The Lakers could put together an enticing package for Shawn Marion (above). AP
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So where does Marion end up? The Lakers make the most sense. In return for Marion, Phoenix could pry away 19-year-old center Andrew Bynum, whom several scouts have told me is a star in the making. The Suns would be forced to take on a few of the Laker's bad contracts (such as, say, Kwame Brown and Vladimir Radmanovic) to make the deal work, but the possibility of repairing a fractured locker room could be too much for Phoenix to pass up.

Such a deal would also free the Suns to shift Stoudemire to his more natural power forward position. Stoudemire would embrace the move, and Bynum's confidence would grow exponentially once he realizes he can score 10 points per game just hanging out around the rim in Nash's line of sight. For frontcourt insurance, Phoenix could sign small forward Grant Hill, who wouldn't command more than the mid-level exception and is starved to play for a contending team.

There are other options, however. Ainge coached Marion briefly in 1999, and Boston has the young talent (Green, Kendrick Perkins), a big expiring contract (Ratliff) and the coveted fifth pick, which the Suns would almost assuredly use on Joakim Noah or Yi Jianlian, two bigs who love to run the floor.

Chicago's collection of young talent (as well as its ninth overall pick) would also be appealing to Phoenix. Minnesota is more of a longshot, though it should be noted that the Phoenix coaching staff is infatuated with Garnett and the possibility of him controlling the backboards and finishing fast breaks for the next two or three years.

Perhaps the biggest hitch when it comes to dealing Marion is his contract. Marion can opt out after next season, when he is scheduled to make $16.4 million. According to a league source, Marion will likely insist on a max or near max extension from any team that trades for him. That means his new team would likely have to pay Marion in excess of $17 million per season for five more years. Now, Marion is a quality player, but there are some around the league who believe Marion has benefited from the "Steve Nash Effect," which is to say Marion's stock (and statistics) will fall once he leaves Phoenix.

Still, Marion remains the most likely big name to be traded in the days leading up to the draft.

Court Coverage

• It appears Jermaine O'Neal will be in the Pacers' training camp, which should be viewed as a positive for Indiana. New coach Jim O'Brien has a knack for bringing out the best in star players, mainly because he makes them the focal point of his offense. Yes, it's just that simple.

• A league source suggests that Memphis president Jerry West is very high on Noah, though it remains to be seen how Chris Wallace's arrival will factor into the decision. Wallace is regarded as a shrewd judge of talent who founded the award-winning Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. Wallace did a credible job for the Celtics before taking a backseat when Ainge came on board in 2003. For the record, in the two Boston drafts in which Wallace was the primary decision-maker, he selected Joe Johnson, Kedrick Brown and Joe Forte in the 2001 first round and Darius Songaila in the '02 second round.

• The Raptors' acquisition of Carlos Delfino is a step in the right direction, but GM Bryan Colangelo is still likely to be on the lookout for a versatile scoring small forward.

• Kudos to colleague Ian Thomsen for correctly predicting (weeks ago) Lenny Wilkens limited role in the Sonics' basketball operations. I have a prediction of my own: The Sonics will absolutely not be playing in Seattle after next season.

• Question: Did the Sacramento Kings have to ask permission from the Deering Tornadoes before they hired Reggie Theus?

• Finally, I'd like to propose a trade scenario: The Lakers deal Bryant and the 19th pick to Portland for a package including Zach Randolph and the first pick. Think about it.