HOOPSWORLD editor Preetom Bhattacharya will take his best shot at answering your NBA questions, whether its trades, roster moves or the countdown to training camp. Pree will get started at 2pm EST on Saturday
MATT BO in NORTH POLE, ALASKA: I;m new to the site, and LOVE IT, but I keep asking questions and getting referred to other writers. Can you qiuckly run down your writers and their specialties/big interest areas?(fantasy, west, east, stat freak, etc.) Thanks
Preetom Bhattacharya: ---- Look out weekend, cuz here I come! Let's get this chat rollin' ---- Not sure I can answer this too quickly, but it's important to note that when our writers are in the bnuilding, we make sure we go to both locker rooms to tell the stroies from the inside. If you'd like to know where our writers are based: Kyler - Orlando, Ingram - Dallas, Fleming - Portland, Bhattacharya - Golden State, Pincus - LA, Heath - Denver, Koutroupis - San Antonio, Maxey - Portland, Camerato - Boston, Brigham - Chicago, Mladic - Milwaukee, Beer - New York, Olic - Dallas
61ixty in San Francisco, California: Did Andris Biedrins bulk up? How is Al Harrington?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Biedrins looks a bit bigger in international play and has been pretty dominant for Latvia. Harrington always says he's working on his conditioning by running like a madman.
Peter Kim in Fremont, CA: Any word on if Don Nelson is coming back for another season after 2008-2009? Also, Do you think the LA Clippers have a shot of making the playoffs this season?
Thanks,
Peter Kim
Preetom Bhattacharya: Nellie's going to have a job if he wants a job. Like I said in last week's chat, the dude is a gym rat and would be bored if he wasn't coaching. Even at his advanced age, he knows he can be successful and - simply put - can't stay away from the game too long. Also, getting the wins record will motivate him. As for the Clippers - everyone has a shot, but I do not see them making the playoffs. I think too many pieces have to gel too quickly to make that happen and I'm not sure they even have pieces that are that great.
John P in Santa Ana, CA: Is it possible with the new clippers line up, that if they gel, they could be a top 4-5 team in the west? Have stranger things happened? Thanks, John
Preetom Bhattacharya: It's like the last question set me up for this one! A top 4-5 team sounds like a huge stretch to me, man. The Lakers, Rockets, Jazz, Hornets, and Spurs easily have those spots. If Baron Davis plays out of his mind - like MVP kind of play - and Camby/Kaman can work as a nice duo .. and Thornton becomes a legit second option .. a 6th seed might be attainable. I don't see it happening, but as you say, stranger things have happened.
Gavin in Orlando,FL: What do you think about the Magic maybe going after Marbury if he is waived?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think it would be rather unnecessary. I don't know if Nelson is the answer, but with AJ behind him, it's a nice little duo. Good enough when you consider how much Rashard will have the ball in his hands. Injecting Marbury into a team that already has good vibes doesn't seem very smart unless, of course, he can swallow his mammoth ego and still has some talent. Both of those aren't exactly things he's known for anymore.
D-ROSE for MVP in CHI-TOWN: Do you think my boy Derrick Rose will start this season? And how do you think he'll do knowing he has the whole city of chicago on his shoulders?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Hinrich should be able to hold Rose off for a while, but if Kirk has another season like he did last year, he'll get the yank pretty quickly. Rose has a lot to learn about the professional game and although he's really talented, it takes some time. Chris Paul really took off after the All-Star break his rookie season (although he was productive from the start) and Deron Williams was pretty good around mid-February as well.
Paul in Naperville Illinois: when does that 2k9 demo come out?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Hm .. well .. game comes out in early October and 2k typically gives their demos out a week or two before the game release. THat would mean the demo comes out in the next week and a half?
Spencerdock in pay: What's gonna be the rocket's depth chart?
Scola or battier on the bench? Artest is not a 4... How many minutes will battier get if he is the primary back up of artest?
Preetom Bhattacharya: It'll depend on what ends up happening with Landry and Dorsey. As it stands right now, Scola might be forced to be Yao's back-up. Until Houston gets all the guys signed that need to be signed, I can't give you what I think the depth chart is going to look at. For now, though, it does look like Artest at the 4.
JR in Vallejo: Any word on Mullin's extension? He rectifies his mistakes and keeps the Warriors competitive and exciting. He has done a good job of building a very young and promising team and I would like to see him be there when they take off.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Mullin and Nelson are both coming into the season in the last year of their respective contracts and it doesn't look like the Warriors are talking extensions right now. I like a lot that Mullin has done (especially what you say about rectifying his mistakes with contracts to Murphy, Dunleavy, and Fisher), but a lot of credit goes to Nellie, too. It's a nice two-way relationship and they have a good system in place, but asking Warrior fans to stay patient year after year isn't easy, either. Mullin probably will get an extension, but things need to become solid in the win column within the next two years. They'll get a free pass for now with Monta out, though.
Marc L. in Point Reyes, CA: Nellie sees Randolph as a SF or Point Forward. He is not a 3pt shooter; can he protect the ball (high dribble) against the quicker guards? how will he fare taking it to the rim and drawing fouls like in SL? Will he be a 4 later in his career?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think Randolph is going to stick at the 3, personally. He's very smooth in his motion and almost looks like he's playing in slow motion. His arms are so freaking long that the high dribble isn't that much of a problem, but I don't know if he has the quickness to play a guard spot. He should be able to get to the rim but he has to bulk up. The guy is thin as a hair follicle right now - if he gets to 230, you're looking at Lamar Odom & Rashard Lewis.
donald in : Baron Davis brought a swagger or winners mentality to the Warriors. The team acted like they could win every game. With Barons departure will that swagger simply be gone, or do you think it has rubbed off on the other players? If so, which players.
Preetom Bhattacharya: That is something that really will be missed with Baron, but I do believe that the remaining Warriors are quite professional and believe in themselves. Monta being out doesn't help, but it's given the team a rallying cry, for sure. Monta has that confidence about him as well, always calm and collected and never gets fired up. Jackson has that fire in his belly and has tremendous confidence in not only himself but the team that's assembled around him (if you get him to buy into what you're trying to do, he'll get others to follow as well). I like the quiet swagger of guys like Azubuike and Biedrins as well. Will you have the vocal and "face" of swagger like Baron? Not so much, but it'll still be there. They're not the walking dead like some teams turn into as the season wears on.
frank in : Assuming the Knick deal of Zack R. to Memphis is dead, could N.Y move Zack to either Clev. (for Wally Sz.) or to DET. (for Rasheed). Zack would likely really be a force on either Clev or Det,no? W
Preetom Bhattacharya: All indications are that the Randolph deal is indeed dead. As far as Cleveland picking him up .. I don't think he's the kind of big man they need. It would be nice to get someone that is a pure low-post scoring threat and JJ Hickson can become that, it's just too much to ask of him right now. Randolph isn't enough of a post player to make sense. For Detroit, that deal won't happen with Dumars basically saying that he'll stick with his guys and I actually don't think that would be a smart deal for Detroit anyway because of the defense Sheed can bring (unlike Randolph).
Paul in Gainesville, Fla.: Is J.J. Redick destined to follow in the footsteps of his fellow Duke alumni, Trajan Langdon who is now in Europe? Great college scorer but for whatever reason not good enough to play in the NBA.
Preetom Bhattacharya: No, I don't really think that's the case with Redick. He's going to bounce around until a team is comfortable with what he brings to the table and uses it accordingly. We've compared him to a guy like Jason Kapono that just needed to find the right system, and that probably makes sense for Redick as well.
Jim in Orlando, Fla.: I saw an ESPN writer make a comment Anthony Johnson's game was starting to decline and he wasn't as productive the second half of last year. Do you think the Magic are making a mistake with he and oft-injured Jameer as points? Wilks doesn't count.
Preetom Bhattacharya: After Johnson was traded from the Hawks to the Kings, he was getting 10-12 minutes less of PT per game. He was traded in early February .. in Atlanta, he was getting 28 minutes a game in January and finished the season with the Kings getting 15 in February, 18 in March, and 13 in April. Of course his production is going to go down. I like Johnson as a back up because he is a savvy and safe vetarn. If Nelson goes down for a significant amount of time, though, the Magic could be in some hot water. Lewis can handle some ball-handling duties so Johnson won't have to do too much in that scenario, so the Magic might be okay, but that is a legit concern.
Jim in Orlando, Fla.: I asked Steve so I'll ask you too, Pree. Are the Magic better served bringing Hedo off the bench ala Manu?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Yea, I sort of think so. Pietrus gives some nice defensive ability and balance to the starting 5 and if Hedo can be convinced to come off the bench and give some POW (like when Batman used to get into fights!), that could be a really nice tool for the Magic to use. It's like how I think it could be nice for the Lakers to bring Odom off the bench as well.
Paul in Gainesville, Fla.: As a Magic fan are we destined to see Dwight Howard struggle with free throws and limited moves in the post? Is it unrealistic to expect him to improve in those areas meaning he is not capable since improvement has been slow in those areas?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Damn .. what else do you expect Dwight to be able to do? He needs to work on his free-throw shooting, yes, but as he's gone from an athletic freak to an athletic freak with refined basketball moves, he's become the most productive big man in the game. I'm sure he'll expand his post move repertoire as he gets older, but I don't see how you can say progress has been slow at all.
Quincy in Jonesboro, GA: Hi,
Since the Mavs don't look like their going to extend Jason Kidd. Do you think the Mavs should try to go after Kirk Hinrich since the Bulls are rebuilding around Luol Deng and Derrick Rose.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Honestly? Cuban needs to just take his fingers off the right trigger button and let his team grow together. Another change just for the sake of change isn't wise. Let Kidd, Howard, Terry, and Dirk get some chemistry and if Kidd leaves, you'll have some money to spend. Plus, trading for Hinrich means you're going to lose a piece somewhere else .. just ride the ill-fated Kidd deal out and see where it takes you, maybe moving his massive expiring deal if the team is low on the totem pole of standings.
I.Favors in Decatur, GA: Hi, Preetom
I think that Shaun Livingston should go to Denver because he could be the big gaurd that could handle the ball up court and just let Allen Iverson and Carmello Anthony do the scoring.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Interesting idea, but then you're expecting a lot of out Livingston who, despite getting attention from several teams, isn't quite at 100% just yet. I don't know if he can get burn with the first team - the Nuggs are going to have to be happy with Anthony Carter and hopefully a healthy Chucky Atkins. I wouldn't be surprised if J.R. Smith started at the 2 with AI at the 1, though. That is if J.R. keeps his head on his shoulders. The Nuggets' more pressing need, in my opinion, is another reliable big man.
Eddy in Toronto, Canada: There's alot of debate as to who should start at small foward for the Raptors...Jamario Moon or Jason Kapono..got any inside track on this situation?
Preetom Bhattacharya: It'll end up being Kapono now that J.O. is in town. The team is going to have to have someone that can spread the floor and really create space for these guys in the post and there isn't someone better to do that than Kapono. He's going to be a defensive liability, though, so Mitchell is going to have to watch the matchups. Moon will get plenty of time off the bench, though.
Adrian in Romania: Preetom,do you think the Lakers will sit Odom on the bench and start Ariza?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think it's a good idea, actually, but I can't say for sure what Phil is going to end up doing. It makes so much sense - Lamar would buy into it, the team would have more balance and a nice defender to start games, and Lamar could thrive playing against the opponents' back-ups as well. The problem is, Phil's "sixth man that gets a bunch of minutes" is always a shooter - Steve Kerr, John Paxson, Derek Fisher. So it would be a thing that is new to Phil.
Jim in Orlando, Fla.: Hey Pree, since your a West coast guy you must be very famaliar with Mickael Pietrus. Your opinion of him and how much of an impact should Magic fans be expecting? Is he really that much better than Bogans?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I can go on and on about MP, to be honest. I'll try not to .. Magic fans have to temper the enthusiasm about Air France. He's athletic and can play really great defense when he puts his mind to it. The problem that he has sometimes is that he makes some boneheaded moves on offense that leave your head scratching. As a defender, MP is going to be (I think) exactly what the Magic need .. athletic enoguh to stay in front of guys, breaks up passes, and is strong, too. He's good at playing a role when it's defined for him. The reason he made some silly plays in Golden State was because Nellie had him playing power forward sometimes and he could never be in the groove that he needed to be. Sometimes he'd be asked to knock down threes and then other times he'd bthe team's post presense. So, really, be excited for what he brings on defense and hope that SVG doesn't jerk him around with his role, and things will be fine for him as a role player. And yes, I do think he's better than Bogans, who I see as more as a "hustle" player; MP is more athletic and brings the hustle as well. I like the signing, but it's going to have reservations because he's got to be coached teh right way. (damn .. I didn't keep it short)
Jose in Memphis, Tenn.: Do you think Fran Vasquez(Magic draftee) will ever play in the NBA? His current contract is due to expire in Europe at this season's end.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Haha .. Fran Vazquez .. honestly, I don't know if he'll ever make it across the pond. He's burned some bridges with his decision to not play for Orlando, so I'm not sure who is going to give him a shot. It's obviously possible, but I can't recall a high draft pick just saying no and staying away from the team that picked him just because he didn't like them. It might happen with second rounders or late first-rounders .. but a lotto pick?
Rick Boerner in Anderson,Indiana: Do you think the Pacers can sucessfully trade Tinsley before the season starts? Has there been any talk or rumors going around about another major trade by Bird? Thanks for your time.
Preetom Bhattacharya: No, I really don't. I did a Morning Report on this on Thursday .. why would anyone trade for Tinsley and give up real assets when they can just wait this out and pick him up for the minimum? I don't really think any team is going to give up enough for what the Pacers want. And, again, the Pacers have 16 guys under contract and need to get rid of someone .. seems obvious that he'll just be waived before the season is underway (plus, he's not coming to media day and has no locker nameplate). The Pacers news right now is all around Tinsley and the team has a pretty balanced roster as it is, so there hasn't been anything major to my knowldge.
Jim in Orlando, Fla.: I know you mostly cover the West coast but would you care to share your thoughts on Marcin Gortat(Magic back-up center) and what possible impact he might have this year? He played well against the Pistons in the post-season.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Gortat finished with a nice summer league down in Orlando .. the shooting percentage and rebounds were pretty impressive. With Tony Battie coming back, I'm not sure there's all that many minutes left for Gortat.
Jim in Orlando, Fla.: Tony Battie...big impact this year or not much improvement in toughness, rebonding(etc.) In other words, things Dwight needs help with.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Ah, just mentioned Battie. You guys are good about giving me natural segueways! I love what Tony brings to the Magic this next season. He'll keep Dwight fresher and anytime you can bring in a guy that improves the inside play of your team, it's always a big deal.
Aaron in murrieta , california: With portland having so much cap space next summer , who do you expect them to go after ??
Preetom Bhattacharya: I don't know if they'll go after anyone huge. It's going to be extension time for Brandon Roy and Aldridge. I think they'll go after someone that can play the 3, though .. I'd like to see mid-level guys like Varejao or Ariza pursued. The team is set everywhere else ..
john in orlando: Do you think the magic can work out a deal with the mavericks so they can get josh howard for hedo?
Preetom Bhattacharya: You trying to buy when Howard's stock is low? No, I don't know if that can work out - Howard is a nice go-between for Terry/Kidd and Dirk and Hedo is too much like Dirk.
Carlos in Plano TX: Do you happen to know the starting lineup for the mavericks? Like if Gerald Green will start in front off jerry stackhouse?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Carlisle has already said that Kidd, Dirk, and Howard are starters and he mentioned that Jerry has "embraced" being a sixth man (although he admitted that he is still figuring this out and left the door open for him to start). Diop and Dampier will battle it out for the center spot.
Charles in OKC: Will Durant have a better FG% this year because last year he could shoot efficiently for the first half of the season is there any chance he could duplicate that this year for the whole season?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Durant had a great March and April (shot .526 and .461, while averaging 21.8 points and 24.3 points, respectively), so I think he's already began the process of improving in that area of his game.
natalie in Oak Cliff TX: Are the mavericks willing to trade j-ho at this time if they are or aren't do you know any good players the mavericks should trade for?
Preetom Bhattacharya: The Mavericks are smart enough to be careful where they tread right now. They were ahead of the whole YouTube thing and took care of it after it happened in July (before it hit the media as a big deal). I don't think the Mavericks are going to sell him when his stock is low - he's still a good player.
Moises Ramirez in San Bernardino,CA: Hey do you think the miami heat will trade Udonis Haslem?
Preetom Bhattacharya: He was hurt to finish the season, doesn't have a really big deal that can help them get a lot in return. They're sort of stuck with him, but I think he's a nice insurance policy for the HEAT with Beasley still adjusting.
Travis in Michigan: What do you think Rodney Stuckey's stats will be in his second year with the increased amount of playing time he will be getting?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I like him, but until you move Billups, he won't get enough playing time to get huge production. I'll say 12-14 points, 4 rebounds, 3-5 assists until Billups. is gone.
Leo in Las Vegas, NV: How do you think Udonis Haslem and Michael Beasley will coexist? Who do you think will start? What is the ceiling for the Miami Heat this year?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I actually think you've going to see Beasley start next to Marion and Haslem come off the bench when he struggles or if they need some added defensive presence.
DCM in Salt Lake City: Jazz question-- who has the most star potential: C.J. Miles, Ronnie Brewer, or Morris Almond?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Good question - I think Brewer is the established guy and is the one with the most complete game. If Almond can pick up his defensive ability and diversify his offense, though, I think he's the one that could end up being the long-term answer at the two. He's a very capable scorer, but has to improve the defense if he ever wants to play for Sloan.
Travis in Big Rapids, MI: I recently read an article from SLAMONLINE that ranked Richard Hamilton as the 40th best player in the NBA? Isn't Rip a little underated for how consistent he has been the last seven years?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Rip is really underrated as far as what he contributes to his team. But when you start listing all the guys in the NBA like that, I can see how he's going to fall. I do agree that Rip is underrated, but I'd have to see how this list was made to see why he was 40th. Off the top of my head, I'd probably put Rip a bit higher, but ranking every player is a tall task.
Ryan in Los Angeles, CA: Who do you think will have a massive
breakout season this year?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I'm going to go with a couple of guys: I think Rudy Gay is goin to establish himself as a star, but I don't think his stats will be all that more impressive. I like what Devin Harris will be able to do in New Jersey. Jordan Farmar will begin the process of taking over for Derek Fisher at some point towards the end of the year as well. Early in the season, though, watch out for Kelenna Azubuike, though. He's going to really put up some numbers based on what I have seen from him this summer.
Steve in Washington: Do you think the Blazers will have a time crunch at guard with the addition of Rudy and Bayless?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Yea, especially because Steve Blake is a really good player as well. Nate's going to have to figure out how to get all the pieces to fit together, but I hope we all get a chance to see Roy and Bayless play together so we get a glimpse of the future.
felix in LA,CA: how come tmac and kobe come into the league about the same time but kobe look more fresh than tmac, was it because tmac's time a orlando which made him carryin his team?
Preetom Bhattacharya: No, I think it's because Kobe was more mature as far as what it meant to be a professional athlete and the work you have to put into it. There have always been questions about T-Mac's heart, but you never ever doubt Kobe's determination. Ever. I think that desire from Kobe's side really has made a big difference.
Marcus in Akron, Ohio: Dont ya find LeBron to NYC talk hilarious?Derived from reporters doing what they always do;make stuff up. Remember how LeBron shut reporters up couple yearsago? He slammd his fist and shouted to shut up about NYC. They just wont quit.
Preetom Bhattacharya: I agree that it's an annoyance for LeBron and Cavs fans, but the talk isn't going to stop when LeBron goes to an Indians game with a Yankees hat and hangs out with Jay-Z all the time when Jay-Z's team is moving to Brooklyn. Not only did he wear the hat, but he egged Indian fans on by holding the hat up and smiling and posing so everyone KNEW he was wearing the wrong cap. It's not that big of a deal and there isn't necessarily a correlation between the circumstantial stuff and LeBron possibly leaving, but it's giving reporters a story when it's an interesting story because he's the biggest star possibly bringing glory back to New York basketball. However, if he brought Cleveland a championship, he'd be a god and could probably run for governor or something.
Los Boog in : Well I've been reading these chats for the last couple of weeks, and judging from the questions more so than the replies- there seems to be an anti-nocioni sentiment in Chicago. Is there any one situation that set this off?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Well, people haven't been that satisfied after giving him that big deal and seeing the production go down so much. With Deng getting so much time at the 3 and basically being the franchise guy, Gooden and Tyrus Thomas set for a nice year at the 4, Nocioni doesn't really fit in anywhere despite having a rather large salary. So that might be where some of that anti-Nocioni is coming from.
Jay in New York, New York: Was Danilo Gallinari the right choice for New York and if so, how do you think he'll affect the team?
Preetom Bhattacharya: I would have gone with Jerryd Bayless, personally. I was actually shocked when Donnie decided to not take Bayless, but that's just me. Gallinari has a lot of growth to do, but I have to admit that I did not see enough of his game in Vegas (due to the back injury) to see what he can do in a close-to-NBA situation.
jw in : why is it that everyone is so dow on derrick rose the kid is a winner I have a lot of confidence in him but the qestion I have is how good will the bulls be?
Preetom Bhattacharya: jw - please don't flood the system with the same question so many times. I'm not down on Rose, I just think it'll take him time to get to the point where he can really be a great starter for that team. The Bulls need to resolve the Gordon situation and I think they need one more big man (not sold on the Noah/Gray duo), but with some good coaching and stability, they should be much better.
jason in toronto: i heard bargnaani might strat at sf if raptors can solve some matchup problems like he did in the playoffs vs orlando
Preetom Bhattacharya: I don't see where Bargnani is going to start. With JO and Bosh, it doesn't make sense for him down low and there has been some silly talk about him at the 3. I think Bargnani will thrive off the bench with no pressure on him, though, so he'll be much better now that he's healthy and has continued to improve, he'll be a nice option for Toronto.
David in Springville, UT: What are your thoughts on Paul Millsap? Could he be a 14-15 ppg and 8-11 rpg guy if he were playing 30-34 mpg?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Millsap does so well because Sloan has him in a really defined role. But no matter where he plays or how much time he gets, Millsap will be really productive on the boards. He has that knack about him. He overpowers people a lot on offense, but I'm not sure he can be a consistent 14 point scorer.
Andrew Cain in Charlotte, NC: Are the Bobcats gonna trade Raymond Felton and Gearld Wallace?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Not right now. What has been rough for Wallace is that he's asked tro play out of position and has been getting hurt because of it. Under Larry Brown, both of these guys are going to get a chance to really turn everything around in Charlotte. LB puts a lot of pressure on his PGs, so it'll be interesting to see how Felton responds to that. If it's not favorable, well .. that's why they drafted Augustin.
Harold in Oakland, CA: Hey Pree,
Any chance the Warriors don't start Harrington at the 4. Use him as a sixth man, or do they have to showcase him in order to get his value up for trades.
Preetom Bhattacharya: I think they have to start him - they need his offense. You'll see Williams, Jackson, Maggette, Harrington, and Biedrins to start games. Azubuike will be the first off the bench and Turiaf will be after him.
Jay in New York, New York: Can Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman co-exist or will one need to be shopped?
Preetom Bhattacharya: That's one of those things that is yet to be seen for me. Camby can play on the high post, so that makes some things more clear for Kaman down low, but I still feel like this is a duo that will need some time to fell and figure each other out.
donald in Berkeley, Ca: How does Marcus Williams look so far. Does he really seem like a pass first pg or is he more of a scorer. In order to rack up the assist pgs need to be able to get to the hoop, do u see that in Williams.
Preetom Bhattacharya: Everything I have heard is that he's been working hard on his conditioning and has been looking good as that pass-first guy. He's much more athletic than he's been given credit for and is a better shooter than originally thought, but I am not convinced he can get to the rim at will. Still has work to do, but it's been a nice start for him.
matthew de ramos in san gabriel, ca: lakers have a glut full of small forwards in odom, ariza, vlad rad, and walton. do you see any chance of the lakers trading at least one of their small forwards?
Preetom Bhattacharya: Last one from me, everyone. Odom is capable of playing the 3 and 4 and Ariza can play the 2 or 3, so their versatility sort of gives some flexibility when it comes to balancing the roster out. They'd love to move Walton, but his contract is still very long. Same can be said for Radmanovic. At the same time, both of those guys can contribute in the right situation in the Lakers' system. That depth is valuable for a team that has championship aspirations. Another big man would be nice, but the Lakers aren't going to make any deals right now because they don't really have to. ----- Alright everyone, enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll catch you next Saturday. As always, feel free to shoot me an e-mail with some questions during the week if you'd like (pree@hoopsworld.com). Thanks!
Chat Questions are typically answered in the order in which we receive them, the average chat receives more than 200 questions, so getting your question in early will go a long way towards insuring your question gets answered. If your question does not get answered, please do not take offense as the chats do fill up fast.
Our experts spend one-hour answering questions and will do their very best to get to as many questions as possible.
