NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 10/28/11

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy for his weekly NBA chat this Friday at 3 p.m. ET. Submit your questions early because this chat fills up fast!

  1. stephen from cleveland

    Technically can a team make a deal with a player making a lot of money to amnesty them then sign them to a minimum deal?
    if its possible why wouldn’t anyone?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Last time there was an amnesty clause, teams weren’t allowed to re-sign players after buying them out. Otherwise, every team would have done it to restructure their worst contract, as you mentioned. I doubt it’ll be allowed this time around, but there is one loophole: If a player is traded and then bought out, he could re-sign with his original team. For example, if the Orlando Magic trade Gilbert Arenas to a team that uses the amnesty clause on him, Arenas could sign with the Magic for next to nothing. Once the two sides ratify a new collective bargaining agreement, the amnesty clause is going to make things very interesting.

  2. steph

    who do you think the cavs will amnesty?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think it has to be Baron Davis. He’s owed $28,800,000 over the next two years and ridding his salary would allow them to sign another free agent or two. With Kyrie Irving and Ramon Sessions, they don’t need another point guard. The only other option would be Antawn Jamison, but he’s an expiring contract and can still play a role for that team.

  3. Dong of Dayton

    Hey Alex,
    Demar Derozan made a big 2nd year jump from 9pts a game to 17. Do you expect him to make a third year jump?

    • Alex Kennedy

      We caught up with DeMar DeRozan earlier this summer and he has been working extremely hard during the lockout. He’s doing two-a-days and he’s really trying to improve his mid-range game. As you said, he made a huge jump last year and I think he’s proving he’s not just a slasher or dunker. He’s working on his shot and I think we’ll see him continue to get better during his third season. He’s putting the work in and the Raptors will give him every opportunity to be successful since he’ll likely be one of the main the focal points of their offense again next year.

  4. matt

    can the clippers realistically land dwill, cp3 or dwight? they have a good young core, trade-able assets, draft picks and in a prime location. or am i just going to have to keep on dreaming

    love your chats, thanks!

    • Alex Kennedy

      If those guys enter free agency, it’s definitely possible. The Clippers have $24,382,411 committed for the 2012-13 season. They would be able to sign a star free agent next summer. If the Nets, Hornets and Magic choose to trade those players this year, the Clippers also have the trade chips to put together an attractive offer. Whenever a star player becomes available, the teams that have stockpiled young talent are able to put together the best packages. DeAndre Jordan, Eric Gordon, Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu could be used in a deal, as well as the expiring contracts of Chris Kaman and Randy Foye. They’re in the right market and they have the pieces/cap room to make it happen. They’ll definitely be a team to watch.

  5. Josh

    With Lebron recruiting Nash on Twitter, what possible trade scenarios could we expect if Nash requests the trade?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Unless the Miami Heat are giving up Chris Bosh, they’ll have a difficult time prying Steve Nash away from the Phoenix Suns. A trade of Nash for Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony would work under the cap, but do you really think Phoenix is going to do that? No. If Nash becomes available, they’ll have offers from nearly every team in the league and most packages will be better than the one Miami has to offer. LeBron James can try to recruit Nash all he wants, but I don’t think acquiring him is realistic, even if he does request a trade.

  6. Josh

    I’m interested in your thoughts about how Markieff Morris will fit in the rotation for Phoenix and what contributions he may have this season? (if there is one of course)

    • Alex Kennedy

      I like Markieff Morris a lot. He was very impressive in pre-draft workouts, which is why he was able to climb ahead of his brother on draft boards. He’s a nice post player with a couple of effective go-to moves. He’s also proven himself as a spot-up shooter, which will help him fit in with the Suns. Phoenix has an excellent, young frontcourt with Morris, Marcin Gortat and Robin Lopez. I think Morris will split time with Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick, but he should emerge as a rotation player because the Suns want to develop his game.

  7. a lopez

    Iman Shumpert will be the steal of the draft. heard it here first!!!

    • Alex Kennedy

      I love Iman Shumpert’s game. Every time I watch him play, I’m amazed by his athleticism and NBA body. There aren’t many point guards who are 6’6 and have a 6’10 wingspan. Prior to the draft, I watched a few of his workouts and opposing point guards simply couldn’t score on him. He would steal the ball or block their shot every time down the court. He has been working hard to improve his shot, which will make him an even better all-around player. I’m excited to watch his development and see how he fits in with the Knicks.

  8. TJ

    What is the bri exactly? What does like a 50 50 bri mean

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ll let Larry Coon’s Salary Cap FAQ answer this one:

      Basketball Related Income (BRI) essentially includes any income received by the NBA, NBA Properties or NBA Media Ventures. This includes:

      * Regular season gate receipts
      * Broadcast rights
      * Exhibition game proceeds
      * Playoff gate receipts
      * Novelty, program and concession sales (at the arena and in team-identified stores within proximity of an NBA arena)
      * Parking
      * Proceeds from team sponsorships
      * Proceeds from team promotions
      * Arena club revenues
      * Proceeds from summer camps
      * Proceeds from non-NBA basketball tournaments
      * Proceeds from mascot and dance team appearances
      * Proceeds from beverage sale rights
      * 40% of proceeds from arena signage
      * 40% of proceeds from luxury suites
      * 45% – 50% of proceeds from arena naming rights
      * Proceeds from other premium seat licenses
      * Proceeds received by NBA Properties, including international television, sponsorships, revenues from NBA Entertainment, the All-Star Game, the McDonald’s Championship and other NBA special events.

      Some of the things specifically not included in BRI are proceeds from the grant of expansion teams, fines, and revenue sharing (e.g. luxury tax).

  9. Lee

    Now that the amnesty is an official, i say the knicks should use their amnesty on renaldo balkman. He is horribad at basketball and if i’m Dolan, i don’t mind the idea of paying him to go away and play for someone else.

    • Alex Kennedy

      He’s really the only option that makes sense for the Knicks. They’re not going to amnesty Chauncey Billups because they just chose to pick up his option. Ronny Turiaf doesn’t make sense either because he’s an expiring contract. Renaldo Balkman isn’t really a contributor and I think he’s the most likely to be cut, if the Knicks decide to use the clause at all.

  10. likeabull

    Who is the best suited starting sg for my bull this season? via free agency or trade

    • Alex Kennedy

      J.R. Smith would have been perfect and in the mid-level exception range, but it sounds like he’ll be stuck in China until March. Other options for the Bulls include Jason Richardson, Jamal Crawford, Arron Afflalo, Anthony Parker and Marcus Thornton. If any of those guys are willing to take less money to compete for a championship, Chicago will get a very good player at a bargain price.

  11. patrick rose

    Okay, this isn’t breaking news…the Chicago Bulls like O.J. Mayo. They tried to get him last year only to get rebuffed when they wouldn’t include Omer Asik in any deal. Well, Mayo is still a Grizz (for now) and he’s still very available. If Gar Forman doesn’t make a hard push for O.J., he’ll be wasting Jerry Reinsdorf’s money. I’m not the only one saying this: ESPN, Yahoo, BlogNBAsketball…they’ve all made this case. Korver/Brewer just won’t cut it next year?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Bulls do like Mayo, but I think the Grizzlies had a change of heart toward the end of the year as well. Mayo showed that he was okay with coming off of the bench and still emerged as a significant contributor during their postseason run. They were obviously ready to deal him at last year’s trade deadline, but I’m not sure if they’ll move him now.

  12. Danny Price

    If the lockout ends this weekened when will free agency start and who do you expect the miami heat will try to target

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve heard it will take about ten days for the new collective bargaining agreement to be drawn up and ratified. From there, we’ll have a shortened free agency period and teams will report to training camp. We’ll likely have a couple preseason games and then the season will get started. If the NFL’s free agency period was any indication, the process is going to be a lot of fun. The exact timetable will be known once an agreement is reached.

      The Miami Heat will have plenty of options once the lockout ends. Similar to last offseason, there are many players who are interested in playing with the Heat. Miami doesn’t have a ton of money to work with, but expect them to target veteran free agents. The amnesty clause may be the best thing to happen to the Heat. They’ll have plenty of veterans to choose from who will be willing to take less money because they just got bought out.

  13. matthew

    handshake agreement today?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Everyone I’ve talked to says we’re getting close. Let’s hope they’re right.

  14. Mario

    If detroit uses the amnesty clause on rip hamilton would he be the guy the bulls go after or is jason richardson or aaron afflalo be a better fit. Your thouhgts.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Richard Hamilton is another option for Chicago. He makes a lot of sense because he’ll have just been bought out so he may be the most willing to take a paycut to play for a winner. It’s no secret that he was frustrated with the losing in Detroit. There’s no way he turns around and plays for another bottom feeder again. The Bulls can offer him minutes and the chance to compete for another ring. It’s a smart move for both sides.