NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 3/1/12

HOOPSWORLD Publisher Steve Kyler will hold his weekly chat at 3:30pm EST on Thursdays. Drop in your questions regarding NBA trades, the NBA Draft, roster moves or questions about your team.

  1. alan

    Any way that the bulls could pry paul george from indy after the season? maybe asik, a first rounder and ronnie brewer? he would be an incredible addition as a big 2 with size to guard threes that can create.

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome to the chat today… sorry for the later time slot, I had some schedule issues pop up… lots of questions in the que, so lets get after it.

      No… there is almost no scenario in which Chicago can get Paul George for all the reasons you mention, unless Derrick Rose is involved in the deal.

      No chance Chicago poaches legit talent for the parts they would be willing to deal… Asik could get you maybe a Courtney Lee… not much more than that and I think Houston would want more for Courtney than even Asik.

  2. badoodelz

    aren’t the wolves considering Ben Gordon, in case they wasn’t able to land OJ Mayo or any of their primary targets? I know its a gamble but IMO BG can still be a 20pts. guy when motivated plus they can get him easily as the pistons wants to get rid of his massive contract, to start up nxt season. Whats your thought?

    • Steve Kyler

      BG is owed a ton of money. If he were making half of what he is making I think the Wolves would be all over him, but having a guy making 11.6 mil this year, 12.4 mil next year and $13.2 million in 2013 cripples the Wolves going forward.

      BG is a great sixth man, but the Wolves need a bona fide starter at the 2 spot and while BG would fit better than anyone on the roster, he’s just too expensive going forward to be a smart move.

  3. Aaron

    What can the Lakers do to get Beasley and Jose Juan Barea. Frankley I don’t understand why the Lakers even signed McRoberts when Barea was avaialbe?
    Also is the Pau for Rondo thing legit?

    Do the Bulls really have the Bobcats 1st round pick this year? Yikes, likeley top three pick!?

    • Steve Kyler

      No the Bobcats pick is lottery protected…

      The Lakers can’t force a team to trade with them… a better way to phrase this is to say what would Minnesota want for Beasley and JJ Berea… not sure the Lakers have a starting two guard that can score 20 a game that they would part with… until that happens, Lakers have to wait.

      Gasol/Rondo… I keep saying this… Rondo is exactly what the Lakers are looking for in a Gasol trade… they won;t move Gasol just to move him. They want a real point guard and likely a real small forward in a deal involving him or they will hang on to him.

      On Rondo, despite this mornings reports which are kind of old news… the Celtics know Rondo is their best trade chip and they know they can not build a new team around him because of his temeperment and demeanor… it works when you have Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, but when those guys are gone, Rondo is a tough personality for everyone… great player, just extermely difficult as a person.

      The Lakers and the Celtics would trade those two guys… but they both want the moon in return… if they can not get serious upgrades, they won;t be moved… we’ll do this again around the draft and then again before the start of the season until those teams find upgrade deals they like.

      Trash and end of the bench contracts are not going to get either Boston or the Lakers to the table… bring your All-Stars and lets talk, that’s the word.

  4. Deven

    Hello again Mr. Kyler. I read an article by Mr. Michael Wilbon of ESPN on how Anthony Davis isn’t just a game-changer, but a franchise-changer. Whoa! Do you buy this? Why would he be considered a franchise-changer and not a game-changer?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yeah… not buying that… is Davis one of the best guys in the class – without a doubt, but until he lands on a team hard to label him anything more than that.

      No disrespect to Wilbon, but not sure he is close enough to the draft process to believe what he is saying is real… more like hyperbole to illustrate that Anthony Davis is not just an ordinary draft pick… that’s why he’s pegged as the top guy.

  5. Steve

    What did you do with Susan Bible?

    • Steve Kyler

      Nothing… she had a death in the family last week and needed time for her family… that’s something we believe in deeply here. She is back in the saddle and she’ll hold here chat on Saturday.

  6. Vito Villegas

    Hi Steve! Lakers fan here. Do you think Boston and New Jersey would be enticed with this package: Rondo & O’neal to New Jersey, Gasol & Morris to Boston and D-Will to the Lakers?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… I am not sure how to read the Deron Williams situation… I can tell you Dwight;s circle was not at all happy with D-Will this weekend and felt he’s looking out for himself… that’s where the Dallas stuff has come from.

      I know that New Jersey has heard what we’ve heard. The question is do they blink on D-Will and try and trade him before he skips off to Dallas?

      I was kicking around this idea… Rondo and picks from both Boston and Lakers to New Jersey… he’s under contract… Williams/Gasol to Boston… Paul Pierce/Bass to Lakers… Lakers address point guard with Traded Player exception later… who’s with me?

  7. 416 Nova

    does brandon roy have to return to portland or is he free to sign anywhere? say the wolves or the pacers? outside of griffin, howard, and lebron; who would you like to see in the dunk competition? 2 guards, 2 forwards and a center; mine, Westbrook, Wall,D.Jordan, Vesley, and Gee.

    • Steve Kyler

      Brandon wants to play – heard that from tons of people… no he can not go back to Portland he is an unrestricted free agent.

      His knee is bone on bone… that’s not going to work long term… Doctors told him he risked not walking later in life if he kept playing…. He’ll hear that again when he tries to come back.

  8. Raptor-fan

    Please do not tell me Barbosa and Jose Calderon are untouchable! Raptors need to sell high on these 2 guys to rebuild. What are the chances of getting a guy like Eric Bledsoe from the Clippers?

    • Steve Kyler

      I wouldn’t say Bledsoe… I don;t think the Clips would move him and he doesn’t make nearly enough for either of those two guys… but yes, Toronto is exploring options and those guys have value.

      I wouldn’t bank on a trade yet, but there is talk.

  9. Flute

    Whats the latest on iverson?is he goin to the dleague

    • Steve Kyler

      I have not heard anything new on that… The word is he is broke, so I expect him somewhere.

  10. Keeweekid

    First, do you have any idea of what B.Roy is referring to here: Roy’s decision to retire wasn’t all health related. ‘There’s something to it, but it’s not the right time for me to get into it right now.’
    2nd- have you heard anything or put odds on this actually happening?

    • Steve Kyler

      Brandon really had issues with how the Blazers were dealing with him… he felt like they pushed him out the door.

      He balled hard during the lockout and really felt like he was ready to play and then Doctors red flagged him… He still thinks he can play.

  11. reily

    http://www.hoopsworld.com/sources-hornets-want-pick-for-kaman. if this is true Celtics must get him KG can’t play center for the rest of the year or they don’t wanna give up any picks? Trade RayAL for Mike beas & WesJohn…Keep RONDO.Would you blow up the big 3 now or wait this offseason?

    • Steve Kyler

      Kaman costs $14 million… the Hornets want a draft pick as the core of compensation… but you still have to send back salary.

      I wait eight more games and see where I am… if I go .500 then I am blowing up the team… if I get it together and go 7-1, then I stay the course.

      The Celtics are four games out of first in the Atlantic… I don’t do anything now… I wait until its clear where I am headed.

  12. Jorge

    what would be the best trade scenario for dallas? odom for beasley? odom and dojo for nash? or odom, mahinmi, roddy b and some picks for rajon rondo?

    • Steve Kyler

      No one is taking Lamar Odom in trade, unless they can dump an even worse deal on Dallas.

  13. Ryan

    Who will magic give up to get ellis and is it worth it if they lose anderson?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Magic do not have assets for Monta Ellis… you can talk about who you want all day, but you have to have parts the other team wants.

      Golden State might look at a JJ Redick/Ryan Anderson deal… but they are not taking Orlando’s trash for their best player.

  14. Will

    If the Magic can’t get Ellis/Nash,will they still keep Dwight past the trade deadline?

    • Steve Kyler

      It’s up to Dwight.

      If Dwight is open and honest and says I’ll give this one more year and Opt-In then Orlando absolutely won;t trade him… If Dwight says I am opting out and exploring my options in July… Orlando has to seriously consider dealing him.

      From what we heard during All-Star… the Dwight/Deron Williams scenario in Brooklyn has imploded… Deron wants to explore his options and everyone believes that’s Dallas.

      More and more people say Dwight Opts-In and hits free agency in 2013 when Chris Paul, Monta Ellis and Josh Smith can all hiot free agency and more teams can dump money to get after them.

      I think its all about what Dwight says when they corner him on March 14th.

  15. wbs

    Could the Lakers get Sessions and Beasley without giving up Gasol?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… not just using the Traded Player Exception… Beasley counts $6.3 million in trade… Lakers could do that with their TPE… Sessions is $4.3 million so they;d have to do that with a trade incolving at least $3.225 million in player salary.

      Derek Fisher or Steve Blake get you there.

  16. Jim

    Do you get the impression any teams have stood out as far as alligning business practices and expectations with the new CBA? In other words, do any of the teams look to be especially progressive with the way NBA business is to be run for the next decade or so? Or is it just too early to tell? Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      Too early to tell.

      The Thunder are set up well… as are the Pacers and the Kings.

  17. Dante

    Hi Steve,
    There has been some talk that Dwight Howard and possibly Deron williams might stay with their teams for the final year of their contract instead of opting out. This puts them into free agency in 2013 which will be a very great free agency year. Do you see a scenario like this: The lakers bynum contract is up, so is Luke Walton’s and Derick fisher. Metta will have one year left and could be traded for a second round pick as he would have an expiring contract. With the punitive luxury tax by the new CBA, could you see the lakers Amnesty Kobe and signing two strong free agents to build around since Kobe’s salary could accommodate that?

    • Steve Kyler

      I have said from the jump that the Lakers would be foolish to waste their amnesty on someone like Metta World or Luke Walton because of what they owe Kobe and Pau.

      Could the Lakers clear a ton of cash in 2013… yes… could they have a real shot at the cream of the 2013 crop… maybe. I think if both Dwight and Deron opt-in, a lot of teams will dump salary to get in front of all those guys.

  18. Dante

    Do you think laker could or will land Rondo in a trade around gasol?

    • Steve Kyler

      No. I think the Lakers would love that deal, not sold Boston would do it.

  19. jack

    Are the Lakers ready to hit the splash water yet? regarding making big moves?

    • Steve Kyler

      Like most teams looking to deal… The Lakers are active. Finding a trade partner is not easy lots of teams trying to get the same small pool of difference maker players.

  20. Gerald Wallace

    Is there a chance Chad Buchanan and Larry Miller decide to trade to a contender? I feel like I am being misused here

    • Steve Kyler

      Blazers fell out of the Playoff picture last night… they have eight games before the deadline… how the next 7 go will shape the plan.

      You go 3-4, and I think the Blazers look to cash out… You go 5-2 and are in 7th place at the deadline you try and add not subtract… I agree with being misused, but its bigger than Gerald Wallace on that front.

  21. Fmel

    Steve,

    Why would the lakers not get Beasley for first round pick? It’s a steal. I know they would have to pay tax on a dollar to dollar basis on his contract, but it’s the freaking lakers. They make so much money not to mention the billion dollar contract with time Warner that kicks in next year. This doesn’t look good from a pr and fan base perception. Your thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      You are assuming Minnesota would do that deal… Teams don’t quiver in their shoes when the Lakers call… it has to be a best value deal for Minnesota.

      If the Lakers will give you a first rounder for him… what will Boston give you?… what would Houston give you?… what would Toronto give you?

      That’s the game of this… who puts the best offer on the table for him and we have 14 days before teams get real with their offers.

  22. Kenny Dynamite

    Look, I’m still piffed. Dwight Howard has the game in his city, he’s essentially shopping himself, and he’s shooting 3′s in the ASG? Pick up game or not, this is how you represent your city, and you are the only All-Star? Magic fans should be appalled.

    • Steve Kyler

      He’s not allowed to shoot those in real games… Stan would have an stroke on the bench.

      I get what you are saying and I told Dwight as much last week… I do not agree with how he’s handled this process, but that’s easy for me to say… I am not living through it, although it feels like with how many questions I get on it.

      I think I am asked about Dwight’s future almost as frequently as Dwight is.

  23. Gery

    You are close to ORL….I think Monta ELis can work in ORL but their problem is that they dont have superior defenders any more like Barns or Pietrus. Teams need to have that type of players to go deep, right?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Magic do not play man to man defense… they need good defenders, but Orlando runs a cover based system.

      Like the Cover 2 in Football, the Magic call defensive plays… they are designed to funnel players to places the Magic want them on the floor… Its not about stopping you, but forcing you to make bad decisions or shoot low percentage shots or run out the shot clock.

      As long as a player like Monta learns the defense, he’ll do OK in Orlando. However thats a key reason why young guys and new players don;t see the floor much in Orlando. They can’t learn or run the system.

  24. a different matt

    When and how does the Wilson Chandler saga end?

    • Steve Kyler

      He signs a new deal in Denver… or he sits out the balance of the year and tries again this summer as a restricted free agent.

      The new CBA locks him into Denver as of today… same with Aaron Brooks and Patty MIlls… they can only play for their team now… if not they can go to Europe or sit out until July and start the free agency process again.

  25. Wilson

    Do you see Cleveland cashing in any of their assets for a C like Chris Kaman to make a playoff push.

    Seems like it would be a short-sighted move, but that experience could be invaluable for Irving and Thompson in the long run. What would you do if you were the Cavs GM?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… I keep being told that Cleveland views making the post season as more valuable than anything.

      The logic is making the playoffs gets the fans believing… it motivates the young guys to work harder to get back… and its enhances the teams free agency value.

      I could see them being buyers on short term expiring guys like Kaman… they’d gain his bird rights too.

  26. Shaun

    Do the Suns find any takers on Robin Lopez. I like the idea of trading him to GSW for Epke Udoh, who says no?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think Phoenix would do it… not sure Robin Lopez matters to Golden State… He’s just a guy. Albeit a tall guy, but just a guy.

  27. Shaun

    Does Aaron Brooks come back and play for the Suns this year or does he come back as a RFA for the 12/13 season?

    • Steve Kyler

      His camp says he’d have no problem sitting out if Phoenix won’t pay him… He can only sign with Phoenix as of today. So either he does a deal with them or waits until July and hits free agency again as a restricted free agent.

  28. Mark

    Do you think the Lakers might be able to work something based around Gasol for Granger, West and Collison or Hill? A 3rd team would probably be needed to get Indy another PG like Calderon from Toronto?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… Indiana really likes where they are situated.

  29. Purplehayz

    In your opinion will the Lakers make any trades or will the ride it out with this roster?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think they’ll do something with the TPE… not sure they do anything really big, but that won’t be because they didn’t try.

  30. Sean

    whats going on with the pacers ? is larry going to do anything

    • Steve Kyler

      They are being prudent… they want a two guard type scorer and maybe some depth… but they won;t break up whats working to do anything and they have tons of space to absorb if something comes their way.

      They have been scouting a lot of guys, so I would expect them to be active, just don’t expect anything crazy from Indiana.

      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.