NBA Chat With Derek Page 1/19/13

1. michael

   Why did the warriors give curry an uninsured contract extention. he is good yeah but he is giving them the same crap again with his foot. if he gets to be damaged goods like stoudemire they will be stuck with him , just like with biedrins, jeffersons contract.

   • Derek Page

     That’s a good question but his talent is such that you want to lock a player like that down… Amare isn’t a good example though. He’s bounced back twice from major knee surgery to play quality basketball.

2. William

   Do you agree its time for hawks to move on without smith.

   9 Years is WAAAAAY to long !

   His game has never developed beyond a dunker:

   1. No real back to the basket game
   2. No real ability to take a defender of the dribble
   3. Average mid range game
   4. Jacking up 3′s has always been detrimental to the team because he’s not good at that either

   I commend Ferry for getting rid of that obnoxious Joe Johnson contract because that dude makes more than LBJ, Durant, Wade, CP3 and many others……that was ABSURD !!!

   Now, if Ferry can continue his work of cleansing this team, maybe they can start fresh. They will have a truck load of money to attract a true super-star caliber player.

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to my weekly chat everybody! The NBA season is in full swing and the trade deadline is about a month away so plenty of topics to get to in today’s chat. Let’s get started:

     I disagree and I can tell you the Hawks organization as a whole disagrees with that assessment as they’re basically building this thing around getting Josh Smith to re-up this summer. Smith is by no means a perfect player but his defense, rebounding ability and scoring are assets that every NBA team covets and that’s why he’ll get a max deal on the market. Now, keeping him around is going to be a bit tougher with everything that’s happened recently as Smith seems to be (once again) unsatisfied with Atlanta.

3. LA in LA

   This will be the Lakers 6th straight year without a 1st round pick (they drafted Toney Douglas a few years ago but traded him for cash immediately, so I don’t count that).

   Is that some type of record?

   • Derek Page

     Not that I’m aware of… A lot of teams that finish near the top of the standings every season tend to sacrifice draft picks and the future to try and win now. The Lakers have been no different.

4. Deven

   Derek, who are the Mavericks targeting at the trade deadline?

   • Derek Page

     I’d say Rudy Gay and Josh Smith have to be top options… although it’s tough to see the Mavs having the pieces to produce what it’s going to take to get either of those guys. Not likely to get talent like that in a pure salary-dump move. Tyreke Evans may be an options if the Kings decide they want to just rid themselves of his contract. That’s going to be difficult as well, however, pending the possible move to Seattle.

5. Julian

   Would a Rondo for Gortat,Dragic and picks work for the two teams or is Rondo to valuable?

   • Derek Page

     Rajon Rondo is too valuable in my opinion… Clearly one of the best point guards in the game and highly unlikely that Boston is listening to any offers, right now at least, for their young star.

6. colin

   i read your article about the allstar starters and saw the results of the voting. how in the world does asik, p.gasol, love(injured most of the year), ibaka, and gay get more votes than aldridge?!!!!

   • Derek Page

     That’s a good question. Hard to see why a 20 pt, 9 reb every night player doesn’t get more media attention but that’s the case with LaMarcus Aldridge.

7. Jim in CyberSpace

   I think it’s perfectly clear by now that KD is the reigning NBA “MR Clutch”?

   And then of course, there is his SideKick RW. Let’s cut to the chase. Who is the second most Athletic player in the NBA after Russell. And Russell hasn’t ever missed a game. It doesn’t seem fair.

   • Derek Page

     Career-high 52 points to go along with numerous clutch last night says it all. Let’s hold off on regarding Kevin Durant as “Mr Clutch” until he wins a championship though…

8. dennis

   What would it take for the bobcats to get rudy gay?
   Is their 1st round pick in 2013 eligible to be traded (because of the chicago trade)?
   Would a package of henderson and this pick be enough?
   Or maybe this rumor is just spreading intentionally (like the one that had dudley and beasly going to memphis) just to make other lottery teams intrested in Gay?

   • Derek Page

     I think that sounds feasible. I’ve heard the Grizzlies want the moon for Rudy Gay though so not sure exactly how much it’s going to take but it will have to be a substantial offer. Memphis will likely be more desperate as Feb. 21 gets closer and closer so we’ll see.

9. Roon

   Recently there have been rumors that the Bobcats could be a contender in a trade for Rudy Gay. I don’t like the idea as the move would strangle Charlotte’s attractive cap situation over the next couple of years. However, could the Cats be a 3rd team involved? Maybe something like this:

   To Boston:
   Rudy Gay

   To Memphis:
   Paul Pierce
   Gerald Henderson
   Desagna Diop

   To Charlotte:
   Courtney Lee
   Memphis 1st Round Pick

   What do you think?

   • Derek Page

     Salaries would have to add up but still not sure on this one. Would Henderson and Pierce play together in the starting lineup? Not sure Memphis would be into this deal.

10. Shawn

    Would the Sixers give up their #11 pick for Dejuan Blair and the Spurs late first round pick?
    Spurs need to move up in the draft to get a young big with length to groom for our post Tim future. Sixers need rebounding and ate so young that they don’t seem to need a project player if they want to compete in East now. Seems like a win – win…

    • Derek Page

      That’s a lot to give up for a guy averaging less than 14 minutes a night.

11. justin

    Who do you think Utah will trade for? Lowery, Calderon, Bledsoe, or Jennings. I personally hope Lowery. What do you think

    • Derek Page

      Definitely need a legit pg… Of that bunch I like Eric Bledsoe but the Clippers are playing so well with him being a key member of the bench that they won’t be likely to deal. Jose Calderon could seemingly be had for the right price though.

12. justin

    Utah trades Millsap, Burks, G.S. pick for Lowery, Barngani

    • Derek Page

      Interesting idea. I’d buy it but Paul Millsap would have to re-up in Toronto which doesn’t seem likely…

13. Auz

    Most people think im on crack with this idea but could the raps get Beasley and frye for Bargs or Beasley for Fields and a 2nd rounder. Everyone tells me that Beasley is a cancer but I still see all that untapped talent (and seeing JR smith mature gives me hope) If you were the Suns or Raps would either of these 2 trades make sense?

    • Derek Page

      Landry Fields has a bloated contract that no one really wants any part of right now.

14. BlazerFan

    What are the chances that Pekovic is in a BLazer uniform next season?
    Thanks

    • Derek Page

      He’s got a Qualifying Offer for just over $6 mill this summer so Minnesota will have a chance to match. No doubt Pek is going to command lots of money on the open market and Portland did try to acquire Roy Hibbert for the max this past summer so there’s definitely a chance.

15. Deven

    Why are the Rockets all of a sudden struggling? Are they being outmatched, outplayed, or a combination of both?

    • Derek Page

      Their defense is atrocious and their offense is based upon consistently hitting their 3-pointers, which hasn’t been happening lately. Houston also relies a lot on their backcourt of Jeremy Lin and James Harden so when they’re out of the game, the Rockets tend to struggle.

16. Aleks

    Any credible buzz around the league about J-Smoove being traded and what are the landing spots? Thanks!

    • Derek Page

      Nothing credible so far but it’s clear that, right now at least, Josh Smith wants out. Atlanta will have to decide how serious Smith is and whether or not they can keep him this summer or risk losing him for nothing.

17. JBP

    Which teams do you think will take the 7th and 8th spots in the Western Conference at the end of the regular season?

    • Derek Page

      That’s an extremely difficult question to answer with the sheer amount of quality basketball teams in the West but I’ll take Golden State and the Lakers 7 and 8. If Steph Curry injuries mount, Warriors will slip in the standings. Maybe not missing the playoffs but there will be slippage and the Lakers still haven’t played their best basketball this year.

18. May

    Do you see any clear end to Rondo trade talks and rumors. The guy leads the league in assists, has more double doubles than any guard, is top 5 in fg%, and top 10 in steals. He is rare pass first throw back and almost led the Cs to Finals last year. All of this talk of inconsistencies, bad attitude, yeah buts.., and trade talks are exasperating. Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel with regard to this?

    • Derek Page

      Not sure why Boston would pull the trigger but you never know with Danny Ainge running the show. Lots of injuries for the C’s early on as well so I’ll think this vet-laden team will finish the season a lot better than they’ve starter and be ready to go come playoff time.

19. Jr Garza

    What do you see Cuban pulling off at the trade deadline Derek?? He has big talk with his “Bank of Cuban” comment…… but will he back it up

    • Derek Page

      He’s definitely going to be active, that’s for sure. Those words certainly spark the Mavs nice run as of late… Don’t expect Cuban to make a trade out of desperation just to make one though. Would have to be a “win” deal for Dallas as Cubes characterizes it.

20. James L

    Which of these frontcourt players are likely not to make the West All Star team? David Lee, Duncan, Aldridge, Z-Bo, Ibaka, Marc Gasol, and Al Jefferson

    • Derek Page

      Randolph, Ibaka, Marc Gasol, Jefferson. I’d take LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan and David Lee.

21. JBP

    JJ Hickson, stay with Blazers or new team next season?

    • Derek Page

      Portland will be active in free agency but Hickson has been a double-double machine this season so I don’t see why they wouldn’t at least give him a look.

22. Robert

    Who do you think the Miami Heat are going to sign or get on a trade to help with the boards??

    • Derek Page

      Kenyon Martin would be an excellent fit…

23. Wildman

    Coors lite or Miller lite?

    Are the Suns buyers or sellers as they hit the floor of the West?

    • Derek Page

      Miller Lite all day but I’m not that into either, or bud light for that matter… Sellers. Definitely. That team is a mess.

24. Sean

    What is OJ Mayo’s value heading into next season? It seems like he had played his way into a nice contract early in the season, but it feels like he’s cooling down quite a but. How much interest do you see for him?

    • Derek Page

      Judging by the multitude of max-deals thrown around last summer, I wouldn’t be shocked if the 25-year old Mayo got paid very handsomely this summer. Owners go crazy overvaluing players in July.

25. Marcus

    Morey has made moves every year at the deadline since becoming the Rockets GM…do you think he’ll pull the trigger on Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap or Marcin Gortat?

    • Derek Page

      Not much to offer on the Rockets roster though aside from James Harden and that’s not happening. Maybe a deal for a lower key guy is in the works but I don’t see Houston as having the pieces to do a mega-deal without shipping off their best and most valuable player.

26. Matt

    Will the Lakers make the playoffs with the current team or do they need to make a trade?

    • Derek Page

      I think LA can make the playoffs with the current mix. All about gaining cohesion and this season is far from over.

27. steppx

    if gortat is moved, what is he worth? say charlotte wanted him…do they give both their first round picks and henderson? Is that in the ballpark?

    • Derek Page

      I’d say that would have to be the ballpark… Talented bigs like Gortat don’t exactly grow on trees.

28. andrew

    Lou Williams apparently tore his ACL. What players on ATL do you think will step up most?

    • Derek Page

      Devin Harris in the starting lineup and likely rookie John Jenkins off the bench.

      Thanks for the time again everybody, I apologize to those I missed. Shoot me your questions on Twitter or join me again next week – same time, same place. You guys have a restful weekend and be safe.