NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 3/8/12

1. Tim

   Do you see the Bulls adding another perimeter playmaker before the deadline and if so who is on their radar

   • Steve Kyler

     Welcome in everyone… a week to go before the deadline so lots of trade questions in the que. I am going to try and skip the repeating questions to get more topics in today.. so lets get after it.

     The Bulls as I covered this morning in the NBA AM: New Faces Headed To New NBA Places? are not being overly aggressive. I think if something fell their way that didn’t cost them a core piece they might consider it, but the vibe I am getting is that the Bulls may sit out the deadline.

     I think they need a two guard, but they don’t seem to agree with me.

2. alan

   is there any way that the bulls could pull off a deal for garnett and ray allen. the bulls send asik or taj gibson along with their 1st rounder, the charlotte pick they have, Nikola Mirotic and carlos boozer, ronnie brewer and CJ watson? the celtics could send watson to LA for their 1st this year leading to 3 1st rounders and a first round talent in mirotic to go along with a starting 5 of rondo, brewer, pierce, boozer and asik which could still lock down the 8 spot. the bulls dont want to shake up the chemistry, but what two players would fit in better than those 2 who already know thibs’ system

   • Steve Kyler

     There is always a way… but as I just covered, the Bulls don’t seem like they want to mess with what is clearly working and working well.

     Equally, I am not sold Boston would move those guys unless the floor falls out from under them or Rondo or Pierce go down to season ending injury. As bad as Boston has played this year they are two games out of owning the Atlantic and getting home court in the first round.

3. RocketFan09

   When teams call the Portland Front Office… Who on earth do they talk to since they have a no GM??.. And what do you think will happen with Gerald Wallace come March 15th??

   • Steve Kyler

     That’s been a popular question lately… but to be honest GMs rarely are fielding trade calls directly. In Portland both Larry Miller and Chad Buchanan are running the show but you also have assistant GMs Bill Branch, Steve Rosenberry and lead scout Michael Born talking to teams all the time.

     This process is not done in a vacuum, most teams have a committee process, Portland is no different… Portland just lacks that face figure you are used to seeing, but don’t believe for a second that trades start with one GM calling another… thats typically how they end. There are middle men that bring these things together for GMs to ultimately approve or dismiss

4. Chris

   The games against Philly and Indy have magnified the Bulls glaring need for a legit SG. I think GarPax should call Sacramento to guage their interest in a trade built around Omer, Korver, and a first for Thornton. I think this is a trade that helps both teams. Kings get a young center to team/backup Cousins and we get a young SG that is on a reasonable contract for the next four years.Kings have too many shooters as is and could use a big that know his role and has potential.

   • Steve Kyler

     As I covered… The Bulls are talking, but do not seem willing to do anything to shake up the core. If I fringe piece can get them someone they might do it… but their posture is not one of a team looking to make a major change.

5. Tony

   Does Indy have any chance at all of acquiring Eric Gordon from NO either at the deadline or over the summer. I know Gordon is a RFA but how much is NO willing to pay him especially in light of the fact the NBA still owns the team and would like to sell it as a low cost entry into NBA oiwnwership?

   • Steve Kyler

     I am being told that to get Eric Gordon you need to send a draft pick and an All-Star caliber player… That is a ton for a guy who has a history of injuries. if the Pacers offered up Danny Granger or Roy Hibbert they might get him, but you want get Eric Gordon for the end of your bench.

     I also hit on this in the NBA AM… I am hearing that Mike Dunleavy, who will be one of the owners of the Hornets later this month – barring implosion of the deal – wants Gordon and Kaman on the roster.

6. Deven

   Fact or Fiction: Boston will break up the core before the deadline.

   • Steve Kyler

     Not according to Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge… Looks like the Celtics are buyers not sellers.

7. Raph

   What’s the latest info on the Dwight situation? I’ve heard that the Magic are buyers and not sellers in the trade market, and they’d rather he walk instead of trading him, is this true? Oh and apparently Fran Vazquez is ready to join the Magic next season, is this true?

   • Steve Kyler

     Yeah… I will believe Fran Vasquez in Orlando when I see that… Every year we hear about how Fran is coming this summer and then he signs another deal in Europe.

     I think eventually he will come, but I am not holding my breath that he will matter much when he gets here.

     On Dwight… same song… ‘we think we can keep him beyond this year and we want to add around him’… that could change in 7 days, but everyone I have talked to says Orlando is not entertaining Dwight trade talks… Its a non-starter.

     I am not sure how this plays out with Dwight, but I can tell you what I was told directly at All-Star… Trade or no trade, Dwight is looking at his options in July. The team that has him can offer a fifth year and a few percentage points more in raises, but that won;t be a factor in Dwight’s process.

     The message that was conveyed to me was – ‘stop saying we have decided something because we haven’t’ and ‘understand you get to be the top free agent when money does not matter maybe once in your career’.

     No one is gonna like that, and I do hear Magic fans saying just ‘decide already’ – but honestly, tell me what any team in the league is gonna look like in the next 4 years?… Outside of Miami, OKC and Chicago… What Dwight has in Orlando he takes with him, if he stays healthy, because Orlando’s pieces are unremarkable.

     He has to get to July to really see whats out there, that can not be decided today and even more Dwight’s hammer to shape his future and get what he wants is his impending free agency.

8. marcus

   Are the lakers interested in steve nash?

   • Steve Kyler

     I can not imagine many teams that wouldn’t have interest in Nash… the problem is the Lakers don;t have the trade chips to get Nash without giving up Bynum in the deal and thats not gonna happen.

     The story from Phoenix has not changed either… If Nash asks for a trade they would oblige, but if he wants to sign a new deal in Phoenix this summer they’d love to have him stay and they will pay him more than anyone else can.

     I don’t see Nash as being traded at the deadline… neither side seems to want that. Does not mean it won’t change as offers get real, but its not an active situation.

9. Dubs fan

   I was 7 y/o when Rick Barry and Co. beat the Bullets.

   It’s been so sorry since then (sorry Run TMC) that when We Believe beat the Mav’s in the first round, it felt like the Dubs won the NBA title. Now the team is back to its same old hopeless self.

   With that said, is there any chance Lacob blows this “going nowhere in a hurry” team up next week?

   Also, any chance Curry for Rondo gets done (PLEASE SAY YES)?

   • Steve Kyler

     Sadly… I feel your pain… I am still waiting for Joe Lacob’s big bold moves he promised when he bought the team but Rondo for Curry is not one of them.

     I was told when the latest “Celtics aggressively shopping Rondo” story broke, the C’s all but assured Rondo he was not on the block. Like The Lakers I think the only way Boston moves Rondo is if they get a better All-Star for him.

     Chris Paul for Rondo was an upgrade, thats something they’d have done… Rondo for Curry is the C’s throwing in the towel and they are two games out of hosting playoff games at The Garden.

10. Jazzaholic

    Matthews has been having some problems in Portland. He has 3 more years at $5-$6m, because he had a signing bonus. Would you think the Blazers would want to dump his salary? The Jazz have a TPE, roster spot and draft picks.
    Would the Blazers trade Matthews for CJ Miles, who has an expiring $3.7m contract?

    • Steve Kyler

      I hear the Blazers are active sellers… they won’t liquidate guys, but if you made a real offer for Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton or Wes Mathews you might get them all.

      Your trash isn’t getting anything done, but real offers might.

11. Deven

    Fact or Fiction: Monta or Steph Curry will be traded.

    • Steve Kyler

      Open for discussion… Every time Monta’s name gets tossed around I get a text telling me its not real, but I have to believe if the right deal came their way that brought in a bona fide All-Star they’d move almost anyone.

      Hearing they offered a lot for Dwight Howard, not sure Orlando considered it… If Orlando blinks on D12 it won’t shock me to see it be with Golden State because they have good guys.

      I don’t expect a firesale in Golden State any time soon — they’d get more around the draft than the deadline for their guys.

12. alec

    Hey Steve, most of the writers say one team is not accepting this trade because it favors one side more, or why would both teams do this. What would your ideal trade be for Rondo, or Allen. Also, if the bobcats are aiming to be the worst in the league just to land Anthony Davis, why not sign Gilbert Arenas to make that a sure fire lock lol.

    • Steve Kyler

      The Bobcats are not “aiming for worst team” they just are not built to win… its about getting young guys experience. You are also assuming Gilbert would go there.

      Keep this in mind… the next situation Gilbert Arenas is part of has to be a roaring success or Gilbert is finished in the NBA. He knows that which is why he’s being so cautious about signing with anyone.

      He doesn’t need the money, so its 100% about situation.

      On your Boston question… scratch them both off your list.

13. Sean

    Hey Steve,

    Knicks are balling I think they have a good chance at a 1st round upset! Hey Jeremy Lin cut down those turnovers though, but keep on hooping. Anyways any chance the Knicks make a move at the deadline? Any chance of them getting something in return for Toney Douglas since we have Bibby, Lin, and David (Shumpert can play PG too I believe)

    Maybe Lakers take a chance on Toney Douglas (we know they are desperate for a PG) how about for Josh McRoberts? I could see him fitting very well on the Knicks.

    • Steve Kyler

      I am not buying the Knicks as a playoff threat… they have lost three straight and have lost 4 of 5 to teams that are playoff caliber teams.

      As for Toney D, I think the Lakers would do a swap like that, but not sure its going to happen.

      Mike D’Antoni has too many guys that need minutes now… Not sure McBob sees the floor in New York.

14. mykel switzerland

    will shabazz napier play in the nba in 2013? maybe as a pg off the bench leading the second unit?

    • Steve Kyler

      He is not currently on our Top 100 Prospects so the short answer is — unlikely.

      In 2013, it depends on how he grows and matures.

15. Edward Lee

    Mr. Kyler, I know shit sometimes happens but for the Lakers, it’s a little more than often

    • Steve Kyler

      Truer words can not be said.

16. calvinzero

    What do you think if Dwight Howard goes to the Lakers, is there a possibility that Deron Williams will be immediately next in line for the franchise?? Why or why not?? Thank you

    • Steve Kyler

      No and No… if Deron Williams is leaving New Jersey its for Dallas… as for Dwight, he wants to be his own superstar – you may not like that answer, but thats how it is.

      I’ll add one more thing thats gonna get the Lakers fans upset with me… The Lakers have become a dysfunctional badly run organization, thats made a lot of terrible decisions.

      Since Jerry West left things have been on a downward trend thats not overly attractive to a lot of players. There is very public infighting between Jimmy Buss who runs the team on the Opts side and Jeanine Buss who runs the business side. Dr. Buss is not really involved any more and they are not going to be able to spend their way out of mistakes like they have done in the past.

      Players love what playing in LA means, but the Lakers franchise is not nearly what it was.

      I know Lakers fans won’t like that, but thats where things are.

17. Scott

    The Clippers are looking for an upgrade at shooting guard, but don’t seem to have many assets… will they get something done by the deadline?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Clippers are being opportunistic… they are listening but they like where they are.

18. Mark

    Whats happening with Johnny Flynn?? He was a high draft pick, had some good moments for the Twolves but now is just taking up space on the Houston bench? Surely he can help a team in need of a point guard??Thanks

    • Steve Kyler

      Houston has shopped him, but most people I have talked to about Jonny love him as a person, but do not see him as a starter in the NBA.

      Can he help a team?… sure… but no one is giving up a lot of Jonny Flynn.

19. Daniel

    Do the New York Knicks looking to trade carmelo yet?

    • Steve Kyler

      Wouldn’t that be ironic given what they gave up for him… I think you are more likely going to see a coaching change in the off-season than a trade involving Melo unless it returned a major star in his place.

20. Radu

    Hi Steve,
    Is it true that Rudy Fernandez already has a deal in place back in Europe for next year? Is this his last year in the NBA?
    I also assume Andre Miller will be leaving Denver this summer. How do you see the Denver backcourt shaping up in the near future? Would they be able to afford Jamal Crawford next summer?

    • Steve Kyler

      I had not heard that about Rudy… but it would line up.

      Rudy is not enjoying his NBA experience… As for Andre. he is a favorite of George Karl’s so I think it has more to do with what Andre is looking for contract wise than Denver wanting him gone.

21. Wilson

    Steve, how you do you see the deadline activity starting off; with a trickle of small deals or one big one that gets everyone else moving?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think we’ll see six or seven deals… I do not think we’ll see a major deal unless it involved Chris Kaman, he’s a $14 million salary in trade, so that will require a lot to happen.

22. Wilson

    For all the talk of the Sixers needing a “closer”, Lou Williams has been playing out of his mind in the 4th quarters.

    He has an ETO this summer though (which he’ll exercise) and his value has never been higher. Can (and will) the Sixers shake things up and get a legitimate scorer such as Monta, Eric Gordon, or even Tyreke Evans.

    • Steve Kyler

      I have been asked about Lou Williams a lot, because everyone sees Lou as a starter… I keep being told the 76ers are concerned about appearing cheap to their fans, but I think the fans see that its time to cash in two assets for one bigger asset. Not sure that trade is there for Philly, but they have way too many pieces.

23. Joe Lacob

    What’s going to happen with Monta Ellis?

    • Steve Kyler

      For my money I think he’s staying in Golden State… they view him as an All-Star two guard and want an All-Star back for him. They want to move up in the world not down.

24. Evan

    Rumor is starting to grow that Something is imminent in Orlando with Dwight being sent somewhere he is unhappy about?

    • Steve Kyler

      Have not heard that… but as I said, I wouldn’t be shocked if Orlando blinks and does a deal with Golden State.

25. deroninbigd

    I have a strong feeling that the mavs are going to be active in the market whatever Cuban says… What’s your thoughts? Any possible transaction?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure they need to… they have guys like Dominique Jones, Roddy Beaubois and draft rights like Nick Calathes that could fetch a price in trade. Not sure anyone is tripping over themselves to get what Dallas does not want.

      Keep in mind DoJo and Roddy hit the cap next year so moving them in a package for an ending contract player might make sense.

26. Dennis

    Hey Steve, Will the Magic accept Roy Hibbert for Dwight Howard just so they get something in return for Howard? Will Indiana pull the trigger and hope Howard signs with them log term?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… Love Roy, but he’s not nearly enough for Orlando… They could do a better deal tomorrow with six or seven teams.

27. phil

    Do you see the Magic trying for any other players outside of Ellis and Nash? Seemingly no news for the last week.

    • Steve Kyler

      otis Smith keeps things close to the vest… if you are hearing about stuff out of Orlando its typically coming from the other side of the deal.

28. JLClutchFsn34

    Do you think the Rockets will make any moves, specifically with the Lakers?

    • Steve Kyler

      Are you asking if the Rockets get Pau Gasol?… does not seem like it… I think the Rockets would do it, but they want real pieces back and if Houston won’t part with Kyle Lowry there is not discussion to be had. The Lakers want an impact point guard, if you don’t have one, don’t call.

      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 on the other side of the deadline.