NBA Chat with Stephen Litel 7/3/2012

Stephen Litel will stop by for his weekly chat at 8:00pm EST on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Drop your questions in the que.

  1. Alex

    Was sup Stephen,

    Is Lebron tradable ??

    • Stephen Litel

      Hi everyone! Welcome to this week’s chat. Obviously, there’s a lot to talk about, so let’s get right to it. Hit me up on Twitter @stephenlitel if I don’t get to your question…

      Interesting start to this week’s chat.

      We’ve seen crazy things in the NBA, so anyone can be traded. If anyone is close to not being tradeable, it would be LBJ. Why would Miami even think of it? It’s just silly.

  2. Chris

    Hi Stephen. Will the Bulls finally throw caution to the wind and trade for Dwight Howard? Best case: He forms an unstoppable duo with D-Rose for the next 10 years. Worst case: Dwight leaves and the Bulls have a lot of money for the next free agency period. It’s a win-win.

    • Stephen Litel

      No, they won’t since Dwight has made it perfectly clear it’s Brooklyn or bust. It’s that simple.

      The only team with a legit shot at landing Dwight outside of Brooklyn and finding a way to keep him would be the Lakers.

  3. Deven

    In your opinion Stephen, why do you think some players, such as Duncan, KG, Kobe among others who have been with their respective teams for a very long time, are reluctant to test the market and make a change? Like Duncan for example, obviously he’ll stay in SAS, but wouldn’t he like to finish his career somewhere else for a change? Thoughts?

    • Stephen Litel

      Because they are on win-first, classy and well-run teams. Why would they want to leave?

  4. Aristotle

    Hey Stephen,

    Can you actually measure the impact a guy like Garnett can have on Boston’s new rookies? You have Melo who says he wants to be like Duncan, and you have Sullinger who would love to prove all those who passed on him wrong.

    • Stephen Litel

      No, you really can’t. I’m sure Sullinger and Melo will be asked that exact question about a million times in their first few seasons alongside KG and even they won’t be able to answer. He will teach them defense, intensity and winning basketball. Those are incredibly wide-ranging categories and don’t even do justice to how much they will learn.

  5. rap-rap

    do you think the kings are finished with their rebuilding mode? I hope they could land a solid SF through free agency and they are set to make a big splash.. and who do you think they could get this summer?? jeff green? batum? or any other candidates? your thoughts?

    • Stephen Litel

      No, they aren’t, but they definitely have a fine young core to continue building around. Sounds like Terrence Jones is a possibility and he would be a nice fit there. Don’t get your hopes up on Green or Batum…Green is going back to Boston and Batum is either going back to Portland or to Minnesota.

  6. Jim in CyberSpace

    What do you think was the worst pick in the Lottery, Dion Waiters?

    • Stephen Litel

      It’s difficult to say the “worst” pick right now until we see how the rookies play with their new teams, but Waiters definitely was the most questionable. This one surprised a lot of people.

  7. geoff

    u think tyreke evans can get back to a around 20-5-5 player again. him, cousins and t-rob could be awesome!

    • Stephen Litel

      Of course he can, but, as seems to be the case in this chat each week…will he be in Sacramento when he becomes that player again?

  8. Josh P

    I think people are assuming Ray Allen stay with the Celtics but I think he shocks everyone and sign with the HEAT? What do you think?

    • Stephen Litel

      I won’t be surprised either way, but I do think he’ll end up staying in Boston. Familiar with the system, close with the players…and they’ve already improved the team in the off-season.

  9. kenny

    hello.. what moves do you see the wolves making do you see them landing gasol know that there really high on him.. what is your take?

    • Stephen Litel

      The Timberwolves aren’t the aggressors in the Gasol discussions with the Lakers. If they were able to land both Roy and Batum (as well as Stiemsma), they would look at this off-season as a major success and roll with that. So far, any offers made haven’t been sufficient for the Lakers and the Timberwolves are playing this one correctly.

  10. Gustavo A.Thomas

    Every NBA team looking for D howard,S nash,D williams on FA and ch bulls looking for Leon powe,R alston,fisher. Is insane what you think.

    • Stephen Litel

      I wouldn’t say insane, no. The Bulls were the #1 seed in the East, remember, so they are just looking to add to their depth.

  11. Gabe

    Since Brooklyn probably won’t be able to afford getting Howard long term, i think this makes the Hawks front runners..
    Howard is an Atlanta native, he’d be the man and his best friend is Josh Smith. They’ve made the playoffs for 5 straight years, so they are a pretty good team. They also have great trading chips such as Horford and Teague..
    Do you see Howard to Atlanta? Would he sign an extension with his hometown?

    • Stephen Litel

      Josh Smith and Dwight Howard are close…and Ferry has already worked some magic in the past few days. However, Atlanta isn’t Dwight’s choice…as of now. After all, we all know how solid he is once he makes a decision, right?

  12. Glen

    You know what I’d rather sign dragic , bring ersan ilyasova than get dwill if I were nets gm,right?

  13. team adobo

    Rubio once twitted he is not sure about he’s rehab. He is doubting wether he will still be the same rubio.stephen please re assure as wolves fans that when rubz comes back he will look like brand new? I mean he is young and i know in 3 years they will win the nba finals. Positive news please?

    • Stephen Litel

      Everyone who has gone through the exact same injury as Rubio has up and down days during their rehab. Ricky is no different and all appointments he has had with the medical staff have shown he is progressing well. Remember, Rubio is a player who does not rely on an above-the-rim game.

  14. tapsilog

    Why are the wolves so inlove with pau?! And good thing we dodge the joe J bullet cause im hearing derrick for joe jhon last week.

    • Stephen Litel

      Never heard anything about Joe Johnson to Minnesota.

      Gasol fits quite a few needs for the Timberwolves…who believe that by adding their main targets this off-season, they could compete NOW. Remember Adelman’s age…he didn’t come to Minnesota for a long rebuilding process. Plus, the clock is ticking to show Kevin Love they are serious about winning.

  15. cowboy jay z

    Nash to dallas? I rather have tyson and barrea tho. Your thoughts?

    • Stephen Litel

      After missing out on D-Will, you have to do something to make Dirk happy. Nash and Dirk are incredibly close.

  16. JP

    Hi Stephen! Thanks for you excellent coverage on Twolves free agency (& draft) !
    Here you have my questions:
    1-Do you perceive a big deal on the shadows following the decisions to extend the time on Webster and Miller contracts?
    2-Is Derrick Williams the key of Twolves future? Because if he can not translate his game to his new position he will be traded with future picks ( &/or players) for an starting SG the next season (if and only if Batum signs).
    3-Is Adelman trying to have an edge, in the height of the starting lineup, by using a possible Rubio-Batum-Williams-Love-Pekovic?
    4-Being realistic it will be very hard to acquire Batum, because if Portland signs Hibbert they will be ecstatic to have a trio of Batum-Aldridge & Hibbert and because if Hibbert doesn´t go there they will have the money to match, which is the plan B?
    5-Are they being aggressive in their attempt to sign Brandoy Roy, Jordan Hill & Greg Stiemsma (the team would be deep as it gets partnering them with Ridnour, Barea, Budinger, Hummel and Tolliver)?
    6-Which is the plan B for those 3? Do you happen to know?
    7-Which would be your dream scenario?

    • Stephen Litel

      I could maybe think about answering some of these if they weren’t all in one big question. Too much to go through.

  17. Seve

    What are the chances a Timberwolves fan’s dreams come true and the season begins with both of these players on the roster? 5 percent perhaps?

  18. Blazer Fan

    What would be the best reason for Indy to not match the offer to Hibbert?

    • Stephen Litel

      Because that’s a lot of money to invest in a player who averaged 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds last year.

  19. Damian Lillard

    Will I be in the running for ROY this year, and if not me then who?

    • Stephen Litel

      In the running? Absolutely…you’re going to a nice situation for you as far as playing time.

      If healthy, Davis wins it though.

  20. Colin

    With Williams signing today, the JJ trade and resigning Crash, what should the Nets do now? Short of trading for Dwight, should they resign Lopez? Humphries? Make a play for Ilyasova? The Croatian PF they are bringing over sounds promising. He would want to be considering they are giving him the full MLE.

    • Stephen Litel

      Humphries is more than likely gone. I’m hearing they’ll go after Ilyasova should Dwight not land in Brooklyn.

  21. d21

    will the wolves make an offer to courtney lee now that he is a unrestricted free agent.

  22. Dan

    Gasol and Love. Do you think they would compliment each other?

    • Stephen Litel

      Yes, I do, especially with a healthy point guard like Ricky Rubio and any semblance of outside shooting.

  23. Jay

    Where do you think steve nash will sign and does it affect that it takes him to decide where he go. The longer it takes him ti sign the less chance for him to sign ti raps?

    • Stephen Litel

      I think he ends up in Toronto. A great offer for his age, obviously…plus the thoughts of setting up his life after playing basketball.

  24. Saulo

    Hey my man stephen! Whats up? I was thinking.. If we get Batum, maybe even OJ Mayo.. 10 man rotation of Rubio, Mayo, Batum, Love, Pek >> Ridnour, Wayne E, Bud, Derrick and Darko.. that’s more than just 8th seed playoff caliber right?

    • Stephen Litel

      OJ Mayo is very unlikely to land in Minnesota, I’m hearing, but to answer your question…yes, this would be a playoff team.

  25. VAwolfman

    RA will be on the phone Lee before the night ends right? How was their relationship in Hou?

    • Stephen Litel

      Adelman’s players almost always seem to love him…unless your name is Michael Beasley.

  26. Theo

    How good do you think Portland will be if they resighn Batum and get Hibbert to go along with Aldridge and Lillard?

    • Stephen Litel

      Add Matthews into that core and they are young…and really good.

  27. JD

    I understand why the MAVS went after D-Will but I hope they were still talking with other FA PGs’. As good as Dragic performed last season I don’t see him being a $10 per yr PG yet, what are your thoughts?

    • Stephen Litel

      You are what the market dictates…looks like this year’s market believes Dragic is in the $10 million range.

  28. Matt

    How surprised are you that Mayo was allowed to become unrestricted?

    • Stephen Litel

      Not very. Mayo always wanted a bigger role in Memphis…and more money. The Grizzlies didn’t agree and decided to avoid anymore headaches.

  29. Cynical Jason

    Hey, Stephen.

    Do you think Batum would be a good fit now that we have Budinger, or are they mostly redundant?

    • Stephen Litel

      Batum is a GREAT fit in Minnesota. Coach Adelman’s system doesn’t really run with a normal SG/SF distinction…the biggest priority from those positions is the ability to hit outside shots off double-teams on Kevin Love or from ridiculous passes from Rubio. Hit…open…shots.

  30. Matt

    Are you surprised at all that the Wolves didn’t try to sign and try to sign and trade Beasley? Or was there not going to be enough interest?

    • Stephen Litel

      They still can do a sign-and-trade, so that option remains.

  31. Colin Nelson

    Will the Wolves make an offer to Ray Allen?

    • Stephen Litel

      OK, everyone…last question for this week…

      I don’t think they waste their time in making an offer, especially with Courtney Lee on the market now.

      Thanks for all your great questions, everyone. I appreciate all of you and hope you have a wonderful fourth! Be safe! Hit me up on Twitter anytime @stephenlitel to continue the conversation.