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Let's look beyond Oden and Durant


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A: But when general managers and coaches and owners are desperate, the equation changes. They are a desperate franchise and it appears now Danny Ainge is busy trying to appease Paul Pierce and the owner, who likes Pierce. So they seem the most likely to trade out of the draft and perhaps pursue a blockbuster with Jefferson. Talk continues about acquiring Kevin Garnett. No one can truly tell in what direction they are going.

Q: What do you see Dallas doing in the free agent market? Is a deal with Kevin Garnett out of the question?
Ray, Dallas

A: Unless they want to deal Nowitzki. Dallas is well over the salary cap for years to come, but they usually do some tickering. The biggest rumor has them chasing a top point guard in trade, perhaps someone like former Mav Jason Kidd, though they continue to shoot that down. Perhaps they protest too much as it makes some sense given they don't have a true point guard with Harris unable to shoot and Terry unable to pass.

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Q: What are the odd's of a C-Webb-Sacramento reunion?
N. Smith, Albany, Ky.

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A: Don't they have enough problems. I'd say zero. They are one of the most unathletic teams in an NBA era of speed on the perimeter. They could bring him back cheap now that they got rid of his salary, but they need to begin changing the team and moving forward. Not backward.

Q: Hey Sam, do you think Tyrus Thomas can be that low post scorer the bulls need, and do you think Luol Deng will be traded along with the draft pick and Ben Gordon?
— Anthony Herring

A: No, I don't think Thomas will ever quite be that, though it's not like the Cavs got to the Finals on their low post Zydrunas Ilgauskas threat. Until they change the playoff format, I don't feel that is essential in the East to at least get to the Finals. It's not so much a classic low post, big man presence, but a player to change the pace in the game, someone you can throw it to and make the defense react. I think Luol Deng has that capability in a few years and I’m quite sure the Bulls will keep him. The Bulls could deal the pick and Gordon if something big, like Garnett or Gasol, comes along.

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