NBA Chat With Yannis 12/02/11

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat at 11 am EST on Friday December 2nd. As always basketball questions from all levels will be welcomed.

  1. Matt

    Is it just me or are people overrating the chances on some of these guys getting the amnesty? Why would i amnesty Rasheed Lewis if I have to pay him and I still need a player at his position?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! How great does it feel to have NBA basketball back? Glad the wait is finally over. Let’s get right to the questions.

      Lewis is going to get amnestied at some point, it’s just a matter of when. If the Wizards didn’t already have plenty of cap space they would almost certainly use it on him. So more than people overrating the chances of who is getting cut, I think they’re just off on the timing.

  2. rodney

    with the clippers saying there willing to give anything outside of griffin dont u think that the magic should call there bluff? a trade of dwight and hedo for deandre jordan, aminu, gordon,kaman gomes, and the wolfs pic would be a steal would it not?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think you can call any deal in which you give up Dwight Howard a steal, plus there’s the potential for Dwight to prevent a deal by being unwilling to sign an extension with the LAC. It’s a good package for Orlando, though, certainly.

  3. Kevin

    What is the process of the buyout? Is it just the player and management agreeing on a price to buy out your
    contract at a lesser amount? Is the player then an unrestricted free agent to sign where he please?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Players have to agree to a buyout as well, then they can sign wherever.

  4. Kevin

    Who says no? (Using 150% trade restrictions)

    ORL gets: Chris Kaman, Mo Williams, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, A. Aminu, minny 2012 pick+future picks

    LAC gets: Chris Paul, D. Howard, G. Arenas, Chris Duhon, Q. Richardson

    NOH gets: Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon, D. Jordan (s&t), Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I would think Orlando, not because they get a bad package but just because it would be so hard to stomach helping someone else acquire Howard and CP3.

  5. ben

    Please tell me CP3 wont make it to NY? Bron and his friends are ruining the league by creating these superteams

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Hard not to think that’s his most logical destination right now. It’s all about CP3 wanting to team up to try and beat him and the HEAT, not follow his directions. I’m sure LeBron would much rather him be in Miami.

  6. rome

    kahns best move or ainges biggest blunder?? RONDO, GREEN FOR BEASLEY,RUBIO,B MILLER,L HEYWARD I THINK A WIN WIN

  7. Josh

    Say the Blazers cut Roy. Would the Bulls be able to sign him with mid-level? Is there any restrictions or order to who can sign him and for how much?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’d probably get picked up by a lottery team in the new waiver process for amnestied players before the Bulls got a shot at him. If he did go unclaimed, then the Bulls would have as good of a chance as anyone.

  8. rodney

    After a little playing on the trade machine baring my idea i posted earlier how would you feel this trade would pan out

    Orlando gets Josh Smith, Eric Gordon,Aminu,and deandre jordan and the first round pic from the wolfs

    clippers get Dwight and Hedo

    Atlanta gets Kaman

    Orlando is receiving a good enough return in the 2 4 and 5 position with a more than reliable back up wing player and the first round pic from the wolfs

    Clppers get exactly what they were asking for in Howard and Hedo

    Atlanta gets the 5 they desperately need to move Horford over to pf

    its a win win for all teams what do you think

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not a bad idea. Not sure Atlanta helps facilitate a deal for someone else to get Howard, though.

  9. Peter

    How high do you think the Nets could be if they added Nene and AK outright into their starting lineup with deron, morrow, and lopez. I think they could be a 4-5 team in the east battle with Hawks and Knicks (current team no cp3)

  10. Joe

    Assuming the rumours are true Paul should forget about playing for the Knicks.With Amare and Carmelo lack of defensive intensity even with Chris they would not get beyond the 2nd round of the playoffs.How about Utah{Paul and Okafor-Harris,Millsap and Jefferson}He would have a chance to accomplish what allstars Malone and Stockton couldn’t.Now that would be special and sans a big 3.With his knee issues I fear his window is closing fast.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      You must be a Utah fan. Paul would much rather team up with his buddies from Team USA than go to Utah and try to accomplish what Stockon and Malone never did, something I bet he’s probably never even thought about.

  11. cj

    s&t oden for josh smith? then LA, camby, batum and a pick for dwight and r.anderson?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Interesting idea, Portland needs to get a full-time GM in place, though, before they start doing anything like that. I’m doubtful they’d trade Smith for Oden. Oden’s value is nowhere near high enough for that.

  12. joe, chino hills, ca

    Bynum, odom, metta world peace, and blake for howard, turk, and jameer. yay or nay?

  13. Bill

    If Chris Paul goes to New York and Dwight Howard goes to NJ doesn’t that hurt the profitably of all the teams that do not have a superstar and push their share closer to the 49 percent of bri instead of 51? If so, how can the union protect the rights of a few players over the cost that hundreds will lose because of selfishness?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Those few players have the same rights as all the other players, and I think your logic is off on other teams losing money. Imagine how much more profitable the Knicks and Nets become. Balances things out. Be prepared to hear a lot less about the BRI, it is what it is the rest of the way and we’ll know little about it until the end of each year.

  14. KevinC

    Hey Yannis,
    What darkhorse team do you think will race off to a fast start in this shortened season ?? Will veteran teams struggle with the back to back scheduling?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think the consecutive games will definitely bother the older teams. As far as dark horses go, ask me that after free agency. Better idea then, things can be shaken up too much right now to accurately label a dark horse.

  15. matt from Oz

    hey Yannis,
    With all these trade rumors circling, and CP3 now requesting a trade to the Knicks, how is the West going to compete in the all star game?

    East Squad (possibily)-
    starting 5 – CP3, D-Wad,e LBJ, Amare, D12
    Reserves – Melo, Deron Will, D-Rose, Paul Pierce, Horford, Wall, J-Smith, Bogut

    West – Kobe, Westbrook, Durant, Griffin, Pau Gasol??
    Reserves – Dirk, Gay, K-Love, Aldridge, Monta?, Curry?, Nash?, Eric Gordon?

    just doesn’t seem to me like it’ll be much of a fair game talent wise.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Don’t discount the pride and talent of Durant, Kobe and Dirk. With those three on the court, they’ll always have a chance.

  16. Cain in New Zealand

    Do you know of realistic trade scenarios for the Pacers? I honestly dont think we need a huge change just another PF and C to add depth with Hansbrough and behind Hibbert.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Seems like they’re trying to hit a home run in free agency, sign David West or Nene.

  17. Mike

    Do you think the Pacers would be interested in using their cap space to do sign and trades with teams with little to no cap space.One really interesting one I think is signing one of the centers available and trading them or packaging them with Hansborough if necessary to get Josh Smith? I think they have crazy potential with their cap space, young core, and a lot of trade oppurtunities but I worry they will just waste it or overpay for Jamal Crawford to play it safe and do nothing else.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’re going to explore all their options. A pacer source told us prior to the lockout that they needed a shot-creator, someone who could get looks for himself and teammates. Crawford does fit that bill, but I think they need to go after David West and Carl Landry first and foremost.

  18. marc

    i know ideally the bulls need a 2..but can they get a 3 instead with deng and prince/butler switching back and forth?

  19. Mutang

    Utah has Millsap, Jefferson and to a lesser extent Memo and Favors or Kanter for trading pieces. What does Utah do, and who do they move for another piece?? I’d think they move Millsap for a starting SF……..you?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Millsap is the one who I see being traded, just based on his value and the fact that they have to make some room for the younger bigs to play.

  20. rodney

    Hey yannis i know its a long shot but what do you feel about this trade to retain howard

    Orlando gets Paul and Josh Smith

    Atlanta gets Okafor and maybe a first round pic or cash considerations

    NO gets Nelson, Bass, Anderson, JJ, and hedo

    ill explain my reasoning and tell me if you think it works for all teams involved

    Orlando gets both Paul and Smith at the expense of gutting the roster but in essence creating a big 3 of there own that will be a defensive nightmare for teams that they can fill the rest of the roster with the mid level and vet min players

    atlanta gets the center that they so desperately need to be able to move horford to the pf position and gives them a rebounding presence that they need since there a jump shooting team

    No gets tons of value for the loss of Paul in a starting point guard in nelson, a starting 2 guard in JJ, they can amnesty hedo if they wish or keep him and a promising big stretch 4 in anderson and a more than reliable chap pf in bass.

    if they decide to amnesty hedo they still come out on top with all those assets they can use to keep people in NO to return back to the arena

    after careful consideration on my end i didnt see many glaring holes that would cause this to not work what is ur opinion?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No way this deal goes down. While you come up with reasoning, which I don’t necessarily agree with, you don’t factor in that there would be far better offers. You can’t look at a trade just from the Magic’s perspective of trying to keep Howard. Why in the world would NO trade Paul for Nelson, Bass, Anderson, JJ and Hedo? There are better deals out there. And yes, Atlanta needs a center, but one as mediocre with a toxic contract like Okafor’s? No way. Only way this deal goes down is if Atlanta and New Orleans get taken over by Otis Smith too.

  21. mojart

    i think cp3 should stay wid the hornets and try to recruit DH12..i think d hornets has d assets to mke a play with howard or wen he bcome a FA bcoz they have the cap space in 2013..ur thoughts

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Will Howard become a free agent, though? I think the odds are better of him getting traded to a team he’ll sign an extension with first.

  22. jullia

    piston fan here…how abt they amnesty villanueva…trade rip to bulls for charlotte 1st pick..den try to mke a run at deandre?a jordan-monroe-jerebko frontcourt wil b gud…wat u think?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Odd frontcourt fit with Jordan, Monroe and Jerebko. I think one of them would come off the bench and sub for the other. I think Pistons are smart to wait on using their amnesty, but it is time to trade Rip. Pass time.

  23. xsjj

    I needed a better understanding of how all these big market great teams want upgrades from all-stars to superstars. Teams like boston with rondo, lakers with odom, gasol, bynum and artest, bulls with boozer, okc with westbrook and the heat with boss. I’m a big mavs fan so I don’t understand how all these people want to trade crap and expect to see dwight howard, cp3, and deron williams on their doorstep for their cat. My mavz can barely hold on to our mediocre players. We just won a championship and butler and chandler wants to leave. Explain this to me.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Chandler and Butler don’t want to leave, they want to get paid what they feel they deserve. And, Boston and L.A. just have the allure that makes guys want to play for them. That’s why they’ll always be able to make a run at every player they want. Doesn’t mean they’ll get them, but they can at least make a pitch for them.

  24. luis

    Where does ur gut tell u d12 dwill and cp3 play next yr

  25. ryan.c.

    hey yannis how are you my man? When will chris paul play his first game in a Knicks uniform?

  26. bryan

    Any moves for the beloved spurs? I really dont see them using amnesty on RJ coz they wont have any way to replace him. Stand pat and use cap space next year? do u think TD retires? :( I havent seen him play live yet

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They just drafted Kawhi Leonard and would have money to sign a cheap backup. Plus, they did play James Anderson at the backup three at times last year. RJ is as good as gone, in my opinion. i do see them staying somewhat pat and using cap space next year. And, actually, I think TD comes back on a cheap deal for another year or two. Think he is gonna have a hard time walking away.

  27. Anthony

    Does Ramon Sessions have any value around the league? I think he would be a good fit in Chicago, as he adds another ball handler and some scoring off the bench. Sessions for Brewer, with the thinking that Chi will find a starting SG elsewhere.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Certainly, but I don’t know if he’ll warrant anything that will make Cleveland want to move him.

  28. Vince carter

    I wonder what teams would need my service to help them win a Ring?
    or should i just go for money $$$$

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There will probably be some interest from contending teams. I’d be intrigued to see you in Chicago. If you saved right, you should have plenty of money at this point, opening the door to chase a ring.

  29. Tasos

    Hi Yannis,

    From Greece!!

    ORL gets:Bogut+Odom+Artest

    LAL gets:Howard+Nelson+Bass

    BUCKS gets:Bogut

    Then the Lakers can use amnesty clause to Walton and sign Prince or Kirilenko who are free agents..What about the rookies??Darius Morris and Goudelock??Can they offer in the team and take minutes in rotasion??I think Goudelock is a good player.He had 23 points in college last year..Lakers for the championship!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yasou! All my greek buddies who root for the Lakers are fiending for D12, understandably so. Your proposal needs some editing, though. Gotta give the Bucks Odom and Artest I’m assuming. I doubt they bite on that. I think both rookies get signed. Don’t see Lakers landing Prince or Kirilenko. They’ll get offered more elsewhere.

  30. Tyler

    Knicks have nothing to offer teams. How about Dwight Howard to the Nets and CP3 to the Clippers. Kaman, Williams, Bledsoe, Aminu, Wolves #1, Future 1st, Cash for CP3 AND Ariza. Starting lineup would be Cp3, Gordon, Ariza, Griffin, and Jordan. What should the Nets do to up their offer for Howard?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Very possible. Nets should offer the house, everything outside of Deron.

  31. Diddy

    One last question for you Yannis. What role, if any, does David stern play in making personnel decisions for the Hornets since they are currently owned by the NBA? Might be a stupid question but I was curious.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      From what I understand Diddy, he has no role in the that whatsoever. Pretty much what the league does is create a budget for the Hornets to operate with and it’s up to Dell Demps to stay within the confines of it.

      that’s going to do it for me folks! Just far too many questions for me to answer them all this week, but I’ll be back next week at the same time!