The NBA's March 15 trade deadline is days away. Who's going, who's staying and can the Timberwolves make a big deal that will get them to the playoffs? A snapshot look:
Jerry Zgoda's Sunday Insider: So, is anybody in the NBA dealing?
With the trade deadline coming up, a few names and a few teams keep emerging in discussions.
March 4, 2012 at 7:07AM
Dwight Howard, Orlando
He's the big domino that could tumble all the others this year.
Why does he presumably want to leave Orlando and its sunshine, no state income tax and beautiful new arena that they claim he built? Apparently because he wants to be the man, as if he isn't already where he is.
That's why smart money has him headed not to the Lakers but to New Jersey, where Nets part-owner Jay-Z will lay open for him all the doors of the metropolis, including a new arena in Brooklyn that opens next season.
Possible destinations: New Jersey, Dallas, L.A. Lakers, Chicago, Indiana.
Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers
Opportunity's proverbial window is closing on Kobe Bryant, both because of time's march and a more punitive luxury tax that hits in 2013. Now that Lamar Odom is gone, Gasol is the next logical piece to move ideally for a point guard and other pieces, none of which like Gasol are due $38 million for the next two seasons beyond this one.
The Timberwolves have expressed interest since last summer. Why would they want yet another big man -- an aging one with a huge contract at that -- who likely would cost them No. 2 pick Derrick Williams? Beats us, too. Two answers: He's a versatile All-Star-caliber vet and Rick Adelman is 65 years old.
Possible destinations: Houston, Orlando, Boston, Wolves.
Rajon Rondo, Boston
The Celtics say he won't be dealt, but ... Boston GM Danny Ainge turned his team around boldly and quickly the last time and he knows he must rebuild again soon. Rondo is temperamental, but he's also younger, better and thus has more trade value than Paul Pierce, Ray Allen or Kevin Garnett, whose careers all are coming to a close.
Possible destinations: L.A. Lakers, Atlanta, Golden State, Portland.
Michael Beasley, Wolves
He's everywhere in the national rumor mill, supposedly because the Wolves want to create more playing time for Derrick Williams. That reason is nonsense, of course, as Adelman clearly believes they play separate positions.
If they've decided he's not part of the future, then by all means trade him for what you can get. But remember:
For all his faults, he's still the Wolf with the most sheer talent and the only guy they have who can create his own shot.
Possible destinations: L.A. Lakers, Boston, Houston, New Jersey.
Kevin Martin, Houston; O.J. Mayo, Memphis; Jamal Crawford, Portland
If only the Wolves would get a real shooting guard, right? Martin is a deft shooter who already has played for Adelman twice (although Houston backup Courtney Lee fits better for the Wolves because of his age, defense and contract.) Mayo is undersized as shooting guards go but still is bigger and better for his defense, playmaking and shooting than the team's current options. Crawford almost signed with the Wolves in December and maybe now wishes he had.
Possible destinations: Wolves (all), Indiana (Mayo).
Other big names to watch: Monta Ellis, Ray Allen, Steve Nash.
Under the radar: Ramon Sessions, Chris Kaman, Paul Millsap/Al Jefferson.
Not for a bag of balls?: Lamar Odom, Hedo Turkoglu, Devin Harris, Ray Felton.
The Timberwolves turned on their defense and turned a deficit into a comfortable winning margin over the course of about five crucial minutes.
