NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 1/3/13

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. Ap

    What contract do you think Pekovic will fetch in the off season and which team will he be suiting up for on opening night?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone. I hope you had a great holiday week. Lots of things to get to, so lets get after them.

      Pek is going to be a restricted free agent, so Minnesota is going to control that process. Given where they are and what they think of Pek, I would be surprised if they don’t keep him.

      That said, someone could always put a silly number on the table and there will be six or seven teams that could do it.

      Smart money says he’ll be overpaid by Minnesota.

  2. ralph lawrence

    Hi Steve! lots of trade talks evolving around DMC.. In your own instincts do you think the kings would trade him this coming deadline? and if so which team do you think has a real shot at getting cousins and in doing so who do they have to give up in order to entice the kings in doing the deal?

    • Steve Kyler

      As I covered this morning.
      http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-boozer-is-the-glue-guy-for-chicago/

      There is an inevitability to the Kings and Cousins parting ways. The question is when? The Kings say he’s not going anywhere. I counter saying I don’t think the Kings go anywhere with DeMarcus in their locker room.

      I don’t think it happens at the deadline… I think around the draft makes more sense, when they can use DeMarcus to trade into something bigger that’s possible at the draft that is not possible at the deadline.

  3. Wil

    Hi Steve, to commemorate Football’s Black Monday, I wanted to ask your opinion of NBA coaches. Specifically, which coaches do you feel are inept (or a bad fit), but still run a winning team (in spite of themselves) and which coaches are very competent, but for whatever reason, their teams are having a hard time putting up Ws. Thanks, and Happy New Year!

    • Steve Kyler

      I would never say a coach is incompetent… what I would say is there are a few coaches that are in over their heads. Randy Whittman in Washington. Kieth Smart in Sacramento. Lawrence Frank in Detroit.

      All good coaches… all in situations they can not win in.

      On the flip side there are a few coaches that are amazing coaches with losing teams… Monty Williams in New Orleans. Mike Dunlap in Charlotte. Dwane Casey in Toronto.

  4. Peter

    Hey Happy New Year Steve! Which star player will be the first to be traded in 2013? I don’t think its going to be Bargnani,gasol or any of the guys the media has mentioned thus far.

    • Steve Kyler

      Hard to say… I think its safe to say Andrea Bargnani is going to be dealt… the other names you have heard I am not as sold on.

      The Lakers stance on Gasol is they won’t get nearly enough back to make it a good basketball move. I think they can get more for Gasol in the off-season when their roster is more open and they can do a three-for-one kind of package. Its possible they do something else if the season slips away, but they have a lot of basketball left and Gasol is better than anything they can trade for.

      I think Houston will be in the mix for deals… I think Orlando wants to be in the mix for deals. Dallas is always active at the deadline, so those are some of the teams looking for deals – hard to call which guy drops first.

  5. Moses Johnson

    Do you think the Lakers will trade Howard – Itdoes not look like he’s going to stay in LA

    • Steve Kyler

      No. I do not think its anything under consideration. Not sure why you think Howard will leave money on the table, but he’ll be staying in LA beyond this season.

  6. D

    Can you think of another arena who’s home fans consisently get outnumbered by better teams other than Orlando’s Amway?

    As a Magic fan it upsets me that i go to games against NYK,Mia,BOS,LAL,CHI and be the only magic fan in my seats in 213.Robbins also said we have one of the most disengaged fanbases(I’m definately engaged,lost my voice on 12/31),which i think is embarassing to fans.

    • Steve Kyler

      That is Florida sports, especially when marquee teams come to town. By and large Florida is a transplant state, where everyone is generally from somewhere else. Add that to massive ticket availability and you get mixed crowds.

      As for the fanbase… the new building is too big for that ‘engaged” feel, even when games get heated and contested.

  7. Deven

    What ever happened to Jason Fleming and Stephen Litel. I miss their chats.

    • Steve Kyler

      Jason stepped back after many years of service with us. Jason is writing a book and doing things away from basketball. I miss him a lot too.

      Litel opted to “retire” from sports writing. He has a very complex life and the challenges of covering sports and having a family life were too much.

  8. Deven

    Do you think the altitude in Denver is the reason road teams struggle to win at the Pepsi Center or are the Nuggets just that good at home?

    • Steve Kyler

      Part of it. The other part is good teams play well at home and Denver is a decent team.

      I have talked to guys about the altitude and they say its only a factor for the first 5 to 10 minutes of a game, so I wouldn’t give altitude a lot of credit.

  9. Deven

    What’s your New Year’s Resolution, Steve?

    • Steve Kyler

      To be a better person. A better writer. A better father and to drop 10 more pounds (already down 35 since June… got 10 more to go.)

  10. LayHee

    I heard of a suggested rule change in the NBA where any shot taken in your own half doesn’t count against your field goal percentage. Players often eat the ball at the end of quarters because they don’t want to shoot to hurt their stats. This rule would encourage the long ball at the end of quarters, leading to a few long distance shots and more fan entertainment. What do you think?

    • Steve Kyler

      Never met a player that cared about their stats during a game. Although Luol Deng was upset that his made three last night was not counted as a made three on the stats sheet. For the most part players don’t care about things like that, which is why guys practice half and 3/4 court heaves.

      Not sure the NBA would make such a change its unnecessary.

  11. Brandon

    Who do you see leaving the rockets and who do you see coming to the rockets the trade deadline? Which position needs the most depth? Who do you would help out the most?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Rockets want a low post impact player… to get that they’d give up just about anything not named Lin, Harden, Parsons or Asik.

  12. Jake

    Two part question….should the Wolves seriously consider moving Love and what would you see as a reasonable return. He’s clearly in a slump now, but even when he was lighting it up last year, he’s shown his play doesn’t produce a lot of wins….just stats.

    • Steve Kyler

      No, they’ll never get enough in return and he’s under contract for two more seasons after this one.

      The Wolves have had a make shift lineup all year… hard to get into a groove when things change everyday.

  13. Ty

    Do you think the pistons will make it to the playoffs this year?

    • Steve Kyler

      No. They are 12-22, they’d need a lot to come together. They are better than their record, but they are not better than the teams in the playoff picture now.

  14. Mel

    With rumors out there claiming that Brooklyn is still interested in ilyasova, what do you think of the possibility of ilyasova and dalembert for humphries and brooks?

    • Steve Kyler

      Milwaukee wouldn’t take on Humphries… they have better players in front of him.

      I do think a number of teams will make a pass at Milwaukee at the deadline. Look for Toronto to be a player if Milwaukee considers cashing out Ersan.

  15. robb

    How impressed are you with the pacers at the number 4 seed, and when granger returns at the end of a game they can turn to west,hill,george, or granger. Do you see them trying to get a shooter yet?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not impressed at all. I expected them to be this good. They were one of the better teams down the stretch last year and I think they get better when Granger gets back.

  16. Terrance

    How realistic would it be for the bulls to land Eric Gordon or Marshon Brooks. and which one do you think would fit better with the bulls and Drose. Thanks

    • Steve Kyler

      Not realistic at all. They are not looking at that.

      Think about all the injuries and setbacks the Bulls have had this year and their the 5th seed in the East without Derrick Rose.

      They like this squad a lot, and trying to break it up via trade is unlikely, unless the wheels fall off.

  17. casey

    do you see orlando magic making a blockbuster trade soon or a regular trade soon ?

    • Steve Kyler

      No. They just are not active on that front to think a deal is coming. I expect them to be active around the deadline… but something in the next few weeks… No.

  18. K.Wright

    Hi Steve,
    Gimmie some Raptor News!!!
    My boys have been streaking as of late without big Bargs, would you a deal of Bargnani+pieces for Millsap work for both teams? Millsap has been slumping as of late and with all those bigs who operate in the same area, he may be redundant. What do you think?

    • Steve Kyler

      I don’t think Utah would take Bargs. I do think at some point Utah is going to have to make a decision and derrick Favors is ready for a bigger role, so trading Millsap makes most the sense.

      The problem with trading Bargs is the elbow. Rehab and hard work is whats required to come back from that and he’s never been known as a hard worker, so how long does this linger and more importantly how does it affect his game? No one takes on his money until thats clear.

  19. Chris

    Should the Lakers continue playing around .500 ball towards the trade deadline, any possibility they would consider moving D12 rather than Gasol? ATL could move Horford and expiring deals, allowing the Lakers to maximize Gasol at Center for the duration of his (as well as Kobe’s, Metta, Blake’s) contract.

    • Steve Kyler

      The Lakers want to win… but at the same time they understand it takes time for all the change to settle and for a groove to develop. I don;t think the Lakers will be a .500 team in January… they’ll play .600 ball and creep into the playoff picture.

      As for trading Howard… man, Laker fans have turned on him quickly haven’t they? I don’t see a scenario in which Howard is traded, but won;t it be fun to see how he handles the rumors at the deadline.

  20. Peter

    Hey Steve, love your chats. Now that the magic have dropped there last 6 and with BBD out, do you see them tanking and trading there veterans to give the young guns playing time? In your opinion what player would you compare Vucevic to? Do you see any trades before the deadline? Thanks for your time!

    • Steve Kyler

      No. The Magic are not conceding the season… yet.

      As for Nik… I’d compare him to Rasho Nesterovic meets Tim Duncan… He’s big and fundamentally good. He’s not a star, but he’s a solid NBA center. I said this last night. He’ll play in the NBA for 10 years if he stays healthy.

      I know that the Magic have their nose in everything going on, so its about can they be middle men and extract assets… can they use their own assets to improve the roster or gain better assets. They are in the mix for sure, but nothing seems close.

  21. Mike

    The Cavs have enough future draft picks the next few years. Is there any current NBA player available worthy of trading Varejao or is the OKC Lamb, Jones III, and Toronto’s pick as good as it gets?

    • Steve Kyler

      Its hard to extract value out of veterans like Andy V. Cleveland does not want long term salary, so its picks and guys on rookie deals.

      Not sure why everyone thinks OKC is trading for Vareajo. I wouldn’t say “never”, but they have not shown nearly the interest in a deal that everyone else seems to speculate about.

  22. Jake Smith

    Why hasn’t Moe Harkless played any minutes the past few games?

    • Steve Kyler

      Energy and effectiveness running plays. With the return of Hedo Turkoglu and Jacque looking for energy at the small forward spot, Mo has fallen out of favor.

      He has really struggled with not having a role in the offense and its effected his in-game rhythm.

  23. Jake

    The Miami Heat have really been exposed as of late on the boards. Do you think there is any possibility that Miami makes a deadline move to secure up more front line depth?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure they have anything they can trade to solve the problem.

      Miami is the top team in the East, they are winning 80% of their games… not sure they are breaking that up for a perceived rebounding weakness. They just have to stop sleep walking through the season and get dialed in on rebounding.

      Also keep in mind, a lot of teams get distracted around the holidays and lose focus… Tom Thibodeau talked about that last night in Orlando. Good teams approach the game the same way… Miami has always been streaky when it suited them.

      They still have more than enough talent to win.

  24. Tim

    Which teams do you see being even the slightest bit interested in Bargnani?

    What do you think Toronto could likely net for him?

    • Steve Kyler

      He has got to get healthy. Thats first and foremost.

      The second is asking price… Bargs is a career 15.5 point a game scorer. He makes $10 million. So whats Toronto asking for him?

      I have been told they won’t take on long-term money, so that’s gonna limit what they get.

      They have eyes for a few guys. I know they’d do a Pau Gasol deal. I know they’d do an Ersan Ilyasova deal.

      So it comes down to what will Toronto take back… if $8 million in ending or nearly ending contracts is all it takes, a lot more teams would be at the table. If Toronto wants real value back for Bargs, then the pool is likely smaller.

      He has to get healthy first, there is doubt that he’ll be the same player when he comes back, so that is going to lower his value.

  25. james

    I don’t know why the media believes that D12 would want to stay in LA. Remember the reason for him not wanting to come to LA in the beginning was Kobe. Has Kobe changed from an selfish ego maniac in the last 3months? D12 will be in a different uni for the 2013-2014 season BOOK IT!!!

  26. Kevo

    Steve, what are you thoughts on the Grizz. How far can they go and do you see them making any moves with new management in place?

    • Steve Kyler

      I am spending a week in Memphis starting on the 23rd…

      As for new management, maybe they make some changes, but I think they will let this season run its course and look to make changes around the draft. Its easier to remake yourself in the off-season than mid-season.

      That wouldn’t remove Memphis from the marketplace, but one of the things those guys preach is that its working because they have stuck with it. Not sure new ownership scraps that while they are winning.

  27. Alex

    Hi Steve,
    do you see Marcin Gortat playing in Phoenix after the trading deadline?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes. Next trade deadline? Thats the one to think about.

      I would rule Marcin out of the picture, but from whats coming out of Phoenix, he’s not someone they are looking at moving.

  28. josh

    Best guess, when does Andy get traded and to who? Who do the Cavs get in return? -

    • Steve Kyler

      He’s got to get healthy first. I think a lot of Andy’s future is up to Andy.

      I think there is a sense that Cleveland owes it to Andy to move him on as they reduce his role with young guys. As long as he wants to be a Cav, I think they’ll keep him there, but I think as the deadline gets closer they’ll share the teams calling with Andy and let him decide where he lands.

      He is one of Byron Scott’s favorite players, so I don’t think they give Andy V away unless Andy wants to be traded.

  29. JP

    Hi Steve! Happy new year!
    I just have two questions for you:
    1) Should Minne release Roy to make him retire? I would love to have him healthy for 16 minutes a game. But still I think that shouldn´t be the case (Don´t you agree?). His knees have suffered in excess and Minne should be working on improving their already settled roster).
    2)Rubio-Shved-AK47-Love-Pek..Ridnour-Barea-Budinger-Williams-Dante..Lee-Stiemsma will be a ring contender team with the proper chemistry and development, don´t you think?
    Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      1) Should Minne release Roy to make him retire?
      — No. If they did, both years of his deal become fully guaranteed. So there are cap consequences if cutting him. they got him because they pledged to be patient with this process. Creates a lot of ill will if they are ruthless about it.

      Not sure I see Minnesota as a title contender… Playoffs for sure, but they are not better than Oklahoma City, The Clippers or the Spurs… I am not sure they’d beat the Lakers in a series.

  30. A2K

    With all of the Sixers’ inconsistencies this season, are they looking to make a change to shake things up or are they just waiting for Bynum to return?

    • Steve Kyler

      Have heard nothing on that front.

      Bynum is a huge chunk of the salary cap. I think they might look at trading him at the deadline if they don’t have a sense of when he’ll be back.

  31. Dominique Mitchell

    do you see the nuggets making a trade before the trade deadline?

    • Steve Kyler

      Again another team that has not been very active in the trade market. I doubt they look for more change, but its about what can they get in return when they are not actively looking for transactions.

  32. Ismail

    Many people were surprised when the Raptors drafted Terrence Ross. But he has shown late that he can be an elite shooter in the league, and him and Demar can play very well together

    • Steve Kyler

      Agreed.

      I was a big TRoss fan in the draft, spent a few days with him in LA… once he adds some bulk to his body he could be very good.

  33. Mike

    Varejao for Gallinari and Kosta Koufos. Who says no?

    • Steve Kyler

      Why would Cleveland want either player? Does not fit into their road map.

  34. Galen

    Do you see any opportunities for the Nets to upgrade the 4 spot?

    • Steve Kyler

      They are maxed out. Honestly this is who they have not sure they can do much because of what they owe some of their assets-level guys.

      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.