NBA Chat With Alex Kennedy 7/27/12

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

  1. Matt

    Who has better depth/talent on their roster? knicks or nets? Why?

    • Alex Kennedy

      What’s up everyone? Thanks for submitting your questions. This offseason has been crazy so we have plenty of topics to hit on today. Let’s get started.

      That’s a very tough question, especially since we haven’t seen the new-look Nets play a single game yet. I think Brooklyn has the potential to be better than New York, but it all depends on how well Deron Williams and Joe Johnson mesh and if Brook Lopez can stay healthy. With that said, there’s always a transition period when a team brings in a new star player and a lot of new faces. Right now, it’s a toss up. I’ll have a better answer once we see both of these teams in action.

  2. Harris

    What chance do the Lakers have of getting Dwight Howard?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Lakers and Rockets continue to negotiate with the Magic. Neither team has emerged as the frontrunner to land Howard, but L.A. is certainly in the mix. At this point, everyone is just waiting on Rob Hennigan and the Magic to make a move. They’ve been focusing on the coaching search and attempting to persuade Howard to stay. Now, it sounds like they’ll shift their attention back to the trade talks and we’ll find out which offer they prefer: Houston’s or Los Angeles’.

  3. Grant Lindsey

    Have you received any word on Tracy mcgrady coming to the Bulls?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I haven’t heard Tracy McGrady linked to the Bulls, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he signed there. He has flirted with Chicago in the past and, at this point in his career, he’s a cheap contributor who is a low-risk, high-reward signing. I’m sure we’ll hear his name come up over the next few weeks. He wants to play for a winning team so if an organization like Chicago is willing to bring him in, I’m sure he’d sign.

  4. David

    What do you think about the Jazz? Some nice, lower profile moves w/ Mo Williams, Marvin Williams, and Randy Foye. Do they make a move to free up the big man logjam of Jefferson, Millsap, Favors, and Kanter?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Jazz have done a great job this summer. Entering the offseason, they were determined to add a starting-caliber point guard and they did exactly that by acquiring Mo Williams. I think Marvin Williams could be a significant contributor for them as well, he could benefit from the change of scenery. Randy Foye is a nice addition too, and someone who will have chemistry with Williams since they played together on the Clippers. I don’t think they should be in any rush to move their young big men. Those are very valuable assets and they should hold onto them until the right deal presents itself. Right now, they have too many big men with potential. That’s a great problem to have in this league.

  5. Brandon Callahan

    Where does Dwight Howard end up at the end of the day?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think he’ll end up on the Lakers. With Brooklyn out of the picture, Los Angeles is the only place where he’ll agree to re-sign after next season. A lot can still change over the next several months, but if I had to guess, I’d say he’ll eventually be donning purple and gold.

  6. kurisu

    why dont rob realize its harder to deal dwight in jan bc they gotta find a taker for kris humphries who signed a “multi yr” contract for big money. and repeat the whole lopez,brooks takers for pick again. Wouldnt cavs lakers deal be better to try and work out unless orl being greedy and jus sayin no no no.

    • Alex Kennedy

      Not only would it be hard to deal Howard to Brooklyn in January, but Houston may decide to move on if this process drags into the season. Remember, the Rockets would be trading for Howard without a long-term commitment, with the hope of selling Howard on Houston and persuading him to stay despite his initial lack of interest. However, if Orlando waits until the trade deadline, it’s unlikely that the Rockets would be interested. At that point, they would only have a couple of months to sell Howard on their franchise rather than a full season. I doubt they’d be interested in that, especially if their out of contention by then.

  7. Lee D

    What pick up’s would solidify the Atlanta Hawks team this season without ruining their ’13 plans in free agency?

    • Alex Kennedy

      There are still some very talented free agents available, as I mentioned on Twitter last night. However, it’s always difficult to sign players when you’re limited to one-year deals. As you said, the Hawks don’t want to take on any money that would hinder their ability to sign free agents in 2013. Atlanta may have to do the same thing they did last year, bringing in some veterans to fill out the roster and then making the splashy moves next summer.

  8. Daniel Minggia

    If you are in the Lakers position what free agent shooting guard do you go after if you have just the vet min since they don’t want to use the mini mid level

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Lakers have been in contact with Jodie Meeks. No deal is imminent, but the two sides are talking. At the veteran’s minimum, I think Meeks would be a solid addition for the Lakers. He’s someone who can spread the floor and he’s only 24 years old so he’s still improving as a player.

      If the Lakers decide to pass on Meeks, they have some other options. There are many shooting guards still available including Leandro Barbosa, Brandon Rush, Sonny Weems, Martell Webster, Marquis Daniels, Michael Redd, Willie Green, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Sasha Vujacic, Maurice Evans, Sam Young, Roger Mason, Jermaine Taylor, Terrel Harris and Bill Walker.

  9. Sam

    Do you see the Nets out of the DH 12 sweepstakes

    • Alex Kennedy

      For the time being, yes. However, they could re-enter the Dwight Howard sweepstakes in January, when the players that they just signed are eligible to be traded.

  10. tj

    Do you see the twolves making the playoffs with their new roster?

    • Alex Kennedy

      The Timberwolves may be able to make the playoffs if they can stay healthy. They were fighting for the final spot in the Western Conference last year before Ricky Rubio went down so it’s not hard to imagine them sneaking in next year. With another year of experience under their belts and the additions of Andrei Kirilenko, Brandon Roy, Chase Budinger, Greg Stiemsma, Dante Cunningham and Alexey Shved, they’ll definitely be a team to watch.

  11. Aston Braynen

    If you were Hou would you trade for Dwight or Bynum? I say go with safer and trade for Bynum

    • Alex Kennedy

      Not without a long-term commitment. I understand that Houston wants to acquire a star player and they believe that it’s worth the risk, but I wouldn’t give up a ton of attractive assets to rent a star for several months. I’ve talked to several people in Dwight Howard’s camp and they’re adamant that he’ll walk next summer if he’s dealt to Houston. The Rockets would be better off developing their young talent or holding off until they can trade for a star who wants to be there.

  12. Alex H.

    Is it too late for Jason Richardson or Hedo Turkoglu to take a sip from the fountain of youth and impact the team? Will JJ Redick end up taking up the starting SG?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I think J.J. Redick has to take over as the team’s starting shooting guard this season. He was much more effective than Jason Richardson last year and now he’s making more money too. As far as Hedo Turkoglu goes, I wouldn’t count on him making an impact. He really struggled last year.

  13. Raptor Fanatic

    I like the moves Toronto has made. I believe Ross will make many eat their words soon enough. Toronto is no doubt improved but it seems like one major move is left to be made. Do you see any trade on the horizon for an upper tier wing? How do you feel about the Raps making the playoffs?

    • Alex Kennedy

      I love the addition of Kyle Lowry. Even after last year’s breakout season, he’s still extremely underrated. He’s going to make the Raptors a much better team, on both ends of the court. I think he’s going to make everyone around him better and I think that was a steal for Toronto.

      I’m excited to see what Jonas Valanciunas does as well. I’ve heard great things about him and he could make an immediate impact.

      I’m a big fan of Terrence Ross too. I spent some time with him out at Impact Basketball in Los Angeles and I was very impressed with his game. I agree with you, I think he’ll make people eat their words.

      I think the Raptors would love to make one more major move and acquire a top-tier wing, but I don’t think it’ll happen this summer. They tried to pursue guys like Rudy Gay and Andre Iguodala, but neither team was willing to part ways with their star forward. After missing on those guys, the Raptors did a great job upgrading their roster in other ways and I think they could compete for a playoff spot next season. I’m not sure if they’ll get in, but they’ll be in the hunt. Talking to the players and coaching staff in Toronto, that’s definitely their goal entering the season.

  14. Dwight Howard

    Can you please tell me when I will get traded to LA ? I really want out of Orlando badly

    • Alex Kennedy

      You shouldn’t have opted in to the final year of your contract.

  15. Patrick

    What better deal is Hennigan waiting for?

  16. adam

    could you see Greg Oden landing in Orl post-Dwight? Seems like he could fit

    • Alex Kennedy

      I don’t think so. I think Greg Oden will go to a team that doesn’t need him to contribute from day one. He needs to go to a franchise that can be patient with him as he gets back into a rhythm. The Miami Heat would be perfect for him because all of the attention and pressure wouldn’t be on him and, if he does pan out, there would be some minutes for him. The Heat were willing to take a chance on Eddy Curry last season and be patient with him as he got back into shape. Why not do the same with Oden? It’s a low-risk, high-reward experiment.

  17. Rob

    Do you think the Rockets are willing to give up all of their young talent for Dwight and the motley magic crew? K.Martin, patterson, parsons, white, lamb, etc.?

    • Alex Kennedy

      It sounds like the Rockets are willing to give up a lot of their prospects and take back several bad contracts in exchange for Dwight Howard. Like I said earlier, I wouldn’t do it. You trade away your future and put yourself in salary cap hell just to have Howard for a few months. And does anyone think that Houston would contend with that roster? I think they’d be a middle of the pack team.

  18. Carlos

    As of now which centers are available in the free agency?

    • Alex Kennedy

      Darko Milicic, Ben Wallace, Greg Oden, Mehmet Okur, Jermaine O’Neal, Joel Przybilla, Kyrylo Fesenko, Hamed Haddadi, Daniel Orton, Tony Battie, Eddy Curry, Jamaal Magloire, Mickell Gladness, Mikki Moore, Dan Gadzuric, Erick Dampier, Solomon Alabi and Keith Benson are some of the centers who are still available.

  19. william

    wouldn’t it be smarter for the rockets to help facilitate Howard to the Lakers and get Bynum? much better chance of him staying in Houston

    • Alex Kennedy

      Probably. That could be how this soap opera ends: Dwight Howard to Los Angeles, Andrew Bynum to Houston and picks/prospects/cap relief to Orlando.

  20. Shashank

    How good will Damian Lillard be next year?

    • Alex Kennedy

      If summer league was any indication, he’ll be pretty damn good. I’ve been a huge fan of Damian Lillard for awhile now. I wrote a story on Lillard prior to last season so it’s been crazy watching him go from being an obscure player at a small school to a lottery pick who is taking home Summer League MVP honors. Lillard is a very good player and he’ll have every opportunity to succeed in Portland. He may not win Rookie of the Year, but he’ll be in the discussion.

      That’s all for today! Thanks for submitting your questions. If I missed you, send me your question on Twitter. Have a great weekend!