NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 7/30/12

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

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  1. Hunter

    In next years free agency there are big names on the market….do you see the wolves taking a shot at James Harden or Bynum??

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to this afternoon’s chat.

      I can see the Wolves wanting to take a run at one of the big names in free agency next summer, but it’s hard to see them being successful. Minny is in a similar position to 2/3rds (or more) of the teams in the league – not a destination an agent really wants his player to end up if there are higher profile alternatives available.

  2. TJ

    Cap quiz questions I can’t answer:

    Why is apron $4m above the lux tax line? Why not at $3.000001m above line so it’s just above the miniMLE?

    Vet being paid $100k above the min counts as what against cap (is it only bare bare min that gets better deal for team cap-wise)?

    If Clips extend Caron by $1 dollar more and one more year is that possible? Ever possible to rework contract amount for future garanteed year to create a smaller per year salary?

    Can one sign and trade CP next year? When, if ever, is this not possible under CBA? ((does this new rule under CBA that is being phased in work as intended do we think?))

    And why not allow teams to combine some specific exceptions with under the cap room? Seems like it would be a nice reward for good salary management?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Most of these salary cap/CBA questions are best asked to Larry Coon during his chat (Friday noon)

      The “hard cap” at $74m is a negotiated level for teams that use their MLE. It is basically a restriction to keep teams from going below the salary cap from continuing to grow payroll beyond that negotiated amount that year. – You’re not looking for logic in a CBA are you?

      THE NBA has had a “subsidy” of sorts for player’s earning the vets min so teams with continue to hire older players instead of just looking at the younger cheaper guys coming into the league. If you can earn more than the vets min – you didn’t need the help getting your job.

      Salaries can be negotiated down (not below the min) on renewal/extensions.

      Next year, several rule changes kick in – we’ll have a better idea of how they will really work after the GMs figure out all the loopholes in the contract language. S&T are already of nominal value.

      It’s too late for changes to the CBA – deal is done until next time – except for ambiguous wording or minor disputes to be worked out as they happen – like the bird rights issue on players picked up off waivers.

  3. Zeeshan

    Please try to answer these as best as you can. thanks!

    1. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that the Bulls amnesty boozer next offseason with such a good FA class??

    2. On a scale 1-10, how likely is it that nikola mirotic joins the Bulls next offseason??

    3. next offseason, are the bulls gonna resign deng or is josh smith their first priority??

    4. if monta ellis decides not to resign with bucks next offseason, what are possible destinations??(specific team(s)

    5. i got the bulls the 5th seed this year. hbu?

    i know most of these questions are on the future of the bulls, but try ur hardest. thanks again..!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Amnesty Boozer – 50/50 – depends how things go this year and who the Bulls can attract in FA next summer. They won’t Amnesty Boozer for no reason.

      I believe my crystal ball is broken when looking at Euros I haven’t talked to.

      Deng still has another year on his deal, Josh Smith will be an UFA – these guys are not really connected. Now if Smith wants to come and would fit in the space Amnestying Boozer created – Smith would be a priority.

      I think Monta needs to be real careful – he should be holding onto that $11m he has guaranteed for next season. I don’t see another 8 figure per year deal for Ellis after this contract.

      Bulls 4-9 – hard to predict. Too many changes to the roster – like a lot of teams this year, can they gel quickly enough so they aren’t out of it before the All-Star break.

      Bulls have enough to make the playoffs – but there is a real risk Rose doesn’t make it back in time to have any impact at all – without Rose, Bulls are better off as a lottery team building for the future.

  4. G

    Wat star u think bulls gonna sign next offseason? Tyreke,Ellis,kmart? Who? Those are a few tho

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Unless the Bulls trade or Amnesty a player with a big contract – Bulls have NO cap space to go after anyone – $58m to 4 guys.

  5. dyrese

    the knicks need a back up pf what players left in the pf slot (free agents) do you think would sign for the veterns minimum?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Like other teams with most of their payroll in a few guys – they need to take a chance in order to get someone who might actually matter. Knicks should take a flyer on (do a sales job on) the much maligned Andray Blatche or the guy who should be better Yi Jianlian – after that there’s always lots of placeholder’s to fill in a roster on min deal.

  6. Mohammad

    Love the chats Stephen..

    Do you think the Wizards can make the playoffs this year? John Wall has a lot of promise and potential to be an elite PG in this league now that he has some proven talent around him. I think he can be an allstar in this league sometime soon. Thoughts?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Do I think they can – Sure 6-14 in the East are all up for grabs. Wiz will be a better team, not necessarily a playoff team, but if everything gels together the veteran presence they added will keep them from falling apart.

      I like Wall’s game a lot. On a good team, Wall is an All-Star now – unlikely on the Wiz next year but that isn’t Wall’s fault. Wiz are finally headed in the right direction, but I hope Wall hasn’t gotten so frustrated by the Journey that he isn’t just quietly waiting to escape.

  7. Gil

    What’s the ceiling for Bynum? If he matures, can he become the next legendary center or take over Dwight’s spot of best center in the league?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Bynum is an offensive force, Howard more of a defensive force – both need to be on the right team to max what they bring. It’s hard to see Bynum passing Howard at the defensive end (assuming Howard’s back is 100%) – but if Howard is used properly offensively, he can impact the game at both ends of the court – giving Howard the long term edge.

  8. GB

    With the addition of Steve Nash, what option is Andrew Bynum offensively? 2,3,4?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      With all the Stars the Lakers have, Bynum should be 3rd option after KB & PG. Really should be 4th after Nash, but Nash will give up good shots to set him up. If Bynum can concentrate on getting open in the post and collecting put-backs, he’ll score lots of points without being a primary option. His defender is going to have to leave him to help guard all the action Nash is creating – this should be a good year for Bynum.

  9. Allan

    Why do people keep saying Dallas has to give help to Dirk in his last few years of “prime” when he is already 35? At the same, people say Kobe is on the decline when he is younger than Dirk and has better stats? Seems contradictory.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Most of us can’t believe Kobe can still shoot straight with all the injuries he’s had – it’s got to impact his ability to score soon – doesn’t it? Kobe just keeps defying the odds – one day things will catch up to him, we just don’t know when? Dirk hasn’t suffered as much yet – no obvious thing that is sitting him down except time.

  10. Raptor Fanatic

    True or false: This the roster Toronto will be rocking come training camp?

    PG: Lowry, Calderon, Lucas
    SG: DD, Ross, Andersen
    SF: Fields, Kleiza
    PF: Bargnani, Davis, Acy
    C: JV, Amir, Gray

    • Stephen Brotherston

      As of right now – that’s what I’ve got.

      It’s possible there’s another deal, but it’s getting less likely with every passing day.

  11. Raptor Fanatic

    Will Jamaal Magloire be back with the Raptors this year?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Jamaal wants to be back, but it should be in a mentor/coach type of role – it’s hard to see the Raptors using a roster spot for him. Jamaal would be a good long term community relations add to the staff as well. He is a good guy, good with the media, good with the fans.

  12. Steve

    What are the raptors missing besides stars? With what additions could we say that the raptors are a playoff type team?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      A backup PG of the future. There is not a fit for one unless Calderon is moved and this could wait until we know if Calderon wants to be the long term backup in Toronto – he does have a good 5 years left in his career if he wants to stay here.

      The Raptors make some good additions – they will score more easily than last season and should be better defensively – if injuries don’t overrun the team again, they have a good chance at 8th – lots of unknowns still in the East

  13. Chris

    What’s the likelihood of the Dwight Howard drama ending in a trade scenario something like this?

    ORL gets: 2 out of the 4 Rockets rookies (J. Lamb & D. Montejunas or another combo), C. Parsons, K. Martin, J. McRoberts, Toronto’s 2013 1st round pick, 1-2 other draft picks, & filler expiring minimum contracts from Houston

    HOU gets: A. Bynum, Q. Richardson, S. Blake

    LAL get: D. Howard, C. Duhon, J. Richardson

    This may be the best the Magic can do. Is this even too much to ask at this point?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s sort the idea that keep getting suggested – but Houston will resist the garbage they don’t want if they have to pay this much. Less garbage back = better assets going out. More salary they don’t want = fewer picks/rookies

  14. Richard

    Hi Stephen,

    Letting Bayless walk seems to be a head scratcher. I was left drooling at the thought of a Lowry/Bayless tandem holding down the point. I just don’t understand why Colangelo would let him walk. Even if he wasn’t starting, Bayless has the opportunity to be a major contributer. James Harden, Jamal Crawford, and Manu Ginoblli come to mind as incredible 6th man contributors. Bayless appeared to genuinely want to be in Tdot, and didn’t even command a large salary with the Grizzlies (not to mention he wont start there either) meaning it wouldn’t of broken the bank to keep him. I really feel this is a move that will come back to bite us. What are your thoughts on letting Bayless walk?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Bayless was only going to be happy as a starter – Colangelo & Casey didn’t see him that way. They couldn’t get a bite on S&T deals so they had to let him walk.

      Bayless has potential to be very good in the right situation – unfortunately for him – 1) he kept getting hurt, 2) he wasn’t as good as Jose.

      I’ll miss him. He was a good kid, a good talent.

  15. Blake Upham

    Why is it that no sports writers are talking about Jonas Valuncunious in the ROY race? Yet I’ve read so many articles saying many believe he’d be number 2 in this years draft.

  16. Blake Upham

    Do you think Tyreke Evans would be an upgrade over Demar Derozen? Why or why not?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Evans came into the league with more skill and a higher upside than DeRozan – that’s still true.

  17. Charlie

    People keep saying that teams in the Top 5 will regret not selecting Damian Lillard after he dominated Summer League. Looking at the past draft, I see no team that would change what they did. Question: Do you think a team in the Top 5 is regretting not taking Lillard. And which player in the top 5 would you personally replace with Damian?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No one regrets anything after Summer League unless your guy has a career threatening injury.

  18. BC

    Regardless of wins and losses for the Raps this season, has Colangelo done enough to earn a contract extension?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Colangelo for President (of the Raptors). He’s a good boss. I like the team’s direction better now that he has more help – Ed Stefanski.

  19. Kai

    Do you think JL3 is capable of being a reliable back up PG on a full time basis?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      JL3 for 12 minutes a night – probably fine. I’d want another PG on the roster though.

  20. Tyler Bean

    What is your overall opinion Demar Derozan? It seems to me that he is just an average SG and not really stepping up in term of scoring. Yes he is athletic etc etc etc, but is he a true SG that can put up 20 a game? Dont think so.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      We haven’t seen it yet – but this is DeMar’s time to prove he can be the guy the team keeps saying he will become. I have my reservations too – the hope is he’s a young guy and the switch just hasn’t flipped yet – but it will now?

  21. Mac Miller

    Hi Stephen. There are few people who believe the Lakers are already a better team than OKC, in my opinion they are one good shooter away (Meeks, Barbosa or Delfino) of making the finals. What’s your view on this?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers will rise or fall on what they have now. A shooter would help – but it had better be a player who can stay hot with few minutes and inconsistent playing time – those guys are hard to find.

      If OKC stays the same – LAL might have passed them, but OKC is probably better than last season.

  22. JM

    Hi,
    Do you see Lowery as a big upgrade over Calderon? And are there any plans to play the 2 of the together for stretches?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry = better defender, better slasher, more aggressive, similar shooter – significant upgrade to run a pressure/ quicker offense

      Calderon = more controlled, less willing to score, looks to pass more – great change of pace off the bench behind Lowry.

      Could play them together against small guard lineups – ball pressure defense, Calderon gives you a 2nd ball handler, 3-pt threat to spread the floor – a zone buster offense, but not for long stretches.

  23. Jeff

    Did the Raptors make an effort for AK47? Seems like he would have fit in perfectly.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raps did not have the cap space to go for AK47 and would not amnesty Calderon to get him.

  24. Jeff

    Raps said they are likely not done this off season. Are you hearing any rumors?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No rumors. Alan Anderson pending is it for now.
      Calderon won’t likely be in play unless/until a team needs a PG due to injury.

  25. Jeff

    Did the Raptors maintain their “Rights” to Sonny Weems in the future, should he come back to the NBA from CSKA? Thanks.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Raps withdrew their Qualifying Offer to Weems and have used all of their cap space, so its a safe bet they have renounced his bird rights too.

  26. mapple drink

    Any chance the spurs try to get calderon as a back up pg/sg?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      A chance, sure but Spurs don’t really have anything the Raps are looking for that they would trade.

  27. Kushagr Sharma

    WHat is Toronto going to do with 4 Power Forwards. I thought they would trade Ed Davis by now

    • Stephen Brotherston

      No rush to do anything this early – Raps have an appropriate number of big men at the moment.

  28. championman

    Who will have a better career Lamb or Ross

    • Stephen Brotherston

      As with many young guys who have an NBA skill – both Lamb and Ross can shoot – it depends on the team/coach they start off with. Ross fits in well with Casey & Colangelo always insists his rookies get playing time – bodes very well for Ross. Lamb doesn’t even know for sure what roster he’ll be on in Oct.

      Early advantage goes to Ross – nothing to do with either guys actual skill set.

  29. Garrett

    The kings getting Aaron brooks actually helps jimmer right?
    He no longer has to play backup pg and can get back to playing more like his days at byu. Am I missing something or are the kings gonna have a very good bench with Isaiah, jimmer, hopefully thornton, salmons, Hayes, Robinson?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Jimmer (might) just have lost his spot in the rotation – young guys who don’t get minutes aren’t long for this league.

  30. Garrett

    Why doesn’t Demarcus cousins get more respect as a top center in the league? It seems to me that he’s easily the third best center. Everyone talks about his attitude but he hasn’t even been that bad and he was basically perfect with Keith smart as a coach. Bynum definitely has a worse attitude right? No one talks about that though, you dont see cousins taking cheap shots at jj barea.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Attitude issues get overlooked if you team is doing well and attitude issues are overblown if your team can’t make the playoffs.

  31. Justin bieber

    How did Jonas Valancinuas do yesterday?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      6/5 in 14 minutes – Valanciunas gets pulled way to quickly by his coach. He’s their best center option, but his coach still treats him like a rookie.

  32. Anthony

    Will the bucks start the season with 5 pfs??? Do u think monta will resign??

    • Stephen Brotherston

      If the Bucks can’t get another center, you use what you got.
      Ellis has a $11m ETO for next season, he’ll be back (if he isn’t traded)

  33. JM

    What do you think going to be the effect of Calderon getting traded/getting less minutes on the Raptors bigs?
    AJ was is most effective playing P&R with Calderon, and from what ppl say JV is exactly the same? Will they be as effective without a PG that can run the P&R?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lowry can run a PnR and be a bigger offensive threat off it himself – it will be different, but it should still be effective.

      As with any big change, we don’t really know for sure until it’s implemented – Lowry was very effective with the Rockets

  34. Johnny

    Do you think that Damian Lillard can one day be a superstar in the NBA?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      We all tend to look at summer league results and try to project out from there – it’s a fools game. Summer League is exhibition mostly with guys who will never make a NBA team. Preseason is exhibition where the veteran’s often aren’t trying. Regular season is tough – playoffs are much tougher and Lillard hasn’t even played in preseason yet.

      Could Lillard become a superstar – sure it’s possible, but as of right now there is no way to know. He does look like he has the potential to become an NBA starting guard – he has natural talent that can make him a star if he figures out how to use it – many, many guys never do, but Lillard should be fun to watch as a rookie – he has a chance.

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

  35. JM

    Thanks for the answer!
    Going back to the Lowry Calderon lineup – Lowery will expect his 33 min a game, which leaves 15 min a game for Calderon.
    Since he is a pro, I can see him being willing to come of the bench and play 25 min a game if the team is winning..but there’s no way he will be happy with 15.
    So unless Casey can get creative, I don’t see it working.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Calderon plays 20 min for his National team and loves it – we haven’t seen this in Toronto, but it’s possible. If Calderon believes the team is better (i.e. a playoff team) with Lowry playing 32-36 minutes, he might just go along. It seems like a bit of a long shot, but Calderon shouldn’t rock the boat too much – he can always go back to Spain after the season and enjoy the good life there if he wants the limelight – not something he seems to need.

      We won’t really get a good feel for this until after training camp starts.

  36. Johnny

    Where do you see the Blazers finishing next season?
    And when do you think they could be a LEGIT threat again?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      The West is going to be tough again this year. Portland is good enough to fight for a playoff spot, but 6-12 are really up for grabs. Legit threat – after 2 more seasons, the Spurs & Lakers should be in transition and teams that are ready should be able to take advantage – Blazers have a good record of team building.