NBA Chat With Derek Page 1/26/13

1. rodney

   hay derek what do you think of this

   tradehttp://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=a5arqar

   magic get Rando,Gay and Randolph

   boston gets JJ Harkless and Ayon with perhaps a few of the laker first round picks from the howard trade

   memphis gets Affalo and big baby

   altho the magic are left with no sg they can use there 4 mil exception to get a sg and have d jones as there backup

   boston altho they lose Rondo(who perhaps could be one of the players that Doc Rivers exploded the other night about) they gain financial (expiring of jj and ayon) flexability and a proven scorer in jj, a player for Paul to mentor in Harkless, and a player for garnett to mentor in Ayon

   memphis rids themself of gay and gives us z randolph for the trade exception aquiring a large exception to use and getting 2 players in Afflalo and big baby to stay competative with better financial fleability

   your thoughts

   • Derek Page

     Another Saturday is upon us friends which means it’s time for another edition of my weekly chat! I’m ready to roll so let’s get down to business:

     That’s an awful trade for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo is one of the best players in basketball. No way that happens.

2. Robert

   Andrea Bargnani for Ben Gordon and Detroits first rounder owed to Charlotte. Deal?

   • Derek Page

     I think Charlotte would jump all over that… Toronto likely not as willing though.

3. Prismelk

   These should have been the line-up for both All-Star teams.

   WEST::
   FC: Duncan — Aldridge
   FC: Randolph — Griffin
   FC: Durant — Lee
   G: Westbrook — Bryant — Harden
   G: Paul — Parker — Curry

   (Stats-wise, D12 deserves the spot, but the Lakers are not winning and he is a good reason to it. It’s not just his year. Kobe deserves to start but I think Rusty deserves it better, because RW is winning and his team is sitting at the top.)

   EAST::
   FC: Chandler — Lopez
   FC: Anthony — Noah
   FC: James — Bosh
   G: Wade — George — Smith
   G: Rondo — Jennings — Williams

   (Jrue and Kyrie are on a below .500 team. Garnett is not having an all-star year. It’s not that tough to snub Luol.)

   I believe All-Star players should be winning, right?!

   Your thoughts, please?! Thanks!

   • Derek Page

     That’s tough to take a player like Dwight Howard – who’s averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks a game – out of a game that’s all about showcasing that kind of spectacle.
     In terms of the East, Kyrie Irving is one of the most exciting players in basketball and Jrue Holiday has been outstanding for Philadelphia so they’ve got to be on the team. I understand that a winning record should be some type of barometer but those two guys have been outstanding.

4. Wesley

   Whatcha think?
   Asik, Marcus Morris, Delfino, and Tony Douglas for Dwight, Jamison, and Ebanks (Proposed trade idea on ESPN article).
   Then….
   Sign Josh Smith in the offseason?
   Is it possible financially or realistically?

   • Derek Page

     That’s not enough for Dwight Howard… even with the cap relief, I don’t see it. LA would have to be certain D12 walks this offseason in order to trade him.

5. Eman

   Whats up Derek, I’m going to first say, the “Real Laker fans” be patient and stay by your team. There nothing winning can’t fix. With that being said,my question is are their any particular player trades that can improve the Lakers to make a push through the playoffs? Maybe trade for a Al Harrington, Jarret Jack, or just pick Kenyon Martin?

   • Derek Page

     We’re on the same page, Eman, but much can change by the trade deadline – now less than a month away. This Lakers team is still trying to develop chemistry and gain cohesion. It’s easy to forget that virtually all of these guys – aside from Kobe – have been in and out of the lineup.

6. Arky

   Hey Derek,
   The conventional wisdom is the Kings don’t make a trade deadline move because you want to minimize risk while the sale talks are ongoing. But isn’t it actually riskier for them to be put in the position of either paying big money to keep Tyreke Evans at the end of the season or letting him go for nothing? With the blessing of the Hansen group, wouldn’t the safe move be to trade Tyreke (preferably dumping a salary like Garcia as well) for a known quantity with a set contract?

   • Derek Page

     I think a trade is inevitable for the future Seattle Supersonics. There’s simply too many ill-fitting pieces on this Kings squad and it shows on a nightly basis. Unfortunately, formulating trades and coming to those agreements are – as you mentioned – on the back-burner right now with the sale of this team at the top of the agenda. A trade for the Kings is certainly needed but not very likely at this stage.

7. Arky

   Hi Derek!
   If you’re Atlanta and rightly feel that either Josh Smith won’t stay or that you don’t want to give him the max (and fair enough), would you try and do a 3-way trade that brings you Al Jefferson’s expiring in exchange for Josh Smith’s expiring? (I say 3-way because Utah don’t need Smith either, so the trade needs someone who will take Smith and can give Utah something)

   • Derek Page

     Jefferson would have to re-up in order for that to be a possibility… It’s clear that Josh Smith has had his issues in Atlanta but this team heavily re-tooled this offseason with the plan to lock him up next summer. Hawks need to stick to the script and continue to build around Smith.

8. T.J. Wilson

   If Lebron James were to play the point guard position on a permanent basis, would he be considered a true pg because of his excellent passing ability, great court vision, running offense, and the ability to make everyone else around him better? Secondly, Are you disappointed that Jamal Crawford and Stephen Curry were not selected to be All-stars? Clearly both players deserved it. Crawford makes coming off the bench so cool, I always loved his game.

   • Derek Page

     It’s hard to call LBJ a true-anything in terms of positions on the floor. Honestly, I’d prefer to see him play full-time at the power forward position as James is completely unstoppable to match up with at the 4.
     I agree with you, especially with the Curry snub. The combination of both his season (averaging 20, 7 and 4 rebs this season) and the Warriors record should’ve been enough for Curry to make the cut. Tony Parker is the proven vet though so I suppose that’s why he got the nod.

9. mandon

   hey derek love ur chats question?
   if the deal to seattle doesnt go through with the kings what franchise would have the best bet of possibly be relocated atlanta milwakee or someone else? thanx for your time and is kyle lowry good fit for dallas

   • Derek Page

     Well there’s already teams in those locations… It’s a safe bet that the Kings will be the Seattle Supersonics soon.
     I think Kyle Lowry would be a great fit in Dallas, although I wonder if he and coach Rick Carlisle would bump heads. Dallas also doesn’t have all that many assets to offer unless Toronto just wants cap relief.

10. Derek Page

    Howcome you never do the hoopsworld tv thingie like the other staff on this website?

    • Derek Page

      I’ve got to stop sending myself questions, it’s becoming a problem… Or maybe there’s another guy out there with the name Derek Page who’s a fan? Maybe he didn’t like me at first because we have the same name, but then he started to root for me because of that very fact that he originally despised. Then became a fan… One can only wonder… They’ve got all the kinks out on HOOPSWORLD TV so I may hop on there soon. Stay tuned other dude named Derek Page!

11. dennis

    Everybody keeps telling that a team needs 45-46 wins to make the playoffs in the tough west. I think that this year is deferent and 42 wins we ll be enough for the 8th spot. That’s why I don’t count out neither mavs or lakers. Mavs just need some solid games from Dirk and a better oj and lakers are going to play better at some point. Portland and Houston we ll also start loosing at some point (houston i think lost 6-7 straight the previouss weeks!). The jazz may also make a trade that will downgrade them. Annd we donn’t now how the g state will look once boguut returns. Any thoughts? Which teams do you think that will finish as the 7th and 8th seed?
    P.s. I havelakers finishing 7th!

    • Derek Page

      It’s going to be tough for either Dallas or the Lakers, that’s for sure. The West is as stacked as I’ve seen it in quite some time and, right know, it’s a toss up. I’d give a better shot to LA making the playoffs than Dallas though.

12. Deven

    Celtics on six game losing streak. Time for some wheeling and dealing, perhaps?

    • Derek Page

      Tap the breaks. It’s not quite panic time in Boston. Still a good cast for the C’s and I’m interested to see how a fully healthy and fully integrated Avery Bradley plays out over the next few weeks.

13. Deven

    What’s the latest on the Dallas Mavericks making a move with the trade deadline coming up? Who are they targeting?

    • Derek Page

      Anyone and everyone who’s on the market. If a team is looking for cap relief, don’t count out these Mavericks. Just don’t expect Mark Cuban to make a trade just to rock the boat, he’s always been dead-set on “winning” trades.

14. Evan

    Are the Celtics going to make a blockbuster trade? If so, who will be involved?

    • Derek Page

      IF, big IF, the C’s decide to make a blockbuster deal, there’s no doubt Rajon Rondo would have to be the centerpiece. He’s the most valuable player on the roster. That being said, it’s difficult to see that. Boston went through a similar lull last season before going on a run to close the year and eventually challenging the HEAT in the ECF.

15. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Derek. even if LAL makes the playoffs(would take a heck of a run), do you see them getting past 1st or 2nd round?

    • Derek Page

      Right now? No… It’s going to take a lot of work for this team to even GET to the playoffs. The talent is certainly there, but the Lakers are a mess right now.

16. Chuck

    Derek, who do you think is more likely to be traded… Rudy Gay, Paul Milsap or JJ Redick?

    • Derek Page

      At the moment, I’d say Paul Milsap. He’s a free agent after this season, as is Al Jefferson, so one of them is likely to go with Derrick Favors waiting in the wings.

17. Patrick Figueiredo

    what you think about the trade Cavs-Grizzilies?

    • Derek Page

      That’s got to be the laziest trade question I’ve ever received. You win, buddy. You win.

18. LA in LA

    What is the NBA’s obsession with the summer of 2014? The highlight players are Lebron, Wade, Melo, and Bosh, too name a few but all of those guys being available depends on player options being invoked and honestly, how likely is it any of them leaves their current situation?
    2015, with Kevin Love, Rondo, and Aldridge (to name a few) is far more promising summer.

    • Derek Page

      The NBA, and really sports in general, are like that because of what happens every season: only one team wins at the end. The other 29 NBA teams are left scrambling to satisfy a bevy of fans that don’t understand that simple fact. Everyone is interested in the next big trade or the next big signing rather than what’s actually going on in basketball.

19. luis

    Am i the only one expcting to see bernard james get more minutes? i think the team could use his toughness 20 minutes a night…

    • Derek Page

      That’s a valid point. James seems to provide energy and a toughness that’s lacking around the basket during most Mavs contests.

20. BlazerFAN

    Do you think Olshey will adress our bench promblems at the deadline?
    Or will he just play out the season and have a VERY active offseason?

    • Derek Page

      Despite a thin bench, Portland has exceeded expectations this season and that, along with the fact that this team wants to keep it’s flexibility for next summer, is why I don’t see any major moves happening.

      I appreciate the time once again my friends. Hit me up on Twitter if I missed you or email your questions to DPage@HOOPSWORLD.com. I hope you guys join me again next Saturday – same time, same place. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.