Trade talk: Latest on Kings' Casspi, Landry

Stein Line HQ favorite Omri Casspi is also the subject of trade calls Sacramento is fielding, sources close to the situation say.

Among the teams that have registered interest in the NBA’s first-ever Israeli: Chicago and New York.

The Bulls, in particular, like Casspi not only for his ability to shoot but also his experience in pressure situations after playing at the highest levels of the Euroleague with Maccabi Tel-Aviv as well as his defensive potential, believing that the energetic swingman would develop nicely on D under the guidance of Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Yet there are obstacles for interested parties. Casspi is also a favorite of Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. Sources say Sacramento, furthermore, would likely insist on attaching a long-term contract from the Kings' roster (such as Francisco Garcia's) for the right to acquire Casspi, who’s earning a bargain $1.25 million this season. That could dissuade both the Bulls and the Knicks, with New York especially mindful of preserving salary-cap space for the summer.

Sources say Kings forward Carl Landry, meanwhile, is “highly unlikely” to re-sign in Sacramento, increasing the likelihood that the Kings move the unhappy forward before the Feb. 24 trading deadline to guard against losing him without salvaging something from the trade that cost them Kevin Martin.

One source close to the situation said Landry, as a result, is the most likely King to be moved before the deadline.

Earning a modest $3 million in the final year of his current contract, Landry was a prime piece of the package that the Kings received last February when they sent Martin to Houston in a three-team deal that also landed Tracy McGrady in New York.