Is Theo Ratliff being shopped?

According to the most reliable source out there, Ratliff & Nazr Mohammed are quietly being shopped around. It's probably just another one of his mushroom trips talking. Here's the article where he dogs the Knicks out. I highlighted the blurb about Ratliff. Anyone want him? What would you give up to get him?

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/10622.htm

DEALING FROM WEAKNESS WON'T WORK FOR KNICKS


February 15, 2002 -- A RIDICULOUS report on the Internet Wednesday (under a New York Times letterhead) sent NBA GMs and fans scurrying in search of the truth. Supposedly the Knicks had acquired Tim Duncan (and, obviously, the city of San Antonio, including the team's notorious Bleacher Bums) for Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston and Marcus Camby.
Despite the fact it defied the limits of rational thought and salary cap rules, New Yorkers were quick to buy into the hoax because they're prepared to believe anything remotely rosy regarding their 'Bockers these days.

Clearly, they're looking for hope in all the wrong places. Contrary to Don Chaney's cheery statement that Scott Layden is working on some "exciting" deals, there's nothing further from reality. The only person exhilarated by those talks is the Knick GM making the offers. No executive in full custody of his faculties has the slightest interest in exchanging quality for any Knick except Sprewell.

To the best of my knowledge, Sprewell, in spite of what you may have heard or read, is not available and never has been. And it's not as if teams have made insulting proposals. But they aren't deals (Jalen Rose, for instance) guaranteed to improve the Knicks or even upscale (as in size and skill) their frontline, only change the roster and chemistry . . . and, who knows, maybe not for the better.

In actuality, other than Sprewell, Othella Harrington's desirable contract and Kurt Thomas' appealing areas of expertise, the Knicks are essentially bankrupt of assets.

The Nuggets don't yearn to package Raef LaFrentz and James Posey for Camby and whomever else Layden adds to the pot even if it allows them to dump Nick Van Exel.

The Sonics don't long to swap Vin Baker for any Knick, not even Sprewell.

The Warriors don't want any player back for Marc Jackson who's not on the end of his contract. Can they get Erick Dampier? Who wants another overpaid guy (even if he is 7-feet) who's always hurt?

The Knicks don't have nearly the resources to obtain Brad Miller and Ron Artest (more likely to wind up in Indiana along with Charles Oakley for Rose and Travis Best) from Chicago.

Do they have what it would take to secure P.J. Brown from Charlotte? I doubt it. But, at least, that is a possibility, because the Hornets figure to lose him to free agency summer after next,

Can Layden get Theo Ratliff, who's quietly being shopped (as is Nazr Mohammed) by the Hawks? Maybe. Give 'em Camby (and Howard Eisley) and they can replace each other on their respective injured lists.

What about taking Scottie Pippen or Damon Stoudamire off Portland's cap for Houston and some of New York's excess baggage? That might be acceptable since Pippen only has one year left after this one and Stoudamire would be an offensive/speed upgrade over Mark Jackson, Charlie Ward and Eisley. Unless free-agent-in-waiting Bonzi Wells or rookie post-up artist Zach Randolph is included, what's the long-term gain?

Truth be known, Layden and Chaney can't honestly believe the Knicks have any chance of doing anything exciting before the Feb. 21 trading deadline. The only reason all these possibilities have been leaked by team officials (with James Dolan's blessing, of course) is to emphasize to Knick fans and the team's beat writers that Layden is doing everything in his power to get something done.

While scarcely impressed that Layden's hitting the phones hard (that's his only job, for crying out tears; it's what every GM does), I certainly recognize the restrictive boundaries within which he's operating. Somehow I suspect the fans and media (and maybe Dolan, also) won't be as understanding.

*

What a 100-proof irony that Kevin Garnett sprung for 10,000 cups of beer (or soda) when Stephon (DWI) Marbury revisited Minneapolis Wednesday. The Kid was shocked that people made such a connection. Says all he wanted to do was get the first round since it's a lot easier than getting out of the first round.

It might be easier this year without Terrell Brandon (out for the season with a cartilage fracture on his left femur). Brandon's alleged selfishness, softness and little love for the game are discussed freely by former and current teammates. Replacement Chauncey Billups may not be a true point guard, but the T'wolves seem to prosper better when he's sharing the shots. That should get Marbury's attention.

Speaking of speakeasies, let's talk Miller Time, as in Andre. Have you checked out the last two games (vs. Toronto and at Milwaukee) turned in by the anonymous league leader in assists?

Tuesday was triple-double night (22 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds . . . and four steals) in a Cav cruising over the Raptors. Wednesday Miller put up 27 points, added 19 assists - all while committing nary a turnover - as Cleveland laid a 115-107 lumpin' to the franchise formerly known as the Bucks.

The way I see it, Andre is the NBA's version of Al Gore - both tryin' to get elected after the polls closed.

 

Okay, I'll propose the first trade idea. How about this one?

Atlanta trades: SF DerMarr Johnson/C Theo Ratliff

Houston trades: SF Terence Morris/PG Moochie Norris/C Kelvin Cato

TRADE ACCEPTED

 

Why do drugs always get the credit? Why can't it be some good old fashion whiskey? Canadian Mist, it's smooth, but will kick your butt without warning.