| | ESPN.com news services
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Trail Blazers, Heat and Cavaliers were trying to finalize one of several three-way trade scenarios that would bring Cleveland forward Shawn Kemp to Portland, The Oregonian reported in its Wednesday editions.
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| Grant |
The Blazers are considering re-signing power forward Brian Grant to a long-term
contract starting at about $9.2 million and trading him immediately
to Miami, according to the newspaper.
Grant turned down a six-year, $70 million offer from the Trail Blazers and told team officials he will not re-sign with Portland, ESPN the Magazine's Ric Bucher reported Monday.
"We're talking about a bunch of different scenarios," Grant's agent
Mark Bartelstein said Wednesday. "At this point, Brian feels Miami
is the best opportunity for him. He would like to do that, if it
can get done."
Bartelstein all but ruled out the New York Knicks, who have also
pursued Grant. The Knicks instead face the prospect of seeing
Atlantic Division rival Miami land the defensive-minded forward.
"New York was also a great situation," Bartelstein said. "The
salary cap and the restraints made it extremely difficult to get to
New York."
The sign-and-trade deal could take place within days, and would
allow Grant to reap close to $90 million over seven years.
Kemp, who also was being courted by Dallas, would go to
Portland, and Miami would send a combination of players to
Cleveland.
Chris Gatling figures as a key part of the trade, although he
cannot be traded until late this month in combination with other players. The Heat must retain recently acquired players at least 60 days before they can trade them.
But Miami is free now to package other players, notably Dan
Majerle and Clarence Weatherspoon, along with free-agent Duane
Causwell, to match Kemp's $11.7 million salary.
Grant would leave the Blazers empty-handed if he signed with Miami for $2.25 million next
season.
Last week, Grant rejected a seven-year, $93 million deal that
would have sent him to the Cavaliers for Kemp.
Grant had also rejected an earlier four-year, $42 million offer
from the Trail Blazers to stay in Portland.
Bartelstein said last week "it's not about the money."
On Monday, The Oregonian cited an NBA source as saying Grant met with the
Heat last week on his way to a vacation in Jamaica.
Grant entered free agency hoping to land a six- or seven-year
contract that would give his family financial security and sustain
him into the twilight of his career. He also has been looking for a
good place to raise his children and the opportunity to play more
than he did last season with the Blazers.
The Blazers, meanwhile, want to fortify their front line and
improve a team that came close to beating the Los Angeles Lakers in
the Western Conference finals.
Grant, 28, remains one of the league's best all-around power
forwards despite being slowed by knee and foot injuries last
season. He reached his peak in 1999, starting 46 of 50 games and
averaging 11.5 points and 9.8 rebounds.
Grant had surgery on his left knee after the season and missed
the first eight games of 1999-2000. By the time he returned,
Rasheed Wallace was firmly established at power forward, on his way toward
making the All-Star Game.
Grant, who later missed another 11 games with plantar fasciaitis
in his right foot, finished the season averaging 21 minutes, 7.3
points and 5.5 rebounds per game -- all career lows.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | |
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