NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 2/27/12

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

  1. alan

    A boozer for gasol trade makes little sense for the lakers, but what if the bulls added in omer asik, CJ watson and brewer and the lakers through in artest. The lakers free up some cap space and get building blocks and flexibility.

    • Jason Fleming

      Welcome to this week’s chat! How was the All-Star weekend for you guys? Personally, I was bored until the third quarter on Sunday. On to the chat!

      The Bulls would not make that trade. Mining their bench for World Peace? Not a chance.

  2. matt from Oz

    hey Jason,
    as is the usual at this time of year, was wondering if i could get your thoughts on a trade proposal.

    i know atlanta isn’t on D12′s A-List, but could the Hawks make a deal around Horford. E.G.

    Hawks Get- Dwight Howard & Hedo Turkoglu (has to be paired with D12 apparently)

    Magic Get – Al Horford, Marvin Williams, Kirk Hinrich.

    Hawks relieve themselves of Turks contract, get Hinrichs expiring contract in return, a potential stud to build around and a solid young wingman.

    Hawks end up with a lineup of – Teague, Joe Johnson, Hedo, Josh Smith and Dwight. Surely that would push them into NBA Finals contention? Thoughts?

    Cheers Jason.

    • Jason Fleming

      The problem with any team giving up a cornerstone piece to get Howard – and Horford is a cornerstone piece – is they have absolutely not assurance Howard will stay. If he is traded, no matter where to, he is going to opt out of his contract. It’s a given, write it in stone. And if you aren’t on Howard’s list – as you noted Atlanta isn’t at this point – then why would you risk so much? If Howard leaves you basically just traded Horford for Turkoglu, which is one of the worst trades ever.

      The deal, on paper, is fairly even, but the risk involved is way, way too much for Atlanta to consider.

  3. Jazzfan

    Who player would you say drives you the most crazy with his inconsistency? Like he shows flashes of being a potential superstar but more often looks just average

    • Jason Fleming

      Until just recently it was Nic Batum, who has all the tools but just didn’t seem to have put it all together. Now it looks like he finally has. Can I say the entire Sacramento Kings roster?

  4. badoodelz

    f your the bulls, would u accept a gasol for bozzer+ fillers deal?

    and whats your thought on marshon brooks? future all star?

    • Jason Fleming

      If Deron Williams stays then I think yes, Brooks could be a future All-Star. If Deron leaves and it’s just him and Brook Lopez running the show, the road will be much steeper.

      I don’t think it matters what the Bulls would do, because the Lakers aren’t taking Boozer and fillers for Gasol. Plus, I would be shocked if either of these two teams made such a dramatic in-season trade this year. What’s the real gain? It would be too much for the players to find their respective place on their new teams.

  5. Evan

    Hey Jason, I know as a Nuggets fan right now that a major reason we’ve gone 4-12 in our last 16 games is because we aren’t healthy and we probably should just wait it out till we get Gallo, Nene and Lawson back but, I would really like to see us shake-up our roster a bit. Any chance, what so ever that any of the following trades could be made.

    Lakers Get: Andre Miller, Al Harrington, Timofey Mozgov
    Nuggets Get: Pau Gasol

    or

    Lakers Get: Andre Miller, Nene, Draft Pick
    Nuggets Get: Pau Gasol

    Would that be enough to make the Lakers bite on a deal for Gasol or would they want more value than those two trades, thanks.

    • Jason Fleming

      The first scenario is a non-starter. Gasol isn’t quite as good as last year, but is still averaging 17.0 points and 10.6 rebounds. Miller, Harrington and Mozgov don’t remotely come close to bringing the Lakers adequate value in return.

      With the Nene scenario you may be onto something valuewise, though it’s doubtful the Nuggets look to move him after all the wooing they did to re-sign him in December. He chose Denver, that’s where he wanted to be, and they appreciate that.

  6. maestro

    Who says no? Sacramento sends Tyreke Evans & Garcia to Indiana for Danny Granger.

    Indiana opens up the three spot for George add a solid two guard and still preserve cap space. Kings solve the Evans/Thornton issue.

    Collison,
    Evans
    George
    West
    Hibbert

    Sacramento
    Fredrete
    Thornton
    Granger
    Thompson
    Cousins

    • Jason Fleming

      Indy says no. They love Granger. Sac also says no because their whole future is built around Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. And even if they did make the trade, Fredette still wouldn’t start.

  7. Derek

    Rumor has it Lakers are eyeing Felton & Beaseley.
    Felton is a good bet for the TPE, Portland gets under the cap, but how much of Felton’s regression is the withdrawal syndrome of leaving D’Antoni?
    And why would the Lakers want Beasley? They certainly won’t extend a qualifying to him next year, unless Adelman convinces Kahn he can get something out of MWP and Lakers just wanna cut him loose.
    Your thoughts?

    • Jason Fleming

      The chances of Portland trading Felton for nothing but a TPE are slim to none. They aren’t going to give him away when he’s the only legit PG on the roster, no matter how poorly he may be playing. As for Felton’s poor play being a result of not being with D’Antoni, he played pretty well in Charlotte too. And decent in Denver with the minutes he was given.

      I think if the Lakers were to acquire Beasley, no matter what they give up for him, they would extend the QO. Why not?

  8. eddy

    Should the Lakers sign Al Thornton? Low risk high reward.. He was a STUD with the Clippers. In his rookie year was runner up for “Rookie of the Year” (Durant won). 2nd year he put up 17 ppg. He got traded to the Wiz in his 3rd year and played well off the bench. Got moved to the Warriors in his 4th year and saw limited playing time. He has always shown that he could put the ball in the basket and with the Laker offense as ugly as it is and no offense coming from the SF spot. Thornton seems to be a perfect fit. Still pretty young and can easily put in 13 ppg efficiently. Why not go for it? Better idea than Sheed or Arenas

    • Jason Fleming

      Will a player signed to a minimum deal at this point in the season crack Mike Brown’s rotation? I’d be shocked.

  9. eddy

    Correct me if i’m wrong. But in the Rookie of the Year race, i feel like if the T-Wolves make the playoffs. Rubio will win the award, but if they don’t. Irving will win it. Right? Unless someone like Brooks or Williams just kills it in the 2nd half of the season.

    • Jason Fleming

      I doubt anyone but Rubio or Kyrie will win it. I agree with you, if the Wolves make the playoffs that is going to tip the scale to Rubio unless he totally falls apart (which, if he does, they won’t make the playoffs anyway). I don’t think it’s a given Irving wins if Minny misses the playoffs, but it levels the playing field.

  10. Richard

    Hey Jason,

    My question is about the NBA trade deadline. We’ve seen how some teams have struggled with injuries and coinciding. With what you’ve heard so far, do you feel like the lockout will cause teams to be a little more cautious about making deals?

    Thanks!
    -Richard

    • Jason Fleming

      I think good teams, playoff teams, will be much more cautious. Because of the tight schedule as a result of the lockout practice time is practically nil and trying to work in new players – and replace players who were depended on – is just that much more difficult this year. Lottery teams are much more apt to make a deal where the chemistry ramifications of a trade won’t be as possibly severe. So I don’t think the lockout will cause less deals, but the schedule as a result of the lockout will make teams more cautious.

  11. Brandon

    What’s the latest on Wilson Chandler? Who’s got the best chance at signing him and by when do you see him suiting up?

    • Jason Fleming

      You won’t see Chandler play for anyone but the Nuggets this year. If they can’t agree on a deal, he’ll become a restricted free agent this summer and the market will be wide open.

      As for the latest, he is waiting on his FIBA Letter of Clearance. Last I heard it hadn’t come yet, but it should be very soon.

  12. laker fan

    Lakers – Howard, Turkoglu, lowry
    Orlando – Bynum, MWP, D.Williams
    Rockets – Gasol
    T-wolves – Martin

    The Lakers make magic take their bad contract with MWP. Houston receives LA’s 1st rd pick. Does a deal happen??

    • Jason Fleming

      Nope. As of now the Magic have no intention of trading Dwight Howard.

  13. Nick

    Rumor has it that Atlanta would trade Williams, Hinrich and 2012 1st rounder to Clevd for Sessions and Jamison? What do you thing of the possibility of this trade?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think that’s a no-brainer for the Hawks, but I don’t see the upside for the Cavs. Williams’ contract is not a good value and the draft pick will likely be in the 20s unless the Hawks fall apart.

  14. alan

    Any way that the bulls could pry paul george from indy after the season? maybe asik, a first and ronnie? he would be an incredible addition as a big 2 with size to guard threes that can create.

    • Jason Fleming

      If you were Indy, would you trade George for that combination? I sure wouldn’t.

  15. Jazzfan

    What are your thoughts on the dunk contest? as a Jazz fan I was excited to see Jeremy Evans win and I thought his two ball dunk over Gordon Hayward was the best of the night and loved his tribute to Karl Malone, although if Derrick Williams had been able to stick his last dunk he would’ve had my vote as winner, overall I wasnt impressed with the contest but at the same time what can really be done to make it better? people say props are ruining it but without the props there are maybe a handful of dunks that havent already been done a million times you know?

    • Jason Fleming

      I agree, Evans’ two-ball dunk was my favorite of the night, but I don’t have the answer to your question. I will say this though: in almost every instance, if it takes more than one try I’m not interested. I do think the props are lame and much more prefer the in-game explosions, like the ones Russell Westbrook threw down in the All-Star Game. But can you replicate that in a dunk contest with no defense – even lackadaisical defense – and little drama? Many feel the answer is to bring in the stars, but I think that only raises the hype value and won’t necessarily result in better dunks. Those dunks everyone was drooling over during the AS Game? They won’t be as cool in the contest format.

  16. SenseiOfSoul - Chicago

    Hi Jason, I really enjoy your chats.

    I know four-team trades are rare, but I have a radical idea, that could help all teams involved.

    LAL gets: Milsap, G.Wallace, Luke Ridnour
    POR gets: Al Jefferson
    MIN gets: Pau Gasol
    UTA gets: Derrick Williams and Beasley

    Here’s the rationale: LA’s asking price for Pau is pretty high. They want All-star(s) in return and a PG. Also, Kobe’s title window is closing – and DH12 is unlikely. MIN wants Gasol to team with Rubio – But with the emergence of Pekovic he now joins the list of “untouchables” (Love and Rubio). The Lakers are not going to take back 18 Million worth of garbage. Gerald Wallce wants to test FA and POR has to re-sign Batum. POR also needs a frontcourt mate for Aldridge because Oden is done and Camby is old. Utah is playing well right now, but Jefferson and Milsap are not their future. They should completely turn the reigns over to Kanter and Favors, and get out of Big Al’s contract so they have flexibility to build around their young core.

    Laker’s title run starting 5 – Bynum, Milsap, Wallace, Bryant, Ridnour

    New look Blazers – Jefferson, Aldridge, Batum, Matthews/Williams, Felton

    New Look T-Wolves – Gasol/Pekovic, Love, Webster, W.Johnson, Rubio

    Jazz youth movement – Kanter, Favors, D.Williams/Beasley, Alec Burks, D. Harris/Watson

    Salaries work. Waddya think?

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6qsxoom

    • Jason Fleming

      I like the general sentiment, but I have one small bone to pick here. This move represents changing out 3/5 of the Lakers’ starting lineup. Can you make a title run when you do that 20 games before the end of the season? If they did, that just might be the most impressive title run ever, no matter how many games it takes to get there.

      I think this deal works for Utah. For Portland…maybe. I don’t believe Jefferson and Aldridge are a good match, but it might work.

      You also point out – correctly – the drastically improved play of late by Pekovic. If the Wolves did this deal they now have a frontcourt with Love, Gasol and Pekovic. Who sits? Pekovic? Is there a real true advantage to bringing in Gasol, who really plays the same position as Love? I don’t see the logical reason for doing this for the Wolves.

  17. Mike

    Boston sends Pierce and O’Neal to the Lakers for Bynum and Metta. Lakers window is now and Boston needs to get younger. Doesn’t this make sense for both teams?

    • Jason Fleming

      This makes zero sense for the Lakers. Their strength is the frontcourt and this trade would make it severely weaker. Plus Boston will never, ever (okay, maybe a 1% chance) trade Pierce. He means to the franchise just as much as Duncan to San Antonio or Kobe to the Lakers.

  18. Simon

    how do you like this trade? http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=89wkqhz

    Magic could also throw in draft picks and bass’s trade exception

    • Jason Fleming

      What value would the Suns be getting out of that deal?

  19. super boink

    Hi there. What are the plans of the genius management of detroit? Cause no one knows if they wana rebuild or keep loosing. Ben gordon and prince can play else where, i feel bad seing them wasting their younger years loosing. More power To u guys!

    • Jason Fleming

      I have been asking this same question ever since they signed Gordon and Villanueva. I asked it again this past summer when they re-signed Prince and Stuckey. I have no clue what they are doing. However, I do like Monroe and Knight – nice young talents.

  20. Simon

    What about this trade http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=74mhrxl

    you could also replace redick with jrich
    and also throw in draft picks and bass’s trade exception

    • Jason Fleming

      No way the Nets do that. Eats up all their cap space on average players.

  21. flame of recca

    Is it true that the celtics crew are having bad chemistry in practices ? It surprices me cause few years ago they where the tightest group with a good gel coach. I guess its time for d.ainge to admit all his wrong trade moves and just rebuild?

    • Jason Fleming

      The Celtics already know they are going to be rebuilding – this summer. It’s not a secret plan or a surprise to anyone in the organization. Garnett, Allen and O’Neal all come off the books and the team will be $20 million under the cap. Expect them to make a splash.

  22. blue oldschool bettle

    Who in your opinion can be the last piece for the bulls to win it all. And can it be done via trade? Thanks

    • Jason Fleming

      I don’t think the Bulls need to do anything. They seem just fine to me – just get healthy.

  23. Charlie

    The dunk contest this year was a little stale, as the NBA has difficulty getting “name” players to participate. My proposed solution: turn the contest into the “Million Dollar Dunk Contest.” Winner gets a million cash – meaning the NBA can attract high level, all-star type players to actually compete and 1 million is not really that big in relation to the buzz it will generate for the NBA and all star weekend. Agree or Disagree with this proposal?

    • Jason Fleming

      I agree $1 million would get the stars to dunk. I disagree the dunks would be any better.

  24. Deven

    Hello again Mr. Fleming. There’s a report out there that the Orlando Magic are pursuing Steve Nash in order to keep Dwight in town. Any truth to that?

    • Jason Fleming

      They can pursue all they want, but the Suns at this point have no intention of trading Nash. Orlando would have to really blow them away with an offer and they don’t have the assets to do that.

  25. fishda

    Its seems like with spurs line up right now they got no chance in beating the clipz and the thunder in the playoffs. Do they believe that or will they blow the team up after another first round exit? Duncan can be scary with the lakers ,celtics or heat… Or maybe the mavz…. Manu and tony would be valuable too. Thanks

    • Jason Fleming

      I see this Spurs team the same way I did last year’s – they play well night to night, but over the course of a seven-game series they are going to have a very, very difficult time beating a team four times. Hey, guess what? Right now they’d be playing Memphis in the first round. Last year I picked Memphis and I’d do it again.

      Duncan will, probably, not ever play for another team. As long as he wants to play there will be a contract for him in San Antonio. It won’t be $21 million, but it’ll be in San Antonio.

  26. Joseph

    How far do you think the Pacers will go in the playoffs?

    • Jason Fleming

      Anyone in the East not named Chicago or Miami has a ceiling of the second round of the playoffs this year. I think Indy gets that far.

  27. Wil

    Hi Jason, did you get any time off during All-Star Weekend? For Center, although I think getting Joel back helps, should we look at another solution? How about either renting Kaman (trading Camby who is done after this year regardless) or going after Okafor (would Wallace and change be enough?). Also, for PG, would you start Crawford, Felton, or finally give Smith a shot (and why is he on such a short leash)?

    • Jason Fleming

      All-Star Weekend is a work weekend for us. :)

      I agree, Joel is not the answer. If he was someone would have offered more than the minimum for the rest of the season. I’m a huge fan of Przybilla, but I just don’t see him making an impact.

      Portland is going to make a splash in free agency when it comes to centers. They have a ton of cap space ($15+ million, more if Wallace opts out, but most of that may just go straight to Batum) and center is going to be a priority. Kaman would be on my short list, as would JaVale McGee (boneheaded plays and all).

      I still believe Felton is the best possible answer for point guard for the rest of this season. Crawford just doesn’t have the right PG mentality – he’s admitted as much – and for whatever reason Smith hasn’t impressed McMillan.

  28. Casey

    Aldridge needs an All star PG to play with. Felton is the 44th best Pg in the league, and I’ve been watching him stink all season. Do the blazers have the assets to get the kind of All Star point Aldridge deserves?

    • Jason Fleming

      No. All-Star point guards don’t grow on trees. If the Blazers want that quality of PG they need to spend the money on one in free agency (this is not a good year for a star PG) or they need to draft one. The Blazers need to get better with their draft picks.

  29. badoodelz

    the dunks on the all star game are better than the slamdunk contest. Agree or Disagree? Its not that the dunk contest wasn’t good, but the fans are getting more exited when they see LBJ, KD, Blake throwing it down.

    • Jason Fleming

      Absolutely – but I think the key point is they are throwing them down in game situations. That makes them better, no matter what they look like. Westbrook hammering down a dunk is infinitely better when it’s done in traffic. Take away the defenders and how impressed are you? Still nice, but you’ve seen it before, right?

  30. bayarea510

    Gun to your head, what new additions do the lakers roster have on March 16th?

  31. Griffin

    Who do you expect to be Portland’s starting pg next season? If anyone other than Ray Felton, might there chances be better of getting that guy right now?

    • Jason Fleming

      See my earlier response about trading for one. At this point it may not be Felton either, but I have no idea what the answer is. I doubt there is a trade out there before the deadline. Right now, no clue.

  32. Lateak

    I like lin a lot… But i think we would beat tha heat with cp3 r nash what u think

    • Jason Fleming

      I still think Miami is the better team. Tyson Chandler has changed the dynamic for the Knicks and Lin adds a very welcome dose of excitement, but they still aren’t better than a Wade/James/Bosh combo and their supporting cast.

  33. Vito Villegas

    Hi Jason! Could the Lakers acquire Leandro Barbossa with Lamar Odom”s TPE?

    • Jason Fleming

      That works under the cap rules (TPE = $8.9 million; Barbosa = $7.6 million), but would the Raptors give him away for nothing? That would also significantly add to the Lakers tax bill, which right now is about $18 million.

  34. Michael

    Hi Jason,

    Who would the timberwolves have to send to Denver in order to trade for Rudy Fernandez?

    -Michael

    • Jason Fleming

      Keep this in mind: it’s doubtful Fernandez plays in the NBA past this season. He did sign a contract with Real Madrid during the lockout that allowed him to return for this season only. As far as I know that has not changed. I wouldn’t offer too much and I don’t think Fernandez would make a measurable impact.

  35. blingin_egyptian

    whats the chances the wolves can make something happen to get OJ Mayo? either by trade or signing as a RFA? I think he’s a perfect fit for that team and would love to see his 32 on a wolves jersey

    • Jason Fleming

      If they get him it will have to be a trade. The Wolves are limited to the MLE this summer because they already have $59.6 million committed to 12 players. They could open up to $8 million if they waive Brad Miller and Martell Webster by June 30th, though, so there is a possibility there they could use that for an offer sheet to Mayo.

  36. mattyice

    The answer alone saying that the lakers make no move by march 16th proves that you no absolutely NOTHING about the NBA,you also saying the Celtics making a splash in free agency is as much a joke as you are.

    • Jason Fleming

      Boston is $23 million under the cap for next year. I seriously doubt they decide not to spend it. Please, get your facts straight.

  37. eddy

    Would a trade centered around Bogut and Josh Smith make sense? ATL wants a center so Horford can move to PF. Bogut fits the bill but has injury concerns. Josh Smith is a young player and an upgrade over Gooden. Maybe they give Sanders the starting spot. (I heard he worked his butt over the offseason) and draft a center in the 1st round, since it’s a center heavy draft and they’ll have a lottery pick.

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      Bogut is a great center when he’s healthy and it seems like his injuries have been unrelated to each other so one would think he should get better at some point, right? I think this kind of deal would work well for the Hawks, and the Bucks would at least know Smith would be healthy most of the time. If they are fine with not having a prototypical power forward and Sanders can handle the center spot, why not. What they have now isn’t working.

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