NBA Chat With Jason Fleming 6/4/12

1. Ezio

   Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard and let’s call it a day at the draft. (Getting those might mean trading picks though). This team needs offense, they go on droughts for too long. Your thoughts?

   • Jason Fleming

     Welcome to the chat! I’ll touch on as many topics as I can in an hour. With the news Andrew Bynum will not be a free agent until 2013, let’s get started…

     I believe you are talking about Portland here, so I’ll work off that assumption. If I’m wrong you can correct me in the comments.

     Yes, Portland needs offense, but more than that they need a facilitator. Lillard might be the guy because he can do a little bit of both. However, I would be surprised to Portland take two guards – and would be surprised to see Beal still be on the board at 6. Should the Blazers use both picks I find it very hard to believe they wouldn’t take at least one power player, since the top part of the draft has a lot of nice options.

2. Ezio

   Another draft day scenario, PDX take Austin Rivers. The guy can score and time and again, scorers, regardless of size (Monta, AI, Lawson) can score in the NBA. Not convince with rumors we’re looking at T.Zeller and M.Leonard, Are we really having Robin Lopez clones for the future? There’s a reason Suns traded for Gortat.

   • Jason Fleming

     6-4 isn’t that small for a shooting guard. You know who else is 6-4? Dwyane Wade. Wade has a few pounds on Rivers, but not that many. His size isn’t an issue. I’m not convinced Rivers will go that high, but it could happen. If the Blazers decide to take a shooting guard at 11 he’ll be in the mix with Dion Waiters and Jeremy Lamb if he’s still on the board.

3. AJ

   Can you see Portland picking up a third first rounder? Likely using our 2nd round picks, which would give teams non-guaranteed contracts that don’t count as cap holds.

   I see Minny, Dallas, Denver, Memphis, and Indiana as potential trading partners.

   • Jason Fleming

     Portland picks 40 and 41 in the second round. They might get solid players there, but I don’t think that – even coupled with cash – would be enough to snag another first-round pick. If it was it be the mid to late 20s and in this draft I’m not convinced you get that much better of a player there than you do at 40. After the top 15-18 players, the talent pool flattens out a bit.

4. Giovanni from Cleveland

   Who do you think is a better fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers and why? Bradley Beal or Harrison Barnes.
   @BobCavsinsider mock draft has the Cavs taking H.Barnes at 4 and said this about him, “The Cavs get a chance to add perhaps the most prolific 3-point shooter in the draft. He shoots from distance, and does it well. He’d be an immediate starter at small forward. He’s also Kyrie Irving’s buddy.” agree/disagree and why?

   • Jason Fleming

     Barnes probably would be an immediate starter for the Cavs, but I don’t see him making a huge early impact, especially scoring. They need a scorer to complement Irving and I think Beal is a better fit. Barnes is also a better player when he can be involved with facilitating, but Irving will have the ball most of the time. Barnes is a good third option, but not a second.

5. calvinzero

   Can Bobcats compete in the different level next season despite of losing Anthony Davis in the lottery??

   • Jason Fleming

     Seems unlikely when they are bringing back likely nine of the same players. Add Thomas Robinson to that group and they get better, but not that much better.

6. Derek

   Where do u think your best opinion pau Gasol ends up?
   And also if your the lake shows gm what would you do this offseason be as detailed as possible?
   Thanks for ur time Jason always enjoy ur articles and chats

   • Jason Fleming

     Right now, despite all the talk, I still think it’s most likely Gasol is a Laker in the fall. He’s still a very good player, but not many teams will give up two or more pieces (which the Lakers will want) to get a player on the books for $19.0 million. Very few teams want that.

     As for what I would do as Lakers GM…that’s tough, considering they have no draft picks (well, #60), are way over the tax line so amnesty does them no good unless it’s on Kobe (won’t happen), and can only add players in free agency via the mini MLE ($3 million) or minimum salaries. The Lakers are in a tight spot. Right now their best bet is to get the best PG they can for $3 million and see what happens.

7. alan

   Jason, why is there been so little talk about Brooks around the league? He is a RFA, is he not? Although he has been a very good PG in his short career, he seems to slide under the radar and is not as often mentioned with the other FA point guards. For Phoenix front office, it would seem prudent to trade Nash and keep Brooks as part of their long term rebuilding effort. Any other teams looking at Brooks?

   • Jason Fleming

     Nash can’t be traded because he will be a free agent, unless it’s via a sign-and-trade to a team he wants to go to.

     Brooks is going to have a lot of suitors. I think fans and media have forgotten him a bit because he did sit out the season and for some reason didn’t get the same hype when he returned from China like Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin. Part of that is because the Suns didn’t want to offer him a long-term deal in the middle of the season, but part of it is also Brooks is an under the radar guy. He doesn’t call attention to himself, just does his job.

     I also think his game plays a part. He has been a very productive player, but I wouldn’t say he’s a very good PG. He’s solid at it, he can do it, but he isn’t the typical pass-first PG a lot of teams are looking for. In the end Brooks will get himself a nice payday and probably help a team – and that team will probably be Phoenix after Nash walks.

8. Jazzfan

   Jason thanks for your time, well the Jazz have no draft pick so where do you think we go from here?

   • Jason Fleming

     Hey, they have #47, so that’s something!

     It’s time for the Jazz to make a trade. It’s pretty clear bringing back a team with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors isn’t the best idea because the young guys need to develop. Utah needs to decide what the future is going to look like. Jefferson, Millsap and Devin Harris all only have one year left on their deals. That’s three starters, three veterans who are solid, three veterans who have value…but are they the future? Before Utah does anything they need to look inward and build a plan. Not sure that’s happened yet.

9. 123Eric

   if you had to put a number on it (%) what would you say are the chances the bulls take on kidd or nash?

   I kind of like nash for boozer for the suns, they could develop into a memphis-type of team. thoughts? many thanks in advance!

   • Jason Fleming

     Depends…which one will sign for $3 million? That’s all the Bulls have to spend since they are over the tax line. Nash is the better fit, but he’ll also get better offers (though probably not from a better team).

10. Steve

    Portland needs a center. Utah has an abundance of bigs, but needshelp in the backcourt. Do you think Utah would tade either Favors or Kanter to Portland for the #6 pick and Wesley Matthews? If not what do you think it would cost Portland to get one of them? What about Al Jefferson?

    • Jason Fleming

      BTW, Steve Kyler just reported on Twitter Olshey will be going to Portland. Things happen fast around here….

      Portland would not make that trade. At six they feel they can get a center just as good (or better) than Kanter and it won’t cost them Matthews (who I neglected to mention in the last answer), a player they really like because he does so many little things for them. Favors doesn’t make sense because he plays the same position as Aldridge, who doesn’t want to play center (he’s an All-Star PF, can you blame him?).

      Portland needs a center who can rebound and defend, taking some of that strain in the post off Aldridge. They don’t need that player to be a scorer. Jefferson in Portland probably isn’t a fit.

11. David

    Do you have any idea where the Blazers organization is going? I’m hearing if they keep their picks, they’re going with Canales to coach the young time. But knowing Paul Allen, he wants to win now. I can’t see him rebuilding

    • Jason Fleming

      Just got an email notification the Clips and Neil Olshey have parted ways. Wait, didn’t they just agree to an extension? Is Olshey going to Portland? Maybe – could be a clue.

      Portland is not going to rebuild. They are retooling. They have two lottery picks and money to spend on a max free agent, then they can re-sign Batum and add all that to Aldridge, plus other young talent like Nolan Smith, Eliot Williams and Luke Babbitt. If they Blazers are not a playoff team in 2013 with all that at their disposal more heads will roll.

12. John

    AD is 1st pick,if bobcats choose robinson who would wizads pick?MKG or Beal?They have more need at two then three?Are they even considering drumond?

    • Jason Fleming

      They have Nene so don’t really need to think about Drummond. Their choice will likely come down to MKG or Beal and Cleveland will take whomever the Wizards do not.

13. keeweekid

    Blazers #1 priority for draft? (Center, PG or Best Player Available). Personally think they need a C out of this draft as they got no starting Center next year on their roster. Think they trade up 6/11 for 4/24 (Cavs) to secure Drummond if he is their target?

    • Jason Fleming

      If Drummond is available at 4 he’ll be there at six, so giving up the 11 to get there doesn’t make a ton of sense.

      I think Portland needs to get a center, too, but whether it’s at 6 or 11 is up for debate. They should come out with a center at one spot and the best guard (1 or 2, leaning towards 1) available with the other.

14. Zeeshan

    Say da bulls dont resign brewer,Korver,or watson and instead sign jkid and get jOhn jenkins as a starting sg. R da bulls contenders then with a healthy rose nd deng?

    • Jason Fleming

      Brewer, Korver and Watson are under contract – they don’t need to re-sign them. What they can do is WAIVE them. If they do nothing they will be paying those three.

      Are they Bulls a contender with a healthy Rose and Deng? Absolutely. They were this year with Rose hurt half the year.

      Kidd would be a solid fill-in while Rose recovers (he may not be back until February or March…or maybe even April, just depends), but he can’t do the things Rose did. They Bulls won’t be as dynamic.

      Also, I’m not sure Jenkins is better than Jimmy Butler, let alone Rip Hamilton.

15. Frank

    Why would the Blazers package 2 lottery picks to move up? This has been reported – who do they like? I have heard
    Lillard and Drummond, what are you hearing?

    • Jason Fleming

      It’s been reported they would talk about it. However, I have not heard of any of the five teams above them willing to trade down, so… It would make sense to move up to top three, but none of the top three picks are on the block.

      Drummond or Sullinger as a big man, Lillard/Marshall OR Beal/Lamb/Waiters for a guard.

16. Will

    Any chance the Magic can get Rudy Gay to appease D12?

    • Jason Fleming

      What can Orlando offer the Grizz in return? I don’t see a lot there to make Memphis pounce on an offer.

17. Tyler

    If the HEAT lose to Boston or in the Finals could you see a Wade, Chalmers, and Miller for Lowry, Scola, and Martin. Rockets finally get their superstar and HEAT have the best starting lineup in the NBA.

    • Jason Fleming

      Miami is not trading Wade.

18. Tyler

    If the HEAT lose who do you trade? Bosh is 3rd best but is really the 2nd most important. LeBron and Bosh play much better together than any 2. Could the HEAT trade Wade?

    • Jason Fleming

      If the HEAT lose in the Eastern Conference Finals they should blow the team up? I know Miami got a ton of hype after the signings, but I don’t see a team that makes it to the final two one season and final four the next as one that needs a major trade. What they need to do is stop failing on the rest of the signings. Mike Miller, Joel Anthony, Shane Battier… Miami only has $3 million to spend in free agency every year – they need to get smarter about that and the draft. That’s what will put the over the top, not a knee-jerk reaction to trade one of the stars.

19. force23

    What you think about Roy Hibbert and the mavs?

    • Jason Fleming

      I think Dallas can make an offer but Indy will match it. The chances of him not being a Pacer are, well, let’s just say “slim.”

20. Eman

    Jason,
    Since Memphis is considering trading Rudy Gay, how about Pau Gasol for Rudy Gay and Tony Allen? Do you think Brandon Roy could be in Laker uniform? That would be a prety good squad with Rudy Gay SF, Tony Allen back up Kobe Bryant, with Brandon Roy as point and Session backing him up, thats sick!

    • Jason Fleming

      Roy wasn’t that great of a PG before he got hurt; he won’t start for the Lakers even if he proves he is physically capable of playing in the NBA again. Can he? I remain skeptical at this point.

      Get the Gasol brothers together? That would be fun…but I don’t see Memphis trading Gay for a power forward when they have Zach Randolph on the books for $16.5 million.

21. Daniel

    If you are the Blazers GM who would you rather draft Lillard or Marshall?

    • Jason Fleming

      You mean if I am Neil Olshey? That was fast – he’s hired.

      Personally I think Portland would be better off with a slightly more traditional point guard. I like Lillard’s game, but to me Marshall is a better facilitator for Batum and Aldridge.

22. Scott

    How much trade value does Eric Bledsoe have and do you think the Blazers would have any interest in moving one of their lottery picks for him?

    • Jason Fleming

      He has a lot of value. So much value I don’t see the Clips willing to trade him for a lottery pick.

23. Pablo

    With Olshey in place how do you see the personnel moving forward? Keep Buchanan and Canales any insight?

    • Jason Fleming

      Buchanan may or may not stay, but he’s now proven he can do the GM job and he might get other offers. I thought Canales did a decent job down the stretch but it would surprise me to see him get the gig on a long-term deal. Portland wants a coach that can convince a big-time free agent to sign (Deron Williams, if that’s not clear). They may not get him, but they want to do whatever they can to give them a shot. Not sure Canales gives a major free agent the warm fuzzies at this point.

24. Daniel

    Neil Olshey was just hired as the Blazers GM what do you think about the hire? I don’t know much about him can you give any details into his past or his style?

    • Jason Fleming

      Olshey is a smart basketball guy who knows how to play politics too, something you have to have to be successful in Portland. Remember, this is also the guy who got the Clippers Chris Paul and the Clips became a second-round playoff team under his watch. That should be enough.

25. Mark (Paper Bag Wearing Blazer Fan)

    Did Olshey (or his camp) leak the report that he and the Clippers were close to a contract extension in a effort to force the Blazers to make a decision?

    • Jason Fleming

      Not what I heard. I heard they really did have a deal but it wasn’t finalized and Portland offered more money the Clips wouldn’t match. Portland just decided Olshey was their man and priced the Clippers out of his services despite the previous announcement.

26. jim

    if the heat lose this series…..
    dwade and battier to orlando for d12
    (that is the best orlando could get for d12)
    and…..
    bosh to atlanta for smooth and zaza.

    IMAGINE a line of dwight, josh and lebron… doesn’t matter who is pg or sg no one could drive on them..

    well?

    • Jason Fleming

      Miami still has the same problem – no depth. And now they don’t have a second player who can really create his own shot.

      The HEAT don’t need a dominating center – all they need is a guy who can rebound and defend in the middle.

27. Jeff

    With Neil Olshey coming on board as the new Blazer’s GM, do you have any idea of whom he might favor as a head Coach?

    Do you think he gives us a better chance at signing Deron Williams?

    • Jason Fleming

      None. Now that Portland has a GM in place they can start looking at coaches, though it’s not clear if that’s going to take priority over draft preparations or be worked in tandem. They need a coach in place by midnight on June 30th when free agency begins.

      I don’t think Olshey per se gives the team a better shot at Williams, but he does represent an element of certainty that was previously a question mark. If they get a coach in place that will make free agent presentations a little smoother.

28. Dave

    Looks like the Blazers just announced Olshey as GM, what are your thoughts on him?

    • Jason Fleming

      Good choice. As long as he can play politics in Portland as well as he did with the Clippers, he’ll do just fine.

29. matt from Oz

    Hey Jason, hows thing?
    Just wondering what your thought on a landing spot for the forgotten Aaron Brooks are. Does he possibility end up starting for a team next year? is his more likely scenario a sixth man role?
    Thanks Jas.

    • Jason Fleming

      Last question!

      Considering the Phoenix Suns will hold his rights in restricted free agency and they need a point guard if/when Steve Nash leaves, there is a distinct chance he could be the Suns’ starter in the fall at PG because they will need to match most offers (unless they get silly). If Nash chooses to re-sign in Phoenix (could happen), then Brooks and his camp will likely push to be allowed to go elsewhere. He wants to start, but sixth man may ultimately be his best fit in a role similar to the one Jason Terry had in Dallas.

      Thanks for all the great questions this week! Maybe next week during my chat Portland will hire a head coach. In the meantime, follow me on Twitter @jfleminghoops and ask me questions any time!