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Mr. Ewing not going to Washington Cap problems will keep Knicks from trading star center
Posted: Tuesday February 08, 2000 08:47 AM
CNN/Sports Illustrated's basketball insider Stephen A. Smith spoke with Bob Lorenz Sunday night on CNN/Sports Illustrated's This Week in the NBA about the week's comings and goings in the league: Bob Lorenz: Why would the New York Knicks look to trade center Patrick Ewing to Washington? Stephen A. Smith: It makes no sense when you really look at the situation. Wizards forward Juwan Howard started this season with four years and $71.25 million left on his contract. Washington would like to do this trade to get rid of Howard's contract and bring Ewing there because next season will be the last year on Ewing's four-year, $68 million deal that he signed with the Knicks. You also have to take into account the luxury tax that will kick in after next season and teams that are over the salary cap will be fined dollar for dollar and will have to pay that money back to the league. The Knicks certainly don't want Juwan Howard's dollars on their salary cap so I think that trade is unlikely. Bob Lorenz: It is rumored that Toni Kukoc of the Bulls will be going to the already well-stocked Portland Trail Blazers. Want is the latest with this potential deal? Stephen A. Smith: I cannot see that deal happening. The Trail Blazers had expressed interest in Kukoc in the offseason before they acquired Steve Smith and Scottie Pippen. I don't think it's a mere coincidence that all of these Toni Kukoc rumors have come about, since everyone is hearing that Lakers coach Phil Jackson really wants him in Los Angeles. If you look at Portland's roster, you have to wonder why they would need Kukoc other than to keep him from going to the Lakers. Bob Lorenz: How about the five-player trade between the Nuggets and the Magic. Of course, it has an immediate impact on Denver, but what impact does it have on Orlando in the future? Stephen A. Smith: If you look at Ron Mercer, Chauncey Billups and Johnny Taylor, these guys are off the cap at the end of this season and are free agents. Orlando is gearing up to make a run at Tim Duncan and Grant Hill or Eddie Jones and by acquiring these three guys puts them in a position to make sure they are going to have that money available. I doubt they will re-sign Ron Mercer, who is going to demand less than the maximum but will want more than $50 million. They are doing this to free some cap space to be able to make a run at the big boys. Bob Lorenz: What is the story behind Michael Jordan not being able to pry assistant coach Rod Higgins from Golden State? Stephen A. Smith: You have got to feel sorry for Higgins. This guy has been an assistant on this team when they brought in Rick Adelman, who is now in Seattle, and then they brought in P. J. Carlesimo, who was fired; and now Garry St. Jean, who was not too successful in Sacramento, is coaching the team. And now Golden State has brought in Dave Cowens, who is practically the head-coach-in-waiting. Four people have come aboard since Rod Higgins has been an assistant on the Warriors. The team should have at least allowed him to go out and get a dream job of being the head coach of the Washington Wizards under Michael Jordan. Bob Lorenz: Has Spurs coach Gregg Popovich been too cautious about the return of Sean Elliott, who is trying to come back after having a kidney transplant? Is that even possible? Stephen A. Smith: Absolutely not. You cannot blame Gregg Popovich for being as cautious as he has been, he is looking out for the man's livelihood. Assuming he is healthy, Sean Elliott probably only has a couple of years left in the league. Popovich should be commended for the caution he has taken and handling the whole situation. Stephen A. Smith covers the NBA for the Philadelphia Inquirer and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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