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Chad Ford: For weeks, sources close to the situation have asserted to ESPN.com that the Wizards were reluctant to trade Antawn Jamison. During the past 72 hours, however, the Wizards' position on Jamison appears to have softened considerably.
Sources say the Wizards and Cavs had discussions on Tuesday about several potential deals that would send Jamison to Cleveland. The same sources said talks ended without a firm offer from Cleveland.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Wizards are waiting on the Cavs to see whether those potential deals become an actual trade.
"The ball is in Cleveland's court," one source told ESPN.com. "If Cleveland comes back with a firm offer based on the potential deals they discussed, I think the Wizards will move Jamison."
The Wizards' new stance on Jamison is being fueled by two factors. First, the trade of Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood for Josh Howard has left the team in rebuilding mode. And Jamison, who signed an extension with the club 18 months ago expecting to be on a contender, would like to be traded to a team with title aspirations.
"Jamison is a great guy," one source said. "He's been a model player for the Wizards on and off the floor. The Wizards don't want to lose him. He's been a rock in the locker room. However, I think the Wizards want to do right by him. He's at the end of his career. He deserves to have a chance to win a title."
The other factor is the Wizards are currently over the NBA's luxury-tax threshold. At least one potential deal discussed with Cleveland on Tuesday (Jamison and Mike James for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jamario Moon) would put the Wizards below the tax this season. Getting below the tax could save the Wizards around $10 million this year once you factor in rebates that teams under the tax receive from the league.
If the Cavs decide to pull the trigger on the Amare Stoudemire deal instead, look for the Wizards to explore ways of trading Jamison during the summer.
NBA trade deadline: The latest info - ESPN
Sources say the Wizards and Cavs had discussions on Tuesday about several potential deals that would send Jamison to Cleveland. The same sources said talks ended without a firm offer from Cleveland.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Wizards are waiting on the Cavs to see whether those potential deals become an actual trade.
"The ball is in Cleveland's court," one source told ESPN.com. "If Cleveland comes back with a firm offer based on the potential deals they discussed, I think the Wizards will move Jamison."
The Wizards' new stance on Jamison is being fueled by two factors. First, the trade of Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood for Josh Howard has left the team in rebuilding mode. And Jamison, who signed an extension with the club 18 months ago expecting to be on a contender, would like to be traded to a team with title aspirations.
"Jamison is a great guy," one source said. "He's been a model player for the Wizards on and off the floor. The Wizards don't want to lose him. He's been a rock in the locker room. However, I think the Wizards want to do right by him. He's at the end of his career. He deserves to have a chance to win a title."
The other factor is the Wizards are currently over the NBA's luxury-tax threshold. At least one potential deal discussed with Cleveland on Tuesday (Jamison and Mike James for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jamario Moon) would put the Wizards below the tax this season. Getting below the tax could save the Wizards around $10 million this year once you factor in rebates that teams under the tax receive from the league.
If the Cavs decide to pull the trigger on the Amare Stoudemire deal instead, look for the Wizards to explore ways of trading Jamison during the summer.
NBA trade deadline: The latest info - ESPN
