NBA Chat with Mark Nugent 9/14/11

Shad

Is the Utah Jazz current roster good enough for a playoff spot?

Mark Nugent

I don’t think so. I think they will compete up until the last week or two of the season, but I think they fall just short. Give the young guys another year or two and then they might be ready. And I still believe they need a true PG to lead that team.

Charlie

Rank these bottom feeder Eastern Conference teams (based solely on next years win total) : Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers

Mark Nugent

Wow, that is tough, those four teams, along with the Pistons should be competing for the worst record in the league. I’ll go Raptors, Wizards, Cavs, Bobcats. I think Charlotte is going to be really bad.

Charlie

In last weeks chat, you said ‘Marcin Gortat is a very capable starting center in the NBA.’ Dwight Howard aside, what number would you rank Marcin Gortat as a center in the NBA: Top 5, Top 8, Top 10, Top 12?

Mark Nugent

Probably top 15 or so.

Dee

The Philadelphia 76ers far exceeded expectations last year under Doug Collins winning 41 games. Vegas has the line at 40 wins for next year (assuming an 82 game season). Over or Under?

Mark Nugent

I go over. I think they make a slight improvement and win just under 45 games. Remember how bad they started the season? That shouldn’t happen this year.

Dee

After seeing the U-19 tournament and all the latest international play post draft. Who would you prefer as a prospect if you were a GM: Enes Kanter or Jonas Valancious

Mark Nugent

I think they are different players. Kanter is a banger down low and Jonas is a get out and run guy who can mix it up. I’d probably take Jonas, but I think both could be pretty solid in the league.

Dee

If you were a GM, who would you rather build your team around (assume all in prime): Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, or Dirk Nowitzki?

Mark Nugent

KG. He was a two way player in his prime unlike Dirk and Malone. Dirk would be next because he’s so clutch.

Mac

Rank these players in terms of least deserving of their current maximum NBA contracts: Andre Iguodala, Danny Granger, Rudy Gay

Mark Nugent

I don’t believe Granger or AI signed for Max. I’m confident AI didn’t. I would say Gay is least deserving because he just got hurt.

Mac

If you were Otis Smith, would you start Jameer Nelson and bring Gilbert Arenas off the bench. Or look to trade Jameer, so at least you’re investing 20 million in a starter?

Mark Nugent

I’d look to trade Nelson and start Arenas. I would look to trade Nelson for a big, hopefully someone who can start next to Howard down low. The Magic are stuck with Arenas, they need to see if he can play. If he can’t they are going to lose Howard no matter what, so they might as well turn the team over to him and see what happens.

Mac

In his chat, Steve Kyler said once Boris Diaw’s current contract expires he will be out of the NBA. Do you agree?

Mark Nugent

I think Diaw will have offers, but he might be able to make more money back in France. he doesn’t seem all that interested in playing in the states, so it’s possible he wants to return to France. His days of big paychecks I believe are over in the NBA, but he could still play here if he is willing to take a pay-cut.

Maurice

Do u think the Bucks would better off looking to add a backup Center and Shooting Guard than looking for a starting forward i do

Mark Nugent

No, I think Delfino, Sanders, and Harris are all liabilities right now, and until they add a starting caliber forward they will be very lucky to make the playoffs.

There are so few backup centers in the league, I’m not worried about that. Heck, Sanders can play it for 10 minutes a night if need be. And I think Harris, Dooling, or Delfino could back up Jackson for a few minutes each night. No they need a starting forward.

Trevor

What is your take on Orlando and is there anyway someone can justify why Otis Smith still has a job? I mean he gave duhon 4/16 deal why? And looks like he will have ended up trading $3mil, Carter, Pietrus, Gortat, 1st for the former shell of Turkoglu and his albatross contract… Oh and adding Arenas for an additional year at 20mil for Rashard which will most likely cost us the best center on the planet. How is he still employed again? And unless Hibachi returns we are screwed am I insane saying this?

Mark Nugent

You are not insane in saying that. If the Magic aren’t an elite team this year and then lose Howard, Smith will most likely lose his job. I believe Smith’s job hangs on Gilbert Arenas being good and whether or not the Magic can make a trade for a an upgrade at PF. I think the Magic should try and trade Jameer Nelson and anyone else they can to bring in Josh Smith or one of the big’s from the Jazz.

colin

LAC needs a SF and ATL needs a C so they can get rid of josh smith. what do you think of a trade of m.williams and zaza to LAC for kaman?

Mark Nugent

I think that is a steal for the Hawks and they would drive those players to LA to make that trade happen.

colin

what about ariza and okafor for smith and pachulia?

Mark Nugent

Not sure that’s an upgrade for New Orleans. They need more size and Zaza doesn’t really count. The Hornets may lose West and Landry, they can’t lose Okafor as well.

tony

So the talks on tuesday have assured that the nba season will not start til at least January correct? I mean it sounds like the players are going to have to eventually accept this hard cap which I thought the owners would back off of. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks!

Mark Nugent

It’s not assured that the season won’t start until January, but that is my belief. I think if the owners are this serious about the hard cap, then the whole season is in jeopardy. The owners have said from day one they want a complete overhaul of the system and they haven’t backed off that stance. If they don’t back off the hard cap I believe we will lose the season entirely. Again, my belief only. The players have said repeatedly they won’t accept a hard cap and they will miss the season before they do, so that is where we are right now.

simon

would the magic be any better if they sign allen iverson and he doesnt betray them?? why or why not?

Mark Nugent

I think Magic could take a chance on AI, assuming he tries out for them and looks ok. But keep in mind Iverson is up there in age for a NBA player and hasn’t been willing to come off the bench. He might be worth a look, but I don’t think he helps the team that much.

Jake

Am I the only one that expects to be hearing “Tyson Chandler’s expiring contract” for the next 4-5 years? No way he replicates the performance in the playoffs, definitely overpaid. Same goes for Zach Randolph, especially since it was under the old CBA. thoughts?

Mark Nugent

Chandler is only overpaid when he is hurt. His first two years in New Orleans and this last season he was worth every penny of that contract. The two middle years he dealt with injuries and wasn’t that affective when he did play. If Chandler is healthy he scores just enough around the rim that he is not a liability on offense and he changes games with defense. He will be worth every healthy year of his new contract. The injured years, probably not so much.

I’m terrified of Randolph’s new deal. I thought that was a huge mistake by the Grizzlies. Zach puts in 20-10 every night, but he still scares me with the off-court stuff and some of the attitude stuff. But you can’t argue with his numbers. I would have waited if I was the Grizz, but at least it’s 4 years and not 5 or 6.

Ivin V

Is there any trade the Knicks can make to get a center that has established their role in the NBA as a good player or someone young and that can fill that position like deandre Jordan?
What are the possibilities to getting cp3 to the Knicks after the lockout?
I am aware of Wilson Chandler’s interest to come back to the Knicks. Him being one of my favorite players, is there anyway of getting him back or gallo? who was also a great asset to the Knicks
What are the possible outcome of the Knicks roster after the lockout and possible trades in your mind?
Sorry for the numerous questions; I’m just a huge fan and would like a point of view from someone close to the NBA as yourself

Mark Nugent

The Knicks don’t seem too interested in spending whatever money they may have this offseason, so it’s unlikely they add a center this year. The only trade chips they have that I believe they would trade are Fields and Shumpert, and that won’t bring back a starting caliber center. It appears, the Knicks plan is to wait one more year and try and lure CP3 or D12 to the Knicks in free agency, or they are going to try and trade Billups expiring contract to bring one of those guys in.

Personally, I think the Knicks best bet is to go after Paul and hope they can snatch him up in free agency, he seems to want to come to New York.

Mac

In Tommy Beer’s article 2003 NBA Draft Re-Drafted, he lists David West over Chris Kaman. Will have to respectfully disagree. West has done a lot, but not enough to pass over a 7 footer with a recent all star appearance (despite injury history). Who would you pick and why.

Mark Nugent

I would have taken West as well because of Kaman’s injury history and the fact West has been an all-star and is a clutch performer.

Bill

The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost at least 65 games in each of the last two seasons. How many wins do you think the T-Wolves will have next year under Rick Adelman (assume an 82 game season)?

Mark Nugent

I doubt very much they get to 41 wins. I would have to put the over/under at 32 and I would go slightly under saying the win right around 30 games. That is a mismatch of talent and unless they make a trade or two they have several guys (Beasley, Webster, Johnson, Randolph, and Williams) that really play the same position. I know Williams will play some four and Johnson some 2, but in reality those five guys might be best suited to playing small forward. They need to make a deal.

If they do trade someone, Beasley, they could improve, but their interior defense was terrible last year and that needs to improve if they are going to win more games.

Peter

Westbrook for Deron Williams if D-Will pulls a Melo at the deadline and wants to go near home in OKC and to win with Durant.Plus Westbrook is as close to realistic franchise player as one can get. I think Brooklyn would like em and he is marketable.

Mark Nugent

If Williams was willing to sign an extension I would do that if I was both teams. If I’m the Nets I’m terrified of losing Williams. I know they have grand plans to bring in Howard to play with Williams, but it would be a lot safer to trade him for a guy that is under team control for two more years and would want an extension, then riding it out with Williams and hoping he stays put.

Don’t get me wrong, Williams is better, but there is risk in keeping him.

Aaron

who would you rather have between rose and durant? the dallas series showed that durant is pretty one dimensional and can be locked up on the ball since he doesn’t post up—at the same time rose got shut down by lefraud in the ECF. who has a brighter future in your view?

Mark Nugent

I love Derrick Rose! He is my favorite player in the NBA to watch, I’m also a Bulls fan. As a Bulls fan I wouldn’t trade Rose for anyone in league, literally.

If I was a GM and starting a team from scratch my list would go like this: 1.Dwight Howard 2. LeBron James 3. Kevin Durant 4. Derrick Rose 5. Blake Griffin 6. Chris Paul

For the longest time I had LeBron first, but after this year’s Finals I had to drop him to 2. I put Blake ahead of Paul because of age and injury history. Yes Griffin missed his whole rookie season, but it seems like something is always bugging Paul. There is no question I think Paul is the better player, but long-term it’s hard to argue with the younger bigger player.

Cesar

in simple terms, can u explain what exactly is a hard cap which appears to be the central issue of the lockout?

Mark Nugent

A hard cap means, whatever the league sets the cap at, no team in the NBA can exceed that cap. Not by $1 dollar, not by one million dollars. Right now teams can go over the cap via exceptions like the mid-level exception or by owning a players Bird rights, which means they can sign a player that was on their team last year and go beyond the salary cap. But if a hard cap is in place then teams cannot under any circumstances sign a player unless they remain under the cap.

It also means if a team is over the cap, they have to somehow reduce their payroll so they get under the cap. This can be done via trade or maybe by cutting a player, it would depend on how the new CBA was written.

Mardy from BKLYN

If the owners get their hard cap, will the Miami Heat big three be broken up? (If so, it’s clear what Dan Gilbert’s angle is – one of pure bitterness.) If not, that hard cap will actually prevent parity in the league as teams like the Knicks will no longer be able to form threesomes to compete with the Heat and existing Big Threes, like the ones on the celtics and spurs, age out. All in all I see a hard cap as at least as likely to prevent parity as cause it – depending on whether a hard cap means the dissolution of the Miami big three.

Mark Nugent

Doubtful that the big three would be broken up. Most likely what would happen is they wouldn’t be able to add any more talent to their roster except for minimum or close to minimum players. Keep in mind, if their is a hard cap, the new CBA will have to have something in it that allows teams a way to get under the cap. Either salary rollbacks or an amnesty clause so a team like the HEAT could buy out Mike Miller, or something I haven’t thought of.

As for parity with a hard cap, nothing can make up for a GM who makes poor decisions and invests in the wrong players. Nothing can save a team from bad trades or injuries. What a hard cap could do though, is allow those teams to get out of their hole quicker, but if their front office isn’t properly run, it won’t matter.

I actually don’t care either way if there is a hard cap or not. I just want the season to start.

Dylan Stevenson

I’ve been hearing that de-certification of the players union would possibly give the players more leverage. Can you explain how this would work?

Mark Nugent

I don’t know if it’s leverage, but it would put everything in the courts because the players would be allowed to sue the owners, because they have contracts with the owners that they are not fulfilling. The NFL did this, but the courts actually ruled in the owners favor, I believe. So I’m not sure it would really do that much good. One thing is certain, if the NBPA does decertify this process is going to take even longer and the likelihood there is a season at all, I believe, gets a lot smaller.

Tyler

I have saw this trade posted a few times. LAC gets Danny Granger, INDY gets Josh Smith, and ATL gets Chris Kaman. Love it for Clippers and Hawks, but I think the Clippers need to give some more to Pacers. What do you think

Mark Nugent

The Pacers have said time and again they are not trading Granger and I believe them. This trade makes no sense for the Pacers. They are giving up the best player and their go to guy and getting a head case in return. It doesn’t make sense.

Lee

As much as i dislike LeBron, how can he be left off the hoopsworld poll – “2011-2012 MVP”?

Mark Nugent

Because we only wanted to put one player from the HEAT on the poll, and our publisher decided to put Wade on.

Lee

I need a percentage, chances season starts on time?

Mark Nugent

I’m saying ZERO percent chance. I think Yesterday was a big day and it went terribly wrong. I don’t think there is any chance the season starts on time. This is just my opinion I have no insider info.

Shane

I haven’t looked at the salaries or anything, but if the new CBA allows for sign and trades, the kings sign and trade samuel dalembert to hawks for josh smith…horford can then move to natural position of power forward with sammy as the center, and kings have an all star caliber big man to pair with cousins. works for both teams.

Mark Nugent

That does work, and makes some sense. I’m just not sure the Hawks would view that as enough for Smith. Smith can be a game changer, but sometimes he changes the game for the wrong team. That said, Dalembert is a solid player, but he’s barely starter worthy in the NBA. I doubt the Hawks would make that trade straight up.

Now if the Kings were willing to include Marcus Thornton and Donte Green along with Sam, we could be onto something.

JC

If Howard demands a trade to a contender, how about sending him to Indiana for Hibbert, Granger, and Hansborough? Indy can sign West at the PF and the starting lineup would be Collison, Hill, George, West, and Howard. Not too shabby. Not a bad haul for Orlando if Howard forces out.

Mark Nugent

I think that is a good haul for Orlando, and if he demands a trade I think that makes sense for them. For the Pacers, they can’t make this trade unless Howard agrees to a contract extension, and that seems unlikely in Indy. Howard has said he wants to experience free agency, so don’t expect him to agree to an extension right now.

1mike1matt

Great trade Bulls send Booz 2 Nets for Outlaw/Morrow and unprtctd 1st (2012) then send Outlaw to LAL for Artest. Booz DWill 2gthr Booz is D12s bestfriend, LAL gets younger and more athltc + 3 shooting, Bulls 3 shootn/1st Artest work but off 4 Thibs and save $30 mill.

Mark Nugent

That’s a terrible trade for the Bulls. Terrible. Morrow is solid, but unspectacular, Outlaw is dead money at this point, and the Nets won’t trade another unprotected 1st, and can’t in 2012 anyway because of last year’s Williams deal. The Bulls are in win now mode, and any trade they make has to upgrade the team right now, and this doesn’t do that.

1mike1matt

In addition to Earlier trade idea send CJ/Bogans to Kings for Thompson and Thornton. Kings have to many wings to keep Thornton, Thompson is a bog body to develop behind Taj and work hard for Thibs. Bulls then have Thornton/Morrow/Korver to supply 3 shootn.

Mark Nugent

This trade makes no sense for the Kings. They have Jimmer and Evans to play point. It’s already going to be a struggle getting all those guards minutes, now you are bringing in two more. Plus Thornton is better than both Bogans and Watson.

jj

What team if any do u see iverson making a comeback to? Do u think boston will be a good fit.

Mark Nugent

I am not sure any team will be willing to give him a shot. If a team is willing it will be a veteran led team that needs a scoring punch off the bench. Teams that make sense in my mind would be Orlando, Boston, Lakers, Spurs, and Atlanta if they lose Crawford. Again, I’m not sure anyone gives him a shot, but if a team does it’s a good bet it’s a veteran team.

1mike1matt

in your opinion who has better career A Davis, A Drummond, J McAdoo, Q Miller, M Gilchrist, H Barnes, P Jones?

Mark Nugent

Wow, you just named the top picks in the 2012 draft huh? I’m pretty big on Davis, Drummond, Gilchrist, and Barnes. I don’t see anyway Barnes can fail. He might not be a superstar but he will be a solid NBA starter for years. As for upside you have to go with Drummond or Davis. You can’t teach height and they have it along with some pretty crazy skill. If I was a GM and had the first pick right now, I would go with Drummond or Davis and hope I was right.

Josh

What would be your upcoming plans for the Jazz if you were Gm? Would you be looking to trade Milsap/Jefferson/Harris? Would you go after someone like Dany Granger?

Mark Nugent

Granger is not available, the Pacers have made that clear. They want to add to him via this free agency not trade him.

I would definitely be looking to trade Milsap and Harris for either an upgrade at PG or maybe SG. They drafted Alec Burks, so they may be set at SG, but I don’t think Harris is the PG of the future their, so if they could get someone young and up and coming like Jeff Teague or Jrue Holiday or Darren Collison and I could shave off some dollars, I would give it a shot. But I’m not giving Milsap away, I think he has lots of value in the league. I’d give away Okur or Harris though, I’m not sold on them.

Alex

Lefraud James–incredible against Toronto in January, no where to be found in the playoffs once teams gameplan for him. Does this pretty much sum up his career?

Mark Nugent

NOPE! He was pretty awesome against the 76ers, Celtics, and Bulls. He did stink it up against the Mavs, but to say he was terrible throughout the playoffs isn’t fair at all.

Cesar

then what would a hard cap mean for lets say LA, who have like 90 million in payroll or something like that? i heard the league was thinking something around 60 mill! 30 million, i mean 5 luke waltons would get it done !

Mark Nugent

If there is a hard cap, there will be provisions in the CBA that allows teams to get under the cap. Right now the proposal is for the hard cap to be right around 70 million. So that means the Lakers need to shed about 20 million via trade, amnesty clause or some other way that I can’t think of.

Fan from 2008

Would you trade Boozer for B-Roy? Wouldnt that instantly make the Bulls the favorites to win the next 5 titles?

Mark Nugent

Tough one. I’d really have to get the doctors involved in that one and if it looked like Roy could actually play then yes. But by all accounts that I’ve read, he’s never going to be 100% healthy again. So I probably wouldn’t take that risk.

Bill

Lebron’s failure to step-up in the NBA Finals has been discussed over and over again. However, it seems like everyone is forgetting how Dwayne Wade choked in the conference finals against the Bulls and how Lebron carried them to the finals. Am I the only one who realizes James wouldn’t even have had a chance to fail in the finals if he crumbled in the conference finals like Wade did. Yet all I hear now is how Dwayne is the savior of the team. I believe this is a short sighted view from the media. A “What have you done for me lately” mentality? Agree or Disagree.

Mark Nugent

I totally agree. Yes LeBron blew it in the Finals, but he was pretty great up until then. The problem is, when a player as great as LeBron, who did the things he did in the offseason, like the ‘Decision’ and guaranteeing titles before the season even started, fails that badly in the Finals, he is going to get ripped by the media. It’s that simple.