NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 11/28/11

Chat with HOOPSWORLD editor Jason Fleming about any and all things NBA on Monday at 8pm Eastern Time. Lockout? Rumors? Possible trades? Anything hoops is fair game. Feel free to leave questions in the queue anytime.

  1. dyrese

    when free agency begins will the knicks look to sign back up wing like battier or will they try to sign a big man if they dont sign josh harrelson or bring jerome jordan from overseas?

    • Jason Fleming

      Check out the Knicks’ salary commitments (link). They absolutely need to make center their top priority. Since they have $62.2 million committed to 10 guys (including Iman Shumpert) they only have the MLE to offer, so don’t expect too much. Check out Tommy Beer’s piece about who they might target.

  2. Matt (UK)

    What do you think the Nuggets top priority will be in the free agency / trade period? Who do you think they will go with a PF?

    • Jason Fleming

      1 – Nene. 2 – Afflalo. Assuming they can get both of those guys for $17-18 million (not a guarantee by any stretch), that leaves them with only about $7 million to spend, of which $1 million is taken up by Gary Forbes’ QO. The Nuggets have tons of cap space today, but unless they go in another direction almost all of it will be spent on their own free agents – and that doesn’t even include Wilson Chandler.

  3. Kevin

    I realize most of these guys aren’t on the trade block but I was just wondering if you thought this trade made all these teams better.

    Indiana gets – David Lee, Joel Anthony, Mario Chalmers (s&t)

    Mia gets- Stephon Curry, Tyler Hansbrough, Klay Thompson,maybe draft pick(s), cap space to sign a Center

    Golden State gets- Chris Bosh, Mike Miller, George Hill, Eddie House

    • Jason Fleming

      Indiana – gets better, but two of those players don’t start for them. Miami – gets worse. No low post threat and there is no center or power forward in free agency they can sign who will replace what Bosh brought them. GS – Push, but they don’t need to make any major moves like that.

  4. Drew,bk,ny

    Can a team with cap space do a sign and trade to the players old team example kings sign Tyson Chandler to Dallas for fillers

    • Jason Fleming

      No. Only the team owning Bird Rights can do a sign-and-trade deal. You can’t sign a free agent and then trade him immediately to another team.

  5. Steve

    Jason,
    Will you be reasonable?
    I have been a fan and followed Roy carefully.
    In my opinion, he came back too soon from injuries several times and did more harm to his knees.
    Now, he is damaged goods, his knees are worn-out, has very little quickness, and will be out of the league in 2 to 3 years.
    Why would Portland NOT use the amnesty on Roy?
    It can lessen the burden of a very bad decision they made when they extended him at near-max when they knew his knees were damaged, right?

    • Jason Fleming

      Here is why Portland would not amnesty Roy (at least, not right now). I agree with the idea he may have come back too early. I also think he is putting more pressure on himself than necessary. I think he needs to accept a smaller role, needs to be willing to be a sixth man. But….why make this decision now?

      Hear me out.

      Portland doesn’t gain much by using the amnesty now. Why not wait out the season and see how he does? Why not see if Roy really did just need more time to recover and see if he can be his former self? If Portland just used the amnesty now and he went to another team and became an All-Star again, can you see Portland’s fan base going through the roof? Especially when he also pocketed the full price of his contract from Portland?

      I want to see how Roy play in 2011-12. Portland doesn’t have to make this decision immediately, so wait it out, see how it goes. Make this decision in 2012, when the team has a season of supposedly healthy Roy to use as reference.

  6. Steve

    Jason,
    How can Portland get their hands on a younger, quality center?
    Camby and Oden are far too fragile to ever win a championship with as the center tandem, no?
    Who was the brilliant GM that got Portland Wallace and Felton?

    • Jason Fleming

      Via the draft. They need to start looking big in the draft (and I agree with you). Camby, in my opinion, only has one more year in Portland unless he’s willing to re-sign for far less money – his age and injury history demands it. Rich Cho (now in Charlotte) brought Wallace to Portland and Chuck Buchanan (the interim GM whom Portland has indicated they have no intention of giving the job to long-term) brought in Felton.

  7. Dong of Dayton

    Hello Jason,

    If Chandler, or any of the players in China, find some loophole to come back to the states will he be put back on his same team with his same contract? Seems unfair to Denver since they will be worse off without him but still will need to honor his contract when/if he returns.

    • Jason Fleming

      Nothing changes for the status of the players in China. When they return Chandler will be Denver’s restricted free agent and they will have Bird Rights on J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin. Patty Mills will be Portland’s restricted free agent. Aaron Brooks will be Phoenix’s restricted free agent. That actually doesn’t make a difference to Denver’s cap. If they want to use the money, they can renounce rights to Martin and Smith, then they will become just unrestricted free agents with no Bird Rights owned by any team. Chandler will remain restricted, just as Josh Childress did with the Atlanta Hawks when he went to Greece three summers ago.

  8. devonte

    what is jamal crawford’s chance of becoming a knick again

    • Jason Fleming

      Is Crawford willing to sign for the MLE? Are the Knicks looking for a scoring guard with that money instead of a center? At least initially I think the answers to both of those are no.

  9. Steve

    Jason,
    Any of Portland’s young guns really excite you in terms of value to the team, fun to watch, possible starters etc?

    • Jason Fleming

      Really excited to see Elliot Williams spread his wings after missing his entire rookie season. I think Nolan Smith is going to be a legit reserve behind Felton at PG too. He might not be a long-term starter, but he’s smart and can play some defense. I also want to see if Chris Johnson takes the next steps after solid play late last season. Not sure any of those players are starters at any point – Williams probably has the best shot – but they’ll be fun to watch.

  10. Luis

    Hey Jason what do you think about this trade

    POR gets: J. Salmons, JJ hickson & a 2012 1st round pic

    SAC gets: B. Roy & Nic Batum

    Sac gets a model nba star in b roy & a feature star in nic that can grow with there young team, & POR gets a back up for LA & crash & a pick that can hopefully turn into henson or zeller

    • Jason Fleming

      My first response was no way for Portland, but then again…maybe? They really don’t want to give up Batum, but if they got a pick and reduced the amount of a possible amnesty cost (Roy v. Salmons – not that Salmons would automatically be that guy, but just saying), they’d have to think about it. One thing it would do is hurt Portland’s perimeter defense pretty badly with Batum gone. It’s theoretically a solid deal…but I doubt Sacramento eats that contract (though, yes, they too could possibly amnesty Roy). Nah, never mind…talked myself out of it for Sacramento.

  11. Steve

    Do the chicks dig that funky goatee thing?

  12. rodney

    Also under the amnesty rules would it only allow a team to cut a player off there current roster? or would it allow a team to cut a player from a trade for instance say we traded Arenas for Rip Hamilton and Charlie v, giving us a starting 2 and a stretch 4 and allowing Detroit to clear further cap space? or is the amnesty only for current contracted players on the roster prior to trades

    • Jason Fleming

      As far as I know the amnesty is limited to players under contract today (signed under the old CBA) and can only be used once per team over the course of the agreement. There may be more language to it disallowing the scenario you describe, but I haven’t seen that…yet.

  13. KevinC

    Hey Jason… FINALLY…..
    While all fans are waiting for ratification, isn’t it ironic that all the big name free agent rumors involve
    all the “have” teams. Did anything really change ???

    • Jason Fleming

      Not really, but then I didn’t expect it to change too much. :) Wait until next summer…then I think you will start to see more balance. However, all the biggest rumors are always going to involve the hottest teams, just because those teams are larger markets with more media involved. It just is.

  14. Chad

    Any interesting player movement news out there?

  15. JAKE

    Is there a chance that the Wolves can get either Chandler or Oden?

    • Jason Fleming

      Not as free agents. The Wolves have $53.3 million in commitments (link) to 14 players after including Derrick Williams. The Blazers would (probably, I still feel) match an offer of Minny’s remaining cap space for Oden, since that’s only about $5 million. Chandler’s market price will be higher than that. Now, in trade? Sure, then anything is possible. Beasley and someone in a sign-and-trade deal to Dallas for Chandler? I don’t see anyone really fitting Portland’s needs (reserve PF) though.

  16. Tbadfw

    Isn’t it so much better talking about players and teams than unions and cba’s?

  17. Tbadfw

    What are your thoughts about DJ Augustin? Could he be a starter on a good team? Does he need a change of scenery? I personally think he would be good on my Jazz.

    • Jason Fleming

      I will admit, I’m not a big Augustin fan. He’s a solid player, but I feel he’s a much better fit as a reserve than a starter. And yes, he needs a change of scenery. If he ended up in Utah, he’s not better than Devin Harris.

  18. Tbadfw

    One more. Brian T Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted earlier of possible interest in Millsap by the Pacers. Pacers have Collison and Hill to offer. Good fit?

    • Jason Fleming

      Indy traded their first-round pick for Hill and Collison is their starting point guard…Millsap is a solid player, but why trade your point guards for him when you are at the top of the list for free agent power forwards? I like Millsap, but there are no PGs in free agency Indy could sign instead.

  19. Tyler

    How likely do you think it is that Dalembert goes to the HEAT for the full MLE? And what do you think he brings to the table for the HEAT and how will it effect their title chances?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think Dalembert in Miami is a solid move, as long as he is fine with never seeing the ball on offense. Is he? Hasn’t always been in the past. If he brings defense and rebounding, that’s all they need. Considering that’s an addition to a team that needs help in the middle, it’s a positive move. A Dalembert/Anthony platoon in the middle is a nice pairing.

  20. Tyler

    What do you think about this trade. Kaman, Williams, Bledsoe, Aminu, Wolves #1, Future 1st for Cp3 and Ariza. Starting lineup of CP3, Gordon, Ariza, Griffin, and Jordan looks scary

    • Jason Fleming

      Sure it does, but I don’t know that the Hornets make that deal. They have to be convinced Paul is leaving, and as of yet he hasn’t made that clear.

  21. Tyler

    How will the new schedule affect the wolves pick? Instead if playing Eastern teams multiple teams they will play most of them one time. They will play their division a lot more than east and they were 1-15 in division last year. Looking good for us Clipper fans isnt it :)

    • Jason Fleming

      Well…I think Minny will be better under Rick Adelman. All of the young guys have experience and Derrick Williams is a great addition. I think Minny wins at least 25 in this 66 game season – more than they won in 82 last year.

  22. Alexis

    Do you think there’s really a need for the Miami Heat to Amnesty Miller.? Does his move of making his home for sale means that his really leaving Miami?

    • Jason Fleming

      Does it MEAN that? Not necessarily. Maybe he just wants to move. But does Miami need to amnesty Miller? No way. Not a chance. What’s the point? The HEAT has $67.1 million commited to 12 players (including Norris Cole), so they are over the cap and limited to the MLE. If they cut Miller, they have $62.5 million committed to 11 players…over the cap and limited to the MLE. What do they gain? They just lost a player who had a season where he struggled with injuries but has the potential to light it up from outside for absolutely nothing, and cutting his salary does not allow them to make additional moves.

      I don’t see Miami using the amnesty, at least not before this season. Maybe next year when their cap number goes up (as it will for the next three summers), but not now. I think Miami keeps the team together, adds a player with the full MLE, and tries to move a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals last spring into the NBA Finals.

  23. Mactastic

    Hi Jason! What chances do the Bulls have in landing a scoring SG like J.Rich or O.J Mayo? And where do you see Jonas Jerebko & T-mac going?

    • Jason Fleming

      None on Richardson unless he is willing to sign for the MLE. I don’t think it’s necessary to trade any core players to Orlando in a sign-and-trade in order to pay him more. As for Mayo, he makes roughly the MLE ($5.6 million) and I just don’t see a deal from the Memphis side that makes sense. Honestly? Keep the team together. I’m a big Jimmy Butler fan – see how he develops.

      Jerebko will follow the money. If someone thinks he’s worth $3-4 million, that’s where he will sign. As a second-round pick he hasn’t hit that first paycheck yet, so money is important. That could be in Detroit, but he’d be a nice fit on a lot of playoff teams. McGrady will go where he thinks he can be given a chance to start. Again, not sure where that could be, since I don’t believe he’s a starter anymore. Chicago would be an interesting choice, and much cheaper for them.

  24. wayne

    You hear that the lock out helped the older teams…not sure that is going to be the truth. Lots of games in a short amount of time might tax the older players..what you your thoughts on this?

    • Jason Fleming

      My thought is…I agree with you. The long summer was nice for them, but after that first back-to-back-to-back the impact is going to more on the older teams.

  25. cj

    Is this a make it or break it year for Scott Skiles?

    • Jason Fleming

      Absolutely. It’s year 4 of his time with the Bucks and they took a step backwards last year, despite Brandon Jennings. Question: Will he get along with Stephen Jackson?

  26. Otis

    Would the bulls be better off amnesting Boozer and using the money to upgrade the 2 and a replacement 4 to go along with Taj or keep boozer and just use their midlevel for upgrading the 2

    • Jason Fleming

      If the Bulls used the amnesty on Boozer they would have…$6.8 million in cap space and no backup for Gibson. Considering they can use the MLE of $5 million on a SG now, it really doesn’t gain them – and not nearly enough to cover what they would lose. You won’t see the amnesty used on Boozer unless he suffers a seriously debilitating injury.

  27. Johnny

    What do you think about Michael Redd? You think he’ll end up on someone’s roster? I have a bad feeling he’ll end up on my Bulls.

    • Jason Fleming

      I absolutely think Redd will be on a team. It’ll probably be a vet minimum deal, so at that price, why wouldn’t you want him on your team?

  28. cody

    what team can top this offer for dwight? resigned deandre jordan,kaman,aminu, and the 2012 minny pick for dwight. imo nobody tops thats. take into consideration dwight would want to team up with clipps. mo bledsoe gordon blake dwight and sign a vet sf like prince or battier and the clippers be elite!

    • Jason Fleming

      Orlando has to be convinced Howard isn’t coming back, which they aren’t yet. I don’t think they will be on December 9th either, or when the season begins. By that time Jordan is re-signed and can’t be traded for a bit, plus will be a BYC player (more difficult to trade – I think BYC stays in the new CBA). Kaman, honestly, isn’t a selling point for the Magic. What if he walks? Do you overpay him not to walk?

      Not saying this deal isn’t pretty good for the Magic, just that it’s not perfect. If Howard is traded, it’ll be later in the season.

  29. Hudsen

    If given the choice whom would the Knicks front office choose, cp3 or Deron Williams? And who do you think is a better fit?

    • Jason Fleming

      CP3 is a better pure point guard in my opinion, and will defer offense to make Stoudemire and Anthony successful. Williams will look for his own shot a tiny bit more. Paul is also a much, much better defender. Many don’t agree with me, but I’ll take Paul over Williams every day of the week for those exact reasons. That said…I don’t see either one getting to the Knicks.

  30. Scott

    Not a fan of either team, but doesn’t a S/T of Richardson for Boozer work for both teams? Bulls get the shooting guard they need and the Magic get one of Howard’s good friends to play next to him.

    • Jason Fleming

      I think that leaves Chicago way too thin up front. For the MLE the Bulls can get a perfectly serviceable SG. Losing Boozer would be a step backwards and Richardson wouldn’t make up for it.