NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 10/25/11

cody

the best plan for the clipps should be to sign a stopgap sf and let kaman and foye expire and use the capspace on dwight,deron,cp3,or nash, without losing the minny pick or the cheap rookie contract of bledsoe. if dwight,deron,cp3,or nash did want to come to LA dont you think they would rather sign freeagency instead of coming to a team that gutted there minny pick and a nice young talent? clipps need to put pieces around eg and blake, but they still got 1 more year to impress gordon. ur thoughts?

Eric Pincus

Historically the Clippers have not bee a free agent destination. Does that change? I’m not sure the team is willing to wait on the chance they’re rejected and end up with cap space and no reward. The plan would be to make deals before then but fall back is always an option.

cj

ORL gets wallace and kaman
POR gets howard and aminu
LAC gets camby and hedo
seems good for all teams involved, what do you think?

Eric Pincus

Yikes, no. Clippers don’t want Hedo. Yikes, no. Magic get far, far too little for Howard. Sure for the Blazers, no-brainer, but no chance.

Trevor

With the NBAPA waiting for the National labor board to look into their case, do you see any chance of Cohen being called in as a witness in behalf of the players claim of the owners not negotiating in good faith?

Eric Pincus

No.

Steve

Hi Eric,
I have read a few different comment boards of fans discussing the CBA and I see about 70% to 80% very negative about the players and their greed.
Have you seen anything similar to that?

Eric Pincus

I couldn’t guess percentage. In general what I can sense is that the average fan is upset with the owners and players, but slightly more so with the owners.

stephen

I see a glaring whole in an otherwise strong okc.. a scoring big man… that’s nitto say perkins and ibaka went a strong duo, but how bout Carl Landry with the mle? Will someone overpay to get him? Would he play a backup role or is he starving to play big minutes? Will new Orleans keep him, being the less sought and cheaper between him and d west? Your thoughts please

Eric Pincus

Landry can play but let’s be honest, I’m not sure the Thunder need a scoring big man at all. I like the model of strong perimeter scorers who can penetrate exceptionally well – without big men clogging the post looking for touches. I think there was a team that did that well? Let me see, hmm . . . Chicago Bulls with Jordan/Pippen?

Andrew

Utah needs to trade either Milsap or Jefferson. Which one would you trade and who would you like to get in return if you were the jazz. Dream scenario vs Most likely to happen.

Eric Pincus

This is a tough one but I’d trade either and I think the return will (or should) be strong. Let’s revisit as things crystallize re: Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Jeremy from SC

How bout this trade sallary works
MIA-Okafur, DWest, Eric Bledsoe
ORL-Bosh, Deandre Jordan, Chalmers
NO-Kaman,Diogu,Nelson,Aminu
LAL-Howard,CP3

Eric Pincus

Really, a four-team trade that lands the Lakers both Howard and Paul? Come on now.

Mutang

Oh, the NBA is canceling two more weeks of the season?? Hmm, well, I can confidently say I speak for a massive amount of long-time NBA fans and, WHO CARES. I’m more interested in the NFL from now on; they got it right. Let all of the NBA folks just continue to lose money.

Eric Pincus

The NBA is banking that fans are fickle and if/when things are resolved, all will be forgiven. Honestly, they’re probably right for the most part.

Steve

Eric,
How about of the players agree to 52% BRI and the teams agree to a $2 luxury tax instead of $1 and they eliminate or move 1 or 2 teams that are not ever profitable. Wouldn’t this improve revenue sharing, competition, and profit?

Eric Pincus

Depends who you ask.

Steve

Eric,
Wouldn’t it be a bit unfair to Chris Bosh if Miami traded him away early in the second season? Would his agent have gotten some assurances (verbal or otherwise) of a two-year trial minimum before Miami could ship him someplace he didn’t want to be?

Eric Pincus

Fair has nothing to do with it. Teams are going to make the best moves for their franchise regardless of hurt feelings. I personally think the HEAT keep Bosh another year but if they went in that direction, there’s no crying in basketball.

Steve

Hi Eric,
Was this Kobe to Italy stuff just a PR stunt?
Did they realize he was not worth $2 Mill per game and back out?
Would Kobe dominate in the Italian league?

Eric Pincus

It was no PR stunt, in the sense that there was no fake-out. The entire Kobe thing to Italy was tried for (on both sides) in earnest but if you want to argue all that is a PR stunt, then fine. I’ll go with you there.

Timing just didn’t work out. It’s a lot of money and a lot of strings attached here in there. Additionally, it looks like Kobe is going to go on tour with a bigger group, so that may have gotten in the way.

If the season is cancelled or doesn’t start up until well-past November, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bryant ends up doing something in Italy.

Sure, Kobe would dominate. Where wouldn’t he dominate?

Steve

Eric,
I doubt Howard would want to play for the Clippers but, they do have some good pieces to trade. Would Bledsoe, Jordan, 2 first round picks, and cap relief players for Howard and Turk work for both teams?

Eric Pincus

I wouldn’t sleep on the notion that Howard considers the Clippers. A lot depends on the new rules of course. I wouldn’t say they’re the favorite but if some of the other options have trouble configuring a trade, things could change. The league may do away with sign and trade, which would obviously limit Orlando’s options. I don’t know if the exact configuration of players makes sense for the Clippers frankly but if both teams were serious, I’m sure they’d be able to work something out. I might expect LA too look at an elite point guard or star small forward before a center but if you can get Howard, you probably change your plans.

Kurt

What happens first, a Green Bay Packers loss or an NBA game?

Eric Pincus

I don’t really follow football but if you said, “What happens first, anything at all or an NBA game?” I’d probably go with the former.

Sam

Is Deron Williams of the NJN a free agent? Will the Clips have interest in him if so? Do you think he would want to play for the Clippers? If not in your opinion do the Clips need to pursue a point guard?

Eric Pincus

The Clippers would probably have serious interest in Williams if he became available. New Jersey is expected to be a big spender and potential power team once they move to Brooklyn. I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams stuck with the Nets, but LAC may have a shot.

Charlie

In his chat, Alex Kennedy suggested using the amnesty clause on Jose Calderon (assuming there is one in the new CBA). If you were Bryan Colangelo and have exhausted all trade avenues, do you use the amnesty clause on Jose to get from under his terrible contract? Why or why not.

Eric Pincus

I don’t think Jose has a terrible contract any more. He’s probably worth about $8 million a season right now and getting paid $20.3 million, so we’re talking an extra $4 million over two years. You can argue he’s really worth $5 mil per (and thus $10 mil overpaid) but teams generally put up extra money for big men and starting point guards. Even at $10 million, that’s not a “horrible” contract. Given the Raptors don’t have much of anything else at the point, I’d probably keep Calderon but no, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was the amnesty. I’d say more likely than not, he stays.

Carlos A

If there is a amnesty clause and the bulls use its on boozer won’t they be under the cap and be able too signed howard if he becomes ay free agent!

Eric Pincus

Technically that may be true.

paul

What would Westbrook’s stat line look like if he didn’t have Durant with him?

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure his numbers would be better – probably worse. Durant opens up the game for Russell so much.

Cain

Would the Pacers be better to not really sign anyone new this off-season then have a go at acquiring one of the big name free agents next year like Howard, Paul or Williams?

Eric Pincus

That may happen anyway with the lockout, which would put the Pacers in a position where there’s a ton of money to spend and a long list of available free agents. You have to ask though – do the Pacers draw a Howard, Paul or Williams? They may not based on market, which would be a shame but a possible hiccup. The Pacers need to spend wisely this summer if it comes to that. If the better options don’t happen, then waiting isn’t awful.

Ralph

As a Blazer fan, a shorter season would be great for the blazers and their feeble knee’s. Lol. How many titles can the heat win with the big 3. Thanks you guys do great work. Start season please!!

Eric Pincus

The Blazers need to stay healthy. That’s been really disturbing, the rate the team goes down with injury. Let’s shoot for one title first for the Big 3 before sizing a second ring. Thanks Ralph.

tony

No deal til january is almost inevitable correct?

Eric Pincus

I don’t know if I’d use the word inevitable – which essentially means destined to happen. I deal could down that has basketball back up in say six weeks? I think there’s a good chance we won’t see games until 2012 but remember the league needs a month from the hand shake to putting on games.

Dylan

Nice piece on the Chris Paul trade ideas. Is the Lakers trading for Chris Paul a feasible idea? Would NO accept Bynum for Paul?

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure where the Hornets go from here, with the biggest complication the NBA ownership issue. I would say the Lakers should be on the Chris Paul list but nothing at any point soon is likely.

Mike

Neil Olshey’s contract expires at the end of the month. Do you know if they plan to sign him to an extension? If they do extend him do you think they will hire an assistant GM?

Eric Pincus

I haven’t really looked into this topic but my understanding is the team is happy with Olshey and he’s likely to stick around past his contract.

Tom

How does the TW Cable deal affect us? Will the makers be on Chanel 9 and FSW still?

Eric Pincus

New station(s) completely. You’ll need to have cable to get Laker games, which was the big advantage to KCAL9.

john

how would u fix the raptors?

Eric Pincus

With patience. That’s a full article right there, not ideal for the chat format!

john

what can toronto get for barbosa?

Eric Pincus

I’m thinking not much. If a team wants Barbosa, they can wait a year until he’s a free agent. If the Raptors are willing to take a player on a longer contract, then perhaps they get someone who is unwanted. Then again, sometimes a rebuilding team will want to move solid veterans for expiring contracts. I wouldn’t expect too much for Barbosa but not nothing.

Mike

Do the nuggets have bird rights to Nene? If so, can you see them going after Marc Gasol and then signing Nene? Thanks.

Eric Pincus

The Nuggets have the Bird Rights to Nene. If the new CBA gives them enough money to then, in turn, go after Gasol . . . then perhaps they do. In general I look at restricted free agents and think long-shot and I would say most franchises feel the same way. That doesn’t mean they won’t make a run but that the odds of it paying off drop dramatically.

Steve

Eric,
Would Nic Batum be a good fit at SF for Clips?
How could Portland and LA make a fair trade around Nic?
Jordon would look good with Blazers.

Eric Pincus

The Clippers have liked Batum for a while now. At this point the Blazers are asking for a lot for their small forward. The Clippers plan to keep DeAndre.

Aevi

Hi Eric, love the chats! What is process of how NBA selects its owners? It seems that with the infusion of stars and talent into the league, the momentum gained in the last few seasons of good basketball, and the additional revenue generated internationally, that mismanagement of teams is actually more of the issue.

Eric Pincus

Teams individually go up for sale and who purchases is really up to the individual seller. The league has to stamp the deal for approval but if you have enough money, you have a shot to buy a team. I don’t agree that the league has been mismanaged. The NBA has been thriving. What changed is the economy and a basic deal where the owners earn only 43 cents on the dollar . . . that’s why we’re in lockout. Not teams making mistakes. In the best of times and the worst of times, typically half the teams are lousy – almost a half are good and a few are elite.

Raffi

I keep hearing that if a hard cap is enforced the NBA will scale back contracts. But isn’t that illegal since the teams are obligated to paying the amount stated in the players’contracts?

Eric Pincus

The league isn’t pushing rollbacks and a hard cap any more. Would it be illegal if they did? No. This is collective bargaining, so the players would be agreeing to have their contracts reduced, if it had come to that.

MARTY

I have been saying it for months, send L.O & Ron/World to the Nicks or the Nets…. Send Andrew & Blake to the Magic… Send Pau out for Love. Put Fish on the bench as a player coach & send Barnes anywhere…

Eric Pincus

OK, keep saying that.

Alexis

Hi! i’m a Heat Fan, and I think, the only missing piece for them is a Good PG and True Center. So…
Do you think, given the new CBA, the heat will have a chance to land a not so great but good PG and a Center given their Cap space?
Or they just need to develop Chalmers to be their starting PG?

Eric Pincus

The pieces will come. I’d say Miami is able to address one of those needs this summer – probably center. I’m not sure they can do both unless they get lucky with a cheaper player.

geneticray from detroit

who has the better point of view from ur perpective the players or the owners what u think is a good deal they can argue too cause i think the players should give the owners what they want cause they get all profit while the owners deal with loses.

Eric Pincus

Both sides are fighting for their piece of the pie. There’s no true right or wrong. Both sides feel like they’re doing what they need to do economically. The players have given back a lot already in these negotiations but the owners feel they already gifted the players far more than they should have from 2005 to 2011.

You can argue that the players get paid regardless and the team takes losses, but then you’re talking players in aggregate and that may not apply to one individual player who is an injury away from never getting paid again.

There’s nothing black and white about the situation.

Ran from saint louis

How come the HEAT don’t make a move to get Andre Miller? He’s a veteran who still has a lot left in the tank.

Eric Pincus

Offering what exactly?

Earl

The owners are sticking to the hard line, if the players lay down this time then the next time will just be another hard line. I feel the players have no other choice but to fight back even if it does mean lost paychecks and season. What do you think?

Eric Pincus

The players aren’t going to win this battle. The question is where do they gain small amounts by fighting. They certainly lose in the short-run but maybe they’ll salvage a little bit extra over the life of the deal. I agree with the owners on a lot of fronts but feel they’re asking for more than is reasonable. we’ll have to see what happens . . .

Jim

In a world where the Lakers must give up either Gasol or Kobe (amnesty cut) for an elite player Howard/Rose/CP3, who do you choose and why?

Eric Pincus

Really? Kobe via amnesty cut? Lakers aren’t going there. If LA could land an elite player, Gasol would be the one to go with the core being the incoming star, Kobe and Bynum (in your scenario).

Matt (UK)

I don’t get to watch much NBA here in the UK but it seems a year or two ago most people in the press were bashing Nene, saying he was too soft to be an NBA centre and should be moved to PF and replaced at centre. Now he is being talked about as a trade target for many and put up some very efficient numbers last year. Where would you rank him in the NBA for Centers?

Eric Pincus

I view Nene as one of the more underrated players in the league, flat out. I see him as a center in the NBA and one of the top five at that . . .

Drew,bk,ny

Minnesota so young,exciting pieces !!!! Rubio poor offensive game how many years with current core r they in playoffs?so deep, going with adelman or nelson no wrong choice for offensence!

Eric Pincus

They’re going with Adelman and he’ll help but I still believe the Wolves are couple of years away. There are a lot of bright, young prospects but it all has to come together and Rubio has a LOT to prove in the NBA.

Eric

Please explain the stretch exception in more detail. Is the amount “stretched” tax exempt? Players are cut so it sounds like an amnesty with a payment plan.

Eric Pincus

The Stretch Exception would be a normal salary hit except instead of a player getting say $3 million a year for three years, they’d get $1.5 million over six (to not play). The cap hit each season is cut in half. It’s still under negotiation so that’s about all we’ve got to go on right now . . .

Dong of Dayton

Hey Eric,

What do you think was the deal with Brook Lopez’s rebounding last year? Where do you see him going from here?

Eric Pincus

I just don’t think he’s a natural rebounder. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The key is putting him next to a guy like Kris Humphries who just wants to pound the boards. The Nets need health and a better roster. They’ve got some starting pieces for a solid team, including Lopez who is one of the better offensive centers in the league.

James

If there’s a franchise tag and clause. What can Orlando do to become elite again ? Big baby iggy. J-smoove.

Eric Pincus

Orlando needs to keep Howard and from there get out of Arenas, Tukoglu, etc. The amnesty/stretch provisions may help. Iguodala is solid. I’m not sure Smith is the right call. Neither is a great shooter. You want better all-around players than Rashard Lewis (who was a tremendous shooter/scorer for the Magic) without sacrificing that outside shot (to provide Howard with space). The answer to this question is longer than the chat format is going to allow for . . .

Brice

What kind of man doesn’t watch the NFL? Lol

Eric Pincus

Ha, I don’t mind the NFL. I watch it when I can but honestly I spend much of my time working during the week and try to save Sundays for the family (except in the mornings when I play pickup basketball). I actually played football in high school (not basketball) but when it comes to preference NBA, MLB and then NFL.

melbourne BABYBEE

what do you think RJ needs to improve or do to fit in/play better in SA? Imo, he hasn’t showed enough heart or determination (did he ever?). Also do you think the rookie Kawhi Leonard will take much pt in the SF position? How many mins do you think he will avg throughout the shortened season? Thanks EP!

Eric Pincus

Jefferson was very good last year for the Spurs but ultimately he’s a role player at this point. The Spurs are on the border of competing and rebuilding. I’m not sure if Jefferson survives the amnesty cut if and when that goes into place. I’ve heard good things about Leonard but I haven’t seen enough of him yet to guess numbers.

Josh

Devin Harris has expressed that he would like to extend in Utah. Do you think he is really the future PG for Utah or do they look to get a PG in the draft next year or by trade? Possibly Kybongo or Teague will be available.
Also do you think Hornacek would be on the all time top 5 for the Utah Jazz?

Eric Pincus

I’m not too high on Harris as a franchise point guard. He’s solid but not tremendous. The Jazz have a lot of pieces to move around, notably some of their bigs. I look forward to seeing how that shakes out. Sure, Hornacek was a big-time player for the Jazz.

Rick

Does a shortened season lesson the trade value of players that will be free agents in the summer of 2012?

Eric Pincus

That’s a pretty long list? If you’re talking elite targets, then no. If you mean rental players teams only want for a few months, then perhaps. It’s too vague a question given the overall uncertainty we’re looking at.

Paul

What kind of contract do you think Deandre Jordan will get? Will they be willing to pay for a big 3 1/2 a few years from now when Gordon, Blake and whatever star they plan on getting will be maxed out?

Eric Pincus

Gotta wait for the rules but under the old system he’s probably a $10 million player per year (or even more). The new system will dictate spending for the Clippers and every other team in the league.

Jim

So where is David Stern? He “has the flu” or was he pushed out for Silver? Something smells fishy to me.

Eric Pincus

You’re stretching here.