Bucks Shopping Redd

Redd a hot topic
Bucks guard at center of trade deadline talk
By CHARLES F. GARDNER
cgardner@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 21, 2005

Charlotte, N.C. - Michael Redd will return to the Milwaukee Bucks' lineup tonight when the team gets back to business after the all-star break.

Redd missed the last three games with a sprained index finger on his left hand, but he went through a two-hour practice Monday, proving his readiness for the Bucks' road test against the Charlotte Bobcats.

But will the fifth-year pro still be wearing a Bucks uniform on Friday, the day after the National Basketball Association trading deadline?

That's the multimillion-dollar question facing Bucks general manager Larry Harris, who faces the unenviable choice of whether to trade his star shooting guard or to let the deadline slide and hope the Bucks can entice Redd into signing a long-term deal this summer.

Redd is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3 million this season, and he is sure to attract major offers as an unrestricted free agent after July 1. The new collective bargaining agreement could bring changes, but according to the way the rules are structured now, the Bucks can offer Redd an extra year on his new contract and higher pay raises than any other teams.

"There is a lot of interest in our players," Harris said Monday after returning to Milwaukee from Denver and the NBA's all-star weekend. "As far as Michael Redd is concerned, our intentions are the same, to re-sign him this summer."

But the rumor mill is churning at full speed this week, with a number of teams reported to have serious interest in obtaining Redd. Among the teams that might want to swing a deal for the former Ohio State star: Golden State, Portland, Minnesota, Cleveland and Memphis.

"There were a lot of conversations in Denver, but not a lot of serious dialogue," Harris said, referring to talks among league general managers.

With the league trade deadline approaching at 2 p.m. (Milwaukee time) Thursday, discussions are expected to heat up.

One possible piece to a trade involving Redd is forward Keith Van Horn, who has one year left on his contract at $15.7 million. If another team would offer a player with an expiring contract in the deal, the Bucks could clear significant room under the salary cap, enabling them to go after a talented free agent or two in the off-season.

One such trade scenario could involve Portland forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim (expiring $14.6 million deal), another Trail Blazers player and a draft pick going to the Bucks in exchange for Redd and Van Horn.

Golden State's Dale Davis ($10 million expiring contract), Mike Dunleavy Jr. ($3.5 million this year and $4.5 million next season) and draft picks also could be a package for Redd and Van Horn.

Both Portland and Golden State have first-round picks available for 2005.

Cleveland has not disguised its desire to team Redd with all-star LeBron James, but it seems unlikely the Bucks would want to trade Redd to a Central Division rival. The Cavaliers' best shot might be to wait until the summer and hope they can sign Redd as a free agent.

"Teams that need a shooting two-guard, why wouldn't they be looking for him?" Bucks coach Terry Porter said. "I'm sure there are some teams that would like to come in under the radar and make a solid offer."

Porter acknowledged that all the rumors might be a distraction this week as the Bucks try to begin a long-shot bid at an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

"When you have all the uncertainty, unfortunately, it's part of the game," Porter said. "As a player you just do the things you can control.

"Obviously, we don't want to lose Mike (Redd). He's very important to the organization going forward. It's a tough situation because Mike is a total free agent. If nothing happens and he walks, it would be a very difficult situation for our franchise."

Redd had played in 212 consecutive games with the Bucks before being forced to sit out the last three with the sprained finger on his shooting hand. The Bucks beat Atlanta by 30 points in the first game he missed, and lost road games to Detroit and New York to fall to a 20-30 record.

"We know it will be a difficult task to go 21-11 (to reach the .500 level)," Porter said. "Somehow, we need about 20 wins. Even if we can get to 40, I think we've got a good chance."

I see Redd being the only star player that gets traded on the deadline......maybe B-Diddy but thats a 50/50....but I think its a 90/10 chance we see Redd move......I think the Blazers would be a good place to land(despite recent history).....their changing their tag line n well it'll help get the Bucks a above average(once very good) post player.
The Warriors trade too aint bad.......but J-Rich will have to move to SF......its not going to be too pretty.

KVH at the 4, J Rich at 3 and Redd at 2... add Fisher at 1 and whos their center??? Thats ok!

I like the GSW scenario best!

God,

Please make it happen. Get us rid of Mike Effin' Dunleavy and Dale Davis' contract. I promise I'll tolerate Keith Van Fag if Michael Redd is included in the deal.

Thanks,

Tales

^youll have alotta fun with KVH in the playoffs, trust me, as a Sixer fan i know what im talking about...

Too bad the GLS Warriors won't ever make the playoffs when he's there (if the trade happens, of course)

It looks like he might be headed to Portland

One thing's certain: Uncertainty in Blazers roster

PORTLAND - There is an air of uncertainty swirling around the Trail Blazers right now whether there'll be a shakeup within its roster or its head coach.

It's all coming as the team is trying to pull together a post-season push for the playoffs, and the topic has the Blazers playing the role of reporter.

"Let me ask you something," Damon Stoudamire said with reporters' microphones pressed toward him. "Do you all think somebody's going to get traded?"

The NBA trade deadline is at noon on Thursday and Portland could make a surprise move. With big-money contracts that expire after this season, Damon Stoudamire and Shareef Abdur-Rahim are prime trade bait.

"I've started something with this team and these guys, and I'd like to finish it off," said Abdur-Rahim. "But if that's not the case, I'll pack up and go wherever I'm sent."

Sources tell KATU the Blazers are working on a blockbuster deal with Milwaukee that would bring Michael Redd and Keith Van Horn to Portland for Abdur-Rahim and another player.

The Blazers general manager, John Nash, will only say that he's still listening to offers.

"I think we'd be willing to talk about trading any player on our roster if it meant (long term) our team was going to improve," he said. "So we don't have any untouchables."

Yes, it seems everyone is vulnerable right now, including Coach Maurice Cheeks. Talk is starting to pick up that these next few months in Portland may be his last.

"The nature of our business is when you don't win, speculation comes about. That's the way it is, and I don't hide that. I share it with my players," Cheeks said.

Cheeks has one more season left on his contract, but it's at the Blazers option.

Portland's Damon Stoudamire knows nothing is a certainty. "You know right now, it's just everything's in limbo and we're not winning," he said. "So I wouldn't expect anything to change until something else starts to happen differently around here."

Meaning the team finding a way to win more games than it loses.

Sources tell KATU the Blazers are working on a blockbuster deal with Milwaukee that would bring Michael Redd and Keith Van Horn to Portland for Abdur-Rahim and another player.

The fact that Keith Van Horn is rumoured to be on the move again almost makes me believe that the deal is all but done.

yeah, i heard on the laker game (against portland) that its a trade between portland and milwaukee

michael redd and KVH for shareef and theo(?)/miles

i forgot which