NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 2/11/13

1. Deven

   Would the Knicks really trade Iman for Jared Dudley?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Welcome to this afternoon’s chat.
     It’s All-Star weekend coming up, trade deadline right around the corner, it would have to be just a little strange if no one was floating any rumors about your favorite team.

     The Knicks control Iman Shumpert for 3 more years, so unless they know something we don’t – it doesn’t make a lot of sense to trade him.

2. Robert

   Should Tyler Hansbrough be suspended for his actions in the Raptors/Pacers Game? Should the referee who was looking directly at it and decided not to call a foul be suspended as well?

   • Stephen Brotherston

     It’s extremely rare for a referee to be disciplined like that – all calls involve some judgement and happen in real time. Did the ref totally blow that non-call – Seeing the replay, absolutely. In real time I wasn’t sure. It looked bad, but in real time it was hard to tell if it wasn’t just an accident.

     Tyler’s coach’s response said a lot more than what we have heard from the NBA.

     I thought it should have been a flagrant – after the fact – suspendable? – I would, but we’ve seen stuff just as bad go without a league response. It’s not inconsistent for the NBA to let this go.

3. LA in LA

   Hey Brotherston, 3 trade questions:

   1)Are the Hawks shopping Morrow? He’s only played in 23 games, only averaging 12 mpg and has played 4 minutes the last 22 games. Could the Lakers get him ($4 mil) for Duhon ($3.5 mil) and a 2nd rnd pick? We could even throw in Ebanks since they need a SF.

   2) What about Omri Casspi? He also doesn’t play much either. And Duhon could be a good alternative and probably upgrade to Shaun Livingston.

   3) Finally, for bigs Lakers should really bring in Louis Amundson or Jajuan Johnson for a 10 day contract to back up Howard at Center. Especially Johnson, who’s young and athletic.

   • Stephen Brotherston

     1) It’s hard to see why the teams would bother – is anyone really better off after the trade?

     2) Casspi needs a change of scenery, a place where he’d get a shot at some minutes & the Cavs will deal him – but Cavs would need some incentive to pick up the extra cash owed to Duhon & the Lakers have spent the cash they can send out in the Nash deal and their draft pick situation is a total mess.

     3) Lakers might be interested in bringing in a guy – but only if Mike says he is going to play him. It just costs too much to add a body who’ll just watch from the bench.

4. Andy J

   What direction do you see the Raps going for third PG? I thought Ben Uzoh would be signed by now.

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Raptors are working on possible trade deadline deals and don’t want to do anything that will 1) be a waste of money, 2) might get in the way of completing a deal.

     If the Raps don’t acquire a backup PG by the deadline, they’ll be looking at 10-day guys or even FA vets to fill that need – no rush right now.

5. Ralph Balla

   Raptors are still shopping wether now or in the off season. Who do you think BC should go for and who would he go for

   • Stephen Brotherston

     I’d like to see the team try to do a trade, s&t, extend & trade for the most expensive talent they can find, but to get someone to take back less talent than is going out, that will take a team doing things for financial reasons – like the deal for Rudy Gay.

     There are few (no) basketball reasons for the Bulls to trade Boozer for Bargnani – only monetary ones, same for Josh Smith or Pau Gasol. But the bigger the impact guy the Raptors can get because someone else needs/wants to save on lux tax, the better. (MLSE – Rogers & Bell can afford the tax)

     The fiscally prudent deal is something like Bargnani for Ilyasova – okay, but not a home run – Raptors fans deserve a home run

6. Peter

   Hey Stephen! I heard the Spurs are interested in acquiring Al Jefferson. Is he really on the market? If so, what are the Jazz asking for in return? Jefferson would give the Spurs another weapon in the post, but he is not renowned for his D, do you think he’ll fit in? Thanks!

   • Stephen Brotherston

     The Jazz have too many bigs and too much money tied up in Millsap & Jefferson – or they will if they try to re-sign them. Something has to give, a trade now or risk losing a big for nothing to FA (which isn’t the worst thing for a team that doesn’t want to be a taxpayer)

     Jefferson is a talent & Pop gets the most(more) out of talent as anyone in the league – if the Spurs trade for him, he’ll fit in.

7. anthony

   hi stephen what is the chances of san antonio trading for al jefferson or any other big man thanks

   • Stephen Brotherston

     The odds of any trade happening are not particularly high – trades are not that easy to do. Lots of proposals, few get done.

8. Frank

   Hi Mr. B.,
   Visited Toronto for the first time this summer and loved it.So tell me about K.LOWRY the r.o.s. He certainly isn’t doing what we expected. He’s now THE PG and he’s got his ‘bud’ playing with him. Can we expect him to become a bigger presence going forward? Is he capable of leading this team to the playoffs? Thanks.

   • Stephen Brotherston

     I like Lowry – he plays with a edge. He’ll defend against a layup like a 2nd unit big man who doesn’t care about fouls.

     It’s been a rough season for Lowry – bone bruise in his foot, shoulder, then sore back, but he plays thru a fair bit of pain – Rudy Gay calls him a warrior – and that’s a fair description of his game.

     Lowry is a solid piece as part of a future playoff team – he can hit the tough shot. He plays hard. As of right now – Rudy Gay is the leader in Toronto.

9. Steve

   Do you think the Raptors should go after Josh Smith? I think we should and give a max deal because his defense is great and the athleticism he’s got could benefit us. Plus Jonas and Amir will battle for the starting center spot.

   • Stephen Brotherston

     Josh Smith is a border line All-Star. Toronto probably doesn’t have (won’t give up) the pieces necessary to do a deal – but Colangelo still needs to make the call – just like the Grizz, the Hawks might not be able to do any better than what Toronto can offer. Any deal needs to be an extend & trade – no one should trust Smith to re-sign as a FA this summer.

10. Steve

    Will bargnani be in a raptor uniform past trade deadline?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      50/50

      As much as he has been getting trashed lately – Bargnani is still 7’1″ – can still defend man-on-man in the post and he can score. Toronto needs to get better in a trade, this won’t be a salary dump

11. Steve

    What do you think of the bargnani for boozer deal? If we add in fields or kleiza in to the deal, could the deal be done?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I like Bargnani for Boozer – but the only motivation for the Bulls is to improve their tax situation – now and in the future. Toronto wouldn’t be able to dump salaries into this deal beyond the min. required

12. Jaksa

    If Evan Turner is available should T-wolves get him? And if they should who they need to trade to obtain him?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      YES – but I have no idea why the 76ers would move Turner or what they’d want in return – this makes no sense.

13. Praise Allah

    As of now, do you have a problem with Rudy gay’s FG%?? Will it improve?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No problem. I don’t see Rudy as ever being a 48-50% FG guy. He’s a volume shooter & a clutch shooter – an end of game shot maker. Can’t ever read anything into FG% over this short a time though.

      Rudy is always going to be the go-to-guy at the end of the shot clock when the team has nothing going and those shots will kill his shooting %ages – but the team will get more points than they would have previously

14. Matt Devlin

    Why is Nicholson getting selected over Terrence Ross for the rook-soph game? NBA reward losers of 12 straight?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Pretty simple – Nicholson has been playing better and he’s a big

15. ATLHAWKS

    Its getting crazy with this josh smith situation….what do you think danny ferry will trade him for???? They are now saying brooklyn but why and for marshon brooks???? And even talk of Utah? What do you see them doing???

    • Stephen Brotherston

      When you have a big name FA and teams will have cap space to chase him with – this is nerve racking time. It’s easy for Smith to leave and it’s hard to trade him for anything like full value. It’s a real test of a GMs skills. We see this all the time – a lot of GMs decide to wait until July and take the chance – especially when they are in the playoffs and after a deadline trade, they probably won’t be.

16. Devin Brooks

    Hey Stephen, my question is do you see or hear anything on Detroit Piston making one more move before deadline.? maybe moving Stuckey, or Maxiell..
    one more, Do you think Josh Smith will come here for 16 millions per year? not the 20 millions max he is going to want.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      We hear the Pistons are active – there are practical problems moving the guys they have on the roster.

      Need to check the CBA, but I believe Smith is 8-9 years in the league and his max is about $16m to start.

17. ad

    I think a derozan for millsap trade makes sense now or in the offseason in a s&t. Maybe raps throw in a little extra because millsap is a better player but it solves needs for both teams. Or maybe uta would entertain a ross and bargs package for millsap or even jefferson. I would sell high on ross if I was BC. Too overhyped.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors haven’t been looking to move DD. The kid is young, developing and the expectation is he will keep getting better for another 2,3,4 years. Now Millsap is a player who will draw interest, little tough without an extension.

      Usually teams are reluctant to trade players they control under rookie deals – at least until they no longer think they’ll work out.

18. tony

    Why is there a rush to trade Bargnani, especially given his low overall value now? – I mean seriously Carlos Boozer – makes no sense for the Bulls or the Raptors because all it does is clog up the lane with a one dimensional offensive player and poor defender. Strikes me that the snake oil salesman that is Colangelo has talked the MLSE board into another stupid decision. Trade Bargnani and take on more cash.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      There have been no trades for Bargnani yet, so the snake oil hasn’t been sold anywhere – okay maybe the media has sold some. There isn’t a real reason to trade Bargnani unless the move provides at least a marginal improvement. And a deal will probably not be all that easy to get done – but it won’t be for a lack of trying.

19. Jamie

    Who do you like in the Dunk Contest this weekend? Be real nice to have Ross bring it home to the Raps after Demar was robbed! White is looking good too!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      White has a history of being able to do showtime dunks. Green has shown good imagination & showmanship. Ross only has an outside chance & less than that when it comes to the fan voting at the end. Bledsoe might be able to get fan votes out the LA area. If you have to pick ahead of time, Green has an edge.

      Remember, this is a show – the best dunk doesn’t always win – who can start a trend has the edge

20. Gerald

    Going for Josh Smith is risky not just for Toronto for any team. he is not mature enough to be a max layer. He can still be immature on the court with regards to shot selection,and is a terrible free throw shooter. If you can get him on less than a max deal do it but if not i advise all teams to stay away from Josh Smith

    • Stephen Brotherston

      And that’s why teams think there’s a chance they can get him – stars without a few warts are really tough to get.

21. Petey

    Is there a legitimate argument that DD should be the guy to be dealt if we could get an impact, athletic beast up front like Deandre Jordan, Demarcus Cousins or Derrick Favours? Is there a reason why so many Raps fans get cantankerous at the mere suggestion of DD being traded despite limited ball handling and an opportunity to get a young player with greater impact on winning while having others that can absorb DD’s shots and inability to become a defensive stopper?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      To get Cousins, Raptors would give a lot.
      Jordan – Only guys you don’t see as part of the future
      Favours – rookie deal makes trades tough – but I like him – you’d never get him out of Utah though

22. Harold Harrison

    Do you believe Jonas should get upwards of 30 minutes per game? I think he’s finally earned it

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Last 2 games he has earned it – good sign. That’s something we’ll know the answer to over this month watching him play. Earning it takes longer than 2 double-doubles

23. Mac

    I’ve heard a lot of trade rumors involving a Bargnani, Boozer swap. To me this seems like a pointless trade. It would take time away from Amir, who is playing great, and honestly, Bargs has been playing really well off the bench. Why would TO ever consider taking taking on Boozer’s bloated contract?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That was an old rumor based on talks that didn’t go anywhere and as far as anyone knows haven’t started up again. Why would the Raptors consider Boozer – because he is a really good player

24. Mari M

    What happens to Landry fields now that the raptors have Rudy who commands over 30 minutes per game. Does landry become an expensive bench player? Do you know if B.Colangelo is working to trade Fields? Like many others, I just dislike the contract.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors are loaded on the wing – it does seem logical someone would be on the move. Of course with the Raptors injury history, a certain hesitancy might be in order.

25. Sam

    Do we need to be shopping Bargs?? i mean a seassoned 7 fotter with a 3 point arsenal off the bench……how many teams in the nba can say they hava player like that. And if he gets traded, i dont see him starting at their rotation (not as smoothly as Gay did). Why not just wait and see how this season plays out.
    We might sign Jose in the summer and do him right by getting him to retire here. Get a bonafide 4 as i think Amir is amazing off the bench.
    I dont understand why the raps community feels there is a FIRE sale here. Am i crazy to think this notation??? Thanks for your reply.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Unless its a clear upgrade – I see no reason to shop Bargs at this time. But this is the time of year players get shopped – even guys who will never get traded.

      From Colangelo’s actions – a fire sale would be totally out of character

26. Gerald

    Completely disagree with your dunk contest evalauations. Little men generally dont do well in this contest (look no further then shannon brown) cant see them doing anything more then just showing a high vertical so bledsoe is out.Gerald Green is not a creative dunker whatsoever yeah there was the cup cake but after that he did a regular thorugh the legs then another through the legs with no shoes (the same dunk) even when he won it in 07 he was not creative (dee brown recreation is not really creative) james flight white and Terrence ross are your only dunkers left (faried not a dunk contest dunker)

    • Stephen Brotherston

      small man exception being Nate Robinson – dunk contest is won by the guy who can pull the fan vote – that’s not something I’ll claim any insight on.

27. Quai

    Hey Stephen, what are the chances Josh Smith to Brooklyn happens? Or do you see another team like Houston swooping him away from Atlanta?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      These aren’t easy deals to do – Hawks aren’t going to be liking what teams will be offering, incl the Nets. Houston has the young pieces to make it interesting.

28. PJ E

    Hey Stephen,

    Now that the Pau Gasol and Boozer trades won’t be happening, what do you think the Raptors can get for Bargnani? Is there any chance of going for a big name like Josh Smith or Al Jefferson? I think that if we make a trade it should be for a proven big man, not just some home run play like BC usually tries to do. If we can’t get a big name player back, I think that we should wait it out. He might fit in well with the new team as a stretch big, which might up his trade value, making it possible to get a nice trade in the summer. If we can’t trade him in the summer, I think we should consider doing an amnesty on him (if possible).

    Also, I think that we should get a veteran back up PG. I know Lucas played well yesterday, but against prime time teams, he hasn’t been able to hold his own while Lowry has been out of the game.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The “hot” rumor is Colangelo is going after Ilyasova. Can see that possibility. He has been very reluctant to trade for a guy on an expiring deal – amnesty on anyone but Kleiza and his bad knee makes no sense

      Colangelo said he was looking at backup PG, but it sounded like he was looking for a backup for Lucas.

29. jacqui

    Good day Stephen,

    Is there a possibility that Jose Calderon will be back as a Raptor? I missed him and his play?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      It’s possible, he is a FA – but all indications are the Pistons are treating him really well and he likes it there (for the moment). The Pistons can easily outbid anything Toronto could put forward.

      Jose is a great guy – I miss talking to him already

30. Javier

    Hey, die hard 76ERS fan here, with the emergence of Holiday as a star, Thad playing the best ball of his career n continuously improving, and anchor/superstar Bynum in our back pocket, seems like a solid trio. With recent rumors surfacing, what are the chances you think the 6ERS move Turner? & any possible ideal trade partners that come to mind? He’s inconsistent, & seems to not fit what the team us trying to do/build.. Think it’d be best for both parties to split.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Call me a pessimist, but I wouldn’t trust AB’s knees – if he’s the anchor, I’d abandon ship. I do like the 76ers young core. Use the cap space to go after Pek or Smith this summer.

      I would wait until July to make any moves at this point.

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