The Knicks can entertain sign-and-trade discussions involving both Lee and RobinsonYao could miss entire season with foot injury

JONATHAN FEIGEN – Houston Chronicle

Rockets center Yao Ming’s left foot injury could be severe enough to be season ending or even career-threatening depending on the success of potential treatments chosen, Rockets team physician Tom Clanton said Monday.

"At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career threatening," Clanton said. "One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery."

Clanton, responding to a story on Yahoo Sports that reported that the Rockets and Yao representatives are concerned Yao will never play again, said that Yao could choose to try again to immobilize the foot in the hopes that the hairline fracture of the tarsal navicular bone would heal on its own, as several of his previous bone injuries have and doctors expected this time.

"We are not going to comment," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said, "until we have all the facts."

Yao is scheduled to meet with several specialists to consider a wide variety of options. Clanton declined to say what option he expects to recommend.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6503064.html

The Knicks can entertain sign-and-trade discussions involving both Lee and Robinson

Alan Hahn

The Knicks can entertain sign-and-trade discussions involving both Lee and Robinson on July 9, after the seven-day moratorium. There is expected to be a strong market for Lee, who led the NBA with 62 double-doubles, and there are teams with cap space that have an interest. The Pistons could attempt to sign him to an offer sheet if they do not go after Carlos Boozer and the Trail Blazers are also said to be in hot pursuit, but more likely in a sign-and-trade scenario.

For the Knicks to keep him, Lee and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, would likely have to agree to a back-loaded deal to protect the cap space in 2010. Walsh would also have to first find a way to move either Eddy Curry ($11.2 million against the cap in 2010-11) or Jared Jeffries ($6.8 million) off the roster to offset Lee’s contract, which could command up to $8 million per year or more. Consider the range of these comparables: Troy Murphy ($11 million), Andris Biedrins ($9 million) and Udonis Haslem ($7.1 million).

Paul Millsap, a restricted free agent with the Jazz, is said to be waiting for Lee to set the market for himself.

Robinson won’t command nearly as much in salary, but his popularity as an electrifying 5-9 guard and two-time Slam Dunk champion could be valuable as an attraction in some small markets. According to one league source, the Lakers inquired about Robinson’s availability after his 33-point performance at the Staples Center on Dec. 16. Kobe Bryant has expressed adoration for Robinson and owner Jerry Buss was said to be smitten after that game. The Sacramento Kings also were close to a deal for Robinson and Jeffries before the trade deadline and there are indications that the deal could still take place this summer.

Robinson had a breakthrough season statistically – career-high 17.2 points per game – but his ball-dominating, one-on-one mentality does not fit well in Mike D’Antoni’s system. The Knicks drafted a rugged point guard, Toney Douglas, the 29th overall pick on Thursday and are also in the market for a starting point guard with the plan to move Chris Duhon to a backup role this season.

The same could be said about Lee’s future with the selection of Jordan Hill with the eighth overall pick. The 6-10 Hill is a solid rebounder who has a good mid-range game and, unlike Lee, is a bona fide shot blocker. But the best-case scenario would be to be able to play them together and have some depth in the frontcourt.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/blog/2009/06/its_early_but_still_one_of_the.html

It is directly reported that “Yet rumors persist, especially on the Internet, about potential maneuvers. Ten days ago, the Dallas Mavericks reported in a blog that Mavs owner Mark Cuban might be willing to take the Hornets’ two worst contracts if they included Paul in the deal. Coach Byron Scott said he cracked up after reading the report and responded by saying that hell has to freeze over before they consider trading Paul.
A few days later, another Internet report stated the Hornets would be interested in trading West if they could not draw enough interest for Chandler. West, who makes a shade under $9 million a season, is a two-time All-Star and has a more cap friendly salary to entice other teams. “

Read the full article from
http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/1240119144133260.xml&coll=1

The LA times is reporting that “Lamar
Odom was back after a three-game absence, collecting 10 points, four
rebounds and four assists in the Lakers’ 105-100 victory Tuesday over the
Houston Rockets.”

It is also reported in the article that “e had been sidelined because of a
bone bruise in his right knee, but played 27 minutes against Houston, including almost 11 in the fourth
quarter.

That’s the deal with the short-handed Lakers. There’s no rest for the weary,
not to mention the recently injured.

"When you hurt something, it’s going to be sore," Odom said.
"I think it was a good time to come back, especially with Sasha being
hurt. I’m a gamer."

Read the full article from

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/14/sports/sp-lakers-fyi14

It is also reported that “Boozer could pass on $12.7 million in Utah next season if he’s sure that Detroit is a willing spender, as was assumed
when the Pistons made the Allen Iverson deal. Iverson will be part of an
unrestricted free-agent class but his age and effect on teams could drag him
down to the mid-level exception, much like what Shawn Marion might have
to take at age 30.”

Read the full article from

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/03/14/20090314spt-nbacol.html

Detroit News.com is reporting that Pistons fans shouldn’t “look for Allen Iverson returning
to the Pistons any time soon.”

It is reported that “Iverson met with doctors at Georgetown University
Wednesday, still complaining of pain in his back.

"He’s going to get tested again Thursday and Friday, two more
tests," coach Michael Curry said. "Then we will see where he’s
at."

It is also noted that “With each passing day, though, it appears more likely
that Iverson’s chances of not returning this season are greater than his
chances of returning.”

Read the full article from

http://www.detnews.com/

In other news the Cavs have announced the signing of Joe Smith
According to the article "Gooden, 6-10, 250 pounds, was waived by the Sacramento Kings on March 1
after being acquired from the Chicago Bulls in a trade on Feb. 18. This
season he has appeared in 32 games, averaging 13.1 points, 8.7 rebounds
and 1.4 assists in 29.5 minutes while shooting .460 (166-361) from the
field and .869 (86-99) from the foul line. Gooden has posted 11
double-doubles and has scored in double figures in 22 games, including
seven contests with 20 or more. In 31 games with Bulls, he averaged
13.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.6 minutes, and in his
only game with the Kings he posted 12 points and 13 rebounds in 26
minutes."

Read the full article from
http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs_sign_drew_gooden_090305.html

In other news

"On Thursday, the Cavaliers announced the (re-)addition of Smith, who
was waived by the Thunder earlier this week. The easygoing veteran will
now try to finish what he started last spring in Cleveland – a
postseason run at the Ring" and it is also noted that “I was comfortable with coming back here, being with guys that I’ve
been around, been in the locker room with, went to war with,” said the
affable Smith. “And not going to a place with a lot of unfamiliar
faces.”

Read the article on the Smith signing from
http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/features/joesmith_090305.html

NorthJersey.com is reporting that the Spurs, Rockets,
Mavericks and Cavaliers have all expressed interest in Vince Carter. One
possible trade scenario could see Carter go to Houston for a package that would include Ron
Artest.

Another rumor that is mentioned is the possibility of Dallas shipping Jerry
Stackhouse as part of a package for Carter but it is noted that part of that
package should be Josh Howard as well.

Read the full article from

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/nets/39542092.html

Bosh indicates that neither he or his agent have indicated
that he will not resign with the Raptors and apparently there is no truth to
the report or statement.

BBTR feels that where
there is smoke there is usually fire. Although no one is coming out and saying
that he has a desire to leave there is no body saying that he is so happy that
he wants to resign a new deal sooner
rather than later. I guess we will have to wait and see.

Read the article from

http://www.thestar.com/article/581034

CBS Sports is reporting that the Suns may opt to trade Stoudemire. The article notes that
it is clear that Stoudemire is not willing to meet Porter’s defensive demands
and as a result it is noted that he may be on the bubble come the February 19th
trade deadline.

It is noted
that there is a major reevaluation underway in Phoenix which could lead to a change in
strategy with regard to Stoudemire. It is noted that in past years that Suns
were a free wheeling offensive team but under head coach Porter it is expected
that they will play a defensive game as well.

Read the full
article from

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/11294057

It is noted that if any trade does take place the Bobcats
would most likely end up with the Mavs center DeSagana Diop who they were very
interested in during the free agency period.

It is also rumored that if the Thunder are involved the
Bobcats would most likely end up with Earl
Watson.

Read the full article from

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/466600.html