NBA fans 16 minutes till 12:01... you know what that means.... TRADES!

[POed_Ex_Repub]

Let the speculation begin...

[POed_Ex_Repub]

1. Shaq to Heat... Kobe to.... I think Clippers... anyone else think so?

Anyone?

[No2W2004]

2. Jamal Crawford, Eddie Robinson & picks to the Knicks for

most of the Knicks bench

Malone to S.A.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

3. Who would they get for Malone?

I'm of a mind that after the Shaq trade, Payton won't come back, and then Malone will just retire...

That's why I think Kobe goes to the Clippers. Teams would be comperable, but the expectations wouldn't be so high. He'd have a much more positive atmosphere to play in.

[No2W2004]

9. I was listening to ESPN radio on the way home

and they mentioned that as a possibility. I gathered that Malone could just sign with San Antonio.

[maveric]

4. Why would Koby want to play for the Clippers?

The worst franchise in sports history with the worst owner. Larry Sterling.

Are there any Clipper fans? Anywhere?

[POed_Ex_Repub]

5. Because they aren't the Lakers...

And he could stay in LA.

[No2W2004]

8. Rumor is

That the Clippers would agree to play some games in Anehiem so Kobe wouldn't have to travel so far....

really, that's what I heard on ESPN radio tonight.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

10. I heard that to...

And I don't think the talks would get that far unless he was somewhat serious about the possibility.

[Zomby Woof]

6. 2 paternity suits for a drunken assault charge

Well, it is the NBA.

[POed_Ex_Repub]

7. Which player... ?

And it can't be a Trailblazer, that's too easy. ;)

[minkyboodle]

11. Potential Snag in the Heat Lakers Shaq Deal

News
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is reporting that the imminent Miami Heat-Los Angeles Lakers deal involving center Shaquille O'Neal may have hit a snag due to a trade kicker in forward Lamar Odom's contract. Odom's deal, which was signed during the previous offseason, includes a 15 percent bonus if he is dealt to another club. Sources told Smith that the bonus would be around $8.5-to-$9.5 million.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=fanball-heatpotentialsnagins&prov=fanball&type=lgns

[POed_Ex_Repub]

12. Ouch... it'll get worked out though

Shaq wants out BAD

[minkyboodle]

13. agreed

Shaq is leaving one way or another and most likely he will go to the Heat, this is more of a delay than a real problem so far.

[minkyboodle]

14. oh mah goodness!!! Kobe to the Clips indicator

This could be interesting

Clippers reportedly trade Ely, House to clear cap room for Bryant

By CHRIS SHERIDAN, AP Basketball Writer
July 14, 2004
When the NBA announced the new salary cap figure for the upcoming season, the Los Angeles Clippers found themselves $11.65 million below it.

Needing another couple million to offer Kobe Bryant a maximum-salary contract, the Clippers apparently found a way to do so.

The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday the Clippers will trade Melvin Ely and Eddie House to the expansion Bobcats in exchange for future second-round draft picks, clearing another $2.5 million in cap space.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-nbardp&prov=ap&type=lgns

[lazarus]

15. Spurs, of course

are always on the lookout to dumpt Malik Rose's salary.

But we're okay. All we really need is one more backup big man, and we're golden.

Is the new salary cap released tonight or tomorrow?