Trade buzz: Amar'e likely staying with Suns

The Miami Heat and Utah Jazz engaged the Washington Wizards in a possible three-team deal that would send Carlos Boozer to the Heat, but the talks have gone nowhere, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

One general manager said the Heat were calling around this afternoon, already trying to lay groundwork for the draft and offseason. They no longer appeared to be trying to make a significant deal at the deadline.

Heat forward Michael Beasley hadn't been included in the discussions, a source said

– Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, 2:05 p.m. ET, Feb. 18

Stoudemire likely staying with Suns

Barring an unexpected trade offer materializing in the final few hours, Amar'e Stoudemire's agent expects him to remain with the Phoenix Suns for the rest of the season.

As a Suns source told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday, a trade with the Miami Heat is a "longshot, at best."

"He's staying here," the Suns source said.

Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, had several tense conversations with Suns general manager Steve Kerr on Wednesday after talks between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns ended.

Everyone kept waiting for a sleeper to steal Amar’e Stoudemire in the last hours prior to the trade deadline. How about the San Antonio Spurs? After all, they had privately considered making a bid for Stoudemire.

Still, while the Spurs and Suns did have a cursory conversation in this process, discussions never got going because San Antonio is unwilling to move two of its best young players, guard George Hill and forward DeJuan Blair.

Stoudemire is unhappy with the way he’s been jerked around the last few trade deadlines, and it will undoubtedly be an uncomfortable final several weeks with the Suns.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 11:11 a.m. ET, Feb. 18

Allen likely staying with Celtics

Ray Allen has heard his name included in potential trades for Rip Hamilton, Monta Ellis, Kevin Martin, Andre Iguodala and Jason Richardson. He knows he has no control over whether the Boston Celtics send him to another team. He also knows he doesn’t want to go.

As Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline approaches, Allen has one hope: He’d like to be starting for the Celtics when they face the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

According to multiple team sources, Allen will likely get his wish. While the Celtics have spent the past few weeks exploring their trade options with Allen, they don’t expect to move the veteran shooting guard. The team is close to acquiring Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks, probably in exchange for Eddie House and J.R. Giddens. But Celtics president Danny Ainge called the potential for an Allen trade “highly unlikely.”

Allen, 34, is making $19 million this season in the final year of his contract. He’ll become a free agent at the end of the season.

“I understand what my expiring contract means and the business we are in,” Allen told Yahoo! Sports. “But Boston is the optimum place for me. I’d want to keep my family here. I’d be disappointed [if he is traded], but there is nothing I can do about it.

“Every time I’ve gotten traded, it’s part of the culture. But I haven’t played for a franchise like this one as far as the tradition, city and the fans.”

While assessing their options with Allen, the Celtics knew what they wanted in return with any potential deal: a talented, younger star. Allen, who has made a career-low 33.3 percent of his 3-point attempts this season, was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Seattle SuperSonics at the 2003 trade deadline.

“What can I do?” Allen said. “I’m not looking at the clock.”

Despite the Celtics’ recent struggles, Allen thinks the team only needs to get healthy to renew its push for another championship.

“This is a team that can win a championship,” Allen said. “We all believe that.”

– Marc J. Spears, 5:30 a.m. ET, Feb. 18

No deal for Pacers' Murphy?

After trying to unload the salary of their highest-paid player, the Indiana Pacers are resigned that they won’t be trading Troy Murphy prior to Thursday’s deadline, league sources said.

Murphy had been the object of interest in several places, including Milwaukee, Sacramento and even Cleveland. The Bucks were the most intrigued with him until they made a deal for Chicago’s John Salmons on Wednesday.

As a sharp-shooting, 6-foot-11 power forward, Murphy is averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Pacers. He’ll make $12 million next season.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 5:05 a.m. ET, Feb. 18

Celtics near deal for Robinson

Boston Celtics guard Eddie House was told by his agent that he will likely be traded to the New York Knicks for Nate Robinson on Thursday.

"Tough situation giving Eddie up," said Mark Bartelstein, House’s agent. "[Knicks coach Mike] D'Antoni coached him in Phoenix. If it does happen, Eddie is leaving a place where he has great memories to a place where he was really wanted."

Robinson’s base-year compensation status makes a trade complicated, but the Celtics and Knicks both think a deal will be finalized with the league office before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline. Robinson was scratched from Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

Celtics guard J.R. Giddens also is expected to go to New York in the trade. If the deal is completed, there is a chance Robinson will be in uniform Thursday night for the Celtics’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

– Marc J. Spears, 8:25 ET, Feb. 17

No deal for Stoudemire?

The Phoenix Suns expect Amar’e Stoudemire to play against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, suggesting that any deal for the All-Star forward won’t be made until closer to Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

While there is still plenty of time for the Suns to strike agreement on a trade before Wednesday’s 9 p.m. ET tipoff in Dallas, one source with knowledge of the talks said none of Phoenix’s trade options looked close – and that the Suns have not ruled out keeping Stoudemire past Thursday’s deadline.

The Suns, the source said, don’t seem enamored with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offer of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson, Danny Green and a 2010 draft pick that figures to fall among the final five first-round selections. The source said the Miami Heat also haven’t come close to putting together an enticing offer.

“They might still do [a trade],” the source said, “but if there is one, it won’t be done until the 11th hour.”

– Marc J. Spears, 5:55 p.m. ET, Feb. 17

Robinson deal up in air

The Boston Celtics remain in deep talks with the New York Knicks in hopes of acquiring Nate Robinson, but no deal is expected to be finalized until Thursday, league sources with knowledge of the negotiations told Yahoo! Sports.

The Celtics now appear to be the only team interested in acquiring Robinson, and the Knicks are intent on moving him. But the guard’s base-year status – in addition to the $1 million bonus he’ll be owed for reaching the playoffs with Boston – has complicated a possible deal. Sources say the Knicks are seeking only expiring contracts for Robinson and aren’t demanding a first-round draft pick.

In addition, the Knicks might need to send another player with an expiring contract, in addition to Robinson, to make the deal work. The Celtics would likely waive the other player. Possible Celtics who could be involved in the deal include guard Eddie House, forward Brian Scalabrine, guard Tony Allen, swingman J.R. Giddens and swingman Bill Walker.

As Yahoo! Sports reported on Jan. 15, the Celtics have expressed interest in Robinson ever since his agent asked the Knicks to trade the three-time dunk champion. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni benched Robinson for almost the entire month of December.

– Marc J. Spears, 5:33 p.m. ET, Feb. 17

Grizzlies considering Mason?

Around the NBA, some team officials are privately wondering: After listening to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich disparage them over Pau Gasol’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, would the Memphis Grizzlies be hesitant on making a deal with the Spurs?

After all, veteran shooter Roger Mason is available in San Antonio and Memphis needs some scoring off its bench. Yes, sources say, the Grizzlies do have an interest with Mason and have the cap space to absorb much of his $3.7 million salary. But a league source says Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace still needs the OK from owner Michael Heisley to take on the contract.

Mason has fallen out of the Spurs’ rotation and the organization is working with his agent, Mark Bartelstein, to find a trade.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 3:30 p.m. ET, Feb. 17

Hill in Rockets deal?

If the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets work out an agreement for Tracy McGrady, Knicks rookie Jordan Hill expects to be in the deal, a source close to him said. The Knicks have made it clear they'll be willing to include Hill if it helps them move Jared Jeffries' contract.

Trading Hill and Jeffries would clear more than $9 million in salary-cap space, allowing the Knicks to possibly sign two max-level free agents this summer.

– Marc J. Spears, 12:04 p.m. ET, Feb. 17

Celtics, Lakers in talks for Robinson

League sources say the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have both had discussions with the New York Knicks regarding guard Nate Robinson.

Robinson has a no-trade clause, but would welcome a move to either team. He also is a base-year compensation player, which complicates any trade.

The New York Daily News first reported the talks between the Celtics and Knicks Tuesday night.

Marc J. Spears, 11:55 a.m. ET, Feb. 17

Stoudemire done in Phoenix?

Amar’e Stoudemire(notes) and the Phoenix Suns are no longer discussing a contract extension, and the All-Star forward was privately telling friends that he believes he’s playing his last game in a Suns uniform on Wednesday night in Dallas, sources said.

As Yahoo! Sports reported, agent Happy Walters and Suns general manager Steve Kerr exchanged contract offers over the weekend but were far apart in talks, sources said. Those privy to the conversations among Suns ownership, management and Walters say they no longer include scenarios where Stoudemire isn’t traded prior to Thursday’s deadline.

Stoudemire can opt out of the $17.7 million on his 2010-11 contract; unless the Suns trade him, they could end up getting nothing for him.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are still working to put together a package for Stoudemire, although a source familiar with Pat Riley’s most recent offer says it doesn’t include Michael Beasley(notes). Miami failed in its attempt to enlist the Charlotte Bobcats as a partner to take on Udonis Haslem(notes) in a three-team trade.

The Heat could be willing to take on Jason Richardson’s(notes) contract, which has one year worth $14.4 million left after this season, for the chance to land Stoudemire to play alongside Dwyane Wade(notes).

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 4:32 a.m. ET, Feb. 17

Rockets debate Knicks, Bulls offers for T-Mac

With proposals from the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in hand, the Houston Rockets are moving closer to deciding where to send Tracy McGrady.

– Marc J. Spears and Adrian Wojnarowski, 4:12 ET, Feb. 17

Bucks’ interest in Murphy waning?

The Milwaukee Bucks have shuffled their roster for several different offers for Indiana Pacers forward Troy Murphy(notes), but a big stumbling block for a deal has been the Pacers’ reluctance to take on guard Charlie Bell(notes), who is due $7.8 million over the next two seasons.

The impasse has some team officials skeptical that talks will be revived.

Murphy, 29, has been on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ list of targets, but the Cavs remain focused on deals for Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire or the Washington Wizards’ Antawn Jamison(notes). Murphy will make nearly $12 million next season, and getting him off the books will give the Pacers some flexibility in free agency.

The Bucks also had interest in New York’s Al Harrington(notes) but would prefer Murphy to play alongside center Andrew Bogut(notes). Murphy is averaging 14 points for the Pacers, who are destined for another lottery season.

– Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears, 4 a.m. ET, Feb. 17

Cavs interested in Maggette?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have had discussions with the Golden State Warriors about swingman Corey Maggette(notes), but as of late Tuesday afternoon the teams hadn’t talked for four days, league sources said.

If the Maggette-for-Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) talks don’t pick up, the Warriors are skeptical about their chances of making any deal before Thursday’s deadline.

– Marc J. Spears, 10:35 p.m. ET, Feb. 16

Bobcats keeping Augustin?

The Charlotte Bobcats sound like they would prefer to hold onto guard D.J. Augustin(notes) through the deadline. At the least, Augustin provides some level of security if Raymond Felton(notes) leaves the Bobcats as a free agent this summer.

– Marc J. Spears, 10:35 p.m. ET, Feb. 16

Cavs-Wizards talks heat up

While waiting on the Phoenix Suns to decide what to do with Amar'e Stoudemire, the Cleveland Cavaliers have made progress in their talks with the Washington Wizards about Antawn Jamison. Some within the Cavs organization see Jamison as a better fit than Stoudemire.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 7:19 ET, Feb. 16

Heat fail to recruit Bobcats

The Miami Heat have failed to recruit the Charlotte Bobcats as a third team in trade talks for Amar’e Stoudemire(notes), league sources said. The discussions centered on Charlotte taking on Udonis Haslem(notes) in a deal, but the price ultimately made no sense for them.

It would’ve possibly opened the door for Miami to deal Jermaine O’Neal(notes) to the Suns and receive both Stoudemire and Jason Richardson(notes). The Suns have tried to include Richardson, who will make $14.4 million next season, in packages with Stoudemire.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 6:08 p.m. ET, Feb. 16

Gooden could become free agent

Drew Gooden(notes) will likely negotiate a buyout with the Washington Wizards, sources said. Once a free agent, he'll have several possible destinations, including the Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets and a return to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Wizards acquired Gooden on Saturday in a trade sending Caron Butler(notes), Brendan Haywood(notes) and DeShawn Stevenson(notes) to Dallas.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 6:08 p.m. ET, Feb. 16

Spurs eye Thomas

The San Antonio Spurs have explored trade options for Antonio McDyess while pondering a deal for Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas.

– Adrian Wojnarowski, 3:22 p.m. ET, Feb. 16