Eric Pincus:
The offseason that never ends . . . let’s chat about it:

John,

Basically that’s kinda, sorta true.  It’s unenforceable to a certain extent but if it comes out that they’re talking, that’s not good for Shaw.

The league can’t punish the player but the team and the representative?  Big $$$.

So far the NBA has been lenient in general – allowing Nets personnel to attend Kris Humphries wedding and Mark Cuban the ESPYs.

It’s an awkward situation without a doubt . . .

Eric Pincus:
Can’t do it under expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and it’s safe to say can’t do it in next either.

Eric Pincus:
I’d call that an oversight.  They should have been listed as a potential power team but no more, no less than the Raptors, Bucks and rest in that bottom section.

Eric Pincus:
Sure but not easy to get!

Eric Pincus:
Right now?  Absolutely nothing.  It’s a lockout.

Beyond that, it sounds like they go into the season with the three of Derek Fisher/Steve Blake/Darius Morris.

Eric Pincus:
You need to work with a coach and get some direct help.  I’m not great myself with the dribble.  In general you don’t want a high dribble which just exposes the ball.  Someone with knowledge can help you in person get you to where you need to be.

Eric Pincus:
I don’t think so.

Eric Pincus:
They have a shot with the Minnesota pick as bait but the lockout is kind of in the way.  If it goes all year, those two become free agents and there’s a chance there’s no sign and trade in the new deal.  LAC would have cap room but would either sign outright?

Eric Pincus:
They may not get the chance if the lockout lasts all year.  Also, who wants to take on Turkoglu and Arenas, given that it won’t be long before Howard is a free agent?

Eric Pincus:
I expect Kobe to have a stronger season from a health perspective (knee) after this period of rest which may extend longer than anyone hopes.

Eric Pincus:
Kobe is still #1.  I’d even say that Gasol is locked in at #2 and Drew still fighting to be the third scorer although that might adjust over time.

Eric Pincus:
 

I didn’t say that Griffin would come to the Lakers.  I didn’t say the Clippers wouldn’t extend him before them.

What I did say is that the Lakers have $0 in salary past Kobe’s current contract so in the summer of 2014, LA would naturally go after the best players available . . . and Griffin technically may be available and on top of that list.

Personally I expect Blake to take an extension with the Clippers before then but it doesn’t matter what I, you or anyone thinks.  It matters what Griffin actually does and until he does something otherwise (extension), the possibility remains for the Lakers.

Just like how I listed LeBron James as a possible option for LAC last summer and Cleveland fans didn’t exactly appreciate that either, but it was factual.

Eric Pincus:
Rondo, Gordon and then Evans.

Eric Pincus:
There aren’t any international games planned this year, specifically because of the uncertainty surrounding the lockout.

The "reach-in" is kind of a general term for when a player uses their hands to try and grab at a ball possessed by an opponent.

The actual foul called is more about illegal contact in general.  A player can "reach-in" and swipe the ball away legally as long as that contact doesn’t happen (or isn’t noticed).

Eric Pincus:
Aminu was an impressive shooter early.  I think he may develop a reliable three-point shot.

Bledsoe isn’t much of a shooter but a team needs more than just shooters.  His ability to change the pace of the game off the bench is valuable.  He’s a scrappy player.

Foye isn’t a point guard.  He’s better backing up Gordon.

The Clippers would like to add a shooter at the three if they can.

 

Eric Pincus:
The Clippers don’t really want Josh Smith.  The Wolves aren’t going to finish outside of the top 15 next year (bottom 15 really), so why is that pick included in your proposal?

Eric Pincus:
The Lakers are going to stick with Fisher as starter with Blake playing sizable minutes.  They’ll give the kid Morris a look.

Brown likely doesn’t return.

The options at point guard right now are slim so they make the best with what they have.

Eventually Odom would be the obvious trade bait but it’s unclear when, for who and/or what at this point.

Eric Pincus:
George Hill is a solid reserve point guard behind Collison.  David West is a lot better than Landry.

Jumping to the Raptors, Maynor is so-so.  If you’re trying to dump Johnson for a backup point guard, I guess so but I’m not in love with that.

Morrow is a great shooter but not really well-rounded enough although if the price is Kleiza, perhaps.

Eric Pincus:
Isn’t it relevant?  Wouldn’t the Lakers go after the best player available, if he’s available?

Eric Pincus:
That’s not accurate.  It’s just not.

Eric Pincus:
 

Sounds great.  I may have to head out to Vegas to get a peek at it.

Eric Pincus:
What 50 players have gone overseas?  More importantly which significant players have gone overseas with no opt-out clauses for when the lockout is over?

It’s just not significant.

Eric Pincus:
It’s bad.

Eric Pincus:
Only a few didn’t get opt outs.  Will the NBA survive without Sasha Vujacic for a year?  Probably so.

FIBA has said players under contract with the NBA can’t be signed without an opt out.

Eric Pincus:
Is there a hoop?

Eric Pincus:
I don’t like that money for Prince and more importantly, I don’t believe the Clippers like that money for Prince.

He’s on their list but far down it.

I’ve also heard that Tayshaun doesn’t necessarily want to play in Los Angeles in general (Clippers or Lakers).  Something having to do with his hometown ties as a negative.

Eric Pincus:
If they can get value for Odom, that’s the least destructive to the here and now that might provide the right piece for the future.

Eric Pincus:
It won’t be a hard cap but it will be more restrictive.

Eric Pincus:
Of course.  If a player is an unrestricted free agent, why would he be obligated to sign with any team?

Eric Pincus:
What if you and I showed with three friends – can we play at STAPLES?  Do you want to be the Lakers or Clippers?

Eric Pincus:
Actually no.

Eric Pincus:
The Clippers don’t really see it re: Green. 

Eric Pincus:
Between the two I’d go Suns.

Eric Pincus:
Pau was worn down from the early season stretch with no Bynum/Ratliff – plus the three straight trips to the NBA Finals.

LA didn’t provide any outside shooting to give him space to work.

It was a mess but it should improve for the Lakers even without any significant changes.

Eric Pincus:
Interesting option I’ve discussed previously although I don’t expect it.

Eric Pincus:
If the lockout goes long enough, Bryant will probably play some stretches overseas.  It may not be in a specific league but he’ll get some time in competitively and lucratively.

Eric Pincus:
The Clippers, in general, aren’t trying to sign free agents at all.  The preferred method right now would be trade.  They’re not too high on Chandler so why overpay for a guy they don’t want – just to lure him away as a restricted free agent?

Eric Pincus:
I’d go Raptors next year, compartively speaking.

Eric Pincus:
I don’t believe they’re bluffing.

Eric Pincus:
Nene and Afflalo without a second thought.  They’re the better players, flat out.

Eric Pincus:
They won’t do Gordon and the Minny pick, even for a superstar.

Eric Pincus:
The Lakers will follow the path wherever it takes them but history says they mostly get it done via free agency.  The draft becomes an important part of the equation but possibly via trade (a la Kobe Bryant via Vlade Divac).

Eric Pincus:
 

I really don’t think Paul, given the opportunity, is not going to want to be a Laker.

It would probably take Bynum and I’m not sure that happens for either team.

Eric Pincus:
The players are more likely to fragment than the owners.

Eric Pincus:
Mayo would be a nice addition but how exactly?

And I’m not sure "hate" makes sense for the Laker roster.  This is almost the exact same team that won the title just a year ago.

Eric Pincus:
Griffin may do that without Paul.

Eric Pincus:
I’m not high on the Kings yet – it’s going to be a step forward but one that will take some serious time to be significant.  They need Evans to stay healthy and to grow as a playmaker and scorer.

Eric Pincus:
If the season isn’t cancelled, I don’t see the Knicks giving more than a one-year deal to preserve their spending power in 2012.  That’s significant and could get in the way when it comes to adding the right big man this coming year.

Sam Dalembert makes a lot of sense but he’ll likely want more than a one-year deal.  I was thinking Joel Przybilla.

Eric Pincus:
Full season = slim.  Partial = solid.  No season?  More likely than full, less likely than partial.

I see the owners winning . . .

Eric Pincus:
The Clippers view Gordon as a player on the verge of being an elite guard.  They’re not trading him and the Minny pick for Williams or Paul.  It’s just not in their plan.

Now obviously teams make compromises but I don’t believe the Clippers go there.

Eric Pincus:
As I mentioned earlier, I expect Griffin to sign an extension eventually with the Clippers.

Eric Pincus:
This will have to do for the week.  As always if I missed you, you can find me at epincus@hoopsworld.com, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/EricPincus or just wait until next week’s chat.

Joe,

It’s impossible to say what the new CBA will look like.  Ultimately the split of money will be far more favorable to the owners.

I don’t see a hard cap coming but there has to be some sort of restriction to prevent salaries from climbing out of control.  The partial answer there may be outlawing sign and trades.

I’d expected shorter contracts with smaller raises.

There will be some similarities, perhaps many, but there will also be differences.

I look forward to seeing it – whatever it is – because it will mean the lockout is over and we can get back to games.