Chad Ford: (1:04 PM ET ) Trade deadline just a few hours away ... things have been pretty quiet this morning ... let's get to it.
Michael East Providence, RI: I feel that the Chicago Bulls need a big man for a low post player. What are the chances that the Chicago Bulls will make a trade today for get that type of player.
Chad Ford: (1:05 PM ET ) After another bad loss last night ... you have to wonder what Paxson is thinking? They have assets, but seem to be paralyzed in making a move. Maybe he feels it's best to let this season play out and then fix things in the summer. So no ... I don't think the Bulls are dealing.
Sean (Cleveland, OH): There are rumors that the Cavs are in discussions for a blockbuster trade. Which team are they in discussions with and will the deal happen?
Chad Ford: (1:08 PM ET ) I saw that. I question whether they have enough pieces to make a blockbuster. I seriously doubt it. The skeptic in me says that GM Danny Ferry is trying to get the word out that he's trying his best. He's getting killed in Cleveland right now for inaction. He is trying to make deals, but when you don't have a lot to work with ... it's tough. If they get a player like Delonte West or Wally Szczerbiak or something ... that might be a small help ... but not a blockbuster. BTW, I spoke with a GM this week that said, if the Cavs had just one more star type player, he thought the Cavs would be the favorites to win it all. That's how good LeBron has become.
Dave (Indy): After watching Kobe scorch the Suns for 41, do the Suns realize they need a lock down defender (Artest?). If so, what would it take?
Chad Ford: (1:13 PM ET ) I've been told that they have interest in Artest ... though I can't confirm that interest has turned into serious trade talk. They've obviously been out there pursuing cheaper, less combustible options. They have a big trade exception to work with and the expiring contract of Eric Piatkowski. Quentin Ross is a name that has come up lately. Ditto for Mickael Gelebale. Obviously a long athletic swing man who can play lock down defense is a priority. Ditto for a backup point guard. I'm not sure I risk Artest if I'm the Suns ... but then again ... if he behaves ... you'd have to love the Suns chances int he West.
Eric (Denver): Are the Nuggets going to do anything today? Artest???
Chad Ford: (1:14 PM ET ) Sounds like they're staring down Sacramento. They'll give up cap space and a first round pick, but don't want to part with Linas Kleiza. Will the Kings blink and take that? Will the Nuggets blink and include Kleiza? I think it's probably the biggest question on everyone's mind.
Dale(Grand Rapids,MI): Chad, any Pistons tidbits?
Chad Ford: (1:15 PM ET ) Maybe a small move. They have some interest in the Nets Jamaal Magloire.
Gary (Cleveland): Situation on Michael Redd in Milwaukee?
Chad Ford: (1:16 PM ET ) Lots of teams covet Redd, but it seems like Herb Kohl, the owner, is blocking any trades. Not sure what's going on with that franchise.
Eric (Tampa): Chad...Do you see the Nets making another move? Heard anything?
Chad Ford: (1:19 PM ET ) There was some talk last night about a potential deal for Nene that would include the expiring contracts of Magloire, Bostjan Nachbar and Darrell Armstrong ... but the word this morning is that those talks have cooled significantly. I'm not sure why you risk it with Nene right now. He's been diagnosed with testicular cancer and he has 4 years, $43 million left on his deal.
Chad Ford: (1:19 PM ET ) Hold on a second ... have to take this call on a possible trade ...
Ryan, Chicago: Please tell me Ben Wallace is on the move
Chad Ford: (1:24 PM ET ) Maybe ... call was about Ben Wallace in a possible deal with the Cavs. I've got to stress that it was from what I'd call a third party source ... not someone directly involved in the negotiations. So ... take it with a grain of salt ... but interesting ...
Chad Ford: (1:25 PM ET ) The deal as I heard it ... by the way ... had Drew Gooden, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown and Cederic Simmons coming back to Chicago.
Eric (Catasauqua, PA): What are the chances Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry get traded today, and what in the world are the Grizzlies planning on doing?
Chad Ford: (1:28 PM ET ) A lot of GMs are confused. The Grizzlies gave away Pau Gasol for cap space and crappy draft picks ... but now their insisting that the get young talent or high draft picks for Miller and Lowry? Huh? I think they only way that there's a move here is if the a team can offer them some talent and take Brian Cardinal back in a deal. I think all of the criticism that Chris Wallace got on the Gasol deal has killed the chance that he makes a similar type deal for Miller and Lowry. Weird? If you're going to rebuild ... why not really rebuild?
Derek, Salt Lake City: Chad...don't you think the Spurs basically stole Kurt Thomas yesterday?
Chad Ford: (1:30 PM ET ) Yeah. And it's a problem. The Lakers steal Gasol. The Hawks steal Mike Bibby. The Spurs steal Kurt Thomas. Now every GM wants the same type of deal. Send me a really good player and I'll give you back nothing of value in return. A few GMs are desperate enough to trade away great players for cap space ... but most aren't.
David(Los Angeles, California): Hi Chad, Do you see the Clippers making a move today? Also do you think Elton Brand will remain a Clipper or jump to the free agency market?
Chad Ford: (1:33 PM ET ) If I'm the Clippers, I try to make a move right now with Elton Brand ... Here's my deal ... Shawn Marion and Jason Williams for Elton Brand and Corey Maggette and a future first. Brand's likely to opt out this summer and he'll be at the top of the Sixers list. If they move him to Miami (where he originally signed a qualifying offer if you remember) they at least get back a player (Marion has an opt out too this summer, but I doubt he'll exercise it) and get back some assets. Riley loves EB.
Andres (Miami): Please tell me the Eddy Curry to Miami talks are nothing more than rumors. Please?
Chad Ford: (1:35 PM ET ) Rumors. Sounds like if there was any talk, it's dead. One NJ source said that trade was never discussed.
Chad Ford: (1:35 PM ET ) Hold another second ... another call
Willie (Piqua, OH): I would love to see the Pacers do something to spike the intrest of the fan base such as trading Jermaine O'neal away or parting with Troy Murphy and/or Mike Dunleavy. Do you see them making any moves?
Chad Ford: (1:38 PM ET ) I don't think so. If Jermaine was healthy, they'd be getting better offers ... but right now ... I don't think so. They've been trying ... but injuries to O'neal and Tinsley have hurt their chances of making a deal.
David ( Parkland, FL): Anything going on with my awful knicks?
Chad Ford: (1:39 PM ET ) Doesn't sound like it ...
OAKLAND: Warriors?
Chad Ford: (1:43 PM ET ) They have had the opportunity to do a big deal ... but seem reluctant to pull the trigger. I think their window is closing and if Denver makes a big deal ... they're the team most likely sitting out of the playoffs in April.
Bryan (N. Canton, OH): OK So what was the new call all about?
Chad Ford: (1:44 PM ET ) Sorry ... another GM who was reading the chat wanting more details on the Wallace deal ...
Clark (Durham, NC): Why would the Cavs trade for Ben Wallace?
Chad Ford: (1:47 PM ET ) To make that work financially the deal would have to look like this:
Ben Wallace, Chris Duhon and Joe Smith to Cleveland for Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, Devin Brown and Cederic Simmons ... unless Ilgauskas is in this deal.
Todd (Westerville, OH): Why would the Cavs trade for Wallace when the need more offensive help for Lebron?
Chad Ford: (1:50 PM ET ) Ummmm ....All I can say is that owner Dan Gilbert is a huge Pistons fan ... maybe he sees something we don't. Duhon would help them. And for the Bulls ... Gooden is OK ... and they clear some cap ... but this is essentially a lateral move as far as winning this season.
Scott (Orlando, FL): Are the Magic afraid to pull the trigger? They should have gotten Kurt Thomas (as they had expiring contracts and a better 1st rounder than SA). It wouldn't have cost them anything long term as Thomas is in the final year as well.
Chad Ford: (1:52 PM ET ) They were in the hunt for Thomas. I think they had a better first rounder to give the Sonics. The cynical view is that Sam Presti helped out the Spurs out of loyalty. I don't think the Magic can make a big deal because they seem very reluctant to part with either Turkoglu or Redick
Andrew Cleveland,Ohio: Is the Chicago-Cavs deal final?
Chad Ford: (1:55 PM ET ) No ... I want to stress that. What we've heard is that they have had talks. That's it. We all keep hearing that they've also been talking to Seattle about Wally Szczerbiak too. Not sure what's up with that.
Ryan (Grand Falls, NL ): Are the Sixers going to do anything or will they stand pat?
Chad Ford: (1:57 PM ET ) I'm surprised they haven't been more willing to move Andre Miller. As it stands now the best case scenario has the Sixers somewhere around $10 million under the cap. That won't lure away the Elton Brand's and Gilbert Arenas type players.
Ricky(Cleveland,Oh): I keep hearing something about Miami trading marion?
Chad Ford: (1:58 PM ET ) No ... it doesn't sound like it after talking to people involved.
Andrew (Miami): Is the HEAT off for today? Any deals in the works for Miami?
Chad Ford: (2:01 PM ET ) They are however, talking to the Nuggets, about a deal for Nene for expiring contracts. Sounds like there's a slim chance of it happening, but it's not dead.
Terry (Cleveland, OH): Any updates on deals concerning Cleveland?
Chad Ford: (2:03 PM ET ) I'm getting lots of phone calls now ... sorry for delays. One source says the hold up in a Chicago-Cavs deal is that Cleveland wants Chicago to take back Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden for Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Duhon. I can't really see the Bulls doing that. Hughes has two years, $26 million left on his contract and where do the Bulls play him?
Chin: Any truth to the rumors that the Rockets did today's deal so they can possibly pick up Artest?
Chad Ford: (2:05 PM ET ) Artest for Battier and Luther Head works ... though I'm not sure why the Kings would do that when they could clear Artest from their cap? Makes some sense for Houston ....
Rob (Portland, OR): Portland will be active this summer ... too many point guards, need to make room for Rudy Fernandez ... think they might surprise us and make a move in the next hour?
Chad Ford: (2:07 PM ET ) They have been really trying to get a deal done ... but they really want back a big asset in return. Their willing to entertain moving anyone on their roster not named Oden, Roy or Aldridge ... and they'll even more draft picks ... but it has to be a very good player back. Thing thing I love about Kevin Pritchard is that he's so proactive ... he's trying. He's creative. I wouldn't put it past him. If every GM in the league was like Pritchard, we'd have 15 deals going down today.
Chad Ford: (2:08 PM ET ) Let's go ahead and keep going ... chat time is up but there are still a lot of good questions ... just be patient if I have to get on the phone ...
Jack, NY: Please tell me the Knicks have at least been TRYING to aquire expirings.
Chad Ford: (2:10 PM ET ) No ... the opposite ... they want players. BTW I love Bill Simmons proposed trade of Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley for Stephon Marbury, Malik Rose and David Lee. Pacers get some serious cap relief and get David Lee ... who would be a major fan favorite there. As for the Knicks ... Isiah reunited with JO!
Nate (Chicago, IL): Is Ratliff and his big expiring contract on the move?
Chad Ford: (2:12 PM ET ) No ...
Toronto Raptor: Pietrus. Yes or No?
Chad Ford: (2:14 PM ET ) No
Darren (Los Angeles, CA): Lakers done?
Chad Ford: (2:14 PM ET ) Yes ... they look awesome without Bynum.
Dale: Any updates to pass on?
Chad Ford: (2:15 PM ET ) Not yet ... I'll update you. We have multiple confirmations about the Bulls-Cavs talking. The hang-up seems to be the Cavs insisting that Larry Hughes be in the deal. If that's dropped, I'm told Bulls would agree.
Dub (Chicago): Any chance that Ben Gordon gets moved in the Cleveland/Chicago deal?
Chad Ford: (2:16 PM ET ) I think there's a zero percent chance of that happening.
John (Los Angeles): And Lakers with Bynum?
Chad Ford: (2:17 PM ET ) if healthy ... in my opinion NBA champs this year.
