NBA Chat With Derek Page 12/29/12

Covering all things NBA from the city of Dallas, join HOOPSWORLD NBA Writer Derek Page for his weekly chat this Saturday at 6:00 pm EST. Shoot your questions in now.

  1. Bryan

    Do you see anyway the Mavs trade for cousins? We’re loaded with one year deals and cap space to help the money strapped Kings take some long term contracts off their books

    • Derek Page

      Thanks for stopping by for my weekly chat guys. Busy day today so let’s get this thing started.

      There’s certainly avenues to that end, as Dallas has plenty of ending contracts to provide cap savings along with some decent young talent. However, Sacramento is not going to part with DeMarcus Cousins. Too young, too talented to give up this early.

  2. Lakerfannnn

    Two questions:
    1. Why isnt dantoni playong antawn jamison?
    2. Do you see him back in the rotation soon?

    • Derek Page

      If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Lakers are playing pretty well right now and it’s clear that coach Mike D’Antoni recognizes that and is going with the hot hand – which is Pau Gasol who looks like he’s back in the groove… DNP Coaches Decision’s do seem a bit excessive though, especially after D’Antoni relied on him so heavily just a month ago.

  3. JDC

    D.Cousins for Varejao and 1 pick? Your thoughts

    • Derek Page

      Seems like an interesting idea, and that’s actually decent value for a talent like Cousins. Anderson Varejao’s injury history could scare Sacramento away, but that likely high lottery pick would be enticing…

  4. Deven

    What did we learn about that Knicks-Kings game last night?

    • Derek Page

      We learned how resilient this Knicks team can be even without it’s MVP candidate in Carmelo Anthony.

  5. Deven

    Dirk doesn’t look like the Dirk of old since returning. How many games will it take for him to getting back to the player he was once before?

    • Derek Page

      That’s a difficult question to answer. While Nowitzki has looked like a shell of his former All Star self, it’s hard not to see one of the greatest players in NBA history not getting his groove back. He’s certainly shown flashes, and I believe that gaining strength in that right knee – along with NBA-level conditioning along the way – is going to go a long way in how the Mavs end up this season.

  6. Sam S.

    Happy holidays, Derek. Seeing as how Toronto is playing better basketball, what are the chances of Bargnani being traded? And why would Detroit be interested in Mount Saint DeMarcus, when they’ve got two young bigs in Monroe and Drummond? If I were Petrie, I’d jump as quickly as I could if I could get those guys for the Ready to Erupt Volcano.

    • Derek Page

      Happy holidays to you as well Sam. It’s an interesting dilemma for the Raptors. While you never want to sell low on a player, Toronto has played pretty well with Bargnani looking on in street clothes… While it’s not a likely possibility, there’s no doubt Cousins would be an upgrade in Detroit.

  7. sean

    rip for ezeli and jenkins
    rip for neal and blair

    who says no in each case?
    which is the real trade value of hamilton?

    • Derek Page

      Neither of those trades are realistic possibilities. At this point in his career, while Rip Hamilton is still a solid piece, he’s not exactly a trade draw.

  8. Massey

    What could the Celtics get in return for a package involving lee bass melo and maybe a pick?

    • Derek Page

      That’s a pretty open-ended questions Massey… I think that could return decent value. Maybe not a current All-Star but certainly a solid group of players.

  9. CDP

    What are your thoughts on Chris Kamen re signing next year?

    • Derek Page

      I think there’s a decent shot… especially considering there’s little chance prized free agent Dwight Howard packs his bags and heads for Big D this summer.

  10. PDC

    Westbrook has been struggling a lot this season, what are your thoughts on why he is, and what he can do to improve?

    • Derek Page

      Russell Westbrook is still an elite-level point guard but he goes through fazes like this. OKC hopes this is just an early season aberration and not a sign of troubles to come and I tend to agree with that.

      Thanks for the time everybody. I won’t be moving again this time next week so let’s do this again next Saturday back at the regular time of 5 pm ET. Have a good weekend friends and be safe out there.