NBA Chat With Bill Ingram 12/5/2011

1. mARC

   What is your top 5 Orlando Magic to do list this season?

   • Bill Ingram

     Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! I’m guessing there will be a lot of Orlando questions today, so let’s jump right in. We will be running a “6 moves Orlando should make” piece this week, but for now it’s fairly simple. You have to make an aggressive move that keeps Dwight happy long-term. He said he would commit to Orlando if they improved the roster, and with the Warriors after Jason Richardson it gives the Magic a shot at possibly getting Monta Ellis, whom Dwight has asked to have on the team. That’s step one. I think firing Otis Smith and going with a GM who will make some smarter moves would be a solid step in the right direction, as well. That Gilbert Arenas trade was one of the worst moves ever made, as far as I’m concerned.

2. reily

   The celtics need about 4-6 players from FA..a starting center and all they need is to build a bench. Do you see the C’s signing any of these players m.redd,chandler,Rod.Stuckey,kmart,Aaron gray?

   • Bill Ingram

     I think that the Celtics are going to have to take a chance on someone in order to be contenders this season, and that someone is going to have to have a very good year. Maybe it’s Michael Redd. I don’t think there’s any way Tyson leaves Dallas. Mark will pay him, though maybe not the $20 million he’s looking to start with. That’s kind of a crazy number for Tyson Chandler. Kenyon Martin is stuck in China until March, so no help there. They will get Marquis Daniels and Jeff Green back – maybe Glen Davis, too – and Gray might be a possibility, as well. Ainge has a lot of work to do come Dec. 9th!

3. Chris G

   Since there’ll be two less months of the NBA season, but the All-Star Game will go on as scheduled, I’m guessing most starters will get voted in mainly on reputation. Any guesses who they will be? Mine are Rose-Wade-James-Melo-Howard vs Paul-Bryant-Durant–Griffin-Nowitzki (assuming Dirk or Blake can be classified as a center)

   • Bill Ingram

     Not a bad list, though there are two issues I see. First, I’m thinking Amar’e Stoudemire might get more votes than Carmelo and be the starting power forward. Maybe. In the West I think you’re overlooking the fact that Nowitzki, while easily the best PF in the west, doesn’t have a national following. I think Blake Griffin is the sexier choice, so he’ll start at PF. Neither Griffin nor Nowitzki will be on the ballot as a center, so Andrew Bynum is my prediction at the five. The All-Star game is always a popularity contest as far as the starters. The coaches will vote in guys who play well over the first 6 weeks of the season, although I’m sure name recognition will be an important factor there, too, with more games in closer succession.

4. Scott

   Lately I have been seeing all these articles on how teams can fix themselves in 6 moves.. Is there one on 6 moves the LA clippers should do?

   By the way, I like Caron Butler or Jeff Green as a possible 3…..

   Thank you

   • Bill Ingram

     As a matter of fact, the Clippers are scheduled for Tuesday . . .so stay tuned. The Clippers are concerned about preserving cap space for next summer, so Green is highly unlikely. The Celtics are going to re-sign Jeff Green. Butler might be an option if he’s willing to take a shorter-term deal, but there are some teams out there that are willing to take a big chance on him being 100% healthy. I don’t think the Clippers will be one of them.

5. Bryon

   S&T Afflalo for Beasley?
   Denver gets a player with higher potential and Minny gets a legit starting 2 who can play defense and clears the logjam at SF. I think the only problem is is Minny values Beasley too much. What’s your take on it?

6. Will

   NO gets Gasol S.Brown(ST)Vujacic trade exep Draft picks LA gets CP3
   ORL gets Bynum Odom Caracter future picks LA gets DH12 Turkoglu
   Then Amnesty Turko or Metta
   signs a dirty workers PF Foster/McRoberts/Powe/Jeffries
   signs some backups as S.Williams/D.Stevenson
   Howard/Foster/Metta/Kobe/Paul
   McRoberts/Ebanks/Stevenson/Fisher/Blake/Morris
   You got a better team than the Heat

   • Bill Ingram

     Are we really going to call Ron Artest “Metta World Peace” now? I keep waiting to hear that it’s a big practical joke. … Awfully hard to look at complicated 3-team multi-player deals in a chat session, as I can’t spend much time on each question. I don’t see why the Hornets or the Magic would want to go so far out of their way to help the Lakers, who may have a better team than Miami TODAY, making none of those moves. Is Pau Gasol that much better than David West? Why does N.O. need to trade for Gasol? If they’re going to deal CP3 they had better get a good young PG back in the deal.

7. Diego

   Hey Bill , do you think the spurs have a legitimate shot at landing caron butler. and if so, how much would the team improve with him on board and probably jefferson amnestied?

   • Bill Ingram

     I think signing Butler helps the Spurs in two ways. First, he might fit better in a mix of other good players, which Jefferson struggled with. It would also assure he doesn’t land back in Dallas, which would mean a key rival is a bit weaker. That said, I think Butler lands in Chicago…and I would be surprised if the business-conscious Spurs paid RJ (or anyone else) to go away.

8. Scott

   Do you think Houston could be a third team in a deal where the Clips trade for Paul or Howard? Houston gets Kaman and sends a few young pieces to the 3rd team.

   • Bill Ingram

     The Rockets are ideally constructed to be such a catalyst. They have lots of young talent, lots of redundant talent, and a decent amount of cap space. They really need a deal in which they send out multiple players and get just one – a center or small forward – back in return. They aren’t particularly interested in Kaman, and have talked to the Clippers about DeAndre Jordan, but the Clippers have been reluctant to part with Jordan. But if the Rockets can’t get anyone else, would they do a deal for Kaman? I have to believe they would.

9. Kevin in Tokyo

   Is there a better 4/5 for Boston than Glen Davis? I can see how they will be ready to go shopping in 2012 with so little on the payroll, but won’t signing Green and Davis to more than one year be a mistake, if they want in on the 2012 sweepstakes?

   • Bill Ingram

     I don’t know how much 5 he can play, but no, it would be hard for Boston to find a better fit than Big Baby. He’s already a fan favorite, he knows the system, and he’s one of the better options at the position.

10. spurs,jazz,mavs hater

    you think the rockets can land a superstar before the trade deadline and would the pacers consider trading granger thanks bill.

    • Bill Ingram

      The Rockets would love to have Granger, since you ask, but the Pacers have told everyone he is completely unattainable. Can the Rockets last a big free agent? I definitely have my doubts. They have created an adversarial relationship with many NBA agents, and as a result they tend to encourage their clients to go elsewhere. It will almost certainly require a trade for Houston to get the pieces they need to get back into the playoff picture. I don’t think they have the pieces to acquire a “superstar,” though. Sadly.

11. Edmond

    What do you think about these deals For CP3 & Ariza? Which one is better?

    Mo Will, Kaman(whom they could flip or start with Okafor at the 4), Aminu, & Minny pick

    or

    Mo Will, Kaman, Bledsoe, & Minny pick

    Wouldn’t a lineup of CP3, Gordon, Ariza, Griffin & Jordan be awsome!?!?!?!

    • Bill Ingram

      Ariza really is the kind of small forward the Clippers need. He’s a tough defender who can score, but doesn’t need the ball in his hands. Chris Paul with Griffin and Jordan? Wow . . .that would be a great lineup! Would the Clippers rather give up Bledsoe or Aminu, though? I imagine if it meant getting CP3 they would part with either, though possibly Bledsoe before Aminu.

12. Kevin

    Why isn’t Miami mentioned in the CP3 sweepstakes? They could offer Bosh, Cole and Chalmers (s&t) for Paul maybe N.O. even adds okafor and Miami adds Miller, Joel, Pittman?

    • Bill Ingram

      The HEAT would almost certainly give up Bosh to get CP3, as they had internal discussions about sending Bosh to Phoenix for Chris Bosh last season. BUt why does New Orleans take back Bosh when they have West, and scraps like Chalmers (decent backup point guard) and Cole? Or Miller? The reason the HEAT aren’t mentioned is because they don’t have the pieces to get a deal done, any more than the Knicks do.

13. Elliot Adjmi

    Bill, Please explain the thinking of Donnie Walsh and the Knicks regarding extending Chauncy Billups. Looking at it now, I think that signing may very well cost NY from getting Chris Paul. They used the balance of their cap space. It prevented the team from signing free agents that is needed to compete this season & for possible trade bait at the trading deadline this season and it looks like they cost Amare and Carmelo a full year of their playing prime on a team that can’t compete for a title.

    • Bill Ingram

      Well, honestly, they were probably thinking they would have Billups until the end of the season and then go after Chris Paul as a free agent. It probably didn’t occur to them that Leon Rose would demand a trade before the 2011-12 season even started. And frankly, if the season had started on time we might not be having this discussion. As it is Billups represents a $14 million expiring contract, and could prove to be valuable on that front before all is said and done. Without Chauncey do they have more to offer the Hornets? They don’t have what New Orleans is looking for with or without Billups.

14. jazz

    Watson and Dunleavy must be good for Jazz? Any rumors about Jazz?

    • Bill Ingram

      Not much out there on the Jazz front. They have been shopping Millsap, but at the same time he is preparing to spend more time at the small forward position to help the Utah rotation. AK47 is willing to come back to Utah if they make him an offer worth accepting. Other than that, the Jazz are one of the teams that really don’t air their laundry until it’s already clean.

15. Peter

    Morning Bill! How come the Spurs aren’t aggressively pursuing Shane Battier? He can instantly replace RJ at the 3 should they amensty him.

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning! There’s something about Shane Battier that just seems to say “Spurs,” isn’t there? The easy answer is I don’t see the Spurs using the amnesty clause, as I mentioned earlier. So they don’t need a three . . .Butler or Battier.

16. Peter

    I heard the rockets have reached out to their no.1 target Nene. From what you know, does he have any interest in playing for the rockets?

    • Bill Ingram

      Honestly, I think Nene is using meetings with other teams to make sure he gets his max offer from Denver, which he will most certainly accept. If Denver doesn’t offer that max deal it opens the door for Houston and Indiana, who have the most interest and cap space.

17. Shushan

    I heard that the heat are interested in both kwamy brown and Greg Oden. Do they also have olowokandi’s number.

    • Bill Ingram

      LOL . . .Kandi would be about as likely an option, right???

18. Steven

    Do you think the Golden State Warriors will sign a center like Nene/Chandler/Gasol. Who do you think they will amnesty?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Warriors only have three significant contracts – Ellis, Biedrins, Lee – and there is no reason to amnesty any of those guys because they have trade value. The Warriors would like to deal Lee, but have repeatedly turned down offers for Monta and Andris. I can’t see them using amnesty on Lee, though. He is a very productive player, and a big man, at that. If they really wanted to unload him they could absolutely trade him. And no, I don’t see them landing Gasol, Nene or Chandler, who will all be back with the same teams this season, I believe.

19. Jay

    Who do you see the rockets realisticly signing when free agency starts

    • Bill Ingram

      Given their track record I could seem them signing a couple of point guards or power forwards from the D-League – you know, players they already have in abundance. Here’s hoping, though. My pick would be Nene, who can score in the paint as well as defend. Unlike Tyson Chandler, Nene plays well even in a non-contract year.

20. Angelo

    If the Heat amnesty Mike Miller should the Raptors agressively bid for his services? And with amnestied players does the team who wins the bid for them commit to their entire contract at whatever amount per year they have bid or just for the 1 season when the bid happens?

    • Bill Ingram

      If you bid for a player you are committing to pay that amount every year for the life of the contract. I’m not sold the HEAT will amnesty Miller, and if they do is really a good fit for Toronto? He’s going to miss the first part of the season with yet another injury . . .he’s not getting any younger or healthier. The Raptors are much more interested in Shane Battier.

21. Kevin in Tokyo

    Who would Memphis want in a S&T for Marc Gasol with Houston. Would Houston need to involve another team in order to return a center?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Grizzlies don’t want to trade him . . .they will offer him a max deal and from what we’re told now he will accept it.

22. Samy

    Can you please help understand why the Bulls have Caron Butler at the top of their list? Would they start both him and Deng at the 2 and 3.

    • Bill Ingram

      Sure – I was courtside in Dallas as the Mavs used Caron at the two last season. He slimmed down and really did a nice job at the two last season. He was fantastic on both ends of the floor, hence the Bulls’ interest in using him at the two. I think he would be a solid addition, assuming he can stay healthy. Their preference is to add Jamal Crawford, but Butler would be a good backup plan.

23. Galileo

    What’s stopping some teams in the NBA from going to the “rebuilding phase”? Why not blow up your roster and suck for 1-2 years? You could get Drummond, Davis or Barnes etc. So why arent Phoenix, Detroit even Denver doing that?

    • Bill Ingram

      It’s awfully hard to sell the fan base on an overt attempt to “suck” in order to get a higher draft pick. That said, the Suns have done just that, haven’t they? The only thing left to do is trade away Nash. Detroit is pretty much set to “suck,” as well. The Nuggets, though, have the cap space to get proven players and be a playoff team, which is almost always a better option that betting the future of the franchise on unproven talent.

24. Steven

    Which center do the Rockets have the best chance of obtaining…..Chandler, Gasol, Jordan, or Nene? Also, why have I not heard about the Rocket’s expressing interest in trading for Chris Kaman when the Clippers seem to prefer retaining Jordan as their starting center?

    • Bill Ingram

      In 13 seasons covering the NBA I have seen this scenario many times, and almost every single time the players go where they can get the most money. That means Gasol will be in Memphis and Nene will be in Denver. Jordan is restricted, and the Clippers definitely believe he’ll be their center of the future, though Jordan told me recently that he would love to be back in Houston. Next summer the Clippers will be able to give Jordan more money than anyone else. The cycle repeats. The question, then, is Chandler. He believes he’s a max player, something I simply don’t believe . . .and I have yet to speak with a GM who sees Chandler that way. Will Houston offer more than Dallas? History suggests that the Rockets would rather lose the player they need than overpay him, so Chandler seems unlikely, too. He will almost certainly be overpaid going forward.

25. marc

    i know the bulls need 2 but why does aaron afflalo work? he’s an improvement, he can shoot and defend but i keep hearing they need someone to create his own shot. also jrich. those guys cant create their own shot consistently..

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s why Jamal Crawford is their first choice, followed by Butler. What you’re hearing a list of all the available two-guards . . .and Bulls will add the best one they can add at the price they can afford.

26. KNICKS FAn

    what teams do you think would be willing to take on tony douglas contract?in return for a guard/wing

    jerome jordan is ready to come to the nba are the knicks looking to trade him also?

    • Bill Ingram

      His contract? By NBA standards he is practically free. $1.1 mill this season, team option for next, and restricted after that. The Knicks aren’t looking to move Douglas, especially after he played so well in Billups’ place last season.

27. devonte

    which of the following centers make for the best option for the knicks robin lopez, aaron gray or Alexis Ajinca?

    • Bill Ingram

      Interesting group of choices. I’ve seen Ajinca and he’s an intriguing player, and Lopez may have some upside. Still, Gray is the known, consistent commodity. There’s something to be said for predictability and consistency. Gray would be that choice.

28. Brian

    Rank these teams:
    Mia- Resign Chalmers, signs Dalembert, Eddie Curry,
    Chi-Signs Jason Richardson
    Bos- resigns Jeff Green, Delonte West, Big Baby, adds Kwame Brown
    Nyk- Adds Michael Redd, Krystic

    • Bill Ingram

      I have to go with Chicago. If they land J-Rich or Crawford (and stay healthy) they are in the NBA Finals.

29. Cain in New Zealand

    Who is the key player for the Pacers this season? Hibbert, Collison, Hill?

    • Bill Ingram

      Hill is clearly the key addition, and I think he will help Collison take the next step. It’s also vitally important for Hibbert to continue to evolve as a player. All of that said, the Pacers need a key addition to really make the leap. Hansbrough will be important and Granger has to really lead the team, but they need one more piece – Landry or Battier, perhaps – another key contributor to be more than a first round team.

30. Todd

    If you were Pat Riley, would you offer Joel Anthony for Greg Oden? Maybe throw Pittman in to sweeten the offer?

    • Bill Ingram

      Absolutely not. Never trade a guy who might give you 82 games for a guy who might give you 5.

31. rodney

    with paul stating he would accept a trade to either the Magic or the Clippers as a Magic fan of course it gives me a tiny bit of hope that the best point guard in the Nba would want to team up with the best Center in the Nba especially since the 2 of them spoke over the phone yesterday and are meeting with there gms of there respected teams today?

    • Bill Ingram

      You didn’t really ask a question . . .but my comment would be that the Magic don’t have the pieces to offer in trade, though CP3 and D12 would absolutely love to play together.

32. Brian

    what is your opinion on the nets off-season moves. im afraid they are going to way overpay for chandler or nene in order to appease d-will. both of them have been hurt constantly until last year and the nets already have a great center and humphries would be a good enough pf. they really need a star small forward but there are none available this offseason & i dont know what sf they could really trade for. i would hate to see them give a near max contract to nene who averages 14 & 7 & doesnt block shots. i think they should save the cap space for 2012 but i know they want & need to please d-will.

    • Bill Ingram

      I definitely think they need to please Deron, and you’re right – they might be the team that overpays Chandler. He might even be a good fit playing off of another elite point guard. There aren’t any big-time homeruns in this draft class once Nene and Gasol re-up with their teams, which is where Chandler is hoping to cash in.

33. Brendan

    Do you think DeAndre Jordan will maintain his production when he’s not in a contract year? I can see a team giving him a large contract to get him away from the clippers really regretting it in the long-term.

    • Bill Ingram

      He’s shown steady improvement year-over-year. I don’t think he’s the next Olajuwon, by any means, but he can be a top 10 center in a couple of seasons, I believe. The Rockets would certainly take that risk if the Clippers don’t show him the money.

34. Todd

    Would phoenix match if Miami offered Aaron Brooks the full MLE?

    Who has more leverage in sign and trades between players and teams? For example, Nene trying to force a sign and trade to Miami, and Denver knowing he could sign close to max $ w/ New Jersey/Indy if they don’t agree to do it.

    • Bill Ingram

      Remember that Brooks is committed to China until March . . .after that, I imagine the Suns will offer more than just the MLE to keep him. He would seem to be Nash’s eventual replacement.

35. Bugsy Mogues

    Bill, with a compressed season and an aging team, how important will Tony Parker be this season for the Spurs? Will he be asked to play more minutes and score more, or will he likely get rested like the old guys?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think Parker will be the workhorse, for sure. The Spurs have been his team for a couple of seasons, and that’s not going to change this year.

36. mykel switzerland

    Good morning Bill, with so much things unclear at the moment, whats your take on how things will play out for the Celtics? Are they goin 2 make a run after some big name players or do they stand pat for 1 more year? J-Smoove would be a nice fit, i also like OJ Mayo on the C’s roster, i think this could be finally his year depending where he ends up…

    • Bill Ingram

      The Celtics can’t afford to wait . . .this is it for KG and perhaps for Ray Allen, too. They own it to those guys to put a team around them that can help them make one more run. Easier said than done, but that’s the plan.

37. Bhagdeep

    Hey Bill
    What do you think about a trade of Amir Johnson and James Johnson to the Clippers for Chris Kaman? Raptors get the centre they need, and clippers get a good back up big man with amir and a SF in james johnson. Who says no?

    • Bill Ingram

      I think that in a league where good big men are so rare that Kaman will get you more than that package from Toronto. I’m not sold the Clippers would take on Amir’s contract, especially since it’s not a need they are looking to fill, specifically. James Johnson isn’t a bad option at the three, though the Clippers believe they will be able to get their SF of the future next summer. They own Minnesota’s first round pick, which is likely to be a very high pick if not a lottery pick.

38. CJ

    In terms of play style what does Rudy Gay add to the Griz in the starting five? I know they continue to say they won’t trade him, but it looks like having that glue guy at 3 helps them considerably.

    • Bill Ingram

      Rudy is one of the best small forward in the game, and had added some dimension to his game before getting hurt last season. He makes them a contender with Gasol down low and the rest of last year’s squad in tact minus battier. Gay is a glue guy, as well.

39. Mario

    Hey happy monday. Ok let get into it in your opinion who starts @ the 2 for the bulls. Also it looks as nene is going to be gone with that being said do you think denver would accept a asik charlotte pick or taj charlotte pick for afflalo I mean if nene leaves isn’t it about time to accept you’re pretty much in a rebuilding stage if he leaves. Thx bill

    • Bill Ingram

      Alright, everybody . . .last question. We had lots of repeated questions and/or themes today, so I tried to address each one once. If you don’t see the answer to your question, go back through and see if I answered it some where else. My money’s on Crawford . . .at least HE thinks he will be in Chicago. I also believe Nene and Afflalo will be in Denver’s starting lineup on opening night. Our next chat is this evening with Jason Fleming. Chats are filling up very quickly, so get your questions in now!

40. Nick

    Will Cavs trade ramon sessions or amnesty Baron Davis? What can get for him?

    • Bill Ingram

      Neither . . .not until they see if Irving is healthy and can play at the NBA level . . .

41. Mike Newlin

    Do you think that the Nets should give G. Oden a shot as a back up center? What do you think Oden is looking for $/Years?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’m not paying Oden until I see him play for the bulk of a season without suffering a major injury . . .

42. shawn

    if not cp3 for rondo how about deron williams for rondo that would included kris humphries with a sign and trade with bigbaby

    • Bill Ingram

      Deron would have to sign an extension first . . .and he wants to test free agency.

43. Allan

    I know Carter is almost done but where do you think he’ll land? He can still get 12-16ppg and shott the 3ball, terrible at defence but your not signing him to defend the best opposing player but to make baskets.