NBA Chat With Derek Page 3/10/12

1. Kevin

   Everyone overstates how OKC was so good without spending a lot of money. That’s because Durant and Westbrook were on rookie contracts. Now they’re gonna have to pay Harden and Ibaka..then they’ll be just like everyone else!! They are no different!

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat people. We’re less than a week from the deadline so I know that’s going to be a major point of discussion. Let’s get started.

     I disagree Kevin. Both Harden and Ibaka are locked up until after next season, and are both restricted free agents the year after that. The most important piece is Durant — and he’s signed through the 2015-2016 season. Russell Westbrook is the only key player for OKC that has a contract running out soon and it’s likely he’ll be taken care of by the Thunder… OKC has set themselves up nicely both for the present and the future.

     (Correction on Westbrook’s contract status: he signed a 5-year $80 million extension in January. Hat tip to Oran in the comments.)

2. maestro

   Ok I have the solution to the Lakers problems: Lakers send Gasol, Metta World Peace, and Steve Blake to Phili for Brand, Iguodala and Holiday. Lakers save a ton in the three years (Brand contract has two years and Holiday is on rookie contract, Gasol, Peace and Blake has three years left.
   Lakers starting five
   Holiday
   Bryant
   Iguodala
   Brand
   Bynum

   Phili
   Williams
   Turner
   Young
   Gasol
   Hawes

   • Derek Page

     That’s not a bad idea… it’s going to be difficult to unload Artest (or Peace or whatever) and the 6ers are high on both Iggy and Jrue Holiday. Solid idea though from a Lakers standpoint, contracts would have to match of course. Don’t see Philly as interested at this point.

3. Jazzaholic

   The Jazz have 2 young bigs, Favors and Kanter, who could use some extra playing time.

   If Millsap, $8.1m/$8.6m on the books, but $5.6m signing bonus already paid, were traded, they would get more PT.

   The Jazz could use a 3 with good defense and 3 point ability. or?

   • Derek Page

     That’s an interesting question. The name that immediately comes to mind would be Iggy in Philly, but I’m not sure he’s on the block. Gerald Wallace would look good in a Utah uniform…

4. alan

   Bulls trade Asik and Korver to portland for Jamal Crawford. who says no?

   • Derek Page

     That’s a lot to give up for Jamal Crawford don’t you think? Bulls say no.

5. Prem I.

   Hi Derek my question if Dallas signs d-wll but can’t sign Dwight would Kaman be there option at center thanks

   • Derek Page

     Kaman has always been a favorite of Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs. I think it’s a solid assumption that he would be a nice choice for Dallas should Dwight Howard stay in Orlando.

6. Rovyn

   Since every team is waiting on the Dwight deal to trade how’s this trade for Orlando to keep him

   Turkoglu, J-Rich, JJ for joe johnson

   • Derek Page

     Never in a million years… Are you serious? Come on now Hedo, Richardson and J.J. Reddick are not worth Joe Johnson – not even close.

7. calvinzero

   Do the Dallas Mavericks have the biggest chance that they will acquire Dwight Howard and Deron Williams if they will be a free agent?

   • Derek Page

     Dallas has set themselves up nicely to be key players this summer in free agency with the goal of acquiring both of those All Stars in mind. If Dallas can’t secure at least one of the two, the decision not to sign Tyson Chandler to a long term deal would be the worst decision Cuban has made since becoming the owner of the Mavs in 2000.

8. Deven

   Any predictions of what the Celtics will do at the trading deadline? Stand pat or trade one, two, three or all of the Big Four.

   • Derek Page

     That’s tough to answer right now. Danny Ainge is always taking calls, he’s admitted at much, but I also know he is realistic about this Boston team. The Celtics aren’t winning another championship with this crew and Rajon Rondo is his biggest asset. There’s not a whole lot of value for the other big 3 aside from Ray Allen — and even then the guy’s 36 years old. But to answer your question directly, no it wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see Rondo, Allen or both gone at the deadline.

9. Edward Lee

   Heard from a reliable source that Odom is a double agent sent by the Lakers to wreak havoc on Dallas’ championship aspirations!!

   • Derek Page

     I’ve heard that too… still unknown whether or not every Mavericks’ fan on Earth is a reliable source though.
     I bet Odom didn’t expect this kind of media scrutiny when he came to Dallas but he’ll be fine. If not, the Mavs will be done with him after the season anyways so I don’t understand why some people are so adamant that the Mavs should just cut the guy… not a realistic expectation or something Mark Cuban would ever do: cut a player for nothing in return or trade him for peanuts.

10. Sam

    What about this trade?
    MIN: Martin Ebanks
    LAL: Ridnour Beasly Scola Houston 1st
    HOU: Gasol

    • Derek Page

      I love all these trades submitted by Lakers fans. “So here’s the scenario: LA gets Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and LeBron James for Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace…”
      This isn’t that bad, I guess. But I don’t see your trade Sam as a realistic possibility — especially with T-Wolves PG Ricky Rubio out for the rest of the season.

11. Gasper

    hey,
    what else is there on the table for the HEAT…Kaman, R.Wallace…could the wizzards maybe trade Javale Mcgee (to them)?

    • Derek Page

      Things have been fairly quiet around the HEAT, mostly due to the fact that they’ve exploded out of the gate and appear primed to make a second straight trip to The Finals. I wouldn’t mess with this team if I were Pat Riley. Miami is much more talented and deeper than they were a season ago — that’s scary.

12. JC

    What’s up with the prolonged throw back jersey parade in the NBA? It’s like the T-wolves have now changed their name to the Muskies. It’s cool for a game or two but this is getting ridiculous.

    • Derek Page

      Got to sell jersey’s JC. Money is the name of the game but I agree 100% with what your saying and those Muskies are especially atrocious. Not as bad as the multicolored Memphis and New Orleans jerseys though — those are just nasty.

13. John

    Hello!!! What about Brandon Jennings at Lakers? thank you!!!

    • Derek Page

      That’s a possibility John… Not sure if LA would want to unload Gasol for just Jennings. I see Gasol bringing LA back a few pieces, not just one. Although if the Bucks included Ilyasova that might not be a bad idea for the Lakers but there’s nothing really sexy about that deal.

14. FocusLJA

    Who Says no?

    GS: Corey Maggette
    CHA: Kwame Brown/Dorrell Wright

    • Derek Page

      Corey Maggette’s played better later and I don’t see Charlotte bringing Kwame back after letting him go to GS. Don’t get me wrong, Brown was solid in Charlotte; but Biyombo and Mullens are younger guys that are holding down the fort at center for the Bobcats.

15. Mar Chin

    Hi Derek!

    What do You think about Gortat’s game now, is he really so skilled or just takes advanteged of Steve Nash’ creativity?

    • Derek Page

      While Nash does tend to inflate his teammates stats, I’m a fan of Gortat’s game and of the belief that his skill set would allow him to succeed just about anywhere — especially considering the level of talent around the NBA at center. Gortat is the type of player that, when starting, has the talent to put up 15, 10 and a couple of blocks per game.

16. Jared

    How’s this trade?

    Rockets get: Dwight Howard, Wesley Johnson

    Lakers get: Jameer Nelson, Luis Scola, Michael Beasley

    Timberwolves get: Hedo Turkoglu, Steve Blake, Terrence Williams, Courtney Lee

    Magic get: Pau Gasol, Kevin Martin, Jonny Flynn

    • Derek Page

      I like the idea Jared but the Lakers desperately need a legitimate point guard, I don’t see Jameer as the answer or someone the Lakers are salivating over. Also, if the Lakers are involved in a trade with Orlando it’s going to be one that nets them Dwight Howard.
      Combine that with the amount of moving parts in this deal and this trade is highly unlikely.

17. trock

    with rubio out with a partially torn ACL do u see them making the post season?

    • Derek Page

      It’s going to be very difficult in the brutal Western Conference. This may incline the T-Wolves even further to acquire Crawford from Portland. Even though he’s a combo-guard, he would be a significant help in replacing some of the things Rubio does on the court.

18. Deven

    Ricky Rubio being out for the rest of the season is a huge blow for T-Wolves fans like myself. Should they make a move at the deadline for another PG like maybe a Steve Nash or a Rajon Rondo? And will they make the playoffs if they don’t make a move? What are your thoughts.

    • Derek Page

      Nash is going anywhere unless he asks and it’s highly unlikely that Steve is going to do that at this point. In terms of Rondo, Minnesota would have to give up a whole lot more than Beasley to acquire an All-Star level talent like Rondo. I’m of the belief that Minnesota should just stand pat and let this young and talented core grow together. This team is going to be scary in the next few years if they stay together.

19. portlandia

    what in the world can portland do to save this terrible season

    • Derek Page

      Clean house is apparently what they’re trying to do. After getting out to such a great start to the season, it’s disappointing to see the Blazers struggling this much. I could see them making a run after the trade deadline and all of the off court drama is over and finished with… it will be interesting to see the team Portland features after March 15.

20. Roberto Aedo

    Hello Derek,

    Pacers fan from Chile…

    Do you think the pacers are gonna make a trade before the deadline…

    If yes..what would you think the pacers should persue…

    • Derek Page

      Well Roberto, the Pacers are interested in Eric Gordon of the Hornets but the general thought is that New Orleans asking price for the oft-injured guard is going to be too much for interested teams to stomach.

21. Duane

    Portland sends Felton and Wallace to Orlando for Turkoglu and Nelson…if Orlando is willing to part with Anderson they can try for Crawford

    • Derek Page

      Why in the world would Portland do that deal? Come on Duane.

22. Juice

    Do you ever get tired of the lopsided trade ideas from Laker, heat & Celtic fans?

    & do you think that there are any moves that my Magic can pull out to improve the team? Even if it is minuscule…

    • Derek Page

      Every Saturday Juice! You should see some of the proposals I dump in the trash can every week. It’s ridiculous.
      As for Orlando, it’s going to be difficult treading. The Magic simply don’t have many assets outside of Dwight Howard that would yield them much in return.

      Thanks for the questions everyone! It’s going to be exciting to see what happens Thursday at the deadline. Stay tuned to HOOPSWORLD for all of your up to the minute info on breaking news and trades. Also check out my article on potential players that we could see changing teams within the next week and follow me on Twitter @DPageHoopsworld. I look forward to chatting with you guys again next week.