Wolves Get Gugliotta In Trade For Marshall

The Golden State Warriors on Saturday acquired forward Donyell Marshall from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for forward Tom Gugliotta.

The 6-foot-9 Marshall was the fourth player selected in the 1994 NBA draft out of Connecticut. With the Timberwolves this season, he has averaged 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 25.9 minutes in 40 games.

The Warriors got Gugliotta and three first-round draft picks in a Nov. 17 trade that sent Chris Webber, last season’s NBA rookie of the year, to Washington. Gugliotta has averaged 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 33.1 minutes in 40 games with the Warriors this season.

Marshall, 21, recently played in the NBA rookie game during the All-Star weekend in Phoenix, getting 11 points, five rebounds and two assists.

In his first NBA start Nov. 16 against Phoenix, Marshall had 30 points and 13 rebounds.

Moving forward

Is there room on the Portland Trail Blazers for Otis Thorpe and Buck Williams?

Since Tuesday’s trade that sent Clyde Drexler and Tracy Murray to Houston for Thorpe, there has been widespread speculation that the Blazers were about to make another deal.

Williams has been Portland’s starting power forward since 1989. Thorpe was the starting power forward for the defending NBA champion Rockets.

The conventional wisdom is that Portland doesn’t need another power player, so Thorpe’s career as a Blazer could be over before Thursday’s trading deadline.

Williams’ contract makes him tougher to trade than Thorpe, but that doesn’t stop the speculation that he, too, might be on block.

As usual, Blazers president Bob Whitsitt wasn’t tipping his hand. He said no deal was in the works but he was listening to all offers.

“Otis Thorpe’s status is no different than every other player on that bench,” he said at halftime of the Blazers’ 114-109 victory over Seattle Friday night.

Thorpe is not worrying about being traded again.

“The way I look at it I’m a Trail Blazer,” he said.

While Thorpe often was lost in a new system Friday, since he has not had a full practice with his new team, Williams had one of his best games of the season, scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Williams expects the playing time between him and Thorpe to vary.

“When Otis gets it going, I’m sure he’s going to be on the floor a little longer,” Williams said. “If I have it going, I’m going to play a little longer. I think the thing is is try to get the win and not get caught up in the politics.”

Rumor mill

The NBA trading deadline is Thursday, and the wildest rumor is this four-way deal: Scottie Pippen and Corie Blount to Phoenix, Dan Majerle, Wesley Person and a No. 1 pick to Portland, Harvey Grant and Otis Thorpe to Minnesota and Christian Laettner and the Timberwolves’ No. 1 pick to the Bulls.

The Nets again are dangling Derrick Coleman and the Hawks are said to be offering Stacey Augmon and Grant Long.

The Hornets are looking for a power player and are offering Hersey Hawkins, perhaps for Thorpe. The Nets offered Jayson Williams for Denver’s Robert Pack. The Bucks are shopping Todd Day and talked with Washington about Calbert Cheaney. The Nuggets want to give up Mahmoud AbdulRauf for a power player and were interested in Buck Williams two years ago, who may be another victim of Portland’s housecleaning. The Blazers also are trying to deal free agent Terry Porter, who is leaning toward returning home and playing for the Bucks next season. The Nuggets also have some interest in the Bullets’ Kevin Duckworth.

Fearing the worst

With three losses already to the Lakers this season and with the teams currently in position to meet in the first round of the playoffs, the Sonics are thinking about another first-round elimination.

“They do exactly the same thing to us the Nuggets did,” said Nate McMillan. “They have great quickness with their smaller guys and kill our traps. And they have that shot blocking that builds their confidence and kills ours.”