NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 10/4/11

JamieG

I don’t know how the salaries work out, but since the Wizards need some veteran experienced talent and want to run, and since the Lakers need to get younger and acquire a big man who can play both the 4 & 5 spots, does an Odom for Blatche trade work for both teams?

Eric Pincus

Not really because I don’t see the Lakers wanting Blatche. Too inconsistent.

NY NBA fan living in LA

is it just me or is the timing of Kobe flitting off to Italy when many of the big name talent in the league attend the negotiations at this crucial stage pure Kobe?
His actions single him out again as a prima dona who cares about one thing, The Black Mamba.

Eric Pincus

Yeah, no. I don’t see it that way at all.

Dylan Stevenson

Is Tuesday the absolute last day to get a deal done to save the season? Couldn’t they just cut 20 games and still have training camps and a free agency period?

Eric Pincus

No, it’s not the absolute last day. That might be Wednesday or even Thursday but we’re talking razor-thin margin right now.

hil316

Hi Eric , if the lockout shortens the regular season what are the chances of
the clippers making a big trade for example CP3

Eric Pincus

This is entirely dependent on how the new CBA is spelled out. We’re a long way away from giant blockbuster deals like that for any team.

Mutang

Seems like 90% of questions are all the same….dont think this one was posed:

What do you see Kanters career ended up like? Who will he compare to? What about Alec Burks too? Young Jazz rebuilding the right way…..

Eric Pincus

I touched on this elsewhere. Burks and Kanter are nice additions. I haven’t seen Kanter play yet but I’ve read that he has a nice combination of skills for his size. The jazz need to make a few more changes but I do like how they’re rebuilding. I just don’t think it will pay dividends yet in record . . . not this coming season.

jono

hey eric,
Your probably non the right person to ask about the cavs roster, but however should the cavs go young by putting
Kyrie at PG
Daniel Gibson at SG
Alonzo Gee or Eyenga at SF
Tristan Thompson at PF
and Varejao at C
why and why not and what changes could be made to this starting five?
thanks

Eric Pincus

I would like to think I’m the right guy to ask. The question in that mix is Gibson. Is he someone the Cavs value as a long-term piece and one they want at two-guard?

Also, I’d start Omri Casspi. You can argue Irvin, Eyenga, Casspi, Thomas and vet Varejao.

I don’t see the Cavs doing a lot this season as far as won/loss, but that’s a nice, young lineup to watch as they learn how to win . . .

jono

hey again,
Should the HEAT try and get deandre jordan or not?

Eric Pincus

Should? Sure. Can? Not really.

john

Hey Eric!
What do u think of this trade?
Odom/Artest/Blake for Nelson/Bass/Redick.
Im not sure this works on paper but I think it gives both teams more of what they need.
Howard/Odom/Artest/Richardson/Arenas(Turk&Blake bench)
Bynum/Gasol/Barnes/Bryant/Nelson(Fisher/Bass & Redick bench)

Eric Pincus

Based on the current rules, the numbers work. For the Lakers it’s a great deal. I don’t see why the Magic have any interest there whatsoever.

Dong of Dayton

Hey Eric,

If there is an amnesty clause in the new cba, do you think the lakers would pick up any of the cut players? Like Arenas, Bdavis, calderon?

Eric Pincus

Certainly possible. I’d stay away from the first two and look at Calderon between the three – even if he’s a below average defender at the position. He’s the best shooter of the bunch.

Dong of Dayton

Hello Again Eric,

Who do you think will have a better season statistically, Demarcus Cousins or Greg Monroe?

Eric Pincus

Probably Cousins but Monroe is a solid player who should have a good second season. If you’re looking at field goal percentage, that might be Monroe.

AK

Hey Eric, good chats like them a lot.
What happens in two or three years when Kobe is done with basketball, who will the Lakers turn to? I mean they usually have a star player and some good players around him, who is the next star for the Lakers?

Eric Pincus

Three years in NBA terms is an eternity. I don’t doubt the Lakers will find their next star. They always have.

zac

What do you think is the best option for the blazers, try to resign patty mills and trade luke babbitt and armon johnson for a big man or try and trade the rights to joel freeland and victor clavier for a big man? In my opinion it makes more sense to trade babbitt if he cant translate his gmae to the pros where he had trouble keeoing up with 3′s and was to small to guard 4′s for a player like jason thompson if he is available and can build a package for him. Bringing Clavier over would give a backup up to Batum if he ends up starting if Wallace misses games due to injury or vise versa. And having Freeland who could be a solid unspectacular backup would be a big plus for Portland.

Eric Pincus

What big man really worth his salt are you going to get for Babbitt, Johnson, Freeland, Clavier, etc. The new rules may outlaw sign and trade which would mean no Babbitt trade. Again, Portland might be able to get a project big man for what you’re proposing. I’m not sure, barring adding a more significant piece that the Blazers will get a more significant player.

zac

Whats your opinion of the Blazers back up big men Chris Johnson and Earl Barron? Both have non-quarenteed deals and could be waived to clear a little cap space, yet Johnson showed atleast Leon Powe potential in April and the Playoffs. Earl Barron to me seems like a typical journeyman and it seems like you could bring in a better defender Jason Collins maybe? for the same price as he would almost make vet min. If the amnesty clause went into effect it seems like Diop, Beidrens, Thabeet, or Turiaf would be a better choice if Portland could land one of them.

Eric Pincus

These are easy players to cheap on relatively inexpensive deals. That’s how you want to round out your bench with the hopes that one develops into a regular, consistent player. If someone better becomes available to the Blazers, then they should pursue . . . but barring that you take a chance on guys finding their way.

Annie

Hey Eric, two quick question:

(1)If there is a Amnesty clause in the new CBA, what are the odds that the Lakers pursue any of the amnestied players? Even with their high payroll, it’d be worth offering a small contract to someone like Brandon Roy (bad knees and all, he’d be amazing off the bench) or even Rashard Lewis (not worth $19 million, but can be a decent role player)

(2)Most Laker fans assume LA will amnesty Luke Walton, but wouldn’t it be smarter to hold off moving anyone until they know if they have to take back a bad player in any trades? For exmaple, IF LA gets Dwight Howard from Orlando, but the price of that is taking on Hedo Turkoglu’s contract, it would be a blessing to still have the amnesty and so waive Turkoglu, rather than be stuck with him for two more years. Your thoughts?

Eric Pincus

If Brandon Roy was set loose, I’d wonder how bad his knee is, but absolutely he’s a guy to pursue if available. While Lewis makes a lot of sense, you run into minute questions with Peace, Barnes, Ebanks and Kobe getting minutes at the three (assuming Walton is the cut). It’s not as much – do the Lakers want Lewis – as much as, does he want to go to a team where he’s got to fight for minutes?

The rule will likely include a provision that you can’t amnesty a player you’re trading for – that’s how the last one went down.

Joe

Kaman/Mo/Aminu/Bledsoe/2012 Minny pick for DWill/Farmar/Petro.
Why for Clipps? They get Deron Williams
Why for Nets? They possibally end up with two high lottery picks to build around next season and they get two other young players to build around in Bledsoe and Aminu. They also clear even more cap space with Kaman’s expiring deal and Mo Williams only has two years left on his deal. The Nets could look like this in 2012:
PF-Drummond
SF-Barnes
C-Lopez
PG-Williams
SG-Morrow

Eric Pincus

I don’t see the Nets trading Williams any time soon. The Clippers won’t give up that much to get him.

master shake

Vince carters deal is part guaranteed. Can the suns swap that to a team for qaulity size and help??

Eric Pincus

It’s ambiguous! Timing is an issue. He technically needs to be cut before the season or his contract will be guaranteed. The lockout and a potential late start makes things a bit confusing. Additionally, both sides can agree to extend the date. I’m not sure the Suns are going to get much for him if things work out – but if a team is looking to dump a long term, large contract – one the Suns will take on (good luck) – then possibly. I think the most likely scenario is that Vince is just let go by the Suns.

Matty

Don’t the agents run the risk of not only alienating their own clients, but also some sort of legal repercussions by meddling into labor negotiations that they are not a party to? Do they not also run the risk of further reducing the public opinion of them for what appears to be self-serving motives by trying to decertify the union?

By the way, I think you look like Jerry Seinfeld!

Eric Pincus

Um thanks – I like to think Seinfeld looks like me but then he’s older than I am, so however you want to call it.

As far as your question. No.

Maurice

If and when the lockout ends and free agency starts will John Hammond look to sign/trade for backup center and shooting guard

Eric Pincus

Well obviously we need the new rules first. I see the Bucks using a four-man backcourt of Brandon Jennings, Stephen Jackson, Beno Udrih and Shaun Livingston. I’m not sure they make getting a shooting guard a top priority although they certainly could use one (along with one fewer point guard!). Between Andrew Bogut, Larry Sanders and Drew Gooden, they’re not bad at center.

The Bucks need health and continuity. Last year – too many injuries and too many new players. Of course continuity already goes out the window in the backcourt outside of Jennings.

I actually think the Bucks as they are right now have a shot to be a low playoff seed in the East but certainly they could use some more . . .

Aaron

Everyone talks about Andrew Bynum’s lack of health but if you look around the league he plays as much as every starting seven footer in the NBA outside of Dwight Howard… And Dwight isn’t even seven feet.

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure the point. Are you saying that Bynum hasn’t had consistent knee trouble? Or that because other big men have healthy problems that makes it OK?

Mark

In your opinion, will the Lakers play The Rookies (Frosh. & Soph.) enough so they will be able to contribute this year when it matters?

Eric Pincus

I’d be surprised if either is getting big postseason minutes but stranger things have happened.

Lee

Assuming the cap stays the same (which it won’t), what trade do you see the Knicks most likely pursuing and why?

Eric Pincus

I really think the Knicks need a short-term solution, primarily a big-man – so they can preserve cap room for 2012. I was thinking Kenyon Martin but he’s off to China. I could see Joel Przybilla (with Samuel Dalembert getting a longer deal in Miami).

Henry

Many outlets have suggested Baron Davis was a poor influence on the Clipper team, but from all public appearances he appears to be a nice, free-spirited guy. Is there more than meets the eye on a personal level, or are the Clips just happy to be rid of his contract?

Eric Pincus

I don’t see Baron as a free-spirited guy. He’s somewhat tightly wound in my estimation. The Clippers are thrilled to be rid of his contract.

Nick

List the top ten or so player likely to get traded first?

Eric Pincus

Top 10? That’s a lot.

I’ll have to think for a second – and not in any particular order but – Chris Kaman, Martell Webster, Kirk Hinrich, Antawn Jamison, Andris Biedrins, Hasheem Thabeet, Marresse Speights, Mickael Pietrus, Leandro Barbosa, one of the Utah Jazz bigs, etc. I didn’t count how many and I slapped that together on the fly so I’m sure I missed someone.

Vlad

what do you think happen to MN pick they own to Clippers if there is no season and no draft the next year?

Eric Pincus

No season AND no draft! Yikes. I don’t know about that one. It’s too amorphous. Let’s get past the lockout and/or into a canceled season before we start going there.

Vlad

Are you down on Kahn as GM as well? He got Flynn for Foye and Miller-even; got Randolph and Beasly for nothing; managed cap well; Convinced Rubio and Adelman to be in MN-most people thought is not even realistic; Rambis hire 2 years ago was considered by everyone a home run as well. Kept Love and traded Jefferson-great decision. Milic-2.3 blocks in 25 mins for 4 mln/year is not that bad. Kahn is not perfect, but not a bad GM at all IMO. Your thoughts?

Eric Pincus

I’m not impressed by his moves. Not yet. I see a lot of lateral decisions. Randolph, Beasley, Milicic, etc . . . when have these guys been part of winning situations in the NBA?

Vlad

I think MN will at least double their wins from last season. How many games do you think they will win?

Eric Pincus

I’d throw out say 27? That’s a decent guess. A 10-game improvement.

Carlos A

Hey soo I saw this 3 team trade in ay different page just wondering what are you’re thoughts about it would it work!?

Memphis gets omer asik and sg randy foye and chicago second round pick.

Chicago gets oj mayo and lottery protected first round pick.

Clippers get sg xavier henry and ronnie brewer + memphis second round pick.

Eric Pincus

Interesting. Whose pick goes to Chicago? That’s significant because I can’t see the Clippers moving Foye and a pick to get Henry, Brewer and a second. I’m not necessarily feeling it for the Clippers.

I know the Bulls value Asik but if they got Mayo and a first, that might appeal to them although I do know they like Brewer as well. The Grizzlies get a back-up big in Asik and a solid combo-guard in Foye.

I don’t love any of it but then I don’t hate any of it either!

Kareem

Hey Eric, love the chats (and not cuz I’m the biggest laker fan ever). In your opinion, does Kobe lose cool points for his 81pt game because it came against Chris Posh and the rest of the defensively weak spice girls? And can you name a better individual scoring game that you seen?

Thanks

Eric Pincus

There are a lot of bad teams in the league – many far, far worse than that Toronto Raptors squad. I don’t recall anyone dropping 81 other than Wilt.

Andrew

How do you see the Utah Jazz front court playing out in the near future with all the bigs they have to fill minutes/trade? Also do you see good things with the mix of Hayward Favors and Kanter into the future? Hayward was not talked about for his spectacular second half of the season and Favors….well I see him as the sky is the limit on defense, and some polishing up on his offense, which began to emerge a little at the end of last season, and he’ll be a beast.

Eric Pincus

I don’t see the Jazz as a playoff team this coming season but there are some very positive signs for the future. I like Hayward – he did find his way as the season went on. Derrick Favors has a ton of potential and Kanter has really nice size.

I’m concerned about the overload of big men in Jefferson, Millsap, Okur, Favors, Kanter . . . obviously this is a roster that needs some restructuring. I’m not sure Jefferson/Millsap complement each other well enough to be the long-term core inside. But then that’s why the Jazz have brought in the big kids.

I’m curious to see how things go for Utah but I’m not sold that Devin Harris can lead them at the point.

Dylan Stevenson

Do you believe Metta World Peace? Is the lockout over?

Eric Pincus

Come on now. The lockout ends and Ron “Metta World Peace” Artest is the first to know?

No . . .

keith

hi Erick tired of all laker talk. do you think the clippers can keep griffin long term, i hope so long time clipper seson ticket holder

Eric Pincus

Eric – no K. The other Erick is one of the guys I regularly play pickup ball with but he spells his name incorrectly.

I do expect Griffin to be a Clipper for another contract past his current one. It’s too hard to speculate beyond that . . .

Jim

If an amnesty clause is part of the next CBA does Walton or Metta get cut?

Eric Pincus

I’d think Luke Walton.

matthew

if no agreement today, that means forsure that the regular season is starting on time?

Eric Pincus

Just to clarify, the league and players probably can’t come up with a full agreement today just based on hours. If they make significant steps towards a deal, we’re talking one or two more days to work out the rest of the CBA.

Dylan Stevenson

IF there is a provision in the new CBA will it allow only one player to be cut or can a team amnesty cut more than one player?

Eric Pincus

Wait, you’re saying the CBA allows only one player to be cut. Can a team cut more than one? I think you’re answering your question.

I mean a team can cut any player but they have to pay them their contract if it’s guaranteed. An amnesty doesn’t change that but it would likely provide some combination of salary cap and luxury tax relief.

Waiving an additional player doesn’t make a lot of sense . . .

Nick

if their is an amnesty provision in the new cba. Do u think the wizards would waive Rashard Lewis, and if thats the case. Do u see the Clipps making a run for him.

Eric Pincus

I could see the Wizards dumping Lewis and he’s a natural fit for the Clippers as far as shooting ability. He’s not quite the age range desired but he could easily be a target.

Zac

whats your opinion of the young talent on the blazers? with nolan smith and armon johnson as backup points that seems to be a good tandem hopefully patty mills can be thrown back in that mix. Elliot williams and Chris Johnson seem to have solid backup potential Babbitt is a guestion mark cause he seemed to slow to guard 3s and to small to guard 4s. Also with Victor Clavier and Joel Freeland overseas it brings up the question should the blazers resign patty and trade armon and babbitt for a big guy (possibly Jason Thompson) and bring over Clavier and possibly Freeland or stick with who they have now?

Eric Pincus

Zac really likes his Blazers! At the core I like the Felton, Matthews, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby starting five. A healthy Brandon Roy and Greg Oden (big, big ifs) make the Blazers a real threat in the West. I also think very highly of Nicolas Batum.

The rest are promising prospects, any of whom may find roles for Coach Nate McMillan (who I have a lot of respect for).

Smith, Johnson, Babbitt, Williams, Johnson, Barron, Mills, Clavier and/or Freeland will round out the roster (for better or for worse . . . and likely not all of the listed players will be with the Blazers next season).

If Portland can cash out quantity for quality, they should but keep in mind that a playoff rotation is usually eight-players deep. That cuts both ways on who will have a shot to help on the floor . . . and is there someone better you can bring in who can break into the list of vets I mentioned above.

Nguyen

How has Kobe’s knee been after he underwent plasma surgery? Although he plans on playing in the Italian league, it’s hard to tell whether or not the knee has improved because Kobe plays through pain.

Eric Pincus

Kobe’s getting an extended period of rest . . . which is a good thing. We’ll have to all wait and see how things unfold with Italy, the lockout, his knee, etc.

Seb

Do you see the Clippers having a legitimate shot of finishing in the 7-9 range next season?
What are some of their most glaring deficiencies, and how would you address them?

Eric Pincus

I do but they need a small forward who can shoot . . . and health.