Hooped Up

The Washington Wizards bought out the contract of guard Mike James on Monday and waived him.

James, who was in his second season with Washington, sought a buyout after he wasn’t traded last month. He left the team by mutual agreement after the Feb. 18 trading deadline.

He had played in only four games with the Wizards this season, his second with the club, averaging 4.5 points.

The 34-year-old James has played for nine NBA teams in nine seasons. He played in 57 games with Washington, averaging 9.3 points since being acquired in Dec. 2008.

Press Release

The Orlando Magic proved that the Cavaliers need a big mobile forward with active legs and Antawn Jamison fits that description perfectly. Now can the Cavs and Wiz make a deal?

While plenty of media outlets are speculating about a potential deal between Cleveland and Phoenix, we’ve heard some talk of a possible trade between Cleveland and Washington actually. The deal would essentially be a cost-cutting move for the Wizards, sending Antawn Jamison and filler (Mike James) to the Cavs for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. Wallace seems likely to retire, and Pavlovic is on a non-guaranteed contract for next season. It’s not clear whether the Wizards would need to surrender the #5 pick.

I have no idea why the Wizards would want to do this trade, but if Cleveland can make this deal happen it would be on par with and maybe even slightly better than landing Shaq.

Via DraftExpress.com

While I was smelling grease all day at the mechanics yesterday, the Wizards decided to make a trade in hopes of not being so terrible.  Unfortunately they picked up Mike James, so waiting for Gilbert to heal is still their best hope to finish with at least 20 wins this season.  On the bright side, Brandon Jennings in Washington would fit like a glove if the Wizards can tank enough games.

“New Orleans sent Mike James to Washington in exchange for Antonio Daniels as part of a three-team trade that returned a future first-round draft pick from the Wizards to Memphis. Memphis also dealt Javaris Crittenton to Washington and sent a conditional second-round pick to New Orleans, while the Wizards waived guard Dee Brown.”

New York Times

Mike James chose to sign with Minnesota over Houston and Dallas and isn’t happy with his current role.

Not at all,” James said after his team’s 109-107 victory. “But they were preparing him, and they were seasoning him, Randy (Foye, the rookie who took James’ place Sunday). This is what they want for him. They’re getting what they want. It’s tough at times because I just feel like, if I’m not a fit here, then like they always say, if it ain’t one place, it always can be another.”

“Mike’s a vet,” Kevin Garnett said. “He knows how the league works. He knows he has to be professional and stay ready. Just because he’s not a starter doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t need him. It’s not about one person around here, it’s about what’s best for this team. We’ve all got full faith that he’ll do that. He was ready (against Boston). Played good minutes, kept things afloat. Cheering on Randy, so that was a good thing.”

Pioneer Press