NBA Chat With Eric Pincus 2/21/12

Zach

For the Lakers, with Caracter being cut, is it realistic to think they will explore every possible trade scenario before settling on filling that spot with say Arenas? Would Toronto be willing to part with Jose Calderon for the Dallas 1st round pick and trade exception?

Eric Pincus

Chat time – let’s go!

The Lakers are exploring all options naturally but Calderon for the trade exception is not one of them. He makes more than the exception so it’s not possible.

Mateo

After watching moneyball, is it good to suggest that nba should give award, in the level of mvp or most improve award, to players that are most at par to the level of their performance to the salaries they are getting? I think most nba players are overpaid. What’s your thought? And to add most overpaid player award?

Eric Pincus

Nah, but interesting thought.

Mark Bacon

All this Gasol for Rondon chat has me wondering – is there a deal that can be done for Rondo to Phx for Nash. Nash is expiring – he may make boston more efficent on offence – and give the old boys one more decent run. Plus he is expiring – so with others expiring – boston may become a big player in FA. Obviously Phx gets is PG for the next chapter. There may be change needed to make it work – but seems like a win win to me?? Thoughts?

Eric Pincus

At this point the Suns aren’t trading Nash. If it got to that, certainly they should consider someone like Rondo. I’m not sure where the Celtics go. They want to get younger and they want to get bigger, so I’m not sure Nash fits that. Equally, if they could get someone like Gasol for Rondo and keep some cap room, perhaps then Nash would come as a free agent and they could have both, no?

Robert

Hey Eric,

Before the season started, you wrote and interesting piece regarding what the Lakers do for the future. You mentioned that either Pau or Kobe should be amnestied in Kobe’s last year. That would save a lot of money and help in the rebuilding/retooling process. I realize that Pau probably will be traded by then, but at the time it seeming like a good idea. The Lakers need to move forward, especially if Kobe insists on be the #1 option, or taking over games in the 4th quarter(see 76er game 1 for 9 down the stretch). I like the way Denver handled the Melo situation. Get a lot of very solid pieces instead of a high maintence “Superstar”. I realize that this is a star-driven town, but I think something like that would work. The players have to be solid

Eric Pincus

I will say the Lakers have no intention of paying out $20-30 million on a last year player like Pau or Kobe instead of either keeping them or trading them. I didn’t say it was an option that was preferred – but rather a technical one.

alan

Bulls trade: Boozer, Ronnie Brewer
Bucks Trade: Stephen Jackson, Drew Gooden, Ilyasova
Bucks lose a headache in jax and pick up some consistent offense in boozer who should fit will with bogut. The bulls gain some scoring, defense and a 5th big man who fits the system. Both teams can shed contracts that neither wants. A pick can go either way to make up value.

Eric Pincus

I wouldn’t touch that if I were the Bulls. They have a good team, good payroll, good attitudes. I don’t see how Jackson and Gooden, who is hurt now, along with Ilyasova who is a gamer – makes up for losing Boozer and Brewer. Is Carlos flawed – yes – but is he bad? Not at all. I would recommend they keep the two they have rather than that combination. Now if Jackson was five years younger, I’d say something else perhaps.

Deven

Mr. Pincus, since the LAC lost out on J.R. Smith to the Knicks, do the Clippers stand pat or will they go after somebody else before the NBA trading deadline?

Eric Pincus

The Clippers still want and intend to add a piece. Right now they’re not willing to give up much of anything but their trade exception(s) unless someone like Ray Allen becomes available. Like every team – it’s a feeling out period. Starting around March 1st, we should start to see some more substantial movement.

Javier

Eric you’re Lakers GM what do you do with the TPE & two 1st round draft picks?

Eric Pincus

I’d be shopping Pau and reacting with the trade exception to fill in what isn’t gotten via Gasol. There’s no clear path yet. If the return on Gasol isn’t enough – if LA could get Beasley, that’s not a bad move. They just need a point guard in the worst way still . . .

Laker Consultant

If the Fisher & Walton retired after the season, and the Lakers amnestied Peace, would that give them any freedom or flexibility?

Eric Pincus

Not really, not as constructed with Gasol, Bynum and Kobe.

Mark

Are the Lakers kicking themselves over Jeremy Lin?

Eric Pincus

How? They never had a crack at him. They offered him a free agent contract but he chose the Warriors. Once waived, LA never had the proper waiver priority or roster spots to make it work.

choloclaravall

what do you think of stephen jackson for ron artest? is that in the lakers radar?..maybe both could use a change in scenery, both seemed unhappy with their present situations..stephen is better offensively with a needed 3 pt shooting..while bucks get a defender with championship experience..

Eric Pincus

I can argue that Jackson – with his shorter contract – would be worth getting. It’d be an older, broken-down, off-kilter player for an older, broken-down off-kilter player. The numbers don’t quite work straight up but you get the idea.

Derek

Rose wants Gasol?

Bulls get Gasol, MWP & Blake
Lakers get Boozer, Deng & Watson

Bulls get the best player in the deal, Lakers get a semi-all-star 3 & 4 plus they no longer have the worst starting 5 in the league, leapfrogging MIA, ATL, ORL, UTAH, CHA.

Lakers pick up a 4 with their pick, amenesty Boozer in 2 years time, how does this trade sound?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7xyqonb

Eric Pincus

I haven’t heard anything substantial to tie the Lakers and Bulls together in talks for Gasol.

Mark

What are the Lakers going to do about PG? Is there any interest or rumbling about Jose Calderon? Wouldn’t Calderon’s not only help on the floor but his presence and relationship with Gasol help him?

Eric Pincus

I don’t see what LA has to offer the Raptors for Calderon . . .

johncarloyu

The Lakers should make a run at Stephen Jackson. Gasol for Stephen and Jennings?

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe that Jennings will be traded this year.

johncarloyu

Still no signing on Arenas? Are the Lakers serious in trying Iverson?

Eric Pincus

Arenas is a fallback plan in March. I haven’t gotten any signs yet that Iverson could happen.

johncarloyu

Do you see major move for the Lakers until trade deadline?

Eric Pincus

In March, the players signed over the summer can finally be traded. If LA wanted to include a Kapono or McRoberts in a deal, it has to wait until March. Across the board most teams have players like that so we won’t see major movement until March 1 (for the most part).

johncarloyu

Should the Lakers go after Scola, Martin Flynn for Gasol? Or Scola, Thabeet, Lowry?

Eric Pincus

If they can get Lowry – they should get Lowry. Right now the Rockets are saying – no Lowry. I don’t think that changes by the deadline.

johncarloyu

In case the Lakers trade Gasol to the Wolves, who will the get? For me, Williams, Pekovic, Beasley, Johnson, Barea should be fine.

Eric Pincus

The Wolves aren’t dealing Pekovic.

Rico

I feel the Lakers are better off giving minutes to Darius Morris and taking the growing pains along the way rather than seeing Derek play 20-25 minutes a game and giving us 3-5 pts with horrible shooting percentages. I appreciate everything that Derek brings to the table (veteran presence, few mistakes, etc) but I think it has gotten to the point of major diminishing returns. What do you think? And any chance we see Darius get some major minutes at all the rest of the year?

Eric Pincus

Darius isn’t ready for regular minutes like that.

Anthony Pascua

I have been reading other chats regarding kobe not wanting CP3 in LA, thus the trade being killed. If that is true, why would Kobe do that?

Eric Pincus

Kobe didn’t kill the CP3 trade – there has been some buzz that Bryant was really upset that he was losing both Odom and Gasol – but that had nothing to do with the outcome of the non-trade.

Deven

Before the season started, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith predicted that Kobe will request a trade from the Lakers sometime during the season. The rumors eventually disappeared and were obviously false to begin with, but now with all these Pau Gasol rumors coming around, what do you think is gonna happen with Kobe, the rest of the team and the organization in general?

Eric Pincus

Kobe isn’t asking for a trade and all sides expect him to finish his career here. The Lakers are transitioning to a new regime led by Jim Buss. For those on the wrong side of that, it’s a negative – and they’re pretty vocal about it. The rest don’t know if it’s good or bad – but the media’s primary sources are the people ousted. The Jim era hasn’t been defined yet and it may be a disaster but then it also may be a huge success. Wasn’t he in power when LA had closed a deal for Chris Paul? Before it was stopped by the commissioner? He gets no credit for that?

lb

Hi Eric
With the Lakers point guard problems, can you tell me why they havn’t sampled some guys from the D-league on 10 day contracts? I have looked at some stats and it seems there might be some guys that might be worth a quick 10 day look at.

Eric Pincus

There’s no D-League point guard who is going to play over Fisher/Blake/Goudelock.

wbs

Brown recently said he planned to use Blake instead of Fisher at game end. But Blake appears hesitant to shoot with Kobe on the floor, even when open, while Fisher does not. So why this decision? Fisher is far better at hitting the clutch shot.

Eric Pincus

It’s still a work in progress. Fisher is more clutch but Blake is more mobile and potentially a better defender. It really depends on circumstance. We’ve seen both.

Vlad

thank you for your chats Eric! Please try to answer both questions: 1. At your opinion what would Cleveland record look like had they played in the West? I bet there would be no argument about the ROY. Irving is very good, but Ricky is not just good, he makes people look like all-stars, makes them confident. Just take a look at Pekovich today. Even Love MVP season could be attributed to that. And another thing Ricky does: plays great D and makes people play hard all the time. How many non-playoff teams beat majority of playoff teams in the 4th quarter consistently? But MN does with Ricky as a floor leader. So question #2 who’d u pick as a ROY?

Eric Pincus

The Cavs have cooled and if the Wolves flirt with real playoff position, Rubio will gain steam as ROY. For now it’s Irving but that may be changing. The Cavs would be worse in the West . . .

Robsa

Eric, I grew up a big Lakers fan,but I have to say that championships or not,I have a hard time rooting for Kobe Bryant.It just seems like he hasn’t ever tried to make his teammates better or happier. I would argue that Manu in his heyday had/has a similar skillset but is much more likable/coachable. Maybe Pop could’ve helped Kobe to buy into the “it’s not about me” mindset but at this point I don’t think any coach will.Thoughts? Is it unfair to expect ballplayers to be nice human beings?

Eric Pincus

I’ve always found Kobe to be a good guy personally. On the court he is competitive to the extreme and that turns some people off. Off the court he’s certainly had his share of moments. Some love Kobe – some don’t . It’s more about the eye of the beholder than the man himself. History will look very favorably on Kobe – more than the present.

eddy

How does this trade sound? (Salaries Match)
Lakers Get: Jackson, Bargnani, Alabi
Bucks Get: Gasol + Dallas pick
Raptors Get: Gooden, Sanders and Harris

Lakers get a SF and PF that can score and an extra big body. People say that playing Barg at PF with a dominant defensive center like Bynum will make him stride
Bucks get Gasol who with Bogut can become a dominant duo inside.
Raptors get young talent and despite Gooden’s overpaid contract, he can still play and isn’t too old.

Eric Pincus

There’s no reason to think the Raptors are moving Bargnani this year.

eddy

Who says no? (Salaries Match)
Lakers Get: Salmons, Dragic and Scola
Rockets Get: Gasol and Ebanks
Kings Get: Morris and Thabeet
Salmons is an upgrade a SF and can score, Scola would be a solid starting PF and Dragic is an upgrade over Fisher.
For the Rockets, they get their big that they’ve wanted for a while now in Gasol.
Kings get Morris who hasn’t had a chance to play a lot in Houston but the talent is their. Thabeet’s contract expires in the offseason so they save $$$

Eric Pincus

Lakers say no. Then they say no a few more times.

RonnieJP

Laker’s Mitch Kupchak just said “the likelihood is that this is the team that’s going to finish into the playoffs”. Do you think this is a smokescreen to appease Gasol, in light of Kobe’s recent comments? Hard for me to believe that Lakers will stand pat with such poor PG and SF personnel.

Eric Pincus

Not a smokescreen – that’s what he says every time and is always, in all cases true for every team. It’s always more likely than not that trades do not happen. It has no bearing on what the team is trying to do.

Adam

Would you there be a way to do a 3 way trade with Minnesota and New Jersey if NJ doesn’t get Dwight? Pau and Ebanks to Minny, Derrick Williams, Pekovic, Darius Morris, and either JJ Barea or Ridnour to NJ, Deron Williams and Michael Beasely to the Lakers? Lakers could add their 1st round picks in there as well if needed.

Eric Pincus

I don’t see much of any scenario where Deron dealt midseason unless Dwight is traded early enough before deadline – a stretch I think.

Mateo

I have this feeling that garnett will be traded before the trade deadline. Is it a good move on the part of the celtics? How about garnett for gasol?

Eric Pincus

Garnett may get dealt but it’s hard to gauge exactly the path the Celtics take. Do they go all youth? Do they try to find a few younger veterans who can still play with the likes of KG, Allen, etc. Brandon Bass was a nice get, a few more of his ilk? Or do they dump Rondo who they don’t want to build around? Or Allen? Boston is a curious team to watch this year as we near the deadline.

Cain

Pacers trade Granger to Kings for Thornton + 1st Rounder. Thoughts?

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe the Pacers trade Granger this season.

javier garcia

What up E? I think your right about waiting til summer (July-draft) possibly. How do you feel about Beasley?

Eric Pincus

Beasley has a lot of good points and quite a few bad points. I think he would be a good get for the Lakers given his offense and youth. Maturity is a problem but maybe not for LA, where they can’t necessarily wait for the absolute perfect situation that doesn’t come. As far as waiting, LA is perfectly content to wait out the Pau situation until summer if the offers aren’t right.

Evan

Hey Eric, as a Nuggets fan I’m really concerned with the team at the moment. Since starting 14-5, we’ve gone 4-11 in our last 14 games. I get that Gallo and Nene being out has a lot to do with that but, still were playing with little to no energy at times currently. We really could use a spark, especially on the offensive end…is there anyway the Nuggets could make a move at the deadline. Maybe pry away O.J. Mayo, Anthony Morrow or Ray Allen away from there respective teams?.

Eric Pincus

Hmm – team is missing arguably it’s two best players? I think Denver just has to get healthy and see if and when Wilson Chandler can come in and make an impact. I like the Nuggets moving forward as long as they do get and stay healthy.

Azzar Nadvi

i wish the lakers didnt trade lamar odom. =[ i know he wanted out but i believe he wouldnt have quit if the lakers didnt trade him. i also wish dallas would give him back to the lakers for the TPE. like… an undo button.

Eric Pincus

Odom is gone. The Lakers weren’t optimistic about his future with the team and you can argue, by the way he’s played this year, they were absolutely right. Odom fit in the triangle and it took a long time for that to really work. They weren’t thinking he’d adapt well in the new system – and more importantly the Lakers committed to change. We’ll see who and what they get for the trade exception.

phil. star

who d u think has a biggest chance to upset the heat or the bulls in the east?
ATL?IND?NYK?BOS?PHI?

Eric Pincus

I don’t think any of those teams upset the big two but if I had to pick one, it’d be the Knicks who have the biggest upside of the bunch. The Celtics have the experience and know-how but not the legs for it.

Magic4Life

In your opinion, Dwight Howard will stay in Orlando if the Magic:

a.) Make it to the Eatern Conference Finals
b.) Make it to the NBA Finals
c.) Win the NBA Championship
d.) Find some way to make a splash and acquire a second star player/upgrade the roster
e.) Make significant changes to the front office and/or coaching staff
f.) There’s nothing they can do. He simply desires something more/different than the city of

Orlando and the Magic organization has to offer, and he will leave regardless.

I know he’ll likely test free agency no matter what, and not asking what is possible or most likely to occur, just wondering what you think it would take for him to stay.

Eric Pincus

I don’t think there’s anything the Magic can do at this point.

Drew

Thoughts on these trades?
LA- Scola, Beaz and Luke
Houston- Gasol
Minny- K Martin
Should work for all parties and give them what they all want!
Or

Any way that Atlanta would trade Williams to Minny for Wes and there choice of Randolph, Darko or B Miller!

Eric Pincus

Not enough for Lakers. I’m not sure where the Wolves are on Marvin Williams who has mostly underperformed with the Hawks.

Dee Ranoe

Why is everybody’s so hung ho about trading Gasol? I know he is one of two trade asset we have but cmon! Can the Lakers seriously not able to turn Odom’s exception into a starting PG? Our trio is still championship worthy! Also, Mike Brown needs to grow some cojones and tell Kobe to limit his fga to no more than 20 and dump the ball to the twin tower! Emplay, is there not a PG out there for us worth … Let’s say 8.6mil and a draft pick?

Eric Pincus

Economically the Lakers feel they need to redistribute their resources from $19 mil invested in their third option – to a more balanced overall attack. We’ll see what comes.

Alan Siegel

so now there are a lot of rumors floating around. without having to trade gasol at all or bynum for howard, would bringing in both sessions and beasley if both can be brought in through trade exceptions, picks, etc, does that go far enough to make the lakers significantly good enough to compete for the title or is it still only short term relief. will the lakers have to part with either bynum or gasol or both to get a significant player(s) to begin a new lakers era? it seems like howard and williams are long shots at best under any circumstances and i’m not sure what else will be available this year or next.

Eric Pincus

I don’t know what the Cavs want for Sessions but if somehow they wanted Josh McRoberts, perhaps that opens up the door for the Lakers to use the trade exception on Beasley. I haven’t researched that and honestly, it feels like a stretch but we wait and we see.

ryan

as a lakers fan lets say the nets couldn’t get Howard some how would you do a three team trade that looks like this….

Lakers trade: Gasol, pick
Lakers Receive: Andy V, Ramon sessions, and Anthony Morrow

Cavs trade: Andy V, Ramon, sessions, boobie gibson
Cavs Receive: Marshon Brooks, Okur, Farmar lakers first and nets unprotected first

Nets trade: Okur, Morrow, Farmar, pick
Nets receive: Gasol, Gibson

it would at least assure the Nets of some star power to try and keep williams. However this is just contingent on us or the lakers not getting Howard and he goes somewhere else.

Eric Pincus

Lakers want far more value than that for Gasol.

Taylor

I saw a three way trade proposal that I wanted some opinion on,
Nets get-OJ Mayo
Griz get-1st rnd pick(Nets)2nd rnd pick(clips) and R. Foye
Clips get- A. Morrow
Your thoughts? Is this what the clippers need? If not, do you see the clips going after anyone?

Eric Pincus

I hear that Deron Williams doesn’t want Morrow traded.

HHype_Jay

Beasley,LA… We both know the Trade X and Pick isnt enough, in your opinion what gets it done?

Eric Pincus

I don’t know the trade x and a pick isn’t enough. I know it’s not enough today. I don’t know if it’s enough in March near the deadline when teams change their positions.

Chris Collins

Would the Lakers & Knicks consider a Carmelo for Gasol swap? Also whats the chances Lakers & Wolves do a trade centered around Gasol & Love

Eric Pincus

The Wolves won’t do Love. I have no reason to think there’s anything to Carmelo/Gasol but it’s an interesting idea to ponder.

Big Tony

Lakers biggest problem Jim Buss taking charge? Or PG situation, Pau distraction, or new coach in shortened training camp/season?

Eric Pincus

It’s “reported” that the Jim Buss era is a problem but beyond that – do you really know that the Jim Buss era is a bad thing? I’m simply going to look at the situation objectively which is how I approach all 30 teams. The Lakers biggest problem is lack of youthful veterans who can really play.

Chris Collins

Would the Clippers consider trading Jordan & Griffin for Howard at the trade deadline if he is still on board?

Eric Pincus

No. They won’t trade Griffin for any player in the league, including Howard.

Chris Collins

What about working out a trade for LaMarcus Aldridge centered around Pau Gasol if a third team got involved?

Eric Pincus

The Blazers don’t want to – and won’t – trade Aldridge.

Andrew

Why dont the lakers go after Monta Ellis
starting line up
Ellis, kb24, barnes, gasol, bynum

Eric Pincus

You can argue that the Lakers should go after Monta Ellis although I hear they’d like to get Curry instead. I’m not sure how, in your scenario, the Lakers get Ellis but certainly you’d think Pau instead of say Metta World Peace.

paul pinto

if the lakers don’t trade Pau this season can you see them trading him during the draft? also do you think the Lakers will make any moves not involving the big three?

Eric Pincus

All possibilities need to remain open until a tremendous opportunity steps forward. Nothing yet and if it waits until the draft? Then so be it.

Moose33

On the Beasley front, do the Lakers actually have interest, or is this smokescreen for a bigger trade? Do you think Mike Brown can handle an enigma such as Beasley?

Eric Pincus

I’m not sold that Brown can handle his players and their personalities in general. I’m watching that one closely.

Lakers4life

Hi Eric, how are you doing? K. Martin, JR. Smith, and W. Chandler are back from China, any idea when A. Brooks will come back, any chance of Lakers signing him.

Eric Pincus

The Lakers have no legal means to get Aaron Brooks this year. Only the Suns can get him if he returns, as expected, after March 1st. There’s one condition – the Suns can waive the rights to Brooks to make him an unrestricted free agent but there’s no reason to think they would.

Bly

How about the Lakers trade one of their 1st round picks and TPE for Beasley and then Blake/McRoberts for Raymond Felton. Bring Beasley off the bench behind Pau and start Felton at PG. Felton isn’t playing well this yr, but it may just be a bad fit. He has played well everywhere else. We add two nice pieces and keep Pau.

Eric Pincus

Felton has been just awful, especially with his shot. Perhaps the Lakers take that risk that he suddenly figures it out? I’m not sold they do.

LJ Hann

Eric,
4-4 since the Billups injury, Olshey has to be looking for another wing player to start alongside Caron Butler, right?

I know LAC had a Friday workout with Michael Finley, Bobby Simmons, Kelenna Azubuike, and others. Are they pursuing any options via trade? TMac and Marvin Williams are both unhappy in Atlanta. Does Dallas want to dump Marion’s deal to clear space for Dwight/Deron?

Eric Pincus

As I noted, the Clippers don’t intend to give up any real value so if they make a trade, it’s not going to be a player of major merit. That could change if someone like Ray Allen came up – but no, I don’t see a big deal. Instead it’s more likely a trade exception move with a second-round pick going out.

MoMo

Why do I keep hearing that Howard to the Lakers is almost impossible? If Orlando decides to trade him, don’t you think a package around Bynum is the best deal out there as long as we take back Hedo’s contract?

Eric Pincus

Nothing is impossible if it fits within the rules. The Lakers still have a real chance at Howard although it’s never been a great chance.

Leo

Given other teams propensity to collapse on Gasol and Bynum in the paint, and their success at doing so, are we that sure that Ramon Sessions would be adequate enough to make them honest from the perimeter? Career 3-Pt% doesn’t lend me to believe that he would be consistently better than a Steve Blake/Andrew Goudelock.

Eric Pincus

Sessions can’t shoot the three with any consistency and he doesn’t play nearly as well when he’s not dominating the ball. That’s not a great fit for a Bynum/Gasol/Kobe team but we’ll see.

Howie Abrams

Do nights like last night prove the point even more how much the Wolves need to trade for a 2 guard that can put the ball in the cup? Who are we targeting that people may not have heard about already? Are there players from the eastern conference that are on our radar?

Eric Pincus

Kevin Martin makes some sense although I’m not sure where the Rockets are on that. The Wolves clearly need a two . . .

a different matt

What’s keeping Wilson Chandler from signing with the Nuggets, now that he has officially been released from his CBA team? Can he sign before he receives FIBA clearance and just not suit up for a game unti the papers are processed?

Eric Pincus

He needs his Letter of Clearance before he signs. He’ll end up with Denver, it’s just a matter of that letter and reaching the right number on a contract.

Scott

Any chance the Clips and Blazers could work out a Williams for Matthews swap? The Blazers could really use a point guard and the Clips need some size in the back court. I’m guessing Mo leaves the Clips after the season anyways, might as well get something in return.

Eric Pincus

The Clippers aren’t intending to move Mo Williams.

kevin

i recall the lakers trying to get curry for gasol during the cp3 holdup, would the teams revisit that? who would the fillers be? lastly, who would you rather have.. rondo or curry for the lake show? thanks!

Eric Pincus

The Lakers would trade Gasol to the Warriors for the right Steph Curry package. Word is currently that the Warriors aren’t open to that yet – and may not at any point. That’s something to monitor as well.

Tollis Hill

Hey Eric, its been a while.

Now that J.R Smith went to the Knicks what are the Clippers going to do? And second what in the world is going the the minds of the Lakers front office? Sounds like they are gonna run that team off the rail. There goes my dream of two dominant teams in L.A.

Eric Pincus

I wouldn’t write off the Lakers yet although rebuilding on the fly is never easy.

Ryan

Whats up with the Clippers play as of late? Is the Billups loss bigger than we all originally thought?

Eric Pincus

One loss shouldn’t have happened (Spurs) the rest were just games they didn’t get. I don’t expect them to win but half of their contests on the road.

Hen1040

Gasol trade value higher now or in off season?

Eric Pincus

Could be higher in the offseason actually. Teams can be more conservative in wholesale change midstream.

Nelson Ocampo (@winningguy)

In Gilbert Arenas’s recent interview with Sam Amick, he stated that he wasn’t looking to play again until after the All-Star break. But he just went to the Lakers workout at the request of his agent.

If the Lakers did decide that they wanted Arenas, do you think that he’d most likely go with them? Or do you think he’s still heavily weighing his options, and that the Lakers don’t really have the upper hand at landing him over any of his other preferred destinations? And will his destination be largely determined by where Howard ends up?

Eric Pincus

The Lakers remain a possible option for Arenas but not a priority yet for the team.

Tyler Michels

If the Lakers trade Pau Gasol do they want a PG and PF together? Or how do you replace Pau?

Eric Pincus

It’s rare where one move can solve all the problems a team has. If LA can get that point guard, perhaps they use that trade exception for a four. There’s a lot LA has to figure and it’s difficult to do so with primarily unwilling partners while right, smack in the middle of the season.

@InfraRen

Are the Wolves 1 wing player away from being a real playoff contender, and a fearful team for years to come?

Eric Pincus

Depends on the one player . . .

Hen1040

If you had to take one. Who would you rather have? Artest or Stephen Jackson?

Eric Pincus

Based on length of contract, Jackson. Based on day-to-day entertainment? Metta.

Akeli Jackson

Can you speak to the personality and make-up of Jim Buss? He’s widely unknown by Lakers fans so most are in the dark about him. Can he be trusted to turn this team around?

Eric Pincus

No one knows. With that in mind – a lot of people assume no. I don’t assume either.

Steve

Hey Eric, always read your chats, usually pretty awesome…if you had to guess, what happens with this Laker team…thanks for your time man

Eric Pincus

Thanks Steve – I’m hoping all the questions I’ve answered thus far – which have been primarily Laker ones – scratch that itch for you. I see LA as a playoff team regardless but not much more than a second-round team. That could change if LA gets the kind of deal they want but that can’t be counted on just yet.

Hen1040

Lakers loss in phx. More about fatigue or phx revenge?

Eric Pincus

It’s actually rare for a team to win both games of a home-and-home.

AirJazzy

Boston gets Kyle Lowry and Scola
Houston gets Rondo and Al Jefferson
Utah gets Kevin Martin and Avery Brady (Bradley is optional)

Boston gets a great PG and depth in the post. Houston gets a great distributor and gets rid of an unhappy K.martin. Utah makes room for the young blood Kantor and Favors. It works in the trade machine. Do you think thats a good trade?

Eric Pincus

As I mentioned, the Rockets are very fond of Lowry and have no intention to trade him.

Aaron W.

Are the Bobcats the team with the fewest trade pieces? They can’t trade Augustin because then they’d only have Kemba at PG. They don’t have a single player averaging more than 5.4 rebounds per game. Their highest scorer is Gerald Henderson with just 15 points. That kind of wasteland won’t attract any noteworthy free agents, and they seem poised for a decade of lottery appearances. What can they do to even consider rebuilding?

Eric Pincus

The Bobcats are in a lousy position but it could turn around with the number one pick in the draft and then in the summer of 2013 they have a ton of cap room.

Nick

Cavs send Sessions and gibson to lakers for walton, fisher and lakers 1st and dallas 1st…heard that rumor..your thought

Eric Pincus

Yikes – I don’t think so. Where did you get that one? I could see the Cavs wanting two firsts but both Sessions and Gibson and the returning players are Walton and Fisher? I don’t expect that to be true but then I’ve been surprised before.

LeRoy

Is there any truth that Jeanie and Jim Buss are banging heads with regards to how to run the Lakers? I just feel the best man to run the Lakers is Jeanie Buss

Eric Pincus

Dr. Buss gave control of basketball to Jim not Jeanie. I would say just about everyone loves Jeanie – the media, the fans, etc. I can see the resistance to Jim in that he hasn’t made himself a presence and very few know the guy. But there is true sibling rivalry but this is the state of affairs and Jim will run basketball and Jeanie will run business . . .

Gabriel from Paris

Hi Eric,
Who are the players the Clips are looking at to fill their hole at the 2? Are they going to trade for a wing or simply go for a 10 days contract for now?

Eric Pincus

i know someone like Courtney Lee makes sense but the Rockets want too much. Raja Bell could make sense but I don’t know where Utah is and if the Clippers want to invest in Bell for two years. I see the 10-day route – perhaps to someone they worked out – or even Gerald Green coming. Then again wouldn’t they just play Travis Leslie if it’s another guy needing seasoning for a couple of 10-days?

I’ll dig some more than as soon as I can . . .

Jordan B

Monta Ellis for chris kaman + Young talent maybe a pick.

Would you do that trade?
Gives the hornets someone to depend on offensively and gives the warriors that big man they really need so curry can really run show

Eric Pincus

I don’t believe the Hornets want to invest in Ellis’ contract.

Hen1040

Is it me? You say you don’t see what the lakers can offer for Calderon. He is not that good. Or is he?

Eric Pincus

I’m saying – what do the Raptors want that the Lakers have to offer? Walton? Peace? Blake? I just don’t see it. Calderon is a good offensive point guard – not much of a defender.

LJ Hann

With the need for a shooting guard on the Clips, and a PG on the Lakers, could Gilbert Arenas be a real option for both LA teams?

Eric Pincus

I hear Clippers not interested in Arenas.

Franky Ocha

What are the chances that the Lakers make a run at Rondo before the trading dead line? By offering Pau Gasol.

Eric Pincus

One of the many scenarios they’ll try to push through – but there’s no telling yet where the Celtics truly go.

Jamelle

I read an article on SI on Gilbert Arenas and how D12 really wants to play with him. Would the Lakers sign Arenas to entice D12 to ask for a Los Angeles trade?

Eric Pincus

I don’t think Arenas will be the difference-maker in where Howard lands.

Daniel

Portlamd fan here. News out there their close to a new arena in Seattle, i would love to see that rivalrie back in the nw, your thoughts?

Eric Pincus

I would love to see Seattle back in the NBA business.

Camille

If the Lakers were to trade Pau and Bynum to the Magics for Dwight and Hedo which they will amnesty, can the Lakers be in a situation where signing D-Will be highly likely?

Eric Pincus

Lakers wouldn’t be able to amnesty Turkoglu. A team can only amnesty players who were already on their roster before the new CBA took hold.

Jarom

There has been some buzz on a few websites about a Rondo/Allen for Millsap/Harris/Bell trade. Do you think it works for both teams and can or should it happen?

Eric Pincus

I don’t really like that for the Celtics much. Harris hasn’t really done much the past few years and it seems to be getting worse not better. Millsap is solid and not overpaid but I’m not sure he’s enough . . .

gus26

i read the lakers were looking to deal pau to chicago and send the bulls package to orlando for dwight… say that went down… what would the lakers do with howard AND bynum?

Eric Pincus

I don’t think it comes to that but I’d think from there they’d need to trade one – Bynum – for the floor balance necessary to win a title.

gus26

If the lakers offered pau/bynum and artest for d.will/okur/humphris from jersey then amnestied kobe would they have enough cap to get howard in free agency? would jim buss do that?

Eric Pincus

Lakers won’t do that. And then if you read the earlier question, that’s against the rules anyway.

benny

Who says no to a trade with Josh Smith and hinrich for gasol and picks or filler?

Eric Pincus

I went over today – did my absolute best to get through them all although some didn’t make the final cut. Thanks again for participating!

Benny – I don’t think the Lakers go Josh Smith although I don’t want to cross it out. Smith and Dwight Howard are really very close. That said, I don’t believe the Hawks go there just yet. Also, I’m not sure Hinrich is the answer for LA outside of the triangle offense.

It’s one to ponder though as we near the deadline.