NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 3/13/12

Stephen Litel will stop by to answer your questions on March 13, 2012 at 8:00pm EST. Get those questions in now.

  1. Joe DiRosa

    Stephen,

    Here is a trade scenario that i think works.. Knicks trade Carmelo and Tyson to Orlando for Dwight, Hedo and Q-Rich..

    Knicks save face by turning all the fuss into Dwight who would be able to run Dantoni’s offense and Hedo & QRich will fit in as well..

    Orlando gets Carmelo to sell tickets as well as a great center replacement for dwight..

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi everyone! Welcome to this week’s chat…a lot of stuff to discuss, so let’s get right to it. If I don’t get to your question, hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel.

      Hi Joe,

      Well, there you go. You have it all figured out and should be a GM! I’ll tell you what though…I don’t think it happens. Dwight sure seems as if he wants to be the face of a team…would he want to share the spotlight with Amare and Linsanity? I don’t think so.

  2. Marvelous Marv

    Hey S&L,

    Everyone is down on Melo (and there’s some basis for that), but Stat looks like he’s on the decline. No lift or quickness — so we’re paying $20M for his defense and leadership (a lot of words and no action to back it up).

    Putting aside the contract insurance issue who should go Melo or Stat?

    Bucks = Get Stat and J Jordan
    Atl = Get Bogut and Beno
    NYK = Get J Smith and Hinrich (send to LA for picks)

    Melo it’s your team now!!

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Marvelous Marv,

      I’ll tell you what…I’m going to surprise you some with my answer. Neither should go…both should stay.

      I know fans are down on both players some this year and, as you mentioned, there is some validity to it. However, I believe you have to give them a REAL training camp together and a normal off-season, which they didn’t get this past year. The question should be…who will be their coach next season?

  3. Wilson

    Stephen, would an Okafor for Nocioni & filler + the rights to swap drap picks (benefitting the Sixers) be a good deal for both teams.

    New Orleans sheds major salary and doesn’t have to completely give up a first rounder, Philly gets a decent defensive big man who expires when the rest of our big money contracts do.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Wilson,

      No, it wouldn’t. Horrible deal for Philly. Pass.

  4. Chris

    Hi Stephen. So what’s Dwight real reason for not including the Bulls on his list? From what I can gather, Addidas is promising a fatter new deal if he signs in NYC, Dallas, and LA and he wants to be the best player on the team. Don’t see why that trumps teaming with the MVP and COY and winning multiple titles in Chicago and becoming a legend…BUT that’s just me.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Chris,

      I think Dwight is caught up in the thought of the bright lights of NYC when the Nets move to Brooklyn. He wants to be the King of NY.

      I agree with you…if he was more about winning games, he would have Chicago on his list.

  5. andrew

    The cavs n not just kyrie are proving they are a legitimate contender(beating houston denver and oklahoma in a row) but its obvious they can not go best of 7 with the likes of any serious team. With them deciding to push for that 8th seed, do u see them making any moves before the deadline? If it aint broke dont fix it, especislly with only a month n a half left right? Also, what about next season? Theres a lot of free space in2013, do u see them using kyrie as incentive to grab some f.a.’s or do they trade for picks n keep pulling from the draft??

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Andrew,

      With Cleveland, I’d say keep it as it is. There are a lot of good pieces to build with there, so just keep going. Playoff experience is valuable to a young team, even if it’s a first round exit. There are a lot of players out there who would love to play with Kyrie after seeing what he can do this year, especially with how young he is…so you can get free agents to come there.

  6. Frank

    If lakers really want a good point guard, what do you think about a trade centered around Brandon Jennings and ilyasova to lakers for gasol and Steve Blake

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Frank,

      Because the offer you just proposed has the Lakers giving up way too much. Also, because the Bucks have said Jennings isn’t going anywhere.

  7. HoBo

    Hi Stephen, Cav fan here. Just heard a rumor that NOLA would trade Okafor and a 1st rd pick to Cleveland for Jamison. I’d do that in a heartbeat if I were Cleveland. What are the chance of that happening?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi HoBo,

      If this rumor is true, I would do it if I were Cleveland. There would be some duplication on their roster adding Okafor to the mix, but that first round pick is valuable. Chances of it happening? 30/70.

  8. EMAN

    Wats up Stephen, I have a concern with a question, Why don’t the Lakers trade for Rondo, the ball-handling guard Mitch Kup wants? I understand you have to have equal talent, but they have a chance to get great talent PG in Rondo with maybe K. Garnett throw-in with or some draft picks? With the trade exception you can get a pretty solid player off the bench.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi EMAN,

      I wouldn’t say the Lakers ever had a real shot at landing Rondo. Yes, his name came up briefly, but you have to remember this as well…the Lakers and Celtics aren’t very fond of each other and it’s not every day you see a trade between those two teams.

  9. calvinzero

    What is da latest in felton/blake trade? In Sessions?..

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi calvinzero,

      There haven’t been a lot of talks about Felton/Blake for a while. I think that Sessions has a better shot at landing in LA, but doubt that deal gets done either.

  10. josh

    what do you think about a Tyreke Evans,john salmons and jason thompson to boston for rondo and allen..

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi josh,

      I think Sacramento would be dumb to make that deal.

  11. Aaron

    I have to say Stephen that if Dirk were black, people would be giving him more respect for what he did last postseason. I’d still take him on one leg over any power forward to win a title THIS SEASON, what about you?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Aaron,

      I’m not sure who you think is disrespecting Dirk in any way, but if you’re around people who think he’s a bum or something…they don’t know basketball. It has nothing to do with race…Dirk can and always could play the game of basketball. Dude is a stud.

      Of course, I have the wonderful opportunity to watch Kevin Love up close and personal almost every game, but his team is nowhere near as good. (There’s a duh statement). THIS season? Dirk remains the man.

  12. benny

    u think a trade of jennings to the lakers for someone like blake and the lakers 2 first round picks is enough?

  13. Howie Abrams

    What are the Wolves going to do at the trade deadline? Is beasley on the move? Do we still have a shot at getting crawford even though we seemingly cant give up ridnour? Who else are we looking at?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Howie,

      It sounds as if the Wolves are discussing a trade to get Jason Richardson from the Magic. As of now, I’m not sure which player/players the Wolves would send, but you’d think Beasley would have to be a part of the deal. It also sounds as if any trade for Crawford is dead.

      Whether or not I think Richardson would be a good addition is another question…

  14. Deven

    Will Boston ever break up the core? Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers keep denying the reports publicly, but privately, I don’t know. Why are they keeping quiet about this? Is there a big move on the way or something?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Deven,

      Personally, I love the way the Celtics deal with trade rumors. Until a deal actually happens, everything is a rumor. For every media member who has a good source, there are three who have bad ones. Why should they have to address each rumor, especially when most of them are so off-base?

      Sure, the Celtics are looking to upgrade their team…but are they looking to make one more run at a title or upgrade their ability to rebuild quickly? We’ll see what they do before the deadline, but I believe they should begin rebuilding.

  15. Paul

    Hello, who do you have in the Final Four and who wins the tournament?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Paul,

      I filled out two different brackets this year. In one, I have Kentucky, Missouri, Vanderbilt and North Carolina as my Final Four. In the other, I have Duke, Murray State, Gonzaga and North Carolina. I believe the national champ is either Kentucky or North Carolina.

  16. Shreehari

    What are the chances that the Lakers don’t make any moves at all and go to the playoffs with this same team ?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Shreehari,

      As of what I’m hearing now, I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t make any deals.

  17. Hopeful Hornet

    Any news on Kaman trade?
    I’d be happy with just a 2nd round pick

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Hopeful Hornet,

      It sounds like you value Kaman at about the right price. The problem is the Hornets value him much higher and that makes making a trade impossible for the OTHER team.

  18. ShaulennyFrom Queens

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7ufo8ak
    to orl a.bynum, k.martin, h.thabeet, 2012 1st rd pick(NYK), 2012 1ST RD PICK(LAL)
    to lal d.howard, l.scola, g.davis
    to hou p.gasol, j.richardson

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Shaulenny From Queens,

      At this point, Orlando should jump all over that trade if it were really out there. Not a bad trade for any of the teams.

      Won’t happen though.

  19. Shay

    Whats up Stephen!

    Do you know if Danny Ainge is going to make any moves by the deadline. We really need a legit 7 footer and rebounder. Thanks.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Shay,

      The Celtics need a lot more than that…

  20. Sweet Dee

    Which young shooting guard has least lived up to expectations so far. And which one has a greater chance of living up to the hype by the end of their career: Evan Turner or DeMar DeRozan.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Sweet Dee,

      Both. They are both middle of the road, slightly above average, solid NBA players.

  21. Bugsy

    Stephen, what’s your take on Greivis Vasquez? Clearly a talented young guy but will the Hornets be happy with him as their starting PG next season and trade away Jack?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Bugsy,

      I think he’s a career-long quality back-up point guard. Nothing wrong with that at all.

  22. jon

    do you think evan turner’s improved play will continue?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Jon,

      Yes, I do…the Sixers have found a nice mix and have surprised a lot of people this year. Turner is a big part of that, as he made a lot of good adjustments and improvements from his rookie season. He’s doing well and should continue to get better. How high can he go? That’s up to him.

  23. Christian P

    Do you think the warriors will be able to make the playoffs with the team they have now? They have proved that they can win against very good teams but lack consistency.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Christian P,

      You hit the nail on the head. The Warriors have a good amount of talent and can play with any team on any night, but are wildly inconsistent. Because of that, no, I don’t believe they’ll push for the playoffs.

  24. Lateak

    Can the knicks get it together… I think we will.. Is lin the long term answer

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Lateak,

      Can they? Sure…if they stick with it, don’t make any rash trades and give the team a full training camp to gel and learn each other’s games. They haven’t had that yet. Give them time. Lin can be the long term answer if he can figure out how to get the turnovers down.

  25. marcus

    What are the latest trade in the NBA right now, if any?? Thanks

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Marcus,

      See everything above…way too vague to even begin.

  26. Lateak

    I dwill is goin to dallas… Where does leave d12… Lakers?

    • Stephen Litel

      D-Will goes to Dallas if Dwight doesn’t end up in NJ. If Howard lands in NJ, D-Will stays. Simple as that.

  27. justin

    Our the Jazz going to make a move? What are you hearing about them, anything?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi justin,

      I haven’t heard anything specific, but I do know the Jazz are actively trying to get something done.

  28. just

    WIll Jose Calderon get traded?

  29. Cricket

    For the second straight year, Kris Humphries is putting up decent numbers in New Jersey with 13 points and 10 boards a game. As a free agent this offseason, what is the maximum yearly salary would you pay for a player like Hump? And what yearly salary do you think he will get?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Cricket,

      I’d be comfortable giving Hump somewhere around $5.5-6.5M for his services for what he brings to a team, but that’s me. I’m cheap. Take it or leave it.

  30. Aron

    If u were the gm of the C’s and were trading players which one(s) and what teams and players would u trade for?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Aron,

      Without going specific, I go the route of blowing it up and rebuilding. It’s time.

  31. Drew

    Come thursday do the Wolves get Morrow, Martin, c lee, other or no one.

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Drew,

      From what I’ve heard today, I don’t think the Wolves make a deal by the deadline unless it’s one with Orlando.

  32. Murph

    Stephen,

    What are the chances of this being one of the lamest trading deadlines in NBA history with zero trades happening?…50-50?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Murph,

      I’m expecting this to be a quiet deadline. There shouldn’t be too much action at all. So, I guess to answer your question, pretty lame.

  33. Howie Abrams

    Well, given you are incredibly good at what you do, you actually answered both of my questions in one. SO now my second follow up question, do you think that Jason Richardson would be a good fit? why or why not?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi again, Howie…

      To quote Anchorman…”I don’t quite know how to put this…I’m kind of a big deal.” J/K!

      No, I don’t like adding Richardson to the mix. Yes, he brings a lot of things the Wolves need, but I don’t like his contract. He is a good dude though, so if the trade happened he would come in with the right attitude.

  34. Dennis

    Will Bird win Executive of the Year this year?

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Dennis,

      He’s certainly in the running, but no…I don’t think he wins.

  35. Mike aldridge

    Who would you rather Build Your team around James Harden or Eric Gordon knowing there both healthy? Who has more potential and upisde?

    I think Eric Gordon does

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Mike,

      Fun question and you’re probably right on Eric Gordon. However, I am a bit old school, so I’d go with Harden. He is an above average offensive player (Gordon is better than Harden), but Harden’s defense is significantly better than Gordon.

      I go with the Bearded Wonder.

  36. Matt

    Are the Timberwolves really going to take on JRich? That seems counterproductive in terms of flexibility and their long term plans

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi Matt,

      That was my first thought as well. IF the trade happens, we’ll have to see who’s involved.

  37. Lakers fans everywhere

    What do you think about this trade? The Lakers trade Metta World Peace, Luke Walton, Matt Barnes, a Coke, and a bag of chips to Orlando for Dwight Howard??

    • Stephen Litel

      That does truly seem to be what “Lakers fans everywhere” seem to think about their team, isn’t it? Their cast-offs are better than other team’s superstars. Of course, every player in the league wants to play in LA, right? Come on, Laker fans…get real.

  38. Matt

    Eric Gordon… kept him this long, and in first in my pool… should i hang on? What are his prospects for playing in Early April?

    • Stephen Litel

      Ok, everyone…last question for this week. Sorry if I didn’t get to yours. Hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel.

      Matt,

      If you’re first in your pool without Gordon, might as well keep hanging on. If/when he comes back, he can help. To be honest, haven’t heard much about when he could be back…just thinking you must have a heck of a team to be in first place without him. Good for you.

      Thanks for the great questions, everyone! Always love to see what you guys have for me! Happy trade deadline…