NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 2/23/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Newsline Editor Mark Nugent for his weekly chat this Thursday at 6pm EST.  Mark is based out of Chicago and covers all things NBA so get your comments and questions in early.

  1. Jay

    Mark I hate to start a rumor but I how do you think this scenario will play out in the future? I hear that D Rose and Kevin Love train together in California during the summer. Kevin just signed a new contract with the Timberwolves & has an early termination clause in 2015-16. Carlos Boozer contract comes off the Bulls books in 2015-16 (Do you see what I’m hinting at). For some reason I think if Love doesn’t end up in LA, he joins Rose in Chicago. I don’t have a crystal ball to look into the future but what do you think.

    • Mark Nugent

      That’s way to far away for me to even guess about. The Bulls could look completely different by then and likely will with Mirotic coming over.

  2. Aristotle

    G’Day Mark,

    So there’s rumours that Seattle is planning a new arena to be built.
    Now I don’t want to see the Kings going there, and I can’t see OKC letting the Thunder go back, so with fingers crossed Seattle gets its Supersonics back and starts fresh, hypothetically who do you go for as their franchise player and build around?

    • Mark Nugent

      It is unlikely there will be any expansion in the NBA any time soon. There are enough teams struggling financially that it should be relatively easy to move a franchise to Seattle. Charlotte is at the top of my list. Despite the great season they had last year, even the Memphis grizzlies struggle to draw. I think there won’t be a problem getting a franchise once the arena is built. Also, the city owns the name the Sonics, so whatever team moves there is likely to change it’s name to the Sonics.

  3. Magic4Life

    In your opinion, Dwight Howard will stay in Orlando if the Magic:

    a.) Make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs
    b.) Make it to the Eatern Conference Finals
    c.) Make it to the NBA Finals
    d.) Win the NBA Championship
    e.) Figure out some way to make a major move(s) to acquire another star / improve the roster for the future
    f.) Make significant changes to the front office and/or coaching staff (New GM, new coach, new philosophy, etc.)
    g.) Any of the above. When push comes to shove, if the Magic hold on to him for the remainder of the season, he won’t be able to leave the extra year + cash on the table and be painted the bad guy by walking away from the city and fans he says he loves.
    h.) There’s nothing they can do. He simply desires a bigger market / brighter lights / more endorsement $$$ and star power / to play with his buddies / a new start / a team that allows him more input / etc, and he will leave regardless of what the Magic do

    Select any/all that apply. Not asking what you think is possible or most likely to occur, just wondering what you think it would take for him to stay.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think the only way Howard stays in Orlando is if they win the championship. And even then I have my doubts. Look at Albert Pujols. I truly believe Howard is going to leave and nothing that happens will change his mind. So I guess I take H.

  4. alan

    Bulls trade: Boozer, Ronnie Brewer
    Bucks Trade: Stephen Jackson, Drew Gooden, Ilyasova
    Bucks lose a headache in jax and pick up some consistent offense in boozer who should fit will with bogut. The bulls gain some scoring, defense and a 5th big man who fits the system. Both teams can shed contracts that neither wants. A pick can go either way to make up value.

    • Mark Nugent

      Bulls won’t take Stephen Jackson. They don’t want that headache. Plus the Bulls like Boozer and they are tied for the best record in the East, why blow that up? That trade doesn’t make the Bulls better also, so I don’t think it makes any sense. The only way the bulls make a major move is if it brings in a major upgrade at a position. Like Pau Gasol for example.

  5. reily

    Grizzlies get: george hill paul george & roy hibb

    Pacers get: Oj mayo maurice speights 1st round
    ESPN trade machine said its works and you can also send josh selby to the pacers…do you think it works for both teams?

    • Mark Nugent

      Pacers won’t trade Paul George. He has future all-star written all over him. I think at this point it’s more likely the Pacers trade Danny Granger, then George. This trade is way to one sided in favor of the Grizzlies. Hibbert is an all-star. Not sure why you think the Pacers would ever do this deal, it makes them way way worse.

  6. Gil

    I feel the Bulls have the best logo in the league and that it made the floor of the old Chicago stadium look awesome. Why the hell did they add that ugly orange basketball underneath when they designed the center floor of the United center?

    • Mark Nugent

      I hate that orange basketball. I’ve never understood why they changed the floor at all.

  7. alan

    A boozer for gasol trade makes little sense for the lakers, but what if the bulls added in omer asik, CJ watson and brewer and the lakers through in artest. The lakers free up some cap space and get building blocks and flexibility.

    • Mark Nugent

      I don’t think the Bulls do a trade that requires them to take back Metta World Peace. I think the trade would be Gasol for Boozer, Watson, and either Taj or Asik. I believe that works under the new CBA rules. I think that trade helps both teams. I doubt it happens, but I think it helps both teams and I wish it would happen. It would be fun to see a big trade go down between the Bulls and Lakers.

  8. Judy

    I have been having a heated debate about Hawks.This guy wants the Hawks to trade for OJ Mayo to be the PG. He says that he is being misused in Memphis and that he can be a great P-n-R PG for the Hawks. He actually said OJ will make us contenders, Am I missing something about OJ mayo because I do not see what this guy is talking about? Help me please!!!

    • Mark Nugent

      Your guy is way off about Mayo. Mayo is an undersized scoring guard. Even in college when he played PG for USC he was much more a scorer than a passer. I think Mayo is being used perfectly right now in Memphis. He is a scoring Jason Terry type and he won’t make the Hawks a contender.

  9. Toby

    hey mark got a trade idea for you all salary’s work out used to trade machine to work that out, three way trade between lakers, wolves and rockets

    lakers:
    lose: pau, barnes, morris, blake
    gain: lowry, scola, milicic, beasley

    rockets:O
    lose: scola, martin, williams, lowry
    gain: pau, wesley johnson, ridnour, barnes

    t wolves
    lose: beasley, milicic, wesley johnson, ridnour
    gain: blake, martin, williams and morris

    who says no? and could it work with a few picks? thanks

    • Mark Nugent

      Not sure the Rockets would give up Scola and Lowry right now for Beasley. If they would do that, then this trade makes a lot of sense for everyone. ‘Wolves need a guy like Kevin Martin. Lakers need Scola and Lowry, and Rockets have always wanted Pau. The question is whether the Rockets would be willing to give up so much for just Pau. I doubt they would so I’d say the Rockets say no.

  10. Jazzfan

    Who player would you say drives you the most crazy with his inconsistency? Like he shows flashes of being a potential superstar but more often looks just average

    • Mark Nugent

      It used to be Tyrus Thomas and it wasn’t even close. Now I’d have to say John Wall.

  11. Fred V.

    What do think about this trade:
    Knicks get Pau Gasol
    Lakers get Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson
    Magic get Andrew Bynum and Amare Stoudemire
    Everyone’s Happy! We all Lin!

    • Mark Nugent

      That’s not bad. I think the biggest issue would be if the Magic would take on so much salary? But I think that’s a good haul for everyone. But why won’t the Magic just do Bynum and Pau for Howard. That’s a better deal than Bynum and Stoudemire.

  12. JM

    What’s Wilson Chandler worth? Does he have an AllStart potential? To me he is just an average NBA wing that benefited from D’Antoni’s system, and I don’t get why the Raptors are so excited about him – he is really a slightly better version of James Johnson at triple the cost. Not to mention that the draft has a bunch of really good SFs

    • Mark Nugent

      In my opinion, Chandler, does not have all-star potential. He is a solid wing, but likely best suited as a backup. He can play both the 2 or 3, but I don’t see him as more than a sixth man type backup.

  13. Howie Abrams

    What are the odds that the Wolves trade for a 2 guard come the trade deadline? WHo are some of the people they may be targeting from the eastern conference?

    • Mark Nugent

      I haven’t heard the ‘Wolves being in any rumors, but they desperately need a SG, so I hope they make a move. They should really be talking to the Grizzlies and Rockets.

  14. Art

    If the Magic trade D12 to the Lakets for Bynum a player using their TPE does Howard say no? LA is on his list. If he says no what’s the point of having LA on the list?

    • Mark Nugent

      Howard can’t say no to a trade. He has to go. What he can do is opt out of his contract at the end of this year, and he is going to do that pretty much no matter what. He has stated numerous times he wants to be a free agent and go through the recruiting process much like LeBron did in 2010.

  15. JP

    A) Even when it´s possible that the Hornets are sold:
    1- Would you wait to sign Eric Gordon in the FA or would you try to trade for him?
    2- Is something like this: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7dsmarh possible?
    3-What would you add to that trade if you think that does not get them (picks)?
    B) Different scenario: Yesterday I made some sums and I review the following:
    If Minne cuts Webster and Miller, if they use the amnesty on Milicic and they don´t resign Beasley. IF they also sign Tolliver for the vet minimum and Randolph for the minimum he can get the following year: The result would be having from 10 to 15 M to sign free agents depending on the cap space decided the next year.
    Is that enough to get Eric Gordon and Asik in the free agency?
    Would they sign with Minnesota?
    C) What would you do instead if none of the options seems to suit you?

    • Mark Nugent

      1. I think the Hornets will match any offer for Gordon and they intend to keep him. The team is expected to be sold shortly after all-star weekend. Stern may even announce it at his all-star press conference. Again, it’s expected to happen, that’s the rumor.
      2. No. The ‘Wolves would have to give up either Rubio or Love to land Gordon. And obviously the ‘Wolves won’t do that.
      3. I don’t think the ‘Wolves have the pieces to trade for Gordon. I really expect the Hornets to keep him unless a team comes along and blows them away with an offer. Like Paul George, Darren Collison, Picks and maybe something else.

  16. JP

    Who says no in this trade and how would you do it to make it work?
    Minne: Ben Gordon – Tayshaun Prince – Villanueva – 1st round pick for this year draft
    Pistons: Beasley – Webster – Miller – Randolph – Wes Johnson
    Detroit would be dumping a lot of salary as Webster and Miller can be cut the next year. Besides Beasley and Randolph are free agents so they can work to sign them on the cheap. Wes Johnson would be the only one who would have contract but he would be the prospect of this trade. Minne would get a light out SG when motivated that can get 20 points a game easily alongside Rubio. They also get a veteran in Prince who can set the tone in the defensive side and contribute in the offense and be a leader for this young team. Villanueva would be the price of the trade due to his cancer contract. And they also get the 1st pick which can be in the top 5 to get a top prospect. I think it works for both teams.

    • Mark Nugent

      I think that is too many players involved in the trade. My guess is Minny would want Gordon, and would be willing to give up Beasley and filler for him. Which is a good trade for the Pistons. They need to start cleaning house and start over, so getting rid of Gordon’s big contract for Beasley’s expiring makes sense.

  17. Steven

    Do you think the Nets with Dwight are better than the Knicks next year?

    • Mark Nugent

      If the Nets don’t have to give anyone up, meaning they just sign him as FA, then it’s close. I’d probably have to go with the Nets, but it would be a seven game series.

  18. Michael

    What is Memphis looking to recieve for OJ Mayo? Doesn’t him straight up for Ramon Sessions make sense and help both teams?

    • Mark Nugent

      Last rumor was a first round pick. But I believe they want a Big man AND a first round pick. No Sessions isn’t enough in my opinion.

  19. Evan

    Hey Mark, as a Nuggets fan I’m a little concerned w/ the way there playing. right now. We are 4-11 since starting 14-5 and I know alot of that has to do with injuries but, I think its time we make a move. Any chance the following trades could happen.
    Lakers get: Andre Miller, Al Harrington and Timofey Mozgov.
    Nuggets get: Pau Gasol

    Lakers get: Andre Miller, Nene Nuggets get: Psu Gasol

    • Mark Nugent

      Neither trade is enough for Pau Gasol. The Lakers are asking for a lot, I mean a lot of Gasol, which makes it unlikely he is traded.

  20. likeabull

    Do you honestly believe we can win a chip as constructed or should we make a move. If you were the bulls gm what would you do to improve our championchip chances?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’d be looking at Pau Gasol and if I could add him for Boozer, Watson, and either Taj or Asik I would do it. If I had to add anything else, I’d say no. I’d still be looking at SGs like Kevin Martin or OJ Mayo, but I doubt I would trade for either, because the asking price is likely to be Taj or Asik, and I wouldn’t trade either of them unless it landed me a big in return.

      I think the Bulls are one of the three best teams in the League with the Thunder and HEAT and I think they can beat anyone. They need good health, and they need the refs not to call every touch foul whenever Wade or LeBron drive the lane. So yes, I think the Bulls can win, but I’d always be looking to get better.

  21. diehardNFFLbarnone

    Does a four way trade between the Lakers, Bucks, Rockets, and Timberwolves with the Lakers getting Terrence Williams, Stephen Jackson, and Luke Ridnour make sense or even work under the CBA?

    • Mark Nugent

      I’m sure you could make it work, but you’d have to do the leg work to see which players need to be involved.

  22. John

    If you were a gm, how much money are you willing to throw at nash during free agency? Also, do you see nash joining the lakers at a discount and be able to coexist with kobe?

    • Mark Nugent

      It depends on the team, but I would throw as much money as I could for one year if I thought he was the missing piece. I wouldn’t sign him long-term though, because of his age.

      Nash can co-exist with anyone and make everyone he plays with better. He is still the best pure PG in the NBA.

  23. jon

    What should the Wizards do with Blatche, McGee and Young?

    • Mark Nugent

      They should trade Blatche, move Young to the bench as a sixth man scorer, and try and get McGee to get his head on straight. Blatche has to go, I think the other two can be worked with.

  24. JP

    After all:
    Which option would you choose?
    A)
    Minne: Gordon – 1st round pick
    Pistons: Beasley – Randolph – Tolliver
    If Pistons reject this: what would you offer to have both Gordon and their 1st pick?
    B)
    Minne: OJ Mayo
    Memphis: Beasley and a first pick

    • Mark Nugent

      The Pistons won’t give up a lottery pick, NO ONE is going to give up a lottery pick this year. The draft is too deep and too talented. The trade is Gordon for Beasley and Randolph or Tolliver and that makes sense for both teams. Not sure Memphis would want Beasley.

  25. Tom in Rochester

    Where does Ilyasova land next year. He is a solid stretch 4 who I would love to see in Brooklyn. Your thoughts?

    • Mark Nugent

      He will likely go wherever the most money is. Players that are in the middle like he is usually take the most money. All teams could use a shooter like him, so he could have a good market. My guess is he lands somewhere for about 5 million per and gets 3-4 years.