Jax Trade Discussions Heating Up?

ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports

For now, this is a rumor because I haven’t verified it with sources close to the situation, but I’ve been told by a few people around the league that the Stephen Jackson trade talk is heating up. I’m told that Golden State is mulling several offers, and one person told me he expects something to happen within the next few days.

I don’t know the particulars of any supposed offers, but I’m told Cleveland, Denver, San Antonio, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Clippers are all interested in Jackson.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets trade exception isn’t large enough to acquire Stephen Jackson so they look like they’re out of the running. They’d have to give up JR Smith and change to make a trade work.

Cleveland Cavaliers

If the Cavs make a strong play for Jackson their offer will be based around Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Warriors will likely demand more than that but Big Z by himself is a fair offer. If the Cavs made that offer the Warriors would need to add at least another million to make the salaries work, which wouldn’t be an issue.

The Warriors will ask for JJ Hickson but I would be hugely surprised if the Cavs were willing to part with Hickson for Jacks. Their management, and LeBron, love his potential.

The Warriors may be able to get a future first round pick or something along those lines from the Cavs.

Another player who may end up being involved in the transaction could be Delonte West. The Cavs would need another $3 million in salaries to make it work or they may try to use a three team trade or add him to the Ilgauskas package.

San Antonio

I have no ideas on how the Spurs could make this work. They’re already in uncharted territory financially and adding Jackson’s remaining four years of his deal to their cap situation would be problematic.

I don’t think they’re in this.

• If the Spurs were interested, well then they have the expiring contracts (Finley, Bonner, Roger Mason Jr all expiring) to make an offer.
• Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Richard Jefferson would be a nice trio on the wing. A nice one two punch at the point with George Hill and Tony Parker. Then Duncan, Dice, Blair and Ratliff as their bigs. That is an impressive rotation.

Anyway, I don’t think they’re truly interested.

New Orleans Hornets

Stephen Jackson would be a decent fit with the Hornets. He’s a little too ball happy and not effective enough with the ball to be a very good fit next to player like Chris Paul but he would add some interesting things:

• Some much needed leadership
• Contagious energy on a squad that short of it
• High quality defense on the wing
• Good all around offensive play. Someone who can create for himself and others on the ball. And can shoot the ball well enough to play off of it.

The problem with the Hornets is that they don’t have enough expiring contracts. They’d have to offer someone with two years remaining like Mo Pete or Darius Songaila. In order to make that work for the Warriors the Hornets would then have to add other assets to the offer. Say a future first round pick or two.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons had strong interest in Jackson last season prior to his contract extension. That contract, plus their redeveloped roster, and their new recruit Austin Daye likely will have decreased (eliminated?) that interest though.

Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Jackson would be a very nice fit on the Clippers. It’s not their best move — playing for the 2010 free agency is — but it’s a good move.

The Clippers desperately need a quality wing player and particularly a small forward. They need someone who can play lockdown defense on the wing. These are all things which Jackson can bring to the table.

Plus, Jax gets to play alongside Baron Davis again. We all remember the positive effect they had on another the last go around so rekindling that partnership has to hold some interest.

If the Clippers did acquire Jackson, without having to part with any of their top five players (Kaman/Camby), that would make the Clippers a 45+ win basketball team.

The Clippers could make an offer of Ricky Davis + Mardy Collins + minimum contracts to get close to making the salaries match. If they couldn’t get away with that low of an offer they could include Rasual Butler or Craig Smith who also have an expiring deals.

Washington Wizards

I don’t think the Wizards will get involved in this but they could offer Mike James and filler and pick up Jackson on the cheap.

Captain Jack could be a nice glue guy with Championship experience for that squad, the final starter in their lineup. Jackson would provide more defensive ability on the perimeter than anyone else on the Wizards roster.

Summary

Anyway, it’s just a rumour for now. It may be something, it may be nothing.

For my money, the Cavs look like the best bet at the moment.

Oh, one last thing, I think most of the interest being shown in Stephen Jackson will be cursory and not strong interest. Teams who want to call and find out what’s happening + whether or not they can get a steal rather than teams who are calling to make a firm offer.

Update: Chris Broussard reports that nothing is imminent

I’ve fleshed out the Stephen Jackson scuttlebutt I mentioned on Wednesday, and let’s just say I’m glad I prefaced it with “this is a rumor,” not news.

San Antonio, New Orleans and the LA Clippers have not had any conversations of substance with Golden State concerning Jackson. Cleveland definitely has interest, but is unwilling to give up Zydrunas Ilgausksas and is taking a “wait and see” approach. Denver had interest but doesn’t have the goods to get anything done.

Broussard also mentions that the Warriors may think that they can get improved offers after December 15th when recent free agent signings are allowed to be traded, and perhaps even better offers closer to the deadline.