NBA Chat With Mark Nugent 3/1/12

Vlad

Do you think Milwaukee would be interested in such package: Beasley, Wes, Milicic, Miller, Luke for Bogut and Jax. Salaries match pretty close. Plus MN could substitute Luke with Ellington or Randolph if Milwaukee wants.
MN would have the best front court rotation in NBA and Milwaukee get young players and salary relieve.

Mark Nugent

Welcome to another chat everybody. Lots of rumors floating around these days, so let’s dive right in. As always, please follow me on Twitter. @MarkNugentNBA.

I don’t know why Minnesota would be interested in that package. Bogut still has some huge money years left on his deal, and he can’t stay healthy. Plus Jackson is kind of crazy right now, and doesn’t seem like the type of player you want to bring in to a young team. Lastly, Nikola Pekovic is killing it, why would you want to reduce his minutes.

This trade, to me doesn’t make sense for the ‘Wolves, for the Bucks it would be good and could help start them towards rebuilding.

Vlad

Do you think Jax would be a good fit for MN: he is a great defender when stimulated and would do fine with Adelman IMO. MN could get him very cheap and it fills the need.

Mark Nugent

No I don’t. Jackson is too volatile right now and you don’t want your young guys looking up to someone like Jackson at this moment. Jackson could very well turn it around, but right now I’d stay clear if I’m a young team.

mojart

the hornets are stockpiling former 1st rd picks(henry,vasquez,aminu) how abt kaman and jack to POR for oden and felton?

Mark Nugent

The Hornets want to shed salary and get young. That is the type of trade that doesn’t really help the hornets. Now if the Blazers through in a first round pick, then I could see it happening.

jonel

will a ben gordon for beasley and randolph gud trade for both teams?i think beasley wil b gud for detroi…remember those bad boys….^^,

Mark Nugent

I think any trade that rids the ‘Wolves of Beasley is a good trade. He doesn’t fit what the team is trying to do. Gordon would be a good fit offensively for Minny, but he is so bad on defense I’m not sure they’d be able to hide him. The bigger issue of course, is Gordon is still owed a ton of money, and I doubt the ‘Wolves would be willing to take on that salary. I do like this trade for both teams for this year. But for Minny it’s a lot of money to pay for Ben Gordon.

jullia

3 team trade
hornets-favors, harris, oden
jazz-jack,batum POR pick and future picks from nola
blazers-kaman
wil stern vetoed dis trade as the owner of the bees or wil he approved dis?thanks….

Mark Nugent

The Hornets will not trade AWAY draft picks. So this trade will not happen, they want to acquire more picks, not lose them.

Aristotle

Hey Mark,

I realised that Derrick Rose wasn’t really smiling that much like other players during the All-Star game. Is he still going through pain and trying to play through it all? Otherwise wouldn’t you sit it out and rest these few extra days?

Mark Nugent

According to reports, he is pretty much 100%. I think the bigger issue is he is not an all-star type player. Obviously he’s one of the top players in the league, I just mean he doesn’t like messing around while playing basketball. To him, and I’ve spoken with him about this in the past, basketball is a fun game, when you are playing your butt off and winning. He doesn’t like goofing around for an entire weekend. Don’t get me wrong, he jokes with the guys in practice at times, but he loves to play basketball, he loves to compete, he loves to win. The all-star game just isn’t the type of basketball he likes to play!

alan

Any way that the bulls could pry paul george from indy after the season? maybe asik, a first rounder and ronnie brewer? he would be an incredible addition as a big 2 with size to guard threes that can create.

Mark Nugent

No I don’t think so. I think the Bulls and Pacers are becoming rivals and I doubt they would make a trade together. Plus any trade that involves the Bulls giving up a big, better bring back a big, otherwise it’s highly unlikely it will happen. The Bulls love their size and think it’s a huge advantage.

badoodelz

aren’t the wolves considering Ben Gordon, in case they wasn’t able to land OJ Mayo or any of their primary targets? I know its a gamble but IMO BG can still be a 20pts. guy when motivated plus they can get him easily as the pistons wants to get rid of his massive contract, to start up nxt season. Whats your thought?

Mark Nugent

I said earlier, I think Gordon is a great fit offensively for the ‘Wolves, but is terrible on D. But the bigger concern to me is he is still owed some 25 million over the next two years (Player option on the second year, that I bet he picks up) and I think that is just too much for the ‘Wolves to take in.

Tony

Does the following exchange of skill sets make sense for the two teams.
Rockets receive from Twolves Beasley, Ellington, M. Lee
Twolves receive C. Lee, Budinger, Thabeet (expiring contract)

Mark Nugent

I’m not high on Beasley, so I wouldn’t trade Budinger straight up for him, much less include Lee.

Cole

What do you think of this trade? Heres what they get;
PHX – R. Felton, L. Babbit, E. Williams, J. Tyler
POR – Nash, M. Ellis, Biedrins, C. Frye, C. Jenkins
GSW – Camby, W. Matthews, J. Childress, Rudy Exception from PDX

Mark Nugent

So the Suns lose Nash and get a bunch of scraps? I don’t think so. Portland makes out in this deal, I can’t see this happening, it’s way to one sided for the Blazers.

Flute

Whats the latest on iverson? Is he goin to the dleague

Mark Nugent

The latest I heard was he was considering it, but I haven’t seen him actually do it. My guess is he doesn’t. That’s a pretty serious blow to the ego to go to the D-League when you are a former MVP. I don’t think he will be able to handle it. Plus it’s getting awfully late in the season.

Cain

With Rondo being shopped any chance Pacers make a play? Granger + Collison for Rondo + Allen?

Mark Nugent

I haven’t heard anything. I’m not sure Rondo is a good fit for the Pacers, Ray Allen certainly is though. The Pacers need their PG to be able to hit a Jumper in order to provide spacing for their slashers and Hibbert in the paint. I just don’t see Rondo making the Pacers that much better because of his issues offensively. He’d be great on defense.

reily

http://www.hoopsworld.com/sources-hornets-want-pick-for-kaman. if this is true Celtics must get him KG can’t play center for the rest of the year or they don’t wanna give up any picks? Trade RayAL for Mike beas & WesJohn…Keep RONDO.Would you blow up the big 3 now or wait this offseason?

Mark Nugent

The Hornets would really like to trade Kaman into someone’s cap space and receive a first rounder in return. The Celtics have zero cap space so they would have to send something back in return. The Hornets will not take on any salary, so it’s doubtful the Celtics could make a trade with them.

I’d blow up the team. Get young players and picks for Ray and Rondo, give Pierce the option of staying and see if anyone wanted the expiring contract of O’Neal or KG, which they probably won’t.

jazzfan

What are your thoughts on the dunk contest? as a Jazz fan I was excited to see Jeremy Evans win and I thought his two ball dunk over Gordon Hayward was the best of the night and loved his tribute to Karl Malone, although if Derrick Williams had been able to stick his last dunk he would’ve had my vote as winner, overall I wasnt impressed with the contest but at the same time what can really be done to make it better? people say props are ruining it but without the props there are maybe a handful of dunks that havent already been done a million times you know?

Mark Nugent

I’m fine with the dunk contest. If stars are not going to participate, then I would change it up a little and make it a follow the leader type thing. But if stars where in it, then we would all be talking about how exciting it was to see James go against Westbrook and Griffin in the final.

Dante

Hi Mark,
There has been some talk that Dwight Howard and possibly Deron williams might stay with their teams for the final year of their contract instead of opting out. This puts them into free agency in 2013 which will be a very great free agency year. Do you see a scenario like this: The lakers bynum contract is up, so is Luke Walton’s and Derick fisher. Metta will have one year left and could be traded for a second round pick as he would have an expiring contract. With the punitive luxury tax by the new CBA, could you see the lakers Amnesty Kobe and signing two strong free agents to build around since Kobe’s salary could accommodate that?

Mark Nugent

I do not see any scenario where Deron Williams does not opt-out of his current deal. I haven’t seen any credible rumors about him opting-in and I would find it very hard to believe he will. Howard on the other hand is all over the map, so anything is possible.

As for your Lakers plan, no I cannot see that scenario playing out at all! Kobe is owed crazy money, he’s not getting bought out to play the last few years of his career on another team for the league minimum.

Dante

Do you think Lakers could or will land rondo for a deal around gasol?

Mark Nugent

I think it’s possible, but I do not think it will happen. At the end of the day, if the Celtics trade Rondo, I think they will want some young talent and/or picks. I don’t think they want another 30 something big man who is on the downside of his career.

Clinton

What new player do you see the Rockets acquiring at the trade deadline?

Mark Nugent

I see them trying and trying to land a big, but history tells us this won’t happen.

CAS

Its obvious the Lakers are shopping and in need of a PG and a SF, wouldn’t a trade with HOU make most sense? Pau for Lowry & Scola. I don’t think there is a better trade scenario in which the Lakers would address the PG situation and get back a guy who will help fill a void left by Pau’s departure. If and once this trade is completed, LA sends their pick(s) to MIN for Beasley. Bam! There it is, all of the Laker problems have been solved without having to deal with Dwight “The Diva” Howard.

What do you think of this starting 5: Lowry-Kobe-Beasley-Scola-Bynum ?

BTW if you had to take one who would you take & why, Rondo or Lowry?

Mark Nugent

Pau for Lowry and Scola is an absolute steal for the Lakers, and the reason I don’t think it has happened yet, is because the Rockets know this is a bad trade for them. Scola is one of the most underrated players in the league and Lowry is a potential all-star. How that trade makes sense for the Rockets, I’ve never understood.

Rondo v. Lowry to me would be all about what other players are on your team. Rondo cannot shoot or score consistently, so if you need your PG to score, then he is not your guy. As for the Lakers, either is a huge HUGE upgrade so you can’t go wrong with either one.

Aron

Hey mark I know ESPN (aka Lebron 24/7) and other outlets have lebron at #1 mvp candidate this season but don’t you think it would render the MVP award irrelevant if that guy gets a 3rd MVP? He was a chump in the playoffs and failed miserably in both his MVP campaigns and now we have to give him another one. I think it should go to a better, more deserving player like Dirk or Kobe.

Mark Nugent

No I do not. I think the MVP Award is about the regular season and has nothing to do with the playoffs. Right now, I agree that LeBron is running away with the MVP award, but there is still a second half of basketball to be played, and things change quickly in the NBA.

FocusLJA

Corey Maggette is starting to return to form this season. Looks like he’ll end up back toward the 17ppg 5reb level. Do you think he may be what the Cavs need to complete the push?

Gibson/Gee or Gibson/Casspi 1st for Maggs. Yes? No

Mark Nugent

Maggette is owed over 10 million next season. There is no way the Cavs go anywhere near that contract. Plus he has a reputation as a selfish player who’s stats are mostly hollow. That’s not the type of guy you want around Kyrie.

FocusLJA

Could Gerald Henderson be what the Clippers are looking for as far as SG? What about Reggie Williams? Would the Clippers be interested in moving a pick for one of those guys?

Mark Nugent

Gerald Henderson is arguably the best player, when healthy, on the Bobcats. And all the Clippers have to give up is a pick to get him? I doubt that very much. Henderson is likely going to be on the Bobcats for a while, they seem pretty high on him.

Not sure about Williams, but I doubt the Bobcats would trade him for just a pick. This is possible, Henderson is not.

Charlie

Derek Fisher has a 3.4 million dollar player option next year. He would be foolish not to pick this up as he wouldn’t get nearly as much on the open market. If the Lakers wanted to clear cap space (in a big splash move), would the league have a problem with LA offering Fisher a 3.4 million dollar front office or assistant job so he doesn’t pick up the option?

Mark Nugent

I’m sure that is illegal, some kind of collusion or something. However, if Fisher retires, the Lakers can pay him whatever they want to be in their front office. But again, if it’s known he retired to save the Lakers cap space and then got that money in another way, I’m willing to bet that’s illegal.

Also, the Lakers are so far over the cap, clearing cap space next year doesn’t help them any.

Andy

Do you think Monta Ellis will be a good fit for Orlando if they can get him?

Mark Nugent

Of course. Ellis would be a great fit, and I bet Orlando is willing to trade anyone on their roster not named Howard or Anderson to get him. But that’s the problem, they don’t really have any other assets the Warriors seem overly interested in.

Lateak

How bout dis trade… Hou gets g.wallace.. Port gets d.granger.. Ind gets k. Martin what u think

Mark Nugent

I like it for the Pacers. Granger is good, but Paul George is going to be better and moving him to the 3 will help him reach his potential. Houston adding Wallace is an upgrade and they can slide Courntey Lee back into the starting lineup, and while he isn’t as good as Martin, he is serviceable. The real issue is, I don’t think this helps Portland. They need Wallace banging around down low doing the dirty work and losing him, I think makes them a lot worse.

Kev

Seriously talking, are Lakers doing anything?

Mark Nugent

Talk to Eric Pincus. He is plugged into the Lakers.

Lateak

Should my knicks try to get d12

Mark Nugent

Everyone should try and get Dwight Howard! Everyone!

Derek from London, On

What’s Brian Colangelo’s plan for the upcoming season? Does he believe in adding a few pieces mixed in with the young core like Demar, Ed Davis and Jonas Valuncuunas. Or is there still alot more work to do. Why wouldn’t you try to acquire more draft selections in the next year or two and let them grow together AND THEN sprinkle some veteran leadership in to the mix. They just don’t have the skill to compete with the bulls or the heat. Tear it down and build from the ground up.

Mark Nugent

My guess is, he believes if Jonas comes over, and he gets one more good lottery pick, that next year or the year after they should be a lottery team. That’s what I take from reading between the lines with everything that he has said over this past year. He likes their talent and thinks if healthy they should be right there in the playoff mix. Not sure I agree, but then they aren’t healthy and I’ve never seen Jonas play, so maybe it will work.

Jared

Do you think the Rockets will land Gasol or another big man by the trade deadline?

Mark Nugent

no

Howie Abrams

It seems as though the Celtics are ready to blow the team up, and it also seems like they are interested in Michael Beasley. Is there any chance that the team make a swap of Beasley and ridnour for Ray Allen? It would get rid of the attitude problem that is Michael Beasley, and bring in a consummate professional along with the 2 guard the wolves desparately need.

Mark Nugent

I could see something like that happening. I could see Allen for Beasley and Randolph. That makes more sense for the Celtics. The ‘Wolves should be doing everything they can to land a new SG. What they are getting out of that position right now is killing them.

Michael

What does Rondo being on the market do to Ramon Sessions trade value?

Mark Nugent

Nothing, Sessions is a cheap option, whereas some view Rondo as a player you can build around. I don’t.

Jake Smith

What will happen in the Dwight Howard situation? Will they trade for Nash, Ellis, or someone else in the next few days?

Mark Nugent

I think they hold onto him for the year and do everything they can to add another player at the trade deadline to play next him. Ellis, Nash, anyone that is an upgrade.

Rayroy

Any update on Wilson Chandler?
What about a 3 team trade with Jameer Nelson going to LAL for the trade exception and Jose Calderon going to Orlando. Toronto would then get 1st round picks of both LAL and Orlando +/- darius miller and liggins

Mark Nugent

He’s still waiting for his letter of clearance last I heard. Also, the Nuggets are trying to sign him to a long-term (More than just one year) deal. And he seems open to it, if it meets his asking price.

Right now, Denver is only looking to bring him in, they are not looking at trading him, from what I’ve seen anyways.

Eric P

HI Mark, I mentioned this last year but am not bringing it up to gloat. Mike Dunleavy Jr. is playing great ball for Skiles in Milwaukee. He is averaging alomst 15 pts off the bench hitting almost 3 3′s a game , getttin a couple assisits and boards. At the time I liked him over RIP (even though I like RIP)for a couple reasons. His height creates mismatches on the permitter, he can handle the ball and iniate the offense (play Rose off the ball at times) , younger, and can play the two or three. I oknow hindsight is 20/20 but do you think Dunleavy might have been the better fit?

Mark Nugent

No I don’t. Dunleavy is really a SF and he struggles to guard people or play decent help defense. Hamilton is better at both, and you can really run offensive plays for Rip, and that’s not where Dunleavy excels. I think a healthy Rip is a much better fit on the Bulls than a healthy Dunleavy.

Eric P

So the rematch is Monday March 5th Pacer vs Bulls. How amped up are Rose and the crew to put the smack down on the Pacers? Do they view the upcomming game as payback? I cant wait and will love to see PG on Rose and Roy vs Noah and West vs Boozer battle

Mark Nugent

With the way the schedule has been, I don’t think the Bulls are ever looking past the game at hand. Once that game does roll around, I know they will be looking to get a little payback and prove they are the tops in the division. But right now, I doubt they are thinking about anything except Friday’s game v. the Cavs.

Eric P

I dont claim to be a guru, had to spend some time researching , but not sure if the “average” NBA fan realizes how special a first year Kyrie Irving is having. To come in with one year of school and play areguably the most difficult position(PG) and shot almost 50% form the floor 40% form 3pt, and 90% from FT, is bananas. Can you please put into perspective how special and rare this is?

Mark Nugent

It is extremely rare. I believe only five guys in the modern era have ever finished a season going 50-40-90. Nash is the latest and to be even close to Nash in anything is pretty amazing. Kyrie Irving is having a tremendous rookie season, and even more importantly, he’s got the Cavs winning games and only a few spots away from returning to the playoffs.

Eric P

I believe the Pacers actually HAVE to spend some money before the deadline to meet league minimum payroll. Hear any rumblings out there? We sure good use a scoreer off the bench

Mark Nugent

What I’ve seen and heard is they are hoping to make some kind of move at the deadline. They hope to add a player thru trade by absorbing his contract into their cap space. Whether this happens or not I have no idea, but that’s the latest I’ve heard.

Jerry

Magic Johnson said that Pat Riley was about to make a trade or signing that would solidify this years championship. Do u know what player he’s talking about?… Do u think Chris Kaman will be bought out or released?

Mark Nugent

No I don’t know who he was talking about, and I would remember that Magic is pretty high on everything the Lakers or anyone ever associated with the Lakers does.

I do not think the Hornets will release or buy out Kaman. They will trade him or have him play out the season. A team owned by the other 29 owners wouldn’t be happy seeing a player get bought out (So the owners pay his salary) then he goes and plays for a team the other 28 owners are competing against. I can’t see that happening.

Sam the Arab

Not a question:It’s ironic how every writer said Lebron gave up the MVP trophy once he chose to sign with the Heat, and now all of them are putting him as number 1 currently. I’m not saying one or the other, just amused at the fickle nature of the business.

Mark Nugent

It is a fickle business. I never said he gave up the MVP trophy, I said he gave up the chance to be the clutch player on his team. So far I’m right about that, but it could change as soon as this year.

Dennis

Hey Mark, who do you think will be involved in this year’s 1st blockbuster trade? Thanks.

Mark Nugent

Depends on your definition of blockbuster. I could see Gasol being moved, that would be a blockbuster. Rondo would be my best guess. Just a guess, no insider info.