NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 11/17/11

HOOPSWORLD Publisher Steve Kyler will hold his weekly chat at 3:30pm EST on Thursdays. Drop in your questions regarding NBA trades, the NBA Draft, roster moves or questions about your team.

  1. Steve Jones

    Is the rumor true that one of the reasons the players turned the agreement down was that the owners were going to contract the Hornets. Do you think it will happen if there’s no season.

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone. Hope the week has been as good to as it can without the prospects of NBA basketball on the horizon. Lots of questions in the que, so lets get after them…

      Zero truth. There was talk of a “B” list issue surrounding contraction, in that the NBA wanted the right to contract teams as they saw fit without the approval of the Players. They also were talking about additional reductions in BRI% if teams were contracted.

      You could put New Orleans in that box, but from what I understand there are at least 9 potential buyers on the line for the Hornets and the only way they’d consider contraction is if they couldn’t sell it.

      The Hornets are far more likely to be relocated than contracted…. but given the interest in the team, I doubt they will be relocated. I strongly believe they are gonna be sold to a group that wants them in New Orleans long-term.

  2. Ap

    Can like the rookies, some of the international players and the players who want to make a deal come together and form a union and accept the last proposal from Stern and the owners and bypassing Fisher and Hunter?

    • Steve Kyler

      They could try… the problem is the NBA wants a deal with all of their players… if this thing drags on and claims the season you might see something like that for next season.

      Hunter and Fisher have no authority over the process any more — Players could do whatevre they like, the problem with that line of thinking is that eventually after all the hype is over, both sides have to make a deal for the NBA to work as we know it.

      That is why all of this is somewhat ill timed and foolish, because at some point you have to make up and get back to business.

  3. tony

    I refuse to believe that the nba is willing to lose a whole year. Every report says about 10u hardliner owners well that is not majority and we know for a fact that majority of players want to miss a whole season. So I see a 50 or 60 game season what do u think?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Owners held a meeting today and we’ll see what comes out of that… I don;t think either side can afford to lose a full season, but you do get to a point where it hurtful to try…

      I would be surprised if both sides are not talking in some manner next week… if the NBA will back away from their side of the system issues a deal could come together pretty quickly.

  4. RAM

    Did the players have both options for decretification in summer or was it necessary to through months of negotiations to show they tried?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… they could have went this route on July 1st.

      Keep in mind the Players did not Decertify… The Union Disclaimed Interest in further representation of the Players.

      The end result is the same, but the mechanical parts are different…. In decertification the Players force the Union to disband… with a Disclaimer, the Union disbands itself.

      had the decertification gone through, the Decert group would have picked their leadership going forward… by Disclaiming, Hunter was allowed to appoint himself and Jeffery Kessler to the legal team, keeping his voice in charge.

      The other thing is that the Players Association felt like they were making progress, so they did not see a reason because they thought they’d get to a deal… and where very close a few times.

  5. Sean Reuter

    Whats the owners next move. Do they try to get the courts to move hearings to New York and if so does that spell the end of the players lawsuits.

    • Steve Kyler

      The Players plan is to flood the NBA with court cases and force the league to the table on the issues at hand.

      Not sure how the NBA is gonna play this… trying to fight in court just kills the season. The NBA knows the players are suing to get concessions… how many do they give? if the answer is zero, then we’re talking lots of counter-suits and counter claims.

  6. john

    what happens to the 2012 draft and who should toronto draft?

    • Steve Kyler

      As we have covered a few dozen times… there must be a Collective Bargaining Agreement in order for there to be a draft.

      All of the processes of the draft are governed in the CBA, so the Players and owners have to reach some kind of agreement or there won’t be a draft.

      As for who the Raptors should draft… hard to project without knowing where they will pick, and thats brings us back to needing a CBA with the players.

      As my man David Thorpe recently pointed out over at ESPN… Harrison Barnes would be a very nice pick for the Raptors… too early to get excited about draft picks.

  7. john

    if we have no season and say toronto’s calderon now becomes an expiring contract, what can we get for him?

    • Steve Kyler

      Can you tell me what the salary cap looks like?

      Can’t make trades until you understand what the cap landscape is going to be… Jose is not a coveted player, so I wouldn’t expect much in return, likely role players and filler.

  8. Carlos A

    One can only dream of,this happening. Howard become free agent bullz amnesty boozer howard signs with bulls
    Starting line up of
    Howar
    Noah
    Deng
    Mayo if bulls trade asik for him
    Rose
    How many championships do you predict with that line up?

  9. Sean Reuter

    Give me the odds of whether David West signs with the Pacers this year.

    • Steve Kyler

      80-20… he is one of their top candidates.

      I think it comes down to who wants to overpaying him more.

  10. Nick

    Do you think rajon rondo will lead celtics to poffs when the vets retire. What you think he will avg.

    • Steve Kyler

      No… I like Rondo, but I don’t see him leading a team into the Playoffs unless the C’s get him some serious help.

      Rondo is not the focal point type of player, once Pierce/KG and Ray-Ray are gone defenses can do more to contain him.. he still needs a consistent jump shot, as he ages he’ll slow down athletically and thats when he’ll need skills he currently does not have.

  11. matt

    Any reports out from the owners conference call yet? Are they still meeting?

    • Steve Kyler

      Nope… it won’t be until tomorrow or the weekend before things start trickling out.

      There will be less chatter because of the lawsuits. Most that know won’t be eager to talk.

  12. Dylan "Pie Face" Stevenson

    Hi Steve,

    What do you think will be the outcome of the Owners meeting today? Will they try to work out a deal with the players or will they dig deeper getting ready for the legal battles ahead?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think the Owners will decide how far they want to take this.

      I still believe the best option is to make a deal now… it costs less to concede and compromise than what you’ll lose fighting.

  13. matt

    Do the owners need a 100% vote of approval on any deal, or just a majority? If they just need a majority, would Stern even propose a deal he wouldn’t get a 100% of the vote on?

  14. Dylan "Pie Face" Stevenson

    If there is no NBA season this year, do all restricted free agents this year become complete Free Agents next year?

    • Steve Kyler

      Restricted Free Agents’ rights remain with their team… so no they will not become unrestricted.

      Now players like Deron Williams, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul who all have Termination options next summer could use them and hit free agency… the clock does not stop on contracts.

      Restricted players have a different set of rules on how teams maintain their rights.

  15. matt

    Can the nba/trade association settle prior to the first hearing?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… thats actually whats likely to happen and why the Players opted for this route… this starts the clock.

      The problem with it is the first court date is set for Feb. 29th… the season will long be toast by Feb 29th, so the Players have to hope for a move up date or that the other lawsuits get scheduled earlier.

  16. Dylan "Pie Face" Stevenson

    Who do you think comes out “dirtier” in the court of public opinion during the lockout: the players or owners?

    • Steve Kyler

      Its about equal…

      Players have had their miscues… NBA has had theirs… it seems to alternate on a week to week basis.

      I think fans for the most part are sick of the whole mess.

  17. matt

    Any truth to the rumors that Wilson Chandler and JR Smith will be released upon a new CBA? If so where do you think they will end up?

    • Steve Kyler

      Chinese teams can cut guys any time they want… so yes both could be released, although the CBA has told its teams that if the players are not released for legitimate reasons there could be back lash.

      As for where they land… Chandler is a restricted free agent and is likely back in Denver… JR Smith… not sure there is the same market for Smith. He won;t be back in Denver… my gut says Boston is a good fit, as would LA with the Lakers… neither can offer much more than an exception based deal — if we still have them after the labor fight.

  18. matt

    Are agents still pushing for Decertification, or are they on-board with the Disclaimer?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… the Decert group want to be as far away from Billy Hunter’s leadership as they can get.

      There has been talk that that group might file its own lawsuits too.

  19. Scott

    If the season is cancelled the Clippers will most likely end up with two top 5 picks in a loaded draft. Should they move the picks for a star or keep them to add to the young talent they already have?

    • Steve Kyler

      You are assuming too much.

      The draft order won’t be based on the results from 2010-2011… whats more likely is a 30 team lottery.

      I’ll steal a line from Neil Olshey… The Clippers don’t need another under 23 player with now NBA experience… they need veterans.

  20. Dylan "Pie Face" Stevenson

    Does a lockout hurt or increase the chances of big name starts like D. Howard and C. Paul moving on to another team next year?

    • Steve Kyler

      Depends on what the future looks like…

      Neither guy wants out of their situation — both simply want to win a championship and are not sold that happens where they are… if the new labor deal makes it more likely they can win championships or compete for them every year then they;d consider staying.

      Keep this in mind… neither are unhappy… they just both want championships and it will be that goal that motivates them.

  21. matt

    Any chance the owners in favor of a season asap take control of the negotiating stance of the league?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… still requires a majority and there are more teams losing money than making money these days so there are more hardline owners than soft ones.

  22. Dylan "Pie Face" Stevenson

    If Stern is serious about voiding all contracts what does that mean to Free Agency? Do all teams start all over again from scratch? Can teams build Mega Rosters? I don’t get it. Isn’t that counter to the owner’s claim of wanting more NBA parity?

    • Steve Kyler

      If Stern is serious about voiding all contracts what does that mean to Free Agency?
      — He’s said it a lot, but the truth is it would create more lawsuits than the NBA could respond to… and in theory it would make every players a free agent.

      Do all teams start all over again from scratch? Can teams build Mega Rosters?
      — Sure, if it fit under the new imposed cap structure.

      I don’t get it. Isn’t that counter to the owner’s claim of wanting more NBA parity?
      — It won’t happen. Its a good threat, but the truth is its hard to apply… a lot of owners wouldn’t like that decision.

  23. matt

    Any chance owners conference call is to discuss giving the players the two big system issues they require?

    • Steve Kyler

      More about the legal strategy first… but I am sure the owners resolve is being tested on several fronts.

  24. matt

    What comes first, a new CBA or a 300 yard passing game for Tim Tebow?

    • Steve Kyler

      Wow… both seem almost astronomically improbable.

      I’ll give Tim some credit and think its more likely he tosses for 3 bills than a deal is reached quickly… He’s got the Vikings and Patriots on the schedule still so there are opportunities.

  25. matt

    Why is Stern so focussed on garnering a 100% vote from the owners? Why not relent on some of the system issues, knowing full well he will most likely get the majority needed? Is it a pride thing? Has he always gotten a 100% vote of approval from the owners?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not at all concerned about a 100% vote… he wasn’t going to get it as it stood.

      There are a few things that have become clear in this process…

      1st – Stern is not calling all the shots. He does not have nearly the support he had the last go around.
      2nd – The number of smaller markets outweigh the big markets and they are ruling the processes.
      Lastly – The NBA got almost everything it wanted… why cave now? Hold the line for a big more and see how much more you can claim.

      This was never about getting a 100% approval.

  26. matt

    Can someone explain why in the world Kroenke is in the “hard-line” group? The Nuggets have been profitable since he took purchased them. Is it because he saw what the owners could get by cancelling a season with his hockey team?

    • Steve Kyler

      Being a hard-liner isn’t about profits, its about wanting to see the business changed.

      I am sure that his knowledge of the NHL system and how its improved the league is a key reason why he’s for stronger changes… Losing Carmelo to the Knicks didn’t hurt the cause either.

  27. The Jims (Buss and Dolan)

    We are freaking out here, losing millions by the second. Why aren’t we offering the smaller market owners more revenue sharing in return for relaxation of system demands so players will sign?

    • Steve Kyler

      Because this isn’t just about revenue… in fact we’re kind of past revenue… its about system changes for the most part and thats whats effecting the most teams in every market.

      Not sure the high revenue teams can buy off the low revenue teams on system issues.

  28. matt

    I feel like the players have gained some support from the media/fans through this disclaimer? Do you agree?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… but public support means nothing in reaching a deal.

      A deal happens when both sides want it bad enough, and maybe the threat of a nasty lawsuit is enough to get the NBA to move a little more to end this.

  29. matt

    Why are some players and most of the agents so against Billy Hunter… all he has done is NOT accept a “bad deal.?” Am I missing something?

    • Steve Kyler

      I can only speak about whats been said to me… but there is a sense that Billy simply was never the right guy for this. There are many who feel like he is coasting through this and that he was never proactive or aggressive enough and that he sold the players out in this process to the point that they may never get it back.

      I can also say that Billy has been much more about the Players than the agents… he treats them with disrespect for the most part and has not really involved them in this process.

      That’s fine, after all this is the Players Association, but when things like contracts and the future of players are at stake keeping the guys tasked with managing that part of a Players career out of the process gets you alienated and when you fail to get a deal, you’ll get all the blame.

  30. matt

    So who will call who first? Boies says, he wants to settle, so why doesn’t he call Stern? Put your money where your mouth is!

    • Steve Kyler

      I think that phone call happens this weekend.

      Guys I am out of time. Thanks for all the questions. I will not be chatting next week but will be back with you on December 1st. Until then make sure you are following me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA). Have a Happy Thanksgiving.