NBA Chat With Yannis 12/09/2011

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat at 11 am EST on Friday December 9th. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. Bruce

    Please explain the rational behind hiring agents as general managers. Isn’t that like put a defense lawyer as head prison guard? The situation seems rife with conflict and, in my opinion, offers little upside for either the owner or fans.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Well, what a week it has been! It’s great to have the NBA back and things close to getting underway, but boy are things crazy now with all the Chris Paul stuff. I’m sure that’ll be a heavy topic of discussion, so let’s get right to the questions.

      Agents know the game, have a thorough understanding of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and are good communicators. Not that those three things guarantee that you’re going to be a great general manager, but if players can get shots at being head coaches without spending a day as a coach, why can’t a well-respected and knowledgeable get a shot at being a GM?

  2. Alec

    Hey Yannis, since NO are trying to move Paul, and LAL and BOS are after him, why not do a three way trade involving those three?

    LAL – C.Paul,J.Oneal
    NO – Rondo,Odom
    BOS – Bynum,J.Jack

    LAL gets Paul and an expiring in Jermaine
    NO gets a high quality PG in Rondo and Odom (replacement for West if he signs elsewhere)
    BOS gets a C for the future while Jack can hold down PG for a year.
    This trade worked well on the trade machine

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The NBA didn’t veto the Paul trade just to let another trade get consummated for him. Plus, the Lakers aren’t giving up Bynum and are highly unlikely to deal with Boston in a trade of this magnitude.

  3. Keefe

    What do you think about the possibility of Tyson Chandler signing with the knicks for 4 years 58 mil.?
    I think the knicks are better off offering the same money to Marc Gasol/ D. Jordan…
    your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not sure the Knicks like how Gasol fits in their system. Not really what they’re looking for. Jordan and Chandler fit the bill much more so. Chandler is the better of the two right now, but Jordan has more upside and is probably going to be a little bit cheaper. Reason the Knicks are probably chasing Chandler is because he’s the easiest to obtain since Clippers do appear to be very interested in holding onto Jordan.

  4. Anthony

    I keep hearing that Tay Prince didn’t want to go to either LA team due to personal issues with LA. Do you know his reasoning?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Some people dream of playing closer to home and then there are others who would just rather stay away from the distractions. Prince has been a Piston for his entire career and obviously felt comfortable enough to re-up with the team after a pretty rocky last few years. I don’t know exactly what kept Prince away, but it doesn’t really shock me. He also went to school at Kentucky, far away from Cali.

  5. Joel from Sydney

    Hi Yannis
    How long do you see Bogut remaining a Buck? Surely he is too good to remain witha perenial cellar dwellar for too much longer. Is he an All Star this year?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Well, he’s got a pretty sizable contract that is going to make him a little tough to deal, but he is a quality center. Since that is a rarity in the league, I’m sure Milwaukee could find at least one good deal. We’ll see about being an All-Star. I think he’s got a good shot, especially now that he should be 100%.

  6. Chris

    Hi Yannis. Is it just me, or is the NBA looking more and more like pro wrestling?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      That’s what people are saying after this vetoed trade. Nothing like some pre-written story lines to build up the buzz! Honestly, though, I think the Paul trade goes through.

  7. Keefe

    Seems like Paul is going to LA for pau and odom… I feel like the Lakers don’t get any better as they lose their 2 most reliable big men on their team.. What do you think is the Laker’s next move? (besides targeting howard)

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d like to see them try to convince Carl Landry to play for the mini-MLE. I think that would be a great fit. He loves playing with Chris Paul, and the opportunity to start and compete for a championship makes taking less money acceptable. I also think it would be a good move to try and get Ronnie Turiaf back. He was a solid contributor for them and someone who was beloved by all. He just got signed to an offer sheet that they couldn’t match at the time, but now he’s apparently available.

  8. kings court

    Would it be possible for the HEAT to amnesty Joel Anthony and then sign Dalembert to the full mle after already using the mini on battier? If not, what center do you think would be a good fit/bargain? I’m thinking Gray or Kwame.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, can’t do that. Looks like Eddy Curry will be their guy at center along with Anthony and Pittman.

  9. Alex

    Mr. Koutroupis, here’s my question. Who says no:
    New Orleans gets, Lamar Odom/Luis Scola/Kevin Martin/Dragic
    Houston gets, Pau Gasol
    Lakers get, CP3

    Oh that’s right, David Stern does. Never mind.

  10. Alex

    Is it possible D12 is now saying he wants to go to the Nets to get David Stern to reconsider the CP3 trade to Lakers? Stern and the rest of the league think, oh wait if he’s going to Brooklyn then maybe we can let the Lakers land CP3. Then when approved, D12 miracoulusly changes his mind and gets traded to L.A.? haha wishful thinking?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I highly doubt that’s the reasoning. Plus, I’m still questioning how legit that demand is. It seems weird, the timing and all of it. Being a Net right now, even with Deron Williams there, wouldn’t put him any closer to a title than he was in Orlando where they have more depth and weapons around him. Of course, NJ would have the flexibility to make some moves and improve the team around them, but there’s no guarantee that it’ll be championship-caliber. Definitely some wishful thinking at the end, D12 to LAL is still possible, though. Just unlikely.

  11. Anthony

    Any idea where marco bellinelli ends up?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d imagine any of the teams who play an up tempo style and need some help at the backup two would give him some consideration. Haven’t heard any teams specifically yet.

  12. Brian

    how can david stern possibly think that the hornets didnt get a good deal in the trade. they got 3 near all-star players plus draft pick(s). i have no idea why houston would trade 2 great players for 1 older great-ish player in pau, it doesnt save them hardly any salary. does stern / the nba not realize how good scola & martin are? did they not anticipate some kind of uprising around the league if they were to cancel this trade when everyone was saying it was fair for the hornets especially.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m as lost as you. I thought Demps did a masterful job in a tough situation. The trio of Martin, Scola, Odom beats what the Lakers got for Shaquille O’Neal, what Denver got for Carmelo Anthony and what Utah got for Deron Williams. Where’s the problem here?

  13. Brian

    do you think there is a chance that the nba says it made a mistake and will allow the trade to happen after further review, or something like that. or is it done?

    if the trade does go through or something similar to it, how do you think it affects dwight’s apparent wanting to go to the nets. would he change his mind & rather go to la? also if dwight & hedo went to the nets would the nets be able to still resign humphries?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think so, but we’ll have to wait and see. I certainly never thought that this situation would happen in the first place, but look where we are. I don’t know how D12, if offered to go to LAL or NJ, would pass on being a Laker. Nets may have to denounce the rights to Humphries in that case, I’d have to run the numbers and know exactly what they’re sending out.

  14. bobby

    Why doesn’t Chauncey negotiate a buy out if he doesn’t want to be amnestied or traded?

    Any chance the Nuggets absorb his contract and then flip him to Miami for a package of Joel/Miller/House/Pittman?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He still wants to get paid, he just doesn’t want to be forced to go to a lottery team as a result of the amnesty waiver rule. Denver could do that, don’t think they’re interested in any of those guys though.

  15. charliechu

    if other owners where upset about the three way trade lastnight for Paul as well then why are we only hearing about the Dan Gilbert letter? We should have been reading about 10 other letters from other owners as well not just Gilberts, i give him credit for actually expressing his opinion and fighting for small market teams. Now he is taking all of the heat…do people really think that Dan’s letter alone is what blocked the deal? thats crazy….he is just the only one that expressed his anger and was leaked to the public. Your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      His was the one that got leaked, it’s that simple. Did you read the letter? It’s hard to defend. He’s basically upset that the Lakers pulled off a great deal that was perfectly legal under the CBA and wanted to keep it from happening. I don’t think Gilbert will ever sign another big-name player, I really think he’s killed his public image. He needs to go into the background and keep his mouth shut.

  16. Alec

    Js heard B.Roy is medically retiring due to his knee problems. Good player retiring because of medical issues is just horrible. What happens with him and his contract? Does he get paid out? What happens to a player if he retires while still under contract?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’ll get paid and the deal won’t count against the Blazers cap after next year. If he comes back, they’ll have to start taking the cap hit again. Pretty close to the same thing as being amnestied, only now Portland can save it and use it down the line if they want.

  17. jayjay

    ESPN blew Gilbert’s comment out of proportion. Seeing a group of washington generals is certainly a reasonable view. And calling for a vote doesn’t vacate the deal, it gives every team a say so on a deal that could change the entire NBA landscape. In the end his e-mail was sent out of fear of Howard going to LAL, not any other reason. Do you agree?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No. It was sent by a second-rate owner who is still bitter over the fact that he’s turned his investment into a bottom-feeding team who has to hope to draft stars because nobody is going to want to play there. Nobody even did when LeBron James was there! Gilbert’s a clown in my opinion who needs to get out of the business.

  18. Anthony - Kings 2015 Champs

    How do you think most fans feel about the Chris Paul and L***** situation? To make it worse, LA was going to keep Bynum for a possible Howard trade. As a fan of a small market team, I for one agree with Dan Gilbert on how the nba may as well name 25 teams the Washington Generals if the NBA gave Paul to LA. Plus with all the scandals in the NBA this could be seen as a secret deal with Stern and LA (LA gives into rev sharing and LA gets Paul).

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      All those other teams had free reign to offer a deal to New Orleans and couldn’t top what LA put together with Houston. Is that the Lakers fault? Golden State could have had him if they traded Stephen Curry. The Clippers could have landed him if they gave up Eric Gordon. There’s no ground to cancel this trade. If there was, the Anthony trade should have been vetoed too and so should the upcoming Dwight Howard deal.

  19. devonte

    if the signing of tyson chandler goes through, chancey billups gets anmestied and ronny turiaf is traded, what are some possibilties for a starting pg like j.j. barea, baron davis?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      All very possible. They’re going to have to move quickly, PG market was thin to begin with and is drying up.

  20. Max

    who´s your favorite to win the MVP award and the scoring title? I´m guessing Lebron and Melo?

  21. Thomas Pynchon

    if the chris paul trade had went through, would the lakers have been good enough to win a game off dallas in the playoffs?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Depends on what moves they would have made afterwards. That wasn’t going to be their last deal.

  22. likeabull

    What are my bulls doin? Heat made a move to get better we hadnt done any thing. Should us bulls fan panic?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There’s still time. They made a run at Butler but got outbid by a team with cap space, it happens.

  23. likeabull

    The Bulls need offensive help and it seem no one wants to come here because they arnet courted? Whats with that?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      If that’s the case, that’s got to change. The courtship is everything.

  24. Ric Flair

    Sup Yannis! Exciting day today.

    So tell me, is Tyson Chandler gonna be in a Knicks uniform this season?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Sure looks that way, his agent said it was 90% or something really high like that.

  25. Rich

    Yannis, your best guess on who ends up with Nene? I hear Houston is hard after him, but the Pacers appear to have significant interest as well.

  26. Andrew

    Do you think–with the whole CP3 trade placed on hold–the GSW has a chance to nab him (they are going to give up Ellis and a few others; not including Curry)? Also, with Tyson Chandler going to NYK, do you think they can go after Jordan (not the sexiest move, but need to secure a big guy, some way..)?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think this opens up the door for any other team to get him, certainly not soon or for a lesser package that NO wasn’t previously willing to accept. We’ll see on Jordan.

  27. Ric Flair

    Woooooooooooooooo!

    *Sorry. I just had to do it*

  28. doug

    I’m trying to decide who to keep in my fantasy league this year. I know I’m keeping Durant and I thought I was def keeping westbrook, but the hoopsworld player ranks threw me when it placed Ellis above Westbrook. I’m wondering who you would keep as my other keeper out of the following: Monta Ellis, Josh Smith, Eric Gordon, Mark Gasol, or Russell Westbrook? 12 team league.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I haven’t played fantasy in years. We’ve got two experts, Susan Bible and Tommy Beer who can help you out. They both also have weekly chats and twitter accounts where you can get your fantasy questions answered. If my uneducated-from-a-fantasy-basketball-perspective opinion is important to you, I’d keep Westbrook.

  29. English Knick

    I’m with you – that earlier question was genius. I LOVE the Knicks move, getting over the CP3 thing and moving on. My question is what do you think follows in personnel terms and how close do you think they now are to contending in the East?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yeah it was a really nice job by the Knicks of quickly going to a quality backup plan with their chances at Paul diminished. They still need to improve their overall depth, but I think the pieces are in place now if Chandler signs to really be a factor, maybe the third best team out East.

  30. john

    Hi Yannis, Is there a slight chance that the NBA will reverse the decision in the LA/NO/HOU trade?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There has to be. I don’t know how they can feel like what they’ve done is right.

  31. Stefan

    If the Paul deal does go through, what is Daryl Morey thinking? Do you think it is a good trade for the rockets? It doesn’t seem to make much sense to me.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It gets them an All-Star 20-10 big man and the cap space to sign the free agent market’s top FA Nene. Overhauls their post play and makes it as good as anyone out West. They’d be in pretty good shape still.

      That’s going to do it for me guys. I’ll be back next week! Until then, try not to do anything that David Stern would veto.

  32. stan

    is orlando making any trades to krrp howard or are they just going to trade him