Time to wrap up the trade deadline, which turned out to be a real dud.
In no particular order, here we go:
· The Knicks were not serious about Vince Carter, and two people confirmed to me that Isiah Thomas’ characterization today of his discussions with the Nets as merely “due diligence” was entirely accurate.
· The Nets never got close to a deal for Carter or Jason Kidd, according to team president Rod Thorn. But that was by choice. Thorn and GM Ed Stefanski were only going to trade one of their All-Stars if they got a high-caliber player back who could give them a better chance of making the playoffs now.
· There were several opportunities for the Nets to deal either player for financial considerations – i.e. draft picks and expiring contracts – so they could clear cap space to rebuild for their impending move to Brooklyn. I’m told the Nets’ brass decided that blowing up the team with two years left playing as a lame duck in New Jersey would’ve alienated the fan base and cost the franchise millions of dollars. That, more than anything, is the reason Kidd and Carter are still on the team. Thorn essentially admitted as much on his conference call with reporters today, when he said: “I would think that we’re saying that we’re not giving up on the season, No. 1, and that we’re not giving up that our team can be a very good team going forward.”
· Another factor had to be Dwyane Wade’s dislocated left shoulder, suffered in the Heat’s 112-102 loss at Houston last night. Wade could be out six weeks, and maybe for the rest of the season, which dramatically enhances the Knicks’ and Nets’ chances of making the playoffs.
· I’m told the deal sending Mike Bibby from Sacramento to Cleveland fizzled this morning, partly because of angst among the participants that it was leaked but mostly because the Cavaliers simply couldn’t come up with matching salaries in a deal that did not include Eric Snow. There were three- and even four-team trades discussed, and both sides were serious. Brian Windhorst, who covers the Cavs for the Akron Beacon Journal, did his homework on this one, so check out his blog at http://blogs.ohio.com/cavaliers_blog/
· One of the people I spoke with today who was involved in several potential deals was surprised that the Clippers wound up not trading Corey Maggette and couldn’t figure out why the Sonics weren’t more serious about trading either Ray Allen or Rashard Lewis.
· Unfortunately, I cannot deliver the stunning analysis I promised on the deals that have been completed: Fred Jones-for-Juan Dixon, Alan Henderson from Philadelphia to Utah, and Anthony Johnson going from Dallas to Atlanta for a second-round pick. Thanks to Chip for pointing out that I oversold. I'd give you a refund, but hey, the blog is free.
Good to see all the activity on here the last couple of days, so I hope you check back often.