Can GMs get an assist from Santa? - NBA

http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story?id=1692117

Can GMs get an assist from Santa?
By Chad Ford
NBA Insider

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ... everywhere you go.

Much of the holiday cheer is being spread early this year. Cavs GM
Jim Paxson got at early Christmas present, in the form of a 30-point-
a-night superstar, when a few ping-pong balls bounced his way in May.

Knicks fans saw Christmas Eve come three days early when they finally
got their wish -- the ouster of team president Scott Layden. Of course,
minutes into the celebration, the Grinch arrived with the news that
Isiah Thomas, perhaps the only guy in the NBA with a more tarnished
rep than Layden, was replacing him.

For others in Atlanta or Orlando, it's likely to be a year without a
Santa Claus. It's hard to believe even Santa has enough magic to fix
what's wrong with those franchises.

Sources at the North Pole gave Insider a sneak peek at every GM's
Christmas wish list. As an early holiday gift for all of our loyal
Insider readers, here's what the league's GMs hope to find in their
stockings this year.

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Billy Knight, Hawks: An explosive device.

Danny Ainge, Celtics: A legitimate triple double from Ricky Davis.

John Paxson, Bulls: A heart transplant for Eddy Curry.

Jim Paxson, Cavaliers: A bodyguard for LeBron James.

Don Nelson, Mavericks: Shaq's twin brother.

Kiki Vandeweghe, Nuggets: A sherpa.

Joe Dumars, Pistons: 20 and 10 from Darko (20 minutes, 10 of anything).

Garry St. Jean, Warriors: An Insider pardon.

Carroll Dawson, Rockets: A Houston summer home for Yao.

Larry Bird, Pacers: Ron Artest to stay on Santa's "nice" list.

Elgin Baylor, Clippers: Donald Sterling's credit card.

Mitch Kupchak, Lakers: Two words: "Not Guilty."

Jerry West, Grizzlies: Shaq and Kobe back.

Pat Riley, Heat: More Dwyane Wade, less Eddie Jones.

Larry Harris, Bucks: Someone to pay attention.

Kevin McHale, Timberwolves: Peace on Earth, and in the locker room.

Rod Thorn, Nets: A Tony Parker-for-Jason Kidd swap.

Bob Bass, Hornets: Mash and Baron healthy at the same time.

Isiah Thomas, Knicks: Jermaine O'Neal.

John Gabriel, Magic: A last-second pardon.

Billy King, 76ers: Someone to put the Big Dog out of his misery.

Bryan Colangelo, Suns: Glasses for Joe Johnson.

John Nash, Blazers: A therapist.

Geoff Petrie, Kings: One golden ring.

R. C. Buford, Spurs: A Tony Parker-for-Jason Kidd swap.

Rick Sund, Sonics: No Doze for Jerome James.

Glen Grunwald, Raptors: Twenty pounds of muscle for Chris Bosh.

Kevin O'Connor, Jazz: A move to the Eastern Conference.

Ernie Grunfeld, Wizards: Smelling salts for Kwame Brown.


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