NBA Chat With Derek Page 7/28/12

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. ralph lawrence

    What do you think of a trade of jimmer fredette and salmons to minnesota for derrick williams? do you think it could happen? or does it benefit both teams or not?

    • Derek Page

      Welcome once again to another Saturday edition of my chat NBA fans. Plenty of questions to get to so let’s get started.

      I don’t see why the T-Wolves would do that. Both John Salmons and Fredette play the same position and with Wes Johnson already there, that’s creates a logjam at the position. Kings are already set at power forward as well so that’s an unlikely scenario.

  2. Hunter

    I haven’t seen AK 47 play in a while…but he was a stud with the jazz do u expect him to start??And will barea or ridnour be with the wolves at the start of training camp or do u expect them to be in a blockbuster deal….when will B-Roy be officially signed?

    • Derek Page

      It will be between Andrei Kirilenko and Chase Budinger at the small forward position. If AK is still the versatile and quality all around small forward that he was in the past I think he takes the starting spot. Kirilenko was pretty good in the 2010-2011 season with the Utah Jazz, but it will be interesting to see what he looks like after a year away from NBA competition.

  3. Steve Hawkal

    Are the any chances d12 gets traded to atl and stays or even signs w/ them in FA. It seems like a better place than dallas. And the hawks also have $ for CP3.

    • Derek Page

      Dwight Howard and Josh Smith would make up easily the best defensive center-power forward combo in the NBA if not the best overall. Those two are also close friends in the offseason so that’s certainly another selling point. As of right now though Howard is leaning heavily towards signing with Dallas – where he would join with Dirk Nowitzki and they would become the best 4-5 combo in the NBA – next summer if he doesn’t get traded to LA or Brooklyn.

  4. Kevin Owens

    It makes me angry to see my Bulls think that having the best regular seaon record will get them past the Heat with just Derick Rose. They are NOT gonna get past the Heat with just him. Derick Rose let LeBron shut him down the last time. Am I wrong in my thinking?

    • Derek Page

      LeBron James is one of the, if not the, best defender(s) in basketball but let’s also keep in mind that Rose will be a year older and wiser this time around. Just last year, James was shut down by the Mavs defense in the Finals and look how he responded this postseason. If they can get healthy, the Bulls will be right in the thick of things next postseason.

  5. Zeeshan

    Please try ur best to answer these:) thanks derek

    1. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that boozer is amnestued next offseason with such a good FA class?

    2. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that Nikola Mirotic joins the Bulls next offseason?

    3. Do you think the Bulls will resign Deng or is Josh Snith their first option?

    4. If Monta Ellis decides not to resign with Bucks next summer, what are some possible destinations for him?

    5. I got the Bulls the fifth seed in the East this tear? Hbu?

    I know most of the questions are next year, but just base it on ur knowledge! Thanks again.

    • Derek Page

      1. Probably a 3 or 4. Bulls management doesn’t want to pay Boozer to play for someone else.
      2. I’d say a 1. He’s signed a 5-year extension in the Spanish professional league and has iterated that he may stay for the duration.
      3. Deng is an important part of the Bulls and Chicago values him just the same.
      4. He’s a proven scorer so he will have plenty of suitors around the league. I don’t see him as a max-player though but we’ll see what the market decides.
      5. I’d say between 3rd and 5th, sure, depending on how fast Rose can get back in the lineup.

  6. James

    T-mac in a bulls uniform?! He would be nice for a 1-2 year deal.

    • Derek Page

      Interesting idea. Tracy McGrady can still score a bit and has been through his share of postseason battles. If on the cheap, why not?

  7. Bulls

    How much money do the Bulls have in cap RIGHT NOW? How much if they amnesty Boozer?

    • Derek Page

      Boozer’s salary is $15 mill for the upcoming season so that would vanish from the cap immediately. Our team salary page says the Bulls currently sit at a total payroll of about $64.4 million, which is about $6 million over next season’s cap number ($58.044).

  8. Hackioat gutanktm

    People are underestimating the Bulls sooo much! I believe the Bulls can beat the Heat. The bench got better:
    Lucas…Teague(upgrade)
    Watson…Kirk(upgrade cuz kirk plays D too)
    Korver…Marco(upgrade as ghod as a shooter as Kirver and can create his own shot unlike kyle)
    Brewer…Butler(upgrade cuz the kid can shoot better is young and promising)
    Asik…Nazr(downgrade but Vladimir adds in more so its an upgrade)

    Plus the same core in Rose,Deng,Noah,and Taj with Boozer and Rip! Thats a pretty damn good team. They can beat the Heat but it would be tough. Thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      I 100 percent agree on the underestimation of Chicago. Bulls just need to get healthy and they’ll be right in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference.

  9. cj

    I think the players who should get minutes off the bench for portland are smith, babbit, hickson, and jefferies. what do you think about portlands bench? who will be played most aside from babbit, hickson, and smith?

    • Derek Page

      That sounds about right. Jared Jeffries and Will Barton could get some good burn too.

  10. Hah

    Which SG do u see the bulls persuing next offseason if they amnesty boozer and mirotic joins us? Tyreke,Ellis,kmartin?

    • Derek Page

      No shortage of Bulls questions I see… that’s a long ways a ways. Again, this is a really good Bulls team when healthy. Let’s see how next season plays out.

  11. LA in LA

    Sorry but I have a D12 trade:
    Don’t know who says no to this:

    Cavs trade Thompson, Zeller, L Walton (exp), D Gibson (T opt), 1st round picks (2013 Sac, 2015 Cleveland), 2nd round pick (2014 Cleveland)…

    Cavs get Andrew Bynum, G Davis, Q Rich

    Orlando trade D Howard, G Davis, J Rich, Q Rich

    Orlando gets
    Young prospects- Zeller, Thompson, Ebanks
    Expirings- L Walton, D Gibson, McRoberts,
    Draft picks

    Lakers trade.. Bynum, McRoberts, Ebanks, 2015 2nd round pick
    Lakers get…Dwight, J Rich
    Who says no (assuming Houston gets cut out)?

    • Derek Page

      Looks fairly reasonable but the Magic also want to unload Hedo Turkoglu’s contract and want a solid NBA player in the mix to go along with talented prospects. Orlando wants a lot and rightfully so for the best center in basketball.

  12. Ric

    So…Derek…let’s say Rox don’t end up with Dwight. Could the next best thing to do be keeping the young talent & swinging a K-Mart/Patrick Patterson to the Wolves for Derrick Williams/JJ Barea/Dante Cunningham deal?

    Rockets – Lin/Lamb/D.Williams/R.White/Asik w/ JJ’s 6th man scoring punch.

    Wolves – Rubio/K.Martin/Kirilenko/Love/Pekovic w/ Roy’s 6th man(of the year) comeback story.

    Both squads win right? The Rox are young, uptempo, & exciting, and the Wolves are surely a playoff team with this lineup. What do you think?

    • Derek Page

      The last thing the Rockets need is another power forward.

  13. HunterPlante

    I honestly think the Wolves had a great offseason…..bringing in AK 47 and B-Roy and an amazing amount of potential in Shved and maybe getting a contributor in Robbie Hummel….what’s Your take on their offseason?What can we expect from D-Will and Chase Budinger?

    • Derek Page

      I think you’re right, two solid veteran additions to help guide the youthful, talented core already in place. Definitely going to be a tough team fighting for one of the final few spots in the West but conference is so deep is talented that it will be very difficult for Wolves to get in the postseason.

  14. Charlie

    The Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors finished last season with an identical record. To settle the draft order, a coin flip took place which GS won, placing them #7 and Toronto #8. With both teams selecting a SF, how much impact did that coin flip have on the Raps future: Terrance Ross vs. Harrison Barnes?

    • Derek Page

      I’m not sold on either Barnes or Ross and neither helped their stock with disappointing showings in Summer League play. I see Barnes as having more of that star potential though but we’ll see.

  15. Hunter

    Do u see the Wolves taking a shot at Bynum or Harden next offseason?

    • Derek Page

      Chance to make a run but I doubt it. Each of those players will command more money (max) than Minnesota looks to be able to afford. Solid core there already anyways.

  16. MrEastPoint

    I hear that Atlanta will make a run at CP3 and Dwight Howard, how realistic are these aspirations?

    • Derek Page

      They’ve set themselves up to be able to form a Miami-esque trio with Howard, Chris Paul and Josh Smith so that’s a start. Convincing Howard and Paul to join Smith in the ATL is another story. Better chance, in my opinion, of Howard heading the Hawks than Paul at this point though.

  17. Carl jones

    Can Dwight Howard still get to the Nets through sign and trade next summer if traded to a team that he doesnt want to be on long term?

    • Derek Page

      No. The new CBA prohibits it. If Howard hits the open market next summer both the Lakers and Nets are out of the running.

  18. Hung Nguyen

    Heard rumors of Lakers interest in Brandon rush and Jodie Meeks. I think cj miles would be a great fit for team need. Do you think he would accept mle?

    • Derek Page

      I like Rush the best out of those three but I think Miles could be had for less than the MLE. Disappointing last few seasons for him in Utah but still very young and has upside.

  19. Andy

    Hey Derek, Greetings from Germany! My question: The Mavs have some talented young prospects (Jones, Beaubois, Cunningham) as well as lots of contracts that end next summer. Wouldn’t a deal that sends Turk, Richardson and Howard to the Mavs in exchange for Kaman, Carter, Brand, Jones, Marion and picks be a good option for the Magic?

    • Derek Page

      Well Andy, that would satisfy the Magic want to unload contracts but the young return of talent wouldn’t be sufficient enough. Orlando is asking for the moon for Howard. Mavs definitely have the cap relief aspect to offer, and solid veteran in Marion, but not enough talented prospects.

  20. Ant McDaniels

    Clippers are looking deep this year. Is it overly optimistic to expect a WCF appearance this year, barring any major injuries.

    • Derek Page

      If healthy, I think that’s a possibility. Chris Paul is the key in that aspect. OKC or LA Lakers not ending up in the West Finals would be a shock though.

  21. Junior

    Is there any chance of Dallas with a championship?

    Who do u compare T.ross of the raptors to?

    • Derek Page

      Not this season. If everything falls right, Dallas has the talent to compete in the playoffs which is better than they were last season.

      A reader, Jon, sent me an email recently and compared a fully realized Terrence Ross to former NBA player Eddie Jones. That’s a pretty good assessment in my book.

  22. brian shaw

    wait how is it possible I’m not a head coach yet….

    • Derek Page

      That’s a good question. I thought for sure Shaw was due for a head coaching position (Bobcats or Magic most likely) this offseason.

  23. John

    Hi Derek, do you think the Lakers can get any of the free agents that would really help them, like Barbosa, Delfino or even Meeks, for the veterans minimum? Also do you think they are really that commited to not using the mini mid level exception?

    • Derek Page

      I like the way the Lakers have put together their roster so far. A player of Antawn Jamison’s caliber coming off the bench is a luxury very few NBA teams have.

  24. alex

    do you like meeks to back up kobe? think they get help at SF as well or can ebanks/eyenga and jamison (SF/PF) hold it down?

    • Derek Page

      Lakers are good to go. Kobe isn’t a big fan of going to the bench very often anyways. :)

  25. Sammy

    Do the wolves make the playoffs this year with a starting lineup of
    Pg. Rubio
    Sg. Roy
    Sf. Ak-47
    Pf. Love
    C. Pek
    And who ends up getting traded first barea or luke?

    • Derek Page

      Definitely a possibility. Some question marks health-wise but on paper, they are a playoff-caliber team.

  26. Tracy

    Which teams do you predict will make the playoffs in the West? I see about 12 teams that have really decent squads so I think it’ll be pretty close.

    • Derek Page

      In order of final 2012-2013 standings:
      1. LA Lakers
      2. OKC Thunder
      3. SA Spurs
      4. LA Clippers
      5. Denver Nuggets
      6. Dallas Mavericks
      7. Memphis Grizzlies
      8. Portland Trail Blazers
      9. Minnesota T-Wolves (over .500 record)
      10. Utah Jazz (over .500 record)

  27. Dolan

    Do you think that the Celtics can take the east this season? I think they have the depth to do so. Thanks.

    • Derek Page

      A year older for this bunch is not a good thing, but Jason Terry brings a great added dimension of clutch shooting and scoring and a healthy Avery Bradley will make a huge difference. Miami is ridiculously stacked though going into next season though. Will be very tough for Celts.

  28. Claudio Rueda Sanchez

    Are the offer in Magic´s table bad enough to take the risk of letting Howard walk away for nothing? I mean the proposed 3 way trades between Cavs-Lakers, Hou-Lakers or even with Houston straight are fairly good and I can´t see any trade better around. By the way, are the Magic stupid enough to take a Nets deal with a overpaid Lopez?

    • Derek Page

      I think Orlando is playing with fire here considering they are going to continue to lose leverage the longer this whole mess goes. But on the other side, I see that the Magic are trying their best to get equal value for Howard but that’s simply not possible.

  29. Choice

    What do you think of the Dallas Mavericks off season moves?

    • Derek Page

      Considering the way the free agency period started, I’d give them a B+. Mark Cuban and co conjured up a deep, tough and talented roster seemingly out of thin air.

  30. Claudio Rueda Sanchez

    Are the Magic crazy enough to take a Nets deal involving an overpaid Lopez (after Jan 15th) for Howard?

    • Derek Page

      It really all depends on how Brook Lopez plays between the start of the season and that point. It’s easy to forget because he was on the shelf for the majority of last season but Lopez is a stud. He’s a guy that can consistently get a team 18 and 8 on over 50 percent shooting on a nightly basis. Defense isn’t great, but the guy’s still growing as a player.

  31. 2dogs

    What about Dwight to Boston for a package headlined by Rondo?

    • Derek Page

      Rajon Rondo is constantly in trade rumors and of course the Dwightmare is still evolving… but I don’t really see it. Magic want cap relief that Boston can’t oblige.

  32. Guilherme

    I see the Celtics poised for another title run, but I think they sould still sign another big that could actually play and spare KG to the Playoffs. Should you agree with these thought, what do you think about Yi Jianlian, Darko Milicic and Mehmet Okur as possible fits for the Cs?

    • Derek Page

      Out of those three, I’d take Okur. He can stretch the floor and isn’t bad on the defensive end either.

      Well we’re all out of time guys. Thanks for all the questions, let’s do this again next week. Have a good weekend.