NBA Chat With Derek Page 6/2/12

1. calvinzero

   What direction do you see the Dallas Mavericks going in the draft?

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat NBA fanatics, I appreciate the time on this Saturday. Plenty to get to so let’s get to it.

     Dallas has a couple of options in this draft with plenty of needs to address across the board. Brendan Haywood is likely gone after this season so Fab Melo could be an option at 17 overall. If a young guard is on the agenda, Austin Rivers, Marcus Teague and even possibly Damian Lillard could be available. Another option could be to trade the pick, either in a package to acquire a big fish or as a salary dump to help in the attempt to free as much cash as possible to make a run at free agents this summer. If my name was Mark Cuban, with only a few players set to be on the roster next season as of now, I’d draft the best player available when the Mavs are on the clock.

2. MJHater

   will the Bobcats ever be a contender with a terrible gm like Michael Jordan?

   • Derek Page

     That’s a good question. Rich Cho is actually the GM for Charlotte but Jordan does have final say on all personnel decisions so I see what you mean. Right now, Charlotte must get a stud with the number 2 overall pick or the long climb back to respectability is going to take even longer and calls for MJ to relinquish control are going to be even more prevalent. The good news for Bobcats’ fans is that the team can only go up from here, although that’s not all that reassuring.

3. Smurf This

   When the dust settles, who will be the best player picked in the 2012 nba draft?

   • Derek Page

     Anthony Davis has all kinds of potential and all the tools to become a dominant big man in the NBA. His post up game needs some work but there’s a reason why he is the consensus number one overall pick in this draft. No other player is even close.

4. LebronSucks

   After yet another choke job the other night in Miami, when will the world finally realize that LBJ is a fraud and never will be a truley great player?

   • Derek Page

     I assume you’re referring to the missed jumper over Rajon Rondo to end regulation in Game Two, and then subsequently scoring only two points in OT. Yeah, that’s not very good but Miami still won the game so what does it really matter? I’m no James’ homer by any means but he did respond in Game Three with 30+ points and was the only HEAT player able to score with any kind of consistency against Boston. Lingering questions about his ability to close games are going to fester until he proves those doubters wrong but I’m not ready to close the book on James by any means.

5. thomas

   Do my Celtics have any real shot at beating Miami?

   • Derek Page

     In a word: No. I was shocked that the Celtics beat Miami last night and I’ll be even more surprised if they win one more game this series. I hope they win to make a great series but I doubt that’s in the cards.

6. john

   Recent reports out of toronto indicate that bryan colangelo will trade the 8th pick for an overpriced veteran.What are your thoughts about this? My take is that this is a mistake because tor is far from a playoff team and they need all the cheap young talent they can get

   • Derek Page

     I think you’re right John, that would be a mistake. It’s a much more prudent idea to keep stockpiling young talent until you start hitting on more than one of these guys. Then you can be in a better position to evaluate trades with a few key pieces to build around.

7. LikeaBull

   Would warriors be open to deng/taj for wright/biedrins/#7?

   • Derek Page

     Warriors would jump at that…. Not so sure about the Bulls though. Don’t see the angle there for Chicago.

8. Luka

   What do you think wizards do this offseason?Can they trade lewis and will they give blatche another chance because he is untradeable?who do they pick

   • Derek Page

     Lot’s of options for Washington this offseason. Holding the number 3 overall pick gives the Wizards plenty of options moving forward. To your question specifically, Washington simply isn’t going to get much for Rashard Lewis right now at this point in his career. Andray Blatche showed a lot of improvement last season – both mentally and on the court – and that’s a big reason why Washington traded JaVale McGee instead. I think Blatche could have a major break out season next year.

9. ted

   Where do you think jerry sloan will end up coaching…. id love to see him in portland

   • Derek Page

     Portland could certainly use him and they are set up nicely (cap space this offseason, two of top 11 overall picks in draft, Aldridge and most likely Batum already on the roster) but as far as I know they haven’t interviewed any candidates for the coaching position. As of now, Sloan has already interviewed with the Bobcats and seems genuinely interested in rebuilding the Bobcats.

10. ted

    What if the mavs somehow get dwill and d12 pair them with dirk and the championship window is huge!

    • Derek Page

      There’s no way possible for the Mavericks to get both players barring some super deal in which Orlando takes much less in trade value from Dallas to help the Mavericks land their superstar. Obviously, that’s not going to happen. If you were referring to maybe a chance that Williams signs this offseason and then Howard signs next – that is also impossible. With Nowitzki on the roster, there’s simply not enough money available for two more max-contract players.

11. John

    Hey Mr Page what do you think about this trade

    Houston gets Pau Gasol and Darrius Morris

    Sacramento receives Louis Scola and Macus Morris Houstons 1st round pick

    Lakers get Kyle Lowry and Tyreke Evans

    • Derek Page

      That’s a really interesting deal. If the salaries work I don’t see much hesitation on anyone’s part to let that deal go down. Lakers get a solid starting point guard and explosive possible sixth man to come off the bench. Houston gets the person they’ve coveted forever in Gasol. Sacramento gets two more young players and a solid power forward in Scola to pair with Demarcus Cousins – who is a great option at center. Good stuff John.

12. Chris Hall

    I read somewhere that Washington might be looking to trade down after not getting Anthony Davis. Could this work?

    Celts trade #21 and #22 for #3 pick?

    • Derek Page

      I think Boston would have to throw in something else to sweeten the deal. Wizards already have plenty of young players. If they aren’t drafting a stud at 3, it’s unlikely they’re willing to ship that for two picks in the 20′s.

13. devonte

    the knicks have needs the must fill and cant do much in the draft or acquire any vets in free agency whats the possibilty of the knicks bringing in udfa’s maybe the likes of Charlie Westbrook, alex young, faisal aden, wesley witherspoon?

    • Derek Page

      A full training camp and preseason with (likely) Jeremy Lin at the point guard and a fully healthy team to gel is going to work wonders for NY. The pieces are there to be a legitimate EC contender, it’s all about getting on the same page.

14. likeabull

    If bulls let go brewer,watson,korver,lucas,and scal
    Would guys like hinrich, brandon rush, and james anders
    Come to bulls for a pay cut

    • Derek Page

      I’d take the Bulls current supporting cast over the three players you named. There’s no need to dismantle Chicago – even at the bench level. If D Rose would’ve been healthy, Chicago would have been a lock to reach The Finals and would’ve given either OKC or the Spurs fits.

15. Deven

    Hi Derek. If the Spurs were to lose tonight, what does it all mean for this series?

    • Derek Page

      That it’s going the distance. I picked the Thunder in 7 because I think these teams are extremely evenly matched. OKC hasn’t lost much at home at all this season so it might come down to the Spurs playing at home in Game Seven. We shall see but for now just enjoy the show.

16. Coop

    Do you think the Hornets would be willing to take a chance on Howard and give up their two lottery picks this year? Or would he only be worth one to the teams in the lottery?

    • Derek Page

      New Orleans would have to throw in another sweetener. Orlando not only wants young players, but also a talented vet or two than can contribute now.

17. Peter Daily

    What are the chances the Lakers end up with Dwight Howard? Is there a way they pull a trade off for Howard and land Deron Williams or even Luol Deng?

    • Derek Page

      Because it’s the Lakers, there’s always a chance. It all comes down to whether or not LA wants to give up the younger, bigger, stronger Bynum for the more proven and polished Howard. Each has their own off the court issues that they bring to the table so that’s a wash. If I’m LA, I keep Drew and try to add some quality pieces around both he and Bryant. Pau Gasol is almost assuredly gone and the Lakers must get a quality point guard and some reserve depth in return.

18. Earl

    Wll a Drummon and Cousins front line work?

    • Derek Page

      I don’t see why not. I’m a fan of Cousins at the center position and I think he has a great chance to excel there.

19. reke evans

    who say no deng/ brewer for me and salmons #7 pick

    • Derek Page

      The Bulls say no. They like what they have in Luol Deng, even though Evans and 7 overall is pretty enticing…

20. reke evans

    who say no deng/ taj for me and salmons #7 pick

    • Derek Page

      No chance at that one. Bulls very high on both players.

21. andrew

    besides the lottery being fixed… shouldnt the hornets trade the first pick for a sure thing vs trying to build around a tweener sf/pf that probably wont turn out to be more than low level allstar? eric gordon wont stay, kaman is likely gone. what would you do?

    • Derek Page

      Gordon is going to end up being a restricted FA which means New Orleans will be able to match any offer he receives on the open market. If the Hornets really want to keep him, they will. But, above all, NO must keep the number one overall pick. Anthony Davis is going to be a stud. It isn’t wise to pass on that kind of talent, ever.

22. bullish

    With the 29th pick in the nba draft the chicago bulls select
    …………………

    • Derek Page

      Our HOOPSWORLD guys say either Orlando Johnson, Will Barton or Doron Lamb. All three are shooting guards with decent size. I’ll go with Barton because I believe he has the most upside of that trio of players.

23. Sasha Lay

    What do the Blazers do in the draft?

    • Derek Page

      Portland is a team that has the luxury of either packaging those picks together as apart of a blockbuster trade or keeping them and being ecstatic either way. There’s plenty of talent to be had in the 6-12 range so the Blazers have plenty of flexibility moving forward.

24. clay

    As a mavs fan, I’m completely against Seton Williams, beyond the fact that he’s a diva, we has too many holes to fill then maxing out a pg, great pgs don’t win, Nash, Paul, Williams, 0 titles or finals appearances

    • Derek Page

      What about Tony Parker? I think he’s won his share. But, to your point, keep in mind it wouldn’t be just Deron Williams. Dirk Nowitzki is still in his prime and proved less than a year ago that he can shoulder the load on a championship team. Pair Nash, CP3 or Williams with one of the best players in the game on the inside and a championship becomes much more likely.
      
      That’s all for today guys. Thanks for the questions. I apologize to those I couldn’t get to but you can hit me up on Twitter @DPageHoopsWorld or join me again next Saturday – same time, same place. Have a good weekend my friends.