NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 3/9/12

1. badoodelz

   will arenas have a team before the seasons over?

   • Alex Kennedy

     What’s up everyone? Thanks for submitting your questions. The trade deadline is less than a week away so there’s plenty to talk about. Let’s jump right in.

     I do think Gilbert Arenas will sign with a team before the end of the season. There are plenty of teams searching for point guards right now and teams will start calling after the trade deadline or as injuries occur. He’s not rushing to join a team. He wants to make sure that he’s completely healthy and he wants to land in the right situation. This may be Arenas’ last chance to prove himself and he understands that. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Arenas is a low-risk, high-reward signing and some team will give him an opportunity.

2. Nick

   Do you see Ramon Sessions being traded for a 1st rounder? If yes to what team.

   • Alex Kennedy

     I believe Ramon Sessions will be traded before the deadline. While the Cavaliers love Sessions and enjoy having two starting-caliber point guards, they know that he’s going to opt-out after the season. He wants to go to a team that can offer him a starting job and they understand that. Rather than losing him for nothing this summer, I think Cleveland will deal him for a first-round pick or young talent. The Los Angeles Lakers continue to express significant interest in Sessions. The Portland Trail Blazers like him as well.

3. Chris

   What are the chances Dwight Howard opts in to the final year of his contract? Would the Magic have enough cap space to bring in other free agents in the summer of 2013 if he has a change of heart and decides to give them one more chance to improve the roster?

   • Alex Kennedy

     If the Orlando Magic can make a splashy move at the deadline, Dwight Howard may opt-in to the final year of his contract. His camp has made it clear that he’d give the Magic one more year if they were able to acquire Steve Nash or another star player to put alongside Howard. However, I don’t think the Magic have the assets to make a big move, which is why I don’t think we’ll see Howard opt-in. He’s not coming back to Orlando for one more year with the roster as it is currently assembled.

     Also, if a team that isn’t on his list of preferred destinations decides to “rent” Howard and acquires him at the deadline, he may decide to opt-in to the final year of his contract. The Los Angeles Clippers traded for Chris Paul with the understanding that he would opt-in, and Howard may do the same thing depending on the team and situation.

4. Ivan Mora

   Hey Alex do you honestly think the Celtics will find any team willing to trade for Rondo before the deadline?? too late dont you think??

   • Alex Kennedy

     I don’t think Rajon Rondo will be traded. The Boston Celtics would move him for an elite player, but they’re not going to trade him away for scraps. It won’t surprise me to see Rondo traded over the summer or prior to next year’s trade deadline, but I don’t we’ll see a move in the next week. They’re not crazy about the offers they’ve received.

5. Hugo Diaz

   What are the chances my Bucks trade Sjax & Bogut before the trading deadline? What can they get in return? Thanks!

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t actively shopping Andrew Bogut, but they’re listening to offers. That’s something they haven’t done in the past, which is why the Bogut trade rumors have started to surface. If Milwaukee does find a trade partner for Bogut, they’ll try to include Stephen Jackson in the deal. Jackson alone doesn’t have any trade value right now so he’ll only be moved if he’s thrown into a bigger deal.

6. Wile E Coyote

   Hi Alex. Anything new on the Wolves efforts to trade for a SG? Do you think they’ll get something done before the deadline? It would appear with Barea’s latest injury that they need to keep Ridnour. He has also been playing better than Crawford IMO.

   • Alex Kennedy

     The Timberwolves are trying to make a move. They have been looking for a scorer since the offseason and they’ll continue to pursue players like Jamal Crawford and O.J. Mayo until March 15. I think Minnesota is in a tough spot. They want to acquire a shooting guard, but they don’t want to give up a first-round pick. This is an excellent draft class so holding onto their pick may be the right move. The Timberwolves have some decisions to make over the next few days.

7. joe

   bosh and lebron for dwight anderson. orlando would be able to contend, but miami would win for the next 6-8 years. all wade needed last time was a real center and he got his ring.

   • Alex Kennedy

     No.

8. Jeff

   Two things, will Wilson Chandler opt to play in Europe this season then become an RFA in the offseason? And will the Nuggets pursue a trade at the deadline?

   • Alex Kennedy

     Wilson Chandler’s camp is still negotiating with the Denver Nuggets, but I do think he’ll sit out of the remainder of the season. He has no leverage right now. If he sits out, he can become a restricted free agent during the summer when more teams have money to throw around. He’ll be able to sign a large offer sheet with another team and force Denver to match. If he does sit out, I think he’ll go play in Italy.

     The Nuggets have been shopping Chris Anderson, but I don’t know if they’ll make a trade before the deadline. I haven’t heard them mentioned in many trade rumors.

9. Mambah

   What’s up man…Im pretty sick & tired of the “Dwight-Out” situation. I dont even want him to come to LA anymore. Id rather stay With Bynum and upgrade pur PG possition and bench. Realisticly, do you think the Lakers have something big up their sleve?

   • Alex Kennedy

     I think everyone is tired of the Dwight Howard drama. I’m ready for it be over and I’m sure Dwight feels the same way.

     As far as the Lakers go, they’re weighing their options. They’ve been in touch with a number of teams and I think they’ll make a move before the deadline. I don’t think it’ll be a “big” move, but I think we’ll see them add a point guard. They have a long list of players they’ve expressed interest in including Ramon Sessions, Jose Calderon, Raymond Felton and Kirk Hinrich. They’re definitely one of the more active teams as the deadline approaches.

10. lui

    Hi Alex, is it true that Rasheed is set to sign with the Heat?
    Do the heat have a chance to get Kaman?
    The Heat really need some help at the middle and i think signing any of these would make a huge impact defensively or offensively

    • Alex Kennedy

      Rasheed Wallace worked out for the Miami Heat, but no signing is imminent. He’s definitely an option for Miami.

      The only way the Heat will have a chance to land Chris Kaman is if the New Orleans Hornets decide to buy him out. Miami doesn’t have the trade chips to acquire Kaman so I’m sure they’re hoping he gets bought out.

11. Ap

    Josh Smith to the Suns for Gortat, Warrick $3m and 2 first round picks in 2012 and 2014? do you think it gets it done?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’d love to see Josh Smith in that system, playing alongside Steve Nash. It’ll be interesting to see if Atlanta shops Smith and, if they are, what they’re looking for in return.

12. Dante

    Hi Alex,

    I dont think Lakers should part with either of their first round picks unless it is included in a D12 type caliber trade. This years draft is deep and we could find some talent and get younger. I believe we have not had a 1st round pick since bynum. I think we should just sign Arenas and see where we go. With the new CBA rules i think building through the draft is the way to go A’la OKC. What are your thoughts?

    • Alex Kennedy

      For a middle-of-the-pack team, I would agree with that strategy. However, the Lakers’ first-round pick is likely going to be in the twenties. While this draft class is very talented, is a perennial contender really going to find a late first-rounder who can contribute right away? The Oklahoma City Thunder had to go through a rebuilding phase to get those top picks and draft those players. The Lakers want to win now, which is why they trade their first-round picks for players who can contribute right away. At some point in the next decade, the Lakers will likely go down that route. But right now, I’m not sure that helps them.

13. Gio M

    Hi Alex, I have read on various sites rumblings of a Melo/Chandler for Dwight deal. I hear NY is not calling around looking to makes moves, worried to upset guys on their roster but is Orlando making calls to see what they can get for Dwight? Do you see anything like this happening between NY and Orlando?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’m sure the Knicks and Magic have talked. Nearly every team in the league has called Otis Smith to ask about Dwight Howard. While the rumors have been tossed around, I can’t see New York breaking up their core so quickly, especially without a commitment from Howard.