NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 2/28/13

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. Julian

    Many peopled have chirped Tracy McGrady’s work ethic over the years – saying his heart wasn’t in it, had no desire to improve, etc. Am I the only one who agrees with T-Mac’s mentality?? Guys like Kobe don’t do anything but practise and make basketball their #1 priority in life. Can we all honestly say the same about our jobs? Or does family and fun often supersede work? Yet because McGrady doesn’t live in the gym or constantly try to improve his game he is chirped. I would have done the same thing if I were him. Collected my millions, get additional time off in the summer due to no playoffs (which leads to less wear and tear on the knees). Your thoughts on the unrealistic expectation fans put on pro players?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone. I hope the week was good you to. I have a plane to catch in about an hour, so I’m going to bounce right at 11:30, so lets get after the questions.

      There are hundreds of guys in the NBA doing exactly what you are saying… collect their checks and play as long as teams will let them. But what you are missing is that people talk about T-Mac’s work ethic in the context of him being great or more importantly failing to be great.

      Tracy had all the physical gifts to be one of the greatest players in the game, he just never worked as hard as others. So while Kobe will be remembered as one of the greatest to have ever played, because of his relentless work ethic… Tracy will be remember as a disappointment because of his.

      I agree with you that we expect more of athletes and celebrities than we expect of ourselves, mainly because we don’t view them as humans… they are icons, they are objects to be traded.

      I spend a lot of time around guys and get to know them personally and I can tell you within 15 minutes the guys that want to be great and guys that just want the luxuries of professional sports – and there is nothing wrong with that, just don’t build your franchise around them.

      I think we all want our teams to draft or sign guys that want to be great, the problem is teams don’t always do that and that’s why fans get down on guys, but I agree completely that we expect too much from athletes.

  2. Trevor

    If you were starting a team from scratch, which center would you rather have and why: Enes Kanter or Jonas Valanacious

    • Steve Kyler

      If those are my only choices my team is gonna suck for a while…

      I’d take Jonas… I think he has a better skill set than Enes. I have never be enamored with Enes.

  3. LA in LA

    Hey Kyler,2 questions:
    1) I saw your tweet that said something like Jazz didn’t have to make move because they can do sign-and-trade around the draft, but what incentive does another team have to do that? IDK who’s all interested in Millsap and AL, but I’m sure most have capability to get them without a S&T.

    2)As a follow up, would Jazz be better off letting both go? Kanter and Favors, assuming Jazz love both’s potential, are unlikely to ever reach potential with both there because one, likely Kanter, will be the 6th man and only play like 20mpg. Surely Jazz realize their current starting 5 is just an annual first rnd exit, so it’s better to let go or move Millsap & Al for assets and let the ALL their youngins play. They might get lucky in 2013-14 and land a high pick and get Wiggins or Parker.

    3) Can you see Big Al going to Portland, who only have $49 mil this summer? Assuming he doesn’t want a pay raise.

    • Steve Kyler

      #1 – Can’t do a sign and trade at the draft… would have to wait until July. But the idea is if either guy – Jefferson or Millsap – want to leave, they can get more money dealing through Utah. Also they can get to an over the cap team via sign and trade, they can’t however be signed and traded to a luxury tax team.

      #2 – As a follow up, would Jazz be better off letting both go? —> They could, but its always bad business to lose quality assets for nothing in return. I use Ryan Anderson and Orlando as an example. The Magic wouldn’t meet his price, so they traded him for a player and a Traded Player Exception… they got something for someone they were losing.

      #3 – I could see Al in Portland, although I am not sure his work ethic lines up with where Portland wants to be. Its possible. The teams to watch is San Antonio.

  4. LA in LA

    Sorry for the long questions, here are some short ones. I’m curious to know how many million per year you think the following players will get:
    1) Big Al
    2) Millsap
    3)G.Henderson
    4) J.J Redick
    5) Mayo (i’m assuming he opts out)

    • Steve Kyler

      $10 million each?…

      Price is always about what other teams will offer. I think each of the guys on this list could see anywhere from $8 to $12 million because their own teams like them and there are so many teams looking at tons of capspace. When you have teams with $30-$40 million to spend, $8 million isn’t a crazy number, especially on shorter terms deals.

  5. D

    Has there been a team in recent memory more lost on defense than my Orlando Magic? It pains me to see them give up 30+ points in the 1st to teams who really aren’t that good(Charlotte,Sacrmento,Dallas is way better but still put 42).They look lost on simple defensive schemes too.

    • Steve Kyler

      They have five rookies and two second year players playing big minutes… that tends to produce bad defense. Add in a rookie coach and a team that has accepted they will lose games and you get “all go no slow”

  6. APHX10

    Steve hello

    The way the last few days are panning out I have a funny feeling that the Lakers can end up as high as 6th and meet their cross-town rivals in the first round. If the two were to meet in the playoffs what would be more entertaing from a fan’s POV for the city of LA…1st round match up or WCF?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Lakers control some of their own destiny, and that usually works out well for them historically.

      I am not ready to call them the 6th seed, but they aren’t dead yet either.

  7. APHX10

    Steve hello

    Your thoughts on Orlando chasing Jennings to pair in the backcourt with Afflalo?

    • Steve Kyler

      Won’t happen. Milwaukee will match anything short of a max offer for Jennings and Orlando has not capspace to pursue him.

      You are also neglecting that Jennings is EXACTLY the kind of player the Magic don’t want and they won’t pay him $12 to $14 million a season, even if they did. Start looking at guys you like in 2014 and 2015, that is when Orlando might go free agent shopping.

  8. willie

    hi does rob hennigan like tyreke evans i really think he would be great in orlando if rob can draft shabazz or smart imagine evans pg shabazz sg or evans sg smart pg my backcourt of the future gooooo magic

    • Steve Kyler

      I don’t think they are going to dinner or anything like that.

      But seriously, just like the Jennings question… the Magic are going to be big spenders this summer. They are not ready to materialize anything from it. They’ll do another draft, pick up a couple of quality low cost young guys and try and build something.

      The name of the game is amass rookie scale guys and see if any turn into players or use them to trade for an established guy… spending big money on a free agent isn’t in the cards until maybe 2014. Keep in mind Orlando is still paying Gilbert Arenas, he’s owed $22 million next season. They have to get all of that kind of stuff off the books first.

  9. White Howard

    In 3 years, which team is better? The Magic, Lakers, Philly, or Denver? I am clearly a Magic fan so I am a bit biased but what we have been doing along with our high draft picks this year and next plus the cap we have in 2014 I feel real good about our future. If we can only get Wiggins in next years draft we could put this rebuilding behind us.

    • Steve Kyler

      Denver is closer… Lakers have the market and the checkbook… Orlando would be third simply because they don’t have a star in waiting. Good young guys, but no Kyrie Irving on the roster.

  10. Rob Hennigan

    If I drafted Smart this year, got lucky and drafted Wiggins next year would my rebuilding plan be considered brilliant? Add a top tier FA or two in 2014 and bam! Back to extremely competitive. I would definately shut up all the haters.

    • Steve Kyler

      It would look good on paper, but how good did the Lakers look on paper?

      You never know how a guy is going to fit… Damian Lillard was passed on by everyone… Thomas Robinson flamed out at #5 in Sacramento.

      A players potential in the NBA is directly related to where he lands and the opportunity he gets when he gets there… Look at Tobias harris, he was nothing to Milwaukee and he’s been a stud in Orlando. Nik Vucevic is the same concept… nothing in Philly, stud in Orlando.

      Its situational more than personal. I think both picks would be great picks, but you can’t know today how those guys fit in the NBA.

      I have had a number of people tell me Jabari Parker is the better pro prospect than Wiggins. Parker is said to be more humble, a harder worker and a better team guy. Wiggins is flashier and more explosive, but could be hard to play with… we really won’t know until a team gets those guys in a program.

  11. Jody

    Is there a strong chance Josh Smith re-signs with the ATL this off season or do you think there’s a stronger chance he goes elsewhere?

    • Steve Kyler

      Strong?… no.

      But the Hawks have had this view… where can Josh really go? Outside of Houston who just traded for Thomas Robinson – all of the teams that can offer him big money are either lottery bound or are smaller markets. The Hawks hope that being able to offer more money and allow Josh to pick teammates can sway him into a new deal.

      If not, they’ll look to sign and trade him where he wants to go and maybe get something back for him.

  12. @EraGang_JuNior

    How Long Until The Magic Make The Playoffs Again?

    • Steve Kyler

      As I said… they don’t have that future star to carry them and they have looked pretty bad lately. Until they get a real game changer, hard to say when they get back in… the good news is 8th seed in the East isn’t a tough milestone.

  13. Mike

    What do you think of the job Mike Dunlap has done with the Bobcats? Do you see him coming back next season?

    • Steve Kyler

      He was brought in to teach and to change the culture… I think he’s done an OK job there. I think he’ll be back, but I don’t think he’ll be long term until he finds some success.

  14. Clinton

    With the proverbial gun to your head, what big time free agent will the Rockets acquire in the off-season?

    • Steve Kyler

      Does not work that way… its about guys chosing to come to Houston and that hasn’t happened without overpaying. So who will they overpay? I think they’ll try to get one of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Andrew Bynum if Dwight stays in LA.

  15. Bryan

    I expect the Bucks to make a max offer to Josh Smith this offseason. What other teams may also make Smith a max offer?

  16. Ray

    The Cavs are moving in the right direction.

    They’ve now solidified their backcourt with two dynamic playmakers/scorers in Irving and Waiters. They have found a consistent double-double threat in Thompson. They have a very strong bench that should be even stronger next year after a few roster spots open up. And most importantly, Varejao should come back next year healthy and primed to lead this young group to a playoff berth.

    In your opinion, what are their two or three biggest needs going into the draft and FA?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think they have to get a game changer in the front court… Kyrie is great, Dion and Tristan are good, but they need an Andre Drummond type at the five and time.

  17. bALL sO hARD

    How come I can ball so hard and you can’t?

    • Steve Kyler

      Initially I want to say because I am 40 and you are 12…

      But in reality its because we have different definitions of ballin’ hard. I am on a plane to Boston to cover basketball and have done so for the last 16 years… you are asking me questions not the other way around and if you were genuinely as cool as me, you’d freeze to death – because I go exactly that hard.

      Just sayin.

  18. dcruise

    I hear Houston want wants to make a run AT howard and j smith this offseason. Is this possible. Who has more upside royce White or thomas

    • Steve Kyler

      I am sure they will call, but I doubt seriously they land either one… as for White over Thomas Robinson… seriously? – Robinson twice.

  19. Beau

    If it was your choice, and given KJ is able to deliver a reasonable ownership group, would you rather the Kings stay in Sac town or move to Seattle?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not my choice… but I can tell you the NBA’s stance is they;d rather keep team where they are and the only time moving them is considered is when the viability of the market goes away.

      Build an new area already and lets get past this. I remind the Sacramento fans that had you built a building 2 years ago Seattle wouldn’t be on the table. The only reason Seattle is in the discussion is because of the arena.

      The good news is the Maloofs will be out, a new building will be built and the Kings will make a little more money and might become competitive again.

      Nothing against Seattle, but they had the chance to do the same thing Sacramento is doing and chose not to.

  20. Devin Brooks

    Do you think Detroit Pistons can get granger and Oj mayo this summer in trades and free agent.. to pair with Knight, Carlderon, drummond and monroe

    • Steve Kyler

      I think both guys could be had, but is that what you want to build around?… Granger’s knee is bad and OJ is gonna want Ben Gordon type money.

      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.