Can Danny?

Come mid-August, all of the players dealt in the early offseason will be again able to be dealt. The first flurry of free agent signings have passed, leaving a couple of high profile names unclaims (Bonzi Wells, Chris Wilcox, Drew Gooden). So could there get their second trade wind and start making some moves? Let's see where the Atlantic division teams sit and what they seem to be trying to do.

New Jersey Nets: Supposedly the Nets are looking to shore up their frontline, something they've been trying to do ever since K-Mart left town. ESPN is reporting that they have interest in Joe Smith (but then again they reported the Knicks had no interest in Jared Jeffries a day or two before he signed an offer sheet). The problem is that the Nets only have Zoren Planninic, Jeff Mcinnis, and Antoine Wright to offer up in deals. Right now it looks like their most likely option is grabbing a Melvin Ely/Lo Wright type with their exception. (The Clippers reportedly will scoop up Aaron Williams next week) The talks of a blockbuster Richard Jefferson deal seem to have died down but if they want to make a push for the title, they'll likely have to move Jefferson for a big man to make it happen. However, Rod Thorn has never made a big August trade and it's not looking like this year will be any different.

Philadelphia 76ers: Iverson is supposedly off the block, which makes sense because I really didn't see the Sixers getting the better end of any deals. In one years, King will have a much easier time of cleaning house; Webber's contract will be expiring while AI will only have two years left. That being said, it's probably time to try to move Dalembert and Korver's contracts. The problem though is that the talent and financial help that those two could get will likely be less than hoped. Mark Blount? Stromile Swift and Brian Cardinal? With center-deprived teams like the Spurs and Pistons opting for cheaper replacements for their departed big men, the trade market for the Haitian Sensation has dried up. Still, I'd be stunned if Billy King didn't force some sort of deal. Right around August is where he's made his moves to get the likes of: Keith Van Horn, Glenn Robinson, Corliss Williamson, and Marc Jackson. So while the Sixers might shake things up, Celtics fans can rest assured that there's a high probability that it won't make the Sixers any better.

Toronto Raptors: The waiving of Alvin Williams could be seen as a signal that the Raptors are done dealing. If you were looking to move Mo Peterson, why get rid of an expiring deal that you could package with him to go after bigger targets? Bryan Colangelo is really rolling the dice with overseas veterans, dropping around 7 million a year for three years on 31 year old Anthony Parker and 29 year old Jorge Garbajosa. The Raptors still have cap space but they are also still based in Toronto which is going to make it hard for them to lure people there. Bonzi Wells might be an interesting fit but would he sign there? It seems like the most we'll likely see out of Toronto is more small signings to fill out the roster and possibly a small swap of swingmen involving Mo Peterson (maybe for the likes of Corey Maggette)

New York Knicks: The Knicks are like Caddyshack 2. They bear the name of a past great, have a lot of well-known talent, but in the end are just unwatchable. And Isiah HAS to do something. First off, Quentin Richardson has wanted to attack Stephon Marbury on at least two occasions and asking those two to coexist is an unnecessary sideshow for the already uphill battle Coach Zeke is facing. A deal of former Clippers seems obvious: Darius Miles for Quentin Richardson. Their contracts are the same and they'd be better off on their new teams. While Portland officials have recently said that the prospects of moving Darius before the season seem "impossible", I can't believe that, if Washington matches the Jeffries offer sheet, Isiah won't make another run at Miles. While Isiah also has some expiring contracts to move, I have a sneaking suspicion that owner James Dolan has put the kibosh on adding more salary to the already unwiedly ledger of the Knicks. I wouldn't be stunned to see Q, Malik Rose, Jamal Crawford, and David Lee for Miles and K-Mart (or that level of player). The Knicks could add some talent to their roster but odds are that it will be just as troubled as the talent they currently have.

Boston Celtics: Danny's M.O. has usually been one big trade in the offseason and one big trade at the midseason deadline. He also usually makes a smaller deal in the offseason which we haven't seen yet. While Wally's name has been tossed about in rumors, even the Trade Danny hasn't turned around a member of his "core" so quickly. Unless an blockbuster presents itself, I can't see Wally going anywhere. Theo Ratliff is more likely on the move and odds are it will be for a big man. My guess is that Theo and Big Al could be on the move for a veteran PF before the season begins. Also, if the Perkins contract talks don't go well, we could see him shipped out in a smaller deal for a more veteran big. While I think our backcourt picture will stay somewhat the same (Tony Allen possibly being the odd man out), my guess is that the Celtics are looking to shakeup their frontcourt. Whether they'll be able to find a deal is the question.