Marion on the block

[Jeff]

I can't help but be fascinated with this year's trade deadline

Vince, Marion, and others are on the block

Cleveland HAS to be a buyer if they have any hope of keeping LeBron long term

other teams could get in the bidding and get a big name guy for cheap

I just feel like there are several deals that could happen (as we've seen already with AI, Zach, and Al Harrington)

I think we'll see a busy Jan and Feb (if not Dec)

[fatherscott]

I doubt he goes to Minny or Portland -- there is little chance that those teams would be able to resign Marion after the season, so they would be giving up a lot to rent a player for a few months.  FWIW, as much as I like the Blazers, I think they are over-rated and will fall to earth shortly, and I think Marion wants to be on a championship contender, which Portland is not.

If New Orleans doesn't get its act together they're the third best team in the West, behind the Lakers and Spurs. By the way, How awesome would it be to see an Angry Timmy and Manu beat down these Lakers in the Western Finals... and then lose to us? 

Speaking of New Orleans, I am surprised they aren't mentioned more as a possible destination for a guy like Carter.  They could offer something like Mike James (expiring), Rasual Butler (expires next year), Julian Wright, and maybe a pick for Carter, and it would immediately make them a much more formidable team. 

I love that deal from NJ's perspective (esp. if Harris continues his ascent and can be a ticket draw). I think Julian Wright can be a great player in the league.

[fatherscott]

I can't help but be fascinated with this year's trade deadline

Vince, Marion, and others are on the block

Cleveland HAS to be a buyer if they have any hope of keeping LeBron long term

other teams could get in the bidding and get a big name guy for cheap

I just feel like there are several deals that could happen (as we've seen already with AI, Zach, and Al Harrington)

I think we'll see a busy Jan and Feb (if not Dec)

Agreed. Cleveland's definitely moving Wally and bringing in a better player. I think it'll be Vince -- Wally, Hickson, and a pick for Vince isn't a bad haul as things go, though I like the prospect of a guy like Wright from NO more. I think AK could be a real interesting player on a team like Cleveland, he does everything Varejao does, but way better.

[Jeff]

if it really is Wally for Vince, I'm happy about that since Vince is a serial loser and LeBron will be ticked ...and go to New York where he'll be in our division?  wait a minute, I'm all confused about what I should want

/not that it matters what I want

[KCattheStripe]

I doubt he goes to Minny or Portland -- there is little chance that those teams would be able to resign Marion after the season, so they would be giving up a lot to rent a player for a few months.  FWIW, as much as I like the Blazers, I think they are over-rated and will fall to earth shortly, and I think Marion wants to be on a championship contender, which Portland is not.

If New Orleans doesn't get its act together they're the third best team in the West, behind the Lakers and Spurs. By the way, How awesome would it be to see an Angry Timmy and Manu beat down these Lakers in the Western Finals... and then lose to us? 

Speaking of New Orleans, I am surprised they aren't mentioned more as a possible destination for a guy like Carter.  They could offer something like Mike James (expiring), Rasual Butler (expires next year), Julian Wright, and maybe a pick for Carter, and it would immediately make them a much more formidable team. 

Iw would aslo give New Jersey a FILTHY young core. Lopez, Yi, Wright, CDR and Harris. That is absurd and New Jersey's GM should get a medal just for having Vets on the downside that other GM's  overvalue.

[Bankshot]

I don't believe NJ will trade V.Carter to a team in the East.  He will be traded to the west.

[MMacOH]

The Cavs need a dominating inside presence, not a tweener forward who wants to get the majority of shots for the team and likes to camp out at the 3 point line.  Marion demands top tier money and is not a top tier talent anymore

[Cman]

Marion for Marbury?  NY would have to send sweeteners to Miami for the deal to work (David Lee is someone everyone likes to include in proposed deals)...

[LarBrd33]

Marion for Marbury?  NY would have to send sweeteners to Miami for the deal to work (David Lee is someone everyone likes to include in proposed deals)...

I mean that trade prospect is definitely the reason Marbury hasn't been cut yet...  The Knicks are waiting to see if they can get a guy like Marion for him.  But I really can't see Miami doing that.  Why downgrade an expiring Marion contract for an expiring Marbury contract?  Especially since the Heat must realize that in the very likely scenario where the Knicks aren't able to trade Marbury... he'll be cut... and probably end up in Miami for the vet min anyways.   

If LA didn't currently look like they were on pace to break the wins record, I could see them trading Odom for Marion.

[fatherscott]

The Cavs need a dominating inside presence, not a tweener forward who wants to get the majority of shots for the team and likes to camp out at the 3 point line.  Marion demands top tier money and is not a top tier talent anymore

Yes, but "need" and "able to obtain" are two different things. How many dominating inside presences are available for the kind of package they can put together. Would the Clippers move Camby or Kaman (now that they have Randolph) for Wally, Hickson, and a pick? They seem like the only team Cleveland could match up with.

[fatherscott]

I don't believe NJ will trade V.Carter to a team in the East.  He will be traded to the west.

I totally disagree...NJ is rebuilding and won't care a bit about where he goes. By the time NJ is a contender (ambitious projection: 3 years), Vince won't be good enough to "exact revenge" on them. They'll take the best package they can get and cut their costs.

[Chris]

I don't believe NJ will trade V.Carter to a team in the East.  He will be traded to the west.

I agree.  And more importantly, I don't believe they will trade him to the Cavs, which would make them bigger contenders, and give them a better chance at convincing Lebron to stick around. 

I could see them trade him to a team in the East like Orlando (Turkuglu, Battie, and change), but I think East teams will have to pay a premium.

[LarBrd33]

I don't believe NJ will trade V.Carter to a team in the East.  He will be traded to the west.

I totally disagree...NJ is rebuilding and won't care a bit about where he goes. By the time NJ is a contender (ambitious projection: 3 years), Vince won't be good enough to "exact revenge" on them. They'll take the best package they can get and cut their costs.

WEll they seem like a pretty decent team right now.  If the playoffs started today they'd be a 6th seed.  Not terrible.

[fatherscott]

I don't believe NJ will trade V.Carter to a team in the East.  He will be traded to the west.

I totally disagree...NJ is rebuilding and won't care a bit about where he goes. By the time NJ is a contender (ambitious projection: 3 years), Vince won't be good enough to "exact revenge" on them. They'll take the best package they can get and cut their costs.

WEll they seem like a pretty decent team right now.  If the playoffs started today they'd be a 6th seed.  Not terrible.

True, but does anyone consider them actual contenders? Even they don't, I bet. The Knicks started out fine too, but made the move to dump salary, which is the same thing NJ will do. Teams are crazy over the 2010 stuff.

[Brickowski]

I see Vince Carter going to Phoenix for Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and a pick. As for Marion, I do not see him going to Cleveland unless they think they can resign him. In fact, I don't see a logical home for Marion anywhere.