NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 3/2/12

1. Tanner Nash

   I was thinking long and hard about this. Say perhaps Brandon Roy does come back do you think the suns have a shot considering their training staff? Look at hill! Nash is leading the league in assists!! And most recently Michael redd has looked good/great. I know Phoenix might not be the best team but we do have supposedly the best trainers in sports. I never see anyone hurt on the suns even with the compressed season when you’d think these”old guys” would get hurt

   • Alex Kennedy

     Two months ago, a Western Conference player texted me saying that Brandon Roy wanted to make a comeback. I couldn’t confirm it so I didn’t run it. Now, after reading the article that ran several days ago, it sounds like we’ll be seeing Roy back on the court at some point in the near future. As I mentioned earlier, the Phoenix Suns have the best training staff in the league so it would make sense for Roy to consider playing there. However, Roy is a competitor and wants to win a championship, which is something that likely won’t happen in Phoenix anytime soon. It’ll be a tough decision for him, but I’m just glad he’s making a comeback. Hopefully he can still be a significant contributor on a team.

2. John

   Lets say you have a TPE worth 5million and you want to take on a player worth 10million can you send out a player worth 5million and your your 5Million TPE to absorbe the rest of the contract?

   • Alex Kennedy

     No, teams cannot package a traded-player exception with another player. Sometimes you’ll see teams agree to two separate trades to get around this, but both deals must work under the cap.

3. Deven

   With the trade deadline coming in about two weeks, what’s the percentage that other superstars, or just regular stars, not named Dwight, get traded?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Deven, there are certainly some notable players to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Boston Celtics move Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen or Kevin Garnett. Steve Nash, Monta Ellis and Josh Smith have also been brought up in trade rumors. Stephen Jackson will be dealt if the Milwaukee Bucks can find a suitor. I don’t think we’ll see any superstars traded, but we could see some big trades.

4. eddy

   I feel like the Lakers will regret saying no to the Beasily trade. He’s 23 years old. He has a load of talent and can be a future all star. A few years guided by Kobe and the Laker franchise could put him in the right path. He could have ended up being the “man” in the “Post Kobe Era.” I get that they didn’t want to pay the luxury tax, but come on.. Lakers have the 2nd biggest market in the NBA..

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Lakers are weighing their options. They could always revisit the Michael Beasley trade in two weeks. They want to see if there is any deal out there that will land them a starting point guard. They have expressed interest in Ramon Sessions, Kirk Hinrich and several others. There’s no reason to pull the trigger on a deal now. The Lakers will do something before the deadline, they’re just trying to decide which move is the best.

5. Vito Villegas

   Hi Alex! I follow your chats regularly. Last week, I posted a chat to Steve Kyler regarding a package of Pau Gasol & Darius Morris to Boston, Rajon Rondo & Jermaine O’neal to New Jersey and Deron Williams to the Lakers. What are your thoughts in these?

   • Alex Kennedy

     That’s great for the Lakers, but I can’t see the Celtics or Nets agreeing to that deal.

6. Ryan

   Is Portland going to soon realize their best option at competing for a championship is to blow the team up? Things were going great but the unfortunate injuries to Oden and Roy has destroyed the once bright future of the team. Maybe cashing in on Aldridge and others is the right thing to do.

   • Alex Kennedy

     I think they should hold onto LaMarcus Aldridge, but I won’t be surprised if they start shopping some of their other players over the next two weeks. We’ve already heard Raymond Felton and Gerald Wallace surface in trade rumors, don’t be surprised if others players are mentioned as well. This team hasn’t lived up to expectations and moves could be coming.

7. Deven

   Does Steve Nash and/or Grant Hill want to win a championship? They have zero chance of winning one with the Suns? What are your thoughts?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Steve Nash and Grant Hill want to win a championship, but they’re also extremely loyal. Nash signed a contract and he wants to honor it. He doesn’t want to request a trade because he sees it as turning his back on his teammates, fans and friends within the organization. Hill feels like the Suns helped rejuvenate his career and his former agent, Lon Babby, is now Phoenix’s President of Basketball Operations. It’s not that these two players don’t want to win a championship, they are very loyal and have close relationships with people in Phoenix. Also, keep in mind that the Suns have the best training staff in the league and they have worked wonders with Hill and Nash. Part of me thinks Nash and Hill know that they wouldn’t be the same players if they were to go somewhere else.

8. badoodelz

   hey alex

   i just want to ask about Z-Bo’s infury. how close is he on returning to action?

   • Alex Kennedy

     It sounds like Zach Randolph is still a week or two away from returning. He was expected to resume full-contact basketball drills on Monday, but it was delayed.

9. badoodelz

   aren’t the wolves considering Ben Gordon, in case they wasn’t able to land OJ Mayo or any of their primary targets? I know its a gamble but IMO BG can still be a 20pts. guy when motivated plus they can get him easily as the pistons wants to get rid of his massive contract, to start up nxt season. Whats your thought?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Ben Gordon makes a lot of sense for Minnesota. Rick Adelman wants a shooting guard that can create his own shot, which is why the team pursued Jamal Crawford over the summer and expressed interest in Kevin Martin earlier this year. Gordon’s contract isn’t pretty, but he does sound like the type of player the Wolves are looking to acquire.

10. FocusLJA

    Is Houston planning on moving Terrence Williams by the deadline?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Houston would move anyone for the right offer.

11. Dominic

    Where is Steve Kyler getting this Dwight is unhappy with DWill news from and that DWill is unhappy with NJ? Do you think the two end up together?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I wouldn’t say that Dwight is unhappy with Deron. I would say that Dwight is nervous that Deron is going to explore his options this summer. If Deron decides to he wants to play in Dallas, that has a huge impact on Dwight’s situation.

12. Arthur

    Alex, latest reports from Sam Amick and Broussard say the nets are far and away d12 top choice. So, I believe there’s no way he stays another year and go through all this again… Even the fans need a brake…so, what’s your prediction concerning Howard for the trade deadline and free agency? Thanks.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’ve been saying this for months. Dwight Howard wants to play with Deron Williams on the Nets. Either he’ll be traded there or he’ll walk there as a free agent. The only way he doesn’t end up in Brooklyn is if:

      A) Williams decides he doesn’t want to be there and bolts for Dallas.
      B) Howard decides he wants to stay in Orlando because of pressure from his family.

      If Orlando doesn’t trade Howard before the deadline, they may lose him for nothing in July. The Nets would love to sign him rather than trade for him because then they can hold onto their young assets.

13. Will

    Is it true the Magic are trying to trade for Monta Ellis and David Lee?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Magic are trying to trade for someone that would appease Howard. They’re pursuing Monta Ellis, Steve Nash and other big-name players. At this point, Orlando’s plan is to surround Howard with talent and then convince him to opt-in to the final year of his deal. That gives the team one more year to compete for a championship and one more year to persuade him to stay long-term.

14. Anthony

    What do you think are the chances of the Lakers pursuing Kirk Hinrich and Marvin WIlliams from the Hawks?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I know for a fact that the Lakers have expressed interest in Kirk Hinrich. I don’t know about Marvin Williams, but I’m sure they’d be willing to take him back if the right offer came along.

15. Mike

    Could you see the Pacers as a team that could acquire Antawn Jamison? With their cap room they wouldn’t have to give up anything in return other than a pick to Cleveland.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think the Pacers would rather hold onto their cap room and be active in free agency this summer.

16. Howie Abrams

    It seems as though the Celtics want to blow up the ship, and the Wolves want to trade Beasley. Any chance of the two teams working something out for Beasley and Allen to switch teams?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Boston Celtics have expressed interest in Michael Beasley, but I’m not sure who they’re willing part with. The Minnesota Timberwolves would like to acquire a first-round pick in exchange for Beasley. I’m sure these two teams will continue to talk over the next two weeks.

17. Flying Deutschman

    Does the Lakers consider Beno Udrih as an option for the Point?

    • Alex Kennedy

      At this point, the Lakers are considering everyone. They’ve placed calls with a number of teams and are weighing their options. I expect them to narrow their search over the next week.

18. Ed

    Watching the Thunder (mainly J.Harden) one has to notice the superstar potential in this kid! Have you heard ,or why has’nt, any team inquired about trading for him (somewhat prematurely of course) given the Thunder finincial commitments to Durant and Westbrook. Also Ibaka is up for a big payday….Note eough C-notes to go around in a small market like OKC….

    Would Love him in a Rockets Uniform –Red Nation!

    Thanks for your time.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’m sure teams have inquired about Harden and Ibaka, but the Thunder love them. They want to compete for a championship so they won’t sell off those pieces. Paying them will be difficult, but they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it.

19. Marvelous Marv

    Alex, what team would be willing to give the Knicks a late first round pick in this year’s draft or the 2014 draft for Toney Douglas?

    • Alex Kennedy

      This year’s draft is very deep and teams will likely hold onto their first-round picks. I’d be shocked if a team parts with a first-round pick for Toney Douglas.

20. Lateak

    I think the knicks can be a great team… Do u think jeremy lin is long term answer… I dont know? I still want cp3 r nash

    • Alex Kennedy

      Jeremy Lin can be the long-term answer. He’s only 23 years old and he’ll continue to improve. At every level, he has been doubted, but then succeeded once given an opportunity. I think Lin will continue to develop and I believe his best basketball is still ahead of him. If the Knicks can get Chris Paul or Steve Nash, that’s a no-brainer. But I see Lin being an effective starter for many years.

21. Ivar Thor

    Hey Alex
    What are the chance’s that Lakers get Lowry? Greatings from Iceland!

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Rockets love Lowry’s game and will only move him for an elite player. I don’t think the Lakers have the pieces to land Lowry. Pau Gasol and a couple of second-round picks won’t be enough.

      Thanks for all of the questions! If I missed you, ask me your question on Twitter (@AlexKennedyNBA). See you next week!