*Trying like heck to move one of their bigs, Kaman or Camby. (Moving Zach just beyond possibility.) Cutting costs everywhere

*Clips were confident they had a Kaman deal 48 hrs ago. That changed last night. Camby to OKC is still out there right now.

*Don't have all the details [to Kaman deal]. Best I can tell, it was to Cle, similar to what they were offering for Shaq.

The Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed Vince Carter(notes) again, sources said. As financial losses mount for New Jersey's ownership, it appears more likely that the Nets will try to move Carter and the two years and $33.6 million left on his deal. The Nets would have to take Ben Wallace(notes) and Sasha Pavlovic(notes) in return.

With that in mind, contrary to a Yahoo! report, the Nets have had no conversation with the Cavaliers since mid-February regarding Vince Carter for anybody, much less Sasha Pavlovic and Ben Wallace, who talked about retiring but is not about to forfeit $14M.

Zero!

Would Ratner love to be save $33M, which is what Carter is owed over the next two seasons? No doubt. But only if the Nets got to keep his 20-point average, sprinkled with plenty of 30s and a few 40s. Or could get a cheaper clone who, don't forget, also must donate five assists and five rebounds per outing.

Aren't many of those featured creatures roaming around the NBA tundra . . . at least who can be had. Carter probably can be had -- that's why the Cavs, Spurs and Blazers all thought seriously or talked deliriously about getting him just prior to last February's trade deadline -- but not for rotten bananas.

Want Carter? Gotta give to get! And at this moment, the Nets are engaged in no substantive trade talks.

Zero!

The chatter in the league is that the Cavs are very interested in moving up in the draft. They have been talking to teams just outside of the lottery (starting with the 15th pick) down into the low 20s.

As they look to move up, the Cavs might be targeting three players who most certainly will not be there at 30.

One is Ty Lawson, the dynamic and speedy point guard from North Carolina. Though he's small and that doesn't exactly fit what the Cavs need with undersized guards Mo Williams and Delonte West, Lawson has proven to be a winner and an excellent decision maker for the national champs. He's been overlooked by some teams and the Cavs love to find undervalued players in the draft. They feel Daniel Gibson and Darnell Jackson fit that same mold.

Another is Sam Young, an experienced wingman who proved to be a strong defender at Pittsburgh while playing in a power conference (Big East). Ferry is very close to the Pitt program and has been keeping an eye on Young for the past several years. Young fits the Cavs' need for size on the perimeter.

The last is Earl Clark, a tall power forward from Louisville who can play a little inside and out. The Cavs spent an extended period interviewing him at the Chicago Draft Combine. At 6-10 from a power program, he also fits a need.

Because the Cavs have shown a willingness to spend money and some teams are operating deep in the red, there has been a belief that the Cavs will look to purchase a first-round pick. Teams are allowed to spend up to $3 million to get them and, as a result, that is almost always the price. But do not assume the Cavs will definitely pull the trigger. They might be able to find better uses for the money. If they are going to buy a pick, the second round is more likely. The Cavs might be able to find a sleeper in there, especially between their picks of 30 and 46. Last season the Cavs spent $300,000 to buy the rights to Sasha Kahn out of the second round and that might be the type of check they prefer to write to get another player in this draft.

Rockets center Yao Ming has called a possible move to Cleveland an "unknown" amid rumors that the Cavaliers' new Chinese part owners want to sign him.

In a recent interview with his hometown Shanghai TV station, Yao said he continued to have "much affection" for the Houston Rockets, the team that took him in the first round of the 2002 draft and with whom he has played all six of his NBA seasons.

While it could conceivably happen in 2010, don't get any hopes up.

And finally: 3 more rumor filled days until June 25th comes and all of this madness ends, but just for a short time until Free Agency starts up July 1st.

But until then.....Adios Amigos!

All the speculation and rumor mongering in the world is nothing without first identifying what teams need, what assets they have to move and whether or not they have the available cap to bring in a big name free agent (and whether or not they're willing to use said cap space).

Over the next few days we'll be giving an overview of each division and what each team will be trying to do this offseason.  We'll start where rumors run rampant: the Atlantic Division.

Boston Celtics
Draft Pick(s): 58th
Free Agents: Stephon Marbury, Leon Powe, Glen Davis & Mikki Moore
Team Needs: Depth at PF/C & back-up PG
Tradeable Assets: Ray Allen has an expiring contract this season making him movable, and there have been rumors that the Celtics are shopping Rajon Rondo. 

Any time a star player goes down, a team will have a hard time replacing him, and moving a bench player into the starting line-up will wreak havoc on a team's depth.  This was abundantly clear with the injury to Kevin Garnett.  His knee kept him out of the playoffs, and Boston was dependant on the production of Big Baby, Leon Powe and Mikki Moore.  Davis and Powe filled in admirably for Garnett, but they could only do so much to match his intensity and production.  All three back-up power forwards/centers are free agents heading into the offseason and Garnett's health is a big question mark.

Boston's biggest problem in addressing potential issues is their cap space (or lack thereof).  They'll be significantly over the cap and reliant on brining players in using their mid-level exception.  Their only other option is to make a trade.

There have been soom rumblings of a potential trade that would send Rajon Rondo to the Kings for Jason Thompson and Sacramento's fourth pick.  This would solve one problem at back-up PF and create another at point guard.  That would leave them without one of the better point guards in the league with no viable back-up to take his place.  In that scenario, the Celtics would likely look to use the fourth pick on one of the available point guards in the draft.  It would appear the Celtics don't have the depth at either position to make that deal.

Something Boston should consider is moving Ray Allen.  His contract runs through the end of this upcoming season which makes him an asset to any team trying to shed salary for next season's free agent class.  Allen showed he still has some bullets left in the chamber and has the outside shooting that any team would love to have.  They could definitely exchange Allen for good, young players, and should consider it for long-term success.  The problem is Ray Allen was Boston's best player in the playoffs this season, and moving him would be a big risk for the upcoming season if Garnett is healthy.

Philadelphia 76ers
Draft Pick(s): 17th
Free Agents: Andre Miller, Donyell Marshall, Theo Ratliff, Kareem Rush & Royal Ivey
Team Needs: PG & back-up C
Tradeable Assets: Thaddeus Young & Lou Williams make too little to get anything of equal value, and Andre Iguodala & Elton Brand make too much to move.

The Sixers went wild this past offseason locking up Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand into long-term deals.  Those two are obviously their nucleus guys around which Philadelphia will build.  Brand dealt with injuries that just so happened to coincide with the Sixers working their way back into contention in the East.  So questions remain heading into this offseason about whether Brand is a good fit with the other players on this team (i.e. Iguodala, Sam Dalembert, Lou Williams, Thad Young, etc.).

The Sixers have already addressed two of their most pressing needs: coaching and outside shooting.  Eddie Jordan is a good coach.  He deserved another shot, and should make the most of it with this club.  Philly also brought in Jason Kapono, one of the best statistical three-point shooters in the league, in exchange for Reggie Evans.  Williams, Young and Willie Green just aren't consistent enough from three-point range, and the Sixers will need good spot-up shooters to compliment Brand.  Brand demands double-teams, so he'll need reliable outside shooting to keep defenses honest and give him the ability to go to work down low.  Kapono should give the Philly offense a legitimate deep threat.

The biggest concern this offseason will be the potential departure of Andre Miller to free agency.  Miller was the driving force for the Sixers after the Brand injury averaging nearly 17 points, 6.6 assists and 5 rebounds after the All-Star break.  He has been the veteran leader that a young team like Philly desperately needs and other teams would love to have.  Miller is 33, so there could be concerns giving out anything more than a 3-year deal.  There certainly will be at least one team willing to give him a contract along those lines, and the Sixers may not be willing to match it.

The Sixers may decide to hand the PG duties to Lou Williams, but this would be a mistake.  Williams is a scorer and exciting player, but he just isn't the guy to run a team.  If they let Miller walk, look for Philadelphia to address the point guard situation in the draft especially if Ty Lawson falls to them at 17.

New Jersey Nets
Draft Pick(s): 11th
Free Agents: Stromile Swift & Maurice Ager
Team Needs: SF, PF & back-up everything
Tradeable Assets: Bobby Simmons' albatross contract expires at the end of the season and could be used.  The Nets also have an abundance of young players with moveable contracts.

 The Nets have a talented pieces especially at PG, SG and C, but they need to improve their depth and the forward positions.  Yi Jianlian has skills and could develop into something special, but he is an inconsistent shooter and isn't a dependable post player.  Bobby Simmons is nowhere near worth the money he is being paid, but he is a very good outside shooter.  He is the type of player that should be brought off the bench, but he is forced to start on this club.  Josh Boone fell out of grace getting 10 fewer minutes per game last season despite fantastic defensive Per 36 numbers.

It may seem strange reading that one of the Nets' needs is SF when there are 4 already on the roster, but all of those players seem to be back-ups.  The one player that could make that point moot is Ryan Anderson.  Anderson showed some growth as the season progressed and seemed to be the guy late in his rookie year.  He may be able to develop into a legit starter.

The real need is at power forward.  Yi has the length to play the position, but he doesn't rebound like a seven-footer.  Eduardo Najera is a roster filler at this point of his career.  The problem is, outside of Blake Griffin, most of the power forwards in this year's draft are projects or have a lot of question marks.  DeJuan Blair should be available at 11 and could be a good fit.  They also could look to move Bobby Simmons' expiring contract in exchange for a PF and take a prototypical point guard in the draft to spell Devin Harris or run a small lineup.  Outside of those options, the Nets don't have the cap to get a game-changer at the position; they could bring in an MLE guy.

Toronto Raptors
Draft Pick(s): 9
Free Agents: Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Jorge Garbajosa & Jake Voskuhl
Team Needs: SG, SF, & C
Assets: Chris Bosh is very moveable at this point, but do the Raptors want to do that?

The Raptors have maneuvered themselves into a very favorable cap position.  Shawn Marion's $17 million is now off the books, and that gives them a lot of wiggle room this offseason.  Unfortunately they also have a lot of needs to address with that cap space.  Toronto has about $12 million available to spend on free agents and will need to use it on multiple positions.

The biggest needs are at the wing positions with Marion and Anthony Parker heading into free agency and Joey Graham a restricted free agent.  Compaound that with the Jason Kapono trade, and the Raptors are left without a single SG or SF on the roster.  I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure a team can't win with only point guards or power forwards on their roster.

Expect them to try and re-sign Parker and give Graham his qualifying offer.  There shouldn't be a bidding war for those two players, and the Raptors should be able to keep them without breaking their bank.  Marion will go where the money is, but Toronto might not be the team that wants to spend it on him.  Center will be the toughest position to fill.  Andrea Bargnani is still developing and could become a very good player, but his lack of rebounding is worrisome.  Bargnani was significantly better as a starter last season, so Toronto could be looking for a back-up that makes up for his rebounding numbers.

Demar Derozan seems like the pick for the Raptors if he falls to them.  He's raw, but he could develop into something special.  He also addresses a need at both SG and possibly SF.  Derozan may not help the Raptors immediately, but he could be a project that pays off for them.  If they're looking for more immediate impact, the Raptors could consider Gerald Henderson.  Henderson is more polished and older than Derozan.  He's also a much better outside shooter and could be a full time starter before the season is up.  If another team talks themselves into taking Derozan before the Raptors, Henderson wouldn't be a booby prize.

New York Knicks
Draft Pick(s): 8th
Free Agents: Chris Wilcox, Nate Robinson & David Lee
Team Needs: PG, SG & C
Assets: A lot of expiring contracts, but they'll need those to go crazy in the free agent market next offseason.

The Knicks have two goals this offseason: 1. Re-sign fan favorites Nate Robinson and David Lee and 2. Hold on to as much available cap space as they can for next offseason.

It would be a PR nightmare to lose Lee or Robinson at this point, so it would appear that the Knicks are going to bring back both of their restricted free agents.  They have no cap room available this offseason to spend on other free agents, so they'll have to be okay with bringing back the slam dunk champ and their all-hustle guy.  Both flourished under Mike D'Antoni (what else is new?), so they will be cashing in.  On the bright side, they are both restricted free agents, so New York can match any offer.

They do have the ability to move some expiring deals to bring in more talent since they are severly lacking in that department, but don't expect it.  The Knicks have been building for the free agent bonanza next season and shouldn't jepordize that.  It would make more sense for the Knicks to use Lee or Robinson in a sign-and-trade scenario if they really wanted to bring in new blood.

No offense to Chris Duhon, but he isn't the prototypical Mike D'Antoni point guard.  The draft will be the best place to address that issue with a glut of very good point guards declaring.  Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Jennings and Jonny Flynn could all be available for the Knicks to take at 8.  There is also a possibility that New York could trade up and make a run at Ricky Rubio.  No matter where they end up picking, the Knicks should end up with a new point guard.

NBA Outsider is hosting a 2009 NBA mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 25th . 

Joey Whelan from DraftExpress picks for the New Jersey Nets at at No. 11. The Nets are looking for defense and rebounding out of the physical DeJuan Blair from Pittsburgh. Follow the mock draft here.

Net's team president Rod Thorn wants a moose. DeJuan Blair is the closest thing he will find in the 2009 draft class. There will be those who scoff at this pick, it is inevitable and it is expected, but it is safe and smart. Sure Earl Clark and James Johnson are the sexier picks; they have more upside and bring far more versatility to the table than Blair could ever hope to, but they also have much further to fall. If anything, Blair brings a great deal more certainty to the table than any of the other forward prospects that are still available at this point in the draft.

If the last several years have taught us anything it's that the one statistic that almost always carries over from college to the NBA is rebounding. Look at the list of undersized bigs who dominated the glass during their days of higher learning and have continued to be valuable assets at the professional level: Jason Maxiell, Paul Millsap, Carlos Boozer, Leon Powe, David Lee and Carl Landry. All of these players were workhorses in college who made a living off of their strength, hustle and propensity for window wiping. For a guy like Blair who rebounded the ball at one of the highest rates (18.1 rebounds per 40 minutes) anyone has ever seen in the modern college game, particularly the fact that he did it in the Big East, there isn't a question that he will continue to be a solid force on the glass at the next level.

There were many questions about Blair's conditioning once the college season came to an end, but in workouts the Pitt big man has appeared much trimmer and clearly has put in a tremendous amount of effort to improve his physique. This slimmer Blair has eased a lot of the concern that teams had about his knees and how they would hold up at the next level.

The next major issue for Blair is his height. He stands at just 6-6 in shoes, but with a massive 7-2 wingspan he compares very favorably to players like Jason Maxiell and Paul Millsap who have already established themselves in the NBA. For further evidence of how Blair is able to combat his height, just go back and watch tape of the 22-point 23-rebound game that he hung on Hasheem Thabeet in February.

Blair will never be a superstar in the NBA, it isn't in the cards for him. But for a team like the Nets, who let's be honest were soft on the boards last season, he represents a nice addition who will help give them a little more bulk and toughness inside. Blair isn't going to have to get many touches in order to put points on the board either, he is more than capable of making his living on garbage points around the offensive glass and letting the Vince Carters and Devin Harris's of the world take their shots. Pair Blair up with blossoming rookie Brook Lopez and New Jersey could be looking at their frontcourt of the future.