NBA Rumors/Updates (6/23/2009)

- Boston offered Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to Detroit for Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. Detroit rejected the offer. However, this deal was brought up with lower level execs. Danny Ainge and Joe Dumars never spoke nor heard about the offer. Boston needs to keep its core for one more year...give them a chance to get to the top.

- Washington is looking to trade down from the number 5 pick. This is purely to remove salaries and get under the luxury tax. Caron Butler seems to be the hot commodity but Washington is very hesitant to move the young all-star. Which I think is a good move. Build around Caron and attempt to move Jamison. Arenas' injury history will make him very difficult to move if Washington is in rebuilding mode.

- Possible buyout of Ben Wallace's contract could be on the horizon. Slated to earn $14 million, Wallace has numerous thoughts running through his head including retirement. Should a buyout be reached, this will help Cleveland retain LBJ and possibly sign another piece of their puzzle...particularly in the low blocks where a consistent scorer is needed.

- Houston is looking to move up into the lottery pick range and is offering Carl Landry. This has the looks of a steal if Houston can pull it off. Landry made a name for himself in the playoffs but I cannot see him doing more on a consistent basis throughout the season.

- Memphis looks to be a solid lock for Hasheem Thabeet. Only a trade would prevent Memphis from selecting the UConn beast.

- Ricky Rubio show has landed in Sacramento. Picking up a basketball for the first time in a month, he did NOT wow anyone. So much hype (positive and negative) surround his selection...some say "greatest passer" and some are very skeptical.

- Chicago could be looking to package the #16 and #26 picks into a higher selection...looking to move into Duke's Gerald Henderson range.

- Portland is also looking to move up from #24 into the #8-14 range. North Carolina's Ty Lawson is on their radar. Another rumor is trading for Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire. Can billionaire Paul Allen afford Amare, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge? Still, a point guard is needed to guide these max-priced veterans.