NBA Chat With Derek Page 8/4/12

1. DROSE

   So these Bulls fans are waiting for Boozer to be amnestied!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When is it gonna happen?!?!

   • Derek Page

     What’s up hoops fans? Another Saturday afternoon is upon us which means it’s time to bring you another edition of my weekly chat. Plenty to get to once again so let’s get to it.

     It’s funny because this question seems to be coming up every week but here goes once again: don’t hold your breath. Carlos Boozer has lived up to expectations over recent months but that doesn’t mean the Bulls brass want to buy him out so that he can find another team and go play where he wants.

2. dafjk'ajf

   Do the Bulls have a shot at josh smith next offseason if boozer gone? how about kevin martin?

   • Derek Page

     Even if the Bulls were to amnesty Boozer (read above), as it stands, Chicago still wouldn’t be under the threshold enough to sign a player of Smith’s caliber to a max-contract. Boozer ($15.3 mill), Luol Deng ($14.2), Joakim Noah ($11.1) and Derrick Rose ($17.6) make a ton of money combined. Even if Boozer’s contract is off the books for the 13-14 season, there’s still not much wiggle room. A much more reasonably-priced Martin could be a possibility though.

3. asfa

   I hope the Bulls can land Rudy Gay when he is a free agent. Dude is young, and can score!

   • Derek Page

     You’re right: Rudy Gay is a beast. However, he isn’t eligible to become a free agent until after next season. But keep in mind, that’s only if he chooses to opt out of a $19.3 million payday in 2014-2015.

4. orlando down the 20

   Hi ,who do u think would have a better record, mavz or wolves?
   Lastly why do.u think grant hill signed with the clippz which is deep in the guard/ sf position compared to the lakers where he can be a starting sf or give kobe some rest at times at the 2….? Thanksssss

   • Derek Page

     I would have to say the Dallas Mavericks. The Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to be a young and deep team next season with plenty of veterans to hold down the fort, but it’s hard to count out Dirk Nowitzki and this radically revamped Mavs squad. On paper at least, the additions of OJ Mayo, Darren Collison, Chris Kaman, etc are stacking up the be the best supporting cast Nowitzki has had in a long time.
     In terms of your second question, I don’t know if it’s 100 percent guaranteed that Hill would’ve started with the Lakers. Regardless, the 40-year old felt like the Clippers presented a better opportunity. No doubt the Clipps are stacked.

5. smBEeR

   What kind of attitude would fans give d12 if he ends up with the nets,lakers or houston? Would it be different with each teams?

   • Derek Page

     I don’t think there’s any question that fans will give him the benefit of the doubt no matter where he goes. One of the perks of being the best center in the game.

6. downtown LA foodtruck

   I dont know if its hollywood or its old age but when players play for Los angeles they get different. Ron artest the other side mwp came out, shaq became a party lover, and now nash who i always thought as a silent warrior type makes crazy funny videos,is it mid life crisis or im just too hard on them and they just wana have fun in the paparazi capital of the nba?

   • Derek Page

     I think people generally are who they are but when you head to LA, the media spotlight shines a bit brighter and showcases more who these guys are… Nash made plenty of funny videos when he was with the Suns too. Haven’t you seen Balls Talk?

7. Gustavo A Thomas

   When you see a basketball game by 83 point.what is the main highlight,the team winner efficiency or the loser team mediocrity? Thank you.

   • Derek Page

     Team USA was just draining 3-pointers like crazy. I’ve never seen anything quite like that.

8. Gustavo A Thomas

   The 5 best and 5 worst contract on NBA right now are?thank you.

   • Derek Page

     That’s tough to answer off the dome without doing some research so I’ll give you a couple of each off the top of my head:
     Best: Serge Ibaka and James Harden are both still on original contracts.
     Worst: Carlos Boozer makes a ridiculous amount of money for what he contributes. So does Joe Johnson. As does Amare Stoudamire. I think both JJ and Amare are in the top-3 highest paid in the NBA.

9. Phil Bruntz

   Come playoff time do you expect mins will be dispersed similar to this?

   PG: Chalmers (26), Cole (10), Wade (12)

   SG: Wade (24), Allen (24)

   SF: LBJ (24), Miller (12), Battier (12)

   PF: Battier (12), Lewis (24), LBJ (12)

   C: Bosh (36), Haslem (12)

   • Derek Page

     Looks legit, Phil. I’d rather see Ray Allen in the starting lineup and LeBron James at power forward though. Move D Wade to small forward and Miami has a big, quick and devastating starting 5. LBJ at the 4 killed in last year’s postseason.

10. LA in LA

    I hear the Bulls might make moves to clear cap space (1 obvious step:amnesty Boozer) before summer of 2014 to go after a big name free agent. That class isn’t particularly impressive unless you include Miami’s big 3 as realistic options so of the following free agents which do you think would fit the best with D.Rose:
    Rudy Gay (player option), Carmelo (ETO), Zachary Randolph (ETO), Danny Granger, M.Gortart?
    (Dirk and Pau Gasol are also UFAs but I think Chicago wud want to go after someone younger)

    • Derek Page

      Of that bunch, I like Gay, Granger and Gortat. Carmelo needs the ball in his hands too much and Randolph is getting older. I think Nowitzki retires in Dallas, he isn’t going anywhere. Bulls are going to be a highly competitive next season though so Chi-Town fans should enjoy the team they have now.

11. JJ of Blueberry Bay

    Happy Olympic Saturday Derek
    Breakout players this year-Faried,Asik and Pekovic.
    Suprise rookies-Shved,Zeller and Nicholson.
    Off the cuff how do your lists compare?

    • Derek Page

      Happy Olympic Saturday to you as well. Obviously that needs to be some sort of National Holiday.
      I like your picks.
      Just spit-ballin, my breakout guys are Derrick Favors in Utah, Avery Bradley in Boston and Kemba Walker in Charlotte.
      In terms of surprise rookie contributors, how about… Terrence Jones in Houston, Jae Crowder in Dallas and Will Barton in Portland.

12. charlie lakers

    Hi Derek – What holds up the Howard trade to Lakers? Thanks

    • Derek Page

      Orlando’s asking price. The Magic know they have the best center in the game and want to receive compensation that reflect that. Unfortunately for all sides, that may not be attainable.

13. braveheart

    A year ago the Pistons wanted Bismack Biyombo who was taken by Charlotte and this year they got a center by drafting
    Andre Drummond. Which of the two is more ready to contribute now and which has the highest upside? Thanks.

    • Derek Page

      Both Drummond and Biyombo have ridiculously high ceilings. I’d give the edge to Drummond on that front though just because he’s nearly a 7-footer. Obviously Biyombo has a year under his belt so he has the advantage in the seasoning department but I think Drummond becomes the better pro.

14. Andrew C

    do you agree with Kyler and Nugents stance that unless you get exactly what you want for Howard, that he stays on the roster? Even if it means potentially losing him for nothing? Or would you take something, like picks and young players like Coon would?

    • Derek Page

      My stance is that the sooner Orlando acts, the better. The longer they wait, the less leverage they have in this situation. The best offers they are going to get for Dwight Howard will be BEFORE the season starts. Why would a team trade for Howard at the deadline when they might be able to sign him long-term in a couple of months?

15. Frank

    Hi Derek,
    1)Assume a MIN/SAC trade of Derek Williams/Budinger for Chuck Hayes/Tyreke trade, who says “no”? 2)Will Aaron Brooks or Isaiah T. start at PG for the KINGS? thanks.

    • Derek Page

      I don’t like that trade much for either side, Frank. Both teams are stacked with young talent, best to let that play out before making major moves – unless it’s for a proven, veteran contributor. My bet is on Thomas. Brooks is a solid pro but better in a back-up role. Although he might not like that idea much. Will be interesting to see how that plays out in Sacramento.

16. Lakers Fan

    Derek the Dwight Howard talks/rumors have cooled down. Do you have any updates/inside information that you can share? Chances he will join the Lakers?

    • Derek Page

      As far as I know about the situation is that Orlando wants three things: cap relief (taking bad contracts), young (reasonably-priced and locked up for the next few years) talent and a quality NBA starter right now. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a prospective trade partner that could only be looking at Howard on there team for part of one season.

17. Beau

    Let me get this straight, the Lakers won’t be allowed to sign and trade Howard to the new CBA rule next summer, does that mean they can’t do that for Bynum if he chooses to leave?

    • Derek Page

      I don’t know if I fully understand the question. If you mean can the Lakers sign and trade Andrew Bynum to another team, that depends on the other teams luxury tax position. The Lakers and Magic wouldn’t be able to do a sign and trade for Dwight Howard because the Lakers are so far over the luxury tax threshold.

18. Leo

    Are the Lakers waiting on Barbosa to get back to the U.S to make him an offer? And what’s the latest on Meeks? Thanks for your time!

    • Derek Page

      I know the Lakers have interest in Leandro Barbosa but he has several potential suitors interested in his services. Same goes for Meeks. Teams are still kind of playing the waiting game to try and see how low they can get these guys to go in terms of signing them to deals.

19. Brandon

    With Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors looking like a strong face to the Jazz’s future. What would you do with Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap, who could they get in return for those guys or realistically get in free agency if they let them walk?

    • Derek Page

      I think Utah should keep one or the other in Jefferson and Milsap – probably Jefferson who is more suited to center with Favors taking over for Milsap. Especially considering Milsap is more valuable on the open market to potential trade partners. In terms of a return, that’s tough to say. It really all depends on what the Jazz want. I think Milsap is worth a legitimate starter in return.

20. Deven

    What are your thoughts about the report in which Paul Pierce wants to explore free agency?

    • Derek Page

      Pierce’s statement wasn’t so much about exploring free agency but keeping his options open. He also said he may retire if he didn’t feel up to snub after the next few seasons. The reality is though is that the ball isn’t in his court. Only $5 million of Pierce’s $15.3 million is guaranteed for the 13-14 season. If Boston decides to go in another direction, Pierce will obviously be forced to weight his options.

21. Lakers #1 Fan

    If you had to guess, where would you say Dwight Howard ends up this year and who will that team(s) trade for him? Thanks!

    • Derek Page

      I still think it’s the Lakers and, judging by your guest name, you’re probably pretty happy about that prognosis. LA just seems like the odds-on favorite considering both what they have to offer in return and how likely it would be that Howard re-signs there in the offseason.

22. Go Lakers

    I heard that the Lakers were trying to trade MWP. Any idea of who or what was offered for him? Do you think he is the best candidate for amnesty for the Lakers? Thanks for your time.

    • Derek Page

      Not likely. Ron Artest doesn’t have much value on the market. It’s a better value for Lakers to keep him and see what he can do in purple and gold.
      
      Thanks for the time guys. Let’s do this again next week – same time, same place.