NBA Training Camp Begins

Many of the biggest off-season questions were answered today, with NBA training camp officially getting underway. Kobe Bryant, Andrei Kirilenko and Shawn Marion, who’ve all requested trades this summer, have arrived in camp with their respective teams. I guess they determined that outside of voicing their displeasure and stating their case to move on, not much else could be done.

Kobe has no chance of going anywhere, considering he is the best player in the NBA and it’s next to impossible for the Lakers to get equal value in return for #8.

Kirilenko is earning too much cash to stay overseas, despite threats to Jazz management about not returning to the US. It appears that he will continue going public with his unhappiness in hopes of forcing the hand of the Utah Jazz. The Jazz will continue entertaining offers, but getting a deal completed before opening night is a long shot.

Marion has stated all along that he’s a professional and would show up at training camp if a trade had not been completed prior. The best chance for Marion to be moved is within the next few weeks, before the Suns begin the season 10 – 0. Again, it doesn't seem likely.

With the marquee names showing up, there was one team that didn’t have such luck getting all of their players to camp on time. The Cleveland Cavaliers Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic are both seeking long term contract extensions and have yet to come to terms on such deals. In fact, both players are currently overseas, with Varejao in Brazil and Pavlovic in Europe.

One thing they do have going for them, is that you don’t want to anger LeBron James. LeBron told the Cleveland Plain Dealer earlier this week, "I need Sasha and Andy on my team for us to be successful. Not just one of them. I need both of them. I'm very positive about the situation. I would think the organization knows we need those guys."

Today is media day for the Cavs and it will be interesting to hear what else LeBron has to say.