NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 3/19/12

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

The trade deadline has come and gone and your team has either positioned itself for the playoffs or the lottery. Hopefully they got it right! In Toronto, the moves left little doubt about which position the Raptors had in mind.

Get your comments and questions in early.

  1. badoodelz

    so the celtics, stand pat on the tdeadline. Do you see them breaking the core this offseason? Plus does the dallas have enough cap to sign both Dwill and Ray allen? Dwill, Dirk, Rayray= champions?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to the Chat
      Lets get it going

      The Celtics have $23m in cap space ($28m if they don’t pick up the option on Bass) so they can be major players in free agency. The hard part is going to be letting KG go to another team – Nets just might jump on that one. The easiest move the Cs can make it to bring back KG and RA – at a reduced rate and add a piece – but they’ll end up just being an older version of this year’s squad – its going to be a rough summer on the Cs execs and ownership – if KG and RA will sign for 1-2 years – breaking things up could end up being just to hard to do. (Not saying its the right thing to do – just the easiest)

      If Dallas doesn’t pick up the 4 non-guaranteed salaries and Amnesties Haywood – then they’ll have over/about $20m in cap space – easily enough for DWill, maybe enough for RA – Cuban is the master at making space so if he wants both, he’ll find a way. Sure – they are contenders, but not uncontested contenders – see Thunder, HEAT, Bulls, watch out for the Grizz

  2. EMAN

    How’s it going Stephen, are the Lakers looking to p/u a buy-out player like Nocioni, among others? what players is a good p/u?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The Lakers could pickup someone – not sure what the point would be. Nocioni is a tough player but is he really going to give you something MWP doesn’t? And whatever they sign him for costs double with lux tax.

      It might be tempting to add another body – I just don’t see it helping much unless someone gets injured.

  3. paprika

    Shaq in an nba tv telecast said that it doesnt matter if he shot bad freethrows in a game but as long as the team pass him the ball early and even in the forth they will still win the game. And we all witness it and its true. Then why when i watch the mia orl game cant the magics just pass the ball to dh12!?he is the closest thing to shaq and i can see the frustration in his face when they didnt pass the ball to him .he shoukd have signed with the nets.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Sure it matters that he missed FTS, imagine if he made them! But he was creating fouls and taking other players off the floor and out of the game at the same time so it isn’t solely about making FTs.

      DH should be giving the Magic the same benefits – even if he’s missing his FTs, he’s neutralizing his opponents big men and getting his team into the bonus early – that’s worth something all on its own. The Magic should be going to him early and often.

  4. tinola

    Did anyone notice session kinda looks like dfish? Anyways he bring ball movement on the team and he makes mike brown look good even tho we all know that sess is just playing with instincts. And he brought back sexy fastbreak back in lake town. My question is if it was felton that the laker got would that be a better pg than sessions right now?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Sessions is a very good backup PG – but he was the best PG the Lakers could get and better than the guys they had. Maybe he blossoms in an environment with Star players (like Fisher?) and is better than we’ve seen in the past.
      Felton is having a tough year – if the Lakers wanted a starting PG for next season – he was the guy to get – but the Lakers never wanted this move to be about next season – the Lakers are living in the now.

  5. patrick ewing

    Hi there. Can u see jordan hill as a contributor for the lakers? He was a very good player in college,why did he under achieve as a pro? Did he went in the nba to early?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Any player needs playing time to develop, to build his confidence, to survive his rookie contract. Lots of rookies end up in situations where there are guys ahead of them or coaches who won’t or can’t let them play through their mistakes. The Lakers are not a good team for a young player who needs playing time to learn and develop to end up – especially a young big behind Bynum & Gasol – see Josh McRoberts – a blossoming young player who is fading in LA.

  6. calvinzero

    What is the reason why the Raptors gave up Leandro Barbosa and Anthony Carter to the Pacers?? Is the Raptors will depend on their future picks next season? What’s your take?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      First – it has been widely and incorrectly reported the Carter was traded to the Pacers – Anthony Carter was waived by the Raptors! Some media outlets didn’t bother to wait for the official press release and never corrected their stories afterwards.

      I published a story in detail providing the team’s explanation for the trade.
      Why The Raptors Traded Leandro Barbosa
      http://www.hoopsworld.com/why-the-raptors-traded-leandro-barbosa
      Basically it was to create playing time for Bayless and Forbes with the added benefit of forcing Casey to stop playing (both) veterans and possibly preserving the Raptors lottery position (although that might not work if Bayless and Forbes play well)
      The draft picks of last year and this year are key to the Raptors obtaining a bona fide star to play with Bargnani. Last year’s pick Valanciunas looks like a sure thing.

  7. Raps Fan

    How come when Big Z was traded a few years ago in the Ben Wallace deal to the Cavs he was bought out and allowed to rejoin the Cavs but they won’t let Fisher rejoin the Lakers.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Simply the new CBA rules are different – more than a few teams were upset with how the old system was being abused.

  8. Bhagdeep

    Hey Stephen,
    What do you make of Jerryd Bayless recent performances since Jose has been out of the line up? Do you think he is our long term answer at PG or Do you think that he is only on a good stretch that won’t last (similar to Lin in NY). And if you were to re-sign him what type of money do you think he’s worth? Have BC or Casey given any indication that they will like to keep him beyond this season?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I like Bayless and I agree with Bayless’ own assessment that he is a PG and not a SG in a PG body.

      Both last year and this year, when Bayless was able to start, he more than doubled his points and assists.
      Last season 14 starts – 18 points, 6.7 assists. This season 11 starts – 17.8 pts, 5.3 asts ( but most of his starts this year have been as the off guard)

      I don’t think the Raptors managements agrees with my assessment yet – they still see Bayless as a backup PG and sometimes SG – more as a Barbosa replacement – instant offense off the bench – and he can do that. But I see him as a potential very good starting PG and someone who would help the Raptors win games.
      There is absolutely no commitment to Bayless from the Raptors at this point – they are still assessing him and how he fits going forward.

  9. jazzfan

    Thanks for the chat you guys are awesome for doing these, givin the way the Jazz young guys have played these last few games do you think coach Corbin should start increasing their minutes more even when Bell and Jefferson return?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      short answer – YES
      Young guys don’t develop sitting on the bench and these guys are the future. Its going to be tough though with the Jazz still thinking playoffs are possible.

  10. Jason

    Hey Stephen,
    What did you make of the Raptors Pacers trade? Barbosa’s contract was going to expire anyways, so the raptors would have the same cap space had they kept him (a 2nd rnd pick isn’t much). Do you see the move as the raptors essentially “tanking” to guarantee a top 5 pick or do you buy the reasoning of giving younger players more minutes?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Colangelo addressed this question directly but saying effectively – it looks like we gave away talent but that’s not what we are doing. Of course, that is what they did and he says as much.
      It’s true the move does give more playing time to the young guys as it just isn’t fair to order Casey to bench a player like Barbosa. So tanking but not tanking (close your eyes, hold your nose and believe the spin – there is some truth to it)
      Hey – no one is telling Bayless and Forbes to hold back – and they aren’t.

  11. Jeremy

    Which duo would you rather; Demar Derozan – Harrison Barnes or Bradley Beal – James Johnson? I’d rather the second pairing, what can the raps get for Derozan? Lottery pick?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That is a tough call – the Raps need to add a stud wing player so I’m leaning towards taking the BEST stud wing wing available. But for Casey’s system – which is solid – the second pairing might be easier to make work.
      DeMar should get a good player back if the Raps traded him – but as he is still on his rookie deal and should continue to get better – what’s the rush? If a new young stud sends him to the bench – I got no problem with that scenario.

  12. Raul

    What’s the best option for the Raptors at the SF position for next season. Get Barnes or MKG with a little lottery luck? Or go after Batum at Free Agency? Do you think Portland would match any offer?
    Besides, Who is the ideal PG for the future in Toronto?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Portland isn’t going to let Batum get away – it would have to be S&T – not impossible, just difficult. I’d lean towards getting Barnes over Batum for now – but I’m not 100% solid on who to draft just yet – outside of Davis.
      Ideal PG of the future – have you been watching Kendall Marshall – might be too soon to make him a lottery pick – but maybe not

  13. JP

    Let´s say Beasley and Randolph walk away; Webster and Miller are cut and Milicic thrown away with the amnesty. Now you have just $ 43,523,457 in your books. If you are Kahn, and you have these two options which one do you choose:
    A) You sign Mayo for 10-12 M in the next year and Asik for 5M to fill the rest with minor contracts?
    B) You sign Courtney Lee for let´s say 7 M (less usage rate than Mayo- good defender-41% 3’s). You also sign Asik for a deal starting at 4 M to be the defensive back up. Is it possible to also sign Ilyasova for less than 5M to be Love´s backup? And if the room is about 59 M you still have 4 M and the MLE exception afterwards (You can also sign Nocioni with the vet minimum to add some experience)…

    You also have Ridnour to trade if you want to bring a quality backup SG or you can keep him to come off the bench with Barea…

    • Stephen Brotherston

      For the Wolves – GO FOR C Lee – that makes your team better in a hurry at both ends of the floor – pay whatever it takes. Mayo is your 2nd choice.
      No real reason to amnesty Milicic – sure Asik would be great, but he’ll be hard to get and as a backup Milicic fits what’s needed.

  14. ML

    i like Demar but i dont think he can be a major piece, i think he is alot closer to his ceiling of being a skilled player, but a higher ceiling as a overall player, and it is depedant on him getting bigger, physical he just cant hang with his peers, Demar cant not improve or unwilling to improve his physique before the end of his rookie deal how or if your opinion change of his future with the raptors?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      DeMar has gotten better each season – so hopefully we haven’t seen his ceiling at 22 years old. YES – he has to learn how to handle physical play better or at some point the team will have to recognize DD can’t be a 1st option – he might even be better suited to come off the bench.
      If he doesn’t put in the work on his body this summer, the Raps should move him while he has his best value – but I don’t think they will. Just maybe he’s fighting for a starting job with the new stud they draft in June? Nothing like a little real competition to bring out the best in a player.

  15. George

    Who are my Kings? The team that gets blown out by GSW and Det or the team that blows out Boston and Minnesota in the same week?

  16. kyle

    hi im sorry but i just dont see how i guy like barbosa is replaceable this year or next in backing up derozan hes talented and a veteran for this team i hope managment knows what there doing has me a little concerned

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Barbosa isn’t replaceable – he is a unique one-of-a-kind guy.
      Raptors believe Barbosa will be available in FA – even though he’s not one of their 1st or 2nd options.

      Raptors have a plan – they have been following it all season – and it includes a trip to the lottery.

  17. Scott

    I feel like the raps are a jump-shooting team with no real consistent post option. Would valaciunas provide that? Or should they look into drafting sullinger to address that (then look into trading Amir or Ed)

    • Stephen Brotherston

      They are a jump shooting team. Valanciunas is a guy who plays in the post.

      The Raps need a stud on the wing more than another big man – Barnes MKG JLamb, Beal……

  18. Newmarket Brian

    If Raps were lucky enough to grab #1 draft spot, would you: (1) select A. Davis & trade JV’s rights (2) trade down by getting other team’s #1 plus assorted goodies (3) keep Davis & JV, no matter who called?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If the Raps draw #1 in the draft – they are taking Davis and unless someone blows them away – they are keeping both Valanciunas and Davis – 2 best big men to come out of the draft in a while.
      Now if the Wiz are offering John Wall…. maybe you have to change your mind.

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

  19. Ap

    Is Jonas V a 4 or a5 in the NBA?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Jonas is a center who could play the PF slot – think Tyson Chandler with a better offense game.

  20. Dan Mac

    Hey Stephen,

    Great job, love reading your columns. My question is regarding the movement of Amir and Bayless this offseason. What type of value do you think they have around the league? Would the Raptors be better off keeping them around for the future playoff run? Thanks in advance!

    Dan in Hamilton

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Neither guy is a high value trade piece – they would bring back similar players.

  21. jegan u

    hey….soo im a huge bayless fan and have been since his days in highschool and arizona…..ive never given up on the dude cuz in my eyes if a guy was once considered a better prospect coming into college than guys like westbrook, eric gordon, and even mayo hes somebody u dont give up on. The kid is going crazy with the minutes hes getting and my question is do you see him as a guy the raps can build with? and also wondering if picking up a player who can play off the ball ex kmartin, manu, ray allen type of player would be a good fit with bayless and switching the more bulky derozan to the 3 spot? i see a guy like maybe brad beal being that player in this draft

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I’m watching Beal closely in the Tourney – he could be the guy.
      DD has to show he can play at the 3 spot against bigger guys – that’s a t.b.d. situation
      Bayless could be a guy the Raps build around – but he plays a very different style than Calderon (who is more like Kidd – so Casey is more comfortable with him) Not everyone is sold on Bayless but I think he can perform at a high level if given a chance. The Raps have yet to decide who their PG of the future is or if he’s even on the team yet.

  22. Lance aldridge

    Why are you Guys so High on Jonas Valanciunas and what makes him the steal of the Draft? Also Will Demar Derozan ever be a star in this league?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Why – I’ve watched him in a number of games. I’ve talked to the Raptors brass after they’ve seen him play. He’s having a great season. The kid dominated the USA under-19 squad last summer – flat out dominated them.

      DeMar a star? – not sure and not yet – it’s still up to him.

  23. Raptor fan

    If the raptors have the opportunity to draft Harrison Barnes in the draft, will they once again surprise us by drafting someone else?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raptors will take the player they rate the highest when they draft – that is what they are supposed to do when they have a high pick. The alternative usually doesn’t work out so well.

  24. ROLO

    Once a player has been used up or not playing up to par. The Lakers seem, as of late, willing to ship out it’s players on the down slope of their careers. For example: Shaq was given up for Lamar. Lamar was given up for a trade exception. Fisher got old. Lakers don’t value Pau or Bynum, because of the contant trade rumors surrounding both. I believe when all is said and done Laker will use their amnesty to get rid of Kobe in the not too distant future. This is based on how the Lakers treated their past and current player. What do you think?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers will not amnesty Kobe until he can’t perform – no sign of that.
      Teams have to continuously renew themselves, but don’t assume that because there are trade rumors, a team doesn’t value a player.

  25. Lee

    I’m very interested in the world of sportswriting, especially the NBA. I was wondering what advice/suggestions you might have for young aspiring hoopsworld writers.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If you are in a journalism program – try to get an internship with one of the NBA teams. That’s a great way to start in the business.
      Other than that, read lots of articles, look at the styles and then write a lot – your own blog or on one of the many sites that will let you post stories (without compensation generally) so that you have a body of work to show someone when an opportunity happens.

  26. Sam

    Hi Stephen,

    a lot of fans think BC should get rid of Calderon and Bargnani as soon as possible, to rebuild properly, a fresh start without weak defensive players like the two europeans.

    What do you think?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Getting rid of players who would start on other teams would be rather foolish.
      The anti-Euro bias is unfounded and makes no sense.