Trade Talks Heating Up for Stephen Jackson

This is a very, very speculative report, but then again, that’s how every trade starts out, and with the Warriors actively and openly shopping their former captain, no rumor is totally implausible. ESPN’s Chris Broussard shared this tidbit over at True Hoop:

For now, this is a rumor because I haven’t verified it with sources close to the situation, but I’ve been told by a few people around the league that the Stephen Jackson trade talk is heating up. I’m told that Golden State is mulling several offers, and one person told me he expects something to happen within the next few days. I don’t know the particulars of any supposed offers, but I’m told Cleveland, Denver, San Antonio, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers are all interested in Jackson.

Golden State wants Zydrunas Ilgauskas from Cleveland, but the Cavs aren’t willing to give him up because they need him to back up Shaq.

That trade scenario—Big Z to Golden State, Jackson to Cleveland as an extra ball handler and another perimeter threat—would seem to make sense for both sides. Cleveland’s reluctant to part ways with Big Z, as he’s valuable insurance should Shaq miss extended time with an injury, but at some point, having two lethargic 7 footers becomes redundant, and the benefits of Stephen Jackson negate the cost. Plus, Cleveland’s one of the few places where Jackson publicly said he’d want to play, so you’d have to assume he’d be on his best behavior.

Stay tuned.