NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 1/23/12

1. Kelvin

   How do you think D.J. Augustin would fit in with the lakers. knowing that kupchak isnt doing any signings soon i’d imagine augustin with good or at least decent dribble penetration would fit the lakers lack of point guard issue especially with the injury to steve blake, and i’m not really liking morris’s passive gameplay on offense. what do you think about augustin to the lakers and would he fit in and help them

   • Jason Fleming

     Welcome to this week’s chat!

     I think Augustin would be an okay fit for the Lakers, but what are they going to give the Cats in return? What do they have that Cats would want? Charlotte isn’t going give him up for a Traded Player Exception.

     It’s a decent fit, but I don’t see the pieces to make it happen.

2. AJ

   How about this trade? Portland gets R. Lopez, Suns get L. Babbitt, A. Johnson, and two 2nd round picks.

   Portland gets some much needed young big man depth. Phoenix clears the big logjam, Babbitt and Johnson get to learn from two of the best at their positions, Nash and Hill, and Suns get draft picks.

   Failing that, how about a similar deal for Jason Thompson from the Kings?

   • Jason Fleming

     That’s a lot to give up for Lopez, honestly. I like him, think he’d be a nice fit in Portland, but that’s quite bit. And what’s the upside for Phoenix? Babbitt wouldn’t help them immediately; he’d get buried in another logjam. I don’t see the value there for the Suns.

3. FocusLJA

   Hey buddy…do you mind giving maybe a 4 team list of teams that would benefit from the services of (1) Tyrus Thomas and (2) Boris Diaw?

   • Jason Fleming

     More than four teams would benefit from the services of Diaw…but most all of them won’t want him for $9 million. He’ll get a decent amount of attention in free agency must closer to his true value of $3-5 million.

     Thomas doesn’t have a lot of fans right now. The idea was he would go out and take control of a starting forward position, but he hasn’t proved he has earned that yet. Career-lows in field-goal shooting and near lows in scoring and rebounds – in the second-most minutes of his career – is not exactly enticing. That’s not the answer you want, especially with three years after this at $26.1 million left on his deal.

4. FocusLJA

   hypothetically…Charlotte gets a top 4 pick: With all the wholes and talent gaps on the team, would we be best served (A) trading down for maybe 2 lottery picks OR getting a player of our liking and a a top 10 pick…OR (B) do we just draft the BPA in the top 4?

   • Jason Fleming

     Trading a pick for a player and a lottery pick is very rare. The Cats are right near the cap line, so they can’t just absorb the player and have to send something out – it’s not just the pick. Also, it’s likely only New Orleans has two lottery picks and they won’t be trading them. I think if Charlotte gets a lottery pick they should use it and do what they can to add the right player to a Kemba Walker/Bismack Biyombo/Gerald Henderson group. If they can get a big man, great.

5. Rod

   Do you think Carmelo will ever win a championship? Its all well and good to drop 30 a night, but but he doesnt make it easier for his teamates like Durant, kobe and lebron do.

   • Jason Fleming

     I don’t see why not, but it’s not really up to a single player. Carmelo does what he does, and that’s score points and draw defensive attention. He can pass, but if you look at the Knicks you have to ask yourself – should he? Who should he be passing to? Anthony does just fine in the passing area for a guy who scores 26+ points a game. Him winning a championship has more to do with how the Knicks build a team around him.

6. Sabin C

   Why isn’t D. Williams asks for a trade to Orlando ?He is wasting another year in NJ.He’s not contending for a championship nor playoffs…I don’t get it, what’s wrong with him and Howard?The easiest way is to play in Orlando.Both of them.

   • Jason Fleming

     He could, but it won’t happen. NJ wants one thing from Orlando: Dwight Howard. If they are trading Deron, they won’t be getting Howard. Orlando cannot give the Nets value.

7. Chris G

   If you’re a coach who wants to buy his star player some rest with a game off, would you do it when you’re scheduled to play a weaker team, since your other guys should be able to carry the load, or when you play a better team, since odds are you’ll lose anyway?

   • Jason Fleming

     The win, to me, is always the important thing. If you are good enough to be able to absorb a missing player for a night, you do it against a generally bad team or you do it against a team where you would have a significant advantage if your star did play.

8. AJ

   Should Portland look to trade Wallace? It sounds as if they may not be able to keep both him and Batum past this year.

   • Jason Fleming

     That’s not entirely true. Portland is currently at $41.9 million for next year. Assuming they do keep Batum and then sign a center, they could bring this team back and go another year with Wallace – it would just be an expensive small forward position. I’m not saying they shouldn’t listen to phone calls, but it’s a little too early to say it’s time to choose one or the other.

9. The Philippine Eagle

   Hi Mr. Jason. After three straight losses, Kobe must be jaw jutting for real now. Lakers don’t have the attractive assets for Kupchak’s “big deals.” Bynum was outplayed by Howard, Pau not living as the second best man of the team, and the rest of Kobe’s teammates are heading to the D-League for their taste of championship. And Coach Brown is always experimenting, yet always outcoached in the end game and always keeps downgrading the current situation. Still a Laker fan despite the situation but it seems like I’ll be rooting for another team come playoffs because Lakers might not make it there. Your thoughts please. Thanks!

   • Jason Fleming

     Well, I would be shocked if the Lakers don’t make the playoffs. That said, you might have to cheer for someone else in the second round.

     I also agree with you that this team is the team the Lakers will have all year.

10. JP

    If I`m the owner of the TWolves and I tell you that I want to have the following roster at the start of the next season? Do you think it`s possible and championship quality in a couple of years?
    Rubio-Ridnour-Barea-Webster-Lee-Williams-Kawhi Leonard-Love-Randolph-Kenneth Faried-Anthony Davis-Tolliver

    • Jason Fleming

      It’s an interesting lineup, but I’d prefer more of a mix of veterans. You have a lot of young players there who want to make their names for themselves, to get that next contract, and need playing time to do so – especially in the frontcourt. I also don’t think the Spurs have any desire to let go of Leonard. Also remember, no first-round pick this year – it’s in New Orleans now. So no Anthony Davis.

11. Drew

    Who says no Beasley, Luke and a 1st or Ellis (G.W) or K Martin (Houston)? If not what would we need to add? Also assuming we could make either trade which one would be better for TWolves?

    • Jason Fleming

      Martin is the better fit, hands down. The Wolves don’t need to add a star type, they just need an efficient scorer.

      Is that enough value for the Rockets? Probably not. They don’t need another point guard, the first-round pick (which, right now, they can only trade the 2014 pick) may be in the 20s as the Wolves improve, and Beasley really doesn’t carry a lot of value right now. Is that package going to lead the Rockets to give up their leading scorer? Probably not. I’m not sure what would make them pull the trigger, but it would have to be another rookie scale player with good potential.

12. Eric

    How about a paul pierce for rudy gay swap? griz get to save $ in the near future,get a vet, a champion and a clutch player and the celtics prepare for a new era with rondo.

    • Jason Fleming

      That would be a tough sell in Boston given Pierce’s impact there in his career, but more importantly the Grizzlies don’t have any desire to get older. They seem fine with their future salary obligations and aren’t in a hurry to make a major change like that.

13. Jazzfan

    What kind of value do you think the Jazz could get for Devin Harris?

    • Jason Fleming

      Harris is posting his worst numbers since his rookie year. Not a whole heck of a lot.

14. Giovanni

    What r ur thoughts on the latest d12 rumors ? Stat and Tyson for d.howard

    • Jason Fleming

      Highly unlikely.

15. Anthony Pascua

    Lakers are my team. Aside from the obvious talks regarding D12 and DWil, what else is going on with the Lakers? Does Mitch have something up his sleeve that will shock the league at some point?

    • Jason Fleming

      If he does, it’s not anywhere close to obvious. The only players other teams would want are very expensive and probably can’t afford, and it would gut the team. I don’t think the Lakers are there yet.

16. FocusLJA

    Whats the status of Milsap and Jefferson? Is Utah deciding to go forward with them both? Is one getting traded?

    • Jason Fleming

      Utah is going to listen to offers, but they aren’t being aggressive at the moment. I believe one of them will be traded because one way or another you have to make room for Favors and Kanter.

17. Giovanni from Cleveland

    What do you think of the latest trade rumor sending STAT/Tyson to Orlando for D12? If the Magic were swayed to make this trade how do you think both teams would fair?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think it’s unlikely as I mentioned earlier. I also wanted to point out Chandler actually cannot be traded at the moment. I believe he can’t be moved for another month at least since he just signed a free agent contract.

      If the deal happened, I don’t see the Knicks being all that much better. Who plays the four then? I think it helps the Magic more, but they would have to really re-evaluate that roster. Their entire offense is built around Dwight being able to dominate in the middle, which Tyson cannot do. Amar’e can to a point, but that’s a different position and different locations on the floor.

18. Ryan

    is there a magic solution to fix the knicks??
    other than breaking up this mismatch of selfish offensive ball stoppers, and clueless bench players??

    I think baron will help, but from these early signs its quite apparent the only chance NY will have at a championship in
    basketball lies with THE NY LIBERTY!!

    • Jason Fleming

      This is what happens when you trade away all your decent guards and have only rookies, sophomores, and minimum salary players. Also, Mike Bibby is done. If the Knicks had decent guards they’d be better. I do think Baron Davis will make things better, but they still won’t be a championship contender.

19. Scott

    Do you really think the Celtics trade any of the big 3? I’d love for the Clips to get their hands on Ray Allen, who would get a ton of open looks with Griffin and Paul getting him shots.

    • Jason Fleming

      I think there is a chance, especially with Garnett and Allen in the final year of their deals. Of all the Big 3, I doubt Pierce gets moved.

      There are a ton of teams who would line up for Allen for a playoff run, so if the Celtics do decide to move him they can pretty much hold an auction. He’d be nice on a lot of teams with that shooting.

20. Brandon

    With the 76ers playing so well, do you see them making any more moves before the trade deadline?

    • Jason Fleming

      Probably nothing major. If they do anything it will be for a veteran point guard…but at this point, why change anything?

21. Danny

    Whats the latest on luol deng?…i read he might not need surgery…I also heard mri was negative…Can u give any further on him?

    • Jason Fleming

      Not at the moment. He’s being very hush-hush. I know he’s seeing more specialists…which usually means he didn’t like what the first doctor had to say. That, in my mind, is not a good sign.

22. Jerry

    Do you think Pat Riley will make an offer for Dwight? How about Bosh, Cole, Battier, Miller, Chalmers and Haslem for Dwight, Hedo, QRich, Hughes and Duhon?? I don’t think many teams can make a better offer, except for maybe the Lakers (Gasol & Bynum + 2 first rounders for the same players)… Thanks for your time.

    • Jason Fleming

      While I think that’s an intriguing idea for the HEAT, I don’t think Riley in any way, shape, or form has any interest at this time to break up the big three. That has nothing to do with the players or the production, but it’s because the HEAT have a plan and they are committed to the plan. Besides, this team went to the NBA Finals last year and got better this offseason with the additions of Cole and Battier. Why should they change anything?

23. Ryan

    is there a worst run organization than the knicks have been over the last 20 years, even the perennial losers such as the clippers, memphis and sota have managed glimmers of hope or complete turnarounds over the last few years.
    why do you think the knicks are so inept and clueless when it comes to drafting,and talent assembly??

    they are supposedly the richest team in the nba, why cant they just pay for the best scouting and management talent out there?

    • Jason Fleming

      Within the past 20 years the Knicks have been to the NBA Finals twice and the Eastern Conference Finals two more times. Most teams would call that pretty good over that time frame. Have they been mismanaged? Absolutely. But they haven’t been the worst.

      And yes, they should 100% be dropping money into building the best scouting department. Every team should work on that.

24. Jon

    Hi. So one of your co-workers; Derek Page I think his name is came with a stupid answer saying Kobe was the MVP so far because he’s scored foure 40-plus games. Who do you think is the MVP? By the way, any star in the league can score 40 when they put up 30 shots in my opinion

    • Jason Fleming

      Just imagine how bad the Lakers would be this year without Kobe.

      Right now my MVP is LeBron James, with a hat tip to Kobe and Durant.

25. blazerfan

    what’s happening with the blazers? their recent roadtrip raised my blood pressure. was it just injuries over a very tight schedule? how can they improve?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think they need to get mentally tougher. A few players mentioned over that same timeframe they need to not be worried about calling someone out when they make mistakes. They need to be comfortable enough to make those comments and to take them. They need to start games better and they need to keep the defense going all game long. Some of that could be chalked up to being tired…so perhaps Nate McMillan should play more than a eight or nine man rotation.

26. myownsummer

    Hey sir.. How r u seeing the Clippers chemistry right now? U think they’re meshing pretty well on and off the court? I’ve been too harsh with mo will for quite a while till he’d became so awesome lately.. U think he’s embracing his new role now?

    • Jason Fleming

      Yes, finally, Williams seems to be embracing the role. He still wants to be a starting point guard in this league and he would still welcome that chance, but in all reality this is an ideal role for him. He just doesn’t see it yet. Once they all get healthy, with Billups and Williams more comfortable in their roles, watch out.

27. Matt

    Gun to your head!
    lebron or Rose??

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      Sheesh, why the violence? I’ll take LeBron. I’m sure I’ll hear about that in the comments.

      Thanks for all the great questions! We’ll do it again next week, same time and place! Follow me on Twitter @jfleminghoops.