NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 2/6/12

1. andrea

   i know that bargnani will not be a star but imho he’s a good player in the worst team ever… In your opinion, he should ask to be traded?

   • Jason Fleming

     Welcome to this week’s chat! I’ll try to touch on as many topics as possible, given the questions asked.

     The short answer is no. I don’t believe in players asking for trades and would never advocate a player doing so, especially one in Bargnani’s position.

     Is he a superstar? No, he’s not, but he is still a very good player. If he were healthier I’d push for him to be an All-Star this year. And the Raptors aren’t the worst team ever – they are better than this year’s Bobcats or Wizards.

2. James

   Is there any truth to the tweet Alex Kennedy sent out that said basically Dwight is leaning away from the Lakers because Kobe messed up? What information do you have or can hint at to give out?

   • Jason Fleming

     I think that’s a better question for Alex – his next chat will be this Friday. Or you can ask him on Twitter. I don’t have any more information, but we all have different sources. Alex knows Orlando and is very reliable.

3. Chris G

   It seems likely Thibodeau will be the East’s All-Star coach. How do you think he’ll do in an exhibition-type game with very little defense?

   • Jason Fleming

     I’m sure he will do just fine. I mean, it’s not like he will be the first coach who preaches strong team defense to coach in the All-Star Game. Considering that the last team to score as little as 110 points was back in 2001 and the last time a team failed to reach 100 was 1974, I think Thibodeau will do what all coaches do – relax, enjoy it, and let the players do what they do best.

4. keeweekid

   Greg Oden- more surgeries What do you think the Blazers are thinking with regard to Oden and a contract for 12/13 season?

   • Jason Fleming

     I don’t think they are thinking much of anything to be honest. At this point I would be very surprised to see him re-sign with Portland. I would be mildly surprised to see him back on an NBA floor again.

5. keeweekid

   Any news on B.Roy (wherabouts, what he is doing)? He seems to have completely disappeared from the spotlight since his retirement. Do the Blazers plan to have a B.Roy night this year?

   • Jason Fleming

     Nothing new – Brandon is at home with his family, working through this transition in his life. Disappearing completely is by design. The Blazers would love to have a B-Roy tonight this year, but they have left it up to Brandon as to when he would like to make that kind of appearance at the Rose Garden. He has to be comfortable with it and when he gets to that point is completely on how his mind adjusts. It may not be until next season.

6. keeweekid

   What is the scheduling for the NBA playoffs? Will it return to the typical snail’s pace or is it accelerated like the regular season?

   • Jason Fleming

     It will be accelerated compared to normal years, but not nearly as crazy as the regular season. I believe every first-round matchup will have a back-to-back, for example, something we never see.

7. Anthony Pascua

   Will the Lakers sign anybody before the trade deadline?

   • Jason Fleming

     They might, but whomever they do sign isn’t going to make a big difference to their won-loss record.

8. Anthony Pascua

   I guess D12 has stated he does not want to go to the Lakers. I think we (Lakers) don’t need him. At this point he is not a neccessity. We really need a point guard and extra scoring. Will the Lakers try to move Gasol or package anybody to fill in those needs?

   • Jason Fleming

     I agree that putting Howard on the Lakers – given the cost to acquire him – doesn’t make them obviously better than they are now. The problem with the Lakers is stars are not the issue – their issue is with the rest of the team taking massive amounts of salary cap space with minimal production. Steve Blake, Luke Walton, Metta World Peace, Derek Fisher and Josh McRoberts, as a group, are earning $22.9 million this year. Are the Lakers getting $22.9 million in production? That’s 22.1 points a game, but with a lot of missed games and points scored when the game doesn’t matter.

     L.A. needs to clean out it’s roster and re-work it around Bynum/Gasol/Kobe, not blow it up.

9. Kevin

   If Howard goes to NJN as a free agent how good can they be next year?

   Brooks looks promising, they can resign Hump, Deron resigns. Plus they sucked this year so should have a good draft pick as well as Lopez as possible trade bait to address any holes they may have.

   • Jason Fleming

     If that happens, really good. Lopez could be flipped for the small forward they desperately need and that’s a nice lineup. They will be capped out at that point – probably just the $2.5 million room exception left, to use on a reserve big man – but they would already have Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro and Jordan Farmar on the bench (he has a player option). They can fill out the roster with draft picks and a couple high quality veterans on minimum deals. That’s a playoff team with Dwight.

10. Charlie

    Many writers claim the San Antonio Spurs can be used as the “blueprint” for small market team success. However, the San Antonio Spurs currently have a 76 million dollar payroll (6th highest). This negates this claim, as the payroll exemplifies the fact that it costs tons of money to retain your talent (Duncan, Parker, Ginobli). So the Spurs can only be used as a short-term model, as other teams would lose these players if they are unwilling to spend all this money (meaning they wouldn’t still have the Big 3 and would be bottom dwellers once again). We see this with OKC, as they will be forced to the top in payroll once they resign (Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka). Your thoughts.

    • Jason Fleming

      To some extent this is very true. However, the Spurs were not taxpayers while they were serious title contenders, only recently reaching that level. I also think they have made a few poor decisions in recent years, with one of them being the Luis Scola trade (where they basically gave his rights away for nothing) and with the signing of Richard Jefferson. Take their current payroll – just under $74 million – take away Richard Jefferson, and they are back under the tax. Jefferson’s contract – and the decision to keep him as a free agent, then not use the amnesty clause on him…yet – is the singular biggest reason they will pay tax this year. He makes $9.3 million – could they get under the tax and replace his production with a $4-5 million player? Absolutely.

      Paying Duncan, Parker and Ginobili isn’t the issue – it’s the management of the rest of the roster. Likewise in OKC, paying Westbrook and Durant are no-brainers; it will be how they approach paying players like Harden and Ibaka that will determine whether or not the Thunder become eventual tax payers. It’s worth noting that next year, with the big deals to Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder already has $64.5 million committed to 13 players. The problem begins next summer. They have $55.9 million committed to nine players in 2013-14, but Maynor, Ibaka and Harden will be restricted free agents. Can they keep two of those and stay under the tax?

11. Mac

    Houston and Darrel Morey are always active in trade talks – trying to get something done for a quality center – but for whatever reason never seems to fall their way. However, you hear from league executives they are ‘asking for the moon’ for reserve players such as Terrence Williams, Courtney Lee, and Jordan Hill. So even after the entire league doesn’t want to trade with Morey, he makes it even harder by setting the value of his players way too high. I understand the theory of playing hardball and slowly moving down your asking price, but Morey CLEARLY has no concept of how to make a trade. Your thoughts.

    • Jason Fleming

      There is the other side to be considered as well. Unless you know exactly what the other team is offering, it’s hard to say. Williams, Lee and Hill have value, but teams are probably trying to get them for a bad contract and a second-round pick. If Morey says no, the talk track from the source at the other team is the Rockets are asking exorbitant prices. Without actually being in the room and knowing what offer was made, we are left to patch together the reality by nibbling at those willing to take on both ends of the talks. And when talks fall through, someone is inevitably annoyed and will always think the other guy wanted too much. If he didn’t think that a deal would have been agreed upon.

12. philip fletcher

    Hello Jason,
    Can OKC, beat a healthy Spurs team in the playoffs?

    • Jason Fleming

      Absolutely. I’d take the Thunder in six games over a healthy Spurs team.

13. Ryan

    When does Kenyon Martin start playing for my Clips? Is there any chance JR Smith takes the Min to join Lob City?

    • Jason Fleming

      Martin is active tonight in Orlando. As of right now no points, but I’m sure his role will grow.

      As for Smith…signing for the minimum would be a nice get for the Clippers, but I’ll believe that when I see it. He may very well have more expensive offers.

14. ryan

    what are your thoughts of anderson varejaos play as of late?

    • Jason Fleming

      Very impressive. He’s putting up career-highs in points and rebounds and recently started to show he can be an offensive player. It seems like he took a while to recognize his role could be bigger without LeBron James around, who the offense all flowed through, and that he could get more shots. His offensive game has developed nicely. Varejao will never be a consistent 20-point scorer, but he’s proving he at least needs to be considered a threat.

15. Josh

    Jason,

    Do you think the Jazz will inevitably trade Devin Harris at the deadline? Watson played 28 minutes to Harris 21 minutes against the Lakers and Watson closed out the game. At this point I would take a first round pick for harris and let Watson start with Tinsley backing him up. What do you think?

    • Jason Fleming

      Just keep in mind Harris makes $9.3 million, so the chances of a team just absorbing that salary for a pick are very slim. The Pacers and Kings are the only ones who could do that straight up and neither of them would be willing to give a first for Harris.

      On the surface I agree Harris seems to be barely hanging on in Utah and will probably be traded. However, Utah is going to have to take back salary for him. His numbers are the lowest they have been since he became a consistent starter back in Dallas, so it’s doubtful any team is going to give up a first-round pick for him, especially in this upcoming “loaded” draft. Add in the fact he still has another year on his deal – for $8.5 million – and that complicates things too.

      Right now the Watson/Tinsley combo is better than Harris, but long-term that’s not an answer. The Jazz need to fix that. If they can use Harris to make it happen that’s great, but given his production who is going to give up that kind of player for him?

16. Ryan

    It seems like the Sixers are becoming a legit contender in the East. They are getting great play from both of their rookies, even though they say they wont i think they need to make some sort of deal to take it to the next level. What kind of deal do you think they could make and what type of player would they target? I know they have some good assets they could trade for an upgrade like jodie meeks and their 1st round pick.

    • Jason Fleming

      Just keep in mind Meeks is on a minimum salary and first-round picks carry no value in trade. That’s not really going to return them much of anything that will make an impact. I actually don’t think the 76ers do need to do anything by the trade deadline. They have balance, they have big men, they have passing, and they play strong defense. It would be difficult for someone to come in via trade and fit in seamlessly. At 17-7 I think they should just roll with what they have.

17. rey

    Do you think Barbosa, a 2nd round pick and additional pieces for Derrick Williams would be a good trade for the raptors and minnesota ?

    Considering that Minnesota needs a solid 2 guard and Toronto has been looking for someone to play the 3, it would be good for both teams in my opinion. your thoughts ?

    • Jason Fleming

      In my mind Barbosa’s best role is as a sixth man – the first guard off the bench. Trading the #2 overall pick in order to bring in another reserve guard would mot be a smart move for the Wolves. Nice move for Toronto, but not for Minny.

18. JP

    1-Is it possible for Anthony Randolph to become the center of the future of Minne? Can he full fill his potential?
    2-Should Webster be the starting SG till Minne trades for one or finds him via Draft?
    3-Which trade would you do to get a top 3 pick for this year draft?

    • Jason Fleming

      1 – I think Pekovic is more likely to be that player than Randolph. Randolph needs playing time and he won’t get it in Minny.

      2 – They seem to be doing just fine with the Ridnour/Rubio combo. Webster has never fulfilled his potential either.

      3 – What are my options? Given the value in the draft this year I highly doubt any top three picks will be on the block.

19. Lance

    Any chance PDX would be interested in McGee from Wizards, and if so, could they swing a deal for him?

    • Jason Fleming

      They might be interested, but what could the Blazers off the Wizards to make that deal happen? Washington would be giving up their starting center and don’t have anyone on their roster to replace him (not to mention he is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, blocks and steals). What does Portland have to incent the Wizards to make a deal? About the only thing they could offer is Nic Batum, but the Wizards are one of the few teams who really doesn’t need him – and Portland wouldn’t do that trade anyway.

      Now, will they go after him in free agency? I expect they will look into it. McGee and Chris Kaman will probably be high on their board of free agent targets.

20. Lance

    What PG’s should PDX be targeting for next year since Felton hasn’t worked out to date?

    • Jason Fleming

      Well, check out the list of 2012 free agents (link) – um, not seeing a whole lot (yes, needs a little updating). Do they go after Steve Nash? Is Kirk Hinrich an upgrade? There isn’t a lot there I see as an upgrade over Felton.

21. Sweet Dee

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which pair of players do you choose: Evan Turner/Spencer Hawes, Paul George/Roy Hibbert, or Rodney Stuckey/Greg Monroe

    • Jason Fleming

      That’s easy – George and Hibbert. Both of those players have All-Star potential. I like Monroe quite a bit, but Stuckey is not someone I’d ever have in my starting lineup. Turner and Hawes I like, but just not as much as the two Pacers.

22. Sweet Dee

    What do you think the Minnesota Timberwolves biggest obstacle to taking the next step? What things would you suggest to David Khan to make this a playoff team?

    • Jason Fleming

      I would say this: Leave it alone!

      Seriously, just let them be. The only move they should make is to bring in a player who will clearly be a starting shooting guard. And to do so, don’t trade any of the core – Williams/Rubio/Love. I’d say hands off Pekovic also.

      But again, it’s not necessary. Just let them be. Their obstacle is simply time and hoping they don’t have to deal with injuries that destroy their core the way they did the Portland Trail Blazers. No team and their fans should have to deal with that.

23. Cricket

    David Khan is in a bit of a predicament. Michael Beasley is a very talented player, but is often selfish/me orientated/stagnates the offensive. However, trading him is difficult as he has very little trade value relative to his talent for these same reasons. If you were David Khan how would you handle the Beasley situation moving forward?

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      Well, if the decision has been made to trade Beasley because he doesn’t fit the future for the Wolves, that’s an admission his value to the team isn’t as high as perhaps his production and previous draft status would typically indicate. If they are intent in getting something in return – rather than letting him walk for nothing in free agency – then they have to be prepared to accept a player in return who may not be AS productive as Beasley but could end up being a better fit. Maybe what they need to look for is to bring in a player like Thabo Sefolosha. When the Thunder traded for him many were surprised, but his combination of passing, intelligence and defense really fit the niche the Thunder needed to fill.

      Minny should look to fill a niche with Beasley rather than try and return a star. The trade my look a little lopsided initially, but it could be the best for the team in the long run.

      Thanks for all the great questions! We’ll do it again next week, same time and place. In the meantime feel free to hit me up on Twitter @jfleminghoops.