NBA Chat With Derek Page 7/7/12

1. LA in LA

   Is it likely the Lakers use their MLE Brandon Rush? He would be a good replacement for Barnes. Doesn’t rebound as well but is the terrific 3pt shooter we need? He also seems like the most realistic wing option besides Beasley.

   • Derek Page

     Welcome to the chat everyone. It’s been a frenetic week with teams throwing all kinds of money around at players and numerous guys around the league expected to join new squads. Outlandish amount of questions in the que so we better get started.

     I think Rush would be a quality addition for LA. Last season he shot over 45 percent from the behind the arc and over 50 percent as a whole. That kind of perimeter marksmanship is exactly what was missing from the Lakers last season. However Rush is a restricted free agent and Golden State seems intent on keeping him.

2. The JOkeShow

   Who wins this trade between the Lakers and Magic?

   LA gets: Dwight, Hedo, J Rich, Duhon, Q Rich

   Magic gets: Bynum, Pau, Metta, McRoberts

   • Derek Page

     Dwight Howard is a great player, no question, but giving up both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum for him is a lot to give away so I’d have to give the edge to Orlando on that one. Not sure Lakers go for that.

3. Cain

   I still feel Indiana will re-sign Hibbert, but what else are they going to do? How important will an off-season learning PG be for George Hill?

   • Derek Page

     It really all depends on if Indiana re-signs Roy Hibbert, which is also what I’m expected them to do based on what I’ve heard. If they don’t match on Hibbert, that opens up enough cash to sign another center (possibly Chris Kaman for $8-10 mill per season) and possibly acquire another significant addition. Hill’s got some talent and you’re right: he is still learning the point guard position so a full offseason and training camp with Indiana will be beneficial.

4. Deven

   Dallas has had a terrible off season. It’s just pathetic. What will they do? Why did Kidd choose New York over Dallas? He seemed to have a deal in place with the Mavs. What happened?

   • Derek Page

     It hasn’t gone well, that’s for sure. The focus now is on trying to sign quality players for just one season and then going after Dwight Howard, CP3 and Josh Smith next summer. In terms of Kidd, the most simple answer is that he looked at the Mavs roster vs the Knicks roster and made the best decision for him. Not the end of the word for Dallas though as leaning on a 39-year old point guard to start and play significant minutes is a recipe for disaster.

5. kody

   Do you think the Mavericks and Rockets should both play with what they got and hope they can get either shabazz, nerlen noels, or Cody zeller in next years draft?

   • Derek Page

     As long as Dallas has Dirk Nowitzki they will be in the thick of the playoff hunt. Houston still has talent as well, point guard and possibly center if Bulls match on Omer Asik still on the agenda though. Removing the logjam at forward is a priority for the Rockets as well but there’s no short supply of talent.

6. Gustavo A.Thomas

   With the the talent ch bulls have right now and the mediocre players they looking on FA, I see CH.#5 on eastern conference, Miami,NY,Brooklyn and Indiana Coming better right now.what you think.

   • Derek Page

     Fully healthy, Bulls are clear-cut number two team in the East. Miami is the only team, mostly because of acquiring Ray Allen, that on paper is a better team than Chicago in the East.

7. wenz

   any news on my warriors? i think everyone but bogut and h. barnes is trade-able if the deal is right. as much as i hate to say it i think even curry is dispensible because of his ankles if we can get a valuable piece in return…

   • Derek Page

     Golden State is still looking at different trades, namely a possible Dwight Howard swap with Orlando. In terms of free agents, Brandon Rush is likely coming back and then it’s all about seeing what’s left in FA in terms of role players.

8. Matt (UK)

   Have you heard any rumours out of Denver? Are they planning any moves or just looking to re-sign JaVale?

   • Derek Page

     McGee and the Nuggets are currently working on a contract but he’s going to be in high demand after the Hibbert and Asik dominoes fall. McGee will have plenty of suitors if Denver decides not to pay up.

9. Marvelous Marv

   Hey Derek,

   Would it not make sense for the Raptors and Knicks to do a sign & trade of fields for Calderon?

   • Derek Page

     I don’t see it. Knicks are most likely bringing back Jeremy Lin and are expected to sign Jason Kidd to back him up.

10. Prem I.

    Now the sixers have ammesty Elton brand what team do you see him signing with? I think he could be the starting pf on the brooklyn nets thoughts?

    • Derek Page

      Plenty of teams will have interest in Brand, including the Dallas Mavericks who will be looking to grab him on a one-year deal.

11. andy

    Do you think Dion Waiters or Damian Lillard have a legitimate shot at rookie of the year?

    • Derek Page

      Going to be tough with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson expected to have key roles in their rookie year as well. If I had to choose between those two, I go with Lillard though. He’s going to be a special NBA player.

12. Deven

    Do you think Ray Allen going to Miami will be a stab in the back towards the Celtics?

    • Derek Page

      He wasn’t a starter in Boston anymore so he took LESS MONEY to go to another team where he will have more playing time. I really don’t get all the outrage. With Jason Terry coming in, Allen would’ve likely had an even more diminished role.

13. Shad

    The Utah jazz’s roster is stacked with forwards! Now that they have acquired M Williams and resigned Evans do you suspect KOC has another trade in mind?

    • Derek Page

      Definitely a log jam at the power forward position and yes I do think they address that before the start of next season. Jazz aren’t done wheeling and dealing.

14. James

    How much does Ray Allen make the HEAT? and what type of impact could M Camby have on HEAT?

    • Derek Page

      Allen’s acquisition is going to be HUGE. Every time DWade or LeBron James drives to the basket, teams are going to have to think twice before collapsing and leaving Allen wide open behind the arc. Ray Allen might shoot over 50 percent from 3 next year with all the open looks he’s going to get.

15. Jim in CyberSpace

    Nothing is official yet, to date what has been the best rumored free agent move by any team. Amnesty Brand?

    • Derek Page

      The Lakers bringing in Steve Nash is such a crafty move. He’s going to make every single player on the court better offensively – even Kobe. Ray Allen to Miami is a not-too-distant second.

16. Ax of Manila

    Any possible R. Allen replacement left in the FA market? C. Lee, Lou Williams, Mayo, D. West, JR Smith, Arenas, CJ Miles, T-Mac: who fits best for the C’s?

    • Derek Page

      Jason Terry.

17. Ronny

    Lost season for dallas?Who do you see coming via fa or via trade?

    • Derek Page

      Ramon Sessions or Ray Felton are possibilities at PG. Marcus Camby or Elton Brand on the interior and bringing back Delonte West a legitimate possibility. Not sure if it’s a lost season but Mavs certainly not competing for a title.

18. WIZARD

    How good do you see us next seaso?If we don’t made playoff should that be disaster?

    • Derek Page

      Making the playoffs is a legitimate possibly for Washington next season with John Wall already in place and the recent additions (including Nene) helps them match up well with 7th or 8th seed contenders in the East.

19. ken

    hello… Am I the only laker fan that really wouldn’t mind if we keep bynum and not get howard?

    What do you see the lakers doin do you see them trading gasol to shed salary if not do you see them adding a young pg so they can learn from one of the best in nash how to be a real pg..

    • Derek Page

      I think, right now, the Lakers are clearly the team to beat in the West after adding Nash. I would only trade for Howard if it’s Bynum straight up but I agree I think you can make a case for the Lakers as title contenders right now without Dwight.

20. Wil

    Hi Derek, so what now for Dallas, as Plans A (D-Will), B (Dwight), and C (Nash) have all fell apart? I agreed with the decision last year and don’t buy into the nonsense that they needed to defend the title (let’s be real, they were a one-hit wonder and Chandler wasn’t going to change that). But now, they have to figure out how to move forward with a declining Dirk. Thoughts…

    • Derek Page

      Never much of a chance to get Dwight Howard simply because Dallas didn’t have the assets that Orlando will want in a trade this summer. Howard priority is next summer. Disagree with your one hit wonder assessment. Dirk and Chandler were the best center-power forward combo in the NBA and were simply a great fit next to each other on the floor and frankly pretty dominant.

21. charlie lakers

    Hi Derek – Is Howard coming to Lakers, considering Orlando wanting Bynum, and Nash playing point guard?

    • Derek Page

      Kobe Bryant seems to think so but I don’t know if the Magic and Lakers are seeing eye-to-eye at this point on a deal and Orlando is in no rush at this point. The Magic will have plenty of offers, it’s all about figuring out what they feel is the best value for the best center in the NBA.

22. JP

    Hi Derek! How are you?
    I have a couple of questions regarding Minne and I hope you can answer them!
    1-What do you think of Batum´s future and what is PA going to do (match /not match/ S&T)?
    2-Would you trade Derrick Williams without seeing a full year as a 3?
    3-Can they get Batum trading Wes J and 3 picks (2 first rounders – 1 second rounder) or they will need to send someone like Ridnour for sure?
    Thanks!

    • Derek Page

      From everything I’ve heard, Portland is not going to let Batum go. If I’m a GM, I’d like to see what I have in Williams before trading him. But, of course, if the right deal came along…

23. Milosh

    With the addition of Steve Nash, and with Kobe/Nash/Gasol now being another year older, would you take OKC or LAL to make it out of the west next year?

    • Derek Page

      That’s tough but I have to go with the Lakers. The Nash-effect is going to be huge for LA.

24. Ronny

    Shuld dallas give mcgee max deal and 8 mil to mayo?Mcgee shown in denver that under right coach can be top 5 center and carlisle is in that group of coaches.Mayo can replace terry.Are mavs in serious danger to miss playoff for first time in dirk era?

    • Derek Page

      Not going to happen. Dallas, for better or worse, wants to try to be a player in the summer of 2012. I’m in the minority but I think Dallas still makes the playoffs this season.

25. WIZARD

    Can beal and wall develop into best backcourt in this league or something like okc russ-harden?Do you see them along with nene moving wizards into playoff?

    • Derek Page

      Each of those players have all the tools, all depends on how the gel together on the court/

26. Kahari young

    Hey Derek!is there any chance that Rashard Lewis joins his old supersonic buddy ray Allen?!if the heat trade Norris,Joel , and a pick for camby, can we sign a nice backup pg like jonny Flynn or baron Davis?!

    • Derek Page

      That’s one of the main possibilities with LA Lakes as another option.

27. cole

    Do the Pacers match on Roy Hibbert? Any clue to who the Blazers are looking at for head coach(other then Kaleb)? Thoughts on Larry Miller resigning?

    • Derek Page

      That’s something the Indiana Pacers are currently carefully considering. Hibbert is not a max player but the market has dictated that contract and Indiana must figure out if Chris Kaman at the center position is comparable for better price.

28. BlazerFan

    Who do you thinks Portlands plan B if HIbbert offer gets matched? Thanks

    • Derek Page

      JaVale McGee is still out there, as is Chris Kaman in terms of centers. Both likely cheaper.

29. ken

    Do you think Eric Gordon Will play for the suns this year?
    And if you do, do you think the lineup of dragic,Gordon,Beasley,Morris,Gortat Could be a playoff team in the west?

    • Derek Page

      New Orleans appears intent to match, regardless of where Gordon’s heart is.

30. BlazerFan

    Lillard/Smith
    Wes/Barton/Ewill
    Batum/Claver
    LA/Freeland
    Hibbert/Leonard
    Do you think this team can make the 6-7 seed in thr Playoffs with Dallas losing many of their key players and Memphis losing Oj Mayo?? Thanks

    • Derek Page

      It will be a battle, that’s for sure. On paper, Portland has a very talented group for years to come if Indiana decides not to match and Batum is re-signed.

31. rian

    what do you think is the preci range os mayo? would he sign with orlando for the mid exception

    • Derek Page

      I’m thinking $5 mill is about OJ Mayo’s range. Plenty of options out there for him.

32. Marcus M.

    What do you think of what the Rockets have done and do you think Morey will be able to pull off a “big” deal?

    • Derek Page

      That’s the plan. Much easier said than done but, as I mentioned earlier, plenty of talent residing in Houston. Problem is many of them play the same position.

33. Ryan

    Except for LA and the Nets are there actually any other places Howard could go ? And If so what players could be involved? Die Hard Magic fan !!

    • Derek Page

      Golden State, Houston and the LA Clippers are some other teams that have been rumored to be in contact with Orlando.

34. Tox

    Sup Derek! Where do u think Dwight would land? My guess will be the purple and gold…

    • Derek Page

      I think you might be right. When the LA Lakers want something, the generally get it. That is, if the NBA doesn’t step in.
      
      Thanks for the time everybody. I know I missed a bunch of you so feel free to hit me up on Twitter and join me again next week – same time, same place. Have a good weekend guys.