NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 3/26/12

1. alan

   which of the bulls non guranteed contracts (korver, CJ watson, Brewer) do you see the bull picking up for next year? I would like to see them all, but money is an issue

   • Jason Fleming

     Welcome to this week’s chat! I’ll hit as many topics as I can in an hour, starting in Chicago…

     Money IS an issue…to a point. Those three are on the books for $12.6 million for next season, but they could waive them all and pay only $500k to Korver. Right now, yes, they are at $76 million for next year with 10 players under contract, well into the luxury tax area. If money is that important, then getting under the tax is easy.

     But look at it this way: The Bulls are currently 40-10 and each of those three players logs at least 22.6 minutes a game. We aren’t talking about players who don’t contribute. If the Bulls end up in the NBA Finals, does it make sense to cut these guys? Also, cutting them all still leaves the Bulls over the cap, meaning their only way to then add a player is via the MLE ($5 million). If they keep them all, they can add a $3 million player with the mini MLE. Can they cut those players and replace their production for less money? Not very likely.

2. Kareem

   What is your prediction for the Pacers in the playoffs? Also what do you think they need to be a legit NBA Championship contender? Who can help them?

   • Jason Fleming

     The Pacers need a money, end of game scorer to be considered a true contender. I don’t see Roy Hibbert or David West as that player, which means it has to be Danny Granger, Paul George or whomever finishes games from the George Hill/Darren Collison combo at the point. All of those players can score, but do they strike fear into a defense? Spreading the wealth works great during the regular season, but usually leads to stalls in the playoffs.

     Indy’s best possible outcome is reaching the second round of the playoffs – I don’t see anyone beating Miami or Chicago before the conference finals. Right now Indy is at 6, which puts them in a tough matchup with Orlando. Given Orlando’s experience, that’s not a favorable matchup at all. They have a better – not necessarily good, but better – shot at getting to the second round if they get a matchup with Philly.

3. cebu gems

   Arenas looks lost and cant even bring the ball without fearing a turn over against bledsoe. Whats ur take on him?

   • Jason Fleming

     I’m really not surprised. He’s been out of NBA ball since last spring. He didn’t prove to anyone he could play and was fully healthy. Maybe he’ll get there for next year, but I doubt he makes much of a difference this year.

4. paprika

   Knowing jlin was once a rocket my question is would u rather have dragic or jlin as a point guard? Me myself would choose dragic. Pure seriusness type of point guard.that kid knows his game well.maybe better than lowry. Whats your take?

   • Jason Fleming

     It really depends on your offense and shows clearly why the Rockets didn’t see Lin as a good fit. The teams that cut him can talk all they want about how the “missed out” on him, but the reality is Jeremy Lin doesn’t do what he has done with the Knicks for every team. Even if he were given the same opportunity, the style of offense may not work to his advantage. And before we give the Knicks a ton of credit for “finding” him, let’s also remember he was playing as a last ditch resort. The played Lin because they had to, not because they knew he’d become their starter. Sometimes everything just aligns and the player takes full advantage.

5. Flute

   When is the deadline for signing free agents

   • Jason Fleming

     Free agents can be signed at any time before the end of the season. Are you asking about a specific type of free agent?

6. Deven

   How surprised were you about Kobe being benched down the stretch, before checking back in, for two minutes in the 4 quarter? Why did Mike Brown do that anyway?

   • Jason Fleming

     I imagine Brown was making some sort of statement, because you don’t sit Kobe for that long in the fourth without a dang good reason. Kobe has said it’s not an issue, Brown has moved on…we should too.

7. Ben Aldridge

   Can you rank these Shooting Guards on potential and who you see being the best in the future and Why?
   Eric Gordon, James Harden, Marshon Brooks, Demar Derozan and Austin Rivers.

   • Jason Fleming

     I think the first three you have there are the top three and I’d take them in that order, with DeRozan a very distant fourth.

     The question is where does Rivers fit? To be honest, I have no idea until he starts playing some NBA ball. He played very well at Duke and it seems like his game will translate well to the NBA, but is he a star? It’s really hard to say. He could end up being like Brandon Roy, or he could be a specialist.

8. Deven

   Who would you give the edge to in last night’s game between the Heat-Thunder if they meet in the Finals this year? Who is it and why?

   • Jason Fleming

     Well, I think last night’s OKC blowout would be an aberration, not the norm, that’s for sure. Both teams have multiple scorers that strike fear into the defense, both play good defense, both can win on the road… I give the edge to the Thunder, only slightly, because I feel they have better interior defense. It’s a very, very thin edge.

9. Deven

   Fact or Fiction: Another head coach will be fired before the season ends.

   • Jason Fleming

     I’m going to go with fiction. The bad teams who are mad about their coach have done their firings and the ones who expected it probably won’t make a move. We should keep tabs on what happens with the Clips though…but at this point, I doubt a firing would help them too much. Vinny’s days may be numbered though.

10. Josh

    Jason,

    If Lowry is out for the rest of the season and Dragic continues playing as well as he is do you think the Jazz could pull of a Al Jefferson or Milsap and Harris for Lowry and Martin deal? That gives the Jazz the PG they need and that gives the Rockets the big guy they need…

    • Jason Fleming

      That really depends on what the market is set for on Dragic this summer. He’s an unrestricted free agent and figures to get a huge raise from his $2.1 million he made this season. Considering the lack of depth at the position in free agency, it won’t be easy for the Rockets to keep him if a team with money and a starting PG spot to offer (Portland?) comes calling.

      If they DO re-sign him at market value, one would think that has to mean Lowry would be traded. He’s too good to come off the bench, even if Dragic makes more money (Lowry is at $5.75 million). That sounds like a solid offer…though the Rockets might want a little more. A draft pick or a rookie scale player, probably.

11. Steve

    Hi Jason,
    People talk about LA and Batum being the core of Blazers moving forward. What about Matthews? What is the teams feeling about his performance and future with the team? Thanks.

    • Jason Fleming

      Unlike Batum and Aldridge, the Blazers would listen if a team came calling about Matthews. He’s a great fit because he always hustles and buys into the team dynamic, but he’s not untouchable. I think if a team like the Bulls were to offer Portland non-guaranteed deals for him at draft time the Blazers would seriously consider that just to build more cap space this summer. Personally I think every team needs a player like Matthews to be successful, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

12. Steve

    Jason,
    I thought the Hickson pick up was great as he can try out this year for the back-up PF spot into the future. If he plays well, should Portland steer clear of PF in the draft and try to fill some needs at Center, PG, etc?

    • Jason Fleming

      I still think you have to take the best player available with the Nets’ pick, if they do end up getting it. Hickson will be a free agent and they shouldn’t pass on a player like Thomas Robinson or Anthony Randolph because of him. If the Blazers do choose a PF, hopefully it’s one that complements LaMarcus Aldridge well so the two can play together. If not, deal with it later. I don’t think they should choose a center or a point guard just because that’s the need – this isn’t the best draft, especially in the lottery, for those two positions. The depth is at forward.

13. Cain

    Any chance Raptors would trade Calderon and Derozan or Pick fo Granger and Collison? Raps get veteran at SF and the Pacers get a starting PG as well as either a SG or ability to draft one so George can play SF.

    • Jason Fleming

      Doesn’t matter if they would or would not – that’s not a deal Indy is interested in at this point.

14. Steve

    Jason,
    I can’t help but think Coach Nate had earned a bit better treatment than to be “fired” or “dismissed” mid-season since this indicates poor job performance on his part when, in fact, it’s the same Nate as the last 6 years. Wouldn’t a post-season parting have been classier since it would be clear that the rebuilding was the reason for a coaching change? Also, Nate’s firing reinforces the notion that players can force out coaches by slacking off, which is NOT goid for the game. How do you see it??

    • Jason Fleming

      I agree with you. All firing Nate does, as much as the players like Kaleb Canales and buy into him, is make it more likely they will lose more games the rest of the way this season and end up with a higher lottery pick. Sure, winning is harder with the cashing out of Camby and Wallace for ending deals of players who won’t be a part of the future, but to me the firing of McMillan made it crystal clear this season was no longer about winning, no matter what they try and say.

15. Kevin

    Mr Fleming,

    I’ve always been a big fan of the Van Gundys. Are you able to tell me if the rumour about Stan being let go in the near future (offseason maybe) is valid?? I think he’s gotten orlando to overachieve in the past few years. Letting him go I think would be a big mistake.

    • Jason Fleming

      It probably depends on how the Magic do in the postseason. Supposedly if the Magic don’t reach at least the conference finals there could be major changes – and considering it would be a monumental upset if the HEAT and Bulls aren’t in the conference finals, there you go. I like Stan. He’s a good coach who is able to adapt to the strengths of his players. He was given a roster built around the strengths of Dwight Howard (big man in the middle surrounded by shooters) and has been fairly successful. The problem with the Magic is that since their Finals appearance they haven’t been able to reproduce that success. Considering the aging and decline of certain players (Turkoglu, Rashard) and the endless need to tinker (trading Gortat and Courtney Lee), it’s not a surprise the Magic haven’t been able to stay at the top. They need to pick a plan and stick to it. Stan may or may not be part of that plan, but if he’s not I truly don’t believe it’s because he did a bad job.

16. mike

    Who do you see the jazz trading betwwen milsap and big Al? I think that you can get what milsap gives you with a combo of favors and kanter, and jeferson seems like a more reliable scorer.

    • Jason Fleming

      I think they would rather trade Jefferson, but if they do that means Kanter must start and I just don’t see them comfortable with that yet. They don’t have to be in a hurry though, since both the young guys could use another year to find consistency.

17. Wil

    Hi Bill,let’s assume you are hired to be Portland’s next GM. How do you sort out the PG and C spots for next year? I know it is still early, but what draft, trade, or signings would you pursue? Thanks!

    • Jason Fleming

      And I’ll assume you meant this for me, not Bill. (just kidding) (sort of)

      First I draft the best players available at both lottery picks. In the second round I take a center and a point guard, seniors who perhaps didn’t get much national attention but are very smart players productive on their teams. (Not sure who that is yet.) In free agency I check into the cost for Goran Dragic, just to see. Maybe I make an offer if it’s somewhat reasonable, or maybe I push to do a deal with the Indiana Pacers for either George Hill or Darren Collison, preferably Collison. I also re-sign Batum, hopefully at a deal starting in the $8 million range. If his camp wants much more than that, I say bring me an offer sheet from another team and I’ll decide then. At center I want to sign someone like Chris Kaman – I think he’d be a good fit with Aldridge.

      Boom, back in the playoffs next year.

18. Matt

    Do you think Deron stays in NJ or signs with Dallas?

    • Jason Fleming

      With Dwight Howard not coming, I don’t see any reason for Deron Williams to wait around for the Nets to try and add talent. Although, honestly, a healthy starting lineup of Wallace, Williams, Lopez and Brooks – plus a PF (re-signed Humphries?) isn’t bad at all.

19. Frank

    Kevin Durant is truly overrated. I just can’t seem to understand why the league’s 2nd leading scorer is being praised by the media. A guy who is averaging 28 points a game this year, 27+ points in 23 playoff games and was the third fastest player to 5,000 career points on over 50% shooting from the field. You mean when you play well you are praised? What’s the deal with that? Can you please explain this concept to me using simple, coherent words because I can’t seem to grasp this idea. Thanks.

    • Jason Fleming

      I’m thoroughly confused. This is sarcasm, right?

20. JP

    Hi Jason, Is moving up in this draft THE solution at SG for Minnesota knowing that Utah seems too near the playoffs and we get their 1st pick.
    How high should we Minne trade to have a chance to get Bradley Beal? Can he be out of the first 5 picks?

    • Jason Fleming

      I would be very surprised to see Beal drop out of the top five, but it’s still early and a lot will change in the next two and a half months. I think the Wolves can solve their SG issue in free agency or via trade. What they need is a veteran – they have plenty of young guys.

21. Jae

    With all of the money Portland is going to have in free agency, who do you see them picking up? and who do you think they will take with the 5 and 10 pick?

    • Jason Fleming

      I just answered the free agency question, so I’ll focus on the draft one here.

      At five I take the best player available. If he’s a center, great, but if not, no problem. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, Jared Sullinger and Harrison Barnes would all look good in red and black.

      At 10 I’m going to think a little more about position (but only a little). Adding a guard like Jeremy Lamb or a point guard like Damien Lillard would be nice. I’m not sold any of the centers currently marked as lottery centers – outside of Sullinger – will be true impact players. I think I can get a center who will be just as productive another way.

22. mike in warren,ohio

    Has cody zeller made a decision on if he’s entering the draft? And if he is where do u project him to go?

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      I have not heard that he has made a decision, no. He seems to be leaning towards staying in school, but I expect there to be feelers put out. Right now he’s projected into the second half of the lottery, though that could go up if he takes the risk to stay in school another year.

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