NBA Chat with Bill Ingram 7/30/12

Catch up on the latest news, rumors and predictions with HOOPSWORLD’s Bill Ingram every Monday at 11:00 AM Eastern.

Bill covers the entire NBA and is based in Dallas, Texas. He has been an NBA analyst since 1998, when he and Steve Kyler founded HOOPSWORLD. He can be heard on radio stations across the country and his work has also appeared in USA Today.

You can follow Bill on Twitter by linking here: @TheRocketGuy.

  1. Jim in CyberSpace

    Will Mo Cheeks ever get a HC’ing job again? He’s normally not in the conversation? The new GM at Orlando didn’t have him on his short list it seems, even though they knew each other pretty well for a few years at OKC.

    There must be some sort of “word” around the league? Is he a career Assistant at this point?

    • Bill Ingram

      Yeah, Mo Cheeks isn’t getting any play at all as a head coaching candidate, even in places where the names being considered aren’t overly exciting. Cheeks is fairly old school, which probably has something to do with it.

  2. Matt (UK)

    Nuggets fans are filling up message boards with hopes of pending trade where they trade away some of their depth and young assets to land a star player (eg Kevin Love, Iggy etc). Would you say this is very likely and when was the last time a team was able to pull off such a trade when they weren’t a big market team?

    • Bill Ingram

      If hopes were horses, beggars would ride – as my mom was fond of saying when I was a kid. That doesn’t seem to be consistent with what George Karl has told us repeatedly, which is that he likes the pieces they have and thinks they can build into something special. I can tell you you’re not getting Kevin Love out of Minnesota and the Sixers are saying they are once again OUT of the Iguodala trade market. Rudy Gay might be a possibility, as the Nuggets are interested in moving Wilson Chandler, but I don’t know that anything is imminent.

  3. Roon

    Is there any possible way that Jordan and Cho can recruit Chris Paul to come to Charlotte as a free agent next offseason? They will have the cap to easily throw a max deal in Paul’s direction and there is no denying Paul’s admiration of Jordan. I think the Bobcats will vastly improve their franchise under Rich Cho’s leadership but I feel we need that floor general for us to really take that substantial step forward. Is this just wishful thinking?

    • Bill Ingram

      Absolutely not. Max deal or not, Chris is a big market player, and he will likely either be in LA or possibly in Dallas, if the Mavericks can find a way to lure Dwight Howard to town. Chris is actively recruiting players to the Clippers, both this summer and next, so it seems very likely he remains a Clipper.

  4. LA in LA

    Do you believe this tweet:
    “• While the Magic will attempt to move Howard before the season starts, some sources say that the team may wait until the February trade deadline to move the All-Star center. A deal halfway through the season would probably net Orlando a lesser package than it would receive now, but more trade partners may come to fruition and provide the Magic with a variety of options.”
    Why does it matter if more trade partners come to fruition if D12 won’t sign with those teams?

    • Bill Ingram

      It’s all about what Orlando can get . . .they could care less if he wants to play somewhere or not. If a team is willing to make that gamble, Orlando will allow them to do so.

  5. Andy

    Who are some of the legitimate backup gaurds the Lakers can go for once the Howard drama is settled? Do you see any of them that are showing interest in signing with LA ? Anyone else on the Lakers radar?

    • Bill Ingram

      Good Morning, everyone, and welcome to the chat! Andy, from what we’re hearing, the Lakers could target Jodie Meeks from the Sixers, and failing that they could go after Leandro Barbosa. Of course, that’s assuming we don’t wind with up with a trade that lands Jason Richardson in LA with Dwight Howard, which seems likely.

  6. Will

    You still think Dwight lands in Houston before the season?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s possible. I continue to believe that the Lakers will wind up with Dwight, while Houston winds up with Andrew Bynum. That would be better for the Rockets, as Bynum might re-sign with the team, while Dwight is saying he wouldn’t re-sign in Houston.

  7. Peter Esche

    I don’t know why Cleveland thinks they can get Bynum for Varejao, low 1st round picks and expiring contracts, but I think this deal works for everyone if they included a young talent. Waiters can be replaced with Thompson in my opinion due to Orlando already having drafted Nicholson. Thoughts?

    http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d9o6c5c

    • Bill Ingram

      Everything we’re hearing points to the Cavaliers no longer being involved in these talks. Things change constantly, of course, but as of this moment, don’t expect to see Cleveland involved in that deal.

  8. Chris

    Time to trade Dwight Howard already. What’s the best the Magic can do at this point, given their declining leverage? Do you think something like this is realistic in early August when Houston’s rookie deals are eligible to be traded?

    ORL receives: C. Parsons, J. Lamb, D. Montiejunas (or some combination of 2 of their 4 rookies), Toronto’s 2013 1st round pick, 1-2 other draft picks, + expiring deals to make $$$ work (K. Martin, J. McRoberts, other small HOU contracts)

    HOU receives: A. Bynum, S. Blake, Q. Richardson

    LAL receive: D. Howard, J. Richardson, C. Duhon

    • Bill Ingram

      I suppose the Rockets would send out all of that talent for Bynum if they were desperate, but Blake and Q Rich are hardly appetizing additions.

  9. madbopper

    Lin over Dragic ? is that just chinese merchandise sales winning over basketball reasons? i cant see any level on which Lin is better than dragic and the ROX let Goran walk?

    • Bill Ingram

      The Rockets didn’t want to pay Dragic, which is why he walked. Of course, he signed a four-year $34 million deal in Phoenix, leaving Houston to pay Jeremy Lin about $24 over three years. Dragic would have taken that deal, and yes, Dragic is the better player.

  10. madbopper

    curious how Houston have spun the Lin signing to local fans after letting Dragic walk for nothing and sending Lowry to the Raps? why not pay Dragic?

    • Bill Ingram

      Marketing is a powerful tool . . .you’d be surprised what people will buy . . .I like Lin, but he’s the third-best point guard in a list that has Lowry and Dragic in it.

  11. Deven

    Do you really believe Dwight will be traded by end of week as reported by FOX Sports Ohio?

    • Bill Ingram

      I believe someone in Dwight’s circle is telling them that because Dwight wants to be somewhere else.

  12. Rockets fan

    Hi Bill. It’s obvious that the Rockets are not giving up youg talents/draft picks/ and take on bad contracts for DH12, if they would, then he would already be a Rockets. Do you know what kind of offer they have made? also, I heard that the Rockets have no chance of getting DH12,is that true?

    • Bill Ingram

      That’s just it. Morey is not going to give up a ton of talent to rent Dwight for a year. He’ll give up some talent and picks, but as you say, if the best pieces were on the table the deal would have already happened. The Rockets have a chance of getting Dwight, they just have little chance of re-signing him. I would say “no” chance, but who can say with Dwight? He says one thing today and another thing tomorrow.

  13. Zeeshan

    On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that the Bulls amnesty Boozer next offseason with such a good FA class?

    • Bill Ingram

      Seems very likely. Very, very likely, in fact.

  14. Gustavo A Thomas

    After summer league tour.give me 5 NBA players from 2012 draft you can pick Higher and 5 you can pick Lower, if you have the oportunity right now. Thank you.

    • Bill Ingram

      I don’t put that much stock in summer league games. They play 5 games in 7 or 8 days and have little time to practice beyond running some scrimmages. The best players in SL play were the guys with previous NBA experience. I could say that Dion Waiters looks like a bust after he averaged 12.3 points and shot 30% from the field for Cleveland, but it’s way too early to make a call like that. I could also say Damien Lillard looks like the next Russell Westbrook or Derrick Rose, but also way too early to go there.

  15. Christian Frank

    In your opinion; which player, drafted recently, has been the biggest disappointment as far as a player that you personally had high expectations for? Also, is there a player on your radar that you think is going to have a surprise breakout season?

    • Bill Ingram

      A couple of names that jump off my keyboard – I think Michael Beasley has a breakout season in Phoenix, where the up-tempo style and relaxed defensive stress will play into his strengths. Gentry is also a players’ coach, which is what Beasley needs. I might also put Paul George on that list. Wesley Johnson is a player I thought would be a legitimate starting three in Minny, but he has been disappointing so far. Maybe the change of scenery will help him, too.

  16. Gustavo A Thomas

    On NBA world,only the fans know about loyalty,every year players,coach and gms take their talents to south beach,Lakerland,NY or any place looking for greener pastures,but time coming when fans doing the same thing,waitintg every year to see what team coming better,and root for that team.like that you feel so many pain like me for CH bulls team right now.what you think?

    • Bill Ingram

      I do think the fact that players now change teams so many times – with a few exceptions – erodes fan loyalty to the home team. Fans pay to see the players, not the teams. It’s a far cry from the NBA I grew up watching, where year after year playing the Jazz meant Malone and Stockton were coming to town. Nowadays it seems even the home fans have to look up the rosters regularly.

  17. Wil

    Hi Bill, I think we the fans assume the GMs only job is managing the draft, signings, and trades; but if that is the case, then half the GMs are not making the grade (Kahn, Dumars, and Petrie in particular do not rate well, and Smith was removed two years too late). From your experience, is there something we the fans are missing that goes into their hiring and tenure that we don’t’ see on the court? Has anyone studied the nature of the job, the value added benefit of a GM, and characteristics to hiring/tenure as a GM vs. characteristics that make a GM successful (either in terms of winning or profit), and my guess is the lists are not the same.

    • Bill Ingram

      Honestly, I don’t know how GMs keep up with everything they have to keep track of. It’s not just those things you mentioned, but also scouting all over the world, managing the entire staff of a team, and an endless stream of bureaucracy and paperwork. I was just talking to a former GM who said his first month away from the job was all about meeting his family again for the first time. Not an easy job at all.

  18. chopstix on my adobo

    Yo bill i gave u props before for having the best chats here in ky own opinion ,u make people feel we belong . Thanks. Anyway please let us know when chats wont be on schedule cause fanatics like me feel disappointed at times. To my question, when will the top free agents left be signed?? And will we see top teams getting them or weak teams over paying? Thanks bro!

    • Bill Ingram

      Thanks! Much appreciated! Chats sometimes get cancelled at the last minute, like last week Alex Kennedy got sick and couldn’t do his at the last minute. We try to keep everyone updated in the AM, @2 and PM, so keep an eye there. As to your question, I think a lot of teams are waiting to see what shakes loose from the Dwight trade. Houston has a ton of assets they’re looking to move, and right now they are waiting to see what happens with Dwight. That’s a huge domino that will impact a number of teams.

  19. kalesa sa intramuros

    Bill in your educated guess when can asia really be involve in the nba? Philippines,China ,japan and all of asia loves basketball. Maybe in 7 years will scouts fly to asia to check games and bring players in the US?!

    • Bill Ingram

      Scouts are already very much paying attention to the CBA. VERY much!

  20. Chad

    Bill, could you please take a crack at this hypothetical for me? We grab a time machine and go to 2004. We then grab Shaq, Sheed, KG, Duncan, Pierce, Artest, Ray Allen, Kobe, J-Kidd, Chauncey, Bruce Bowen, and baby LeBron.

    No way KG and Sheed are backing down from Barkley and Malone. Shaq and Duncan can handle Ewing and Robinson. Artest, Kobe, and Bowen can take turns doing their best to shut down MJ and Pippen.

    Would they stand a chance?

    • Bill Ingram

      I’d go to battle with that team in ANY era, assuming they all got along. :)

  21. Naj

    I’m just curious, what is the flow or process in paying the salary of the players? Upon signing of contract they will have half of the payment already?

    • Bill Ingram

      There are some options. . .players can get a lump sum or spread it out in various ways. I think most choose to spread it out in 12 equal payments. I know many do.

  22. Roger

    If the Lakers win the title against the Heat, could that solidify Kobe as the generations best player? Explain why or why not please.

    • Bill Ingram

      That generation’s best players are Duncan and Kobe. Shaq is in the discussion, as well as a few others, but the guys with the most hardware get that distinction in my book. Duncan is arguably the best PF to ever play the game, while Kobe is looking to get into the discussion with MJ at the 2-guard spot. If Kobe gets one more ring he might be ahead of Timmy D.

  23. Kevin

    Hi, I’m not a GM, so I’m having a hard time understanding what Orlando is doing! I know they want to wait for the best deal. With Rockets and Cavs having great picks coming up and cap, maybe they’ll get desperate enough to say we’ll do anything! But why would Houston give up a ton of resources to rent Howard for a season (or half a season after rehab). Houston won’t be able to build a team quickly enough to win a title for Howard and he won’t sign! The Cavs need Bynum. With the Nets out, the Lakers are the only real choice (because their arrogant enough to say, “To know us, is to love us”) and they’ll take Howard without commitment. This is not like the Melo situation! Melo wanted the Knicks, the Knicks had resources and they sucked (still do)! The Lakers have a solid team and won’t destroy it to get Howard! So where is this great deal coming from, if Howards not committing to nothing?

    • Bill Ingram

      Houston sees it as their only way to land a superstar, since they haven’t been able to get anyone to sign there. Even at that, the Rockets aren’t putting their absolute best offer on the table for a player who won’t stay.

  24. Dieslow2

    1) Is Machado a must sign for the Rockets?
    2) Did Phoenix get away with a steal from the Rockets? Dragic, Scola(after his solid play in the first round)

    • Bill Ingram

      See, if the Rockets keep Machado, who looked good in summer league play, they don’t need Steve Blake. It also remains to be seen whether we’re talking about a youth movement in Houston or a playoff team build around Bynum or Howard. And yes, Happy Birthday, Suns.

  25. Ciaran Floyd

    A few weeks back I asked you for advice on my sore back, I accepted that you advised me to go to the doctors, they treated me for a weak backbone. Im now out for a 2 games, but i missed my final. Cheers bill, i would have rather have played that final with blissful ignorance and never played again after. Its all your fault

  26. DrSubZero

    Gm Bill…..I think I’ll be content on them not getting DH12, which I really dont want them to gut the team just to rent him. Do you think that the Rox are done dealing, not counting with DH12 and Bynum?

    • Bill Ingram

      If they miss out on Dwight, the Rockets have to do something to clear out their roster. Expect them to be active in other talks, possibly including Rudy Gay and the Grizzlies.

  27. Larry

    Chances the trail blazers make the playoffs next season?

    • Bill Ingram

      Slim. Not because they didn’t draft well and don’t have a bright future, but they are unlikely to win a large number of games with rookies starting at PG and center. Even if they land Przybilla, they are short of the massive pack of teams that will be in the 6-12 region of the Western Conference.

  28. Brian

    Good morning, Bill.

    Any whispers around the league on the Wolves roster? I mean, not since the Celtics of the old days have we seen a roster this white. While I am not suggesting racism, it seems a bit odd to me. Regardless of race, do you think they can compete for a championship? It seems Kahn has sold the farm on these guys and I don’t see it being enough to get us there, unless of course, playoffs is all they are hoping for?
    Also, how about a Barea for Mayo swap? Does Cuban miss Barea? That move would make me happy.

    Thanks!

    • Bill Ingram

      For the Mavs it’s all about 1-year deals, and Mayo was shockingly ready to take one. The Wolves were very much after Mayo and Lee, so I wouldn’t read to much into skin color. AK47 is a massive upgrade over Wes Johnson, and it’s as simple as that. I do think the Wolves will be in that pack of teams looking for the 6-8 seeds in the West.

  29. Rick

    David Stern cannot be not serious about the 23 year old Olympic age limit. Not in a hundred years will the World Cup of Basketball garner as much attention as Olympic basketball. I am no math genius but in my opinion it is pretty hard to make money off something nobody cares about. Just look at NFL Europe. Please tell me you agree.

    • Bill Ingram

      I do agree . . .Team USA should be elite USA basketball players, regardless of age.

  30. mike b

    If the Rockets decide to take their lumps this year and let their young guys develop, could they end up with enough space to sign two max (or close to max) guys? Maybe trade Moris and/or Patterson at the deadline to clear a little more space? I know it’s a little far fetched, but Harden and Bynum would look good in Red.

  31. mario

    What’s up bill it seems the bulls are taking a step back for a little bit to be major players in the free agency of 2014 who realistically do you think they will target and do they have a good chance of getting that target or targets and one more thing what should they do for plan b if they strike out again because I think thats what happened with boozer the year he came.

    • Bill Ingram

      Well, what if Rose comes back in January, gets back to MVP form by February, and they advance to the NBA Finals and win a title? I think continuity is at much as play as anything else in Chicago. Don’t mess with something that was so good when everyone was healthy.

  32. TXWizard

    Can Wizards make a legit run at playoffs this coming season?

    • Bill Ingram

      I have a really, really, REALLY hard time seeing that . . .

  33. lakers is the game

    hello bill how are you? who is the free agent that lakers can sign? i want brandon rush and barbosa to go to lakers, so who you think will lakers sign freee agent before the season start?

    • Bill Ingram

      Rush told us he hadn’t talked to the Lakers, and the Warriors are fairly set on matching any offer he gets, so Barbosa is more likely.

  34. JC

    Of the four rookies that Houston will play this year assuming no trade, who will have the most immediate impact and who would you be least willing to trade regardless of the player returning?

    • Bill Ingram

      Motiejunas is the most likely player to get major minutes and have a significant impact, I believe. He’s also the one I would be least willing to move. Lamb is less likely to be traded in light of Kevin Martin’s ending deal, but I also think if Lamb is the piece that gets a Bynum/Dwight deal done, he’ll be gone.

  35. Saulo

    Hey Bill, what did you think of AK47 and Shved? I think Shved might even start at PG while Rubio is out and then transition into the starting 2-guard slot (I think BRoy will be finishing games but not starting most).. What do you think of the wolves’ moves so far?

    • Bill Ingram

      Exactly . . .Roy can’t be the starter if the Wolves want him to be a part of the team for long. I like both of those pick-ups for Minny.

  36. Murad Houry

    I heard rumors that Kevin Martin is unhappy in Houston and he might not re-sign long term after the season’s over. Any chance that the Rockets trade him (to a team other than Orlando)?

    • Bill Ingram

      Kevin Martin wants no part of Houston going forward. I think they keep him until the deadline and trade him as a $12.4 million expiring deal.

  37. shawn

    Do u see this season being much more balanced in terms of wins and losses seeing how many teams upgraded this season? And what teams do u see going over 60 wins?

    • Bill Ingram

      Hard to see a Western team winning 60, just because the conference is so deep and talented. Maybe the Heat can win 60? Maybe Boston? Less likely, Brooklyn? Even in the East, that’s a tall order.

  38. Charlie

    The Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors finished last season with an identical record. To settle the draft order, a coin flip took place which GS won, placing them #7 and Toronto #8. With both teams selecting a SF, how much impact did that coin flip have on the Raps future: Terrance Ross vs. Harrison Barnes?

    • Bill Ingram

      Depends on which player winds up being the better player. If Barnes blows up and Ross struggles, that’s a pretty big coin flip.

  39. Jason M.

    Does Dominique Jones actually have a chance to be in the Mavs rotation this season or is the cupboard too full at the guard spot?

    • Bill Ingram

      It’s interesting that they were running him at point some during summer league. With Rick Carlisle you just never know. Beaubois is in the same boat. I think the vets – Collison, Mayo, West, etc – get the lion’s share of the minutes.

  40. Blake

    It sounds like Jimmer is on the block, are there even any suitors?

    • Bill Ingram

      I haven’t heard a single rumor linking him to anyone . . .

  41. TNT

    Where will Carlos Delfino land?

    • Bill Ingram

      I know the Celtics were interested earlier in the month . . .

  42. Sam

    Hey Bill, was wondering why the Nets packagage is so unappealing, but the Rockets/Lakers/Cavs is. Nets are willing to take on Davis, richardson, duhon, clark, and possibly Hedo. Theyre willing to give up 6 picks, granted they wont be high. And they could give up Lopez who is one year removed from 20 ppg. The rockets deal with their mid level talent, is clearly not that impressive, or else the magic wouldve made the deal already

    • Bill Ingram

      Don’t underestimate the way Dwight has behaved and the fact that Brooklyn is his top choice . . .also, Lopez can’t be traded until December now.

  43. Melvin

    Could you see the Blazers and OKC swapping Ibaka and Harden for Aldridge and maybe Matthews if the salary differences could be ironed out.