NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 3/12/12

Chat with HOOPSWORLD’s 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

    Bulls trade Asik and Korver to portland for Jamal Crawford. who says no?

    • Jason Fleming

      Welcome to this week’s chat! Sorry for the slightly delayed start, I’ll make it up on the back end. Had a vet emergency to attend to…

      Probably Chicago. What problem does Crawford solve for them?

  2. alan

    do you think the bulls would move kyle korver, their own 1st rounder and some cash to cover the difference in salaries to the wizards for nick young? he plays about the same defense as korver but can create his own shot more. both are expiring deals.

    • Jason Fleming

      They might, but that’s way too much for Young. Playing on a one year deal after signing the Qualifying Offer, if he agrees to a trade – he can veto – he loses his Bird Rights. Then Chicago can’t offer him anymore than anyone else in free agency – why give up a first-rounder in that instance? Also, Korver is not expiring. He’s on the books for $5 million for next year. It is not fully guaranteed (only $500K is guaranteed), but he’s not expiring.

  3. Sam

    James Harden and Eric Gordon seem like similar players but Harden has not had the same opportunity. Who do you think is better now and who has more potential?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think Harden has done just fine. He is averaging 17.2 points a game in 31.8 minutes a game and is the frontrunner for the 2011-12 Sixth Man Award. He’s had plenty of opportunity and taken advantage, just as Gordon has. I think the two are slightly different players, but both have excellent long-term potential. If I had to pick one I’d take Gordon, but it’s a fine line.

  4. Shad

    Oj Mayo for Milsap, realistic trade?

    • Jason Fleming

      Probably not. That doesn’t fill a need for the Grizzlies. Also, the Jazz probably want more than just Mayo. Also, as Bill Ingram wrote today, Mayo is off the table unless someone knocks Memphis’ socks off.

  5. Aristotle

    Hey Jas,
    Apologies for the previous Coach questions(error of cut n paste). One more for you… Do you think D’Antoni wanted Melo on his team with the system he runs or was Melo brought in cause this All-Star screamed out “I want NY”? Seems with what Lin has shown that CP3 should’ve been brought in and not Melo. Also do you see Melo being traded?

    • Jason Fleming

      If D’Antoni truly didn’t want Melo on his team I don’t think the Knicks would have given up so much to get him. And if he was still adamant, he would have been replaced already. I don’t think it’s fair yet to say Melo should be traded. How much time has he really played with Lin? Or Baron Davis? I’m also of the mind Amar’e Stoudemire needs to be questioned more than Melo.

  6. Ken

    Hi Jason

    Do you think that the Blazers would be able to trade for Pau Gasol and Rajon Rondo; using a combination of Felton, Babbitt & Camby to Lakers & Wallace, Crawford & Smith to Celtics. This would help plug the holes that they currently have at both PG & C

    • Jason Fleming

      There is zero chance you get Gasol for that combo. The Lakers would laugh and hang up the phone. That’s not enough value for Boston either. If they trade Rondo, they want an All-Star in return.

  7. Deven

    If Dwight Howard, and Steve Nash (Even though he’s loyal to the Suns) stay beyond the deadline, is that a risk both Orlando and Phoenix is willing to take? What are your thoughts?

    • Jason Fleming

      Phoenix absolutely is willing to take that risk. They want to keep Nash longer, so it’s not much of a decision for them. For Orlando they’ve pretty much decided that no deal they have been offered is better than letting Dwight walk (potentially) and then spending money as they see fit. I disagree with Phoenix’s point of view and am torn on Orlando’s. With the Suns they clearly need to get younger and Nash shouldn’t be part of their future. It’s time to go another direction. With the Magic, I see where they are coming from, but I think they should wait on any decision until as late as possible.

  8. Deven

    Would Dwight Howard be willing to opt-in for next season, like CP3 did for the Clippers, and give the Magic one more chance to improve the roster to convince him to stay?

    • Jason Fleming

      There has been talk of that, but it’s unlikely at this point.

  9. Jazzaholic

    There’s a lot or turmoil going on with the Blazers, looking on from afar. True?

    Who are the Blazers looking to move beyond Felton and Crawford?

    Any chance of a trade with the Jazz or is that too close to home?

    • Jason Fleming

      Oh yes, very true. They are also looking to move Gerald Wallace more than Felton, simply because keeping Felton means they are maintaining cap space to spend this summer. Trading Wallace and Crawford cuts off $14.7 million from next year’s obligations (assuming both exercise their Player Options). Supposedly Crawford will not, but that’s not a risk the Blazers feel willing to take.

      I’m sure Portland would do a deal with the Jazz, but I don’t see where anything lines up.

  10. Joel from Sydney

    With all this chat about the Bucks trading Andrew Bogut, where do you see him come March 15? Where would he best fit?

    • Jason Fleming

      I believe he will still be a Buck. He’d fit nicely on a lot of teams, if he can get and stay healthy. Actually, any team not named Orlando, the Lakers, Detroit, Memphis or Indy.

  11. Robert

    Agree or Disagree; Dwight signing with New Jersey is the best choice. Deron William resigns, they have a potential top 5 pick in the draft, and they would still have Brook Lopez they could trade for a legitimate player such as Josh Smith (as an example).

    C: Dwight Howard
    PF: Josh Smith
    SF: Harrison Barnes/Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
    SG: Marshon Brooks
    PG: Deron Williams

  12. Howie Abrams

    Now with Rubio out for the year, what are the Wolves going to do at the deadline? Are they going to try to trade Beasley for a shooting guard? Any chance they make a run at Nash or Gasol?

    • Jason Fleming

      Nash is not on the table. The cost would be too high for Gasol. If they trade Beasley don’t expect a lot in return. They may return a guard, but it’s not going to be an impact shooting guard.

  13. Raj

    hi jason,nba fan from malaysia. i heard rumours of a possible dwight to harden+Ibaka trade. i just dont understand how salaries will match here?

    • Jason Fleming

      The short answer is they wouldn’t. That rumor has been debunked, I believe, as well. The idea of a Howard-Durant-Westbrook combination is enticing, but if the cost is Harden, Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, and whatever else is needed to make it work, is that too much anyway? It would gut their bench. That would also be a very odd choice for a team sitting at 32-9. They are doing just fine without Dwight.

  14. keo

    How can celtics get josh smith without giveing up rondo …rondo would make josh smith a better player ..and the celtics can build around them

    • Jason Fleming

      What else does Boston have that Atlanta wants? Do they trade him for the ending deal of Kevin Garnett? Or Ray Allen, when they have Joe Johnson playing the same position? If the Hawks aren’t interested in Garnett, I don’t see anything else they would want other than Rondo.

  15. Deven

    Fact or Fiction: If Dwight Howard isn’t traded, very few moves will be made for this year’s trade deadline.

    • Jason Fleming

      I think even if Howard is traded that’s a fact. Any trades that are made will likely be made more looking towards to this summer (cap space issues) rather than getting better now. There is literally no time in the schedule to be able to expect to fully acclimate a new player to a new set of teammates and a new system. Top playoff teams could just as easily make themselves worse by making a trade. It’s too risky this season.

  16. Yoad

    Do the Pacers have a realistic chance of getting Rajon Rondo? Would a package of Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison be good enough to get him?

    • Jason Fleming

      That very well could do it, but are you sure you want to give up Hibbert? Yes, Rondo is a very good player, but giving up starters at two positions – with no one to replace the center – could be more problematic rather than making them better.

  17. jayjay

    What is the latest on trade market? will pau gasol and howard could be traded?
    what about gerald green?is he signed to new jersey?

    • Jason Fleming

      Gerald Green just signed his second 10-day contract. He’s not eligible to be traded.

      It’s less and less likely either Howard or Gasol could be moved, but that could change at any point. Both the Lakers and Magic are still talking (not with each other at this point).

  18. Scott

    There’s still talk about a Crawford for Bledsoe deal, but Crawford’s contract situation make giving up Bledsoe hurt a bit more… any chance the Blazers would do Matthews in a deal for Bledsoe?

    • Jason Fleming

      They MIGHT, but Matthews isn’t one of the problems they want to get rid of. He, like Batum and Aldridge, totally buy into the system, and he brings hustle every minute he’s on the floor, even if the shots aren’t falling.

  19. Matt

    Has Minnesota shown any D.J. Augustin interest?

  20. ryan skinner

    what move or moves do the blazers need to make

  21. Lance

    Let’s make a deal Blazers style. I read on here Bledsoe & Gomes for Crawford also Felton for Blake. I would assume one or the other type offers & not both?

    • Jason Fleming

      It seems unlikely it would be both, simply because it adds a net of $4.5 million to the Blazers cap next year ($9.7 million minus Crawford’s $5.2 million), when they have a stated goal of not eating into the cap space unless they bring back long-term pieces. Not sure Blake or Gomes fit that, though getting Bledsoe may make it worth it. Right now both are just talks.

  22. Jeff

    Why are Raptors not shipping guys (Calderon, Barbosa etc.) out for futures?

    • Jason Fleming

      Probably because the market for those players really isn’t very high. Someone has to offer something up the Raptors deem acceptable and so far that hasn’t happened.

  23. kyle

    Good Evening Jason,
    just wondering if the knicks can trade toney douglas or mike bibby to clear a roster spot rumor has it if someone that will help the team is waived they will pursue them.
    i was also under the impression if a team signed an amnestied player they couldn’t trade them.

    • Jason Fleming

      Sure, they can trade them, but to clear a roster spot it has to be for a pick in the case of Douglas (to a team under the cap or with a Traded Player Exception). In the case of Bibby, on a minimum salary, he can be traded to any team via the minimum salary exception. However, does anyone really want him? What has he done in the past two years to convince anyone he has anything left?

      As far as the amnestied players, any of the rules only apply to players claimed during the waiver window. If they cleared the amnesty waiver window and then signed with another team, they follow the same rules as any other player. The only two players who were claimed were Chauncey Billups and Travis Outlaw.

  24. Mike

    Jason,
    Is there a trade possibility for Gerald Wallace to Lakers?

    • Jason Fleming

      What are the Lakers offering Portland in return? They want an ending deal, but the Lakers only have cheap ending ones. Not sure there is a match there.

  25. Laikurzphan

    hey Jason….we know the Lakers needed a pg….any sleepers out there that have been overlooked with gasol as the piece from lala land? Gasol & that trade exception sure look mighty tasty right about now.

    • Jason Fleming

      Even if the Lakers did trade Gasol for a PG, it wouldn’t make them better this season because of the integration issues I mentioned earlier. They are better off standing pat with Gasol. If they can get a piece they like with the TPE (and are willing to pay double for with the luxury tax), then go for it. So far, though, it doesn’t seem like anyone is willing to give up a PG for nothing. However, talk to Portland about Felton again right before the deadline…

  26. Ron

    What are the likely chances that the Lakers trade for both Ramon Sessions and Micheal Beasley, then sign Gilbert Arenas, which would add three athletic pieces to a team in need?

    • Jason Fleming

      It’s possible, but they have to give up a piece the Cavaliers want. What would that be? They can use the TPE on Beasley, then waive a couple minimum salary guys…but do those moves actually make them a better team? Beasley is best when he can shoot at will and doesn’t need to worry about D. Is that a good fit with the Lakers?

  27. ek

    Will the pacers part with Hibbert or Granger?

  28. Sean K

    Is there any possibility that Lakers still trade Gasol for Lowry and Scola even with the bacterial infection that Lowry is going through?

    • Jason Fleming

      It’s possible because it’s a short-term ailment, but would they take the risk of losing Gasol, waiting three more weeks for Lowry, then get him integrated? They would probably rather he could start the integration process now. The diagnosis doesn’t end talks, but does make them less likely.

  29. Ric

    Should the Lakers swap Blake for Raymond Felton?

    • Jason Fleming

      What are they expecting from Felton? Do they expect him to step and start, running the team effectively? That’s asking a lot. And he can’t shoot like Blake. I don’t think it’s a good move for the Lakers.

  30. Scott

    Is it better for the Cavs to trade sessions and acquire more picks, or push for the playoffs?

    • Jason Fleming

      Go for the picks. What does making the playoffs get you other than a first-round sweep from Miami or Chicago? Sure, you can say Irving, Thompson and the other young guys get the dubiously valuable “playoff experience,” but what does it really add? Does it make them better players? I say given the option you take the picks (if offered).

  31. Rick

    Is the t-wolves trying to get another point grard or are they going to stand pat and go with what they have. any rumors?

    • Jason Fleming

      I believe the Wolves will stand pat. Before Rubio’s injury it seemed likely they could move Luke Ridnour, but with the injury they simply take him off the market and do nothing until this summer.

  32. Rolo

    Nash to the Nets for Marshon Brooks and their two first round draft picks. This guarantees Howard signs in the off season and Suns get to rebuild.

    • Jason Fleming

      Actually, since Nash would be an unrestricted free agent, it doesn’t guarantee anything. Considering they will still have Bird Rights to Deron Williams and would only sign one of Nash and Williams anyway, why give up all that for the 38-year-old guard? (Also, that doesn’t work under the CBA because both teams are over the cap. The Nets could also add Okur to make it work.)

  33. Simon

    hope everything went well at the vets!

    will i see a magic trade tomorrow? either to keep howard or to trade him.

    do you think the trade talks about monta coming to orlando are real and will happen?

    • Jason Fleming

      I appreciate that – to be continued though. Fingers crossed.

      I think the talks are real, but I still don’t think it happens. The Warriors just won’t be getting enough back. How do they make those pieces fit? Can David Lee and Ryan Anderson co-exist? Is taking Hedo worth it? I think this one will fall apart. It just doesn’t seem to be what the Warriors are looking to do.

  34. Daniel

    Could a big name free agent, if he isn’t sure where he wanted to play sign a few 10 day contacts? It makes sense to me. For the team and player. What do you think

    • Jason Fleming

      10-days can’t be offered until the second week in January in a normal season. Also, the player would be taking a huge risk with regards to injury. They could get $50 million or more guaranteed as a free agent, but signing a 10-day would be making only $100k or so. If they got hurt? That’s a huge, huge risk. It’s possible, but not likely.

  35. Blazerfan

    If all the blazers contracts expire which we want (pretty much all) and we have bulk cap space I’d sign Hinrich to 3 years at the mid level, offer Mayo an offer he couldn’t refuse, starting around 10, and make a serious play for Milsap, all while resigning Batum. Your thoughts?

    • Jason Fleming

      I personally feel that’s too much for Mayo, but it could end up being his market. There is a decent amount of shooting guards out there this summer – Mayo, Nick Young, Eric Gordon, Ray Allen – that you don’t have to spend that much on him. I’m no opposed to Hinrich – he’s solid, can hit shots. But to me he’s not the answer, just a nice piece. I don’t see a fit for Millsap with Aldridge and Batum locking down the forward spots.

  36. andrew

    Kyrie irving = rookie of the year…true or false?

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      100% true. What’s stopping him? The only even close was Rubio and he had fallen off a tiny bit recently. With Rubio injured Irving has no competition at all. If he stays healthy the award is all his (and maybe even if he doesn’t).

      Thanks for all the great questions this week! We’ll do it the same time next week. In the meantime, follow me on Twitter @jfleminghoops and keep an eye out for our Trade Deadline Diary, starting tomorrow.