NBA Chat With Joel Brigham, 6/14/12

1. JFK

   beal next eric gordon or ray allen.
   mkg next g.wallace.Why then everybody wants mkg over beal?Star sg are harder to find then sf.

   • Joel Brigham

     Good afternoon, HOOPSWORLD Citizens, and welcome to another edition of my weekly chat. We’ve got Game 2 of the NBA Finals tonight (and what a Game 1!), plus draft is just a couple of weeks away and we just an email today with the Vegas Summer League schedule in it. There’s plenty to talk about this afternoon, and I want to get to as much of it as possible in the hour I’ve got to chat with you yahoos, so let’s get right down to it.

     I don’t think either Brad Beal or Mike Kidd-Gilchrist are necessarily huge stars in this league. Beal isn’t particularly athletic, doesn’t play great D, and was actually a pretty inconsistent scorer in college. Gordon and Ray weren’t, for what it’s worthy. I’ve heard he’s looked kind of slow in workouts, so despite the fact that he does share some striking physical similarities to Eric Gordon, he’s really not quite the same player. He’s not as high on my draft board as some other guys slated to fall behind him. Jared Sullinger, for example. Damien Lillard, for another.

     In any event, MKG is slated higher on mocks right now because he’s got so many different tools, and he’s physically ready to play NBA ball right now. He’s a great kid, a great teammate, and could eventually be someone’s perfect #2. I want to see him end up in Washington so badly it hurts. He and John Wall are a perfect combination. Perfect. Someone like Charlotte looking for a #1 star will come away disappointed. Not a great fit for him there. Wizards would be.

2. Lukaku

   What utah do this offseason?What are the odds seeing big al and millsap next season in jazz?

   • Joel Brigham

     Well, they’ve got about $7 million in cap space with quite a few guys under contract already, so there’s a pretty good possibility they’ll go out and try to pick up some depth in that frontcourt, particularly at point guard. A lot of the available guys this summer are veterans, but someone like Goran Dragic could be really interesting and relatively affordable. They don’t have any draft picks, so what they do they’ll do with free agency and trades.

     And regarding Millsap and Big Al, trades have to be something they consider doing with one of those guys this summer. I wouldn’t trade both of them, no matter how good Favors and Kanter look, because I’d want some veteran leadership in that frontcourt and a little depth in case someone got hurt. But you could cash out one and get decent value out of them. I imagine demand for Millsap would be higher since his salary is less than half of Jefferson’s, but that’s the same reason I’d rather Utah keep him. Gonna be hard to move Big Al at $15 million, even if it is the final year of his deal.

     I think Utah will probably keep both, but trading one would certainly be excusable depending on the return.

3. Marcus

   Everyone is labeling Perry Jones as a PF because he’s 6’11″, Why can’t he can’t he play SF? He appears to have the speed and agility to play SF like Paul George is 6’10″ playing SG.

   • Joel Brigham

     I had this exact conversation with a few different people at the combine, because I’m with you… I think he’s going to be most effective playing small forward in the NBA. Even though he’s got PF height, his body type lends itself more to a swing position, and it’s at SF where he’ll be able to take advantage of those great tools. He can shoot it, for sure, but won’t have the bulk to defend the more traditional fours in the league. He won’t be Kevin Durant, but he’s that kind of body with those kinds of tools, just on a lesser level. Remember, they stuck Durant at four early in his career, too, and he’s clearly been more effective since heading back to the three. I only see someone like Golden State taking a shot at Jones at #7 if they think he can play small forward. I think he can, but if not, I like Terrence Jones to go there instead. If not #7, Perry could slip…

4. Zach

   Is this the kind of deal the lakers should look to make for Gasol:

   Houston: Gasol and #18 from Min
   LAL: Lowery, Beasley (S&T), Webster, #14 & #16 from HOU
   Min: Martin

   Houston gets Gasol and resigns Dragic
   Min gets a wing that can score
   LAL get lots of depth and flexibility

   • Joel Brigham

     Looks to me like a typical of example of trading a dollar for two quarters and three dimes. Lots of good pieces for the Lakers, but none of them would have the effect on the team that Gasol would had they kept him. If they’re going to trade Gasol, they need a little more star power to come back in the deal. This makes sense from a logical standpoint, but it’s not something I see L.A. pulling the trigger on.

5. David from Portland

   Is it worth it for the Blazers to trade the 6th and 11th pick for the 2nd and draft Thomas Robinson and can he play along side Aldridge? or should they stand pat and draft Drummond and Lillard?

   • Joel Brigham

     I don’t think Charlotte makes that deal unless Harrison Barnes drops to 6, which I doubt. I’ve said over and over again that Thomas Robinson is the second-best player in this draft and probably the only other perennial All-Star outside of AD, so in my opinion Charlotte would be certifiably insane to take anyone other than him, but they always seem to make the self-destructive pick so you never know. If Portland could pull that off, I think that absolutely would be the best thing for them. Aldridge wouldn’t be happy about playing center for the foreseeable future, but those two together would be a whole lot of talent in one place at one time.

     If Portland keeps the picks, things get a little trickier. I am NOT an Andre Drummond supporter. He’s not Hasheem Thabeet by any means, but I question his drive as an NBA player, and that’s what separates talented kids from superstars in this league. If I’ve got 6 I’m probably hoping for Harrison Barnes (who I’m also not a huge fan of, but I like a heck of a lot more than Drummond), but I could totally see justifying Damien Lillard at #6 if Davis, Robinson, Beal, Gilchrist, and Barnes are off the board in the top five as expected. Portland needs PG help, and this is a pretty dynamic kid with quite a bit of gumption. Toronto is apparently talking point guard at #8 (read: Lillard), and New Orleans would consider him at #10 if they kept the pick, too. If they wanted Lillard, they’d have to take him there. At #11, I’d probably go with Terrence Jones, Austin Rivers, or Jeremy Lamb.

6. Mark

   How about this trade Tristan Thompson & the Cavs 24th pick to the Kings for the 5th pick in the draft? The Kings need a power forward, especially a defensive one. I dont’t think Robinson will be here for them plus Drummond is too much of a risk. The Cavs could have back to back picks. They could maybe draft Barnes or Glchrist with Lamb or maybe Beal if he somehow slips

   • Joel Brigham

     The whole reason the Cavs drafted Tristan Thompson instead of Jonas Valanciunas (who would’ve been a better long-term fit, by the way, and probably a bigger star than Thompson will end up being) was because Kyrie Irving and Thompson were buddies. They thought, let’s take these two kids who are not only super young and super talented, but who also really know and like each other, then build with them going forward. Harrison Barnes is also friends with both guys, and whatever we’re hearing about them considering Brad Beal, I think Barnes is still the guy they end up going with for that reason. Three young kids with a bit of a positive past together… let them grow and develop together.

     That said, I’m not a huuuuuge Thompson fan (though he admittedly was much better last year than I imagined he’d be), but I don’t think there’s anything available at #5 they’re all that interested in unless they can get Thomas Robinson and Bradley Beal/Harrison Barnes. So let’s say Charlotte takes Kidd-Gilchrist and Washington takes Beal. Cleveland could take Robinson with #4, then send Thompson and the #24 to Sacramento for the #5, which they’d then use on Barnes.

     Of course, Sacramento needs a small forward, too, but I’m hearing they want to go big. Thompson would give them a decent guy to pair with Cousins, which is exactly what they’re looking for. They want an athletic four, and Thompson certainly fits that bill. Interesting idea, but it would depend on how the lottery came together.

7. Steve

   Hello Joel,
   Very exciting finals.
   How bad is Wade hurt? He looks very average out there right now.

   • Joel Brigham

     He missed a ton of shots in Game 1, but a lot of those were more or less on target and just didn’t drop in. This isn’t about him ailing, it’s about OKC just being too friggin’ good from top to bottom. This could prove to be a very long series for Miami. And yay for that.

8. Steve

   Joel,
   If a rebuilding team could pick 4 guys in this draft, two in the lottery plus two more, should they?
   Or is that too many young guys at once.

   • Joel Brigham

     How much are we rebuilding here? Like, Charlotte rebuilding? The whole point is going to be finding young guys. Portland has two lottery picks and two second-rounders, but I wouldn’t necessarily call them rebuilding right now. Cleveland, who is rebuilding, has two first-rounders and two second-rounders, and that’s okay since the second round players aren’t guaranteed deals. Two first-round picks for any team is perfectly acceptable, even teams that made the playoffs and have a pretty set rotation already. It’s good, cheap labor. Teams dig that, especially in today’s economic sports climate.

     In this draft specifically, I think New Orleans and Portland have great opportunities to take home two lotto picks that could help turn things around for them. It’s a good year to have two of those.

9. John L

   Hey Joel,

   The bulls roster is built to compliment D Rose. Since he is out for the year who do you see the Bulls keeping and which options will they let go? Brewer is my man, but I think he may not be back next year…

   • Joel Brigham

     The more I talk to people, the more it’s starting to look like Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, and C.J. Watson could all be out the door next season. That’s $13 million in savings, and in a year where things are going to be hard, you can give Jimmy Butler a shot to do what Brewer did last year, and a draft pick at #29 could fill either Korver’s or Watson’s shoes (think John Jenkins TyShawn Taylor). That’s going to be way for cost effective when four players are sucking up $56 million of the team’s $58 million payroll next season.

     They’ll sign a vet point guard for the year, especially if they let Watson go, but I have no idea who’d want that job. Jason Kidd? In any event, the moves you make (at least the long-term ones) are still to build around Rose. We just have to settle in for what will probably be a pretty long and frustrating season in Chicago next season while we wait for Derrick to heal.

10. Roon

    If the Bobcats do in fact wind up with Rudy Gay, what would they have to give up? I like Gay’s game, but there is no way that I would give up the #2 pick straight up for him. Would a deal look something like the #2 and Desagna Diop to the Grizzlies for Gay, the #25 (Quincy Miller?) and a possible future 1st rounder?

    • Joel Brigham

      If new Grizzlies ownership decides it’s time to jettison some payroll, Gay could be an ideal player to get shopped since he’s likely the one to return the most desirable package. Charlotte would be absolutely silly to make a straight up deal sending Thomas Robinson to Memphis for Gay because Gay doesn’t come anywhere close to solving that team’s problems. But if a deal goes down, it probably would look pretty close to that. Don’t think Memphis taking back Diop. Also don’t think Memphis sends back two first-round picks in the deal, either. If Gay goes on the market, there will be nice offers for him. What you’re suggesting here is not a nice offer.

11. Josh

    You’re Cavs mgmt, you have a choice between Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Harrison Barnes with the number 4 pick. Who do you choose and why?

    • Joel Brigham

      Kidd-Gilchrist won’t be there at #4, but he’d be the choice, without question. Like I said earlier about him being a great #2 somewhere, the same reason he’d be great with John Wall is the same reason he’d be so fun with Kyrie Irving. I could see him settling in well there, running fast breaks better than almost anyone in the league and giving Cavs fans something to be really excited about for the next ten years.

      Barnes doesn’t quite instill the same confidence, at least not with me. He’s a hype machine and a branding prodigy at his age, but unfortunately his play on the court has been disappointing despite all that hype. I’m not sold on him as a star in the league. I see him as a middling swingman for 10-12 years in the league. MKG looks like the kind of guy who finishes his career with 3 or so All-Star appearances, but everyone will have sworn he made a whole lot more of them.

12. JimNugget

    JaVale McGee…talented but still a bit of a headcase, better since he’s been in Denver. Do you see an other team offering him a max contract or anthing >$10M a year ?

    • Joel Brigham

      You never know with big guys, but if Roy Hibbert doesn’t get offered a max deal this summer, I can’t imagine JaVale McGee will. I see a lot of talent with that kid, but I also see an incomplete game and certainly not somebody that’s ever going to be considered the leader of a team. Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash… these are the guys you give max contracts to because they can run a team. Can you see McGee doing that? Not a prayer. I think he’ll get paid more than he probably deserves, but max seems a bit out there for me.

13. gary

    Joel, do you think the Sixers end up trading Iguodala and getting back a lottery pick?

    • Joel Brigham

      To me, that’s not enough to send out Iguodala unless the pick is in the top four. Thomas Robinson, MKG, or Beal could potentially be better than Iguodala currently is. I can’t see anybody else in this draft who that applies to. Out of Charlotte, Washington, and Cleveland, I can really only see the Wizards as a team even remotely interested in making that deal. With those odds, I’d say it seems fairly improbable that happens.

14. No Sleep Til Deron

    Why is everyone so convinced Deron bolts for Dallas. He gets more money in Bklyn and a core of Lopex, Wallace, Green and perhaps an AK47 is much better than what the aging MAVS have. Thoughts?

    • Joel Brigham

      He’s from Dallas, for one. Never underestimate the appeal of going back home to rep your hometown. Secondly, there’s no guarantee that the Geralds Wallace and Green come back to the Nets, since both are unrestricted free agents (same for Kris Humphries), so you’re really asking, why would Williams want to play for the team one year removed from a championship, a team that includes Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, and a few intriguing young talents, rather than play for the team with the sixth-worst record in the league last year that brings back… Brook Lopez? If I’m D-Will, Dallas looks like the better option right now.

15. Eli

    Who will be the better player 10 years from now? Beal or Rivers?

    • Joel Brigham

      Great question, because neither one of those guys looks like a sure thing. I think the media is going to love Austin almost as much as they do Doc, and so the kid’s likeability makes me want to lean towards him. He measured taller than everyone thought he would, and to me he’s just got that extra something that Beal just lacks. I’ll lean towards Rivers, but like I said, I’m not sure either one is ever an All-Star.

16. big kev

    Hello Joel,

    I watched “The Dream Team” documentary last night and it talked about how Magic and Bird ‘passed the torch’ to Jordan,
    Who do you see passing the torch in today’s NBA, and who should it be passed to?

    • Joel Brigham

      The Torch is clearly going to Kevin Durant right now, and there are a whole slew of aging championship stars sending it his way… Dirk, Duncan, KG, Nash… It sure as hell isn’t going from LeBron, though, and the really sad thing is that LBJ is the one who should be on the receiving end of that thing. He’s the most gifted player alive, but Durant is just an unstoppable scorer. Whoever ends up with the ring in this current Finals is the heir apparent. And honestly, that’s what makes these next six games so intriguing. Can’t wait for Game 2 tonight.

      Thanks for all the great questions today, guys, and I’ll see you back here next week for more of the same!