NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 1/21/12

1. James, from Ctown

   Are the Lakers keen on moving Pau Gasol during by the trade deadline? Considering how average he has looked compared to recent years, do you think it would be a move that they can consider is viable going forward with their guards being very questionable?

   • Alex Kennedy

     What’s up everyone? Thanks for stopping by and submitting your questions. We’re nearly one month into the season so we have plenty to talk about. Let’s jump right in.

     Pau Gasol isn’t untouchable, as we saw last month when he was nearly shipped to Houston. The Lakers seem open to moving Gasol, but only if the right offer comes along. They’re not going to make a move for the sake of making a move, but I believe they’d deal Gasol if it would improve their chances to contend. I don’t think the Lakers can win a championship as currently constructed. Los Angeles’ top priority is to use their large traded-player exception to improve. However, if a team was interested in Gasol, the Lakers would have that conversation.

2. nazariy

   Why are you guys criticizing javal mc.gee for the wizard’s slow start. He is a underrated center who can get you a triple double in blocks. He rebounds, does the dirty work. If anything its ernie, the gm, to blame for not signing players to mentor john wall and for not firing flip saunder’s who gets more technicals than wins this season. Do not really get how mc. Gee is to blame.

   • Alex Kennedy

     There’s plenty of blame to go around in Washington. After spending some time around that team and talking to some of the players off the record, it’s clear that the Wizards have chemistry issues. They have a lot of young players who are playing for their next contract. Nick Young, Jordan Crawford, JaVale McGee and others seem to be auditioning for other teams rather than making sacrifices to win in Washington. McGee has received the bulk of the criticism because of his perceived showboating the other night, but that whole team should be disappointed in how they’ve performed thus far. They have so much talent on paper, but they’re not playing together. Some of that falls on the shoulders of Flip Saunders as well. McGee isn’t entirely to blame, but he’s not the saint that you’re making him out to be.

3. Sweet Dee

   Many writers like to write that the San Antonio Spurs set “the blueprint” of how to win in a small market. However, one must realize it took a season ending injury to their best player (David Robinson) to finish dead last and draft a once in a generation big man in Timmy D. In reality, “the blueprint” is either going into the luxury tax by millions and millions of dollars or tanking for a few years in the “hopes” of drafting a top 5 player. Agree or Disagree?

   • Alex Kennedy

     There is certainly a lot of luck involved. However, the San Antonio Spurs deserve some credit for the decisions they’ve made. They have some of the best talent evaluators in the league and they’ve made smart financial decisions over the years. David Robinson and Tim Duncan is an excellent start, but they surrounded their stars with talent and were successful over a long period of time. You’re right though, there is luck associated with becoming a successful small-market team. You never know which players will pan out.

     Also, look at a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re now considered a model franchise, for good reason, and Sam Presti is often described as the best general manager in the league. However, a lot of people don’t know that they were prepared to give Rashard Lewis the same six-year, $110 million deal that the Orlando Magic were criticized for giving Lewis. Luck definitely plays a role in the ascent of a small-market team.

4. D

   If the Celtics due break up the big 3,who would be the most likely to be traded(I think Pierce) and what teams do you think would be the most interested?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Paul Pierce would have the most trade value, but I don’t think the Celtics are going to trade him. They have been extremely loyal to Pierce in the past and appreciate everything he has done for the franchise. He wants to retire in Boston and I can’t imagine Danny Ainge dealing Pierce unless it was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are large expiring contracts so they’ll certainly be attractive to some teams. If the Celtics make a move, I think it’ll be closer to the trade deadline. They want to see if they can work out the kinks before breaking up this team. If they’re still struggling come March, that’s when Pierce, Garnett or Allen may be shipped.

5. Derek

   If the Magic were to package Jameer with JRich, who listens? What do they return?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Both players have really struggled this season so I don’t think they have much trade value at the moment. The Magic have shopped Nelson over the last year and weren’t impressed with the offers they received, and Richardson was a free agent and didn’t receive a ton of interest prior to re-signing with Orlando. They can raise their stock over the next month, but they’ll really need to step up.

6. Cain

   Is Rodrigue Beaubois starting to return to his pre-injury self?

   • Alex Kennedy

     It certainly seems like it. He had very impressive outings against the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks. He’s definitely getting there and gives Dallas yet another weapon off of their bench. The Mavericks have been struggling this year, but they’re still one of the deepest teams in the league. Even the players at the end of their bench – Dominique Jones, Brandon Wright, etc. – would be rotation players on most teams. I’m a big fan of Beaubois and I hope he can return to his pre-injury self because he’s extremely fun to watch.

7. Eric

   In your opinion, is there any chance at all Dwight is still with Orlando next season?

   • Alex Kennedy

     If the Magic can make a blockbuster move, they may be able to persuade Dwight Howard to opt-in to the final year of his contract. He would make $19,261,200 next season and could still become a free agent in 2013, when Josh Smith, Monta Ellis, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Martin and many others will also be available.

8. Brittany

   Who do you think has the best shot at the championship this year?

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are the top-tier teams. They’re extremely talented and will be the scariest teams come playoff time. All three teams are bringing back their same core, which gives them an advantage during the 66-game season. Teams like the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers may make a postseason run, but I think they’re a notch below the Thunder, Bulls and Heat.

9. Justin

   What’s your take on the Magic’s recent “haircut position” on Dwight Howard. Do you think they’ll wait until free agency. And where will we go?

   • Alex Kennedy

     It’s certainly an interesting position. Otis Smith said he “wouldn’t be shocked” if Howard is still with the Magic in July. It seems like they’re ready to call Howard’s bluff, refusing to trade him and daring him to leave as a free agent and “take a $30 million haircut.”

     That’s a considerable amount of money to leave on the table, arguably more money than Howard could make if he were to bolt and sign in a larger market. It’s generally assumed that players make more endorsement money in a big market, but Howard already has a huge shoe deal with adidas and lucrative deals with McDonald’s, Gatorade and T-Mobile among others. Moving from a small market to a large market can yield more endorsement money, but Howard already has all of the jewels that the sports world can offer. He could see a nominal increase from those brands, but he’s already one of the top earners for those companies and it’d be difficult for him to make up the $30 million he’s leaving on the table. The Magic clearly understand this.

     I think they’ll hold onto Howard for the duration of the season and way their options in July.

10. Josh

    Nash to Orlando. How possible is it and would it work?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Orlando Magic would love to acquire Steve Nash. Will the Phoenix Suns trade him? That remains to be seen. I’ve been told that Howard would love to play with Nash and he could be the key to keeping Howard in Orlando, at least for one more season. If Nash comes to Orlando and re-signs with the Magic, Howard may opt-in to the final year of his deal and make $19,261,200 next season. Orlando has swung and miss when trying to acquire Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Nash, at age 37, is much more attainable and would turn Orlando into a legitimate contender in the East. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on over the next month and a half.

11. Steve

    Orlando is winning & I’m thinking are one trade from being contenders, do you think he wants big city exposure over winning?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Orlando’s success put Howard’s in a difficult position. If he leaves now, he’ll likely be viewed as a bad guy. Chris Paul has dodged a lot of the criticism and hate that other departing stars have received because he was in a losing situation, on a team that didn’t even have an owner. Meanwhile, Orlando is winning games and proving that they’re a stable franchise capable of contending. If Howard leaves, he’s basically saying that playing in a large market is a higher priority than winning, as you said. This early success is great for the Magic and they need to keep it up. If they struggle, it gives Howard an excuse to bolt.

12. Meagan

    Will Memphis ever trade OJ Mayo? And where?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Good question. It seems like he’s included in a new trade rumor every week. The Grizzlies always do damage control and deny the rumors, but there’s no question that they’ve had multiple conversations with teams like the Indiana Pacers and New Jersey Nets. If they right offer comes along, Memphis will trade Mayo in a heartbeat.

13. Adam K

    We saw that Zeke and Larry Brown had to almost go out of their way to be fired…is it safe to say the Knicks will keep D’Antoni around regardless of how bad they play this season? Any good interim coaches out there if they do fire him? This team needs triangle defense…

    • Alex Kennedy

      Mike D’Antoni’s situation is different because, on paper, the Knicks are one of the most talented teams in the league. There is a sense of urgency in New York unlike before. The Knicks believe that they have all of the pieces necessary to win, but they need a coach to manage all of the talent. If D’Antoni is fired, I think they’d turn to assistant coach Mike Woodson and offer him a short-term deal. Then, after the season, the Phil Jackson rumors start surfacing…