NBA Trade Rumor
by Patrick Austin

NBA Trade Rumor Section
Also see the new Vince Carter trade rumor

Here's a look at some of the NBA trade rumors floating around the grapevine…

NBA Trade Rumor #1: Eddy Curry to New York—Mike Sweetney to Chicago

This NBA trade rumor is being reported in both the Chicago Tribune and New York Times. I believe this deal has real potential. It’s obvious Eddy Curry is not going to stay in Chicago long term. Scott Skiles, the Bulls head coach, is fed up with his lack of defensive effort and would love to bring in a hard working big man as a replacement.

That’s where Mike Sweetney comes in. He’s a blue-collar power forward who likes to play down in the post and mix it up with the other bigs. Skiles would love him. He is a bit under-sized(6’8) but his work ethic and hustle play makes up for it. The Bulls would probably move Tyson Chandler to the center position and play Sweets at power forward.

The Knicks do this because they haven’t had a legitimate center since Patrick Ewing was in town. Curry would give them a young center who could potentially take them to the next level. Of course, there is always the possibility he could whither under the bright lights of the Big Apple. But I think Isiah Thomas has enough bravado to take that risk with this potential NBA trade.

NBA Trade Rumor #2: Vince Carter to New Orleans—Baron Davis to Toronto

This rumor was talked about during the summer. It makes sense for Toronto since Vince Carter has voiced his displeasure about playing for the rebuilding Raptors. I can’t see the Hornets doing this NBA trade. They're losing badly right now, but a star point guard like Baron Davis is much more valuable than a scoring wingman like Vince Carter. They would be better off just keeping Baron and trying to add talent around him. Besides, they could potentially have a young Vince in the talented J.R. Smith.

NBA Trade Rumor #3: Jason Kidd to Dallas—Jason Terry and Alan Henderson to New Jersey

The writing is on the wall, Jason Kidd is inevitably going to get dealt from NJ. The Nets are obviously in a rebuilding mode and need to go in a new direction. This NBA trade rumor deal would save the Nets close to eighty million dollars. On top of that, they get a good replacement point guard in Jason Terry.

The Mavericks do this simply because, when healthy, Jason Kidd is the best point guard in the NBA. Adding him with an NBA trade would make the Mavs a near-lock for the finals and give them a real shot at winning a championship. They would have to take on the ninety million dollars he’s still owed, but we’re talking about a team that’s owned by Mark Cuban. He doesn’t care about contracts, just wants to win.