NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 01/05/12

HOOPSWORLD Publisher Steve Kyler will hold his weekly chat at 10:30am EST on Thursdays. Drop in your questions regarding NBA trades, the NBA Draft, roster moves or questions about your team.

  1. usher

    How come the mavs showed no interest in resigning their own free agents. odom sucks during the lakers palyoffs last season he wasnt the same, haywood sucks at replacing chandler. he cant finish dunks doesnt play defense, never seen him box out or move around like chandler.
    delonte west sucks. he had two straight games with four points. vince carter is washup up and can barely make one three a game and disappears. it even shows by the mavs record. the wolves are a horrible team and they lost to them on new years.

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone… I hope the NBA season is treating you well… Lots of stuff to get to, so lets get after it.

      First… The Mavericks problems are not just about not re-signing their own guys… its compounded by who they replaced those guys with.

      Losing Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler and JJ Barea hurt… but replacing them with Brandon Haywood, Vince Carter and Delonte West doubles the impact because they are not nearly the players they replaced, mostly on defense.

      As for why — Mark Cuban penned this explanation.

      If this were the old CBA rules, we probably would have kept everyone together. But the rules changed.

      If we were able to sign everyone to two-year deals, that would have possibly changed things as well, but that wasn’t in the cards either.

      What you are missing is that it’s not about the luxury tax. It’s about the ability to improve our team going forward.

      The reality is that in the new system, cap room will have far more value than it had in the past. I realize that everyone is all freaked out about how and where free agents and future free agents are going, but it’s not just about getting one guy.

      We are not saving cap room in hope of that one super special free agent being there. It’s about being in the position to improve every year and possibly add some significant, younger players next year and in future years.

      What I don’t think people understand is that once a team hits the tax level the ability to improve our team is reduced dramatically. In addition, your ability to make trades is reduced. So basically, if we made the move to keep everyone together with five-year deals, the team we have today is going to be the team we have for the next five years. If we were a young team it would be one thing. But we are not a young team.

      In the past, it was different. If we had a problem, I could fix any mistake by having Donnie find a trade and just taking on more money. That is how we got Jet, the Matrix, JKidd, Tyson. It was always about taking on more money. That trick doesn’t work any more for teams over the tax. So we have to change our approach. By getting back under the cap, we have a ton of flexibility not only for free agent signings but also trades. If we can get the right guy(s) via free agency, great. if we do it via trade, great. We have that much more flexibility to make moves.

      The Mavs won;t be the only teams looking to move in this direction… I said this when the new CBA dropped… a Luxury tax team in 2013 will be rare — there are too many rules that restrict you if you are paying tax, so unless you are right there competing for a chmpionship, tax won;t be paid by many teams – not because of the cost of the tax – that will factor in, but because of how many restrictions get imposed by being a tax payer.

  2. bobby

    How come pistons resigned stucky , prince. they are both cancers to their teams. i recall they both were part of a protest and refused to play in a game last year. stucky is not a pg but the pistons play him as one. he hogs the ball to be a pg.
    prince is a cancer because he is complaining of a knee problem early on in the season. u shouldny pay someone 8 million so they can use their knee injury as the reason they are struggling. funy how prince did not have these problems until he got paid.

    • Steve Kyler

      First, why did they re-sign them… Joe Dumars doesn’t like to give up assets… Prince specifically Joe has great affection for, so factor that in.

      As for your criticisms of Stuckey and Prince, not sure I agree… but understand what you are saying.

      As for Injury, look around the league… Carmelo has missed games, Amar’e has missed games, LeBron is hurt, Steph Curry is hurt… the compressed nature of this season is going to impact a lot of guys.

      I know Tayshaun, and I can tell you… no one wants to play and win more than Tayshaun does, its just a fundamentally flawed Pistons team.

  3. adrian

    was it a mistake that denver resigned Nene. he is a caqncer to his team. I never seen him move around on defense or rebound. 7 rebounds is pathetic for someone with that size, he never bangs in the paint, when was the last time you saw him hustle or run . not ot mention bynum destroyed him the last two games they palyed. and if it werent for galinari the nuggets wouldve lost because of nene.

    • Steve Kyler

      They don’t think so… Nene is not a first option player… he’s not Dwight, or Kobe or even Amar’e where you can go to him as a first option… he’s a second or third option guy.

      I think you are assigning too much value to Nene. He is not your franchise player… I’d urge he’s not even your second best franchise player… he’s highly paid because center are over paid, but he’s not the anchor for the team any more than Marc Gasol is for Memphis or Chris Kaman is for the Hornets.

      Nene is not a problem in the locker room, he does what he is asked to do and he is very coachable.

      I think the problem you are seeing is that free agents did not train as hard because of the risk, so your seeing those guys struggle a little more… Samuel Dalembert is really out of shape and it shows on the court… Nene has looked better too… losing him for nothing would have been catastrophically bad… they did overpay, but New Jersey set the price.

  4. Will

    Dwight seems happy with the Magic,is he close to signing a contract extension?

    • Steve Kyler

      No.

      Players with Options will no longer sign extensions… its bad business.

      The new CBA allows for a maximum of four years on an extension… Dwight has two years left on his deal – this year and next, the CBA allows him to add two years for a total of four… the most Dwight could “extend” for is four-years $81 million — that includes this year.

      If he waits until July and opt-out, he can sign a new five year deal worth $99 million plus his $18 million this year.

      Waiting 6 months nets Dwight $36 million more than doing a deal today… same is true of Deron Williams.

      Now, also keep in mind the magic have told Dwight they are not trading him, so while he is content with things now, don;t mistake for being OK with how things are for a willingness to stay long term…

      I have said this a few times… Dwight loves the city of Orlando, he not in love with the Magic franchise… they need to make some moves at the trade deadline and be serious title contenders or Dwight gonna go looking in July and New Jersey and Dallas are ready to dance with him.

  5. Alec

    Hey Steve, what’s more disappointing? Thunder’s play of late (two losses) or that man being rejected trying to propose to his gf on national television at the UCLA game a couple nights back?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not at all concerned about the Thunder… this schedule is taking its toll on everyone.

      As for being rejected on National TV — I wonder… did he not know how she felt? and 2nd… what marriage lasts if it conceived at a bowl game?

  6. English Knick

    Let me say I love Stat – he had the guts to come to NY first. And I know we need to give this team time and at least see what impact BD has. But if it’s not working, could/should Knicks look to Houston for a Stat trade? They wanted him before. Stat and TD for Lowry, Martin, Hill and our pick back? Starting 5 of Lowry, Martin, Melo, Scola and Chandler looks pretty good…

    • Steve Kyler

      The Knicks are the only team that can take that contract, mainly because its uninsuarable… especially with a punishing Luxury tax coming… so stop believing Amar’e can and would be traded. The Knicks are stuck with him.

      Alex Kennedy and I were having this debate about Baron Davis… ask yourself seriously… if Baron Davis is your savior, how big is your problem?

      BD is 32, turning 33 in April and coming off a herniated disc in his back… he plays a little over his ideal weight… He’s played 82 games once in the last ten years… durability and dependability are not synonymous with Baron Davis.

      BD is not the answer.

  7. Sid Vicious

    Dwight who? If Bynum can keep this up, do you agree that Lakers hoping to get D12 might be unneccesary?

    • Steve Kyler

      I have said a few times that I think Bynum is the far better offensive player… now AB doesn’t intimidate guys defensively like Dwight does… I had a few guys joke with me about how much Dwight changes how they play around the basket.

      AB is a cheaper… he knows the guys… he is a game changer when healthy and you don’t have to give up Pau Gasol and take back unwanted long term debt.

      Dwight is the better player for sure, but I am not sold you win more games getting Howard in trade than you do with Bynum and Gasol when they play well.

  8. Sid Vicious

    Also, why do you need two guys covering the Bulls, when there are so many markets without a writer? I think Joel B. does a decent job himself. What happened with Litel’s and Brotherston’s chats? I thought they’ll be back once the lockout is over.

    • Steve Kyler

      Joel is not in Chicago… he lives in Bloomington, so he can not be at every Bulls game… he splits time between the Bulls and the Pacers.

      Mark is one of our Newslines editors and happens to live in Chicago… hence why we have two guys covering the Bulls… but to be fair, Joel covers the central division.

      We cover the league as a whole… and do that from the NBA markets that are closest to our people.

      We’ll be rolling out a new chat schedule next week… look at the right rail of this page for days and times… those start on Monday the 9th.

      Steve

  9. Nashty

    Hey Steve, what are your thoughts on the Tyson chandler signing for the Knicks? I really think they overpaid for a guy who only plays well in contract years and I see him only as a complimentary piece to play alongside amare and cover for his pack of D as Phoenix tried to do with Robin Lopez. If the kings decided to trade cousins do you think they would be willing to trade him for chandler and perhaps a filler or a 2nd rounder? This would give the kings back a starting caliber center and would also give the Knicks a young center with plenty of upside as well as plenty of cap flexibility to provide greater depth to the roster as he is only getting paid about 3.7 mil. Cheers

    • Steve Kyler

      As you pointed out the Knicks paid a ton for Chandler, so they are likely stuck with him.

      There is a general rule in the NBA… if you are a center, you’ll make $2 million more than you are worth…. Tyson is making $14.75 million — he is probably worth closer to $10 million — he gets an extra $2 mill for being a center, he gets an extra $2.7 because he was obtained in a sign and trade.

      Thats the cost of center… Kwame Brown got $7 million from the Warriors… Sam Dalembert got $7 mil from Houston… Nene got $13 mil from Denver…

      Did the Knicks overpay?… absolutely… but thats what you have to do when you have limited options.

  10. Nick

    Why haven’t the CAVS traded jamison, sessions and varajeo already before they win to many games?

    • Steve Kyler

      You are assuming anyone wants those guys…

      Most teams are still trying to figure out who and what they are… you saw the first major trade with Marreese Speights… I think you’ll see more.

      Teams are not lining up for Jamison… Sessions is a serviceable guy but the same reason you want him traded is why he hasn’t been… he’s a guy, nothing special.

      I don’t think the Cavs will trade Varajeo unless they get real value back… Bryon Scott wants to compete, and having vets who can helps… look at Washington, you put young guys into that situation they will stagnate… you give the young guys solid pros to learn from, once they find their way, then you deal the vets.

  11. Trevor

    What is the wording related to the amnesty if Gilbert doesnt get picked up this season will he be able to sign with ORL next season on a vet deal? Also do you think we can finally have a Magician in the 3pt shootout? Why havent we gotten a backup center yet, BBD is way undersized IMO.

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… Gil regardless of what he does this year could re-join Orlando next July, assuming he is a free agent.

      The fact he is not on a team right now should tell you volumes about Gilbert.

      The NBA tends to involve home-town guys, so I would expect either Ryan Anderson and or JJ Redick to be involved during All-Star.

  12. Jason

    The Blazers are off to a good start. Can they keep it up? Could they be contenders without a real superstar like the ’04 Pistons? Are they the 2012 version of the Pistons?

    • Steve Kyler

      I would say the Blazers have a superstar in LaMarcus Aldridge… that guy is a monster.

      I do think the Blazers can keep this pace… they have a deep team, they have a great point guard and a very good coaching staff.

      If they stay healthy and thats always an issue with the Blazers, I expect them in the thick of things.

  13. Chris G

    I think Luol Deng is playing at an All Star level, but there’s so many quality forwards in the east–Melo, Lebron, Amare, Bosh, plus guys like Pierce and Garnett. Any chance having last year’s best regular season and only one All Star could help push him onto the team?

    • Steve Kyler

      The coaches pick reserves, so what you are seeing out of Luol, others are seeing too.

      I wouldn’t say he’s a shoo in or anything, but It wouldn’t surprise me, especially he keeps this pace.

  14. Alex M.

    Now that Bynum has had a whopping 4 solid games everyone is saying he is better than Dwight. I don’t see it. Dwight has had over 20, 20/20 games and Bynum just had his first the other night. I actually think that if Dwight had a Kobe on his team his numbers would be better because he wouldn’t be double and triple teamed so much and would have to be played straight up. Your thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      Dwight is the best player at his position… he has no peers or equals in the game.

      Bynum is a better offensive player, but as I mentioned above… teams do not crap themselves over Bynum… they do over Dwight.

      I sat with a prominent rookie this year and he joked about how much you have to account for Dwight, and that every single time he drove to the basket he found himself looking around for Dwight and missed several shots because of the intimidation Dwight brings on the defensive end.

      My issue with Dwight to the Lakers, is not the question of is Dwight better than Bynum… thats almost silly… its the fact to get Dwight you would have to give up Pau Gasol and take back unfavorable contracts from Orlando.

      Is Dwight better than Bynum AND Gasol — I don’t think so because combined both guys account for 30.1 points and 19.6 rebounds per game compared to Dwight’s 22.9 points and 14.1 rebounds per game, even if Dwight saw a 20% bump from playing with Kobe he’d still average 27.48 points and 16.92 rebounds — and they’d have a gaping hole at the four spot… the Lakers have the better combination in town now.

  15. Alex M.

    Obviously Ryan Anderson is benefiting from playing alongside Dwight. Do the Magic use him as trade bait since his stock is rising or do you keep him since he has been very productive?

    • Steve Kyler

      Why?… they are winning games and he makes nothing in terms of trade value ($2.2 million) — the only way Ryan returns anything is if you pack him with someone else.

      You are also forgetting about how hard it is to learn the Magic system on both offense and defense…. if the Magic have a major injury, they may have to look at it, but given how good Ryan has been on the offensive end — he is a liability defensively — not sure you get better trading him.

  16. rodney

    Hay steve enjoy ur chats and ur radio show.

    With the Magic sitting 5-2 for the season jj and Anderson playing out of there minds which will either contribute to Dwight wanting to stay or increasing there trade value for the Magic to try and acquire a B rated star to pare with Howard. Do you believe that Dwight is second guessing requesting for a trade?

    Kobe a few years back requested a trade out of La until the team improved thus keeping Kobe in La. so do you see a common situation brewing in Orlando?

    If JJ continues his play do you see him as being a trade asset to pare with another player to acquire a Iguodala or Ellis sometime down the trade deadline?

    Personally in my opinion i think the Magic should do there best to go after Iguodala adding a defensive wing specialist with Howard would easily make the Magic the best defensive team in the Nba.

    What do you think

    • Steve Kyler

      Thanks for the love on the chats and the show…

      With the Magic sitting 5-2 for the season….

      — Unrelated. Dwight’s issues are bigger than the roster. There is more going on than just getting help – its marketing, its personal communication, its planning, its contract signing, its “how” the Magic do things.

      Kobe a few years back requested a trade out of La until the team improved thus keeping Kobe in La. so do you see a common situation brewing in Orlando?

      — Dwight wants a ring… above all things… he’ll go to Siberia if he can get a championship… The Magic have to prove to Dwight that he can win a championship in Orlando. He’s been convinced that it will never happen in Central Florida. If the Magic can pull a series of moves that insures the Magic are elite in the east every year, Dwight would stay… but he’s been convinced that how the Magic do things will never yeild a championship… thats the bigger issue.

      If JJ continues his play do you see him as being a trade asset to pare with another player to acquire a Iguodala or Ellis sometime down the trade deadline?
      — Maybe, but with Philly leading the Atlantic division right now, I doubt they trade Iggy and with no real star in Golden State I doubt the Warriors cash out Monta unless he implodes and I am sure they can return a lot more from others than Orlando can offer.

  17. lewis1201

    what about a nelson and filler for felton?

    • Steve Kyler

      Crazy talk…. Have you seen Jameer play this year?… His neck is jacked up and his play shows it.

      Guys… I am out of time. Thanks for all the questions. make sure you are following me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA). I am giving away an iPad2 when I hit 5000 followers, and then again when I hit 10,000… I am sitting at 4907 right now… so 93 more and I am randomly giving away a tablet, it could go to you… make sure you are following me. I am in New Orleans next week, so we’ll see how the schedule works out for my chat. Until next time. Have a great week.