NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 3/15/12

1. Radu

   Hi Joel,
   How do you see the Warriors-Bucks trade?
   I know people focus mostly on the positives, but to be honest I am absolutely appalled at the trade. This has every chance of backfiring on both clubs. If Bogut stays injured about 80% of the time as he tends to and Jackson walks away next year, the Warriors have just given up their best player for nothing. And the Bucks remain completely inept in the frontcourt and with two of the most undisciplined players in the NBA together in the backcourt. Curry/Ellis didn’t really work so well, why would Jennings/Ellis? As for Scott Skiles, he’s as good as gone now. Skiles vs. Monta? Are you kidding me?

   • Steve Kyler

     Welcome in everyone… its deadline day… I am rocking my Linsanity T-Shirt and ready for some insanity to ensue… so lets get after it.

     There are a couple of things… The Warriors needed a center… they believe that the game is played inside out, and without a center they will never get anywhere. That’s the philosophy.

     The other part is Monta wanted out… he’s wanted out for a while, but they have placated him and made it work. It had gotten to the point where is was clear it was not going to work with Steph Curry and Mark Jackson, so they had to deal him.

     Why they didn;t try and do a better deal elsewhere is beyond me, but they felt they needed a center and they needed to move Monta.

     Milwaukee dumped Bogut who was not playing for them and was clear he was not ever going to be the guy in Milwaukee… and the dump Stephen Jackson… said another way – they traded two guys that were not playing for an All-Star caliber two guard.

     If this goes south, they’ll deal Monta to Orlando or somewhere else at the draft… if it works, then the Bucks are in the playoff and everyone gets what they wanted.

     This was a low risk move by the Bucks.

2. Peter

   Hey Steve! Seems like the Rockets are keen to add Pau Gasol or someone like Chris Kaman to their lineup. Is there a possibility that they get both? Lowry+Scola for Gasol and K-Mart+Bud+fillers for Kaman? Dragic and Lee can start in the backcourt.

   • Steve Kyler

     Both?… well they could… not sure they will.

     The only way they get Pau Gasol is to include Kyle Lowry and the only way they get Kaman is to likely include Kevin Martin — I am not sold ownership will sign off on that.

     I think they can get Kaman. I know they want Pau Gasol, just not sold they will get him. The price is too high for Houston.

3. Wilson

   Steve, if Dwight is really an evil genius, here’s what he should do:

   Tell the Magic to make the Bulls deal and give Chicago assurances he’ll either opt in or resign this summer.

   Then he can ride the Bulls to the ECF or farther and jump ship to the Nets in the summer. In this scenario, he gets a huge shot at winning a title this year AND absolutely decimates one his primary competitor’s roster depth should he sign with the Nets.

   It would put Boozer’s Cleveland double-cross to shame. Thoughts?

   • Steve Kyler

     Not gonna happen.

     Not sure how many ways this can be said, but Dwight does not want to play in Chicago.

4. Jazzaholic

   What do you see KOC doing with the $10.9m TPE, expiring Howard and Miles contracts and disgruntled Raja Bell?

   • Steve Kyler

     The Jazz have shopped all of those players… Raja Bell has been linked to Chicago and the Clippers, although the Clips say they don’t want him… Josh Howard has been linked to a three team deal with San Antonio, where the Spurs get Howard and the Jazz get Danny Green… CJ Miles was linked to the Nets for Anthony Morrow.

     Not sure they do anything major with the TPE for cost reasons, but they could clean up a deal using it if the price was right.

5. eddy

   New York is the worst managed team in the NBA. Easy…
   A simple solution to this mess would be to just trade Melo for D-Will straight up..
   Dwight isn’t going to the Nets so at least D-Will could team up with Stat (making him want to resign). Nets secure Melo for many years and they’re still in his hometown!!
   No resigning of D’Antoni because he doesn’t have to deal with Melo bulls***. He gets the best PG for his system… New York makes the playoffs this year and +50 wins next year. I might as well be the GM of the Knicks.. LOL

   • Steve Kyler

     The best ideas rarely happen… New York’s problems are the owner, not management.

     He is too whimsical — he reacts like fans do. Fans say we need to hire Mike D’Antoni and he does… we need to trade the farm for Carmelo and he does… we need to get a bona fide center and he waives Chauncey Billups…. Fire Mike D and he does… fans want Phil Jackson and he’ll throw mountains of money at Phil because thats what his fans want.

     If enough fans rally around an idea, he’ll do it… Phil Jackson has trouble sitting in a chair because his body is giving out on him… now he’s gonna coach again?… If that goes bad, Knicks fans will freak out on that too.

     Its not management, its ownership.

6. Alex

   Steve my question has to do with the recently resigned D’antoni. Does he still get payed? Or lets say any coach gets fired. Do they still get payed? I feel bad for D’antoni but if he’s still getting paid then I won’t feel so bad.

   • Steve Kyler

     Yes… every penny on his contract unless he takes another head coaching job… if he takes another coaching job whatever he is paid in the new job is deducted from what he is owed.

     Mike D is in the final year of his deal, so he’ll be paid for the balance of the season and thats it, unless he agreed to defer money upon termination which is unlikely.

7. Nashty

   Hey Steve, with Dwight opting into the final year of his contract does that mean that d-will is all but gone to Dallas? Is this the final nail in the coffin for new jersey’s hope to keep d-wil in Brooklyn barring a MAJOR trade for another superstar to pair with d-will such as a Paul pierce?

   • Steve Kyler

     He indicated no last night… the nets say they have enough assurances that they won;t trade him, but honestly… who saw this Dwight thing playing out like it did? Cleveland thought LeBron was staying… so its hard to say whats going to happen.

     I do not think Deron Williams will opt-in… I think he’ll do a new deal in July.

8. badoodelz

   who do you think got the better end of the Bucks-Warriors trade?

   • Steve Kyler

     Like all deals that get done both sides got what they wanted…

     Bucks got a solid player for a playoff push and got out of the Stephen Jackson/Andrew Bogut business

     Warriors got a possible All-Star center when healthy.

9. eddy

   Do you think NBA team front offices or GMs will develop a phone number or an email where fans can offer their ideas on trades and moves etc.. Just a curious question. Also how long does a trade take to make happen? Like if i was a GM, do i just call another GM. Agree on a trade and then what happens?

   • Steve Kyler

     No… most executives view ideas from media and fans as uneducated… try telling your doctor how to treat your illness, you’ll get the same response. Some are better than others. I get asked a lot about trades and trade ideas – what do you think a team wants for this guy and that guy.

     How long?… really depends. I have seen deals come together in a matter of hours, some take weeks.

     Once the two sides agree on a deal, they submit that deal to the NBA, the NBA schedules a “Trade Call” where both sides go over the deal with a league attorney, and all of the formalities in the trade are clearly explained and then approved.

     Once approved players are notified, and then have 48 hours to report to their new teams for physicals, unless a team waives the physical provision. Once all players involved pass their physicals they are cleared to play for the new team.

10. Deven

    Hi Steve. Let me guess, despite the way the Celtics are playing and all the injuries they have, the Cs will stand pat at the deadline right?

    • Steve Kyler

      They have been active, not sure they will do anything big… JJ Hickson seems like the biggest name. Not sure they will do anything that massively changes the roster.

11. Arky

    Steve,

    Would it be fair to say (speaking at 11pm on Wednesday) that what Dwight Howard really wants is a time machine so he can try to be the loyal hero with an Orlando team that he has reason to believe is capable of upsetting the Bulls and the Heat, then go back in time and be traded if it doesn’t work out?

    Hopefully by the time of your chat the dude has made a decision that he can sign his name to. Great player, MVP-worthy performances despite the uncertainty, but at least LeBron made “The Decision”. Howard seems like “The Indecision” because he’s so concerned that refusing to make “The In Decision” will be unpopular!

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… but look, you can’t really do that… If you don’t screw up, then you don’t get the negative press… if you don’t get the negative press do you really think about what you are doing.

      The wrong turns tend to lead you to where you are… Not sure Dwight is to this point if he played it differently… I think he had to look like a total idiot to get him to see what he needs to do.

12. andrew

    This may be late, but what are your thoughts on a trade between washington n cleveland involving jamison(maybe?) For rashard lewis?

    Wizards are “looking to clean house” as you guys said. Oicking up the 15 mil expiring contract of jamison gives them flexability and lewis has expressed that he wouldnt mind getting out of washington(in an interview posted earlier on hoopsworld).
    Granted, he also said he wants to be a contender again. However i think the cavs are just a few pieces away from an appearance(probably not this season, i hate to admit) n once you give kyrie a couple good seasons with a solid core around him i think contenders they would be!

    Also, whats your thoughts on sess to the lakers. I like that cavs woukd get pick, but would he really help them??

    Thanks for your time man!! Love the chats!!!

    • Steve Kyler

      Cleveland really liked Antwan Jamison’s professionalism and leadership… they may keep him beyond this year as a veteran mentor. Not sure they will trade him. Its now coincidence that his locker is right next to Tristan Thompson’s…

      I do think Sessions to Lakers is gonna happen… they do not want a roster player in return, so it would have to be a draft pick of some kind. We’ll see.

13. Pete

    Are the Celtics going to address the issue they have at PF and C thru a trade? Also are the Kings going to make a move to get rid of Salmons, Garcia or Hickson and get a legit SF in return? and Finally are the Warriors going to make any other moves in order to shore up the Frontcourt?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure what the C’s are going to do… they have said they have nothing major coming, but I know they have worked hard at getting pieces. JJ Hickson was mentioned recently.

      Not sure what the Kings are going to do. I think they’d love to dump some contracts, but they really are not in a bad way capwise.

      I think Golden State is done… look for them to address backcourt in the draft and free agency… Klay Thompson will get a chance to play big minutes with Monta gone.

14. JP

    Do you think it´s possible for Minnesota to get a first pick of this year draft moving Beasley today and perhaps ridnour to move up on draft day with other trade?
    Is it possible still to trade Beasley-Randolph-Tolliver for Morrow-Petro-Farmar-1st pick?
    Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      No… I don’t see a pick coming in a Beasley deal… looks like they will get Jamal Crawford unless something better comes their way.

15. Hurricane Game

    should the magic trade howard anyway? this draft is deep, and the picks they would get from the nets would be very valuable in rebuilding.

    the magic dont have any resources to entice howard to commit longterm after next season, outside of the MLE, this same circus would go on next year, if they trade him now, there is a chance the nets dont make the playoffs, and could land the magic a pick in the top 10 or so

    i think they should consider moving him regardless, its not like they can build around him enough to make him want to extend longterm

    • Steve Kyler

      If Howard exercises his ETO today he’ll be under contract until July of 2013… the Magic could have as much as $30 million in cap space to add around Howard… key free agents at that point are Chris Paul, Josh Smith and Monta Ellis… they can get those guys for cash.

      No. I don’t think the Magic should trade Dwight Howard if he exercises his ETO.

16. Howie Abrams

    Is Luke Ridnour real in the Wolves three team trade as well? In that case the Wolves would send rinour to Portland, Beasley to LA, and would only obtain Crawford from Portland? What am I missing here?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… the deal as rumored has Jamal Crawford to the Wolves… Steve Blake to the Blazers… Michael Beasley to the Lakers. Lakers likely address point guard with Cleveland in a Ramon Sessions deal using their Traded Player Exception.

17. alan

    i saw your am comment regarding the lakers getting (if they can of course) sessions IF no better deal is out there…i assume you mean in a trade for gasol? other than deron williams, what deal is out there that the lakers would part with gasol for? lowery? at this point? would he even be enough of an upgrade to sacrifice gasol for if they can get sessions? i would think only williams and that doesn’t seem possible…

    • Steve Kyler

      The Lakers would love to get Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry… heard they’d even do a Jose Calderon deal if the right Raptor pieces were included. Mitch Kupchak and Bryan Colangelo are friends… I know they talked, not sure they are making a deal. Sessions is the fall back.

      They have been linked to Portland’s Raymond Felton too… so there are options.

18. Joe Shafer

    Late entry I know, but can we be honest here? Daryl Morey better make something happen or he is fired right? He is awful at almost everything.

    • Steve Kyler

      I was just talking to a Western Conference exec and he confirmed that Daryl is blowing up the NBA looking for deals… I do not think ownership will give him another year if he botches the deadline.

      Houston has to get back into the playoffs this year or I think Daryl is done.

19. TheVJ

    What are the chances Gilbert Arenas signs back with the magic (assuming D12 ‘opts-in’), considering he and Dwight are tight?

    • Steve Kyler

      Highly unlikely… I do not think Otis Smith will be running the team next year and I do not think anyone who knows basketball thinks Gilbert can really matter in the NBA again. That’s sad, but the fact that he’s still not on a roster screams volumes about what teams think of Gil.

20. Yoni

    Do you expect Houston’s roster to be totally different in a few hours?

    • Steve Kyler

      They are trying pretty aggressively.

21. Zig holmes

    With Dwight staying through 2013, does this give Orlando some more flexibility as to signing a big name whether this summer or summer of 2013. Or perhaps trading for a big name. Appreciate it.

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… Dwight opting-in gives Orlando a huge runway to make a lot happen, either this summer or next.

22. Steve H

    Jackson is not looking playoff ready as our back up PG. what do you think of these ideas. D.Cook & Thunder 1st rd pick for DJ Augustin & Cats 2nd rd pick? Cats will lose DJ. nxt yr anyway- this gives them rotation player nxt yr in Cook + better pick. OKC bets DJ rental +Cooks 3 mill for retaining Maynor. Back up plan is straight swap of Nazr M. for Bucks Livingston.

    • Steve Kyler

      With the money OKC has committed they need to keep their picks because they are gonna have to start making financial decisions soon.

      I’d love to see DJ in a OKC uniform, just not sold it will happen.

23. vince

    Lakers should do that three-team trade that’s been going around ASAP then trade the exception and their first round pick(not dallas’ pick) would this make the lakers contendors?

    • Steve Kyler

      Its not up to them… you can not force another team to do a deal… deals happen when all parties agree to it.

      Most teams wait until the last hour because last minute things pop up and you do not want to have triggers an average deal and miss out on a better deal.

24. Kevin McLove

    I think Howard is using his agent as a scapegoat for his actions, and decided to just play next year, I think he fully entends to leave after next year.

    • Steve Kyler

      I do not agree. I don;t think his agent had anything to do with this, except that Howard decided to do what he wanted without talking to his agent. I think his agent warned him about what he was doing and Dwight;s doing what he wants anyway.

      Dan Fegan is not the villain here… This is who Dwight Howard is.

25. kevin

    What are your thoughts on the Pacers acquiring Barbosa? I think they are a legit threat now.

    • Steve Kyler

      Solid move… love the deal.

      Guys… I am out of time. Thanks for all the questions. Make sure you are following me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA). We will be hosting a Trade Deadline Recap chat tonight after the dust settles. See you all next week.