NBA Trade Rumors 3/13/12

Orlando Still Weighing Howard Options, Trading Him To Nets?
Orlando is still considering keeping Dwight Howard beyond Thursday’s trade deadline and the Magic are looking at pieces to team with Howard like Monta Ellis. With that possibility out the window, now Ken Berger is reporting that now the Magic are re-evaluating whether to trade him and the Nets are clearly in the lead. New Jersey is exploring trades to shed payroll and would offer Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks and first round picks to the Magic.

Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a bomb by saying that Howard is tricking Orlando by hinting that there’s a chance he’ll stay when he’s really going to ditch the Magic and go to the Nets in July. “Dwight’s gone, and Alex Martins is the only person who doesn’t believe that,” a league source with knowledge of Howard’s intentions told Wojnarowski. Sam Amick reports that Houston and Golden State are among several teams still willing to rent Howard and Orlando would also like the Lakers to get back in the picture.

“The Magic must like any trade they make at this point,” an Eastern Conference GM told Peter Vescey. “If they can get 90-95 cents on the dollar for Dwight, my guess is they’ll deal. If it’s 70 cents, I think they’ll play it out like the Cavs did with LeBron.” Perhaps if Orlando reaches the finals this season, then Howard could be convinced to stay.

Three Team Deal Discussed?
Alex Kennedy reports that the Spurs, Jazz and TimberWolves are discussing a deal that would send Josh Howard to San Antonio. Utah would acquire Danny Green from the Spurs and Wayne Ellington from Minnesota. The Wolves would land C.J. Miles. and Jamal Tinsley.

San Antonio has coveted Howard for a while, and he’d add good depth behind Richard Jefferson. Minnesota could use another point guard with Ricky Rubio out, and maybe it would allow them to send Luke Ridnour to Portland for Jamal Crawford.

Portland Dealing Guards
It’s no secret that the Blazers want to improve its guard situation this week and talks have heated up with the Clippers regarding Jamal Crawford. Los Angeles wants Crawford and may even be willing to include Eric Bledsoe, but the Clips would also want to move the contract of Ryan Gomes, which Portland has, so far, not been very receptive to. Another scenario has him going to Charlotte in a deal involving D.J. Augustin. No matter what, according to Jason Fleming, Portland wants to take on expiring contracts for Crawford. However, Ken Berger now reports that Portland is cooling on the idea of trading Crawford since they’ve been unable to get a first round pick in a deal.

Minnesota would love to trade for Crawford, but Portland wants a point guard in return and the Wolves are definitely not trading Luke Ridnour, says Bill Ingram. As for Raymond Felton? Things have been very quiet over the last few days, says Ben Golliver. Perhaps the Blazers are waiting for a Crawford trade.

Extra Points
-Boston will not be trading Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge said. A Lakers trade involving Pau Gasol was never discussed, Ainge said. If Boston does make a move, which is unlikely, it’d be for a big man.
-Indiana has interest in a shooting guard. With O.J. Mayo off the market, the Pacers could be targeting Courtney Lee of Houston. The Bulls, TimberWolves and Clippers also have interest in Lee.
-Utah holds a $10.89 million trade exception from their Mehmet Okur trade exception, but they are buyers and would love to get a quality piece, says Steve Kyler.
-Kevin Martin could be on the move, and other Rockets who could be dealt include Terrance Williams, Jonny Flynn, Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger, according to Steve Kyler. Jonathan Feigen says Martin is very much on the block. Houston is also among the teams interested in Chris Kaman.
-There have been talks of Charlotte sending the expiring contract of Boris Diaw to New Jersey for Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro and a future first round pick belonging to Houston, but it’s unclear whether the Bobcats want to take on future money. It’s also clear that D.J. Augustin is available for the right price. *The Spurs and Knicks may also have interest in Diaw.
-The Lakers remain interested in Ramon Sessions, says Alex Kennedy. They are the frontrunners to acquire Sessions, with Raymond Felton as LA’s Plan B. Los Angeles tried to bring Houston in as a third team with Sessions going to Los Angeles, a first round pick going to Houston and Jonny Flynn going to Cleveland.
-Michael Beasley is the most likely Minnesota player to be traded, but they’d need value in return. Also, Minnesota is discussing a Jason Richardson deal with Orlando.
-The Knicks are exploring a Toney Douglas trade, says Jared Zwerling.
-Cleveland has interest in former Blazers G Armon Johnson.