NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 6/4/12

Jay

Do you think it would be wise for the Bobcats to trade down from the #2 spot to acquire some more picks since they did not land Anthony?

Stephen Brotherston

Welcome to the Chat

We know the draft order, but as of now we really still don’t know who will actually be taking which picks where. It will be busy on draft day with trades and to-be-completed-later deals.

Bobcats should take Robinson and run – potential future All-Star. But if they want depth of talent instead of best talent – talk to Portland about 6 & 11. Since the Cats should be expecting another trip to the lottery next season anyway – adding 2 more players who should be future starters isn’t a terrible idea and likely keeps them in the running for the 1st draft pick next June. Gotta play those rookies!

Alec Martin of Manila

Is Royce White of Iowa St., a good fit for the C’s? Fab Melo?

Stephen Brotherston

Celtics pick at 21 & 22, so a big and a wing makes sense.

There is still a lot of evaluation to do – bigs one of Leonard, Nicholson, Melo, – wings Doron Lamb, White, Quincy Miller. It’s too soon to say who’ll look best in the workouts to the Cs – but they’ll get a decent prospect.

Brad

What do you think Bryan Colangelo will (or should) do with the 8th pick? Trade it for a player like Kyle Lowry, or keep it and draft the best available?

Stephen Brotherston

Trading the pick should get Colangelo a talented player – but before the draft, he is looking at teams with tax issues who need to make an unbalanced trade to re-jig their roster to lower payroll costs. Grizz, Hawks, Bulls, etc….

A deal for Lowry is possible – but the Rockets probably won’t make any move with Lowry until they know the situation with Dragic – and if the Raps still have cap space after July 1, they might just go after Dragic instead – Raps are interested in Dragic.

Brad

Your thoughts on Jose Calderon, should the Raptors use his expiring contract as leverage to trade him?

Sure, he’s one of the most effecient passers in the NBA, but he’s also a huge liability defensively, and secretly I don’t think Casey likes that about his starting point guard.

Stephen Brotherston

Casey ran his defense with the aging Jason Kidd so Calderon is not that big of a challenge to fit into his defense – Casey goes on and on about liking vets and specifically Calderon.

If Colangelo can get his PG of the future and its not a rookie – Marshall, Lillard – He’ll absolutely look to move Calderon and with his expiring deal and skills and he should be able to swing a pretty good deal. This is the last season under the old luxury tax rules – Calderon’s expiring contract could save some team a ton of money after next season.

Zeeshan

On draft night, who do the Bulls pick:? Jenkins,Draymond Green,Orlando Johnson,Kevin Murphy,or Teague? I like Jenkins. How about u? Also if they pick on of these, is he gonna start?

Stephen Brotherston

The Bulls are picking 29th, have $76m in salaries and if they don’t drop some non-guaranteed deals and probably trade somebody – they do not want to add a rookie to a guaranteed contract – unless it fits after they make some moves.

Now if the Bulls were to move Deng to save future lux tax, Draymond Green would be a good pick to take a flyer on.

There are just too many balls in the air/ big decisions to be made in Chicago to make a good call on the draft. If the Bulls keep everybody – their best move will be to sell the pick.

Nikko

Heat lose in ECF OR FINALS

SHOULD THEY BREAK UP DA BIG 3?

Magic get- Wade and Bosh

Heat get- Dwight,Hedo,and Duhon

Stephen Brotherston

HEAT don’t win it all? – they have one more season under the old lux tax rules before they have to make the Big Decision – and I’d expect them to give it one more try.

If they do break up the big three, it’ll be one of Wade or Bosh, not both.

Christian

Whose the favorite on the Raptors’ board right now?

Stephen Brotherston

The draft board is moving so much it’s tough to call. Beal could fall to the Raps – he shouldn’t but he might! If he does, #1 on their board (as of now). Davis, Robinson & MKG are NOT going to be there.

Lillard is on the board and the Raps will want to look at Marshall. Barnes could even fall to 8.

Of the players who “should” be available – Jeremy Lamb would rank right up there & Marshall, but we need to see Marshall in some workouts – he has game-changing potential.

Christian

Do Raptors’ management see PJ3 as a 3 or 4?

Stephen Brotherston

PJ3 is a 4 who hopes he can be a 3 because he’ll draft higher – it’s going to take a lot of convincing to think of him as a 3

Christian

Do the raptors’ envision Dion as a point guard?

Stephen Brotherston

Raps are looking at him as a potential 1 – DW is a combo guard, maybe he can be a PG – but its hard to see him going mid-lottery

Christian

How close is Moe Harkless to being the #8 pick?

Stephen Brotherston

I don’t believe its very close.
There is more proven solid talent to take ahead of Moe with the 8th pick.
Moe will get his chance to impress during the workouts – we’ll see what he’s got.

Luka

You are joe dumars.What are you doing this offseason,Would bobcats trade diop for either cv or bg?They have one year longer contracts but they can contribute.

Stephen Brotherston

It’s a good thought but the Cats may have already decided to go for #1 next season too and in that case they don’t want someone who can actually help them – unless of course Dumars has a potential lottery pick to include in the deal? (probably not)

Brandon

What are the chances that the sixers make a move for a legitamite front court player? What are possible options?

Stephen Brotherston

Chances aren’t good BUT – if the team can bring themselves to amnesty Brand – they can make a big time offer to Ilyasova and he’d fit in real nice on the 76ers.

Mateo

I think spoestra is a good coach. The reason why they are not so dominant as expected is that the players lack respect and trust to their coach especially wade. How about trading wade + pick + fillers for howard? What do think?

Stephen Brotherston

Spo has a good coaching record – I don’t believe you’d get much of an argument from most people. The HEAT’s issues revolve more around how hard it to build a team when 3 of your players use up all of the cap space. But its not like the HEAT haven’t been a pretty dominant group since they got the big 3.

It is always extremely tough to start trading star players – but it makes sense if the two GMs could actually bring themselves to the same table. For the HEAT – it could leave then in a bit of a bind cap/tax wise after next season – but it’d be worth it.

maestro

Is it possible for the Clippers to move “No hands” Jordan and upgrade at center? I was thinking Nene for Jordan but do not believe Washington would be that foolish. Jordan to Houston for Lee (sign in trade) and Zeller or Leonard. Clippers solve their two guard problem and shed a ton of salary

Stephen Brotherston

I wouldn’t be in too much of a rush to tinker with the Clippers. The young guys will be better next season. The team will have better chemistry – just takes time. Key players won’t be hurt (have to hope)

Clips had a great run, next year should be better – I’d be patient.

Keefe

What do you think of these 2 trades?

To Sac: Derozan, Davis, #8
To Tor: Evans, #5

To suns: Calderon, #8
To Raps: Nash, #13 (separately because nash needs a s&t)

Stephen Brotherston

Make it happen, Capt’n.

calvinzero

Can the Raptors sacrifice (trade)its draft picks for the position that they needed??

Stephen Brotherston

With the changes to the luxury tax rules after next season, there should be 8 teams lined up to try and help the Raptors make unbalanced trades – definitely possible to see real talent on the move for draft picks to save money.

RapsFan

Do you think the Raps will keep the pick and roll the dice on PJ3? If the pick pans out he could seriously change the franchise. Seems to me he is more suited to play the 3

Stephen Brotherston

I would be surprised to see PJ3 in Toronto next season – BUT I’d like to see him workout a bit first before completely dismissing the idea. Workouts at the ACC should start soon.

Rory

Hello Stephen!!! Thank you for the great chat as always. Now with the Raptors holding the 8th pick in the draft, do you still seeing them trading for one of the wing players you identified in your column? or have you heard they will keep the pick and if so whom would you see them targeting? Have you heard of any trade options outside of the Lowry one we heard about last week?

Thank you,

Stephen Brotherston

As Colangelo has said – Every option is on the table – BUT no one they pick at 8th will have any NBA experience!

No new news about deals, trades, FA yet – but there will be

Derek

Raps shouldn’t trade their pick stay the course and draft a good young player and if they feel they need veterans sign one or two they have the cap. I think if lilliard is there at 8 great if not beal Barnes lamb or zeller is good fits and sign maybe a vet like Gerald Wallace if he opts out if possible or Kyle korver or ray Allen or some kind of swing player who can play some d and hit a shot korver and Wallace and lilliard is my dream offseason what do u think they should do stephen

Stephen Brotherston

It would be hard to complain about drafting Lillard (if he is still available), or Beal, Marshall, Barnes, Lamb – the talent in this draft is good.

BUT after 4 years in the lottery, if Colangelo doesn’t at least take a serious hard run at getting a star player off a luxury tax team – Gay, Deng, Smith, …. It will be extremely disappointing.

If the Raps rotation features 2 or 3 rookies plus Ed Davis and DeMar – it’ll back to lottery again next summer – and that’s not acceptable.

Jeff

Hey Stephen, I’m a huge Raps fan. How about this trade, the 8th pick, both 2nd round picks, ED Davis & the rights to Jerryd Bayless, or sign & trade Bayless to memphis for Rudy Gay & Memphis’s 25th pick? Or is more required? In addition, add a young PT guard & a back up 2 guard like C. LEE or Lou Williams to push Demar? With the Addition of JV, playoffs here we come…

Stephen Brotherston

That’s the type of deal the Raps will be trying to swing with the goal of being a playoff team.

Just need 1 team who can’t afford their roster anymore to make it happen.

john

Hey Stephen, does any trade the Lakers make wit Philly put them back into contention realistically?….is iggy really that big a difference maker?

Stephen Brotherston

I can’t see how the Lakers can both solve their 2013 luxury tax issues and remain contenders at the same time in any deal. And trading Gasol in a 1:1 for another player isn’t going to suddenly elevate the Lakers to the Finals either. I think they are stuck.

Raps Fan

Doesn’t it make sense to trade down in the draft? Teams that are ageing might give up a solid vet for a chance to get a bit younger (something the Raps already are). Thoughts?

Stephen Brotherston

Colangelo will do the best deal he can – and teams doing deals to save luxury tax might be willing to dump their pick as part of a deal just to save the money – there’s been grumblings already from tax teams not wanting their late draft picks.

Big O

If Jonas V were drafted this year where (which number – and what city) would he likely go? Would he be considered a good lottery pick in this supposed “high value” draft?

Stephen Brotherston

Jonas would be #2 in the 2012 draft and the Bobcats wouldn’t be upset about not getting #1.

Phil

Do you think it possible that the T-wolves could trade for Courtney Lee and Budinger? Maybe JJ Berea & S/t Beasley. They could add Johnson or the 18Th Pick.
What do you think?

Stephen Brotherston

Don’t think for a minute the Wolves haven’t tried to get C Lee and won’t keep trying.

Mark

Can the raps package the #8 along with ed for Derrick williams? Play him at the 3 and let him shine in TO. I also think that OJ Mayo would help the raps big time, we need to fill out the wings with better players. Derozan should be 6th man. If Williams isnt available how about a pkg for granger, at the end of the game we need someone reliable to take the last shot and we havent got that now.

Stephen Brotherston

Derrick Williams is another combo-forward – Raps have 2 already so just moving Ed creates other problems. Love Mayo’s game – real nice alpha-player the Raps could use. Granger probably isn’t going anywhere this summer.

Christian

Do you think the raptors should draft a PG this draft? The crop doesn’t get any better next year and Calderon is in his last year.

Stephen Brotherston

It’s Lillard, Marshall, trades, or FA for PG options – Dragic is a FA of interest. Calderon is capable if the rest of the roster keeps getting upgrades for now, but Colangelo is looking hard at options

Mark

Grizz wants to shed some cap. How about the raps trading for gay and Tony Allen. Allen would really fit nice with Casey’s Deffensive needs and we’d get the star sf we need. 8th pick, Kleiza, ed davis + trade exception on draft day enough?

Stephen Brotherston

Grizz will be looking at what’s possible to fix their cap issues – but at $3.3m for next season Allen isn’t a part of the problem – he’s part of their solution – cheap and capable. Gay on the other hand has a monster deal.

Matt

Forget whether Toronto has the assets to get Rudy Gay for a moment or whether Memphis is going to trade him. Do you think Colangelo would take on the contract of Rudy Gay? He is a great player but he is not a max money player eventhough that is his contract.

Stephen Brotherston

Colangelo has never shown signs of being afraid to take on money – Jermaine O’Neal for example.

yass

how about Blazers give 6&11 to Boston for Rondo and go after guys like Hibbert or Lopez in free agency.

Stephen Brotherston

Rondo is worth far more than 6 & 11. I wouldn’t trade Rondo for #1. Hibbert isn’t gettable but Lopez might be.

Teddy

What are your thoughts on Dion Waiters? Do you agree with Chad Ford that he is a possibility at 8? Do you know if BC likes him? Provided we do not resign Bayless couldn’t Waiters fill the same role as first guard of the bench?

Stephen Brotherston

I don’t see DW as a possibility at 8 – unless the Raps are picking for someone else. Raps are not looking for a backup PG in the draft.

Andrew

How will the raptors obtain their next starting point guard? package with calderon? package with draft pick? Do we stick with Jose and Bayless this next season?

Stephen Brotherston

Raptors are going hard after a PG in trade or FA – the first choice is not the status quo.

Ian

Hey Stephen!

What do you see the warriors doing on draft night?

Stephen Brotherston

GSW would like a SF – but if they can’t land Barnes, they might be willing to trade up, back or out.

Carlos

Looks like there is a chance that Suns will sign and trade Nash so he can get a better $$$. What kind of return could Suns expect?

Stephen Brotherston

It wouldn’t really be for better dollars unless its a trade to a contender – Suns will want draft pick(s) and young talent they can rebuild with – which usually aren’t available from contenders.
S&T with a team like Toronto who has cap space would be as a favor to the Suns – maybe someone like Bayless, Ed, (maybe Calderon) 2 – 2nd round picks. You can’t give up too much for Nash.

Dale

As much as I like Rudy Gay, I can’t see a situation where his contract ($15M / 4 years) is a fit in Toronto…even if Memphis would send him here for the # 8 and another small asset (like Amir or Ed ). Do you see it differently?

Stephen Brotherston

Gay would never get that contract under the new CBA – that’s why the Raps have a shot at getting him. But Gay would be the best player on Toronto and immediately put them in the middle of the playoff picture – worth it to me.

Clarence

If Toronto brings Nash in as a player/coach will all of his salary be allocated as a pleyer or is it split?

Stephen Brotherston

I don’t think you can do that or every team at the tax level would be doing it. Player salary is 100% player salary even if the player has coaching duties.

Raptors

Please tell me Kyle Lowry is really one of the main targets for the Raps this offseason!? And does Valanciunas have a chance to win ROY?

Stephen Brotherston

A starting Pg is a target – Raps will talk to Rockets about Lowry and Dragic.
Valanciunas with likely be battling with Davis for ROY all season.

Darren

Do you think the Blazers would trade either one or both of their draft picks plus someone like Wesley Matthews for Pau Gasol? They are looking fir a center and he would be able to provide a one two scoring punch with Aldridge. Meanwhile the Lakers would be able to get younger and more athletic while saving money in the deal.

Stephen Brotherston

Blazers would trade picks for Gasol, but Lakers need talent who can play with Kobe next season. Lakers rebuild won’t start until Kobe is done.

Josh

“And with the 4th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select. . .”

Stephen Brotherston

Beal probably

Ap

Gasol and a 1st round pick for Bargnani and kleiza ? maybe aquire World Peace via the Barbosa trade exception?

Stephen Brotherston

Sorry – you don’t trade a older $20m PF for a younger $10m PF who has beaten up on the other team every time they’ve played.

Justin

are there any Raptors who are untouchable in trade scenarios ?
do you think Ed davis has shown us his full potential ? I think he is a big bust and we should trade him with the pick and get a great small forward like a rudy gay

Stephen Brotherston

Raps have no untouchables – except maybe Jonas Valanciunas
Ed has shown us little – we hope to see more, he looked promising in college. Colangelo would have little hesitation in including Ed in a deal that got him the PG or SF he needs.

Carlson

Watching the OKC-SA series makes me want Thabo Sefalosha as a raptor? How do you feel about him and can he be obtained by the raptors and at what price? I do like Danny green as well!

Stephen Brotherston

Thabo Sefalosha is the type of player teams never let get away once they find out what they have. 2 more seasons on a cheap deal = not going anywhere.

The Spurs have enough cap room to keep Green and stay under the luxury tax line if they are careful – another guy who’ll be hard to pry away.

JP

Amir Johnsonor Ed Davis? It’s clear the Raptors have to decide between them this summer. Amir is a better overall player for a team that’s looking to win now but Ed has more potential and a less lucrative contract. Who’d you pick?

Stephen Brotherston

I like Amir for his more mature game – fortunately Davis might just have the better trade value – Raps have cap space to make deals with.

Mike

What kind of realistic offer would it take Colangelo to swing a deal for a guy like rudy gay or iggy?

Stephen Brotherston

Iggy could be tough and I’m not sure you really want a guy with achilles issues. Gay – it’ll be all about the money and the Raps can send back cheap controllable assets and take on salary. The Grizz could then hang onto Mayo – they should be interested if they don’t want a lux tax bill.

James Johnson or DeMar plus the 8th pick solves a lot of money problems for the Grizz

Dominic

Where does DWill end up? Nets seem to have more advantages than the MAVS right now.

Stephen Brotherston

Nets have the edge. I just didn’t like DW “secret plans” comment at All-Star weekend

Homer

If the main addition is the #8 pick, will the Raps be in trouble next season

Stephen Brotherston

Trouble as in not necessarily being a playoff team – I’d agree that the #8 pick is not enough to ensure the playoffs

dino

do you think raptors draft Lamb with 8th pick and shop Demar? I personally think DD isn’t going to help us get to the top.
James Jones @SF is better fit with Lamb @ SG than DD @ SG unless we get good SF.

Stephen Brotherston

Shopping DD is possible – Colangelo has said everything is on the table. And Lamb does look like a high potential SG.

I know how hard Colangelo and Casey have worked to make DD their face-of-the-franchise and they really like his work ethic – But I haven’t seen that next step in DD yet either. Doesn’t mean he can’t or shouldn’t be part of the future and maybe our expectations are just set too high? DD has been improving each season and he is still very young – could easily see a big step up in his game after the summer – this is a contract year after-all.

dino

who will be raptors starting PG for coming season?
Nash? Calderon? Bayless? or someone else?

Stephen Brotherston

It feels like it will be someone else.

But Calderon is a really nice guy – he’ll be missed if they trade him.

Chris

What do you think will happen with Gasol this offseason? Although I usually don’t like trading big for small wouldn’t it be a good move to try and bring in a PG and/or SF and re-sign Jordan Hill?

Stephen Brotherston

Pau Gasol should be moved – it is just going to be tough to do and get back the talent the Lakers want with the cost savings they need. The Lakers will not rebuild with Kobe around so they need talent back – its just teams don’t like to trade talent that’s on a cheap contract.

It really feels like the Lakers are trying to do the impossible – good thing they do have some top managerial talent (still).

charry

Hi Stephen, Hope you are doing well… I just need your opinion about Jeremy Lamb, Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers, Damian Lillard and Kendall Marshall…can you rank them for a possible 8 draft pick? Also, With Raptors second round 37th pick, would you consider Will Barton, Jae Crowder,Doron Lamb or Jared Cunningham? thank you! Have a great day…

Stephen Brotherston

2nd round Doron Lamb at 37 = steal, but there is a ton a decent talent early 2nd round.

Very early personal ranking:
Barnes – way out in front for now
Lamb
Lillard
Marshall
Rivers

But there isn’t much between Lamb, Lillard, Marshall or Rivers – I am intrigued by Marshall, he might be the best of the bunch – high potential he’s been underrated. Raptors need/want a PG

Josh

Would the raps be interested in trading the 8th pick for Al Jefferson? Do you think Lillard would be gone by the 8th?

Stephen Brotherston

Raps are overloaded at the 4/5 and their needs are at PG and wing – Al is a nice player – but a little too expensive and that move requires a couple of more moves by the Raps. Probably not a good use of the pick…

Lillard could go anywhere 6-12, definite maybe – no one has seen enough yet to solidify their draft picks.

Pablo

Would the 6+11 be enough to get Noah? how about 6+Matthews and draft Lamb/Waiters/Lillard/ROss for the 2, or better to try and grab Drummond at 6 and let him develop?

Stephen Brotherston

I doubt you’ll be able to get Noah – not available and not for draft picks.

Drafting Lamb or Lillard at 6 makes sense and Drummond at 11 if he falls – someone probably takes Drummond top 10, but he looks like a project right now.

Jamil

How good do you think JV will be? What is the best player he can become, and what is the worst player he can become ?

Stephen Brotherston

I like Maurizio’s assessment – Tyson Chandler with good hands and feet (an offensive game)
No worst than JaVale McGee – but he doesn’t show any signs of being that undisciplined.

2dogs

I disagree that Robinson’s a future star–too short and somewhat stiff. He will get his shot blocked repeatedly at the next level. Charlotte should trade the 2nd pick to Portland for 6 and 11, esp since Biyombo plays the same position as TR. Your response?

Stephen Brotherston

I think Robinson will be fine in terms of height – we’ll have the official measurements this week though.
Biyombo should be the complementary player to Robinson – defense and offense. + a chance to develop together could prove to be a very dominate pairing over time.

No objection to trading for 6 & 11 – Cats need depth, may as well go all in on the rebuild. Its not like the Cats are making any playoff plans soon even if they had gotten Davis.