Of course, this has no support, but might be worth thinking about:

"One exec told me that if Melo were dealt earlier the #Nets would be aggressively pursuing Danny Granger & and would have the assets to do it"

http://twitter.com/Probballdraft#

Now that Melo is a Knick, it seems like a logical pursuit for the Nets. They will need some talent like Granger to convince free agents like Paul, Williams, Howard, etc... to come to Brooklyn. Granger would be a step in the right direction for them.

So, assuming they come after Granger, what would you want from NJ?

Granger is making 11 mil.

Here's the Nets roster and salaries:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/new_jersey.htm

Honestly, Derrick Favors, Brook Lopez, and picks are the only assets I would be interested in.

They won't give up Lopez. Would Favors, picks, and expirings be enough?

Something like this might be enough to get me thinking...

Nets get:

Granger and Posey

Pacers get:

Favors, a first round pick, and Murphy's expiring (to be bought out of course) 

Thoughts?

After reading Rob Mahoney's article on Hibbert, I thought the article and its subject deserved a FanPost and dedicated discussion thread.  

http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/indianas-hibbert-is-most-improved-no-more/#more-8653

What do you all think is the cause Hibbert's decline?  A "sophomore slump"?  JOB's earlier demoralizing comments about Roy?  Defenses adjusting?  All of the above?

I've been pondering this for a while and wanted to share my thoughts.  Blaming it on JOB would be nice (I blame everything else on him...), but probably unfair.  The best I can come up with is that Hibbert's decline is first and foremost a result of the defensive strategy other teams have been employing against him.  I.e, their scouting reports on Hibbert have improved.  

It seems to me that as the season has progressed, Hibbert's shots from the low post have been moving further and further from the basket.  In the beginning of the season, his bread and butter was the back to basket, low post, hook shot (with either hand).  He was getting pretty good at making those from 4-5 feet.  Recently, it seems to me that more and more of those shots are being taken from 6 or 7 feet instead.  Just a foot or two can make a huge difference in the low post.  I don't have any data to back this theory up (perhaps someone can assemble some).  This is simply my observation from watching every single game.  

In the beginning of the season, perhaps teams were more willing to allow Roy position under the basket, but once he showed that he was able to capitalize on those opportunities (something he wasn't necessarily able to do in previous years), teams' low post defense began to focus on keeping Roy just a little bit further from the rim.  Either Roy has forgot how to fight for good post position, or he never had the lower body strength to do so in the first place.

Am I way off base here?  Thoughts?

According to ESPN today regarding a possible deal between the Nuggets, Knicks and Griz for Melo:

The Knicks will also need at least one first-round draft pick to grab Denver's attention, and New York is confident it can get such a pick for Anthony Randolph from one of several clubs. Sources say Indiana was willing to trade a first-round pick to New York for Randolph last summer.

Link

Randolph is pretty cheap with $1.9M and $2.9M over the next two years.

Thoughts?  Still worth a first rounder?  He is riding the end of the bench in NY right now.

Article:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-magictradetalks121710

Yahoo is reporting that Orlando and Washington are close to a deal that would send Arenas to the Magic in exchange for Gortat and possibly Carter.  The part that peaked my interest was this:

"Two league sources said the Magic also have been discussing a separate deal independent of the Wizards to create future payroll flexibility to absorb Arenas’ contract."

That sounds a lot like it could involve us.  We are one of the few teams who could provide significant payroll flexibility.

So, the question is, is there anyone on the Magic roster that you would want in exchange for our expirings?  I assume Brandon Bass is on everyone's list (or at least he was during the off season).  Gortat would be great (but expensive) but would likely end up in Washington as part of the deal.  I seem to remember rumors that Bird coveted Reddick, though he's a bit expensive now as well.

Ideas?  Thoughts?

According to NBA.com

And the deal could have been even larger.

A league source says the Charlotte Bobcats wanted to get involved as well, using the non-guaranteed contract of center Erick Dampier to try and get a point guard. Under one scenario, Dampier would have gone to Indiana, the team that originally drafted him in 1996, with T.J. Ford going to Toronto and the Raptors sending guard Jose Calderon to Charlotte. (The Raptors had agreed to send Calderon to the Bobcats earlier this summer in a deal that would have sent center Tyson Chandler to Toronto, but the deal was scotched at the last minute by Charlotte owner Michael Jordan.)

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/david_aldridge/08/11/trade/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

That would have been amazing....

What do you think?  Any chance something involving Ford, Calderon, and Dampier could still happen?

Pacers occupy the top three spots on NBA.com's "Rookie Ladder."  Magnum with the # 1 spot!

Link

1

Magnum Rolle

Rolle capped off his breakout Summer League with another solid performance. In the Pacers' loss to the Thunder, Rolle had 16 points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocks. Rolle, taken with the 51st pick, was one of the most consistent in Orlando and looks like another steal (along with Stephenson) for the Pacers. Well done, Mr. Bird.

Click for Magnum Rolle videos

2

Lance Stephenson

Stephenson was jockeying for position as Orlando Summer League MVP, but an ankle injury in Thursday's win over Boston may hurt his chances. That's not to take away from what Stephenson's done, as he's been one of the biggest revelations in Orlando.

3

Paul George

George finished his first Summer League experience in style. In a blowout loss to the Thunder (who showcased several regular rotations guys), George had 22 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes. The bad news? George was 6-for-19 from the field (1-for-7 on 3-pointers) and turned the ball over six times. Still, the potential is there and it was a solid five games for the lottery pick.

Just saw this on ESPN this morning.  I would be thrilled if the Bobcats were still interested in Ford.  I doubt we want to overpay Felton in a sign and trade though.  What other pieces could Charlotte send our way?  Augustine and Mohammed works.

The Charlotte Bobcats have an interesting decision when it comes a starter at the point-guard position. Do they try to re-sign Raymond Felton or do they try to acquire a floor leader via a trade? The Bobcats would probably re-sign Felton, but they have to be careful how much they offer. Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer has some thoughts on the subject.

Bonnell writes: "Felton is an exceptional guy -- accountable, competitive, a leader. The problem is he has not proven he is an above-average NBA point guard. But he seemingly expects to be paid like one. I spoke to three current or former player-personnel guys in the league about this, and was struck by the similarity of their reactions: The Bobcats are in equal danger of overpaying Felton or being left with no real point guard. Dilemma is an overused word, but this is a dilemma. ... The Bobcats need to do something assertive. I understand more than ever why they tried to acquire T.J. Ford from the Indiana Pacers at the trade deadline. I don't know exactly what aborted that deal, but I'd guess it was then-owner Bob Johnson containing cost, while arranging a sale."

Bonnell asked general manager Rod Higgins if the club would revisit a trade for Ford and Higgins said he'd revisit a lot of things.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Indiana	Ed Davis	Position: PF Height: 6-10 Weight: 215 Age: 20 College: North Carolina

Analysis: Davis would be a nice consolation prize for the Pacers if he slides this far. Davis didn't have the standout year many hoped he would, but he's a big, athletic 4 who will crash the glass and play hard -- the next Dale Davis?

Would be nice if Davis fell this far, but I just don't see it happening.  He would be a pretty good fit.

From ESPN Rumors:

Kansas center Cole Aldrich is from the Minneapolis area and hopes he'll be a member of the Timberwolves next season.

"One of the things the Wolves lack on the defensive end is making it hard for people to score inside," Aldrich told the Pioneer Press. "I know turning the Wolves around won't be an overnight process, but I feel I could be an ignitor to help the program get back on its feet. This is my hometown."

The Timberwolves have a pick that will be no lower than fifth and selections No. 16 and No. 23 in the first round of the NBA draft

Just a thought.  If Aldrich is still available at 10 and Minni was interested, would you trade the 10th pick for the 16th and 23rd?