NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 4/9/12

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. calvinzero

    Let us make an assumption. Charlotte grab the 1st over-all pick in the lottery. The Bobcats plan to grab Anthony Davis.
    Who do you think is the best rookie partner for Davis? Like in the previous draft, Irving and Thompson goes to Cavs.

    • Jason Fleming

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

      This is just an “in general” kind of question, right? Because Charlotte doesn’t have a second lottery pick? It’s hard not to say his college teammate, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. After him I’d take Bradley Beal or Jeremy Lamb to pair with Davis.

  2. Oldschool

    Who would you start a team with… Prime Magic or Prime Bird?

    • Jason Fleming

      Too easy. Those of you who have read my chats for awhile know I will always, always, always choose the point guard. Magic it is.

  3. David

    I hear Lamarcus will try and do some recruiting this summer. Any chance he can convince Deron Williams to come? Both are Texas guys and we do have the cap space to offer him the max.

    And what do you think of a starting five of Deron, Bradley Beal (Nets pick), Batum, LA, and maybe one of those Zeller kids or maybe Hickson at the 5? Wouldn’t be a bad rebuilding project.

    • Jason Fleming

      There is always a chance as long as Portland has the max money to throw Deron’s way. They need a point guard, they have some great complementary pieces already, they have the money…what’s not to like for Williams? Portland and LaMarcus will put their best foot forward, but Williams also has to want to come to Portland. As of now, I haven’t seen or heard any indication Portland is on his short list.

      As for that starting five, it sounds very good. Seems like rebuilding won’t take long if it breaks down that way, right? Well, that’s 100% the plan for Portland. They have an All-Star in Aldridge. They have some young guys to fill the bench roles. They have the lottery picks. They want to keep Batum. It really boils down to how they resolve the point guard situation. If they add in a top-tier PG like Williams, they are a playoff team again. If they strike out in point guards, they won’t be. The rest of it isn’t going to matter much if they Blazers don’t get a quality distributor.

  4. Deven

    Hi Jason. Knicks fan here. Wasn’t that some game yesterday against the bulls, especially when their two all stars missed FTs down the stretch late in the 4th Q? What are your thoughts?

    • Jason Fleming

      My thoughts on missed free throws? They should practice more. :)

      I’m kidding. Sort of.

      I just want to point this out: Derrick Rose, in his first game back, turned the ball over eight times and made less than 1/3 of 26 shots from the floor. Is that going to happen again? Nope. He cuts those turnovers in half and the Bulls win. He hits 40% of his shots and the Bulls win. Just saying…

  5. Marchant

    Marcus thornton is surely sac kings future sg. So Evans should be traded, who would be a good fit for the kings to get in a trade for him?

    • Jason Fleming

      Who is really an open-ended question. They need a quality center so Cousins can play the four and they need someone at three who can create his own shot (and is not way to small to be playing the three, like Evans). The Kings have a lot of mediocre talent on their roster. They need to consolidate somehow and turn some of that talent into legitimate players. They also need a veteran big man and a veteran point guard.

      If the Kings decide to trade Evans, they should just take the best player they can get in return. As long as that player doesn’t play the same position as Cousins…it’s probably best they pull the trigger.

  6. Marvin

    If sac kings get a top 5 pick who do they draft? Thomas, Thornton and cousins makes up pg, sg and c.

    • Jason Fleming

      I still think Cousins is a better four – my opinion – but with that logic they should take a three or another big man. Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist…any of the top names in this draft will make the Kings a better team. They are in a position to just take the best player available.

  7. Josh

    Jason,

    The Jazz have alot of choices this upcoming offseason. If they land with two draft picks I would actually prefer to use the first pick (assuming it is around the 9th pick) on someone like Sullinger, Lamb, Zeller. Then use the second pick (around 12 or 13th) for trade. Why not a trade of Al Jefferson, Devin Harris and the 13th pick for Lowry and Kevin Martin? Jazz get an established PG to run with the youngs while still have a rookie to groom and the Rockets get a vet PG, pick for future, and the big they lack in Jefferson…

    • Jason Fleming

      It’s probably a safe bet Sullinger won’t last to 9 if that’s where the Warriors’ pick ends up, though I do think they should use it on a big man. If not a big man then why not just choose a point guard like Damien Lillard and let him learn the ropes from a former All-Star?

      Unlike some I don’t think Jefferson is a good fit with the Rockets. I think he’d make Luis Scola less effective.

  8. Simmworks

    What’s up, Jason! Obviously Bynum has become the no-doubt 2nd best C in the league, but I still think his ongoing immaturity issues should give the Lakers enough pause going forward. Seven years in…he is who he is, right? What would you do if you were Mitch Kupchack?

    • Jason Fleming

      Bynum has proven that when healthy he puts up 20+ points, 10+ rebounds, 2+ blocks and hits over 55% from the field. With those numbers it’s easy to say you put up with some immaturity, but on the other hand why should you put up with it from anyone?

      If I were Kupchak I’d tell Bynum at the end of the year that all the crap needs to stop. If it does, the Lakers will give him an extension (if he wants) or a new contract in the summer of 2013. If the antics don’t stop, they will go in another direction. Considering they can give him one more year and higher annual raises, it’s in Bynum’s best interest to stay in L.A.

      Of course that assumes he wants to stay in L.A. or even cares. If he doesn’t there isn’t a lot Kupchak or anyone else can do about it. Bynum is good enough to, if he likes, to call the bluff. Someone else will give him max money in free agency if the Lakers don’t.

  9. The Jokeshow

    So if the Jazz get 2 draft picks, do you try and trade both + Milsap for Rondo or just draft a PG and SG or SF, and build them and let Milsap or Jefferson walk after next season?

    • Jason Fleming

      Both picks PLUS Millsap for Rondo? Boston may not really be looking to trade Rondo, but they’d have to think long and hard about that one. Boston, like Portland, wants to rebuild in a single summer and adding three assets to Paul Pierce and still having almost $20 million to spend in free agency would be very, very tempting. If I were Utah I’d be tempted to do this deal AND let Jefferson walk in 2013.

  10. Will

    What about this trade on draft night?Anderson,Redick,1rd for Tyreke Evans.

    • Jason Fleming

      Ryan Anderson is an impending free agent and cannot be traded. All players with ending contracts – or players whose contract could end via option – are not allowed to be traded after the trade deadline the season their contract ends.

  11. Sweet Dee

    Before the season started, it seemed Orlando was relegated to trade Dwight Howard to LA for Andrew Bynum (if they were forced to trade Dwight). As at least this package would return a quality 7-footer. However, now that Bynum has come back full force from injury. Laker fans are now claiming they don’t want to make the trade, as Bynum is just as good (as not half the distraction). Really?? Do experts truly believe LA would be better off with an injury prone center vs. a three time defensive player of the year? Can everyone please take their Laker goggles off. Justify someone preferring Bynum over Howard.

    • Jason Fleming

      I have no desire to justify Bynum over Howard. That’s silly.

  12. Keefe

    Hi Jason,
    I read the article about how bradley is becoming a defensive force, but what about Shumpert?
    the guy is top 5(or is it 3?) in steals and he’s just a rookie! he needs to be more appreciated by fans who don’t often watch the knicks.
    Also, what do you think of the Knicks playoff chances? will Woodson be replaced in offseason? I think he’s done a terrific job with the team despite all the injuries.

    • Jason Fleming

      Shumpert gets a little forgotten because his playing time has been all over the place in New York (BTW, he’s 5th). Check out his Game Log (from BK Reference) – most of March his minutes were all over the place. Injuries and the coaching change have really helped him out. As long as Shumpert realizes and accepts that defense will be his calling card and lead to more playing time, he’ll be fine and will get his due.

  13. Olan

    Who do you like for the blazers in this upcoming draft besides the obvious big 3 of Davis, mkg, and Thomas? Im pretty high on Drummond, beal, and Barnes.

    • Jason Fleming

      I like Sullinger, Beal and Lamb. I’m not as excited about Drummond or Barnes for various reasons. Also a fan of Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten, Jr.

  14. philip fletcher

    Jason, your thoughts on the Spurs 11-0 run? Mine, this team is not as old as everybody thinks? A title is possible

    • Jason Fleming

      The first word that comes to mind is inexplicable. I’ll also do my duty and point out that only four of the wins have been over current playoff teams (hey, I’m obligated). All of that said, I’m impressed.

      But I still look back to last year when these Spurs, led by the same key players, went 61-21 in the regular season and then were knocked out in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies. Is this year’s team different? Sometimes teams can figure out ways to win on one night, but facing the same team in seven straight games even good coaching can’t mask the holes.

      I’m not saying these Spurs are going to lose in the first round again or that they aren’t good, just that I’m skeptical as to whether this is a true contender or not.

  15. Simon

    what do you think of ish smith & earl clark?

    • Jason Fleming

      Earl Clark: 37 games, 10.3 minutes
      Ish Smith: 19 games, 6.9 minutes

      Do I think either one of them really is the missing link to the Magic, that the Magic would be so much better if either of them played more? I don’t.

  16. luis

    If Mo Williams leaves the Clippers and the Clippers use their amesty on Ryan Gomes, what kind of cap are the clippers gonna have next year?

    • Jason Fleming

      Williams leaving the Clips would be a gift to them. They sit at $57.7 million right now to seven players, plus $18.2 million in cap holds (Foye, Young, Martin, Billups, Evans, Simmons, Thompkins, Leslie). Without Williams and Gomes that becomes $45.2 million to five players, meaning even if they renounced all of their free agents they would only have about $10 million in cap space (the $45.2 million plus $3.3 million in minimum salary cap holds). Is that enough? Sure, they have Jordan, Griffin and Paul, but they need a little more.

  17. Jon in PDX

    Hey Jason, hope everything is going well for you. JJ Hickson has been playing very well for the Blazers since he was release by SAC. What are the chances that the Blazers sign him and what size of contract can JJ expect?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think the odds are decent they keep him, but they’ll let him set his own market. They will issue the Qualifying Offer of $3.4 million and see where the market goes. Since he’s been cast aside by Cleveland and Sacramento perhaps his market will be small, but you never know.

  18. luis

    What’s the highest draft pick can the clippers get in a trade for Deandre Jordan in this year’s draft? Just making random thoughts, thanks.

    • Jason Fleming

      Jordan can only be traded for a pick to a team with enough cap space to absorb his $10.1 million. To trade him for a pick before the draft in June, only the Kings could make that deal. So wherever they end up.

  19. Philip

    Do you think Chicago would match a full MLE offer to Asik? Between Rose/Deng/Noah/Boozer they are on the hook for about 55 million next year, so could be some series tax money.

    • Jason Fleming

      Bulls are at $76 million for next year if they keep Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and C.J. Watson – so already in the tax. What’s another $5 mil, right? Especially if that means they keep together what could be a true championship contender.

      Have to also consider the Bulls can only had a player with the mini MLE in free agency. Can they replace Asik for $3 million? Perhaps.

  20. luis

    Would YOU trade Blake Griffen for the first round pick?

    • Jason Fleming

      I would not trade Griffin for the #1 overall pick, no.

  21. Wil

    Hi Jason (sorry about calling you Bill last week), more of a comment than a question, but as much as I hate to come to a cuddles superstar’s defense; let’s remember that Dwight is 26, is genuinely conflicted about staying or going, and the ‘adults’ in the room have left quite a mess. The bottom line is SVG was way out of line, Otis should not have a job in the NBA, and ownership has been slow to react to a bad situation. Remember how you were in your first job after college?

    • Jason Fleming

      My first job after college was making copies at a law firm and doing data entry. I’d prefer not to remember that, but now I’m going to have nightmares tonights. Thanks Wil! Just kidding.

      I agree this has gotten blown completely out of proportion, but all the mess isn’t entirely on the Magic structure (most of it is, yes). When the media harps on the same thing over and over and over and over and (you get the point), eventually someone is going to say something they really shouldn’t, then last week happens. I think Dwight has been treated a bit unfairly, but he’s done his fair share of mess making. Whether it ever became public or not, if he had the audacity to ask for a coaching change… And yes, that’s different than requesting that your coach change. It is a mess though.

  22. tony

    Lets say the Cavs win the lottery…how nasty would Irving and Davis be together?

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      That would be a fantastic combination, a great blend of offense and defense. If Tristan Thompson could play with them, even better, but likely it would mean either he or Varejao would have to be traded. Either should help land them a scoring wing, which they desperately need.

      Thanks for all the great questions this week! Follow me on Twitter @jfleminghoops and we’ll chat again next week, same time and place!

  23. MW

    Kerr as GM and DAntoni as Coach in Portland?

    • Jason Fleming

      Kerr sounds like a good idea, but I don’t think Portland goes the D’Antoni route. They’ll prefer a coach with more balance between offense and defense.