NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 1/17/13

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. Cristy

    What can the Wolves do to replace Klove?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone. 35 days to the trade deadline so things are heating up on the trade front. There are lots of thing to get to, so lets get after it…

      They are getting a lot from Dante Cunningham and Derrick Williams… They are also getting more from Rubio. I think the Wolves would make a trade, but from the stance out of Minnesota they are simply weathering the storm at this point.

  2. Radu

    Hi Steve,
    I was wondering what the financial implications are for a team making or missing the playoffs. For instance, the Bucks seem they would rather not move Monta Ellis or Jennings because that might mean giving up on the playoffs. Financially speaking, how much money would a team like the Bucks rake in from a first round exit? I mean, it might be worth it rather than trade Monta for scraps, right?

    • Steve Kyler

      There are two components to playoffs… first its actual ticket and sponsorship sales. Most people say a home playoff game is worth between $1 million and $1.5 million depending on the market. That number go up the deeper you go in the post season.

      There is also the Playoff pool which are additional dollars paid to the staff of teams – players and coaches – that’s based on where you finish in the season and how far you go.

      For instance the Thunder clocked in an additional $2.8 million for getting to and losing the NBA Finals. That money gets divided in equal shares to each player. The HEAT earned an addition $3 plus million for winning it all.

      The biggest financial advantage for making the playoffs is what you can turn that into for next season. Take Orlando in 2009, they went to the NBA Finals, and ended up selling like 30% more season tickets for the following season.

      Post season play tends to be good for future ticket/advertising and broadcasting sales. Its always good to make a good strong playoff run when your TV or radio deal is up.

  3. Radu

    Hi Steve,
    If I buy a jersey from NBA.com, for example, what percent of my money goes to the team whose jersey I bought and what percentage goes to the league? For instance, if I’m a Nuggets fan, am I helping my team financially if I buy their jerseys form the NBA store? What if I buy them from the arena?

    • Steve Kyler

      None.

      Adidas has a global license deal that pays the NBA roughly $44.5 million per year. Teams only collect revenue from sales they themselves make, ie team shop, team website.

      The only way you help your team financially is if you buy it directly from them. Jersey bought at a sporting goods store does not go to the team or the league.

      NBA.com generates league revenues that pay for the league so the NBA teams can keep more of their money. Equally league revenues get paid down to the teams after the NBA corporate budget is met. The same applies to National TV dollars.

      Teams indirectly get some of that NBA.com money, but its more likely your NBA.com purchase is paying for the NBA Store, that in turn pays for say Stu Jackson or a league official.

      Teams keep the largest share of what they themselves share and they get that materials from adidias at a deeply discounted price, so they can turn a tidy profit on those sales.

  4. WBS

    Why didn’t the Lakers resign Matt Barnes? He played well for them off the bench, and is now doing the same for the Clippers.

    • Steve Kyler

      The sense was he did not fit in Mike Brown’s world and that he wasn’t a key piece. I think he wanted to come back. He has said as much, but the Lakers were a tax team and any dollars they didn’t have to spend, they opted not to spend.

      There is this sense that the Lakers will just spend and spend, when in fact they make a lot of decisions especially on their bench and role players that are 100% money motivated. The Lakers tend to overpay for their starters and go cheap on bench guys, part of that is simply because of what they owe Kobe and Pau.

      I had a friend who was with the Lakers in training camp a few years ago and had made the final cut. They brought him into the office and told him “you made this team. However ownership won’t let us carry the extra player so we have to let you go.”

      The Lakers basically did that with Chris Douglas-Roberts this year. They just don’t spend on bench guys unless they absolutely have to.

  5. LA in LA

    If Earl Clark can maintain his good ball movement, rebounding, goood D and at worst NOT be an offensive liability, this will make it hard to bring back Pau as a starter?
    and might it push them to trade him?

    • Steve Kyler

      Lets be very very clear on this… If the Lakers had a deal for Pau Gasol that would in anyway make them a better team now and going forward Pau would be gone.

      The problem is despite Mitch’s best efforts, there is nothing the Lakers can do with Pau Gasol that they feel will make them better. They’d have to take back multiple players meaning they have to cut contracts to absorb them. They’d have to take back less talent or worse yet long term money than whats owed to Pau.

      There isn’t a deal for Pau Gasol that the Lakers will do… so Earl’s play has zero impact on Pau. I am happy for Earl, because that’s my guy, but one is not really connected to the other.

      Lakers don’t have a deal they’d do and they have tried to find one. Pau become far more tradeable this summer when he is an ending deal and the Laker roster will let them take four-players back without eating a bunch of contract money that they would have to pay Luxury Tax on.

  6. LA in LA

    2 questions for you:

    1) Last week you rebuffed my thought that Lakers should reign in Kobe at the end of games, which I find baffling. Just because he’s capable of hitting that tough fadeaway shot while double teamed doesn’t mean it’s the best shot. The Spurs and the Heat never force the ball to just one person.
    Understand my beef isn’t with Kobe taking the shot or even having the ball in his hands in clutch, it’s him always taking tough contested shot when he could pass it to Nash, another clutch shooter who is actually a better shooter. They could at least run a 1-2 Pick in Roll to give Kobe even more space.

    2)Why do shooters lose their 3pt range when they come to Lakers? Nash, a career 42% from 3P, is only shooting 33%. Blake shot at least 40% 4 straight seasons before coming to the Lakers. Jason Kapono, a career 43% shooter, made only 29% (albiet on a SMALL sample size). You get the point.
    What could be the cause of this?

    3)I know this trade would NOT happen but I want your opinion on how a Gasol for Smith Trade would affect the Lakers? Some Laker fans, myself included, think his lack of a jumpshot, bad shot selection, and inferior passing skills would be a bad fit. The other half of Laker fans feel he’s a superior defender, far better athleticism and speed would be a good fit.
    Where do you stand? Would J.Smith be a good for bad fit?

    • Steve Kyler

      On the first part… I don’t try and coach a team I am not the coach of… in a broad and general way, Kobe Bryant is the Lakers best player, he plays in the fourth quarter.

      Monty Williams said something last week about his Hornets team that is fitting to this concept. Players want to play freely, when you ask players to process too much they over think the game and that’s very bad. What you don’t want is guys taking shots that are outside of their skill set or their game. You don’t let Dwight Howard shoot a 3-pointer, when he does you talk to him about it.

      If Kobe is taking shots that are within his game, that is what you ask him to do. Some go in, some go out. But of all the active players in the NBA… all of them. I want the ball in Kobe’s hands in the fourth quarter.

      On the second… the system changes. The way you play and are defended changes and the spotlight and scrutiny in LA is different. For most player three-point shooting in a rhythm and mechanics action — how and where you get the ball is different because of how teams guard the Lakers. The Lakers have never really had many PURE shooters. They have had guy that can shoot, but those guys are generally getting few looks and are generally getting the ball in different places because of how the Lakers play.

      On the last part… Not sure Atlanta takes those contract dollars and unless Pau wants to the center in Atlanta not sure he and Al Horford co-exist because they both play kind of the same way. As for his fit in LA… Josh would have more open space than he’s ever seen in his career because of Kobe and Dwight. As for the commentary on Smith’s shooting. He has attempted 77 threes on the season. That’s 2.2 per game and he hits 32% of them. He averages 16 a game, grabs about 8 rebounds and blocks more than 3 shots a game… he’d fit in nicely in LA, you just won’t need him to score as much.

  7. Disgruntled Raps Fan

    Do you think the Raps could con the Suns into taking Bargs, Alan Anderson and a 2nd rounder for Beasley and Frye. I still believe Beasley could become an allstar(if JR Smith can finally come around then why not Beasley). Bargs gets the change of scenery that could jump start his career and get mentored by a great vet like Scola and playing with Gortat should hide many of his deficiencies. Beasley is having his worst season as a pro and like Bargs could maybe rejuvenate his career with a move. The Raps could finally get a “potentially” huge upgrade at the 3spot they desperately need.

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes. But no one is taking Bargs until he shows that the elbow is OK and that he can play with it, if not you are trading for a monster contract of a guy that might need serious elbow surgery… how’d that work out for Andrew Bogut? He still complains about his elbow and that was what three years ago.

      Phoenix can’t afford to be wrong on a contract of that size.

  8. Chris G

    Who would say no to a Bosh for Asik + parts trade? Houston wants another star, Miami wants rebounding, Bosh wants more touches, Miami wants to save luxury tax money.

    • Steve Kyler

      LeBron James. Miami is the top team in the east and they have just won a NBA championship. They are not breaking that up.

  9. Deven

    In recent years when a player is about to reach a milestone, they always break the milestone on the road? What’s up with that? The only exception was Ray Allen becoming the three point king when he set that record and was still a member of the Celtics.

  10. Deven

    Every year, Danny Ainge says he won’t make a big blockbuster trade. Do you believe him?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think Danny believes in his core and his coach… until someone offers him something serious I don’t see it. Keep in mind they almost traded ray Allen to Memphis last year, so Danny isn’t afraid to do a big deal, but it has to be a deal that improves the team not just gamble that it works out.

      The Celtics made a lot of changes this off-season and they have struggled defensively as a result. Danny is living the reason you don’t make massive changes because it takes a while to develop the chemistry and timing needed to be elite and Boston’s window is very small.

  11. Deven

    What were your thoughts about the first ever father-son match up between Austin and Coach Doc Rivers?

    • Steve Kyler

      No opinion. Happy for Austin and Doc. I am sure it was fun for both of them, but it was just another game.

      Austin had 8 points and his team won. But its not like he torched his Dad’s team for 50… that would be something to talk about.

      Hornets have won 7 of their last 10… not bad.

  12. Deven

    So Lebron now has 20,000 career points. Now what?

    • Steve Kyler

      30,000… Not overly impressed with those kinds of milestones. If you stay healthy you rack up numbers. LeBron came in out of high school. He’s elite. He’ll be the youngest guy to a lot of milestones because he is one of the league best players.

  13. Jim in CyberSpace

    As I Thunder Fan I’m really happy Brooks is letting Liggins’ get some NBA game time. D-League is one thing, the NBA is another. I like him…he’s scappy, an intangible guy, good D, 6-6.

    Eric Maynor hasn’t recovered from his injury like I hoped. DNP now. Small ball with RW, Thabo, Liggins, KD, and Ibaka. Or Sub K-Mart or Collison for someone?

    • Steve Kyler

      At some point in the 82-game grind you have to find rest for your guys.

      The Thunder are the top team in the NBA right now. The Thunder are on pace to win 65 games this season. Not sure I am ready to over think anything they are doing.

  14. Joe Shafer

    The Josh Smith drama in Atlanta is perfect timing! With the rockets starting to slump Morey needs to aggressively pursue that trade. Lin, Harden, Parsons, Smith and Asik is a good squad that will get better over the next two years (provided Lin leaned how to hit the open three)!!

    • Steve Kyler

      I think if they could get him they would… just not sold that Atlanta trades away their franchise guy without getting one in return.

  15. Anthony

    Tristan Thompson has been playing some great ball since Varejao went down, where do you see his ceiling at this point?

    • Steve Kyler

      This is who the Cavs envisioned Tristan could be. He has to get better at the foul line. I would like to see him challenging more. He doesn’t draw nearly enough fouls for the way he plays.

      As for his ceiling… he’s a double-double guy and maybe a borderline all-star if he can be more aggressive and controlling. Would blocking a shot every so often kill the guy?

  16. Andy

    Do you think the Timberwolves will look to move Pekovic or can they resign him?

    • Steve Kyler

      Ideal world… they re-sign him. The problem is they have a lot of money tied up now and will need more to re-sign Rubio, so how high will they really go? Pek’s going to get a silly offer in restricted free agency and then Minnesota has the chance to match. But like the Bulls last year with Omer Asik, what number is too big?

      I think they’d move him if it made them better, but I am not sure they “want” to move him, they just may not have a choice because of how well he’s playing.

  17. Cristy

    Where does Josh Smith end up?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think we’re jumping the gun a little. I haven’t spoke to Josh since the suspension, so I am reluctant to say he’s checked out. But the move to suspend him wasn’t smart.

      I still think it comes down to what does Atlanta get offered and what does josh say to Danny Ferry in 30 days when Danny asks him if he’s still on-board with the plan.

      When I talked with Josh about a month ago he was 100% on-board, but they haven’t won a lot of games recently and things do change.

  18. Brandon Whitley

    Would the Raptors do a Lowry and Bargnani swap for Al Jefferson. Would that be a good trade for the JAzz? If not, what is something that the Jazz can do to gain another player to help with the young guys?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure Al is anyone they have interest in. He’d help clear out the cap, but the Raptors won’t get a marquee free agent that way and Al wouldn’t stay in Toronto long-term unless they maxed him out.

      Raptors like Rudy Gay a lot.

  19. Drew

    If the Thunders draft pick lands in the top 10(raptors) what do you think they’ll draft? Also do you see Kevin Martin resigning after this season?

    • Steve Kyler

      Too early for who will my team pick with a hypothetical draft pick. We don’t know the draft field yet. Teams haven’t serious looked at guys yet. Too early especially for a Finals contender.

  20. AMPM

    What should hawks do with Josh Smith? They seem to play better without him because he is so immature but yet so talented.

    • Steve Kyler

      Don’t over react. 35 days to the deadline. Talk to Josh. If he is still in, you keep him. If he is out or expresses reluctance you have to trade him.

  21. BeeMagic

    Saw you at the Utah game; you are looking fit sir. Congrats.
    Healthy, are the Magic a .500 club? Have they been playing the improving McRoberts for trade purposes?
    Thanks.

    • Steve Kyler

      Thanks for the “looking fit” still got 12 more to go. Down 35 since June… 50 was the goal – get back to my playing weight :0)

      Life in the NBA is filled with bad food decisions, sitting in front of a computer and lots of poor health decisions.

      The Magic are trying to find any combination of things that work and Josh has played well. He was pissed last night because he was credited with a turnover that was actually JJ Redick’s. Jameer Nelson also got credit for one of his rebounds – so he was in rare and hysterical form last night.

      Josh is a pro, he understands whats coming. He didn’t expect to be playing much this year and is thrilled for the chance he’s getting in Orlando.

      I wouldn’t read too much into anything on any specific player as it relates to trades… Magic are just trying to find things that work and Josh has played well in his time.

      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.