NBA Chat With Yannis 6/8/12

Join senior NCAA and NBA analyst Yannis Koutroupis for his weekly chat this Friday June 8th at 11 am EST. Yannis will be hosting his chat from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, so get your draft related questions and more in!

 

  1. Nick from Australia

    I think a trade that involves gasol and somebody for deron williams and demion james or a big man of some sorts from the nets would help the lakers, your thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Welcome everyone to this week’s chat live from the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Let’s get right to the questions.

      Any trade that helps the Lakers land Deron Williams is a great one. Personally, I think they should trade Bynum for him and move Gasol back to center. That’s where he was far more effective for them.

  2. Chris

    Great chats, keep up the good work!

    Do you think the Lakers re-explore adding Beasley? I read on this site a possible S & T for Hill, but I really liked what Hill brought us in the playoffs. Also, what do you think is the most likely Gasol trade scenario?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Thanks Chris. Appreciate it. From what I’ve heard both parties are open to reigniting those talks. If I’m the Lakers, I want to keep Jordan Hill. He was really good for them. A nice backup at both the four and five, which is hard to find. Not sure what the Lakers have that the T-Wolves would accept for Beasley. They’re going to have to work that out, but Beasley would be a nice get for the Lakers. Most likely Gasol trade? Something to Houston for a package revolving around Kyle Lowry.

  3. Yannis

    Hello from Greece!!! Can you predict the summer moves of Lakers? I think that a trade with Min is the most propably. Gasol,Hill-Beasley, Williams+one more

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Yasou! I think Gasol or Bynum are gone. Most likely Gasol, but Bynum could be moved too. They’re going to swing for the fences.

  4. Ax of Manila

    Regardless of where the C’s current playoff run ends, if KG returns to Boston, where will he play? Back to his old 4 position or he’ll stay put at the 5 position?

  5. Pat Riley

    Assuming Kaman accepts a far more lucrative offer, should I use the Mini MLE to sign Camby or Kwame? Or maybe take a gamble on Oden?

    If Fab Melo is gone by 27, should I reach for Ezeli, or take whichever stud SG that falls? Thanks

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Camby would be ideal. Kwame would disappoint. He’s never great when there’s a lot of pressure and attention, which there’s tons of in Miami. Ezeli isn’t a reach at 27, he’d be a good grab there.

  6. Marlon D.

    TGIF Yannis, last nights Heat, Celtic game was a instant NBA classic, will we see a encore Saturday? How likely is it that Boston is able to get a game 7 victory in Miami?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      How was that game an instant classic? It was pretty much all Miami the entire time. LeBron’s performance was classic, but that game was not. I don’t think a Boston victory is likely, but I do think that they can win.

  7. Rory

    Hello Yannis,

    Wow what a great 2012 playoffs!!! With that being said, lets move to the off-season. With all these Rudy Gay rumors, who do you think he goes to? Toronto? GS? the Bobcats? What would each team have to give up for his services?

    Thank you!!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Regardless of where he ends up, I think he’s going to be missing Memphis in time. All of those places are likely landing spots. Personally, I think he should stay put.

  8. Patrick

    Harrison Barnes has been my guy since I first found out about him coming out of highschool, lots of critics on him saying he’s not the player that he was prospected to be etc. Do you think the talk of him going at 4 is real? Kyrie/Barnes would be a pretty lethal combo.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I do. Cleveland doesn’t have a problem reaching for guys who they really like and feel fit into their system, look not further than taking Tristan Thompson fourth last year for proof. Plus, the talk of Barnes to Cleveland comes from Sam Amick. Amick’s one of the best in the business, he was first to report the Thompson story last year too. With that said, I’m not in love with Barnes as a player because he doesn’t do much when his jump shot isn’t falling. Luckily for him, his shot usually is falling. I do love him in Cleveland, though, that’d be the ideal place for him.

  9. james

    Bobcats trades the 2 and maggette for Gay and the 25 pick. Or the 2 and maggette for Reke and the 5. I think either trade would benefit all teams involved, thoughts?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Don’t have time to look up the numbers, but if they match up I think both deals deserve consideration.

  10. Luke

    what do you think washington looks next year?Do they boy out lewis if they cant trade him and will blatche be amnesty or given another chance?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They’ve got to consider all options. If they end up with Thomas Robinson, those guys have to go. If they get MKG, then maybe only one of them needs to.

  11. John

    If you are joe dumars with #9 pick would you gamble and pick someone who have higher ceiing and can become star or sure thing for which you know what are you getting average player.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I just want someone who can play alongside Greg Monroe. Tyler Zeller, Jared Sullinger, heck maybe even Meyers Leonard. He’s on the rise and could be a really great combo with Monroe. I stay away from Henson at all costs.

  12. reeney

    hello. what do you think the chances are of the bulls getting gasol with a 3 team trade with the lakers/bulls/timberwolves do you see the wolves taking a player like deng or carlos..

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I think the Wolves would take Deng, not Carlos. Not sure I see Gasol going to Chicago.

  13. Tyler

    If the HEAT lose to the Celtics or Thunder what do you see happening next year? If Wade could accept a Harden/Ginobli role off the bench then I think that would instantly make them a better team. What do you think?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      There will be changes, but Wade coming off the bench isn’t one of them.

  14. Jazzfan

    Yannis thanks for your time, Whats your evaluation on Scott Machado? I saw in the mock draft posted earlier this week on NBA AM that HW has the Jazz taking him in round 2, could he possibly develop into a quality starter?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I like Scott’s game a lot. I think he’s going to really benefit from playing alongside pro talent, a luxury he didn’t have in college. He could go late first, but more likely early second. Great guy, I expect him to be in the league for a while.

  15. Deven

    Good morning Yannis. Thoughts on last night’s game? Also, do you think that game was the last time Celtics fans see the Big Three or Four?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Can’t beat the HEAT when LeBron is on like that. And yes, I don’t think we see Garnett, Pierce, Allen and Rondo all in Celtics’ gear next year.

  16. Deven

    Why is Kobe going to Germany again for another knee procedure? Are his knees that bad?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      It’s not so much that they’re bad, they just require constant maintenance. The dude has put a lot of miles on them.

  17. jack

    Will the Lakers make there big splash on nba draft night

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      If they do, it will be for veteran talent not draft picks. If they do make any big splashes, I think it will be in July via sign and trade.

  18. Tasos

    Hi Yannis from Greece,

    LA:Smith+Ariza
    ATL:Okafor+10th NO pick
    NO:Gasol
    the salaries are good.

    can be done? thanks!!

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think so. Lakers don’t need Ariza with Artest. I do like the idea of Anthony Davis playing inside the paint with Pau Gasol, though.

  19. Nick

    With rumors that some teams may want to dump some of their multiple 1st round picks, any chance the Knicks can grab one. And what shooters look good for them that can be gotten where they are, or could be if they can in fact get into first round?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Sure, they have a chance. The best shooters in the draft are John Jenkins and Hollis Thompson, in my opinion. They’re projected as second rounders right now.

  20. dzei

    hey,which prospect would you think fit best for the kings?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Harrison Barnes or Thomas Robinson. Unfortunately, they’ll both probably be gone by then.

  21. Jeff

    Which NBA team with a top ten pick in the draft, is most likely to trade up and why?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Sacramento because the guys they want probably won’t be there at five.

  22. bj bugtong

    if mo opts in, how about mo williams, ryan gomes a future 2nd rd. pick for okafor and the 10th pick? clips get a third big and a young prospect while the hornets would get 12 million worth in expiring contracts. not to mention mo williams isnt too shabby of a player.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Don’t think that’s a deal New Orleans needs to make. I’d rather keep the 10th.

  23. jack

    Will the Lakers make there splash on Draft night?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      After hearing this said to fellow reporters a few times here in Chicago I can’t help but want to say it myself: I’ve already answered that question.

  24. mitchel samson

    what would it take for clippers to get iggy?

  25. J of Az

    Of the free agents which are more than likely to return for the Clippers?

  26. Eddie

    With the 6th and 11th pick in the draft, can Portland fill its needs? Do you think they can get a combination of PJIII/Lillard or Barnes/Lillard and which combination do you believe fits better around LaMarcus?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Not all of them, they have a lot of needs. But they should be able to find two starters, or at the very least quality rotation players, at those spots. Ideally Drummond slips to them at six and they go Lillard at 11.

  27. martin

    deandre jordan ceiling? what do you think he will level out to stats wise? he still seemed raw last year.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t think he’s that far from it. At best I think he’s a 12-14 ppg, 10 rpg, 2.5 bpg guy.

  28. Rodney

    Where do you see the 76ers going with roster changes this offseason

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      Think they’re going to trim some salary so they can keep Louis Williams and Lavoy Allen. Maybe they use the amnesty clause.

  29. chris

    do you have any thoughts/insite on what the wolves might do this offseason?.. are they going to make a big splash?

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      I don’t know about big splash. Think they’re going to try to improve at shooting guard and center.

  30. Jason

    What do you tuhink of Tony Wroten as a ball handling 2 as opposed to a true 1? I think his athleticism and power at the 2 next to Kyrie and his shooting would be ideal. Like an inverted version of Russ and Harden.

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      He’s got to have the ball in his hands because he cannot shoot at all. That doesn’t make him a great fit next to Kyrie. I’m not sure where he fits in best right now, I think he’s slipping.

  31. mike b

    How can the rockets get out of having the 14th pick agan this year. I have some ideas, tell me if they are realistic at all. Trade K Martin and P Patterson to Utah for Jefferson. Trade Scola and Lowry for Gasol or Josh Smith. Then draft Lamb @ 14 and either Q Miller or R White @16. Thoughts

    • Yannis Koutroupis

      They can get out of there. There will be buyers for those picks.

      Guys, media availability is about to start. I have to run. Talk to you next week.