Q: How hot are the collective seats of Chris Grant and Mike Brown? And who do you think the Cavs are most likely to target at the deadline? Chad Ford: Virtually every GM in the league believes that Grant will be gone this summer if things don't get turned around this season. He doesn't have much time. The thinking is that there's no way Dan Gilbert is going to let him make another lottery pick if that's the direction the Cavs end up heading. Grant's goal (via his owner) is to get this team competitive and into the playoffs. The Deng move was supposed to help. But so far ... nothing. Chemistry is a major issue there and some of that is on Mike Brown. But more of it is on the collection of players in Cleveland at the moment. Something has to happen quick. Kyrie Irving has been telling people privately he wants out. Cleveland can't afford to lose him and LeBron. They know the urgency. I expect them to be major players at the deadline. ESPN.com - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.bIEXyk3E.dpuf
Q: Opening day next season - what jersey is Melo wearing? Chad Ford: Knicks. I know the Bulls will make a run. Maybe the Lakers. It would take a big market team to lure him away. Of the three, Bulls might be the best situation, but he'd have to play for Thibs and I don't know how well he would handle that. He bristled at D'Antoni at times. At the end of the day, most elite free agents stay. He's in the right market. His owner will spend money. The team will have major flexibility in the summer of 2015. I'm sticking with the Knicks. ESPN.com - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.bIEXyk3E.dpuf
As for the Kevin Love-to-New York rumors, most executives believe Love is destined for the Lakers when he becomes a free agent in 2015. "That's a 100 percent certainty,'' one GM told me. ESPN.com - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.bIEXyk3E.dpuf
Speaking of the Suns, I was told the Los Angeles Lakers might go hard after Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe, who is out the rest of the season with a knee injury. Bledsoe will be a restricted free agent next summer, but I'm told the Lakers might be willing to overpay him to pry him away from Phoenix ESPN.com - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm#sthash.bIEXyk3E.dpuf