NBA Chat With Derek Page 6/9/12

Covering all things NBA from the city of Dallas, join HOOPSWORLD NBA Writer Derek Page for his weekly chat this Saturday at 5:00 pm EST. Shoot your questions in now.

  1. Lorie

    can you see Phil Jackson being the GM, President, for the Portland Trailblazers?

  2. Giovanni from Cleveland

    Who do you think is a better fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers and why? Bradley Beal or Harrison Barnes.
    @BobCavsinsider mock draft has the Cavs taking H.Barnes at 4 and said this about him, “The Cavs get a chance to add perhaps the most prolific 3-point shooter in the draft. He shoots from distance, and does it well. He’d be an immediate starter at small forward. He’s also Kyrie Irving’s buddy.” agree/disagree and why?

    • Derek Page

      I would have to agree Giovanni. Barnes and Irving are close and the majority of mock drafts around the web have Cleveland taking Barnes at number four. Barnes, who didn’t exactly live up to expectations during his college career, is still projected to be at least a solid NBA starter at the next level. He’s a safer pick than Bradley Beal but Beal may have the better career once it’s all said and done.

  3. Robert

    Do you think the Raptors should pursue Steve Nash and Rudy Gay? Would this lineup be fighting for homecourt in the east?

    PG: Steve Nash
    SG: Demar DeRozan
    SF: Rudy Gay
    PF: Andrea Bargnani
    C: Jonas Valanciunas

    • Derek Page

      Well Bob, it’s OK if I call you Bob right? Good, glad that’s settled. Anyways yeah that looks like a great lineup on paper and would seemingly immediately contend in the weak Eastern Conference. However, acquiring those two players (Nash and Gay) is going to be much easier said than done. I’ll give Toronto a 50/50 chance at getting one of the two, and keep in mind that would be a great offseason, but acquiring both seems a little out of reach at this point.

  4. Luka

    Detroit send charlie v,ben gordon,singler and #9 to washington for lewis.Will detroit bw willing to do it?Will washington be willing to do it?

    • Derek Page

      I assume the Pistons would do this for Rashard Lewis’ expiring, non-guaranteed contract and the ensuing cap relief? Not likely. Even though Gordon and Villanueva have struggled since joining Detroit, giving up the number 9 overall pick to boot is simply too much. Even if they were willing, not sure the Wizard would want to take on those two headaches – even for the number 9 pick.

  5. Peter

    Hey Derek, My Spurs are out :( A lot of people discussed the possibility of breaking up Miami’s big 3 if they get knocked out by the Celts. What about the Spurs’ big 3? Any chance Pop break up that core?

    • Derek Page

      You may be on to something there, Peter. Tim Duncan is a free agent this summer and, even though he turned back the clock down the stretch, it’s unknown if Duncan wants to keep playing or if San Antonio wants to go in a different direction. Manu Ginobili is also entering the final year of his deal next season so there could be a whole lot of change for the Spurs over the next few seasons.

  6. Tasia

    Hey Derek!
    If you were Ainge would you keep the core for 1 last run with a weak free agency class next year? I mean look at their bench. They have enough cap to get some better bench players.

    • Derek Page

      If I were Ainge? Absolutely not. KG has played well this postseason but both Pierce and Allen are breaking down physically and simply aren’t the same players they once were. Rondo is a great enough (great not good) player that the Celtics can start to build around him, using the cap space left by Allen and KG this summer to speed up the process. Now, as to what Ainge will do, it wouldn’t surprise me if he decides to bring everyone back for another season – regardless of what happens tonight. Obviously, if the C’s win tonight, that likely effects my own opinion as to whether they should all return.

  7. John

    Zeller,henson,sullinger,moultier.Who would be best fit to pair with monroe to make strong backcourt which leds them back to playoff in next few years

    • Derek Page

      If Detroit wants to move Monroe to the 4, I would go with Tyler Zeller. He’s got the prototypical build for a center – unlike Sullinger who is just 6’7 – and is more talented than John Henson or Arnett Moultier. However, if the idea is to get someone to play next to Monroe at the 4, I’d go with Sullinger.

  8. WIZARD

    MKG could turn out to be like which nba player?

    • Derek Page

      I think Kidd-Gilchrist turns out to be a better scoring Gerald Wallace. Premier defender, excellent at cleaning up around the basket and doesn’t need a team to make plays for him at the offensive end.

  9. JFK

    New york are destined to be 2nd round playoff team in next 3-4years.They cant afford any significant talent upgrade because they are too comitted to just three players,miami and chicago are are untouchable,they dont have high picks

    • Derek Page

      That’s not really a question… do you want me to comment on your statement? OK, here goes: Let’s see how things go for the Knicks after a full training camp with everyone on the same page. If Carmelo Anthony, Amare and possibly Jeremy Lin can get on the same page and have a full offseason to work on their cohesion, that could be a scary team in the watered-down East.

  10. Luka

    Harden will ask for max deal but what with ibaka?How much will he command and how much is oklahoma willing to give?When you see this okc team do you think that their owners will be willing to pay luxary tax to keep winning team who practiclly doesnt have competition?

    • Derek Page

      Even though he is an absolute maniac around the basket defensively, I don’t see Serge Ibaka as a max-type player. His offensive repertoire simply doesn’t merit that. Now, that doesn’t mean that a team isn’t going to overpay him in a few years if he hits the free agent market, but I don’t see him as a max guy. If he keeps going 11-11 from the field, I’m going to have to eat those words though.
      That being said, I think OKC does whatever is takes to keep all these guys – including Perkins – for at least the next three or four seasons. It’s early but we could be looking a the next NBA dynasty here.

  11. Ronny

    Have much role emotions have in nba.I dont think that d-will will came to dallas just because it is his hometown.Dallas will have just dirk d-will and lot of limited players.I dont think that they can beat okc who will be even more experienced?Will he even seriously consider portland and plazers who would be champions teams with him

    • Derek Page

      Deron Williams wouldn’t come to sign here in Dallas just because it’s his home team. Even though he’s had to deal with it over the past two seasons, Williams isn’t accustomed to losing in the NBA. He wants to go to a winner and the Mavs will have to make a good enough pitch and prove to D-Will that a championship is a legitimate possibility not only next season, but for the duration of his max contract. Having a top-5 player like Dirk Nowitzki already in place helps that but Dallas is going to have to have a game plan to get quality role players to convince Williams to sign.

  12. michael scofield

    future of detroit doesnt seem too good.Charlie v 14m in 2years,bordon 22m in 2years,prince 24m in 3years.Are you happy with joe dumars work,do you think that he live on old days glory,would you fire him or renowed his contract next year if youa are tom gores?

    • Derek Page

      I would fire him. Dumars is a legend in Detroit and his on-court contributions cannot be discounted but he has not done a great job over the last 5 seasons at GM. Breaking up the championship core on a whim was a horrible decision and is the reason Detroit finds itself in the lottery seemingly every season. Overpaying both Villanueva and Gordon after dismantling the championship team handicapped the team even worse and puts the Pistons in a position where rebuilding this team is extremely difficult.

  13. calvinzero

    Who do you think among the draft prospects fits the system of Rick Carlisle?? Why? Thanks Derek.

    • Derek Page

      Are there any with over five years of NBA experience already? Other than that, Carlisle’s track record says whoever the Mavericks draft – no matter how talented – isn’t likely to play much.

  14. Deven

    What are the chances Tim Duncan retires?

    • Derek Page

      There’s a chance but I doubt it. He looked better than he had in a long time the majority of the postseason and it’s unlikely he calls it quits.

  15. Deven

    Which team, not named Dallas, will make a big splash in the offseason?

    • Derek Page

      The LA Lakers. Not getting out of the second round for two consecutive seasons for that organization is like five straight years in the lottery for everybody else in terms of pressure from both the fans and inside the organization. Kobe Bryant isn’t getting any younger so the Lakers must find a way to transform this team into a legitimate contender by next season. Having a trade chip like Pau Gasol will help that process.

  16. John Hawkes 'The lime twig'

    Hey Derek,

    I know the Thunder are playing good ball but people are starting to compare Durant to Dirk which is just absurd. The Thunder basically beat 3 geriatrics whereas Dirk led a team of 3rd and 4th options to a championship over 4 tough teams.

    • Derek Page

      I feel like comparisons like that are always absurd. There’s never going to be another Larry Bird or MJ or Magic or Dirk Nowitzki or Kobe Bryant, etc, etc. Each one of these guys are their own individual players and should be judged on their own merit. Comparisons like these are unfair to both players and are frankly just lazy.

  17. John

    Do you think that wizards are going be active this offseason?Would they rent dwight?Would they take#10 and ariza from hornets?

    • Derek Page

      They don’t have the assets to trade for Howard and I don’t believe Ariza and number 10 are worth the number three (likely Kidd-Gilchrist) overall.

  18. TheBossOfHoopsworld

    How about A 3 team trade Lakers send Gasol to Rockets in return gets Lowry Scola also gets.Beasley from wolves and wolves get Kevin Martin to shore up their shooting guard ..is That possible?

    • Derek Page

      Steve, is that you? Haha. Anyways, while that could be a possibility, is that a move that gets the Lakers over the hump? I don’t think so.

  19. Zee

    Rumors say da bulls would be willung to do dis deal: rudy gay for deng nd brewer. I like it a loy? Ur thoughts nd is it a possibility?

    • Derek Page

      Interesting idea. I think Deng is the better player at this point in both of their careers though. The goal is to win now for the Bulls and I believe Deng gives them a better chance at that.

  20. Cody

    Say da heat dont win a title dis year: wade fir noah nd brewer?

    • Derek Page

      Would be beneficial for both teams. Bulls would have to make sure and re-sign Asik to man the middle. Only problem I see is that both D-Rose and D-Wade need to have the ball in their hands to be successful. Although I’m sure they would find a way to make it work. Nice work Cody.

  21. Bill

    Would u make predictions of wat u think da bulls will do in da offseason? Thanks:)

    • Derek Page

      A veteran point guard to play behind D-Rose is an absolutely must and I’ve been saying for the past month that Chauncey Billups would be an excellent fit. Other than that, keep the players they have. Chicago is a championship-caliber team already, no need to make drastic changes.

  22. Tasos

    Hi Derek from Greece,

    Lakers:Iguodala+Thadeus Young+15th PHI pick
    NO:Gasol
    PHI:Okafor+Ariza+10th NO pick

    the salaries are good.can be done?? thanks

    • Derek Page

      Lots of moving parts but would seemingly be beneficial for all involved. Sixers get a center to replace the likely amnestied Elton Brand and could let Spencer Hawes go. Lakers get a playmaker at the 3, New Orleans gets a quality big to pair with Anthony Davis. I see the Lakers pursuing a better offer for Gasol though.

  23. FK

    Where will Stan Van Gundy be coaching next? So surprised that he has not been contacted yet. Probably the best free agent coach out there behind Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan.

    • Derek Page

      I think he may take a year off, join his brother in the TV booth. This past season was a beating for him.

  24. jon

    derek what do you see happening with dwight howard do you see him finally landing in brooklyn and if not do you think he will be traded to a rental team and sign then?

    • Derek Page

      Brooklyn is likely out considering Lopez is no longer a trade asset. Barring a signed contract extension, I think Dwight Howard gets traded this offseason but to whom is anyone’s guess at this point. The Nets are conceivably off the list of potential suitors at this point though.

  25. jey

    Whome should the Rocket target,not named Howard or Gasol?

    • Derek Page

      Roy Hibbert. Houston may have to overpay but center has been a weakness since Yao retired and Hibbert is about as young and talented a big man this side of Bynum and Howard as you’ll find in the NBA.

  26. Christopher

    Hi Derek, if you were Jim Buss/Mitch Kupchak, what moves would you make this offseason? Do you think Pau Gasol to Houston for Lowry/Scola/Budinger would make the Lakers a considerably better team?

    • Derek Page

      If Houston is willing to give up both Lowry and Scola for Gasol, then LA needs to jump on that immediately. In my opinion, Houston is giving up way too much in that deal though.

  27. rick

    Hello Derek,
    Could you see the mavs trading odom and cash to buy him out along with carter, who has a $3 million expiring contract, and hawyood, who has a stretch buyout provision that would pay him $2 million over the next fourteen years, to get kyle lowry and al jefferson. houston takes on odom for the cap relief and resigns dragic and utah gets carter for depth and haywood for cap relief. utah can also develop kanter and favors with jefferson gone.

    • Derek Page

      The better bet is keeping Carter, amnestying Haywood and then trying to find a potential suitor for a possible Odom trade. Lowry is a good player but Jefferson isn’t exactly a prize for Dallas. Signing Deron Williams is the Mavs’ number one priority this offseason. Making use of Odom as a trade asset is the first step in developing a more talented for Williams to want to come to. Dallas being able to make proper use of Odom as an asset will be difficult and it remains to be seen if Cuban, Donnie and co will able to make that happen.

      Thanks for the time again guys. We had some great questions today but to those I missed hit me up on Twitter @DPageHoopsworld. Join me again next week – same time, same place. Have a good weekend.