Antawn Jamison

Buyout Rumors: Jamison, Bell, Diaw, Kaman

With the trade deadline behind us, the next deadline to look forward to is next Friday. Players must be bought out or must clear waivers by March 23rd if they hope to change teams and be eligible to play in the postseason. A number of trade candidates who weren't moved could now become buyout candidates, so let's take a look at the latest rumors on a few of those players:

Ramon Sessions Likely To Be Traded Today

While no reports have suggested a deal is imminent, Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal hears that Ramon Sessions will be on the move today (Twitter link).

Sessions has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks, with the Lakers cited as the point guard's most likely suitor. Lloyd isn't sure if the Cavs will get the first-round pick they've been seeking for Sessions, but if he's dealt to Los Angeles, the Lakers have two first-rounders (their own and the Mavericks') that could be sent to Cleveland.

Lloyd adds in a separate tweet that Antawn Jamison's name barely comes up anymore, and that there's "very little buzz" surrounding him.

Hornets Rumors: Kaman, Ariza, Okafor, Jamison

Chris Kaman is still the most likely trade candidate for the Hornets, but John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune says any of New Orleans' veteran players are available for the right combination of draft picks and expiring contracts. Here are a few more of Reid's Hornets rumors:

  • New Orleans is listening to offers on Trevor Ariza, though Ariza's agent David Lee said Wednesday he hasn't heard about any trade scenarios involving his client.
  • The Hornets backed out of trade talks with the Cavaliers involving Emeka Okafor and Antawn Jamison, since Cleveland insisted on acquiring one of New Orleans' two 2012 first-round picks. The Hornets continue to try to trade Okafor though.
  • There remains speculation that Mike Dunleavy, who is part of the group trying to buy the Hornets, may want to keep Chris Kaman around past this season. I can't see that having a major impact on the team's Kaman decision though, since the Hornets are still owned by the league for now.

Amico On Mbah a Moute, Sessions, Jamison, Ellis

Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio chatted with fans about trade topics this afternoon. Here are a few of the highlights:

  • Plenty of teams "love" Luc Mbah a Moute and are calling the Bucks about him.
  • The Cavaliers continue to be aggressive in their pursuit of draft picks, and Amico expects them to land a first-rounder, possibly for Ramon Sessions.
  • Antawn Jamison isn't drawing a ton of interest, and still appears likely to remain in Cleveland.
  • Addressing the rumored three-team deal involving the Cavs, Lakers, and Rockets, Amico says he heard one of the three teams told the other two, "Let me get back to you on that" and talks haven't progressed since then.
  • Amico thinks it would make more sense for the Hornets to amnesty Emeka Okafor than to trade him to the Cavs with a first-round pick, as was rumored. I can see the league-owned Hornets preferring to avoid the amnesty clause as long as the ownership situation is in flux though.
  • The Lakers, Hornets, Hawks, and perhaps the Bobcats are among the teams with whom the Cavs have had "long discussions."
  • The Bucks have "absolutely zero interest" in flipping Monta Ellis to another team.

Broussard On Pierce, Brooks, Curry, McGee, Daye

ESPN.com's Chris Broussard has a ton of trade rumors in today's Insider-only piece. You can read his major update on Dwight Howard here, but let's dive into the rest of his rumors….

  • The Celtics offered Paul Pierce to the Blazers, though Broussard isn't sure who else would've been involved in the deal. Portland wasn't interested in Boston's proposal.
  • The Clippers are reluctant to trade Eric Bledsoe for Jamal Crawford because they believe Crawford will opt out of his contract at season's end, and Bledsoe will have more value at draft time, since there won't be many point guards available.
  • Ramon Sessions is unlikely to be moved unless the Cavaliers can get a first-round pick. Cleveland would try to trade for Jonny Flynn if they moved Sessions, though the Spurs have also expressed interest in Flynn.
  • The Cavs are also in talks with the Hornets about swapping Antawn Jamison for Emeka Okafor and a first-round pick.
  • Aaron Brooks is drawing interest from the Blazers and Kings, though the Suns hope to re-sign him. When Brooks returns from China, he can only sign with Phoenix. If he doesn't sign anywhere this season, he becomes a restricted free agent again this summer.
  • A second-round pick is likely all it would take for the Hornets to move Chris Kaman.
  • The Warriors preferred to deal Stephen Curry rather than Monta Ellis, but Curry's ongoing ankle issues hurt his trade value.
  • Broussard hears JaVale McGee will be seeking a contract worth $14MM annually this summer. Good luck with that, JaVale.
  • Wilson Chandler is seeking a deal starting at $7MM, which the Nuggets feel is too high, since that amount won't be prorated this season — Denver would prefer to start around $5MM.
  • The Pistons are shopping Austin Daye "all day every day" but not many teams are biting.
  • The Grizzlies would like to move Sam Young to get below the luxury tax line.

Amico On Jamison, Pistons, Evans, Calderon

In his latest column updating us on a few rumors from around the league, Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com had a conversation with Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison about the likelihood he could be moved before Thursday's deadline. Traded four times in his 14-year career, the veteran believes that with the Cavaliers currently sitting just a game behind New York for the eighth and final playoff spot, that the team will keep him instead of making a move just to save money. Jamison's name has been mentioned in trade speculation with Charlotte, Atlanta, and New Orleans, Amico said, but the 35-year-old is firm in believing he'll stay put.

  • With his team now in the hunt for a playoff seed, Detroit GM Joe Dumars has "probably called every team twice" looking for a move that could improve the Pistons. Young standouts Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight are the team's only two players who're off the table.
  • Of all the popular names being discussed in a deadline deal—including Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, and Monta EllisToronto's Jose Calderon is the most likely to be dealt. I believe a team like the Lakers would be prime to acquire the sure-handed point guard (Calderon leads the NBA in assist to turnover ratio) who's a career 38.1% shooter from the three-point line and has familiarity playing with Pau Gasol from Spain's national team. 
  • Ever since he fell out of favor in Keith Smart's rotation, Sacramento has been trying to rid themselves of J.J. Hickson. The forward has been one of the league's biggest disappointments this season. The Kings are also apparently open to moving everyone on the roster except for DeMarcus Cousins and Marcus Thornton, which means Tyreke Evans could be available. 

Finnan On Sessions, Jamison, Williams

The Cavaliers are officially in the mix for the playoff push as the squad sits two games behind the Knicks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They'll look to make it three in a row when they host the Rockets later this evening. Let's take a look at the latest from The News-Herald's Bob Finnan to see what the Cavaliers plan on doing between now and the trade deadline:

  • The prospect of the Cavaliers receiving a lottery pick for Ramon Sessions has diminished into likely netting the team a lesser first-round pick or even a second-round selection. While the Cavs must ensure they receive proper compensation for trading the talented point guard, the time is now to pull the trigger, says Finnan. If Sessions isn't traded, Finnan predicts the former Nevada star will opt out of his contract to test free agency.
  • Finnan believes Antawn Jamison will remain a Cavalier for the rest of the season rather than be traded or have his contract bought out by the team. The former Tar Heel is widely viewed as a strong lockerroom presence and would prefer to remain with the team if given the choice. Jamison, 35, is currently averaging 18.3 PPG and 6.7 RPG on the season.
  • One move that may make sense for the Cavaliers would involve the Hawks as a trade partner. Finnan notes that the Cavs have been in contact with the club to potentially bring Marvin Williams to Cleveland. Another scenario would add Josh Smith to the mix in return for Sessions and Jamison.

Berger On Gasol, Rondo, Jamison, Jackson, Okafor

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com has a few late-Friday afternoon updates on the trade market for us. Here are the highlights:

  • Berger echoes a number of other reporters who say that, while the Lakers and Rockets are discussing Pau Gasol, no agreement has been reached yet.
  • The Celtics had been fielding offers for Rajon Rondo in recent weeks, but have disengaged from those talks.
  • The Trail Blazers have "made it clear" they're accepting offers for Gerald Wallace.
  • Antawn Jamison's camp is intrigued by the possibility of Jamison going to the Lakers, but Los Angeles hasn't expressed any sort of serious interest in the veteran, says Berger. Even if they were interested, I can't see a way the two teams could match up, given Jamison's $15MM+ cap figure. Nonetheless, the Cavaliers are aggressively seeking future assets for Jamison.
  • One executive predicts that "no one's touching" Stephen Jackson unless he's bought out by the Bucks.
  • In addition to pursuing offers for Chris Kaman, the Hornets are also shopping Emeka Okafor.
  • The Timberwolves are gauging interest in Wayne Ellington and Anthony Tolliver.

Amico On Jamison, Favors, Blatche, Sessions

Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio talked Cavaliers and trade rumors in a chat today, sharing some noteworthy items along the way. Here are a few of the highlights:

  • Teams are beginning to show more interest in Antawn Jamison, but it doesn't sound as if any talks have gotten serious yet. When I examined Jamison as a trade candidate three weeks ago, I wrote that I wasn't expecting the Cavaliers to move him. Amico agrees, saying Jamison probably only gets dealt if Cleveland finds a desperate trade partner.
  • Derrick Favors, the third overall pick in 2010, is on the trade block, according to Amico. The Jazz would like to acquire a point guard or small forward.
  • Pistons GM Joe Dumars is "really working the phone," which Dumars himself confirmed this week. Amico thinks Detroit could be a candidate for Andray Blatche. I'd assume if the Pistons were to discuss Blatche with the Wizards, Detroit would want to include Charlie Villanueva in any deal.
  • Amico hears there's not much to the Cavs' reported interest in Marvin Williams, though he adds that Williams does want out of Atlanta.
  • It's not a sure thing that Ramon Sessions will opt out and sign elsewhere at season's end. He's open to remaining in Cleveland, though he knows his minutes may be limited behind Kyrie Irving.

Central Notes: Sessions, Jamison, Pacers, Pistons

Representatives of the Central Division didn't see much action in Sunday's All-Star Game, as Bulls forward Luol Deng and Pacers center Roy Hibbert received the fewest minutes of any Eastern Conference player. The division's only starter, Derrick Rose, played just over 18 minutes, significantly less than the 30+ minutes the East's other four starters logged. So to make up for the Central's lack of face time Sunday, let's round up a few Monday morning notes from the division…