Trade Deadline Update
Talks between the Lakers and Rockets about revisiting a trade for Pau Gasol continued Friday, but multiple people involved in the process told CBSSports.com that a deal had not yet been consummated.
The Rockets, who also are exploring scenarios that would bring Dwight Howard to Houston on the hope that he could be persuaded to stay beyond this season, have been assertive in their pursuit of Gasol. Houston's acquisition of the 7-foot Spaniard was voided in December when commissioner David Stern, acting as the owner of the New Orleans Hornets, canceled the three-team trade that would've sent Chris Paul to the Lakers.
Multiple team executives contacted Friday described a slow, feeling-out process that likely would gain steam next week after GMs are finished scouting conference tournaments. Other developments Friday:
* The Celtics, who according to one rival team had, in fact, been soliciting offers for Rajon Rondo in recent weeks, have disengaged on that front, sources said. One executive compared the Celtics' posture with Rondo to the Pistons' with Rodney Stuckey, whom Detroit no longer is actively shopping.
* Nothing has heated up yet for the Trail Blazers, who have three players attracting interest on the trade market: Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace. One league source said the Blazers have made it clear they're accepting offers for Wallace.
* The Cavs have been "aggressive" in seeking future assets for veteran Antawn Jamison, who has earned praise throughout the organization for his professional approach to being part of Cleveland's rebuilding plan, league sources said. Jamison has never complained or asked to be traded, but one team that intrigues his camp is the Lakers. The Cavs and Lakers spoke this week, but L.A. did not express serious interest in Jamsion, one of the sources said.
* The market for Stephen Jackson has been understandably tepid. Interest in the Bucks' veteran has not necessarily been chilled by his ongoing feud with Scott Skiles, but rather a belief that Jackson could be a buyout candidate. "Nobody's touching him unless it's a buyout," a rival executive said.
* Though the Pacers, Celtics and Heat are among the teams registering interest in Chris Kaman, the Hornets also have explored moving Emeka Okafor, who is owed $28 million over the next two seasons.
* In addition to Michael Beasley, who is on the radar for the Lakers, Celtics, Magic and Nets, the Timberwolves are gaging interest in Anthony Tolliver and Wayne Ellington, sources said.
* League sources say the Warriors have informed teams that they're only interested in moving Monta Ellis in a trade with Orlando that lands them Dwight Howard. Rival executives are skeptical that Golden State would give up significant assets (such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Ekpe Udoh) without a long-term commitment from Howard, who has indicated that the Bay Area is not on his list of preferred destinations.
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