Source: NBA Team Looking To Make Some Sort Of Transaction

NEW YORK--A league source is reporting than an unspecified NBA team is looking to make some sort of transaction this summer. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believes the transaction could take place before the draft, after the draft, or on the night of the draft.

“There’s definitely going to be a transaction this summer involving one or more teams in the NBA,” the source said. “From what I’m hearing it could be an Eastern Conference team looking to move up in the draft or possibly Western Conference team looking to unload payroll, or it could be just a one-for-one swap of veterans or possibly a multi-team deal involving all of the above. That’s the noise I’m hearing anyway. If I was any player on any team in the league, I’d be watching my back, because someone’s pulling the trigger on something at some point.”

The rumor was confirmed by an Eastern Conference GM, who claimed the deal will probably hinge on how the top five selections in the draft unfold.

“I think we’re gonna see some movement as soon as Atlanta, Memphis, and Boston make their picks,” said the GM. “Could it involve some team at the bottom of the draft looking to acquire one of the lottery picks? Absolutely. It could also involve a lottery team trading down to get some veteran help. I’m hearing the names Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Pau Gasol, Jason Kidd, Zach Randolph, Rashard Lewis, and Jermaine O’Neal, so you know this rumor is legit. Names like that don’t get bandied about very often.”

Currently there are approximately 30 teams in the NBA that have needs to fill. There are also dozens of players in the league that are very good and would be attractive to any team looking to improve their roster.

ESPN’s Chad Ford is reporting that his sources say that several GM’s say that several teams may be interested in Chinese 7 footer Yi Jianlian.

“There is a lot of interest in Yi out there and my sources are telling me that there are a few teams out there willing to trade up to get him,” said Ford. “It could be the Golden State Warriors, who are said to be enamored with him, or it could be the Phoenix Suns, who feel he will fit in perfectly with their system. Also, the Chicago Bulls are said to be infatuated with him. My best guess is that one of these teams will make a move on him or some other mystery team will make a move on him or he will be retained by the team that drafts him.”

The Atlanta Hawks are also said to be infatuated with Jianlian. They are also said to be infatuated with point guard Mike Conley Jr. and North Carolina forward Brandan Wright.

“The Hawks passed up on Chris Paul and Deron Williams in recent years so they most certainly will take Mike Conley Jr. here, the best point guard in the draft,” said Ford. “They like Jianlian too, and Brendan Wright has upside coming out of his ass, so you know they like him. I guess the safest assumption at this point is that they’re going to draft one of them. But I should have a more definitive answer after the draft.”

Perhaps the biggest question this offseason revolves around the Los Angeles Lakers. Will Kobe be traded or will the front office succeed in acquiring All-Star level talent to complement him? According to the internet, the Lakers are close to acquiring Jermaine O’Neal from the Indiana Pacers.

“I read on the internet that the Lakers are going to get O’Neal,” a league source told ESPN.com today. “Apparently they’re offering Lamar Odom and that Bynum kid and possibly some filler. The internet also said there was some interest in Jason Kidd, but it didn’t seem too sure of that one. Then again, where there’s smoke there’s fire. If you read something on the internet, there’s bound to be some truth behind it.”

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