NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 1/30/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Stephen Brotherston for his weekly NBA Chat covering the Toronto Raptors and all things NBA every Monday at 3pm ET.

Trade talk is starting to heat up so get your comments and questions in now.

  1. Raptor-fan

    Wilson Chandler, JR Smith, Aaron Brooks; out of these 3 players, which one is more likely to sign with the Raptors when they come back from China in March?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to the Chat

      Trade talk is going to be heating up as we get closer to the availability of the players who signed in China and players signed at the start of the season 2-6 weeks away. There are some big names that are expected to change teams.

      Colangelo covets Wilson Chandler – and why not – 24-year-old 6′ 8″ SF – a proven NBA commodity. I’ve liked his game for a while now. Raptors are expected to take a hard run at him once he can leave China.

      Only fly in that ointment is Denver owns his rights – but Chandler may not want to return to mile high to back up DG. The door is definitely open here. Chandler is the most likely player the Raptors go for.

      Colangelo has said he is looking for a PG of the future – if the future is now – Aaron Brooks will be quietly in the Raptors sights – in Toronto, not hearing about a player target isn’t unusual – Colangelo often likes to run in stealth mode

  2. Eric

    just read an article saying that kaman is on the trading block.where do you see him ending up?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Kaman is openly being offered around but there are no obviously leaders to acquire him.

      Boston wants him if he is waived – not going to happen.

      The Warriors need him – and have pieces to offer.

      The list of teams needing a real starting center are too long to list – Kaman will be traded – NOH will get value back.

  3. rodney

    As a magic fan im getting tired of dwight! someone needs to tell him when you point 1 finger at someone you have 3 pointed back at you.

    he is questioning the team and there desire, yet he is playing with half emotion in the game, he is saying people need to know there role and play as a team yet says he wants to win his way and wants to be the main focal point in the offense,he says the team cant get frustrated by refs and need to keep there composure yet he is known for complaining to refs and has more techs than any other player on the magic, he says he wants to win yet he wants to got to NJ NEWWWW JERSEYYYYY!!, he is the definition of an oxymoron!
    As a magic fan i dont care if he is wearing a Magic jersey come all star game infact im disgraced that he beat Nick Andersons all time Magic scoring record to trash his team the way he is, no honor no class,

    sorry for the rant but this is ridiculous!

    Do you see the Magic begin to start to make moves to get this cancer off our team

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The situation is getting kind of sad really

      Magic still have hope the D12 situation can be resolved but if I were them – I’d look at Toronto and Cleveland and then look at Denver – I like what Denver did better.

  4. Mitch

    What do you think of the Calderon trade rumours started by Marc Stein this weekend?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Calderon has been available for the right deal since the start of last season – this isn’t news so much as stating the obvious.

      If the Raptors can turn Calderon into a player that helps their team, Colangelo has made it pretty clear he’s available. But Calderon is a 10 & 10 PG – he’s not available for free (Except maybe to create the trade exception to get Wilson Chandler.)

  5. Mitch

    Jack Armstrong made reference in a game about contenders calling about Barbosa between now and the deadline. What do you think? Could he be traded and brought back as an UFA this summer? BC’s man-crush on Barbo is well known.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Sure – could happen easily.

      Barbosa could really help a team that needs a SG or veteran guard off the bench for a playoff run – he won’t complain, sulk about minutes or how he is used – he’ll just play when asked as hard as he can.

      And Colangelo does like him and would try to find a spot in Toronto next season – if he could get him back.

  6. Mitch

    Have you heard anything around the Raptors regarding Wilson Chandler? Doug Smith said he heard pre-season they would likely make an offer to see what Denver does. This may be more true now that Gallo and Afflalo are tied up for $18M per season between them.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Its well known Colangelo is very interested in Chandler.

      You’ve hit on exactly why Chandler will be interested in looking for offers.

  7. Ray

    Assuming Dwight isnt traded by the deadline, his options in Free agency are the Magic, Dallas, Jersey, and Boston. Assuming he leaves Orlando, who do you think is his best option?
    I know Boston isnt a huge market for him, but pairing him with Rondo and Pierce, you could also assume that atleast one of Kevin/Ray would re sign for cheap, thats a 2012/2013 contender right there dont you think?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Rondo & D12 as the future long term core of the Celtics would be solid team Boston can build a contender around for years.

      Bring back KG and RA – Cs are getting a lot of consideration.

      Best team for Howard – some where he’ll be happy

  8. Sabin C

    Hi.Otis should call Raptors for Calderon and get him.He’d be a great fit for Magic.I don’t think that Raptors will ask much in return.Your thoughts ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Yes he should call – but what is he going to offer?

      After JJ and Ryan – who are the players other teams might want?

      Now if Otis could find a trade exception for $10m and a 1st round pick…….

  9. Focus

    Gerald Henderson for Wes Johnson and 1st rd pick. Who says no CHA or Minny?

  10. Steve

    What do you think of the future NBA careers of Greg Monroe and Ed Davis?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Greg Monroe is looking like the real deal – legit future starting center.

      I like Ed, but he’s still proving himself – I think he’ll get it – Having to learn to play Coach Casey’s defense has set his offense back quite a bit this season.

  11. Flute

    whats the latest on an allen iverson comeback..i thinks its sad how a team want at least give him a tryout to see how he looks..he has never had any severe injuries…all the way up to when he played in denver he was gettin 25 an 7 a game..then when he went to detroit they said he didnt have it anymore…i dont see how u can loose a step that drastic in one year..he averaged a career low in detroit because he took way less shots and they had more scorers around him and he still lead the team in scoring..what is your take on it?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Sometimes when its over, it really is just over.

      Why would a guy like AI really want to come back to be a reserve – an energy guy off the bench – and teach/show prospects how to play the game?

  12. j.p.

    if you’re the heat, would you consider trading dwade for dwight howard or deron williams? hear me out, lbj and dwade are wayyy too similar and lbj has been playing out of his mind. the heat played better without wade in the line-up. so I’m thinking wouldn’t it make sense to trade dwade for an all-star point or center, which would make them more complete as a team.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Too soon – HEAT have to try and win it all with their Big 3

      If they miss out again – then taking a run at trading for another star might be very tempting – but with the new CBA – I’d be more tempted to try and turn 1 of the big 3 into 2 legit starters and a prospect.

      But its too soon to do this now – the HEAT are contenders as built.

  13. j.p.

    would you agree that kyrie irving is exceeding expectations so far? he’s looked pretty good. nice passes (not a lot of assists due to a lack of consistent scorers) and a great scorer/finisher. do you see him as a year to year all-star?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      1st overall pick – seems a lot like what John Wall did – looks good – was supposed to.

      All-Star potential but as is often the case, that will depend a lot on who he gets to play with – see John Wall….

  14. Kevin

    I think people sometimes overvalue a player when they are playing good in a team with a “Good System”. Lamar is not an all-star he just played in a good system that was good for him. Right?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lots of guys make the All-Star team because of where they are playing and would have no shot if on a lottery team putting up the same numbers.

  15. kai

    Is it just me or is the East so bad that it is going to be more difficult to find yourself out of a playoff than in? Sarcasm aside, I am just being honest, the draft lottery is going to see at least 6 teams excited about that lucrative #1 overall selection.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Actually – I’m excited if I get a lottery pick – this draft really is deep.

  16. Jimmy

    Is Chicago able to get Dwight(to sign with them) and if so what would they have to give up?would it have to be 3 team trade?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Chicago has lots of good assets to go after D12 with – any package would have to be built around Noah.

      Dwight is sending mixed messages about where he’ll sign.

  17. Marco

    Even after the 4 game winning streak (besides the massive collapse against the cavaliers), I have a feeling that the 2012 Boston Celtics are to unpredictable on a night-to-night basis to be considered contenders.
    In your opinion, what are the trade options they have? The best case scenario?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s the feeling.

      Limited trade options but great end of season cap space to pursue FA – unless another team is in panic mode (Lakers maybe?)

  18. Tyler

    Hey Stephen quick question
    With all this talk about the rap’s looking at chandler and if they get him, Do you think they overpay. And Does this affect there direction in the draft could they be targeting a big?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors would have to overpay – at least in Denver’s eyes as they hold his rights.

      Trade moves can definitely effect what the Raptors are looking for in the draft – but if they are picking high – they have to take the best available talent.

  19. D nice

    Would the Raptors be willing to trade Demar Derozan in a package deal with Calderon? If they did what could they get in return?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DD has been labelled as a “face-of-the-franchise” but Colangelo also said no one is off limits.

      Trading DeMar would be a surprise but Colangelo has traded young talent before. He want high value young talent back.

  20. Mitchell

    What move if any do you see the rockets making before the deadline?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Rockets have made no secret about wanting a star center – Kaman maybe?

      Like most teams at the moment – they value there own assets too highly – but since most deals can’t be made yet – we don’t really know what they are prepared to give to get what they want.

  21. Rocky

    The Suns will have enough caps space at the end of this season. What are the chances Dwight and Deron go there?

  22. Faner

    Re: Wilson Chandler.
    In thinking about this today, the Raptors have few legit assets (Bargnani, DD, Jonas, 1st Round Pick, and to a lesser degree, Barbosa, Calderon and Ed Davis).

    Meanwhile, The Nuggets have TONS and TONS of players and assets.

    So my question:

    Masai Ujuri or Bryan Colangelo?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Masai and Colangelo still talk – Colangelo wants Chandler – Masai will find something he wants from Toronto if Chandler makes it clear he doesn’t want to come back to Denver (because Denver has TONS of players). It’s often easier to make deals with friends.

  23. Jeff

    Your thoughts on progress from James Johnson?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      James Johnson is starting to “get it” in the new system.

      But what is really getting my attention is how good he looks at PF – the job he did on LaMarcus Aldridge was impressive.

      We want to see more – but I’m expecting him to keep improving.

  24. Jeff

    You are around the team i guess? Why is Soloman Alabi not able to get even 8 minutes a night? Is he just not good, not improving, not bringing it in practice?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Alabi’s been down in the d-league for a while – but he is the only guy who’s not been given any real minutes which doesn’t speak well for the confidence of the coaching staff.

      Maybe Denver wants him?

  25. Chris

    I’m not really a laker or kobe fan just a basketball fan but can you think of anybody Thats been at kobes level for this many years and with the drive to win like his

  26. Allan

    Hi Stephen, I do hope the Raps could land Chandler. He would make a big difference at the starting 3 spot since he could play both ends of the court. But if the Raps do land him, who are they gonna draft then? I was thinking Barnes or Kidd-Gilchrist to fill that 3-spot. Also if by chance we get no.1 overall, do you think the Nets would trade D-Will for that pick along with Kleiza or Davis?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors will be looking at the best available at their spot in the draft. But if the team isn’t looking at SF & bigs – I really like Jeremy Lamb or possibly Bradley Beal – SGs

      I don’t see the Raps going after D-Will – can’t see him re-signing in Toronto.

  27. D nice

    Could the raptors get DJ Augustin for Calderon or would the raps ever attempt a trade with bobcats again?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      once burned – twice shy

      never say never – but Colangelo might insist on talking to MJ before a deal gets finalized this time.

      It just seems unlikely Toronto would try another Calderon trade to the Bobcats.

  28. Allan

    Who is the best PG prospect for the Raptors then? I like Calderon, but I believe he is best suited as a back-up.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s all for today. Thanks for all the great comments and questions.

      Today – Calderon is the Raptors best PG and Coach Casey has made it clear the Jose doesn’t have to be looking over his shoulder.

      Jerryd Bayless has the potential to be the PG of the future – as Colangelo has said – thats tbd – but I do like Bayless brings to the game – he has a winners attitude and a big but effective chip on his shoulder. He just has to prove he deserves to be a starting PG and not a replacement for Barbosa.

      It shouldn’t surprise anyone if Colangelo’s next move brings back a potential PG of the future as a part of the deal.