NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 6/16/12

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

  1. Will

    Schmitz is reporting that D12 wants out of Orlando.You agree?

    • Alex Kennedy

      What’s up everyone? Thanks for stopping by and submitting your questions. Let’s get started.

      Yes, Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando. A lot has happened since he decided to opt-in to the final year of his contract. While Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith are gone, Howard still feels betrayed by the organization since they told Van Gundy what was said behind closed doors and they made Howard look like the bad guy. This situation has really gotten ugly and I think Howard will be traded this summer.

  2. Kenny

    Should the Blazers offer Batum for Tyreke?

    • Alex Kennedy

      It sounds like the Blazers want to build around LaMarcus Aldridge and Nic Batum going forward. While that’s an intriguing trade idea – one that would probably help both teams – I don’t think it’ll happen. The more likely scenario is Batum re-signing in Portland.

  3. Deven

    Since Steve Nash wants a 3 year deal, which team would be the best fit for him to compete for a championship?

    • Alex Kennedy

      If Steve Nash is only focused on winning a championship, he has to go with Miami. Can you imagine how scary that offense would be? Nash distributing the ball to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would be unstoppable. That would be the best fit for Nash. With that said, other teams can offer more money. It really comes down to what Nash wants. Does he sign for the most money because this is his last contract or does he take a paycut because he wants to win a championship? That’s what it comes down to.

  4. Deven

    Who will most likely be rebuilding this summer?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Boston Celtics. I’ve yet to talk to someone who thinks Ray Allen is returning. Allen is going to sign with another contender. He was upset that Boston shopped him at the trade deadline and there’s truth to the report that Allen and Rajon Rondo had a strained relationship. Kevin Garnett will attract interest from a number of teams this summer too. If Allen and Garnett leave, I think the Celtics will try to trade Paul Pierce and enter rebuilding mode. It almost happened at the trade deadline, with Pierce nearly traded to the Nets and Allen nearly traded to the Grizzlies. The Big Three era in Boston is likely over.

  5. Deven

    Will their be any big trades on draft night?

  6. Jim

    Would you be surprised to see the Sixers use the 15 pick and Iguodala to move up and get Drummond?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Not at all. For months, league sources have been saying that the Sixers are going to shop Andre Iguodala. It won’t surprise me if he’s dealt. Philly met with Andre Drummond at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, even though he’s likely going to be a top pick. It certainly seems like the Sixers are trying to move up.

  7. calvinzero

    How’s true the plan of Mitch Kupchak that they want to get any of the Top 5 draft prospect in exchange of Gasol (and either Bynum)?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Good luck getting a top five pick for Pau Gasol. He’s owed $38 million over the next two years and he’s coming off of a rough postseason. His trade value isn’t very high right now. Gasol doesn’t help New Orleans, Charlotte, Washington, Cleveland or Sacramento. Those are rebuilding teams that could use another up-and-coming player, not a 32-year-old who is on the decline. Gasol may be traded this summer, but I don’t think the Lakers are getting a top pick in return. If they do, Mitch Kupchak is the man.

  8. Derric

    If your Portland with the 6 pick and both Drummond and Lillard were still on the board who do you take? After Lillard’s workout yesterday the buzz is that he will be the pick especially with Paul Allen’s love for PG prospects.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’d pick Damian Lillard. I’m a huge fan of Lillard’s game. He’s a phenomenal scorer and an underrated facilitator. I think he’s going to be a very good player in this league. He’s a hard worker and he’s extremely professional. I’ve been saying for awhile that Lillard should be the pick for Portland. He’s exactly what they need.

      Andre Drummond has a lot of potential, but there are also a lot of risks associated with him. His work ethic and motor have been questioned, which is always a red flag for a big man. It makes you wonder if he loves basketball or if someone put a basketball in his hand at a young age because of his size. The big question: Is Drummond going to put in the work necessary to be a great player in the NBA? He won’t be able to get by with his size and athleticism in the league. He’s going to have to work and I’m not sure if he has the drive or passion for the game.

  9. Mark

    Alex, What do you predict the Hawks to do with Josh Smith?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Josh Smith is definitely someone to keep an eye on this summer and at the trade deadline next year. Smith wants to win and at times he has been frustrated because he didn’t feel that the organization was committed to contending. That’s where the rumored trade demand came from. While Atlanta wasn’t ready to move Smith at the trade deadline several months ago, that could change now that he’s entering the final year of his contract. If they believe he’s going to leave as a free agent after the season, the Hawks may trade him to ensure that they don’t lose him for nothing.

  10. Deven

    Alex, you mentioned in your column this morning that Brandon Roy is close to making a comeback. Since he can’t return to the Blazers, which team is most likely to pick him up?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Brandon Roy will attract interest from plenty of teams. Not only is he a player who can contribute on the court, he was always a fan favorite off the court. There will be a lot of potential suitors for Roy. If I had to guess, I think he’ll sign with a contender and come off the bench. I could see him as a sixth man for the Heat or Lakers. We’ll see what happens.

  11. Kevin in Tokyo

    Damian Lillard seems like an underrated pick who Portland is very high on. Why does nobody have him going to Portland at 6? I just hope if Portland doesn’t secure Lillard, that he doesn’t become the next great point guard while they watch Drummond become the next Darko..

    • Alex Kennedy

      Damian Lillard is one of the most underrated players in this draft because he played at Weber State. With that said, anyone who watched him knows he’s the real deal. The league’s decision-makers know what he can do. He’s going to surprise people.

  12. Brandon

    With all the uncertainty the magic just have to draft best player available right I’m hoping for Kendall Marshall or perry jones

    • Alex Kennedy

      I do think the Magic will go with the best player available. I think Terrence Ross or Moe Harkless would make a lot of sense.

  13. John

    Is Dennis Lindsey the favorite for the Orlando GM job?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Magic job will go to Dennis Lindsey, Jeff Bower or Rob Hennigan. I do think Lindsey is the favorite.

  14. @_AOmar

    Do you see the Bucks making any more trades?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Bucks are working the phones right now. They are definitely a team to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.

  15. Chris

    Is their any news as to when the Magic might name a GM/Head Coach? We are less than 2 weeks from the Draft.

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Magic want to have a general manager in place before the draft. The three finalists – Bower, Hennigan and Lindsey – have met with Magic CEO Alex Martins and will meet with ownership soon. By next week, I think the Magic will have a GM in place and then they’ll shift their attention to finding a head coach.

  16. Mike

    What are the Wolves off-season plans?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Wolves want to add a veteran shooting guard this summer. They want a scorer, someone who can create their own shot. Two possibilities: trading for Kevin Martin or signing Jamal Crawford.

  17. Nate

    besides the obvious names .who are the really big sleepers in this draft that your hearing could be drafted this year that the casual fan HASNT heard of?.. who could be this years Landry Fields or Isiaah Thomas?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Orlando Johnson is my biggest sleeper. He’s one of the best scorers in this class, but many people haven’t heard of him because he played at UC Santa Barbara. Executives rave about this guy. I have talked to a number of NBA players who have played against Johnson and they all say he belongs in the league. Keep an eye on him. Right now, he’s projected as an early second-round pick, but I could see him climbing into the first round if he performs well in workouts.

      Other sleepers: Bernard James (Florida State), Kevin Murphy (Tennessee Tech), Scott Machado (Iona) and Tu Holloway (Xavier).

  18. Chris

    Any insight on what the HEAT may do this offseason? Despite making consecutive Finals, they still need a point and a big.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Miami will cross their fingers and hope that somebody like Steve Nash or Chris Kaman is willing to take a paycut to compete for a championship. That’s really all Miami can do since they only have the mid-level exception to offer.

  19. Steve

    If Roy can play a full season, greater than 15 minutes a game, and be effective, I’ll eat my hat. The dude has no knees left, bone to bone.

    • Alex Kennedy

      During the lockout, he was working out in Seattle and playing pick-up games against NBA players. Jamal Crawford, Roy’s close friend, told me that he was dominating the games. When Roy announced his retirement, the players were stunned.

      “It was so weird for us when Brandon said that he was going to retire because he had looked so good in the summer,” Crawford said. “If you just walked into the gym and hadn’t heard anything about his knees, you would’ve said, ‘I see why he’s a three-time All-Star.’ He looked that good.”

      Now, after working out for a year, he’s feeling even better. I don’t think he’ll start, but I bet Roy can still be productive as a sixth man.

  20. Weston

    Could you see the Lakers making a deal to get the #10 pick and Tevor Ariza from New Orleans in exchange for McRoberts, a future 1st round pick, and the Lamar Odom TPE.

    • Alex Kennedy

      It’ll take more than McRoberts, a future first and a TPE to get New Orleans to part with the tenth pick.