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July 22, 2009
Here’s a look at the latest NBA rumors surrounding a few former Jayhawks who might be on the move this offseason.
The hottest name out there continues to be Kirk Hinrich, the Chicago Bulls guard who has been linked to at least three or four teams in the past two weeks alone.
For a while, it looked as if the Hinrich-to-Portland rumor might have some serious merit. In that deal, Portland got Hinrich, the Bulls snagged Utah forward Carlos Boozer and the Jazz landed Chicago forward Tyrus Thomas. Things have quieted substantially since that rumor first surfaced and it now
appears as if Miami — home of KU title game hero Mario Chalmers — might have the best chance to snag Boozer.
The ripple-effects of the Heat getting Boozer not only would eliminate the idea of Hinrich to the Blazers (for now), but also would go a long way toward making Heat superstar Dwyane Wade want to stay in South Beach, which would, in turn, mean that the Bulls most likely would be out of the D-Wade sweepstakes after next season.
As the rumors of Boozer to Miami heated up, Hinrich’s name began to surface elsewhere.
The most recent team linked to the former KU standout was Philadelphia, which may lose its starting point guard, Andre Miller.
Not-so-surprisingly, the two players were linked, as it was rumored that Hinrich would go to Philadelphia to replace Miller, who was headed to Portland.
Tuesday, we learned there was no truth to such a rumor.
The way things are going, the most likely scenario has Hinrich in Chicago when the season opens. Of course, most of the time, if there’s smoke, there’s fire. And if Hinrich’s name keeps popping up in trade talks, he could very well have a new home before the 2009-10 season begins.
Two former Jayhawks who most certainly will have new homes next season are power forward Drew Gooden and point guard Jacque Vaughn.
Both spent last season in San Antnoio and, ironically, Detroit has popped up as a possible destination for both players.
It has been written that the Pistons like Rasho Nesterovic and Chris Wilcox ahead of Gooden. Why, I have no idea, but Gooden at least has been on Detroit’s radar screen. With former Piston Antonio McDyess headed to San Antonio, Wilcox likely moving to New York and the Pistons unable to pry Glen “Big Baby” Davis away from Boston, it appears that Detroit could be a good spot for Gooden to end up.
Similarly, the Pistons have not uttered Vaughn’s name specifically but team officials have been open about their search for a third point guard and Vaughn, with his experience, low salary and steady defense, could be the right fit to play behind Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum.
Stay tuned to KUSports.com’s ‘Hawks in the NBA Blog for reaction to any developments that may involve former KU players. For all we know, Hinrich could wind up in Milwaukee, Gooden could run and gun with the Suns and Vaughn could be back with the Spurs. How quickly things can change in the wild and wacky NBA offseason.
Comments
HeyDingis (anonymous) says...
What would be so ironic about Gooden and Vaughn ending up in Detroit?
July 22, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Just that they'd be on the same team yet again. They're both unrestricted free agents, they're not packaged together in any way and yet they could go from playing together in San Antone to playing together in Motown.
Maybe irony wasn't the right word, but it would be interesting...
July 22, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gutter (anonymous) says...
Hinrich is a luke warm name at best. The Bulls are not looking to move him. If they receive an offer they may entertain it but the Bulls are not the ones seeking any trades involving Hinrich at this time.
I don't understand why you wrote this - "Two former Jayhawks who most certainly will have new homes next season are power forward Drew Gooden and point guard Jacque Vaughn". Followed by this - "For all we know..........Vaughn could be back with the Spurs". In other words you wrote a blog blurb and have no clue what may or may not happen in terms of Hinrich and former KU players. I still give you an A for effort though.
July 22, 2009 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Appreciate the A..... I'm not sure there's anyone out there, ESPN Insiders included, who can know for sure what's going to happen in free agency and with trades.
And those guys get paid to track that and have unlimited time to do so and an extensive rolodex... I don't.
In my opinion, the uncertainty of it all is half the fun.
The point of the blog was to give you guys the latest rumors that are out there, legit or not. The point of the line at the end was to remind us all (myself included) that nobody knows for sure what will happen and that it's pretty tough to predict.
Is it likely that Vaughn will be back with the Spurs? No. But could they find themselves looking for a veteran again and could he find himself desperate enough to take a major pay cut? Definitely. If so, maybe the silver and black welcome him back.
Anyway, that's a long-winded explanation of what's going on here. I trust you all understand free agency and hope that you'll enjoy the links and the opportunity to chat about what you think might happen.
July 22, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truefan (anonymous) says...
Gutter, it clearly says blog under the title which means it's an opinion article. He did some research to back up his claims and even cleared up a rumor. No one knows what will happen because rumors surface daily on unrestricted free agent trades so we can't expect him to know something that even the GM's don't know. He was just trying to give us some news since the college sports world withers and dies during the summer. Cut the guy some slack.
July 22, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
Is the period after the NBA finals and before NFL/College football just about the most boring sports period of the whole year?! I appreciate these blogs at the very least because they give me something interesting to read during this dead time...
July 22, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gutter (anonymous) says...
trufan & anyone else - I like Matt and the fact that he responded to my comment. He came up with some things he has heard and believes. ZERO wrong with that. My point was to complement him on taking the time to share what he knows and to also express most of us can only speculate. I would prefer to read what Matt has to say over Keegan or Mayer 365/366 days a year. Keep up the good effort Matt.
July 22, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waywardJay (anonymous) says...
Tait,
Im disappointed that the Hinrich to Portland rumors died down, intiailly i was against it but as i thought about it more and more... it's decent fit. All parties would have gotten what they wanted, too bad reinsdorf waited too long to trade Ben Gordon. SO he walked, they got nothing for him and now insist on gettin 2-1 on Hinrich. Which isn't going to happen, because hinrich has seen decreased minutes and productivity sense they knee jerk fired Scott Skiles.
Rasho Nesterovic and Wilcox ahead of Drew..... interesting... WIlcox at least has the Ring Drew doesn't have ..... and Rasho ..... he was with the SPurs for late season runs a couple times ( there really is no justificiation at all fior either of them.... ) all drew does is 10-10 a game, why no one would want that.... no clue...
Good article
July 22, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Good to get back to Hinrich....
What's the consensus on where the best place for him to end up is?
Whether the Bulls are actively trying to deal him or not, I'm just not sure Chicago is the best place for his career to flourish right now. That's a good team and with their youth and potential, the next few years could be special.... but how heavily would/could Hinrich fit into their plans?
That's why it seemed like Portland was such a great spot.... A young, exciting team in need of a veteran presence and some leadership. Any other teams out there like that. Phily might be one if Miller goes. How about the Knicks?
July 22, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
On the Kirk topic, here is a hypothetical...
If he was put on Miami, who starts at point? Kirk or Mario? I feel confident that there is zero chance of that happening, but I thought it was an interesting question to pose to everyone.
I am really struggling to come up with an answer! If you compare stats from last year, they are really close with Mario having slightly better steals and assists, but Kirk having better shooting percentages. I can't even get a gut feeling on this one!!!
July 22, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Great question.... That's what I like to see!!!
As for the answer.... Man, I don't know either. My first instinct says Chalmers hands down, but the more I think about it I don't know that it's hands down.
How about a tale of the tape:
Speed: Chalmers
Size: Push
Athleticism: Push
Passing: Hinrich
Scoring: Chalmers
Shooting: Push
Defense: Push
Experience: Hinrich
I don't even know if those are right....
Like you said, it's a safe bet that this scenario won't happen, but it's kind of fun to toss around.
July 22, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
I like most of your tape choices, except for scoring. I think I have seen a lot more out of Kirk from an explosive scoring position than Mario. Granted he has been in the league longer, but I feel that Kirk has a better ability to explode for 30 any night compared to Mario.
July 22, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I think the best place for Kirk is in Chicago...since they let Ben Gordon sign with the Pistons...Kirk should be the starter at the shooting guard (which should be his position all the time)...Kirk can flat out shoot when he is healthy and he never got that opportunity with Gordon there...and now that I think of it be had to play the point at KU because a young Aaron Miles couldnt handle the point...the shooting guard is where Kirk is at his best and that is what he can bring to the Bulls next season.
July 22, 2009 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
All good points, I just hope Chicago realizes that and wants him to be that guy... They'd be foolish not to.
July 22, 2009 at 4:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
Kirk has become one of those players that I just think look "right" in a bull's uniform. Kind of like Jordan, but without that talent of course.
July 22, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
I'll give you that. This day and age, it would be nice to see more guys play their entire careers with one team.
Not holding my breath, though.
July 22, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hirschtodd (anonymous) says...
First of all...you play all three (Hinrich, Mario AND D-Wade) at the same time and have a sick back court with lock down D....sick vision and multiple scoring options. If I HAD to pick one....I don't know if I could. Either would be WASTED not getting serious minutes.
July 22, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Add Boozer and Beasley to that trio and you're looking at a freakishly athletic, dangerously talented team in Miami...
Maybe we should start the cries for Hinrich to the Heat!!!
July 22, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
I like the idea of Kirk in Miami (although ive heard it's not going to happen)...and kirk, D wade, and mario would be athletic but way too undersized...and if you ask me Beasley's first year was very disappointing...didnt hit jumpers, cant post up, and did not defend well at all...Im sure the Heat would much rather have Darrell Arthur at this point...you know what the Heat would probably be better off with a guy like Julian Wright...thats just me though...imagine Julian, Mario, D wade, Jermaine O'neal, and Boozer...with Beasley, Blount, Cook, and Diawara off the bench...thats a team that could compete
July 22, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suttonku (anonymous) says...
and matt i told you there was stuff out there about Gooden lol thank you for the information
July 22, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
I'm just shocked there isn't more...
I'd like to see him in Detroit, but, in all honesty, I'd like to see him go anywhere that might keep him for a few years and let him develop.
Check back next week sometime for a blog about Gooden specifically.
July 23, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d_prowess (anonymous) says...
Your Gooden blog better include a long, in-depth discussion of his hair styles!
July 23, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
It wouldn't be complete without it...
July 23, 2009 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ralster (anonymous) says...
Hinrich will land somewhere--should be interesting. Interesting speculation about Jacque Vaughn...all those attributes listed for him are also done by Russell Robinson, who does them all equally well, some maybe better, like defense. Hey, Vaughn was stunningly awesome for KU, and I hope he lands somewhere in the NBA--but I also wish the same for RussRob. Kid can do every single freakin' thing Vaughn can do, but with 22yr old legs/speed. And he is definitely a notch bigger. And he is a proven champion. NBA needs to give him a chance somewhere!
July 23, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
That's a great point, ralster. The only thing Vaughn has going for him are those years of NBA experience.
But this day and age, when guys are literally ready to compete at the NBA level after one year or no years of college, the bottom line is becoming a lot less about experience and a lot more about this: If you can play, you can play.
Vaughn's had his run.... He got a ring.... He made plenty of money. I'm with you, if it's gotta be one of them, it'd be nice to see Russ get his shot now.
July 23, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KGphoto (anonymous) says...
Allow me to interrupt the prowess/tait pow-wow. There are only a handful of players impacting the NBA who are entering after only a season of college. They get to make their millions, but name me 6 players impacting an NBA squad after a year in college.
They don't really exist. It's all speculation and propaganda. Mayo, Beasley and a couple of others showed potential. Nobody considerably changed their team's win total. Except maybe the Chalmers/Beasley combo in Miami.
July 23, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawk_clock (anonymous) says...
In reference to the tale of the tape and prowess comment about kirk being able to explode for 30 any night... I don't disagree with that at all, but if you take d wade off of mario's team, i feel mario could do the same. He was a rookie with a true superstar at his side that was capable and wanted to lead the team. Mario was never asked to score 30 a game but if it was required of him, I feel he could do it and do it very well.. just my thought though!
July 25, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )