NBA Chat With Yannis 6/1/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday June 1st at 11 am EST. As always basketball questions from all levels are welcomed.

  1. jey

    Magic: Lowry, Okafor, NO # 10 pick, Hou #14 pick

    Houston: Howard, Magic #19 pick

    NOLA: Scola, Hou #16 pick

    How does the trade workout for all involved? Salaries works

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat! Exciting week in basketball, let’s get right to the questions.

      I don’t think it really works for anyone other than Houston. New Orleans is about to draft Davis, why would they take on Scola? Neither one of them is suited to play or defend centers. The Magic want better picks than that for Dwight, and someone they can build around. As much as I like Lowry, he’s not that guy. Don’t think this trade proposal would get very far at all.

  2. WBS

    Gasol to Toronto for #8 pick and pieces? What players could Toronto offer that would make this work?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’d have to be Bargnani. I think the Lakers may consider that along with the eighth pick. I’ve felt like adding a high draft pick from this year’s draft would be a great move for them. Maybe a Harrison Barnes or Damian Lillard, both would be great immediately and long-term for them. Selling Kobe on it would be difficult, but I definitely think it’s in their best interest. They either need to move Gasol back to his natural position of center or trade him.

  3. Suspicious

    Some league executives have voiced their suspicions after the NBA league owned Hornets landed the top overall pick in the draft (despite only 11% odds). The NBA benefits big time by having this struggling team land the concensus top player out of college, and Stern is well known for his influence in league matters. In your opinion: Suspicious or not suspicous.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Oh it’s without a doubt suspicious. But, the result just about every year is suspicious. This year is a little bit more so. I don’t think there’s any foul play going on myself, but I can see how people are questioning what happened in the lottery. There’s plenty for conspiracy theorists to run with.

  4. JT

    Is the NBA Combine in Chicago open to the public?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      No, it’s closed off for only players and the media doing the broadcast. Even credentialed media like us and DraftExpress can’t get into the workout portion of the combine, just the interviews.

  5. Paul

    Most mock drafts have Chicago picking Orlando Johnson if he is still available at 29. Can you please tell me something about the kid would he be a good fit in Thib’s system, can he defend, and do you think he will be a good 3pt shooter at NBA level? Thnx

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s not exactly proven defensively, but he does have nice length. He’s going to make his mark on the offensive end, I think. Don’t buy anything this far out as set in stone. I do think the Bulls go SG, but it could be a number of guys. Here’s Orlando’s profile, though, if you still want to learn more: http://www.hoopsworld.com/2012-nba-draft-orlando-johnson

  6. Cain

    The Pacers need to make changes to the roster for that next step right? A quality PG is a must in the NBA right now can they get Williams, Dragic, Lin or Lowry to give us some good production?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Dragic may be the most realistic target. They have the cap space to sign someone. Lowry would require giving up assets. Williams is someone I think they should really try for. I think long-term, especially when put up against Brooklyn and Dallas, they’re the better fit.

  7. Darius Firnk

    How’s it going Yannis this years draft is pretty decent so how many future AllStars do you see in this draft. I say Davis, MKG, Robinson, Zeller,Marshall,Barnes Henson, and Dion Waiters.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Davis, MKG, Beal, Robinson are the guys I’d be willing to bet on becoming All-Stars. I’d give Jones III, Lillard, Barnes and Drummond a solid chance as well.

  8. Franz Kafka

    Hey Yannis, how much better would the Thunder be with Aldridge instead of Durant? Durant is merely a taller Reggie Miller but without any clutch ability. He needs Harden and Westbrook more than they need him. The Thunder team is too talented to be wasted on a one dimensional player like Durant.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’d be worse, and I disagree with every single thing you said about Durant. You couldn’t be more inaccurate. And, a taller Reggie Miller is still a damn good player for the record. The guy is a hall of famer.

  9. Raf

    Hi Yannis,
    There’s a lot of talk about Drummond as the most intriguing guy in the draft, with the line being how his combination of size and athleticisim doesn’t come up very often. Only:

    1) Aren’t there really athletic big men in every draft nowadays? and
    2) How many of these “super athletic but questionable basketball ability” project players pan out, anyway?

    To me he just seems like a big risk, and his upside is not so big or unique as people make out.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There are a lot of athletic big men in the league, but they’re not 270 lbs like Drummond. He has the combination of strength and athleticism that most big men don’t. And while his skill level is raw, he’s farther along than a lot of the other guys with similarities who ended up busts.

  10. Dave

    If you were the Raptors and the Nuggets offered you Wilson Chandler and the 20th pick for the 8th pick. Would you do it?
    Also is this a win-win deal? (salaries work)

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think I’d do that if I’m the Nuggets. Not sure I get better than Chandler at eight.

  11. Peter

    What would you think if Lakers offered Bynum for Rondo and Pierce and maybe one of their picks. Bynum is a much better franchise player then Rondo who is an amazing complementary player. If anyone could make it work between Kobe and Pierce it would be that man. I think the cost of winning is a high priority for Pierce and Kobe but both are professionals and would make it work. Who takes the 4th quarter shots? Now that’s the million dollar question. Both thrive it, unlike down in Miami. You could also amnesty Artest so no drama there and then if your able to squeeze a draft pick and add Fab Melo with 22 pick while resigning Jordan Hill I think Lakers would have a 3 year contender window. Also its good to sell Bynum while his value is high. Thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m not opposed to trading Bynum. I was thinking more for Deron Williams. Rondo and Pierce is too high of a price tag. You realize Rondo just dropped 44 against the HEAT while flirting with a triple double right? There’s no way Boston would do that. I think they’d build around Rondo before they do Bynum. It’s different for Brooklyn, who needs a superstar desperately and would settle on trying to build around Bynum if Deron wasn’t staying anyway.

  12. Marlon D.

    TGIF Yannis, what a difference a day makes, after thrashing the spurs to win by 20 last night in an impressive win the fact remains that the Thunder have to duplicate there perfomance last night in San Antonio in order to win this series. Was there performance last night enough to convince you that they are indeed capable to getting a win on the Spurs home court, or did we just see a Spurs team that was due 4 a lost? Also does Pop have 2 make any major ajdustments or just keep doing what he’s been doing?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I considered last night’s game a series changer. I originally picked the Thunder to win it and still stand by that. They should have won Game 1, so they’re in a decent position all things considered. I definitely think they can win a game or two in San Antonio. I’m not sure Pop has to make major adjustments. I don’t have a lot of confidence is going to Duncan in isolation against the Thunder big men, who are two of the best defenders in the league. They’ve also got to push the tempo more, not let OKC get their defense set. I expect Tony Parker to attack Sefalosha’s length a lot more effectively come Game 4.

  13. Maurice

    Who would be a better fit for Milwaukee Bucks Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Ross or Austin Rivers or Dion Waiter

  14. Maurice

    If PJ3 and Jeremy Lamb is there at #12 for Milwaukee who should they take

  15. young california

    yannis, whats up??

    Pau and blake for ariza, jack, and landry..

    who says no.?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The Lakers. Nowhere near enough value in return. They don’t need Ariza, Jack’s barely an upgrade and while I love Landry, he’s no Pau.

  16. devonte

    i think the knicks should blow up this team and start all over, i would like to see amare gone tyson chandler has not been a problem but i want to see them traded for draft picks and with teams that are looking to trade their draft picks like the warriors who have multiple draft picks. the only player that stays is carmelo because hes carmelo the rest of the team are filled with people that do only one thing good so we need to find versatility in the draft all this said we mostly likely will keep the current to we have now and see if we can win with it and i just dont think we can we need to be like the spurs and we are no where close also can the knicks trade j.r. smith this season?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      The Knicks have too much talent on their team to rebuild. They need to just make the right moves in terms of role players and continue to develop chemistry. They were rushed to adjust to Amar’e last year, then had a coaching change midseason this year after a shortened training camp. It takes time to develop a championship caliber team. Rarely ever happens overnight.

  17. Manny

    What up yannis, it seems like you have that MKG train rolling, everybody on the bandwagon…IMO, there’s no way that dude will ever put up worthy numbers if being the #2 pick..I don’t care how great his motor is, that dude suspect..y’all talk bad about barnes bc he didn’t play good in the tournament..the same guy who hit 5 game winners an went for 40 as a frosh, played with 4 other pro’s and a ran a high low system that featured the bigs who never passed out of the post…if MJ listen to y’all guys and pick MKG over Barnes, it’ll be another tarnish on MJ’s legacy as a part of management…what to like about MKG besides his motor and hustle bc it’s certainly isnt his offensive ability?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      If anyone should be called out for not passing at North Carolina it’s Barnes, who never met a jump shot he didn’t like. MKG can guard three different positions. He guarded point guards throughout the tournament. He may not be able to do that at the next level, but I definitely think he’ll be able to guard twos and threes. Here’s what to like about MKG other than his motor and defense: he’s a finisher at the rim who attack it relentlessly, he can get to the free throw line, his mid range jump shot actually isn’t that bad and he’s absolutely lethal in transition. Now, not that I’m down on Barnes, but what is there to like about him other than his shooting ability?

  18. Louis

    How’s it going Eric? Theoretically, if Gasol was traded and the Lakers don’t take back as much salary(through a TPE) or manage to cut away enough salary this offseason to be just under the tax line, does the full MLE then become available this offseason?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’m gonna let you calling me Eric slide since I’ve been a Pincus fan for like 10 years now. The Lakers would have to get under the luxury tax threshold to get the full MLE, which I believe is too far out of reach. They’d have to do some major trimming.

  19. devonte

    Tyson chandler for Brandon Jennings?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Don’t think that’s a good idea, especially with Mike Woodson as the coach. He’s going to want Chandler there.

  20. Mike

    What are you thoughts on John Henson to the Pistons with the 9th pick 2012 draft?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I’d rather have Zeller alongside Monroe myself. Feel like he does the little things that Monroe doesn’t and can play off of him better.

  21. Rory

    Where do you see the Raptors going with the 8th overall pick? Do they trade the pick and if so what type of players may be available for it?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Guys I respect make it seem like Waiters is a serious option there. Moe Harkless is a sleeper to consider there. I honestly think they trade down.

  22. FG7

    Do you see the heat keeping their draft pick or will they trade for 2 second rounders?
    Many teams are helding workouts for the draft.. Do you know which players are under the eye of the heat front office?
    Last year, we traded to draft Norris Cole. It was because it was him or just because we needed a point guard?
    Do you think our scouts are good, I don’t think so because apart from Wade and Rio, we passed very good players and even got stuck with a guy named Beasley..

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I believe in the HEAT’s front office, don’t think they’re bad at all. It was a combination of both on Cole. Haven’t heard much about who the HEAT have brought in specifically, but they’ve been in attendance at all the major group workouts so far. I think they should stick with their first round pick.

  23. Mutang

    Hey Yannis, so my team, the Utah Jazz, pretty much no one cares about now that nothing is happening there. But I still wonder what they’re going to do–they really could have used that GS pick to get their PG, but now what? What will they do this off season????

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Gotta trade either Jefferson or Millsap along with Harris to improve, in my opinion.

  24. steveh

    Wheres does Iggy land? And does Philly get a top 8 pick? IF so who would be a good fit there (6/7/8)?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not really sure. He’s a tough guy to get the right value for. I like him, but he does come with a high price tag. Depends on how the picks beforehand go, but they’ll have some talented options to choose from there.

  25. Lennie

    What would be the best case scenario for the Lakers to land Deron Williams ?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Pau Gasol and Ramon Sessions would be the best case scenario. To please Brooklyn, though, they’d probably have to give up Bynum.

      That’s going to do it for me this week folks. I’ll be back next week at an altered time due to the combine in Chicago.