NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 6/25/12

manuel

Hi Stephen,
Most of the mock draft shows that Toronto taking Lamb at#8. My question is do you think is he going to be like a sixth man or a starter for the raptors. Also all the web site I checked has compare him to Regi Miller and yet everybody says he is laid back. I thought Miller was fearless. Do you think it is a fare comparison, if not who do you think J. Lamb’s game similar to in the NBA?
thank you

Stephen Brotherston

Welcome to today’s 3pm Chat

With all the rumors about the draft and possible trades heating up, this could be the busiest draft day in years.

Lamb has been on my most likely at 8th for quite a while and he will be a good NBA player. Unless the Raptors make other moves, Lamb would be coming off the bench behind DeRozan – but Lamb will push DD as Lamb is the better natural shooter (way better) and defender (TBD). DeRozan has 3 years of NBA experience that should help him keep Lamb coming off the bench for this year at least.

Kevin Martin is a very good NBA comparable for Lamb – Hopefully Lamb becomes the better defender.

Don’t be surprised if that’s Houston picking 8th on the 28th instead of Toronto.

Freddie

Valanciunus is almost upon us. Do you see him and Bargnani playing well together?

Stephen Brotherston

Valanciunas likes to play inside and physical, Bargnani outside with more finesse – a good pairing.

KevinC

Stephen,
As the draft approaches, what new rumblings are you hearing in Raptorland with regards to free agents, trades or potential # 8 picks?

Stephen Brotherston

Strongest rumbling is the #8 for Lowry and it makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Chris

Are the Raptors considering trading for Iguodala

Stephen Brotherston

That is the one move I see as least likely as it would be a straight up basketball trade for both teams – in a NBA world of new finance under this new CBA, moves are more likely to solve cap problems.

Iguodala is a good player who could help a lot of teams including the Raptors – but Colangelo is looking to leverage his cap space to get a deal slanted Toronto’s way talent-wise. 76ers don’t have cap issues.

Newmarket Brian

Any word slipped out from Colangelo’s Cone of Silence about using some of his precious “financial flexibility” on free agents? I’d really really to see Gerald Wallace wearing Raptor red next season.

Stephen Brotherston

Wait a day (or 2) – words of wisdom from Colangelo before the draft are expected soon. He’s been careful not to let too much slip at the workouts – sending Ed Stefanski out to talk to us media types instead.

We’ve seen way too many 2nd round types at these workouts lately – read into that one!

Devonte

dwight howard to the thunder would make them better than the heat right?

Stephen Brotherston

Hard to argue – but I think the Thunder like their team chemistry right now and will be reluctant to break that up.

The JOkeShow

Do you think that NOLA would trade #10 for Milsap straight up? The Jazz could use the pick on Marshall, I think the Jazz need a pure point guard then a shooter.

Stephen Brotherston

NO can’t draft a player at 10 who will be better for sure than Milsap so they’d have to listen. Marshall would look good on the Jazz – they need someone to set up all those bigs.

Aaron

Do you expect Jonas Valanciunas to start for the Raptors from Day 1? If not When?
Is he Really a Franchise Center and if so WHY?

Stephen Brotherston

Valanciunas could win the starting center job for the Raptors – they don’t have a better center on the roster.

Its going to depend on Casey – Amir Johnson is safer to start and let Jonas work against 2nd unit guys until he gets his feet wet.

Jonas has the potential to be a franchise center – The Raptors believe he would go at 2 in this year’s draft – I agree. Classic reasons – size, length, speed, skill, very coachable, natural leader on the floor

captain barbell

Do u see darius morris and goudelock being productive nba solid vets? Whats the ceiling on this kid nolan smith?

Stephen Brotherston

I interviewed Goudelock when he was in Toronto – He is the classic case of a young guy on a team with Finals aspirations not being given a chance to develop. He looked good when the Lakers let him play AND the Lakers would have been better off losing a few more games and giving Goudelock more minutes during the season – for the playoffs and next season.

I did not get the same impression of Morris – BUT the Lakers never really gave him enough of a shot either.

If the Lakers are not going to invest playing time into their young guys development – they are better off selling their draft picks and bringing in min salary vets.

Lakers are doing their best to ruin the career of Josh McRoberts – who was a very promising young player in Indiana – guys don’t get better by watching, they get worse.

Nolan Smith barely played for the Trailblazers last year – just have to wait. Picks in the 20s aren’t usually expected to do much as rookies.

John Hawkes

How much better would the Thunder be if they replaced Durant with someone with a pair of balls like Dirk Nowitzki or Kevin Love?

Stephen Brotherston

Wow, that’s harsh.

For the last couple of seasons – sure a veteran All-Star like Dirk will do more for you in the playoffs than a 23-year-old who hasn’t been there before – BUT you certainly would not want the 34-year-old Dirk instead of the 23-year-old Durrant on your team – there is such a thing as next year.

Love is a good player but he does not have the skill set Durrant does or the ability to takeover a game like Durrant can.

Thunder would not be “better” with either of these players instead of the league’s leading scorer.

JP

1-Is it possible to get the 2# pick to select Beal trading Derrick Williams and the 18# pick? Would you do it?
2-Which would be your choice to fill the small forward position if so? Gerald Wallace, Batum?
3-Would it be also possible to lure Illyasova to have a 3 big minutes big man rotation (and with some minutes to TOlliver)?
4-What would you do if you are Kahn?

Stephen Brotherston

Williams & #18 will not get you the #2 this year.

I want a SG in Minny.

Minny doesn’t need Ilyasova

Kahn should be looking for a SG – See about a s&t with Houston for Courtney Lee or take a run at OJ Mayo.

mel

with all the options out, draft,free agents, trade in yuor opinion what is the absolute best case scenario if you had your way, mine is trade for rudy gay, sign nash,

Stephen Brotherston

Rudy Gay & Nash to Toronto would be a great scenario

Issues are the pending sale of the Grizz makes deals tough to do in the near term.

Nash is mostly likely to return to Phoenix – not that the Raptors aren’t be interested, but the Lowry rumor to Toronto would take the Raptors out of the picture for Nash.

Blake Upham

Any truth to the Rockets looking at either Raps or Kings for trade into the top 10? The Kings likely have the edge cuz they wouldn’t need Lowry in return am I correct? Lowry has been on my for the Raps since hearing his frustration with McHale. What are the odds you think Raps have to getting this done?

Stephen Brotherston

The rumors have legs – but the Raps have a lot of irons in the fire so no guarantees.

The fact Lowry made it public he had issues with McHale gives everything we are hearing that important boost of creditability.

Mike

Hey Stephen,
I hear that the Rockets are looking to move up from 14 and 16 for 2 picks in the top 10 and have had positive responses from the Kings and Raptors about the availability of their picks. Can the Raptors get Kyle Lowry out of this deal? the 8th plus an ed/amir for Lowry and the 14/16 would more than make my day come draft night. However, I am more than a little worried that the Kings will demand Lowry and their 5th pick would obviously take priority over the 8th. Would the raps make the trade without getting a pick back in return? leaving the 14 and 16 as a base for a deal with Sac, Would Sac even consider that? Maybe a 3 team trade with the Raps sending a player to Sac is required for the raps to come away with Lowry?
Raptors get Lowry
Kings get #14, #16 and 1 or 2 of Ed/amir/jj/calderon
Rockets get #5, #8
I’d like to hold onto Jose’s expiring contract but maybe its necessary in order to obtain Lowry?
Sorry I know I have thrown a lot of scenarios and moving parts in there, but any thought, ideas, or scenarios? Thanks

Stephen Brotherston

There is a lot of moving parts if the Raptors get this deal for Lowry done.
It should be as simple as #8 for Lowry – but the Raptors will be looking to move Jose if this goes down – they still want a SF.

Devonte

jeremy lin cant bring the toughness at the point guard position like they would want him to, hes more suited as a back up point guard do you think they have recognized that and will try to fill that position with a starter either through free agency or the draft?

Stephen Brotherston

Lin progressed well under duress as a starter last season and NY really doesn’t have the space or the assets to go after a better PG – unless someone is willing to come for a below market deal – can’t count on that.

There are some PG in the 2nd round who could do a decent backup job on the cheap

Devonte

when you look at tyshawn taylor’s game do you think he can be a legit starter at the point guard position or even maybe a all-star point guard he can pretty much do anything you need him to shoot, pass, defend, rebound

Stephen Brotherston

Tyshawn has a ways to go before he’d be a starter in the NBA, but he does have good skills at both ends of the floor and would be a decent guy to use as a backup and see how he progresses. If he puts in the work and adapts to the speed of the NBA game – he has starter potential. He is a good pickup in this draft, just don’t rush him.

Devonte

Eric Gordon is a restricted free agent, is he going to stay with the hornets or is his looking to go to a contender?

Stephen Brotherston

Eric is a RFA if NOH issue a QO (they will) = not going anywhere.

john

hi Stephen, how are u doing??
is there a chance that D12 will play for the Bulls next season. What about D12 and Hedo T. for Deng and Noah and the charlotte pick? Magic get a replacement for D12 and a top SF, a potential top10 pick and don´t have to pay Hedos big contract! your thoughts??

Stephen Brotherston

Not a big chance of D12 going to Chicago, but its possible – the Bulls have the assets the Magic couldn’t ignore.

If its my team, there is no way I trade for Howard without getting his name on an extension.

Devonte

is o.j. mayo the solution for the knicks at SG hes athletic to guard a Dwayne wade and still be effective on offense with the ability to create his own shot off the dribble and 3pt shooting?

Stephen Brotherston

Mayo is a solution for any team that needs a SG – what exactly do the Knicks have to trade for him? NY is well over the cap.

Devonte

do you see a flaw in deron williams wishes staying with the nets or going to the mavs wont assure u a championship ring i think he should go somewhere like the lakers

Stephen Brotherston

It’s a salary cap world ruled by the CBA, Deron can only go where the rules permit. Unless the Lakers can entice the Nets with a s&t deal, Deron can’t go there – Lakers don’t have a lot of different pieces to offer and really nothing the Nets would rather have than Williams. Not an easy route to go.

Christian

How real are these Kyle Lowry and #16 pick to Toronto for #8 rumors?

Stephen Brotherston

There is something going on between Toronto & Houston – but its only part of bigger plans so its a wait and see.

Brown Hornet

Stephen…What’s the wordon the Raps man? Hearing Houston may do something with them and Nash is considering Toronto. tense times for the Raps Brass I’m sure.

Stephen Brotherston

Real tense – fun to watch

Christian

Who would be the better fit Nash or Lowry?

Stephen Brotherston

Nash next year, Lowry next 5 years. Got to go with Lowry, even though it would be great to watch Nash play in Toronto for the next 2-3 seasons.

Christian

If raptors keep the #8 pick. Do you still see Lamb as the favorite?

Stephen Brotherston

If the Raps are drafting for themselves (and Barnes is gone), Lamb is it. Casey wants a Shooter – none better than Lamb in this draft.

jayjay

I don’t get what the Cavs are doing if they trade 2 & 24 to Bobcats for #2. last year they pick Tristan over a more talented JonasV, in part because he was friends with Kyrie. Now all they have to do is stay put and pick either Barnes or MKG, talented players and friends of Kyrie, and instead they want Beal. Seems to me they committed to a strategy and have to carry it out (unless they have the ability to buy back into the 1st round). Do you agree?

Stephen Brotherston

I think the Cavs should hold their ground and make the Cats take #2. If the Cats take Beal, trade them #4 at the draft – the Cats want Robinson and by trading picks, they’ll save money and stick the Cavs with the higher rookie salary. Works better than giving up the #24 pick. We’ll see who blinks on draft night.

Andy

Steve Kyler, Jonathan Givony both believe it WAS the Raps who made a promise to Dion Waiters. He is an exciting prospect. Wouldn’t mind seeing Nash groom his PG skills.

Stephen Brotherston

When Steve Kyler and Bill Ingram got back from the Combine, they said Colangelo denied the Raptors had given Waiters a promise. I have been at every draft workout in Toronto – Waiters has not been in Toronto – seems unlikely the Raptors are planning on drafting him.

Tasos

Hi Stephen from Greece,

LA:Gooden+Udric+Mbah a Moute
MIL:Gasol

Milwaukee can re-sign Ilyasova and play near Gasol and Lakers takes 3 good players. thanks!

Stephen Brotherston

I like it – can’t see the Lakers doing any better.

Richard

Hi Stephen,

Last week when asked which small forward trade target the raptors should focus on you stated Luol Deng to be the best option. Curious choice given that Deng has made it clear he will not under go his needed wrist surgery until after the Olympics and therefore miss at least a month or more of the start of the season. Why do you think he is the best trade target when better options such as Iggy, Gay, or to a lesser extent Josh Smith may be attainable given our current assets?

Stephen Brotherston

Because Deng is waiting for his surgery, he’ll be cheaper and easier to acquire. There is an element of risk with an injured player, but as long as the trade doesn’t cost too much, Deng fits with what the Raptors need.

Gay would be great – not confident the Grizz can get anything done now until the team is sold – flags coming up on the sale process.

Raps only need one team looking for salary cap relief to get a deal done – I do like the possibility of a bit of a steal with Deng at the moment.

daniel.n

what do u think the bulls do this offseason? dwight howard? trade deng? or stay put and dn’t do nothing but wait it for rose return.

Stephen Brotherston

If the Bulls stay true to form – they fix their cap issues this season = getting their salary commitments down and getting ready for Rose to come back with an improved roster a year from now.

JP

Last question:

Rubio, C Lee/ Mayo (?), G Wallace/Batum/Josh Smith (?), Love, Pekovic
Barea, Ridnour, D WIlliams (mayor minutes), Tolliver, Fab Melo

1/2 players away from being a serious contender or just experience away?

Stephen Brotherston

Minny is a young team and young teams usually don’t contend right away even if they have the talent. Minny will rely on Rubio to make everything work – no matter what other moves get made.

Jason

Is there a good chance Camby, Oden and one of Allen/Hill/Crawford sign with the heat?

Stephen Brotherston

Yes.
HEAT will attract older veterans and guys coming off injury that could be considered long shots to come back. The HEAT can’t offer much money – but they will have no trouble convincing players that they are a contender.

Maya

After Barbosa had been traded, Colangelo has been gloating about how much flexibility he had before July 1 as a result of that move. Do you think he’s going to actually do anything with it?

Stephen Brotherston

I expect a busy draft day for Toronto

Charry

Hi! Stephen… would you prefer to have Lowry than Steve Nash? Granting that Raptors would land any of the two all star pointguard, do you think its best for them to hire gerald wallace? Whom do you prefer the Raptors hire at Small forward? Thank you for your time and opinion… I only want the best for Raptors..

Stephen Brotherston

I think Lowry would be a good PG for the long term in Toronto. Nash would generate a lot of ticket sales and he’s the better PG today – but for how long?

Not a fan of Wallace – good player but injury issues.

At SF – I like Gay & Deng for instant impact. Barnes would be a real nice pickup if the Raps could find a way to draft him.

Robert

If the Rockets can get Dwight Howard, do you think they can lure Deron Williams to Houston too? There 31 million under the cap so it might be possible.

Stephen Brotherston

If the Rockets get Howard, the next step had better be to get his buddy or this could be a very short term rental.

Jeff

Please tell me there’s some hope for NYKnicks…Any news about any posisble players coming in via, trades, draft, or free agent? What are you hearing?

Stephen Brotherston

I hear nothing – remarkably quiet, usually there are at least some really stupid rumors out there about the Knicks by now.

rexdaleraptor

Hey steve what do you think about amir johnson’s contract? I think he is way too overpaid.. Ed davis can do the same job he does for a better bargain

Stephen Brotherston

Ed might be able to do the same job as Amir next season if he progresses as the team hopes.

Amir has the usual contract for the energy big man in the NBA. Bigs get paid a lot – everyone in the league gets paid a lot. It’s not an unmovable contract.

zx

If the Raps do get Lowry, what happens to Calderon?

Stephen Brotherston

Jose would be on the market – and Colangelo would probably have a deal already in his pocket

Zach

Harden and Ibaka for Dwight should at least be offered right (plus whatever fillers)

Stephen Brotherston

I only even think about trading for Howard if he has signed an extension – who needs that circus in their town?

Right now, I’m thinking I’d keep Harden & Ibaka anyway. (not equal talent but better depth & way fewer headaches)

mark

If you were the bobcats who would you draft and do you think any free agents would go there ?

Stephen Brotherston

Cats should draft Robinson and shouldn’t even talk to a FA above the MLE for another year or 2

MyKings :(

Sammy D. back to the Kings…no way!

Stephen Brotherston

Could happen – Sammy has a non-guaranteed deal – but I agree it doesn’t make basketball sense.

Dirt Squirrels

What’s the better, or more likely trade deal for the Raps? To get Lowrey, Iguodala, Gay, or Deng? And hopefully Nash signs outright.

Stephen Brotherston

Rank players? Gay, Deng, Lowry, Iggy

Gay – The Grizz may be tied up with this ownership change for a while.
Deng – might miss the first 20 games next season because of his wrist
Lowry – good point guard – ready to go
Iggy – I see the 76ers as a tough team to cut a deal with + Iggy has some Achilles issues.

No one said this was going to be easy or clear cut.

Alex

Do you think Miami heat will repeat ?

Stephen Brotherston

A repeat is always tough – even though the Odds-Makers favor the HEAT today, too much can happen between now and next April for anyone to really know.

HEAT will be a contender at the start of the season.

john

Ive heard the rumors of Nash to Raptors, is that via FA or sign and trade. What have you heard about the Suns draft and FA rumors. Hope Childress gets amnesty.

Stephen Brotherston

Nash is an UFA – Nash decides his own destiny and could ask the team he wants to join to do a s&t as a favor to him.

Main story out of Phoenix is they want to keep Nash.

Weston

Will the Lakers make a push to move up into the 1st round? And if so what player would they draft?

Stephen Brotherston

There will likely be a 1st round pick they can buy for cash – and if they do it, LAL will have succeeded in dumping Luke Walton’s $5.8m salary on the Cavs and buying the equivalent pick for $3m – genius.

Based on past history – the Lakers will draft some poor sod who will never get off the bench and be out of the league in 2 years – I hope not but…..

Andy

if the raps do trade the 8 pick with houston for lowry, do you think they would use say calderon, ed davis and either the #14 or #16 pick to charlotte for the #2 pick?

Stephen Brotherston

I’d try to get the #2 pick for that – but the Cats would be nuts to move back further than 5th in the draft. They need that potential star player.

Lateak

Do the knicks get the number 2 seed next year chicago is hurt, we r better then indiana wen heathly so y not

Stephen Brotherston

Can we wait until the dust settles on FA and the draft first?

Dan

Follow-up on an earlier question: is there any way Minny could move up to #2 in the draft considering they have:
-Williams
-#18 in 2012
-2 picks in 2013
-Non-guaranteed contracts to say take on Tyrus Thomas

Stephen Brotherston

Nothing says commitment like taking on someone else’s bad contract when you are making a deal. But I think the Cats need a potential big time player out of this draft and that’s not likely at 18.

charry

Hi Stephen, hope you could answer my questions. I just love to know your opinion about Raptors scenario regarding draft, Free Agency and trades that will help them to be a better team. Thank you for your time…

Stephen Brotherston

Colangelo created all this flexibility to make trades first. The draft and FA are like the backup plans.

Colangelo wants a PG and a SF – best rumor with legs is Lowry for #8. Deng is definitely in play but without a clear direction yet. This will be a busy week.

Brandon

Greeting Stephen from the east coast of Canada.

All the talk the past week seems to be around the draft and trades associated with the draft, but free agency is also just around the corner, who do you see the raps targeting in the offseason since the have the cap room to pick up some more talent.

Stephen Brotherston

Whether the Raps make a move in FA will hinge on deals around the draft – better than even chance the Raps use up that salary cap space making trades.

2dogs

Whould Toronto trade ED to the C’s for one or both 1st round picks? I haven’t seen Davis since his North Carolina days. I seem to remember a big, athletic guy, one who could run with Rondo. Would that be a good trade for both teams?

Stephen Brotherston

Ed still has more value than a draft pick in the 20s. Toronto would only acquire another 1st round pick if they had traded away their own, but this isn’t enough for Ed.

Martin

I have some questions about the Cavs. I really love the post-Lebron Cavaliers and wonder if management will re-sign Alonzo Gee? I certainly hope so. How about Anthony Parker. I love the idea of a veteran like Parker returning to play beside Irving next season. Also, do you have any concerns over Kidd-Gilchrist’s jump shot?

Stephen Brotherston

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

I really like what the Cavs did over the past 2 seasons – buying draft picks has accelerated what could have been a very long re-build – patience is still required but in a year from now, the Cavs will be ready to bust out.

Expect the Cavs to re-sign Alonzo – good kid who at the very least is a valuable trade asset.

Parker could return as a “player-coach” but at 37, Parker’s career is really done. Good guy to hire as an assistant coach instead – a solid person.

Not concerned about MKG. Cavs have seen all the top prospects work out and should take the guy they like best – this is a long term investment, not a short term fix. Get the guy you believe fits with your organization. Beal, Barnes, MKG, Robinson will all be good pros – low risk picks.