Thursday, February 22, 2007

Mike James to Houston and other pre-deadline trade rumors

From Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle:
The Rockets have had talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves about a long-shot deal in which they would acquire former Rockets Mike James and Eddie Griffin before today's trade deadline, two Western Conference officials said.

The Rockets, however, are among many teams that have inquired about James since he was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Randy Foye. The Timberwolves are insisting that to get James any team must take Griffin, whom the Rockets, and most other teams, would likely then release.


From Marc Stein/ESPN:
A three-team scenario in which Cavs power forward Drew Gooden and Minnesota's Mike James would land in Sacramento no longer appears to be an option, but it's believed that neither Cleveland nor Sacramento has abandoned hope of striking a deal before the trade buzzer.


The Wolves, conceding now that signing James was a mistake after drafting Randy Foye, are working hard to move him before the deadline ... with the Houston Rockets emerging Wednesday as a very plausible destination.

James played on Detroit's 2004 championship team and the Pistons have interest in reacquiring him. The latest signals, however, suggest that the Pistons won't be making a deadline deal.


From Lang at SLAM Online:
Once again the T-Wolves look like they’re going to stand pat. I heard chatter at All-Star that things might not change there until this summer. And if that’s the case, it seems almost perfect that GM Kevin McHale would stand by and not do anything as the team slinks their way to another postseason without a postseason.



Mike James on the possibility of being traded before today's 2pm deadline:
"It is what it is," James said before scoring 17 points in the Wolves' 100-95 loss to Charlotte at Target Center on Wednesday. "You understand how this business goes, that things happen. If I get moved, I'm just going to work. Grind. Be the first one to gym, last one to leave. I can't worry about getting moved. My family is ready."