Dallas -- At the moment, All-Star Weekend is turning into an elaborate game of Spy vs. Spy.
The amount of information and disinformation flying around is at a fever pitch as teams jostle for position in escalating trade talks. The Cavaliers, as would be expected, are right in the middle of it.
According to multiple league sources, the Cavs have put their interest in forwards Troy Murphy and Antawn Jamison on the back burner for the moment and are getting serious about a higher-profile name, Phoenix Suns All-Star Amare Stoudemire.
Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry and Suns General Manager Steve Kerr, former teammates and friends who have already collaborated on big deals, met this afternoon in Dallas. Suns owner Robert Sarver and Cavs owner Dan Gilbert are also in town and are on the labor relations committee that met.
Sources indicate the Cavs, who first started talking to the Suns about their high-profile big man last month, are advancing talks to bring him to Cleveland.
It is possible there are discussions that would make it a larger deal. The Arizona Republic reported earlier this week that the Suns were hoping to get a team to take the contract of guard Jason Richardson in addition to Stoudemire to complete any deal. That has been a sticking point in talks with other teams, but it isn't clear whether the Cavs would be willing to swallow such a package.
They have the assets to pull it off if they are able to use Wally Szczerbiak in a sign-and-trade deal and the expiring contract of Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Suns are also believed to be interested in J.J. Hickson, who has had a breakout sophomore season.
Sources said the Cavs have advanced in discussions with the Pacers as well and could make a deal for Murphy if other deals fall thought. The Cavs still maintain an interest in Jamison and Yahoo! Sports is reporting they are competing with the Boston Celtics to trade for him.
The Wizards, according to multiple reports, appear to be headed for their rebuilding as a deal to send forward Caron Butler to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Josh Howard may be getting close.
But for now, it seems the Cavs have eyes for Stoudemire. It is a stunning situation considering Stoudemire didn't mesh with Shaquille O'Neal last season when both were with the Suns. He's averaging 21.2 points and 8.6 rebounds this season. He has one year at $17.6 million left on his contract but can opt out of it and become a free agent.
