Jeffries' name surfaces in trade rumors

With Jared Jeffries moving to the inactive list due to the return of Aaron Brooks, Jeffries believed he would be traded in the coming weeks. But he wasn't sure if that's what he wants.

Jeffries' ability to defend several positions along with his expiring contract worth $7.4 million have been part of trade talks, though at least one deal that was considered close fell through Wednesday. He assumes he will either return to the court or be traded.

"Something will happen," Jeffries said. "Whether it happens now or at the trade deadline, I'll just stay ready and in shape. I think if I don't play, at some point I'll get traded and move on.

"The grass isn't always greener. You might go somewhere else and have not as good a situation, not as good a team, not as good a group of guys."

Jeffries has played in only nine games this season. He said he understood being put on the inactive list with Jordan Hill, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola and Shane Battier manning his positions.

"The team is playing well," Jeffries said. "I've always been a team player. You can ask for an opportunity, but you never know when that's going to happen. You just have to stay ready.

"You're still in the NBA, still with a great group of guys and a great organization."