regardless of its needs, is going to pass on him. Trade who you have to trade. LeBron will get you sellouts for the next 10 years.
Still, that's not dampening the buzz on Darko. While a few GMs have made the trip to Vrsac, Yugoslavia, to watch him play, most were waiting until the league ruled on his eligibility to make the 14-hour jaunt halfway around the world. Until know, Darko's audience has been numerous international NBA scouts and yours truly. That's about to change.
"My phone has been ringing non-stop," Milicic's agent, Marc Cornstein, told Insider. "Everyone's excited that he's in the draft, and they're ready to get a closer look."
Said one GM whose team has scouted Milicic heavily, "It's not very often that a young 17-year-old, 7-footer with an NBA body, an aura of toughness and low-post skills declares for the draft. If it was any other year, he'd easily be the No. 1 pick in the draft. I think that's why there's such a buzz. It's not very often that you have two No. 1 caliber picks in the same draft."
While just about everyone in the media was shocked when the NBA announced it was reversing its decision and would allow Milicic and another young international phenom, Sofaklis Schortsianides, to enter the draft, several GMs weren't quite as surprised.
Apparently, team executives, through their owners, were also lobbying David Stern to back down on the issue and let the younger international kids in the draft. Said one Eastern Conference executive, "The rule was stupid. Those kids were professionals. The rule made no sense for them. And the truth is, they're more mature than most of the kids with two or three years of college under their belts. I think Stern was getting it from all sides. It was a no-brainer."
Milicic was a bit more surprised. "I'm shocked," he said in a phone interview. "I'm just overjoyed. My NBA dream is about to come true."
However, Darko's saga still isn't over.
Cornstein left for Yugoslavia on Tuesday to begin talking buyout with Milicic's team, Hemofarm. It's not going to be easy. Milicic's parents signed a contract for Darko when he was 15 years old. The contract runs through 2007 and has no buyout provisions.
Negotiating overseas can be tricky. Hemofarm is going to want much more than the $350,000 that teams can contribute to a buyout. He's the only star on a virtual no-name team. Hemofarm has been very protective of Darko so far, and if past negotiations with Yugoslavian clubs are any indication, the talks could drag on for some time.
Cornstein, however, told Insider he isn't concerned. "It's going to happen. I'm not worried. His club is very reasonable. We have a great relationship. They understand that this is his dream and knew it would be coming sooner rather than later."
Even if Hemofarm does try to play hardball, Cornstein will have an ace up his sleeve. Recent rulings by FIBA, the international basketball governing body, have indicated that players, once they turn 18, don't always have to honor contracts signed by their parents. Clubs pretty much understand the contracts aren't enforceable after a kid's 18th birthday. Just the threat of litigation, and losing all of a buyout for Darko, should be enough for Cornstein to get a deal done.
Cornstein hopes to have his client's release secured by early June, when Darko's season is over. Cornstein then plans to bring him to the U.S. for private workouts with teams that haven't gotten a good look.
Who are the best of the rest?
So, your team's in the lottery but doesn't get the first or second pick? Don't throw yourself off a building just yet. Although most teams feel this is going to be a pretty weak draft after LeBron and Darko are off the board, there are some interesting names left on the radar screen.
Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony could be the No. 3 pick in the draft if he declares.
The consensus No. 3 pick, if he declares, would be Syracuse freshman Carmelo Anthony. Anthony, a super athletic 6-foot-8 swingman, is averaging 21.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg on 46 percent shooting.
"He's really awesome," one NBA scout told Insider. "He can run like the wind, has out-of-this-world athleticism, and he's an unbelievable rebounder for his size. Really the only flaw in his game is his 3-point shooting. He needs to develop a more consistent stroke from the outside."
After that, things get much fuzzier. A couple of other college underclassmen, Georgia Tech freshman Chris Bosh and UConn sophomore Emeka Okafor, are considered potential high lottery picks. However, the buzz in Atlanta was that both kids likely would stay in school for another year.
Bosh has been adamant about getting an education. Tech coach Paul Hewitt told the Atlanta Journal Constitution this week that they expect Bosh back next season, but reliable information that he might be a lottery pick in June's NBA draft could "change things," Bosh said.
Emeka Okafor is hot prospect, but scouts think he'll stay in school one more year.
Okafor, who is an exceptional student as well as a phenomenal shot blocker, is actually on pace to graduate, a la Jay Williams, after his junior year. But given how much his game has blossomed offensively this season, it probably makes sense for the 6-foot-9 power forward to spend another year honing his moves on the block.
The rest of this year's potential lottery picks have a lot of promise, but they're mostly unproven players.
Kansas point guard Kirk Hinrich, Louisville combo guard Reece Gaines, Illinois forward Brian Cook and oft-injured Western Kentucky center Chris Marcus are the only college seniors with a realistic shot at the lottery.
Juniors getting the most attention include Oregon point guard Luke Ridnour, Mississippi State power forward Mario Austin, Washington State sleeper Marcus Moore, Missouri two-guard Rickey Paulding, Georgia swingman Jarvis Hayes and Miami sharp-shooter Darius Rice.
The sophomore class, with the exception of Okafor, isn't wowing anyone. Florida's David Lee, Minnesota's Rick Rickert and three small point guards -- Notre Dame's Chris Thomas, Texas' T.J. Ford and UConn's Ben Gordon -- are getting the most buzz.
The only other freshmen, behind Anthony and Bosh, getting much attention from NBA scouts at this point are Notre Dame's Torin Francis and Arizona's Hassan Adams. However, scouts believe both kids need at least one or two more years of seasoning.
In 2001, four high school players made it to the lottery. Last season, only one, Amare Stoudemire, made it into the first round. Was that a backlash to the poor seasons of Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler? Hardly. This year, several other high school seniors are hoping to slip in on LeBron's coattails. Texas big man Kendrick Perkins, New Jersey forward Charlie Villanueva, Jersey two-guard Lulol Deng and 300-pound Alabama center James Lang are all considering making the leap.
And of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention several other international prospects with a great shot at the lottery. Leading the pack are Brazilian forward Anderson Varejão, Greek big man Sofaklis "Baby Shaq" Schortsianides, and France's answer to Vince Carter, super athletic swingman Mickael Pietrus.
Darko's agent has more tricks up his sleeve
It seems like at least one new NBA power agent emerges every year. Last year, Bill Duffy went from a well-regarded agent to NBA power broker when he signed on Yao Ming, Jay Williams, Drew Gooden, Fred Jones, Kareem Rush and Tayshaun Prince all in the same year.
This season, the early money is on Darko Milicic's agent, Marc Cornstein. Not only will Cornstein be controlling the likely No. 2 pick, he's got a host of other young international stars who could make a major impact in the draft this season.
Cornstein, by NBA standards, is relatively new to the game. At just 32 years of age, he's already accumulated 31 clients, including three NBA players -- Samuel Dalembert, Primoz Brezec and Denver's Predrag Savovic -- and host of American college stars, including Sconnie Penn, Marvin O'Conner and Reggie Freeman, who play overseas.
At 7-foot-6, Slavko Vranes would be the tallest player in the NBA.
But that's basically the tip of the ice berg. His stable of young international players includes Zoran Planinic, a 6-foot-6 Croatian point guard who some scouts feel could sneak into the lottery. He also has, perhaps, the most intriguing player expected to be in the draft. Seven-foot-6 center Slavko Vranes is just 19 years old, but he already has scouts drooling. While Vranes is still very raw, his height and size -- he weighs around 280 pounds -- virtually guarantee that he's a first-round pick. Add in slick 6-foot-7 Yugoslavian shooting guard Aleksander Pavlovic, and in all likelihood, Cornstein is looking at four first-round picks this season.
Cornstein may have also landed the best young prospect in Yugoslavia this year when he added 6-foot-5 Yugoslavian point guard Milos Teodosic to his roster. Teodosic, who is just 15 years old, is already being called the best young point guard in Europe. And he has the top undrafted international free agent in 6-foot-9 small forward Ognjen Askrabic. Askrabic is expected to collect big dollars in the free agent market this summer when he finally gets out of his big contract in Yugoslavia and heads for the NBA.
That stable of players has put Cornstein on par with the other top NBA international agents -- Duffy, Marc Fleisher and SFX's David Bauman.
Cornstein, who once worked for Anthony Mason's agent, Don Cronson, said he saw and an opening in Europe several years ago, and with the help of his president of European basketball affairs, Dragan Delic, he's turned his company (Pinnacle Management) into a force to be contended with.
"I just took the opportunity and ran with it," Cornstein said. "Now that we're on the verge of having a few high impact players in the draft, I think we'll really explode overseas. It's been a hard, long journey, but we're finally seeing some of the fruits of our labors."
Peep Show
Miami Heat: We know Miami is facing serious cap issues this summer. Is trading Alonzo Mourning and his $20 million expiring contract the answer to all of their problems? Ethan Skolnick of the Sun Sentinel writes that the Heat could provide major cap relief to a team, bring in one or two top players and still re-sign Mourning next summer to a smaller deal if he was healthy. "Any trade of Mourning would be strictly ceremonial. Barring a miracle, he would not wear another jersey. If his health enabled him to return this summer, the Heat could re-sign him to an improved roster worth his time and risk to join."
Philadelphia 76ers: Larry Brown said he's out there looking for a trade deadline deal, but they aren't easy to find. "Most teams that I've talked to Billy about I think are concerned about [the luxury tax]," Brown told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Our ownership is concerned about it. With that in mind, if you can improve your team and be fiscally responsible, you always have to consider that. Now I don't know how you get them both done."
New York Knicks: Latrell Sprewell is talking like the end of his tenure with the Knicks is near. Sprewell wonders whether new fans will embrace with the same affection Knick fans afforded him. "I don't think it would be the same way," Sprewell told the N.Y. Post. "The Garden is a special place. I don't know if I'd be accepted as [much] as I would here. You never know until you are in the different situation. I don't really care either way," Sprewell said about a potential trade. "Wherever I'm at, I'm going to play and play hard. That's just me."
Milwaukee Bucks: Ray Allen took it easy over All-Star Weekend, but his ankles aren't feeling any better. "I'm rested," Allen told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I was on the beach the whole time [during all-star weekend]. But I spoke with the doctors about cortisone shots. [The rest] did justice to my body. But I've never felt this in my ankles before. It feels like the bones are grinding together."
San Antonio Spurs: David Robinson's ailing hip and back could keep him out of action for a while. "When it gets to be the nerve in that hip, his leg doesn't move," coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio Express News. "It keeps him from doing what he's able to do on the court. It can be a dangerous thing at that point for him, so we need to get it looked at and get it squared away so it doesn't get worse where he's got a real problem. We're trying to nip it in the bud now so if he misses some games now it's better than missing the playoffs like last year."
Boston Celtics: Vin Baker had nine points and three boards in his return to Seattle Tuesday, prompting Antoine Walker to tell the media to back off. "Vin's fine," Walker told the Boston Herald. "I think you guys make more out of Vin than anything. Y'all need to figure out if y'all want him to be healthy and be a basketball player or do y'all want to see if he's going to quit basketball. He ain't going nowhere, man. He's got four years. Leave him alone."
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ricky Davis may be having a breakout season, but GM Jim Paxson said it hasn't been easy. "Convincing Ricky to be a part of the offense, to be patient, is one of Keith's biggest challenges," Paxson told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Ricky needs to understand that no one player is bigger than the team. We are talking about maturity."
Denver Nuggets: Marcus Camby picked a strange game to make his first real appearance for the Nuggets this season (we're not counting the 17-second thing). Camby was a surprise start against Shaq of all people. "Obviously there is a lot of rust on Marcus' game," coach Jeff Bzdelik told the Denver Post. "But just for him to be out there and competing is a positive for us." Camby went 1-for-8 from the field. "It felt pretty good for the most part. I just wanted to play and see where I was at against one of the hottest players in the league. I'm trying to go [tonight]. I didn't shoot particularly well. I want to redeem myself."
Chicago Bulls: Agent Aaron Goodwin is pushing for a Jamal Crawford trade again. "I know Jerry doesn't want to trade Jamal, but it could be in everybody's best interest," Goodwin told the Chicago Tribune. "They clearly are showing favoritism. Jay is a great player, but he should be allowed to compete like anybody else. Jamal has had to compete to get playing time. Jamal has outperformed him as a starter and he has from Day 1. It's not like the rest of the league isn't watching what's going on. It is."
Heat future still centers on Zo
Ethan J. Skolnick / South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Wish list in hand, Sixers start shopping
Ashley McGeachy Fox / Philadelphia Inquirer
Spree's Talking Like End Is Near
Marc Berman / New York Post
Allen's injured ankle still a sore spot for Bucks
Tom Enlund / Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Admiral back home for treatment
Johnny Ludden / San Antonio Express-News
Pierce injured in Celts' win
Steve Bulpett / Boston Herald
Cavs' Smart needs help from Davis
Terry Pluto / Akron Beacon Journal
Camby returns, but Kobe burns
Marc J. Spears / Denver Post
Crawford camp sad
K.C. Johnson / Chicago Tribune
Wednesday, February 12 Updated 2:11 PM EST
Should the Heat trade Zo?
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Alonzo Mourning
Heat
??? Feb. 12 - We know Miami is facing serious cap issues this summer. Is trading Alonzo Mourning and his $20 million expiring contract the answer to all of their problems? Ethan Skolnick of the Sun Sentinel writes that the Heat could provide major cap relief to a team, bring in one or two top players and still re-sign Mourning next summer to a smaller deal if he was healthy. "Any trade of Mourning would be strictly ceremonial. Barring a miracle, he would not wear another jersey. If his health enabled him to return this summer, the Heat could re-sign him to an improved roster worth his time and risk to join."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jamal Crawford
Bulls
Cavs
Warriors
Magic
Sonics
Knicks
Wizards Feb. 12 - Agent Aaron Goodwin is pushing for a Jamal Crawford trade again now that he's lost his starting job to Jay Williams. "I know Jerry doesn't want to trade Jamal, but it could be in everybody's best interest," Goodwin told the Chicago Tribune. "They clearly are showing favoritism. Jay is a great player, but he should be allowed to compete like anybody else. Jamal has had to compete to get playing time. Jamal has outperformed him as a starter and he has from Day 1. It's not like the rest of the league isn't watching what's going on. It is."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Allen Iverson
76ers
Raptors? Feb. 11 - The hottest rumor making the rounds Monday morning had Philly quietly gauging interest in Allen Iverson. The Sixers would demand another All-Star caliber two-guard in return.
One N.Y. Post report hinted that a Vince Carter for Iverson swap could be in the works. Based on numbers alone, it's highly unlikely. Carter is a base-year compensation player this season, making him almost impossible to trade. To get the numbers to work, the Raptors and Sixers would have to put together a massive deal that would send Iverson, Todd MacCulloch, Eric Snow and Greg Buckner to Toronto for Carter, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jerome Williams and Alvin Williams. In other words, don't hold your breath on that one.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jason Kidd
Nets
Nets
Spurs
Sonics Feb. 10 - Jason Kidd looks like he's ready to bolt the Nets for the Spurs this summer. Sources told Insider that he's been buddying up with Tim Duncan all weekend and has hinted to several players, for the first time, that his decision will be between New Jersey and San Antonio.
Couple that news with the fact that the Spurs recently discontinued talks with the Hawks about Shareef Abdur-Rahim (his contract would've prevented the team from signing Kidd) and his comments to the media this weekend concerning the Spurs and Duncan and the writing may be on the wall.
While Kidd insists that he's happy in New Jersey, he says his decision will be based on which team will give him the best shot at winning an NBA Championship. "San Antonio happens to be one of the teams ... that I feel that I can help that team win a championship," Kidd told the media. "But we have to see come July 1. . .It would be hard to turn down playing with a big man like Tim Duncan. ... But I'm happy with the guys that we have in K-Mart [Kenyon Martin] and R.J. [Richard Jefferson] right now. But come July 1, I will see what the Alamo has to offer."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Tyrone Hill
Cavs
Magic
Sonics
Lakers Feb. 10 - Can Tyrone Hill help a contender? Plenty of teams think so, but Cavs GM Jim Paxson is having a tough time getting a deal done. Interest has waned since Paxson ordered coaches to bench Hill in favor of young players like Chris Mihm and Carlos Boozer. It also hasn't helped that word leaked out of Cleveland this week that the team will likely waive Hill if a trade can't be made before the Feb. 20th deadline. Considering that Paxson is looking for either young players or guys in the last year of their contracts in return -- chances are teams like the Magic and Sixers will wait him out and then try to recruit Hill on their own once he's waived.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Andre Miller
Clippers
just about everyone Feb. 6 - Coach Alvin Gentry feels his players have given up on team basketball in order to pursue personal agendas to increase their value on the free-agent market this summer. "Well, I would say we have now," Gentry said. "Obviously, we've shown we can't win with this group [of starters]. The only thing left is to try the other guys."
Genty's wrath has known no limits, but the focus of his frustration has centered on Miller. After putting up all-star-caliber numbers in Cleveland last season, he has just been awful since the New Year. Miller's ineffectivness, combined with the strong play of rookie Marko Jaric and third-year guard Dooling, continues to fuel speculation that Miller could be gone by the Feb. 20 trade deadline.
Several teams, including the Jazz and Nuggets plan on making a run at Miller this summer when he becomes a restricted free agent. Will a capped out team like the Knicks, Wizards or Magic try to beat them to the punch?
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Hawks
Spurs?
Sonics
Lakers
Bulls
Heat
Nuggets Feb. 6 - Numerous GMs around the league now claim that everyone on the Hawks' roster is available. And they mean everyone. Abdur-Rahim, Theo Ratliff, Jason Terry, Nazr Mohammed, rookie Dan Dickau and even the newly acquired Glenn Robinson all have been attached to at least one trade rumor this week. Last week the hot rumor had the Hawks talking to the Spurs about Abdur-Rahim for Steve Smith and Danny Ferry.
However, Spurs coach Gregg Popovitch said the team doesn't want to make any deal that would compromise the salary-cap space they have cleared to sign free agents this summer. "We're not giving it up," Popovich told the San Antonio Express News on Thursday. "We're not." Popovitch said the team is unwilling to take on his contract as long as they believe they have a shot at landing free agent Jason Kidd this summer.
Of course other teams, without as much cap room this summer may still be interested. The Lakers, who have roughly $11.3 million in salaries, could also make a deal. So could the Sonics, who could send a package of Kenny Anderson and Vladimir Radmanovic. The Sonics almost dealt Gary Payton for Abdur-Rahim two seasons ago. Could they get him for much less now? The Bulls have been searching for veteran help and have plenty of young players -- Jamal Crawford, Marcus Fizer -- to trade. If the Cavs really want to start winning now, a combination of Tyrone Hill and Darius Miles from the Cavaliers could jump start the process.
And don't forget the Heat and Nuggets. Abdur-Rahim is better than almost any free agent those teams could land this summer. The Heat have Alonzo Mourning's salary they could use to acquire Abdur-Rahim. The Nuggets have Juwan Howard's. If these teams were willing to take on another unwieldly contract (like Henderson's or Mohammed's) and throw in a prospect or a draft pick, would the Hawks do the deal?
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Brian Grant
Heat
Sixers Feb. 6 - The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that in addition to Theo Ratliff and Latrell Sprewell, the Sixers have at least internally shown interest in Heat forward Brian Grant.
Coach Pat Riley is trying to find a new home for either Grant or Eddie Jones. The Heat need to move one of the two players to get far enough under the cap to make a run at a top tier free agent this summer. The Sixers could offer power forward Derrick Coleman, who's in the last year of his contract. That would allow the Heat to clear an additional $10 million in cap room next summer. If Riley can't make a move, the Heat are looking at only $4 to $5 million in cap space next summer.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Austin Croshere
Pacers
Lakers
Warriors
Sonics
Sixers Feb. 6 - The Pacers are working the phones trying to find a home for Croshere or Ron Mercer. They need to get at least one of those salaries off the books to have a realistic shot at signing Jermaine O'Neal, Reggie Miller and Brad Miller this summer. They'd prefer to move Croshere, who has struggled to get playing time because of the team's depth at forward. O'Neal, Artest, Al Harrington and Bender are eating up all of his minutes right now and the Pacers would love to clear that logjam. They'd also love to dump the five years and $38 million remaining on his contract. If the Pacers could move Croshere this fall, they'd clear an additional $7.6 million from the cap.
The Indianapolis Star, quoting an Eastern Conference GM, said the Pacers and Warriors have been talking about a Croshere-for-Danny Fortson swap. That's surprising, considering the Pacers have been trying to dump Croshere in return for a player with an expiring contract.
The Lakers appear to be the other team most interested. Ideally, the Lakers would love to add a young, athletic power forward and point guard to the roster. However, Mitch Kupchak and company are fond of Croshere. Croshere has his real breakout series against the Lakers in the 1999-2000 Finals. Since then he's gotten the rep as a "Laker Killer." The Lakers are remiss to give up Robert Horry, but they probably don't have to. While the Pacers would prefer to land Horry for their own playoff run, a combo of Walker, Murray and Mark Madsen would be enough to get a deal done. That gives the Pacers the cap relief they're looking for and adds another solid player to the Lakers rotation. The Sixers, Rockets and Sonics have also shown some interest in the forward.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Theo Ratliff
Hawks
Sixers
Raptors
Magic Feb. 6 - The Sixers are still trying to re-acquire Ratliff, but they may have run into a snag. According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Sixers ownership would allow the team to acquire Ratliff and the remaining two years, $21 million on his contract only if another major contract (read Keith Van Horn's) was subtracted.
That makes things much, much tougher. According to the Daily News, the Sixers did have interest in swapping Van Horn for Knicks swingman Latrell Sprewell several weeks ago, but nothing ever came of it. The Knicks, who are in lockdown mode concerning taking on extra salaries, aren't in any position to swallow Van Horn's contract either.
That means the Sixers may play it safe and just let power forward Derrick Coleman's salary come off the books this summer. Doing so would put the team out of the luxury-tax threshold and give it a payroll of around $48 million, excluding draft picks, next season.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Mike Miller
Magic
Grizzlies Feb. 4 - Two league sources told Insider Monday that the Grizzlies appear to be resurrecting talks with the Magic about a Mike Miller-for-Stromile Swift swap. The two teams have talked about this deal several times over the course of the last eight months. However, the Magic have been reluctant to pull the trigger because of the uncertainty surrounding Grant Hill.
So why are the Magic listening again when Hill's future has never been more hazy? The Magic have been trying to pry away Gooden to no avail. However, the Grizzlies are now apparently willing to include international sharp shooter Gordan Giricek to make the Magic whole. While Giricek isn't as accomplished as Miller, he, along with Pat Garrity, should be able to handle the workload at small forward in Hill's absence. Swift would give the Magic the young, athletic low-post player they've coveted for a while. While he isn't the star-caliber player they hoped to land, Swift is probably the best young talent that's actually available.
The Grizzlies, who have a log jam at power forward with Gasol, Wright, Gooden and Swift, have coveted Miller for a while. To make the deal work financially, the Magic would have to throw in center Andrew DeClercq. That's great news for the Grizzlies. DeClercq has a team option on his contract for next season. If the Grizzlies aren't interested, they could clear over $3 million in cap space next summer by letting him go.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Latrell Sprewell
Knicks
Lakers
Sixers Feb. 3 - Just when you thought the Spree rumors were finally dead, the New York Daily News reported Monday that the Lakers have shown interest in adding Sprewell to the mix. The Lakers are looking for scoring and have a number of players with expiring contracts who they could offer to the Knicks in return.
This report comes on the heels of rumors earlier in the week that the Sixers had offered to swap Keith Van Horn for Spree. Given GM Scott Layden's "let's rebuild the state of Utah in Manhattan" rebuilding strategy, it's amazing they didn't grab Van Horn and immediately offer him a lifetime extension.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Pau Gasol
Grizzlies
Everyone Feb. 3 - A few more GMs commented to Insider this weekend that the Grizzlies are putting out word that they're willing to part with either Gasol or Drew Gooden. Whichever player brings the more lucrative bounty could be gone in the next couple of weeks, especially if a team is willing to agree to a package deal that rids the Grizzlies of the long-term contracts of Lorenzen Wright and Jason Williams. Jerry West is tired of being hamstrung by the salary cap and is apparently ready to pay a big, big price to get some flexibility this year or the next.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Antonio Davis
Raptors
Blazers
Lakers?
Sixers?
Magic? Feb. 3 - The Raptors, along with the Hawks, Magic and Heat, are among the most active teams as the trade deadline nears. GM Glen Grunwald already has made a pitch for the Blazers' Rasheed Wallace and the Hawks' Theo Ratliff. It's clear he is looking for a solid, young, athletic big man to take help share the scoring burden with Carter. His bait? Veteran big man Antonio Davis.
According to the Toronto Sun, the Raptors have been willing to listen to offers for Davis in recent weeks. While the team has not necessarily been shopping Davis, it has not waved away any phone calls and is pondering its options as far as Davis is concerned. A couple of obstacles stand in the Raptors' way. Davis is 34 years old, makes $12 million a year and has three more seasons on his contract.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marcus Fizer
Bulls
No one now Feb. 3 - The Bulls learned this weekend that they've lost Fizer for the rest of the season. While GM Jerry Krause continues to deny that he's shopped Fizer at all, numerous GMs have told Insider over the past few weeks that the Bulls were still trying to work out a big package for another young stud that included Fizer and Jamal Crawford.
Several teams in need of low-post muscle and scoring, including the Sonics, T-Wolves, Raptors, Heat and Magic, were interested. But with Fizer out of the mix with a torn ACL, Krause's dreams of a big deadline deal seem to be fading quickly. After Saturday's news, Krause engaged in a little revisionist history. "We've got 15 players we like," Krause told the Chicago Tribune. "We weren't looking to trade Marcus. If we add somebody, we'd have to waive somebody and there's not a lot out there that I'd rather have."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Elden Campbell
Hornets
Spurs
Knicks Feb. 3 - Campbell is the latest player in the last year of his contract to hit the rumor mill. Campbell, who has struggled through injuries all season, lost his starting job to a younger and more athletic Jamaal Magloire. The Hornets aren't expected to re-sign him this summer and several teams have called about his availability.
Among the interested teams? The New York Daily News reports that the Hornets called the Sonics about a possible Kenny Anderson-for-Campbell swap but were turned away. Instead, the Sonics are trying to parlay Anderson into a young player or draft picks. Given the Sonics' desperate need for some low-post help, this is just more evidence that the front office is resigned to rebuilding the team. The Daily News also mentions the Spurs and Knicks as possible destinations for Campbell.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Terrell Brandon
T-Wolves
Heat?
Blazers?
Knicks?
Bucks? Feb. 3 - According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, several teams are interested in trading for Brandon if there's an assurance that he's going to retire. If Brandon retires and is deemed physically unable to perform by an independent NBA doctor, his team could apply for and receive full salary-cap relief in February 2004 (two years from the date he was injured). That's not the immediate relief that most teams would like, but overall, it's not too shabby.
"If you're a [luxury] taxpayer, it could be significant savings, especially if you're a taxpayer paying $11 million over," Rob Babcock, the Wolves' vice president of player personnel, told the Pioneer Press "If you've got him, and that takes you below the tax bracket, you're saving $11 million-plus in taxes, plus you're saving the 80 percent in salary [which insurance is currently paying]. So next year, it could have an $18 million significance to your overall costs, and that's a lot of money."
Trading Brandon could be a godsend to the T-Wolves. The team has been stripped of most of its first-round draft picks and has struggled to lure top-tier free agents to Minnesota. Brandon, who makes $10.1 million this year, could bring back an impact player like Latrell Sprewell, Eddie Jones, Brian Grant, Damon Stoudamire or Tim Thomas in return. Vice President Kevin McHale said it would be difficult, but he did concede that trading Brandon is a possibility. "Ideally, you'd like to have him playing, or if he can't play, you'd like to be able to replace him with an equal player," McHale told the Pioneer Press. "No matter how you slice and dice it, I think everybody would agree that he was probably a top-10 player at his position. You'd like to be able to replace him with another top-10 player... whether it's a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. It's hard to do."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Keith Van Horn
Sixers
Knicks
Magic Jan. 30 - That didn't take long. Apparently, four months of Van Horn is all that Larry Brown can take. Van Horn is the latest Sixer to have his name churned through the rumor mill. Last week it was Eric Snow and Derrick Coleman. Now, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Brown has several other moves up his sleeve. According to the Inquirer, the Sixers have talked to the Knicks about trading Van Horn for Latrell Sprewell and to Orlando about swapping Van Horn for the injured Grant Hill.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jason Terry
Hawks
Lakers
Heat?
Blazers? Jan. 30 - The latest rumor, courtesy of the O.C. Register, has the Lakers talking to the Hawks about trading for Terry. Hawks GM Pete Babcock acknowledged Tuesday that he's still looking to make a deal before the trading deadline. On his shopping list? A true point guard and some defensive help. So where does that leave Jason Terry? "[Terry] has improved and is doing a good job," Babcock told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "We're a team that has committed a lot of turnovers, but those turnovers have come from our forwards, not our point guard. Jason has kept his turnovers at [3.2] a game."
While no one in Atlanta wants to trade Terry, he may be their only asset that can fetch an impact player in return. And for all of the praise, privately the team still does not believe he's the long-term answer at point guard. Unless they find a way to land a big, physical point guard that allows Terry to play at the two, he may have to go. The challenge will be in getting equal value in return. Right now, the word around the league is that Babcock is trying to package Terry with some dead weight -- someone like Alan Henderson, Nazr Mohammed or Theo Ratliff. If the Hawks aren't going to win, ownership wants them under the luxury-tax threshold. The Hawks likely would have to move about $4 million in salaries off the books to escape paying the tax this season.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Rasheed Wallace
Blazers
Raptors Jan. 29 - Raptors GM Glen Grunwald has been talking to the Blazers about a deal that would ship Rasheed Wallace off to Canada, the Toronto Star reported. According to the report, Grunwald's offer was shot down by Blazers GM Bob Whitsitt. If nothing else, it shows that Grunwald is prepared to take extreme measures to shake up the lowly Raptors.
The problem the Raptors face is convincing someone to take one of their big contracts off their hands. In many ways, that's why the Wallace deal makes some sense. The Raptors could package Antonio Davis and someone like Hakeem Olajuwon, and the Blazers wouldn't have a problem swallowing the contracts. Davis would give the Blazers a solid citizen and low-post presence. Wallace is the type of star the Raptors need to help alleviate some of the pressure off Vince Carter.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cavs
Knicks
Blazers
Jazz Jan. 27 - Ilgauskas has teams licking their chops for one reason -- when he's healthy, he's one of the two or three best offensive centers in the league. The big question, though, is how much longer he can stay off crutches. After missing two full seasons with foot injuries, Ilgauskas made a miraculous comeback midway through last season. Is there a team out there willing to take the risk?
He has been phenomenal for the Cavs through the first half, which is partly why Cleveland wants to trade him -- his value has never been higher. Cavs GM Jim Paxson is also concerned that the heavy minutes he logged under John Lucas's tutelage will eventually catch up with him. Add three young centers -- DeSagana Diop, Chris Mihm and Michael Stewart -- to the mix and you can understand the Cavs' motivation. They need their young bigs to get more playing time and would love to be out from under the remaining two years and $28 million of Ilgauskas's contract.
So, who is rumored to be interested? 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.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Drew Gooden
Grizzlies
Magic? Jan. 27 - 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. However, the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Gooden is on the block. 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?
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Hidayet Turkoglu
Kings
Bulls? Jan. 27 - According to the Chicago Tribune, 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.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Gary Payton
Sonics
Pacers
Blazers
Hawks
Bucks
T-Wolves
Warriors Jan. 27 - The Sonics are reeling and team president Wally Walker acknowledged last week that the team is listening to trade offers, including ones for veteran Gary Payton. "To say that we're listening, that means that there are people out there that might have some interest in our players," GM Rick Sund told the Seattle Times. "I told our players this: No one is untouchable. No one, and that's true."
Coach Nate McMillan gave even more evidence on Sunday why Payton's antics no longer fit with the rebuilding program he's trying to put into place. McMillan feels that his young players, especially Rashard Lewis, need to be taking control in the deciding moments of games. Will he really get the opportunity with the ultra competitive Payton on the floor? "If you're going to be a go-to kind of guy, the kind of guy Gary has been for us for years, then you have to take those shots," McMillan said. "I want Rashard taking those shots. That's what he wanted and that's what we want. You learn from your defeats and he's no different. He'll be better the next game and the game after that because he's taking those big shots."
Payton is in the final year of a seven-year deal and becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season. Payton's agents made claims before the season about their unwillingness to re-sign with Seattle after overtures for a contract extension were denied. Even though team owner Howard Schultz has reiterated that he wants Payton to retire a Sonic, the writing on the wall is becoming clear in Seattle -- the Sonics aren't ready to compete right now for a championship. That means anyone not named Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason is expendable.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Eric Snow
Sixers
Warriors, Hawks, T-Wolves Jan. 27 - 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 solid point guard play make 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 Dickau 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.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marcus Camby
Nuggets
Sonics?
Lakers?
Bulls? Jan. 23 - Maybe Marcus Camby isn't going anywhere after all. After a month of trade speculation swirling around the fragile center, the Denver Post is reporting that the Nuggets have contacted Camby's agent about a potential three year extension. "It's something I have to look into when the time is right," said Camby, whose status is day to day after spraining his right ankle Friday in his Nuggets debut against Cleveland. "They've definitely expressed interest to my representation. It's something I am definitely interested in. It shows their commitment to me. They've been bending over backward for me and trying to make sure that I'm all right. You want to be surrounded by people like that. I haven't even played double digits in minutes yet they still think so highly about me and my game. I like to be around people like that."
Why would the Nuggets trade him? They wouldn't mind getting his deal off their cap. With teams like the Sonics, Bulls and Lakers looking for help down low, Camby, if he's really healthy, would be a big coup. Not only is he a legit all-star when he isn't injured, his contract is pretty reasonable. He has only two more years on his contract, and one of those is a team option.
Despite his most recent comments, Camby sure acted like he was angling for a trade. He admitted last week that he's unhappy in the current situation and wouldn't mind being shipped off to a contender. "I'm an East Coast guy," Camby told the Denver Post. "I grew up in Connecticut, went to school in Massachusetts and played the majority of my pro career in New York. Coming out West in itself has been a big adjustment for me. My whole life is on the East Coast. I'm basically out here by myself. No family or nothing."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Kwame Brown
Wizards
Clippers
Magic
Bulls
Blazers Jan. 13 - Much was made last week about the Magic's offer of two first-round draft picks for Kwame Brown. The Wizards shot the offer down. Apparently, the Magic aren't taking no for an answer. The latest, according to the Orlando Sentinel, has the Magic possibly throwing in Mike Miller to sweeten the deal. Gabriel believes that Brown is a star in the making and just needs to be free of Jordan's stifling influence to blossom. If they cannot get Brown, the Magic also like forward Etan Thomas -- at the right price.
Brown said he is bothered by the recent wave of reports that have him mentioned in trade talks. "I get phone calls from people who say. 'You're getting traded,' " Brown told the Washington Post. "I get frustrated hearing it. To hear that, it's like 'They don't want me?' " Brown said he has been assured that he won't be dealt. Coach Doug Collins told the Washington Post last week that the team is not contemplating a significant trade or roster move (read trading Kwame Brown) that would sacrifice the development of its young nucleus for a potential playoff run or to appease Michael Jordan in his last NBA season. "People are always going to speculate, but Kwame's been better every game. We're not trading Kwame," Collins said. However a Wizards told the Post that although they do not want to ship Kwame Brown, they would at least think about a deal if they could acquire another young, big player, such as Clippers forward Elton Brand.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Darius Miles
Cavs
Bulls
Raptors Jan. 13 - Coach John Lucas continues to fuel speculation that Darius Miles may be gone. The play of Ricky Davis and rookie Dajuan Wagner continue to make Miles look like a third wheel. "I'm not sold the three of them can play together," Lucas said. So far, Davis and Wagner have been at their best with undrafted Smush Parker at point guard. "I understand when Smush is on the court, the other two perform better," Lucas said of Davis and Wagner. "But I didn't trade my best player [Andre Miller] to allow Smush to operate better."
While there's no truth to the rumor that he's heading to Toronto for Vince Carter, the Bulls have been looking for a new home for Jamal Crawford ever since Jay Williams landed in their laps. He'd be a great fit in Cleveland. With the 6-foot-2 Wagner playing at the two, the Cavs need a big point guard to help out defensively. Crawford has the skills and athleticism that Lucas has been looking for in his point guard. On the Chicago side, GM Jerry Krause has coveted Miles since draft night. If the Bulls throw in a protected No. 1 pick, would the Cavs pull the trigger?
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Todd MacCulloch
Sixers
Knicks
Sonics
Blazers Jan. 10 - According to the New York Daily News, the Sixers are shopping MacCulloch around the league. The Knicks are one of several teams the Sixers have contacted to see if there's an interest. MacCulloch, who makes $4.9 million this season, has another four years left on his contract after this season. The Knicks have been out searching for a legitimate big man for several years.
Other teams that have shown an interest in MacCulloch in the past may be more willing to cut a deal. The Sonics have coveted him for some time and may be willing to do a deal if the Sixers take one of their useless big men (Calvin Booth, Vitaly Potapenko) off their hands. The Blazers have also been combing the catacombs for another big body in the middle and pursued MacCulloch when he was a free agent two summer ago. They might be willing to part with one of their extra point guards (Antonio Daniels or Jeff McInnis) or even swingman Ruben Patterson.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Kenny Anderson
Sonics
Heat
Pacers
Bucks
Raptors
Warriors
Grizzlies
Wizards Jan. 9 - Sonics coach Nate McMillan is getting sick of the Sonics lack of low post play and the constant complaining for guard Kenny Anderson. "I've got two free-agent point guards who want minutes," McMillan, speaking of Gary Payton and Anderson told the Seattle Post Intelligencer, "and I've got five big men who all play with a similar style. Until we make some moves, this is what we're going to have to work with."
The Sonics have the silver bullet when it comes to trade talks. Anderson, who makes $9 million a year, is in the last year of his contract. His trade value as high as just about any all-star in the league. Teams like the Heat, Pacers, Bucks, Raptors, T-Wolves, Warriors, Grizzlies and Wizards would bend over backwards to get their hands on him. Not only does Anderson have the ability to help a team in the playoff hunt right now, he almost guarantees that it'll be a player in the hot 2004 free-agent market.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Damon Stoudamire
Blazers
Knicks?? Jan. 9 - Stoudamire, who's buried at the end of the bench in Portland, is praying that the Knicks come and rescue him. "I would love to play here," Stoudamire told the N.Y. Post. "New York has always been the Mecca of basketball to me, and if that would happen, I would look forward to that." During a break in Sunday night's Blazers-Knicks action, fans behind the Portland bench began begging for Stoudamire to get traded to the Knicks. "I'll stay in your dog house to get here," Stoudamire reportedly said. Stoudamire told the Oregonian this weekend that he believes his benching is a directive from the office of team president Bob Whitsitt, not coach Maurice Cheeks.
Don't expect the Knicks to bite. The emergence of second-round pick Milos Vujanic, a 6-foot-3 point guard from Yugoslavia, should give the team its point guard of the future when he joins the Knicks next season. Vujanic is not only the best point guard in Europe right now, he's Europe's best player period. Since the Knicks will be able to sign him at a relative bargain, don't expect them to create more problems by adding another point guard to the mix.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Robert Horry
Lakers
Grizzlies
Bucks
Heat
Pacers Jan. 8 - Over the past few seasons, the Lakers have been stubborn when it comes to trade talk. "That's not the case this year," GM Mitch Kupchak told the L.A. Times. Kupchak would not say he is shopping players, only that he is listening and mulling the possibilities. "Yes, there have been conversations regarding personnel," he said. "As we get closer to the February deadline, there will be more."
Despite all the commentary to the contrary, the Lakers do have assets. Robert Horry is basically in the last year of his contract because of a team option on his final season. Samaki Walker, Tracy Murray and Mark Madsen are also in the last year of their deals. In the NBA, there is no better currency. Combine their salaries and the Lakers have $11.3 million in very marketable assets.
If Kupchak can convince owner Jerry Buss to spend the money, and if he can talk Jackson into shaking up the roster, the Lakers can be players. How great would Brian Grant look in Laker gold? Or what about Tim Thomas? Or a combination of Toni Kukoc and Anthony Mason? The Pacers would part with Austin Croshere and Ron Mercer. And some combination of Stromile Swift and Lorenzen Wright may fit the bill in Memphis as Jerry West tries to get his team under the cap.
Inside the NBA Draft: The Yugo Diaries
NBA Insider Chad Ford spent a week wandering through Eastern Europe in search of the next international phenom. Check out his daily reports from Germany, Yugoslavia and Croatia.
• The Yugo Diaries
Ford: The Yugo Diaries
NBA Insider Chad Ford spent a week wandering through Eastern Europe in search of the next international phenom. Check out his daily reports from Germany, Yugoslavia and Croatia.
Ford: Scouting the top juniors
Mississippi State's Mario Austin looks to be the only college junior worthy of a lottery pick.
Insider's Top 5 NBA Senior Prospects (updated Dec. 30)
Player Class Pos. School Stock
1. Kirk Hinrich Sr. PG Kansas
Hinrich may be the only senior selected in the lottery.
2. Chris Marcus Sr. C Western Kentucky
Two years ago he was a lock for the lottery, now Marcus is fighting to stay relevant.
3. Reece Gaines Sr. PG/SG Louisville
Some scouts believe he's got point guard potential. If he does, he'll go high. If he doesn't, think Jeryl Sasser.
4. David West Sr. PF Xavier
Coming off a so-so junior season. Scouts wonder if he's big enough to play the four in the pros.
5. Nick Collison Sr. PF Kansas
Got some props from coaches George Karl and Gregg Popovich after spending the summer with Team USA.