NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 12/08/11

1. Joe

   Whats is Brook Lopez’s est. Reb./G avg. this year? Was last years precipitous drop related to his year long shoulder problems or more related to playing next to Humphries all year? He often seemed totally disinterested in reboarding last year.

   • Steve Kyler

     Welcome in everyone… something tells me there will not be much sleep in my future… but thats how it goes… Lots in the que, I will do my best to hit as many as possible and bounce around to insure late arrivals get a question in.. lets get after it.

     Joe as a rule I always answer the first chat question asked, but come on… this is the best you have?…

     Brook’s numbers will be directly related to who gets added to the team… I suspect he’ll rebound from last years down-trend, but too early to predict stats… thats more of an @tommybeer question.

2. Alex M.

   NO: Danny Granger, Daniel Orton
   IND: Jameer, Reddick, Trevor Ariza
   Orl: Chris Paul

   What do you think?

   • Steve Kyler

     First the Pacers have zero interest in trading Danny Granger… they want to add to him not subtract…

     2nd… Looking like Lakers are leaders in the clubhouse today on Chris Paul…

3. Frank

   Hi Steve,
   What’s going to happen to Troy Murphy? Does he stay with Bos?

   • Steve Kyler

     Unlikely… He played 177 minutes for Boston last year… I’ll spend more time on this chat than he did in Boston… He is a free agent, if he comes on the cheap they might sign him, but not sure he matters in the big scheme for Boston.

4. KNICKS FAN

   how do feel about the knicks signing tayshaun prince and earl barron?

   tayshaun is like a older version of wilson chandler can play and defend 3 postions and barron is jus cheap big who can play well if given the minutes

   • Steve Kyler

     Got that question in a little too early… Tayshaun Prince is going back to Detroit on a four year deal worth an estimated $27 million.

     Love Earl Barron, hope he gets a real shot… but if the Knicks do land Tyson Chandler as discussed… Earl never sees the floor.

5. dyrese

   can the knicks get cp3 marco bellinelli in exhange for billups iman shumpert landry fields 2013 1st round pick?

   • Steve Kyler

     Unlikely… Looking like Billups is going to Dallas as part of Tyson Chandler trade and Chris Paul’s latest destination is the LA Lakers.

6. Anthony

   Would the Clippers if they do not obtain Chris Paul have any interest in Baron Davis if the Cavs let him go via Amnesty?

   • Steve Kyler

     Maybe… they are under the cap so they could make a bid for the balance of his deal… I doubt seriously that they would, they have a ton of point guards.

7. Sven

   Hi Steve. Richard Jefferson is lookin’ like quite the genius for opting out last year. He left 15 million on the table, for a 4 year 38 million deal. Now he will be paid 30 million to get a new deal elsewhere ! Where do you see him ending up ?

   • Steve Kyler

     Agreed on savvy business move…

     Not sure where he lands yet… I think he is still a valuable player – so I expect a few teams to try and land him through the new bid process… I think once things dry up a little in terms of immediate signings tomorrow we’ll have a better feel for who still has needs.

8. TO Raptor

   Hey Steve, in a press conference yesterday, Colangelo mentioned he has a few moves lined up already for the Raps for Friday. Any idea what they are?

   • Steve Kyler

     No… but they went after a lot of guys… Shane battier listed them as a real possibility before picking Miami, so they have canvassed the league… Because of the compressed nature of things not a lot of free agent chatter and a lot of guys are holding off decisions until tomorrow.

9. Chris G

   Who is most likely to end up as SG in Chicago: Crawford, Richardson, Butler, or other?

   • Steve Kyler

     Sounding like both Caron Butler and Jamal Crawford…

10. Scott

    So do the Clippers finally get their starting small forward before the season starts?

    • Steve Kyler

      They may have to trade for one… I still wouldn’t count them out of Caron Butler… literally as I typed this got a text warning Butler still possible for Clippers.

11. Marvelous Marv

    Hey Steve,

    One of the B-list items on the CBA now allows a team to renegotiate and extend existing contracts at a decrease of not more than 40%. How could this provide more cap space for NYK (contracts for Melo and Amare)?

    • Steve Kyler

      Only on new contracts —> when Amar’e deal is up, he can do a new one where his salary goes down… this does not allow existing deal to be re-worked like in the NFL…

      Also I could structure a deal where you get $10 million this year and $6 million next… that was not allowed under old deal.

12. Anthony

    In your opinion, why don’t star players try to come to the Kings? Is Sacramento too small (although Kevin Johnson is working on a new arena) or does it have to do with the Maloofs Issues like trying to relocate or the Palms issues (they now own a woppiing 2%)?

    • Steve Kyler

      This is my opinion…

      #1 – market is not a premiere sports market.
      #2- cheap owners that have run out of money
      #3 – terrible management… Petrie is not longer elite.
      #4 – average coaching staff
      #5 – losing culture and mentality
      #6 – limited endorsement – brand marketing opportunities… shoe companies are not bonusing guys for playing in Sacramento.

      They strong together a couple of good playoff season that might change, but Sacramento is a tough sell to live there, let alone play there is you want to be rich and famous.

      My grandfather lived just outside of Sacramento for years – its just not a marquee sports town. Very nice people. but hardly glamorous.

13. a different matt

    With the latest rumor that the Knicks are now the leader in the clubhouse for Chandler (via Billups amnesty), does that mean it’s a virtual lock that CP3 is traded to the Knicks for Amare!?

    • Steve Kyler

      No one will take that contract — its a monster and un-insurable.

      You need a deep pocketed owner willing to eat $21,679,893 in 2013 and $23,410,988 in 2014… considering Amare’s back issues last year and the knee… almost no shot on an Amare trade… simply cross Chris Paul off the list.

14. keeweekid

    Any chance the teams that are all ready positioned to be superpowers (Heat, Knicks, Thunder) will have an easier time in the future (next 2-6 years) due to the CBA making it harder for teams like that to be formed?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… but also harder for them to add because of how a lot of those contracts escalate in value… those teams need the NBA to really boom in the next two years so the cap goes up significantly.

      The same tools that will restrict those kinds of teams from being formed will also restrict those teams from adding more chips… they may have to break them up to add depth especially as injuries and age set in.

15. keeweekid

    The Blazers are offering Oden the qualifiying offer but wouldn’t it be in their best interest to get him say 3-4 years for $??? (something reasonable) rather than having no control at the end of next year?

    • Steve Kyler

      He is taking the Qualifier — they had to give it to him to secure his rights… its his choice to take it… he is taking it hoping to up his value considerably and make more next year.

      The Blazers could have offered a lower dollar multi-year deal, but Greg is hoping to rebound from injury and keep his value high… remember he’s 23 this year, turns 24 in January…. he is a baby in NBA terms.

      Greg plays all 66 games and is a beast whats he worth next year?… thats his camps logic… he’ll also be free to sign wherever he wants without restriction.

16. keeweekid

    At the start of the 2012/13 NBA season, which team are the following playing for: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Deron Williams

    • Steve Kyler

      I am not a fortune teller… but can safely say Dwight Howard and Deron Williams start where they are…

      Chris Paul… too much in play… yesterday it was Golden State… today the Lakers.. tomorrow Orlando?… who knows.

17. keeweekid

    Do you have any sense on how much more a superstar athlete (ala D.Howard) would make more in endorsements by playing for Knicks/Lakers…I always hear athletes want a big market, but I assume their is a cost benefit to it. Do you have any idea what that might be?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not as much as some like to believe…

      Most major deals are national in scope… so Dwight won’t make a dime more in his Adidas deal going to the Knicks… now when his deal is up he can demand more money, but that does not mean he’ll get it it… Like LeBron for instance… there is not much more LeBron can earn, because he has huge deals with everyone… same with Dwight… now someone like Deron Williams and Chris Paul who do not have much in terms of national deals… those guys could earn significantly more…

      SI estimated LeBron’s endorsement earning at $28 mill in 2008… $28 mil in 2009 and $30 mil last year

      SI estimated Carmelo Anthony at $9,500,000 in 2008 and just $6,000,000 last year.

      Amar’e in 2008 was $2,500,000 and is estimated at $8,000,000 in 2011

      So its not as crazy as you are led to believe unless you become a transcending player.

18. terrace

    Celtics should do the trade but they need more pieces, can they use the veteran minimum on m.redd, J.fost, grant hill to replace green, and maybe if KMART returns thats a good bench agree?

    • Steve Kyler

      Trade for?… Chris Paul.

      New Orleans doesn’t want Rajon Rondo… gotta have pieces New Orleans wants.

19. Ben in Md

    How likely is it that the Bulls are silently working a trade for Howard? They have some guys that would be attractive to Orlando and would be worth loosing to obtain Howard.

    • Steve Kyler

      Orlando is not taking any calls on Howard… try back at the trade deadline.

      He told them he does not want a trade and another year with Howard is better than a year without him… they are trying to add to him.

20. terrace

    Now im hearing chandler & prince to the knicks? thats guaranteed they will be better than the heat

    • Steve Kyler

      Chandler yes… Tayshaun prince no… he agreed to a four year deal in Detroit.

21. Greggory

    Is it just me or is nepotism on the rise in the NBA? The Warrior’s owner makes his 23 YEAR OLD kid GM of its NBDL team, every member of the Buss family works for the Lakers and Rick Adelman puts both of his kids (one was a high school coach!!) on his staff. There is NO WAY any of these people were the best candidates for the job. For a league as progressive as the NBA this is disappointing.

    • Steve Kyler

      Of course it is… its always been like this… but let me ask you this… if your Rick Adelman, who are you going to trust?

      Also wouldn’t you want people who have grown up around the game, you understand the business to be in those positions?

      Its always been like this, you are just noticing…

22. Sean

    Hey steve, can the magic really get Monta Ellis and Andris in a sign and trade our J-Rich and is that enough to keep Dwight or should the magic take the lakers offer of Bynum, Gasol and maybe Hedo for Lamar? I want nothing more than Dwight to stay but a lineup of Arenas, Ellis, Turk/lamar/artest, Gasol and Bynum would be pretty good especially with Andris off the bench…

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… spoke at length about Jason Richardson last night… Golden State wants him, but you won;y get Ellis and Biens for J-Rich, you’ll have to send a lot more.

      As for Dwight… I revisit this situation at the deadline… do what you can and see what you are… if you are average after All-Star maybe you trigger a trade.

23. Walter

    Could the Magic make a run for Paul Milsap as he may be available(per Hoopsworld article)? He could be Dwight’s Horace Grant. He can hit the mid-range jumper and diversify the Magic offense.

    • Steve Kyler

      They have a lot of guys that would fit in Utah… JJ Redick for one… Brandon Bass as the other…. have not heard him linked to Orlando.

24. Alex

    What’s the latest with the stretch provision – is it in or out? How can it be used?

    • Steve Kyler

      It applies only to contracts signed going forward… so existing deals do not count… but the idea is I sign you to a four years $40 million deal… after two years its not working and I can’t trade you… I can opt- to stretch pout the remaining $20 million of your deal using this formula — the amount of years lefty X 2 plus 1.

      If I owe you two years and $20 million… I can stretch that out over 5 years… double the two years you have plus 1…the luxury tax and cap hit is calculated on what I pay, not what I owe.

      The players is waived and after clearing waivers could sign else where… also a “stretched” contract is a cut contract so it could not be traded later.

      This about the final year of Eddy Curry in New York… no one wanted him… NYK could have used this to stretch out what they owe him and reduce their payments.

25. Alec

    Hey Steve, thanks for the email reply. Once you pointed out the facts, I kind of got it from there. Anyways, ESPN is stating Tyson is going to sign on, and then it says, it could free up some space to off the Hornets Amare for Paul. What do you think of this? Here’s the link if you haven’t read it already

    http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7330900/tyson-chandler-dallas-mavericks-nears-deal-new-york-knicks-sources-say

    • Steve Kyler

      Not going to happen… Amar’e owed way too much… the Hornets are a franchise for sale that a boat anchor contract in the final years of the deal.

26. Alex M.

    Are there any “B list” stars that the Magic could land if they involved a third team? Example: Ellis, Iggy, Josh Smith…

    • Steve Kyler

      They have been in play for all of them since the draft… I have it on strong authority Josh Smith would love to be in Orlando.

27. Alex

    Plenty of rumors flying… Are the Magic gonna retain or sign and trade J Rich? Any possibility of M. Ellis? What else would it take?

    • Steve Kyler

      His camp would like that… the Chris Paul shoe has to drop first.

28. KMG

    What do you expect the Rox to pull off trade-wise? It looks like nothing but Morey can’t do nothing. He has to get some fan excitement going.

    • Steve Kyler

      They are rumored to be sending Kevin Martin and Luis Scola to New Orleans for Pau Gasol… as part of a Chris Paul deal.

29. Marco

    Magic Johnson, who we know is a top NBA player of all time and HOF said that Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA now even with LBJ and Kobe in his older age. Do you agree?

    • Steve Kyler

      We’ll see this year… KD is amazingly good… and even better as a person.

      I go out of my way to cover OKC games, just to kick it with KD… so I am a little biased… but he has a tool set thats almost unmatched as his team matures and grows together, he’ll be the center piece of a championship very soon… OKC is may favorite in the West this year… unless the Lakers get Chris Paul.

30. Derek

    What did you think of Otis comments about “The Magic not doing/getting everything Dwight says”?? The more I hear Otis the less I think of him as a GM. Dwight Leaves there goes this City!

    • Steve Kyler

      Bad move… but not the first time… I am sure its Otis way of saying I am in charge…

      I took a lot of crap from Magic fans when I was critical of Otis for breaking up the 2009 team… and here we are two years later and the decisions have gotten worse and worse. I said it then… you are allowed to be pompous and arrogant when you win, when you don;t you need to be humble.

      Otis was on top of the world in 2009 and virtually bullet proof… with Bob Vander Weide out of the way, Otis better realize he needs Dwight on his side.

      He needs a whopper of a deal, or he’ll be next and you can look back at those statements as a key reason why.

31. Marco

    Why is Kendrick Perkins so highly rated? He seems overrated. He doesn’t score points, gets few points, and really doesn’t get many blocks. Why does he get so much props?

    • Steve Kyler

      He is tough, physical and solid man-on-man defender in the post and a good locker room guy… He can play on my team.

32. Marco

    Will you hire me if Seattle gets an NBA team again?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… but you can get an interview…

      Seattle has to build a new arena first… won’t happen until hats well on its way… the only reason the NBA is not in Seattle is because of the building issue… it won’t be back until thats solved.

33. Alex

    The Hornets getting Scola and Martin for Paul seems a very, very poor deal for them, and a good way to botch their rebuilding process ?

    • Steve Kyler

      Extremely poor and flies in the face of everything the Rockets and Hornets have said they were doing… so we’ll see.

34. wayne

    LAL, NO, HOU trade: New Orleans CANNOT be serious about taking back Scola and Martin..No cap relief and neither is a young player nor an All-Star. Your thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      As I mentioned… this deal contradicts everything both Houston and New Orleans said they wanted… screams of desperation.

      We’ll see… I expect the tune to change later…. gotta wonder… Golden State has the deal to derail this… are the Warriors going to sit by and insure they can’t win a championship for the next three years?

      Joe Lacob… its on you now.

      Guys… I am out of time… thanks for all of the questions. Far too many for me to get to… I’ll be back at it next Thursday until then hit me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA – I made the promise over the summer that when I pass 10,000 followers I am randomly awarding a free iPad2 to one of my followers… I may lower the bar to 5,000 and do a 2nd one at 10,000 – so make sure you are following me. It could be yours.