NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 10/11/12

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. Peter

    Hey Steve how are you? With the core of the Spurs aging and their championship window closing, what do you think RC Buford and Coach Popovich will do to ensure the Spurs can stay at the summit of the western conference after duncan or manu retire? Will the Spurs dip into the free agent market in 2013 and find a long term replacement for both of them?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone. Hope the week has been good to you. Games are starting to be played and teams are starting to take shape… lots to get to, so lets get after it.

      A couple of things… the Spurs don’t think too far down the road. They like this team as constructed. They have a couple of project guys they see huge upside in, namely Kawhi Leonard.

      The worst money you can spend in sports is on unrestricted free agents. That is typically the worst value for dollar in sports. The Spurs tend to either draft their guys, or find them in trade or at a bargain. I don’t see that changing because Duncan and Manu are coming to the end of the road.

      I think all their replacement players will come to the team the same way the current ones did… smart drafting and good cap management.

  2. willie

    glen c nicholson pf harkless sf arron sg moore pg second unit nik c harper pf turk sf jj sg nelson pg the future is now any chance jacque goes with that lineup by the end of the year tell rob to bring shabazz to orlando

    • Steve Kyler

      Before you get too far down the road on this Magic have a shot at the top pick, look at the history of the draft…

      2012- Worst team was Charlotte and the top pick went to New Orleans (4th worst)
      2011- Worst team was Minnesota and the top pick went to Cleveland (8th worst record – from the Clips)
      2010- Worst team was New Jersey and the top pick went to Washington (5th worst)
      2009- Worst team was Sacramento and the top pick went to Clippers (3rd worst)
      2008- Worst team was Miami and the top pick went to Chicago (9th worst)
      2007- Worst team was Memphis and the top pick went to Portland (7th worst)
      2006- Worst team was Portland and the top pick went to Toronto (5th worst)

      Do I think the Magic will explore deals to move off their veterans and clear out the cap and create room for the young guys… yes.

      Does that means Orlando has a shot at Shabazz… No.

      Equally there will be no individual decisions anymore… Orlando has assembled a team concept in their front office, all decisions will be made by the collective and with everything pointing back to the culture they are trying to build.

  3. Deven

    Steve, would you agree that Derrick Rose’s return to the court will be one of the best moments of the entire season? It was hard to see him go down with that nasty injury.

    • Steve Kyler

      Depends how he plays… if he comes back and struggles, then no… it would be very bad. But he has super smart people advising him on his rehab and he is taking the right approach to all of this.

  4. Tiggermask

    Hi Steve, Love your chats. When the Kings move to Seattle and becomes the Supersonics, what happens to the Kings history. It can not be incorporated with the Supersonics, because it is not a new francise. When OKC got the Thunder, Seattle was assured that they could keep the name incase they were ever in a position of acquring a team. I have never been to Chesapeake Energy Arena. Are there banners of past supersonic division championships and NBA championship hanging from their rafters. Who will own the rights to hang these banners, if the supersonic name gets adopted onto the existing Kings Team?

    • Steve Kyler

      Too many ifs there.

      Seattle did retain the rights to the team name and all of the history, so yes, any Sonics banners would belong to whatever team choose to take that name. The problem with the logic is the assumption that the Maloofs would give up the Kings name.

      There are a hundred details to get resolved before this becomes a viable topic, simply because Seattle hasn’t gotten the team yet.

      Teams have changed names before… Washington was the Bullets for a long time before becoming the Wizards. — they celebrate both names in their history. However this would be different, because you have overlapping history.

      Its never been done before, so we’ll have to see how it shakes out, but I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself.

  5. LA in LA

    Shame about SVG. Was looking foward to seeing him and Simmons added to NBA Today.
    According to Big Lead, Stern stopped ESPN from hiring SVG for their show. ESPN has already released their false (or half truth) statement but the Stern hasn’t.
    I guessing he’ll claim “Basketball reasons” again?

    • Steve Kyler

      ESPN addressed this saying that they talked about roles and assignments with Stan and could not reach an agreement.

      Not sure I am buying that David Stern had anything to do with it. David is not nearly as hands-on as people give him credit for.

  6. LA in LA

    I think the Pacers have a foundation for a contender, but I’m almost positive they wont get there with Granger as their top player. Here’s my idea:
    If they could trade him for a good value while his own value is still high (enough), preferably for an above average SG and/or HIGH pick and definitely before Paul G.’s needs to be extended, slide Paul G. over to SF (his natural position), than sign a true superstar with the cap space from moving D.Granger and letting D.West’s contract expire. (they account for $23 mil combined). You can’t plan the superstar but some semi realistic options are K.Love and Aldridge.
    Then they’d have a nice big 3 of Paul George (assuming he comes close to potential), Hibbert, and Superstar player.
    Thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      I can only tell you what I know… the Pacers love Danny Granger. The Pacers will go as far as they go together. Danny isn’t the source of their issues. They had a lot of break downs last year and thats what has to be cleaned up.

      Now if things don’t improve this year could I see them looking at changes next summer or at the deadline if the wheels come off — sure. But Danny is not the problem in Indiana.

  7. Luke

    Just curious who would be a better fit next to rose when healthy Demar in toronto or Martin with the rockets and easier with trades if it were to happen

    • Steve Kyler

      Martin is obtainable… DeRozan is not. Toronto controls DeMar for the foreseeable future, where Kevin Martin is an unrestricted free agent. I think Rose need perimeter shooting more than athletic slasher.

      Martin’s health and durability are a problem as is his defense. I think Kevin can be a better defender than he’s looked, especially if he’s put into a system where he is asked to defend.

  8. Sweet Dee

    Looks like Markieff Morris will get a big opportunity to play in Phoenix this year with Channing Frye out for the season. How many minutes per game do you expect him to play this year? And do you think he will be able to live up to his 13th overall pick status of 2 years ago?

    • Steve Kyler

      I never give any thought to how many minutes guys will play. I think Markieff proved he can play and he’ll get a chance in Phoenix this year.

      Not sure what you are saying when you say the 13th pick status… look at what that pick has historically produced – he is already one of the better guys at that spot:

      2010 Ed Davis, UNC – Toronto Raptors
      2009 Tyler Hansbrough, UNC – Indiana Pacers
      2008 Brandon Rush, Kansas – Portland Trail Blazers
      2007 Julian Wright, Kansas – New Orleans Hornets
      2006 Thabo Sefolosha, Switzerland – Philadelphia 76ers
      2005 Sean May, North Carolina – Charlotte Bobcats
      2004 Sebastian Telfair, Lincoln HS (New York) – Portland Trail Blazers
      2003 Marcus Banks, UNLV – Memphis Grizzlies (Draft rights traded to Boston Celtics)
      2002 Marcus Haislip, Tennessee – Milwaukee Bucks
      2001 Richard Jefferson, Arizona – Houston Rockets (Draft rights traded to N.J. Nets)
      2000 Courtney Alexander, Fresno State – Orlando Magic (Draft rights traded to Dallas Mavericks)

  9. Mac

    Some players struggle adjusting to the speed of the NBA coming over from Europe. What are your expectations on Alexi Shved this year? How many minutes to do think Adelman will play him this season and what is a reasonable expectation from T-Wolves fans?

    • Steve Kyler

      I have zero expectations on Alexi, because he’s a bench guy at best.

      Again, I don’t give minutes in thought… whats the 6th or 7 man see… less than 20 per game… thats about right.

  10. Frank

    The Toronto Raptors somehow managed to be ranked in the top 10 in defense under Dwayne Casey last year. With a full training camp and the additions of Jonas Valancious, Kyle Lowry, and Landry Fields do you think this rank can be improved? Preseason, where would you put Toronto defensively as a team?

    • Steve Kyler

      Casey is a great coach on the defensive side of the ball, so yes… I expect Toronto to be better defensively.

      I have not seen them play yet, but top 15 is probable.

  11. Randy

    I am concerned at the quality of the Memphis Grizzlies bench: Josh Shelby, the oft-injured Jarred Bayless, Quincy Pondexter, I play no defense Mau Speights, and Hamed Haddidi is not the strongest second unit? How do you rank the Grizz bench and do you think this lack of depth will impact their standings.

    • Steve Kyler

      Memphis is fine. They are so deep none of their individual guys are going to matter much. Most teams play 8 guys down the stretch… nine if you get into foul trouble. Memphis has more than enough.

      You typically need 100 points to win a basketball game… Rudy gay gives you 20, Zach gives you 20… Pau gives you 18… Mike Conley gives you 12… 30 points from the bench and whoever mans the 2 spot isn’t a huge gap.

  12. LayHee

    Many reports have said coach Keith Smart has bonded and gained the trust of DeMarcus Cousins . Never sure to believe the hype of such a volatile player. How do you think Smart will do this year with Sac. And how do you think the Cousins/Robinson tandem fair in year one?

    • Steve Kyler

      I can tell you that DeMarcus speaks highly of Coach Smart, so I buy the relationship being good. Not sure that changes DeMarcus’ mentality in games.

      As for Thomas Robinson… I think he brings a lot to Sacramento, not sure if he can reach Cousins either, but thats a nasty and talented frontline.

  13. Ricky

    How worried are you about the John Wall stress fracture in his knee. Seems like a bad thing to have right before a grueling 82 game season. Would you steer clear of him in fantasy pools as you are concerned about this being a reoccurring injury during the year or do you believe he will come back to play at a high level for the rest of the season despite this minor set-back.

    • Steve Kyler

      Never good to have an injury this early… John has struggled to stay healthy. Not sure I bank too much on him. If you can get him late in your draft eventually his value outweighs his risk. I would not go in on an injured guy like Wall early.

      Hit tbeer@hoopsworld.com for your fantasy questions.

  14. Julian

    Tyreke Evans is in a contract year this season, asked to play out of position at the SF spot. If you were a betting man would you side with him coming back strong with all the work he put in the summer or is there a greater possibility he struggles and is eventually traded during the season.

    • Steve Kyler

      None of it will matter if he can’t hit the three ball…. The Kings need him to be a solid shooter, if he can’t do that they will move him and move on.

  15. Bubbles

    Damian Lillard looked like an absolute stud during Summer League. But this was against 2nd level talent/ back-up point guards. How do you think he will fair against all the starting points guards this year. And how many turnovers do you believe he will average this season playing all those minutes in Portland.

    • Steve Kyler

      I think Damian will be just fine. He has to learn the NBA game and he talked about that after the pre-season game. I don’t get into trying to predict stats. I know he will be Portland’s starter at point guard and that means tons of minutes and opportunity. He says he can average 8 assists a game… we’ll see how that works out.

  16. Aaron

    How do you believe Terry Stotts will fair in his first season with Portland. The Blazers are supposed to be in rebuilding mode, but with Aldridge, Batum, and the rookies they may surprise. How do you have them ranked in the Northwest and why?

    • Steve Kyler

      I like Terry as a person, not sold on him as a head coach.

      As for where are they in the Northwest?… Behind Oklahoma City and Denver and neck and neck with Minnesota.

      I think Portland could be good enough for the playoffs, but they need their young guys to grow up fast.

  17. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Steve, keeping in mind only one preseason game played so far, 1 1/2 weeks of camp: Who do you see right now as ‘more likely’ regular season starting Magic C- Ayon or Vucevic?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure they know yet. We’ll see tonight who gets the nod.

  18. SatBchMagicer

    At current time, what are chances Afflalo’s leg injury will affect his availability for ‘full bore’ early regular season play?

    • Steve Kyler

      Again… not sure. I’ll see him tonight and ask him for you.

  19. Chris

    Hi Steve, With a team as deep as the Clippers (i love to be able to finally say that!), whose statistics do you see dropping during the season? Even the backups are good players, so the playing time of some players should be decreasing and that´s why i wonder if a guy like Grant Hill can still put up 12-17 ppg while being out there for less than 20 minutes.
    Your thoughts on that?

    As always, appreciate your work, keep doing what you do, spreading basketball knowledge all over the globe ;)

    Greetings from germany.

    • Steve Kyler

      Again… I don’t spend any brain power on predicting or thinking about stats… Stats are situational accomplishments based on who plays and how the defense plays. Any number I give you is a guess and I don’t like to guess at anything.

  20. 416nova

    Great work on the site, esp the hoopsworld TV. After watching last nights game against the Pistons; Drummond looks legit; raps should not have passed on him. With that said, there are a few good frontcourt tandems shaking up in the NBA. please rank these in order of who is the best now, in 3 years and going forward.
    Monroe/Drummond
    Valinciunas/Bargs
    Cousins/Robinson
    Dwight/Gasol
    McGee/Faried
    Chandler/Stat
    Lee/Bogut
    Hump/Lopez
    Gortat/Scola
    Also, what about hoopsworld developing a forum for these crazy fans to float trade ideas and tell each other (Lakers Fans) how dumb their trade proposals are?

    • Steve Kyler

      HOOPSWORLD TV was a long time in the making… Henry Abbott and the guys at TrueHoop launched the concept and we have been trying to emulate it for some time.

      Here is how’d rank them…

      Dwight/Gasol
      Chandler/Stat
      Lee/Bogut
      McGee/Faried
      Monroe/Drummond
      Valinciunas/Bargs
      Cousins/Robinson
      Hump/Lopez
      Gortat/Scola

      As for the forum idea… we had forums for a long time, but the systems that power them are painfully insecure… so we opted away from Forums in favor of chats and in article comments.

  21. jeff

    Timberwolves looked good last night, Derrick Williams improved, Roy healthy, if Rubio is healthy how far do you think the timberwolves could go this year?

    • Steve Kyler

      They could be the 6th seed… not sure they can get much higher than that without someone really playing above themselves… If Kevin Love channels his inner Kevin Durant all bets are off… equally if Brandon Roy can be B-Roy again for more games than not, that could change things too.

  22. Brad

    Steve,

    Any rumours involving the Bobcats? Do you see them making a move before the season starts or going forward with this roster and playing for another lottery pick?

    • Steve Kyler

      Most teams are focused on what they have in camp… could the Bobcats scoop up cast off guys… yes.

      Are they trigger a major trade, unlikely.

  23. Keith

    I understand that it’s only 1 preseason game, but do you feel if the Bucks can resemble somewhat of a defensive team as they were against the Cavs (8 blocks)they will indeed become a playoff team? Some D with that potent O could be scary…Fear the Deer again?

    • Steve Kyler

      Everyone’s job counts on them being good… They have the talent to be the 6th seed in the East, but there are four teams sitting in the same situation – Toronto, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta.

  24. Bryan

    What do you think of the new look Mavs? I feel after they get fully healthy and some chemistry going along with their deep bench they will be a dangerous team

    • Steve Kyler

      They could be, but I don’t think we’ve seen enough of what the rotation will really look like to say how good they are in the West.

  25. Zeke

    Do you think the Pacers will finish in the Top 3 in the East this season? And is their growth dependent on the growth of Paul George?

    • Steve Kyler

      They could simply because Chicago could struggle a little without Derrick Rose. If Chicago concedes the division, them absolutely its possible because of how the playoffs work. Thats a HUGE if, because Chicago is so deep and so well coached.

      Indiana’s problem is between the ears not in terms of talent… they learned a lot about how to play in the post-season and I think those guys will be better as a result of it.

  26. dub

    I know it was only the first preseason game but I must say Valenciunas looked soft last night. He ran back on D very “care-freely” and really had no impact. Sure hope he improves quickly…

    • Steve Kyler

      That’s how he looked in International play too.

      I still think skill wise he is one of the best talents in that draft, but he’ll have to learn how to play in the NBA just like every other rookie.

  27. Al

    What are your thoughts on Donatas M. (not going to even attempt last name)in Houston? Does he have a shot at the starting Center spot and what’s his upside? Thanks

    • Steve Kyler

      I like Donatas Motiejunas… but the one thing that surfaced in Summer League that I think will be his trade mark is that he’ll go monster on you one night and be invisible on other nights.

      He is extremely talented.

  28. Sweet Dee

    In his chat, Bill Ingram claimed some D-League teams would wipe the floor with the Memphis Grizzlies second unit: Josh Shelby, Jarred Bayless, Quincy Pondexter, Mau Speights, and Hamed Haddidi. Agree or disagree with this statement?

    • Steve Kyler

      Disagree… mainly because Bill and I rarely agree on anything…. thats why our dynamic works.

      I have spent a lot of time with Josh Selby and understand how dynamic his game could be at the NBA level. I am also a big Jerryd Bayless fan… I don;t think their bench is as good as it been in previous years, but I;d take them over the Mad Ants or the Skyforce.

  29. Frank

    After Jerome Jordan put up some solid numbers in his first preseason game. I have to wonder why a Houston Rockets team, who has very little depth (if any) at the center spot, would waive this guy? Questions: Why was he waived? And what do you think of Jerome as a player? Will he get run in Memphis this year?

    • Steve Kyler

      They were maxed out and did not give him any consideration. We spent some time with him this summer and I openly tweeted about how good he looked to me.

      Keep in mind some teams don’t want certain kinds of guys… if you think a guy has an injury history or a work ethic problem or can’t run your system, even if he is the right player physically, he might not be the player you want.

      Jerome sat out there for a while, so it wasn’t just Houston. I like the kid myself and I think he can play.

  30. Tim

    John Wall vs Evan Turner. Who would you rather have going forward and who has the better upside?

    • Steve Kyler

      John Wall is still the better player. I like Evan, but he has been awfully average. If John can ever get control of his relentless speed he could be amazing, but he’s got to get control and stay healthy.

      Guys… I am out of time. Thanks for all the questions. Make sure you are following me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA). See you all next week.