NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 1/24/13

1. john

   Gustavo Ayon seems like he would be a better fit on a championship contender that needs an energetic back up big. How much interest is there in Ayon?

   • Steve Kyler

     Welcome in everyone. Its freakin’ cold in Memphis, so glad to be inside chatting with you. Lots of stuff to get to, so lets get after it.

     Not sure there is “interest” in Gustavo as a stand alone piece, but when you start talking about bigger more complex deals, he’s the kind of “toss-in” player as he was in the Ryan Anderson deal.

     I am not sure anyone is calling Orlando saying, what you take for Gustavo, he’s just not that kind of player.

2. Deven

   When does the Pick em Game officially end?

   • Steve Kyler

     Last week of the regular season. I think we’re going to have to do something tied to the playoffs to get us down to single winner. As it stands today there is just a single front runner, with I think 3 weekly wins. So the game is very much wide open.

     Three strong weeks of picking winners and you could be right there.

     It is completely free to play, and takes about 10 seconds to sign up. Weekly winners get an adidas HOOPSWORLD t-shirt – the season long prize is an iPad or Apple Store gift card (winners choice).

     Week 13 is open for the games this weekend. Pick the most winners and you win. – http://www.hoopsworld.com/hoopsworld-week-13-nba-pickem-game/

3. Deven

   In the end, does Paul Pierce get traded or not?

   • Steve Kyler

     He might be the best chip they can cash, but in talking to teams I am not sure anyone can give Boston what they would want for him and that would be a ton.

4. Deven

   Which players made a big push to be all-star reserves last night, Steve?

   • Steve Kyler

     I think the votes were cast on Monday, so last night’s action should have no impact.

5. Prismelk

   I miss 60-point scorers. Who do you think among active players can put up such number? Maybe, name at least five. Thanks!

   • Steve Kyler

     Name five… geez will I get graded for my responses.

     #1 – Kobe Bryant
     #2 – Kevin Durant
     #3 – Carmelo Anthony
     #4 – Russell Westbrook
     #5 – Derrick Rose (when healthy)

     Thats my go to list… I think Kyrie could give it a run, but he likes to pass too much.

6. Prismelk

   Is LBJ a top 10 player of all-time already?! Thanks.

   • Steve Kyler

     I think there is a strong case for it. He has put up gaudy numbers. Has the All-Stars, MVPs a championship and lots of accolades. Keep in mind he might play for 6 to 8 more years.

7. Prismelk

   Lebron James or Scottie Pippen? Thanks!

   • Steve Kyler

     LeBron… I love Pip, but LeBron is a first tier mega-star. Pippen was never even close.

     I think the better question is MJ or Lebron, he has that kind of swag.

8. Chris G

   Let’s say next summer Dwight tells Lakers’ management he’ll sign long-term, but he can’t see himself playing with Kobe anymore. If faced with that decision, does management tell Howard to hit the road and stick with Kobe for one more year or let Kobe go, even if it means amnestying him?

   • Steve Kyler

     I can’t see that conversation happening. I can’t see the Lakers letting Kobe Bryant play somewhere else on their money either.

9. Justin

   Millsap, Marvin William for Paul Gasol. Utah has the cap space for his 19 million next year. Lakers get some financial freedom this year and an upgrade at SF in William if he opts in for next year. Millsap next to Howard is a better fit then Gasol.

   • Steve Kyler

     Sure… but its not on the table and not being discussed.

10. Hoopsfan

    Pau Gasol is about to get significant time at center with Howard out for at least a few games. I strongly believe that he will show that he is still a very good basketball player who is one of the better centers in the game. Lets assume he does well with Howard out.
    Minnesota likes Gasol and has expressed interest. K Love is injured and is likely out for a couple of months. He also has already let it be known that He is not thrilled with Minnesota for a few reasons-bottom line is that the Wolves have to be concerned about him staying long term.
    Wolves want to make playoffs this year. They feel like they have been building something and it is (at least before many injuries) time for them to make the playoffs.
    Would the Wolves consider Pau + for KLove. I know that all things being equal that it is not an equitable trade for the Wolves. But all things are not equal–Love is injured and will be out for a long time. Wolves get a player they like and pair him with fellow Spaniard Rubio. PLEASE do not say yea they would do it if the + was Kobe or Howard. I also know of the reluctance and difficulty in trading for an injured player. I get that. Respect ur opinion and am interested in ur thoughts on this.

    • Steve Kyler

      The Lakers gain nothing trading for a player that can’t help them this year.

      I also think Minnesota’s interest in Gasol is MASSIVELY overstated.

      I think its a huge risk to trade Gasol who you know, for an injured Love and setting yourself up to possibly lose Howard to free agency. I also think if Minney put Love on the open market, they’d get a better return than Pau Gasol.

11. ARGIN-FLARGAR

    I remember early in the season, the Lakers were destroying their opponent, having a good time, when all of a sudden Dwight hits a three ball. Crowd cheers, his smile from ear to ear is shared with all of his teammates, and the world seemed to be spinning in Laker Land.
    Oh what could have been. For shame Lakers, For shame.

    • Steve Kyler

      whatever he said.

12. robb

    The pacers are lacking a great outside shooter, do you see them chasing someone like redick?

    • Steve Kyler

      No. Not saying they wouldn’t pursue JJ, but not sure that is what they are considering.

13. Mark

    Wut up stevie,

    Im a huge Magic fan and I know this isn’t the strongest draft in recent memory, but is it wrong of me that I am rooting for the Magic to lose every game so we can get a couple of good young players to put next to Vucci,Hark,DJ,and the Nerd?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Nerd?… please tell me that is not your nickname for Andrew Nicholson?

      The magic are going to be fine on the draft front. The team that has to pick #1 is going to have a tough choice because no one is worth that this year. The guy the magic get at say 10, is likely going to be the same kind of player they;d get at 3.

      What you want is for your guys to want to taste a little success so they work hard in the off-season to improve. Teams that tank, tend to keep tanking long after they don’t want to tank anymore.

14. LA in LA

    1)Did you read Woj’s latest article? He basically said sources claim if Dwight leaves LAL it will be because he dislikes D’Antoni and that Dwight’s incompatibility with Kobe is not a real factor. It also said that D’Antoni isn’t fond of Dwight and discouraged the Knicks from pursuing him when he coached there.
    Your thoughts? and do you believe it

    2) The article also says D’Antoni was hired to maximize Nash even though the Triangle would clearly fit Gasol-Howard-Bryant better, which we already knew. I thought this at the time so this isn’t hindsight: I though it would have made more sense to have Nash slightly minimzed (you can run PnR in Triangle) and a super Steve Kerr than minimize the Lakers two bigs by using the 7 seconds or less. At Nash’s age (plus his decline from last year) he might have better served not asked to run the team.
    Agree?

    • Steve Kyler

      Did you read Woj’s latest article?
      —> Yes sat next to him last night as he wrote most of it.

      Your thoughts? and do you believe it
      —> Dwight not happy with anyone. Not sure he liked being called out at shootaround and I know he’s not thrilled with how this thing is playing out. This is not the dream scenario that removes the stains from Orlando. This isn’t the dream situation that rebuilds his brand. If Dwight leaves, its because this has been a train wreck from the jump.

      The article also says D’Antoni was hired to maximize Nash
      —> Maybe. But I believe D’Antoni was hired because he wasn’t Phil. Everyone overlooks how high maintenance PJ was as a person and an employee. He refused to play “company” ball and I think the second thought on Phil was 100% about not being able to control him. I think the 2nd part was a belief that Mike D could bring the showtime flare back and he simply doesn’t have the personnel. When Earl Clark is the only player that jumps off the page, you have real issues. Nothing again Earl, but the Lakers don;t have the athletes to match their coach.

15. dave

    Steve, until last year (2nd half), the Celtic I most injoyed watching was Rondo, but I’m really disappointed in him this year, esp his defense. If the C’s want to make a dramatic change, I’ve heard people mentioning Pierce, but he’s having his worst season ever (and in my opinion should come off the bench). To get anything back, the C’s would have to trade Rondo (and start Bradley and Lee at guard). Around the league, what’s Rondo’s value? Who could the C’s trade RR for?

    • Steve Kyler

      Celtics are not trading Rondo unless it returns a superstar… Lakers put Howard on the block… Clips put Chris Paul, maybe the C’s entertain Rondo, but he’s not the chip they’d cash… Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Jason Terry – those are the guys Boston would move.

16. Keith

    Do you see the Bucks making a significant move at the deadline in order to stay pace with Chicago and Indiana? How do you see the Jim Boylan era playing out now that GM Hammond has an extension?

    • Steve Kyler

      Its funny. I had a conversation about Milwaukee last night and the room was mixed… some peg the next extension as a means to gamble and make a splash move… some see it as a lease to rebuild.

      I think trades always come down to cost of asset… Milwaukee needs a low post beast… whats that cost them?

      Could they dump off say Drew Gooden, Beno Udrih, Tobias Harris and picks and get Pau Gasol?… whats Ersan Ilyasova worth?

      Not sure I have a sense of what Milwaukee will do. They have been preaching flexibility, so I am not sold they do anything crazy, but they have the chips to be a player if they want to be.

17. Marcus

    2 Questions, what do you think about this (rather boring) deal Udoh/Bucks 1st (lottery protected) for Jared Dudley? I think this rather simple deal pushes the Bucks from a 6-8 seed to a potential 4 or 5 seed. Who’s calling Milwaukee about Ersan?

    • Steve Kyler

      Just touched on some of this… I think Jared Dudley is going to be moved, so he can be had and not very expensively from what I understand.

18. Ian

    Any chance that the Jazz could pry Eric Bledsoe away from the Clippers? Would LA be interested in Burks?

    • Steve Kyler

      No. Until Chris Paul is inked Bledsoe isn’t going anywhere. They do not have to do anything with Eric for another year and with the way the Clips have played and with CP3 missing games… don;t see it.

      As for Burks… maybe, but again if the price tag is Bledsoe, not happening this year.

19. Deven

    Just saw the new Logo and Name for the New Orleans (Pelicans) Hornets? What’s your take on the new name and logo?

    • Steve Kyler

      Its not bad… we knew this was coming.

      Keep in mind NOLA is getting $77 million in arena upgrades this off-season so this had to get done quickly to allow for the re-fit of the building to match.

      

20. Aaron

    If you were the Jazz, which of Jefferson and Millsap would you keep and trade the other, and why?

    • Steve Kyler

      Millsap… Derrick Favors is ready to play big minutes. Enes Kanter is not.

21. Matt

    Do you see the sixers making any moves before the deadline?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe. I keep hearing Evan Turner mentioned. Not sure they do that until they understand what they have in Andrew Bynum.

22. Anthony

    How much value around the league do the celtics bench players Terry, Bass, and Lee have?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not much. Bench players for bench players…. Could you get say Jared Dudley for Brandon Bass? Maybe. But your not lumping together three underachievers and getting an All-Star unless you take back the contract dollars which Boston isn’t thrilled about.

23. Jake Smith

    What would be the “dream package” the Magic could get for JJ Redick?

    • Steve Kyler

      a three-year contract in July paying JJ under $5 million per season.

      If they move him, which is still a massive if… they’ll want unprotected draft picks.

24. Tony

    What are the chances the Bucks look to move Udoh? It seems like he is losing minutes to Henson. I would love to see him on the celtics backing up KG.

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure anyone is clamoring for Epke Udoh. he’s on a rookie scale deal. He can play and he doesn’t impact anything they are doing in the off-season. Only reason to move him is if it helps you get better. Not sure anyone in Boston does that.

25. SatBchMagicer

    Hi Steve, are we Magic fans ever going to get to see Al Harrington on the court this season? 1/2 of season gone and all we get-’He’s traveling with team for his 2nd road trip’; Is there some ‘injury insurance’ provision that is taking precedence on when Magic want to see him practice/play?

    • Steve Kyler

      I have covered this and got nothing but crap for it.

      I asked that question last month and was told no one is at all concerned about Al Harrington playing, other than maybe Al. At the 41 game mark, insurance picks up the bulk of his contract money and if he can not play at all, there are options at the end of the season.

      If Al can play, and he is working his tail off towards that goal… great then maybe he’s a trade asset, but I was told no one is “waiting” for Al and if he does not play at all this season there are options to consider.

26. Vic

    Around the League how do opposing GMs rank Rondo. Is he top 3, top 5? Have the new young guys like Irving and Holiday passed him?

    • Steve Kyler

      Have never asked that question. I know he gets talked bout a lot as an elite guy, but have never asked an executive to rank guys.

27. Tim

    7 game series knicks vs nets, who wins?

    • Steve Kyler

      Flip a coin. Both are playing really well.

28. benjamin gush

    Do you think the Lakers will fire Mike DAntoni this summer? if Dwight says he will stay but wants a new system what will they do?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure its just about Dwight. I think its about the fact that none of it is working. I spoke to several Laker players off the record and causally last night who praised Mike D’Antoni and how much he cares and works individually with them.

      Not sure this is as much about Mike as it is a roster that can’t play the way everyone thought they could.

29. Alex in Burbank

    Laker fan here! I think Howard is faking it and doesn’t want to play for the Lakers anymore.

    • Steve Kyler

      I spoke to him last night and completely disagree.

30. casey

    any new trade rummors comming out of orlando magic ?

    • Steve Kyler

      Nope. Like every team in the league they are talking about the value of their roster and how they can improve.

      No fire sales. No urgency to make a deal. Just very business like and diligent.

31. Brian

    If the Lakers don’t make the playoffs, how can Mitch & Jim possibly justify retaining MDA?
    Also, who would win this game right now; LAL @ CHA

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure they can, but again not sold that its entirely Mike’s fault either.

      Look at it this way… if you hand a chef spoiled milk, five day old bread and a bunch of unripe bananas – what exactly is he going to make you?

      The parts don’t fit the coach.

32. Alex in Burbank

    First of all I have a complaint. First time I visit your page today, first time I’m asking a question and then I get the message that says, “slow down, you’re posting too fast”. What’s the deal with tat? Now what I wanted to post, I think Howard got tired of my Lakers and doesn’t want to play here anymore. He’s faking it!

    • Steve Kyler

      The database can only record questions so fast… its called flood control. We can change the message to say something else if it makes you happy.

      Again… spoke with Howard yesterday before the game and after the game and I do not agree.

      He, like all the Laker players is frustrated and unhappy.

33. Jack

    Who will the rockets target at the trade deadline? Could they get Brandon Bass to add a young vet to the front court?

    • Steve Kyler

      Rockets playing this deadline coyly. They are opportunistic shoppers. If they can get exactly the piece they want they will pull the trigger. if not they’ll want and make a play for it in the off-season. They know they are not elite in the West today and there isn’t a transaction they can make that makes them one.

      They got to this point being smart, taking a few risks and maximizing their flexibility. Not sure that is changing.

34. Eric

    Do you think Brandon Jennings makes the ASG?

    • Steve Kyler

      No. Coaches put in 2 guards. 3 frontcourt players and 2 flex guys and I think the numbers don’t go in Brandon’s favor.

35. Brian

    Heard last night the Clips would offer Jordan & Bledsoe to LAL for Howard. Lakers have already lost CP3 to Clips (thanks Stern). Would they even consider trading Howard there as well…?

    • Steve Kyler

      Having had the Lakers here in Memphis last night, I can tell you no one around the team has heard that. So I would put zero stock in that. Clips are not breaking up this team.

36. tarrelle

    what move do you see the mavs making b4 the deadline & who do you see as a possible target 4 the mavs in the draft?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure they have a move yet… but watch the Lakers. If they fall out of the playoff hunt – and they need to go 25-15 (.625) the rest of the way to get to 42 wins and the current 8th seed – I could see them doing something about next season and that might mean trading dwight Howard for a handful of Dallas parts that fit better in LA than say Howard does.

      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.