- The rumblings we’re hearing out of Orlando seem to say that the Magic are leaning toward holding onto Dwight Howard and trying to figure something out in the summer. Of course, that can change if the right offer comes along. Frankly, if I’m the Magic I’d take what the Nets are offering Lopez, + role players a mountain of picks or what the Lakers are offering Bynum possibly Gasol. Either one is better than the end game of losing Howard for nothing. ESPN.com
- Adrian Wojnarowski: “Boston is very active out there. They’re willing to trade any of that Big Three if they can find a deal that helps them going forward with cap space, with draft picks. Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers have determined internally ‘we’re not contenders, we’re not going to win the championship this year’… And if the right deal comes along for Pierce, Garnett or Ray Allen, they’re gonna move them. NBCSports.com
- The problem is that while Rondo, Allen, KG and Pierce are all excellent players, none of them have great trade value right now. Rondo has the most, but many teams are worried about chemistry issues with him. Allen and KG are well past their primes and are free agents next season. Pierce is better but he’s due $16.8 million next year. I’m not sure how Danny pulls this off. ESPN.com
- Because Suns owner Robert Sarver, according to sources close to the situation, continues to hold out hope that he can convince Nash to re-sign this summer for at least two seasons. ESPN.com
- It remains to be seen how willing Nash is to stay after two seasons of steady decline on Sarver’s watch since the Suns’ Cinderella trip to the 2010 Western Conference finals. The New York Knicks’ interest in pursuing Nash as a free agent in the summer is well-documented … and sources with knowledge of the Dallas Mavericks’ thinking say that the defending champs will definitely try to reunite Nash and Dirk Nowitzki in free agency in July if top targets Dwight Howard and Deron Williams elude them. The Toronto Raptors’ interest in bringing Captain Canada back home is also well-established. ESPN.com
- Chris Mannix: Everything I’m hearing is Howard’s preferred destination is NJ. Chance to be the alpha male, in Brooklyn, playing with D-Will is enticing Twitter\
- Talked to a few Warriors sources. They seem miffed at the rumors about Ellis for Brook Lopez. They don’t seem to think that would be enough for Ellis. GSW would want more than Lopez. Sulia
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Marcus Thompson: Warriors still hold interest in Danny Granger, though Indiana won’t trade him. But if you think about it, what’s the better tandem: Paul George/Granger or Paul George/Monta? Perhaps the better question is what’s the better trio: Collison/George/Granger or Collison/Ellis/George? … I’d have to go with the former. Sulia