NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 6/22/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Alex Kennedy for his weekly NBA chat this Friday at 1 p.m. ET. Submit your questions early because this chat fills up fast!

  1. Ross

    Who do you think the Sixers are targeting if they move up

    • Alex Kennedy

      What’s up everyone? Thanks for stopping by and submitting your questions. We have a lot to talk about today, from the conclusion of a great NBA season to the start of an exciting offseason. Let’s get started.

      I believe Philadelphia is trying to move up to draft Andre Drummond. The Sixers met with Drummond during the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and they seem interested in him. Whether they’ll be able to acquire a top pick to select Drummond remains to be seen, but I do think that’s who they’re targeting.

  2. calvinzero

    What do you think, Jim Buss can stick to its principle that there will be no major changes to the Lakers roster for next season??

    • Alex Kennedy

      After reading Jim Buss’ comments, it doesn’t sound like we’ll see any big changes for the Lakers. I think they would trade Pau Gasol if the right deal came along, but I’m not sure there’s much interest in him around the league at this point. I know fans in L.A. are upset that the team isn’t going to make a blockbuster trade, but this team isn’t that far away from contending. Give this group some more time. This past season was chaotic because of the condensed schedule and limited practice time, so Mike Brown was playing catch up all year long. Ramon Session joined the team at the trade deadline and was still learning the offense when the playoffs started. With a full offseason and traditional season, maybe this group can contend in the West.

  3. Devonte

    whats the possibility of the knicks obtaining a first rounder or another second round pick? maybe they can trade landry and/or toney?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Every year, the Knicks tell a number of draft prospects that they’re trying to obtain a first-round pick to select them. I always warn players that they tell this to EVERYONE. Still, every year I get a call or text from a player on draft night who is hurt that the Knicks didn’t actually acquire a pick to select him. This year, I’ve already talked to two players who believe they’re landing in New York. “I worked out for them, they loved me and they’re trying to get a pick!” Every year.

  4. will

    does john wall must show next season that he is franchise player?He certainly shown potencial but way too little.Now he had good teammates like nene,okafor ariza and all idiots like jvm,nick young are gone.Do you see 2012/13 as his breakout season?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think we’re going to see a much-improved John Wall next season. He’s someone who works very hard during the offseason. Couple that with the new pieces he’ll have to work with in Washington, and I think he’s due for a breakout season. He finished the season strong, averaging 14.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and dropping his turnovers down to 3.8 per game in April. The Wizards are trying to add veterans to that locker room so that they can make the playoffs next year. If Wall takes the next step, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Washington grab the eighth seed in the East.

  5. Aristotle

    Hey Alex,

    Not sure about you…but I’m just digging into my humble pie delivered by Mike Miller, lol. So what do you do with him now? 2 seasons of battling injuries, criticised, talked about as the one to amnesty (including myself) and now he comes up with this performance.. One off or that’s why the signed him in the first place?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think Mike Miller surprised everyone last night, including himself. He was playing through multiple injuries so nobody expected that kind of performance from him. I give the guy credit though, he has excellent timing. That was probably his best game as a member of the HEAT. If he was only going to show up for one game during his stint in Miami, that was the game to do it. I think we’ll see him retire this summer. He’ll go out on top.

  6. joseph

    drummond is next kwame.Everything indicates that he will be failure:recent uconn big men,his basketball knowledge,shootinh abilities,no desire to improve and for hard work.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Some executives say Andre Drummond is the next Kwame Brown and others say he’s the next Dwight Howard. The guy is an intriguing prospect with all of the potential in the world, but there’s a lot of risk associated with him as well. I’m always scared of big men who have questionable work ethic or lack a passion for the game. If you don’t love the game, you’re not going to put in the hard work necessary to be a great player. With that said, Drummond is 18 years old so who knows how he’ll develop or mature. He could be great. He could be a bust. That’s why teams are unsure what to do with him.

  7. Devonte

    i think will barton is a sleeper pick in this draft whose your sleeper pick(s)?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Will Barton is definitely one of my sleepers. I’ve been a fan of Barton since high school. He’s a very good scorer and someone who still has a lot of upside. He can be a contributor on an NBA team and he’s going to surprise people in a few years.

      My other sleepers are Orlando Johnson, Kevin Murphy and Bernard James.

  8. Wilson

    Now that the season has officially ended, when will the trade activity begin to amp up?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Over the next few days, you’ll start to hear more trade rumors. Executives have been working the phones for awhile and I expect to see a several moves in the days leading up to the draft.

  9. Deven

    Hi Alex. Now that the HEAT are champions, who stays and which players will come to the team next year.

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think most of the rotation players will be back. As far as who joins the team, Miami will have to cross their fingers and hope that they can lure a veteran who wants to compete for a championship. They’ll only have the mid-level exception to spend, but they’ll offer it to Steve Nash, Chris Kaman, Jamal Crawford and other veterans who want a ring.

  10. Deven

    For OKC, it may be a disappointment, but another lesson learned. I’m my right on that, Alex?

    • Alex Kennedy

      This was a learning experience for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Nothing motivates a team more than losing in the Finals and every player on that roster is better after going through that series. They have all played on the big stage and gotten a taste of the Finals. Now, after losing, they’ll come back hungrier than ever. We saw that with LeBron James this season. He worked his ass off last summer after being eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks. I expect Kevin Durant to do the same thing this offseason. The pain he felt last night is going to make him better. For a young team like the Thunder, there’s no better learning experience than getting beat in the Finals. We’ll see how they respond next year.

  11. mikey

    Some Think that Damian Lillard could be a poor mans Rose or westbrook, do you think he could EVER reach that Level? does he have ALL Star talent?

    • Alex Kennedy

      He’s extremely athletic and one of the best scoring point guards I’ve seen in awhile. Earlier this week, I had Damian Lillard on my radio show in Tampa and he put himself in the same category as Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. Here’s what he said:

      “I can see myself being what the point guard has turned into: Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Chauncey Billups and guys like that. They make the right play and get their teammates involved but, at the same time, they remain a threat throughout the game as far as scoring the ball.”

      The guy has all of the tools to be a very good point guard in the NBA. We know he can score the ball, but he’s an underrated playmaker as well.

  12. Jake

    What do you think the cavs will do with there picks? And is there a chance that they trade to get another lottery pick?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Cavaliers are doing their due diligence. They’re weighing their options. I think they’ll keep the fourth overall pick. They would love to select Bradley Beal or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Cleveland would love to package their three remaining picks for a lottery pick, but I don’t think they’ll find any takers. At #24, I think they’ll go with the best player available and then they’ll either move one of their second-round picks or draft a foreign player who they can keep overseas. They have four draft picks, but I don’t see them having four rookies on the roster next year.

  13. Austin

    Hey – figured I ask a question since you’re no longer doing the radio show on 1040 am.

    Which is more likely, Portland keeping both picks, Portland trading 6 and keeping 11, or keeping 11 and trading 6?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Portland is weighing their options and seeing what’s out there. As of right now, I think they’re going to hold onto the two picks. With that said, they’ve made it clear that they would move them both if the right deal came along. We’ll see what happens.

  14. Brad

    What do you think the Bobcats will end up doing with the #2 pick?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think they’ll select Thomas Robinson. They have shopped the pick, but they asked for a lot in return and didn’t find any takers. Robinson seems to be the pick.

  15. Zach

    Is there a chance that Orlando interviews Scott Brooks if he doesn’t agree to an extension with OKC?

    • Alex Kennedy

      If Scott Brooks can’t agree to a new deal with Oklahoma City, I expect Orlando to pursue him. The Magic just hired Rob Hennigan, who was the assistant general manager of the Thunder, so it would make perfect sense. The Magic would throw a lot of money at Brooks.

  16. sean

    do you think Hannigan’s age will help or hurt his relationship with the current and future players?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’d rather have a younger guy who is close in age to the players than an older guy who can’t relate to them.

  17. santiago

    hey alex great chats
    if u were the celtics who would u pick if both were available: Moe Harkless or Royce White?
    Thanks

    • Alex Kennedy

      I’m a big Moe Harkless fan. He has a ton of potential and he’s a great kid. Very hard worker and excellent student in high school and college. He’d be a great fit in Boston.

  18. Ray

    Will the Brooklyn Net get a draft pick next week?

    • Alex Kennedy

      They’re trying. The Nets are one of several teams trying to move into the first round.

  19. David Rivas

    With the trade between WAS-NOLA, do you think MKG will land in SAC for sure?
    Final piece for Kings rebuilding?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think the top five will go Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Sacramento is where things get tricky. They may go Harrison Barnes. They may go Andre Drummond. There has even been some talk in recent days that they may go Damian Lillard (he was spectacular during their workout). There’s also the possibility that they trade the pick. We’ll see what the Kings do.

      Thanks for submitting your questions! If I missed you, hit me up on Twitter. Have a great week!