Every weekday morning, Ball Don't Lie serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your milk.

Bob Young, Arizona Republic: "We suspect that Suns General Manager Steve Kerr was double-crossed by Golden State's Don Nelson on draft day. As you know by now, the Suns evidently believed they had an arrangement with the Warriors that would have sent Amaré Stoudemire to Golden State for a package of players and Stephen Curry(notes), whom the Warriors selected with the seventh pick in the draft. Only the Warriors hadn't anticipated Curry falling into their laps. When he did, the deal went Kerr-boom. We aren't alone in this thinking, either. Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, a dependable long-time NBA and Warriors observer, wrote in his blog: 'Nelson's reputation on these matters precedes him, and this perceived 11th-hour pullout only adds to the sense that the Warriors with Nelson are extremely difficult trade partners, and possibly borderline untrustworthy in these matters.' It's clear, though, that the Suns are willing to part with Stoudemire — maybe even to the Warriors."

Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel: "What happens when you add a star to a group of supremely talented, accomplished people who already are stars in their own right? That's the question that the Orlando Magic will face head-on in the season ahead. On paper, the acquisition of eight-time NBA all-star Vince Carter(notes) gives the Magic a proven scorer who can complement Dwight Howard(notes), Rashard Lewis(notes) and Jameer Nelson(notes) — and Hedo Turkoglu(notes) in the unlikely event that he re-signs with the team. 'I just want to fit in and get to work,' Carter told reporters at RDV Sportsplex just hours after the trade went through Thursday. 'They have already accomplished so much. I just want to take the team one step further.' But in team sports or in any group endeavor — anytime egos are involved, really — reality sometimes is far messier than theory when strong personalities are added to the mix."

Don Seeholzer, Pioneer Press: "Quoting Tim Shea, a former Knicks scout who is a consultant for (Ricky) Rubio's agency in Spain, the offer would be for about $1 million, with another $2 million going toward Rubio's $6.6 million contract buyout with his Spanish team. Shea said the team also is in talks with Real Madrid about Rubio and he doesn't expect Kahn to trade him to the Knicks, even though that is the preference of Rubio's parents. 'I think (David Kahn) understands he has a gold nugget,' Shea said. 'The price of gold is always going up. He's only 18, so Rubio's stock will go up next year. He drafted so many point guards because of this. He's in the driver's seat. He doesn't have to trade him to the first suitors.'"

Jerry Zgoda, Minneapolis Star Tribune: "To address the little birdie and Charley Walters’ 'report' that Ricky Rubio(notes) was in town — or due in town — yesterday to meet with David Kahn … Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve worked to confirm it, which unfortunately as a beat writer is a necessity, but haven’t been able to. David Kahn promised 'transparency' when he took the job but eventually said 'Sorry, we have no comment' when I texted him numerous times to ask if has, or will soon meet, with Rubio and his father. That he says no comment rather than deny it leads me to believe there’s something there, which isn’t surprising that the two sides would begin some kind of conversation face to face soon."

Joel Brigham, HOOPSWORLD: "It's starting to become relatively clear that there never was much credibility to the rumors of Ricky Rubio potentially heading to the New York Knicks via trade, so at this point it seems healthiest for Knicks fans to just let go of that idea. Sources close to the situation have told HOOPSWORLD that nothing substantial was ever discussed between Minnesota and New York, so Rubio is, for the time being, a member of the Timberwolves. The most pressing question right now is whether or not Rubio will actually play in the NBA next season. According to Peter Vescey of the New York Post, Rubio has been receiving serious offers from teams in Turkey and Real Madrid. The reason these contract offers might be more desirable than a stint in the NBA is that these other clubs can offer more significant amounts of cash for Rubio's massive buyout with Joventut. But let's be honest — Minnesota was extremely lucky to have arguably the draft's second most exciting player drop to them at No. 5, and Wolves GM David Kahn really wants to keep him. Kevin Love(notes) is even twittering his "pretty please!" shtick in hopes of reigning him in. It appears that, for right now, Rubio is just trying to make the smartest financial decision for himself. Remember, it's not always about a love for the game of basketball. Sure, that plays a huge part in doing this for a living, but it's a living." 

Marc Berman, New York Post: "The Knicks dispatched declining Quentin Richardson(notes), who has been wretched the past two seasons, to Memphis for Milicic, whose arrival gives the Knicks more flexibility in the David Lee(notes) sweepstakes, which begins Wednesday. 'It's low risk, high reward,' his New York-based agent, Marc Cornstein, told The Post yesterday. 'There is a reason he was drafted where he was drafted. Now it's a matter of will we see it? It remains to be seen, but I'm optimistic off this situation.' Milicic, who hasn't adapted well to U.S. living, now is surrounded by a larger support system, featuring Cornstein and a European-style head coach. But one NBA executive whose franchise had Milicic said: 'He's been in the league six seasons. He is what he is.' Cornstein disagrees. 'We're thrilled on so many levels,' he said. 'I'm excited to have him in my hometown, personally and selfishly. We've known him for a long time and are very close to him. On a basketball level, we're more thrilled. Coach D'Antoni is the ideal coach for him. He has a great understanding of European players and how to utilize his skill sets and talents.'"

Mike Wells, The Indianapolis Star: "The decision not to pick up Marquis Daniels'(notes) $7.5 million team option was not an easy one for the Pacers. The Pacers would have been right up against the luxury tax if they picked up Daniels' option and if Jarrett Jacks ends up accepting the $2.9 million qualify offer the Pacers plan to make to him any day now later in the summer. President Larry Bird and general manager David Morway would have little wiggle room to make any kind of offseason moves. They've now got about $9 million to work with this summer. ... Counting Tyler Hansbrough(notes), who will eventually sign his contract, the Pacers currently have 10 players under contract. They only have eight players that will be able to help them at the start of the season because Mike Dunleavy is out indefinitely and Jamaal Tinsley's(notes) time as a Pacer is over. Expect the Pacers to be cautious in their offseason moves because they have no intention of going over the luxury tax and they don't want to take on lengthy contracts in any trade they make."

Monte Poole, Contra Costa Times: "The (Amare) Stoudemire who would join the Warriors is not the four-time NBA All-Star who has spent years tormenting them. Stoudemire's prime is behind him. Not because he's old; he's only 26. Nor is it the mileage. It's the troubling medical history. Stoudemire is four months removed from surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye. He is eight months removed from a partially torn right iris. He is 20 months removed from having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He is 44 months removed from having the dreaded microfracture surgery on his left knee. The knees, however, represent the biggest, brightest red flags. Common sense would accept that the left knee, in particular, would inhibit any chance of Stoudemire being the explosive, dynamic athlete he was pre-surgery and over the long term. That's important insofar as the Warriors likely won't make any megadeal unless they have assurances of signing a five-year extension that would make Stoudemire their highest-paid player. Microfracture surgery diminishes everyone who has it."

Tim Buckley, Deseret News: "According to a weekend report from The (N.J.) Record, New Jersey basketball boss Rod Thorn said, 'Obviously we're not going to be signing a guy (at) 10, 12 million dollars a year.' 'That,' the newspaper reported, 'makes it doubtful the Nets will get in the mix for (Jazz forward) Carlos Boozer(notes), if he opts out of his contract.' The New York Post has floated Jersey as a potential sign-and-trade destination for Boozer, whose primary suitor could be Detroit."

Alan Hahn, Newsday: "(Nate) Robinson won’t command nearly as much in salary, but his popularity as an electrifying 5-9 guard and two-time Slam Dunk champion could be valuable as an attraction in some small markets. According to one league source, the Lakers inquired about Robinson’s availability after his 33-point performance at the Staples Center on Dec. 16. Kobe Bryant(notes) has expressed adoration for Robinson and owner Jerry Buss was said to be smitten after that game. The Sacramento Kings also were close to a deal for Robinson and Jeffries before the trade deadline and there are indications that the deal could still take place this summer. Robinson had a breakthrough season statistically — career-high 17.2 points per game — but his ball-dominating, one-on-one mentality does not fit well in Mike D’Antoni’s system. The Knicks drafted a rugged point guard, Toney Douglas(notes), the 29th overall pick on Thursday and are also in the market for a starting point guard with the plan to move Chris Duhon(notes) to a backup role this season."

Marcos Breton, The Sacramento Bee: "Sacramento needs a game changer. The region is mired in a slump, but all slumps eventually end. The Kings are trying to end theirs with a 19-year-old named Tyreke Evans(notes), who is sweet natured in person and a 6-foot-5 bull on the basketball court. This lad is highly touted, but he inherits the heavy expectation of playing a key role in restoring an essential regional franchise. 'We're going to put him front and center,' said Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof. 'When he gets the ball in his hands, no one is going to stop him.' Evans joins a team of fresh faces with something to prove. New Kings coach Paul Westphal is trying to revive a dormant career. Team president Geoff Petrie is searching for his Teflon suit after some flawed decisions stuck to him. The Maloofs are being more positive than they have in years. 'I'm tired of all the negativity about this franchise,' Gavin Maloof said. A lot of people are tired of local negativity — of 11 percent unemployment and the baggage that goes with it."

Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: "The Pistons' biggest problem isn't a dearth of talent. It's that their head coach and best player barely speak to each other. Both Michael Curry and Rip Hamilton are to blame, prone to varying degrees of ego and stubbornness. But Curry must understand that it's incumbent upon the coach to fall on the sword, admitting his mistakes for the sake of pacifying the star's delicate disposition. That's lesson one on the first day at Chuck Daly Coaching School. Curry must make amends with Hamilton, regardless of the amount of crow swallowed, or he risks compromising his future as Pistons' coach."

Jeff McDonald, SA Express-News: "NBA free agency officially opens at midnight Wednesday. The Spurs' first big decision of free agency will come no later than 24 hours before that. And it won't even be their decision to make. Will Michael Finley(notes) opt out of the final year of his contract? That is the $2.5 million question. Finley, who started all but one game for the Spurs last season, is on the books for that amount next season. He could choose to opt out and become a free agent — or retire — in which case the Spurs owe him nothing. In April, a day after the Spurs' were eliminated from the playoffs by Dallas, Finley indicated that his future was up in the air. Two months later, it apparently still is. Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said late last week that Finley had given him no indication as to his plans. Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, confirmed as much, saying his client had yet to reach a decision."

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