NBA Chat With Derek Page 2/4/12

1. eddy

   i need some input on this trade.
   T-Wolves Get: Stephen Jackson (offer him a 2 year extension worth 8 mil a year)
   Bucks Get: B-Easy and Elington.
   T-Wolves get a very solid SG and a veteran leadership. (Theirs a reason why they call him “Captain Jack”).
   Bucks get young talent who can play very well.
   Salaries work. Who says no?

   • Derek Page

     Welcome everybody. Let’s do this!

     Alright Eddy, you’ve always got some interesting trade ideas for me but do you really want to mess with Minnesota’s cohesion right now? They’ve finally gotten healthy and have been playing some nice basketball lately. Trying to integrate a player like S-Jax who likes to take plenty of shots doesn’t seem ideal. Either way I don’t feel like Jack is the missing piece with the T-Wolves. Not to mention Beasley and Ellington are a lot to give up for the 33-year old Jackson. Bucks take that trade all day.

2. andrea

   i know that bargnani will not be a star but imho he’s a good player in the worst team ever… In your opinion, he should ask to be traded?

   • Derek Page

     Well Andrea, I don’t see why Bargnani can’t be a star to be honest with you. Dude is still just 26 years old and, before this recent calf injury put him on the shelf, was averaging a hefty 23 points per game on 47 percent shooting. He still has room to grow and if he can stay on the court the 7-footer is a bona fide All-Star in this league. In terms of his status on the team, he signed a contract no too long ago so he appears to be in this for the duration. However losing in abundance takes it’s toll so seeking a trade could be a possibility down the line if Toronto can’t get some pieces around him.

3. SenseiOfSoul - Chicago

   What’s up from Chicago Derek? Got a three-way trade idea I wanted some feedback on. CHI gets K.Martin & Scola, HOU gets Gasol, Korver & Matt Barnes, and LAL gets Boozer, Jordan Hill & Dragic. Chicago possibly throws in the CHA pick to whoever, to sweeten the deal. Who says no?

   • Derek Page

     What’s up Chi-Town? This trade makes a whole lot of sense for everyone involved. Not sure if the salaries match but LA would finally get an actual PG along with solid replacement PF in Boozer while only giving up Barnes and Pau. Bulls get some scoring at the SG position with Kevin Martin and upgrade at PF with Sola. Houston finally gets the PF they’ve been longing for since the offseason in Gasol, along with a nice 3-point shooter in Korver and defensive stalwart in Barnes. Would have to make the salaries work but excellent trade idea for all parties involved.

4. Anthony Pascua

   It seems like the Lakers will not land D12, but personally I think that is the best decision. There are a handful of players that the Lakers are interested in, but it seems like no one wants to go to the Lakers. Is everyone against the Lakers and just want to knock them off?

   • Derek Page

     You might be right as it appears Howard by all accounts expects to be playing in New Jersey next year but I’m with you — I think this is better for LA anyway. While it would be an asset to have the best center in the game teaming up with Kobe, the cost is simply too steep. Andrew Bynum is going to be a force in this league, still with what you’ve got and see if the Lakers can get at least one more title with Bryant as the main man. But to your next point, people still want to go to LA it’s just not as easy as everyone thinks it should be. Many hoops to jump through to make trades happen in this league and Lakers have been over the cap every year for a long time.

5. JP

   1-How hard can it be for Minnesota to get Paul George? Is it possible this:
   Minne get: Paul George
   Pacers get: Beasley – Johnson – 1st round pick (2013)?
   2-Do we need Utah to make the playoffs to have their lottery protected pick in this year draft?
   3-Which player could we get that upgrade as in the center position or shooting guard in this year draft?
   4-Is it possible for Rubio to develop in a 18 PPG-7RPG-13APG-3SPG-1BPG in his prime?

   • Derek Page

     Well a lot harder as of this moment with the seven 3′s, 30 point barrage he had last night in Dallas. He also had 9 rebs, five assists, five steals and a block so the guy broke out in a big way. Your proposal makes sense though as it would take a lot to get him, however Indiana has absolutely no interest in parting with him. In terms of the draft pick, it’s top-14 protected so yes Utah would have to make the playoffs. It’s top 12 protected in 2013. For the draft, I’m completely out of the loop as of this moment. Lastly, I think Rubio is going to be a quality point guard in this league but your projections are a bit extreme. A quality shooting percentage to go along with 15pts, 10 assists, 1.5 steals would make Minnesota very happy.

6. JP

   Is it possible for Minnesota to have this roster?
   Rubio-Barea…Paul George-Morrow-Malcolm Lee…Williams-Webster…Love-Randolph…Oden-Pekovic-Tolliver

   • Derek Page

     Wow. That would take a lot of work. Not a possibility.
     Why would they want Oden again? Pekovic has been outstanding and Oden may never play again.

7. Ty

   What do you think of Baylor’s Perry Jones? Could he be a good fit on the pistons?

   • Derek Page

     Man I’m completely out of the loop in terms of draft prospects — way too early for me. But just from what I’ve seen from him he looks like a strong possibility for the number one overall pick in the draft. Jones is long and lean and his size (dude has a 7-2 wingspan) would make him valuable to any NBA team lucky enough to get him this summer.

     Talk to my boy @YannisHW on Twitter for more info on the college game. While your at it, talk to me too: @DPageHOOPSWORLD

8. simon

   say the magic trade howard, do they build around ryan anderson? does he have the potential to be the next “great allstar”?
   do you see him playing like this or better for years to come?

   • Derek Page

     That’s hard to say. I like Anderson’s game but Dwight takes a lot of pressure off of him and gives him plenty of open looks with all the attention he generates down low. He’s a solid player, but I don’t think he’s a guy you can build around if you want to be a championship contender. Orlando is better off trying to build with who they can get back from offering Howard up in a trade. He doesn’t want to be there, it’s obvious. Magic need to try to get something for him while they still can.

9. Shawn

   Do the Spurs become an elite team capable of challenging for title when Manu returns? I’d like to think so, but the defense seems a bit inconsistent and we may need another big to make a run

   • Derek Page

     I tried to ask Spurs coach Greg Popovich that same question when SA visited Dallas earlier this season and he said “We’ll see.” Gotta love Pop and his two word answers to guys trying to do their job — but I digress. In terms of what I think, yes definitely. Manu is a game-changer for San Antonio and guys like Neal off the bench (when Manu returns) make the Spurs so dangerous come playoff time. Duncan just needs to be able to play his best basketball come April and the trio of Ginobili, Parker and Timmeh is still very much a threat to make a run.

10. Anh

    Hey Derek –

    Why aren’t the Lakers pulling the trigger on Gilbert Arenas? I know that their primary concerns seem to be that he may lack explosiveness and could be a negative influence on the team. But I have a few problems with that.

    1) Athleticism? Anyone is better than Derek Fisher at this point. He can’t defend anyone, and save for random last second shots twice a year, doesn’t contribute anything on the offensive end either.

    2) People keep harping on his bad season last year. But he was on such a short leash with Van Gundy, and played very limited minutes. One mistake and he was out. It’s not surprising that his numbers weren’t great.

    2) As constructed, the Lakers will have a very tough time winning the Western Conference, much less the championship. Arenas is low risk/high reward, and comes cheap. If he pays off, he can pay off big!

    What do you think?

    • Derek Page

      Anh, I’m starting to finally come around on this belief that LA may not be a championship team as currently constructed. It’s just hard for me to believe that a team that features Kobe, Bynum and Pau isn’t a contender. As for Arenas I’m of the opinion that he’s done, although you have a good point about Fisher’s lack of production as a point guard in the new, non-triangle offense. Let’s see how things ago. It’s not like Arenas is exactly a hot commodity at the moment anyways.

11. Anh

    Oh and 4) Negative influence? That’s what everyone said about Ron Artest. I feel confident that the Lakers have enough veteran leadership to “rein” Arenas in. And I’m willing to bet that at this stage in his career, he has a lot to prove, and would do anything to show he can win, especially under Kobe Bryant.

    • Derek Page

      I agree. To be a negative influence on this Lakers team you would have to be in the same class of player as Kobe because he is the unquestioned leader of that team. When next to Kobe, a player like Arenas’ voice doesn’t ring so loudly.

12. Jae

    Is a Deron Williams to Portland trade realistic? Would giving New Jersey Felton, Matthews and Wallace get it done?

    • Derek Page

      That’s a lot to give up for Williams… Either way NJ is banking on the notion that he is going to re-sign. This is true especially with Howard’s recent push to join him in what will soon be Brooklyn.

13. Drew

    Would Memphis trade Mayo for Beaz and there 1 st pick we have back? If not what about the pick and Randolph and Ellington.

    • Derek Page

      Not really understanding the question. But Memphis seemingly always dangles Mayo out there but never seem to pull the trigger — even when other teams offer a whole lot more than he’s worth.

14. D-Mesh

    What do you think about the mavs so far? and how far would they make it?

    • Derek Page

      What’s up D-Meezy? I think Dallas is just fine. Charles Barkley says Dirk is done, then he goes off for 30 last night while nearly making every shot he attempted. Dirk is going to be fine, the Mavericks are going to be fine. Anyone who actually covers this team on a regular basis knows the only thing that matters is how this team is playing come playoff time. Case is point is last season: where Dallas never looked quite right during the regular season and then annihilated everybody come playoff time.

15. Chosen One

    What do you think about DA decision to play Jeremy Lin over Toney Douglas ?

    • Derek Page

      Lin is a hard worker. That guy has worked his way all the way up from final cuts to the D-League and now is trying to make a name for himself. However I do believe this is a motivational ploy for Toney, who has just been horrific to start the season. Look for Douglas to find his way back into playing more minutes in the rotation.

16. simon

    if the playoffs started today the magic would be playing indiana. who would win?

    • Derek Page

      That’s an excellent question Simon. I take Indiana right now. Orlando looks dysfunctional and out-of-sync while the Pacers look scary with David West leading the way. Excellent pickup in the offseason by Indiana to get that veteran scoring presence and leader to teach these young guys how to win.

17. Brian

    Say Orlando does decide to trade D12… would this deal make sense or would it work with a few tweakings? Involves the Nets, Magic, Hawks, and Blazers.
    NJ gets Howard, Turkoglu
    Orl gets Camby and Okur’s expiring contracts, G. Wallace, B. Lopez, and M. Brooks.
    Atl gets Felton, Morrow, R. Anderson, N. Batum and Damion James
    Por gets Joe Johnson.

    • Derek Page

      Would take some tweaking but Atlanta doesn’t want to get rid of Johnson, who’s played at an MVP-level so far this season. In terms of what Orlando gets back in this scenario is exactly the type of return they want: Veteran with talent in Wallace, young big with upside in Lopez and another promising young player in MarShon Brooks. Nice idea, just not sure Atlanta wants to be apart of that.

      Thanks for all the questions guys. I had a blast yet again. To everyone I couldn’t get to, hit me up on Twitter – @DPageHOOPSWORLD. Or just join me again for my chat, same time next week!