NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 1/10/12

Chrissss

Lakers should keep Bynum, IMO what we really need is another playmaker. Lakers trade Darius Morris, Caracter, TPE, Dallas 1st and Lakers 1st for Dj Augustin. who says no?

Eric Pincus

It’s that time again, let’s chat!

Chrissss,

I understand the argument on keeping Bynum. They might. I’d argue that Howard will be the better player over his career, even with with Andrew is doing. I don’t see why the Bobcats trade Augustin who is having a strong year for them. I know Kemba Walker is the future but he’s not really ready yet (at least from what I’ve seen). I could see Augustin either getting a large offer in free agency or taking the team’s one-year tender for $4.4 million.

It’s not out of the question that the Bobcats move him, I just don’t think they do. As far as for that Laker package, I’m not sure they value Character/Morris much – and I don’t give away all those picks for Augustin who is good but not two first-round picks good (plus Morris/Caracter).

arnster

Is Kobe the ONLY team member that can drive the lane and go up for either a duce or an and one? There does not seem to be another driver in the bunch, except maybe rookie Darius Morris. Whats your take Eric?

Eric Pincus

The Lakers don’t have much by way of dribble perpetrators. That’s a given. Of course having two bigs clogging the lane and Kobe Bryant dominating the ball, it’s also not imperative. LA could use someone capable of both which is why I said the team could use a combo guard. They’ve got a young version in Andrew Goudelock who Coach Brown is fond of, but he’s still learning the NBA game. Clearly Jason Kapono is not that.

Azzar Nadvi

Lets say kobe didnt injure his wrist. how much better would he be playing? also, what type of calue would teams be willing to trade to acquire the black mamba. (im a lakers fan, dont want the lakers to trade him nor would they…. just speculations)

Eric Pincus

Kobe would have fewer turnovers and a high field goal percentage although over recent games he seems to have rediscovered his stroke. Bryant has a no-trade clause, so I’m not thinking that’s in the ballpark. While it’d be a difficult dollar for a team to acquire, matching a $25 million salary (given that LA has no roster spots to take in overflow on 15 players), but given Kobe’s marketability the Lakers would have many suitors even in his slightly advanced age.

Ray Suansing

Are the Lakers aware of the problems they have with turnovers? What is the biggest problem with turnovers – Kobe’s wrist, a new system? How can the Lakers remedy this problem?

Eric Pincus

All of the above – wrist, new system, no true point guard, etc. Time will remedy some of it – but I expect turnovers to be relatively high for the year.

Ray Suansing

I read an article that said if Kobe went overseas he could have a procedure that would fix his wrist within a week.

Why haven’t the Lakers shut Kobe down in order for him to get his wrist fixed?

The team as currently constructed is maybe a 5-7 seed. And Kobe isn’t doing us any favors re-aggrevating the injury.

Eric Pincus

I’m not sure that’s accurate. If it is, then maybe time will force that to happen.

Joe Lustre

The backup two spot seems to be a question mark as far as Mike Brown’s rotation goes. Are there any plans on acquiring a backup shooting guard?

Eric Pincus

Doesn’t look to be at this time.

Joe Lustre

Phil Jackson recently said that he believed that more personnel moves are coming. Besides a PG what other moves do you think the lakers might try to shore up?

Eric Pincus

It’s no mystery that LA in the discussion for Dwight Howard and would like their next generation point guard. If the right, younger but still All-Star power forward became available instead of Gasol (like Kevin Love), they’d have interest as well. Deron Williams is on their radar. Otherwise it’s minor changes until the bigger pieces are resolved.

Carly Bezilla

There was a rumor that the Lakers were looking into either Leandro Barbosa or Jerryd Bayless from Toronto for either a combo of Matt Barnes/Devin Ebanks/1st Pick or Lamars TPE. Is there any legs to this rumor?

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe so. From what I can tell, that was made up on a message board by someone with years worth of “breaking news” that never quite comes true! Somewhat common on the internet I’m afraid.

Carly Bezilla

There has been numerous rumors abut Lakers targeting Kevin Love. Is this a smokescreen? Doesn’t seem like the Wolves are willing to part with him even for Gasol.

Eric Pincus

Teams target players all the time. It’s what they do. It’s just rare that the top target becomes available. LA is certainly monitoring Love and the Wolves and what happens with a long-term extension, or if that goes south.

Gerald Wada

Seems like Dwight isnt getting moved until the trade deadline. Does this mean the Lakers are gonna have their hand tied and be in a holding pattern until the Dwight situation is resolved?

Eric Pincus

Pretty much the Lakers and the rest of the league, yep.

Matteo Fernandez

Mike Brown’s offense seems geared to isolation plays for Kobe. But when Kobe has an off night or isn’t on the floor the offense goes stagnant.

The Lakers need a player who create their own shot other than Kobe. Who is an available player that fits that mold that they can get to bolster the bench and creates their own shot?

Eric Pincus

The offense isn’t very imaginative and the personnel is lacking. LA better be a great defensive team this year . . .

Matteo Fernandez

Are the Lakers looking for a ‘home run” type trade that nets them a superstar for the future or are they looking for smaller type moves that don’t endanger their chance at Superstar?

Eric Pincus

Home runs unless easy singles or ground rule doubles pop up.

Matt

Who says no?

Calderon to the Lakers.

Darius Morris plus Lakers and Mavs 1st round picks to Toronto.

Calderon is playing like a top 5 PG (early) so far this season with the Raptors. Imagine what he could do with Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum.

Eric Pincus

The money doesn’t add up and I don’t see LA wanting to invest in Calderon at his price, although it would depend on other moves.

Matt

Regarding Calderon to the Lakers trade, RealGm Trade Checker says the trade would work. ESPN Trade Machine is undergoing updates so unsure. This might actually raise another good question: did Lamar Odom have a trade kicker that increased the TPE received from Dallas in the trade?

Eric Pincus

Calderon makes more than LA’s Odom trade exception. They can’t use it to get him. Jose is at $9,780,991 this season. A lot of Laker questions so far – dominating frankly!

Debbie Salansang

Will the Lakers go into cost cutting mode if they are unable to attain dwight or a high level pg within the next two years?

Eric Pincus

The Lakers have zero invested beyond Kobe and Gasol’s contract. The cost-cutting will happen on it’s own by 2013 and 2014, but LA would much rather field a product to justify the tremendous income they generate. They go hand and hand, LA would lose money by trying to save money.

To that end, if they were all about cutting back, they would have used their Amnesty Clause on Metta World Peace or Luke Walton.

Debbie Salansang

With Matt Barnes hustle play and MWP’s lackluster play do you think that MWP has played himself out of the rotation and may be more of an amnesty cut next year?

Eric Pincus

Nope. Peace is still the second forward and a key to the second unit’s production, at least in Mike Brown’s eyes. There are too many questions to answer before next year when the amnesty would come into play.

Debbie Salansang

Will Andrew Bynum learn how to deal with double teams? He had 5 turnovers vs. Memphis and it might be a new tactic other teams may adopt to neutralize him.

Eric Pincus

It’s something he needs to improve on – the next step in his development.

Felipe Contreras

Seems like the Lakers almost had their point guard of the future until Stern nixed the deal. Have the Lakers stopped looking for an elite point guard? Because it’s been very VERY quiet in the Laker trade rumor mill.

Eric Pincus

Quiet because there are no elite point guards currently available.

Felipe Contreras

Is Steve Nash a viable realistic option to pursue as say a one year rental for the Lakers?

Eric Pincus

I expect the Suns to keep Nash and either let his contract expire so they have massive cap room – or re-sign him . . .

Felipe Contreras

What do you think the Lakers will do with the Lamar TPE? Is it going to waste or will they try to upgrade the bench with it? Or are they holding onto it for a big Dwight Howard type of deal?

Eric Pincus

If LA does make a major trade, the odds are high it will open up other holes in the roster. That’s where I see the trade exception being used.

Sam

Will the Lakers trade Pau Gasol for anything other than a top 5 class point guard?

Eric Pincus

Sure, if the right forward was available. There are other ways to get a point guard, it just depends on the return.

Dylan Stevenson

Eric,

Love the chats. Were you aware of the CP3 to the Lakers trade hours/days before it happened?

Eric Pincus

Everyone knew the Lakers were trying to get CP3. It was a surprise to me that they almost got him for Gasol.

Dylan Stevenson

Seems like the Lakers always work trades in secrecy. Many of us didn’t hear about the CP3 trade until it was (almost) completed.

I read somewhere that trades can take months to come together…

Just out of curiosity, Do you believe the Lakers are working on something big?

Eric Pincus

All teams are working on deals. They work on deals for months at time, casual conversations here and there. All a GM can do is monitor the player they like and when they do truly become available, hope they have the best package. There’s not much more to it than that. The obvious big deal just about everyone is waiting for is Howard – then Deron Williams. Beyond that? Who else of that caliber is available?

Money

Any truth to this trade rumors from this week?

According to Il ‘Blog, the Raptors have advanced an offer of Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon to the Lakers for Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher. Supposedly, the San Antonio Spurs are also interested in making a deal for Gasol, which would be quite the bizarre transaction, indeed.

Eric Pincus

The source of that is a fake poster pretending to be John Hollinger in an ESPN Chat. ESPN deleted the comments but it was picked up internationally. So, no – it’s bogus.

Gary Stevens

Eric,

Can you please tell Laker fans
that not everyone wants to be a Laker

Dwight Howard (afraid of following Shaqs footsteps) is going to the Nets and that Deron Williams (hates the Lakers) is going to Dallas or will remain in NJ (if Dwight is traded there).

We Laker fans need to set our sights lower.

Eric Pincus

Actually, many players want to play in LA for the Lakers because it’s one of the ways to maximize their income and star power. It’s more than just basketball or fandom but economics.

jhay_e

Cavs drafted wrong..i think if they drafted derrick williams & kemba walker that would be much better than kyle irving & tristan thompson…

tnx

Eric Pincus

I like Irving a lot. Thompson needs some more time. Williams is a young stud, no question. I’m not going to say you’re wrong this early. You can certainly make that argument although Kemba is struggling some.

Sweet Dee

If you had to vote for the Western Conference all-star team reserve shooting guard tomorrow, who would get the nod: James Harden or Marcus Thornton?

Eric Pincus

If the choices is between those two, Harden.

jhay_e

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Chris Kaman for Michael Beasley & Darko Milicic..

or

Pau Gasol & Derrick Caracter for Michael Beasley & Anthony Randolph & Jose Juan Barea

Eric Pincus

Hmm, pass on both frankly. If I’m Hornets I don’t want Beasley/Milicic. If I’m the Lakers, I want more back for Gasol.

Dennis

If you were GM of the New York Knickerbockers, how many games are you giving Mike D`Antoni before he gets the hook: now, 15 games, 30 games, wait till the offseason, or I`m overreacting because he`s a quality coach.

Eric Pincus

The Knicks gave a run and gun coach the absolute worst roster for his system. It’s a mess – a terrible fit. You can argue a great coach can adapt to his players but let’s be honest, D’Antoni is a specialist and they gave him nothing to work with. How long? Depends on who else is ready to step into the role and make it better during the season as interim. I could see the Knicks giving Phil Jackson a call for next season.

Mac

Is anyone else noticing the play of Jarred Jack? Dude is averaging 16 points and 8 assists a game!! I realize he couldn`t sell his lunch money to Chris Paul, but he is doing of GREAT job of fulfilling the role in the meantime. Your thoughts.

Eric Pincus

Jarrett Jack has always been rock solid when given the minutes. The Hornets need production from that position and Jack doesn’t really have an established backup, so he’s getting the opportunity and making the most of it.

Focuslja

With Wes Johnson beginning to struggle and decrease in minutes, does this mean that he will be on the block soon? If so, what is his value?

Eric Pincus

Wes in the right system would be a really nice role player. The Wolves have a lot to figure out still moving forward but it looks like they’re finally turning the page after years of being just awful.

AJ

Do you see Bledsoe and/or Mo Williams traded before the deadline? If so, who do you think the Clippers can pick up?

Eric Pincus

If Bledsoe gets back fully healthy, without losing any of his athleticism after surgery, then he could make Williams expendable. I don’t see Bledsoe as a player on the block, barring a tremendous return. Let’s wait and so on Mo, he’s not happy in his role after convincing Caron Butler to come, organizing workouts all lockout and getting into the best shape of his life for camp. Then the Clippers go and get not just Billups but Paul? I don’t blame LA for making these moves, they were great moves – but it’s tough on Williams. There’s a lot that needs to be figured out leaguewide before we get a real feeling for the future.

rodney

if dwight really wanted to stay with the magic as long as they are able to provide a championship caliber team, why doesnt dwight opt into his contract this year putting pressure on NJ?

By doing so you hinder New Jerseys leverage in trade discussions, and D will could state the only team i will resign with is Orlando.

Eric Pincus

Howard, as Otis Smith even said, may just want a bigger market to play in.

johncarloyu

Will you trade Bynum for Howard straight up given what is Bynum’s playing his best basketball?

Eric Pincus

Me, personally? I would.

johncarloyu

What will be the ceiling for Bynum? Is he the best center right now?

Eric Pincus

Howard is still the better center even now. Bynum needs to learn how to play through double-teams, stay healthy and focused. He still has great potential.

johncarloyu

West starters:
C- Andrew Bynum
PF- Blake Griffin
SF- Kevin Durant
SG- Kobe Bryant
PG- Chris Paul

4/5 starter are playing in LA right now. Agree?

Eric Pincus

Looks about right.

johncarloyu

How will the lakers use the trade exception received from Odom trade? trade for Mo-Will, Nash, Varejao?

Eric Pincus

The Clippers have no reason to just dump Mo. Nash makes too much for the LO exception. Varejao makes a lot of sense for LA but what does Cleveland get in return?

johncarloyu

Will the Lakers make a run for both Howard and Williams next season?

Eric Pincus

They can offer both Bynum and Gasol in different combinations (multi-team deals perhaps) but the odds would probably be low.

Rigo Rojas

What is the Lakers Front Office Love Affair (pun intended) with Kevin Love?

What skills does he have that surpasses Pau Gasol’s skill set (most skilled big man)?

Eric Pincus

Price, age and longevity. Love will be a top power forward in two years but Gasol is already showing signs of slowing. Love is also a better rebounder and a true stretch four, as such a better fit offensively with Bynum (or Howard). Defensively Gasol is better, by a wide margin, but Pau doesn’t always give the effort needed on defense (at least he didn’t this last postseason).

Rigo Rojas

So many false rumors out there. One thing is for sure Lakers seem to be in hunt for the next big star before the more restrictive cba kicks in.

Who in the list below has the best chance of being in purple and gold (most rumored laker targets)?

Dwight Howard
Deron Williams
Kevin Love
Monta Ellis
Andre Iguodala
Steve Nash

Eric Pincus

The Lakers could save and have freedom to spend after Kobe but naturally they’d like to get their next star now, thus the push for Paul. Nash at his age is probably last but may be attainable in free agency. It’s very unclear what happens long-term with Ellis and to a lesser degree Iguodala. The Sixers are playing well so there’s no push to make change. Love depends on what the Wolves offer in extension. Deron and Howard are the subject of my article this afternoon: link

Celia R.

Everyone thinks that the Lakers are trying to retool on the fly. This seems like a very risky move. Can you come up with a hypothetical trade that isnt for a superstar but would address the lakers need?

Eric Pincus

Not so easy, is it? There are many armchair GM’s but how do you acquire the player that actually helps without hindering a chance at a home run? LAL would have liked a shot at Chauncey Billups but the Clippers scuttled that.

Celia R.

When is josh mcroberts due back from his big toe injury?

Eric Pincus

He was hoping to be back soon (within a week) but that’s unclear.

Celia R.

Eric,

All quiet on the Lakers trade front. Do you think the Lakers went into “ninja mode” and are conducting trade talks in secrecy or have all their trade sources dried up on them? Have you heard anything regarding laker trades or trade targets? Thank you very much.

Eric Pincus

I love the argument that if it’s quiet, that means they’re working on something. Note that if they were NOT working on something, it then too would be quiet. I think I broke down earlier how teams function. Sometimes the only right thing to do is wait. No point is wasting valuable assets on pieces that don’t really fix the problem.

rah88

Do you there’s a chance lakers and farmar could reunit next season being he’s not doing anything in NJ and is backing up Dwill? This offense would be good for him.

Eric Pincus

I didn’t get the sense LA really liked Farmar’s approach to the game and coaching.

Lance

Houston wanted (wants) Pau and was willing to give up Martin and Scola to make that move. What reason would LA have for not going forward with that now? Martin and Scola on LA’s squad would make a Dwight Howard trade irrelevant in my opinion.

Eric Pincus

Scola is almost 32-years old and due over $39 million. Martin plays the same position as Kobe and is due $24 million. That’s the best use of LA’s player budget given the increasing restrictions? I don’t believe so at all.

Aevi

Hi Eric. Whatever happened to Darius Morris? Goudelock is getting spot minutes but Morris was inactive earlier and now getting DNPCDs.

Eric Pincus

Teams just don’t play three point guards in most cases and LA is going to get the most they can out of Fisher/Blake instead of developing a rookie while the team is trying to win games.

Alex from Burbank

Hi Eric,
First of all, I want to say I’m impressed with Bynums play this year. He’s finally playing the way we all expected him to play. However, me and my friend have always complained about one part of his game. This goes back since be was a rookie. Why doesn’t he dunk the ball everytime he’s under the basket all open? He dunks a few yes but a lot of the times he ops for a lay up or a soft put down. I always scream at my tv, DUNK that ****. He’s a 7 footer, what gives? He needs to dunk with authority when the opportunity arises. Just saying…

Eric Pincus

You can say that about most centers in the league. Right now Andrew is playing quite well but is still catching up on his conditioning. In year’s past a big part of it was injury/lack of leg strength.

Juan Pablo

Do you think the wizards would accept this trade:
Minnesota: 1st round pick – Blatche
Wizards: Wesley Johnson – Luke Ridnour – Future 1st round pick
Is it possible that after that possible trade the Bobcats accept this trade:
Minnesota: 1st round pick – Diop
Bobcats: Blatche – Milicic – Draft picks

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe the Wolves want Blatche, don’t see why they would. And then you’re flipping him to the Bobcats? Too convoluted for me. I just don’t see then why the Bobcats want Blatche.

Ade

Hey Eric, why do a lot of the so called pundits believe at this early stage of the season that the lakers are not contenders. The last time i checked we still have Kobe, Pau and Bynum.

Eric Pincus

The Lakers are still contenders but there are clear flaws so far in the team that may or may not be crippling in the end.

JP, Hamburg

Hey Eric,
there have been much talk about Russel Westbrook so far. If everything would be possible and you could choose… who would be the really best (PG-) fit to this Thunder team?
Thank you and greetings!

Eric Pincus

Westbrook, with his flaws, is a great fit. Rondo might be as well although he’s less of a scorer and the Thunder rely on Russell at times to put in points.

Tom

Watched DH play the other day and he is a freak. Like Shaq in his prime with less power but more athleticism. Certainly AB has better offensive skills, but he is not a defensive game changer. If the Lakers stand pat, they will be middle of pack in West with probably a 2nd round exit, which is a failure by Laker stds. If it comes to the deadline, why not clean the table by giving up AB and PG for DH and change or draft choices. PG is too passive to help Kobe transition into twilight years. Worst case you’re still out in 2nd round but now you have DH to build around and probably a little more cap space if they play cards right.

Eric Pincus

Giving up Pau and Andrew may be too much. At this point if the price is $6 why pay $10? The Magic aren’t dealing him until after All-Star anyway, so at that point the true price will be set – depending on the health of Brook Lopez and whatever else teams are willing to offer.

brian

How should the Clippers play defense on the Heat? Zone seems to work, but if they go man to man, i think the Clippers will have problems.

Eric Pincus

The Clippers have issues defensively in how they’re constructed. They could use a James Posey/Shane Battier/Tony Allen type. They don’t have one so it may be about out-scoring the HEAT.

Saulo

Yo Eric, what do you think of these nicknames for Rose and Rubio… Derrick “Poisonous” Rose, because he just kills everybody.. and Ricky “The Spanish Flu” Rubio, because he’s so sick with it! hahahah

Eric Pincus

Hmm . . .

ray

why is kemba walker getting such little minutes? Will Augustin be moved at the deadline so Kemba can start?

Eric Pincus

The timing on a move like that would probably be the moment the Bobcats decide – we’re not a playoff team. It’s too early for that even with the slow start.

Coach Nick

Has the Lamar Odom trade, and what the Lakers got in return for the 6th Man of the Year, made any more sense to you now than it did when it was done?
Love,
Coach Nick

Eric Pincus

Hey Coach Nick! – It made a ton of sense to me then and makes a ton of sense to me now. The Lakers locked in Lamar’s value with an exception they can still use, regardless of how well he plays or if he gets hurt. They got younger and cheaper at the position (Josh McRoberts) and have a valuable tool to use when the time is right.

Dwayne

Happy New Year Eric, looking forward to another great year of your chats. My question is do the Lakers have any idea at this moment how they plan to use the trade exemption from the Odom deal? Would it make sense for the team to try to send draft picks to Memphis for Mayo, or wait until March and pull off a sign and trade for Aaron Brooks? I feel either player would be a nice addition and inject the squad with some much needed youth…thoughts?

Thanks

Eric Pincus

LA has the exception for some time, as I noted the goal would be to fill the gaps created by a bigger trade – if not the team might have interest in Paul Millsap, Anderson Varejao and possibly Mayo or Brooks as you note. We all have to wait – just like the Lakers have to wait – until it’s the right time.

Jay English

Eric – what is the probability the lakers move Pau and another piece to Houston for Lowery and another piece? Second – with J. West in Oakland with new ownership do they have a shot at Dwight Howard and if so who do they dish?

Eric Pincus

The Rockets highly value Lowry. I don’t see him moving. The Warriors have a shot at Howard, but not necessarily a great one. If Stephen Curry can get and stay healthy, he’s a generally coveted piece.

Karl Calaguas

Hi, Eric How are you doing?

My questions are: Are the Lakers done looking for players to help this team?
Also, what are the chances of the Lakers trading for a point guard or acquiring a point guard through Free Agency?

I am a Lakers fan and the biggest weaknesses for the Lakers is the lack of play making abilities and the point guard position. I love Blake and Fisher but they are not the solution to this problem.

Thank You!
Karl Calaguas

Eric Pincus

Thanks Karl. As I noted, the Lakers – like every team – are trying to find way to improve their roster. They’re well aware of the limitations at point guard but can’t fix it until they can fix it. A few weeks ago they almost had Chris Paul, so clearly they’re on the same page as you . They just don’t want to make a lateral move that doesn’t help and hurts their flexibility.

Rick

I read your article saying sign & trades/extend & trades have been severely weakened. Does that mean any team which trades for Dwight runs the risk of him being a free agent even if they’re on his short list?

Eric Pincus

Yes. Howard would promise, unbinding as it is, to opt out and re-sign a five-year deal. That’s what Chris Paul was ready to do with the Lakers.

Tom

Where is Yi now? Is he done for the NBA?

Eric Pincus

On the Mavericks.

Jason

Does the Lamar TPE have to be used on a single player making equal to less its value or can it be used for multiple players on the same team whose combined salary would be equal or less than the TPE amount?

Eric Pincus

It can be used on multiple players.

Jordan

What are the chances Orlando keeps Dwight long-term by calling his potential bluff(Kobe to Chicago) and takes the risk at the end of this season of him not being able to turn down the money he would be owed by opting in his current deal with the Magic?

Eric Pincus

They may very well do that but I believe Howard has enough incentive through other revenue streams (read ADIDAS) to move on regardless of the initial hit.

Rick

Will the Clippers roll with Billups as SG all year? What are the chances of them looking at other trade options? Possibly using Mo as a chip?

Eric Pincus

All possible but I expect the team to stick with Billups at the two.

Jonathan

Lakers seem like the clear favorites to land Dwight right now, so could Jameer Nelson end up in this deal somehow??

Eric Pincus

It seems a stretch given how it may be difficult for LA to get Dwight – now they get their starting point guard too? That said, I’m not exceptionally high on Nelson.

Jamaal

What kind of trade value do you think Norris Cole has? I realize they’d probably have to get a third team involved but do you think Riley could get a Center like D Cousins, Roy Hibbert or Javale Mcgee for Cole, Joel and Pittman?

Eric Pincus

The Magic got a steal in the draft at point guard. There’s no reason to trade him.

WILSangeles

Do thing the Clips are still “one” piece away to being a solid great playoff team? And if so what position is need in your opinion and who would be availiable in that position?

Eric Pincus

They’re Shane Battier away from being the team they need to be but Battier is on the HEAT.

Jordan

Any way Orlando can reel in Deron Williams before the trade deadline considering New Jersey’s struggles and keep Dwight in a Magic uniform?

Eric Pincus

Nets waiting to see if they can get Dwight, why would they move Deron?

Jason

If you could choose only one player out of Howard, Deron Williams or Kevin Love which would be the player most likely to be on the Lakers past the trade deadline?

Eric Pincus

Howard, by far, is the player most likely to be traded given I don’t think Williams or Love is dealt anywhere at the deadline.

Jason

Wow, everyone knew the Lakers were trying to get Chris Pauls months before they nearly got him?

Can you tell us some other players the Lakers are targeting other than say the obvious, Howard, Williams and Love?

Eric Pincus

It’s like teams spent years trying to get in a position to get LeBron – it’s not like there’s a mystery here. LA has secondary pieces they’d love to get but none on the level of Howard, Love and Williams. Obviously each year new stars become available but right now that’s the field and two aren’t likely available this season and one won’t be until after the All-Star Break.

Jason

What do you think about the contributions of Troy Murphy and McRoberts? Were they a cheap and equal replacement to Lamar Odom?

Eric Pincus

They help. LA is still a work in progress.

Jason

An article said that the Lakers didn’t make Lamar Odom available after he demanded a trade and went directly to the Mavs for the TPE.

Lakers would have gotten the TPE in the CP3 trade. What is the importance of this TPE in their future plans? It seems it is very important to them somehow.

Eric Pincus

It’s an important tool the Lakers wanted to have to flesh out the roster when the time comes. LO was available around the draft. He was available for Paul. The Lakers had decided to trade him before his trade demand, but they let LO be the “reason” why he’s gone. It’s just business.

WILSangeles

What do you make of reggie evans and his comments about his defensive stance. Is he willing to become a decent FT shooter cause watching the Bucks game he’s a monster on the boards but will need to come a 40%+ FT shooter come playoff time. Thoughts?

Eric Pincus

Reggie is a dominant rebounder but no, he’s not a good free throw shooter. Evans is a solid but not great defender. He’ll help the Clippers though.

Matthew

Kobe is playing alot of minutes. big concern? or is it that because we dont have a legitimate backup 2 guard… or could it be the case that kobe’s knee is about 100 percent and he can play those 36 min a game

Eric Pincus

This will have to do for the week! Once again thanks for participating!

Matthew – It may be an issue but it’s what the Lakers are right now. Down the road it could very well be a problem but Bryant is pretty tough, so we’ll see.