As trade deadline approaches, big run on speculation and rumors

It's that time of year again, when speculation runs rampant, rumors are reported the moment they are heard and everyone scrambles. As I reported roughly three weeks ago, the Wizards have been in talks with the Houston Rockets about a possible swap of Caron Butler for Tracy McGrady's expiring contract. Of course, other pieces would have to be included, since McGrady is owed nearly $13 million more than Butler this season.

ESPN.com reported over the weekend that Brendan Haywood has also been mentioned in the deal. I wrote earlier that the Rockets aren't listening to any deal involving Mike James's expiring contract, but I don't see Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld surrendering two starters for salary cap space -- especially when Haywood is drawing interest from other teams. The McGrady rumor gained some legs on Saturday because he was at the Georgetown-Duke game. McGrady has been in the same location as the Wizards a few times, but it is really just a coincidence.

McGrady was in town over the weekend as part of a charity benefit for Darfur, with students from Georgetown and Duke raising money for refugees and helping kids with educational opportunities. When the team was in Chicago around the time that Gilbert Arenas pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge, McGrady was staying in the same hotel. But McGrady, who has been granted an indefinite leave from the Rockets, has been living in that hotel while he's training with Tim Grover.

The Rockets definitely are interested in Butler, but something might not get done until closer to the all-star break, since Houston is also in discussions with New York, Chicago and Philadelphia. ESPN mentioned that the Wizards might be interested in Luis Scola, but Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported that the Wizards are targeting Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry or Chase Budinger in addition to McGrady.

Haywood's name has been linked with Portland in recent weeks, especially since the Trail Blazers have lost centers Greg Oden (fractured kneecap) and Joel Przybilla to injury. The Wizards were actually in talks with Portland before Przybilla ruptured his right patella tendon and dislocated his patella in late December. According to a league source, they had discussed a swap of Haywood for Przybilla, which obviously collapsed when Przybilla crumpled to the ground.

The Blazers remain interested in Haywood, since they've been relying on soon-to-be 37-year-old Juwan Howard at center in recent weeks. They reportedly declined a deal for Haywood that would've cost them Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum. I wouldn't close the books on discussions about Haywood or Fernandez. Fernandez has been unhappy in Portland, according to a league source.