NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 4/26/12
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.
more from Steve Kyler
2013 NBA Mock Draft – May 22nd
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery and that should change the complexion of the top of the 2013 NBA Draft just slightly.
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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.
more from Steve Kyler
2013 NBA Mock Draft – May 22nd
The Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery and that should change the complexion of the top of the 2013 NBA Draft just slightly.
calvinzero
2 Questions:
1.What will be the key factor (in terms of offense and defense) of those teams who already clinched their playoff spot?
2.Now the playoffs is arriving, who do you think what is/are the best match-up to watch for??
Steve Kyler
Welcome in everyone… sorry I missed you last week, but the schedule got crazy. The NBA season ends tonight. We have a locked in playoff picture and we’ll get a post-season started on Saturday… lots of questions in the que, so lets get after them.
Not sure I get the questions, and it seems these are not “chat” type questions rather essay type questions, but here are my thoughts…
1.What will be the key factor (in terms of offense and defense) of those teams who already clinched their playoff spot?
— Limit turnovers and score more points than the other team… < --- see that what you get in a chat :0)
2.Now the playoffs is arriving, who do you think what is/are the best match-up to watch for??
--- > I like the Miami/Knicks match-up thats a possible upset in the making…. I like Memphis/Clippers… out west.
Carmelo vs. LeBron will be epic.
ralph lawrence
Let us presume that the bobcats win the lottery, do you think there’s a chance they will trade their #1 overall pick? will they be interested in a deal like tyreke evans and kings first round pick for the bobcats first overall pick? in that way bobcats would have a good core of evans, walker and henderson plus the draft pick and on the other hand kings get anthony davis and will now have a good front court.. your thoughts?
Steve Kyler
No chance at all.
They will likely end up with the worst record in NBA history, its going to take more than Evans and the 4th to get Anthony Davis.
Robert
How do you feel about this trade?
Toronto Trades: Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, 2012 First Round Pick, 2012 Second Round Pick
Boston Trades: Rajon Rondo
Steve Kyler
Should the Raptors send the rights to arenas too… thats a ton for Rondo. I would not do that deal if I am Toronto. Too much going out for a guy that can be toxic in your locker room and will be miserable in Canada.
Chris G
Since roughly half the teams don’t make the playoffs, I assume player contracts just cover the regular season. Do players from teams in the playoffs get paid for those games? If so, is that part of their contract or money from some other source?
Steve Kyler
All players are paid per diem for every day they are away from their home market… its roughly $118 a day.
Players are paid $2000 per week for pre-season… then their contract for the regular season.
Post season is done through a fund called the Playoff pool… this is additional money paid on top of per diem, pre-season and regular season.
It paid for achieving certain milestones – its paid to the team and divided using equal shares of the fund… the players on the team decide how those shares are dispersed.
It is not at all uncommon for higher dollar players to give portions of their share to strength coaches… low dollar guys… guys you might have signed for a minimum deal.
For instance… the Bulls and Spurs are tied for best record today… depending on who the NBA deems the best record… likely San Antonio… each Spur player will receive an equal share of $374,947 or roughly $24,996 dollars if the team does not include the coaches in its share division. Most teams do include their coaches, so its usually something like 20 to 25 shares…. so assuming they decide to distribute 25 equal shares… each share is worth $14,998 for best record plus $13,123 for best record in conference, plus $7760 for participating in the first round – so lets call that $35,881 for ending the season as they have… if they advance they get more.
Chris G.
I noticed a lot of the same analysts who were critical of Metta World Peace throwing an elbow were praising the Heat for flagrant hits on the Bulls last week, saying it toughened the team up. I’ll admit the elbow looked worse, but James Jones hit Noah’s head as well. Where is the line drawn between aggressive play and cheap shot?
Steve Kyler
Its subjective… I can not comment on the process others take… but this is where I draw the line.
Is the play a basketball play? — I would say while Jone’s hit on Noah was aggressive, it was a basketball play.
Metta’s hit on Harden was not a basketball play.
If I get to agressive playing the game, thats what fouls are for… if the aggression is not about basketball, thats where I have problems.
Will
Who is more likely to return to Orlando next year Dwight or SVG?
Steve Kyler
Dwight Howard.
I think Stan’s decision to go public with his frustrations about Howard sealed his fate… and I think he did it deliberately to insure it was a swift decision.
Bernard
Do the Magic have the trade assets to get Jsmoove this summer?
Steve Kyler
No.
The Hawks have made it clear they want a ton for Josh Smith in trade. Ownership views him as a tier 1 All-Star, so unless you are giving one back… someone who played in the 2012 All-Star game… you are not getting Josh for peanuts… and outside of Dwight Howard the Magic just don;t have the chips unless Atlanta lowers its price, which I do not see happening.
Raps4ever
Hi Steve, Ever since the Raptors, hired Casey, to be their head coach this team’s DEFENSE has improved significantly. I also heard they are actively trying to get Dragic, to sign next season. How positive are you about the future of the Raptors going forward? would adding Batum and Dragic, plus a 1st round pick next year and Valanciunas give them a good chance to make the play-offs next year?
Steve Kyler
They have a lot going for them… I love Coach Casey… they get Jonas Valanciunas this year… what looks to be the 6th pick this year and maybe a decent free agent… assuming they stay healthy they should get better rapidly.
Having a full off-season to develop together will help too.
Edward Lee
Will the Lakers get past the first round against Denver/Dallas?
Steve Kyler
As of today they pull the Nuggets and I think they can better Denver… they are kind of a mess.
When its working for the Nuggets they are almost unbeatable, but thats not an every game thing… Lakers in 5 games.
Mike
You still think Orlando will target JR Smith this summer?
Steve Kyler
Yes… but he’s going where the money is.
Saulo
Is it just me or is Gerald Green really putting it all together. His answers to the media, his game, shot selections, attitude, it’s all positive this year. I’m really rooting for him, I have been since before he was a timberwolf and even more so then. If the nets don’t sign him, it’d be interesting to see him in OKC, backing up Durant. I think he’d fill that role very well, especially if they keep Harden as a sixth man. But even if they didn’t he could be the scorer off the bench that allows Harden to start. What do you think?
Steve Kyler
Gerald is a friend, so I am thrilled he’s putting it together. Not sure he’s leaving New Jersey this year… they want to keep him.
Deven
Fact or Fiction: Last Night’s game against SAS was Steve Nash’s final game as a member of the Phoenix Suns.
Steve Kyler
Neither…
It was his last game this season, but its not fiction until he resigns and its not fact until he signs elsewhere
Yoichi
Why is it that Dwade don’t play PG ?
Steve Kyler
Not his position or his strength… he does handle the ball, but the HEAT tend to use LeBron James more as a play maker, mainly because he is a better passer.
Its not that Wade can’t play point guard, thats just not his position.
Jazzfan
thanks for the chat, I believe Milsaps contract is up after next season, he has really turned up his game this year if he continues it into next season but Favors really turns his game up as well like he’s expected to, do you try to keep Milsap or do you let him walk/trade him and let Favors take over?, Milsap has made it known he wants to be starter but if Favors turns out to be what many expect I dont see him over starting over Favors
Steve Kyler
I can tell you Paul is a highly coveted player and the Jazz will have a tough choice to make… Paul is slated to earn $8.6 million next season, his last season under his current deal.
Not sure they have decided what to do with Paul… I think a lot will come down to what are they offered for him.
The Jazz have a ton of cap space coming in July of 2013, so there is not a lot of urgency to make or force something with Paul.
willie
hi i know the money doesnt match but cousins and evans to orlando for howard if howard doesnt sign longterm with kings they can move him in feb when is alex going to finally wake up and see that otis has to go and brian shaw would be a great coach if svg is fired
Steve Kyler
Actually the Kings have the cap space to absorb the difference, so they could do such a deal if inclined, but there is no way they would.
They would be giving up Cousin and Evans for nothing in return… Howard won’t stay there and the Kings could return more in trade for Evans and Cousins than they’d get for Howard with a surgically repaired back and an ending contract he’ll likely walk away from.
None of the decisions you are looking for happen until the season is over… so we’ll see what happens next week.
Patrick F
What do you expect the wolves to do in the offseason? Do they amnesty Darko? Any chance Beasley wiquire all be back? Do they acquire a SG via the draft or fA?
Steve Kyler
What do you expect the wolves to do in the offseason?
— be as aggressive as they can be with very little cash to spend.
Do they amnesty Darko?
— Unlikely… but they could if they felt they needed the cash.
Any chance Beasley wiquire all be back?
— Not on a huge dollar deal.
Do they acquire a SG via the draft or fA?
— Yes… they have tried for a while. It won’t surprise me to see them go after Kevin Martin in Houston via trade.
Buddy
Given what is going on at the NBA Players Union, are you still pro-nepotism? (Reference your December chat about the Warriors and how Lacob’s son is now within striking distance on the GM job.)
Steve Kyler
I have no issues with secondary things… I have issues with primary things.
Is the person being hired, qualified for the job they are doing?… if the answer is yes, than the rest does not matter to me.
I don’t care if you are a woman, an asian or a nephew… are you qualified to do the job you are doing and are you being paid a rate thats in line with the marketplace?
If the answer is No, then I have an issue.
I can say this… If I buy a NBA team and my son wants to be involved, I’ll find away for him to be involved, but the standards by which his performance will be measured will be radically different than the standards others will be in a very aggressive and harsh way. He’ll never hold a job he is not qualified to hold and he’ll be paid what others in that role are paid.
Thats how it should be… and again, if that not how its being done, than I have an issue.
Marc
Hey Steve, thanks for doing the chat. Any idea who Bryan Colangelo will target in free agency this summer? How about at the draft?
Steve Kyler
They haven’t started anything yet… I know they want to address small forward… so thats coming either in the Draft (cheaper) or Free Agency… I know they plan to be aggressive, Bryan usually is… but you can not force deals to happen.
Jeff
Is there any update on Jeff Green?
Steve Kyler
Supposedly he’ll be ready for training camp, we’ll see… his camp is being cautious and guarded… I have asked about him with guys close to him in the NBA and they say he is doing really well.
He’s an unrestricted free agent, so we’ll see.
Airete
Assuming the Kings don’t win the Anthony Davis sweepstakes could you see them trading their first rounder to the Timberwolves for Derrick Williams? The Kings seem like they could use a stretch 4 to pair with Cousins. I like Williams better than the non-Davis PFs in this draft for how the Kings are built. I’m not certain the Wolves go for it, but it’d gives them a chance for the wing prospect they need to pair with Rubio, Pekovic and Love. Someone like MKG or Beal.
Steve Kyler
I don’t see it… not a huge Derrick Williams fan… he’s a decent player, but I think they can do better with their own pick.
Dan
Can the lakers beat the nuggets without Metta? What about OKC?
Steve Kyler
Yes… Metta isn’t that big of a piece especially if Kobe is clicking and Bynum is on the same page.
Justin
Will the magic try and trade up in the draft and who are they looking at drafting? any potential trades during offseason?
Steve Kyler
They have to answer the leadership question first.
Assuming Otis is gone, his replacement will set the priority. I would suspect they will try to move up, but thats not going to be easy.
keo
Can u compare the top 5 draft picks to modern day nba or past nba players …I kno I see Davis the next kg ..and Robinson reminds me of amare stat
Steve Kyler
Anthony Davis – a more polished Kevin Garnett
Michale Kidd-Gilchrist – Gerald Wallace meets Tracy McGrady
Bradley Beal – a lot like Eric Gordon. better shooter.
Andre Drummond – Dwight Howard or Emeka Okafor
Thomas Robinson – more David West with a better explosive game.
CJ
So,
The Pacers are looking strong. Should they get by Orlando, is there a snowball’s change they can beat the Heat?
Steve Kyler
Sure… they need a lot to break their way and for New York to take the HEAT to seven games.
Scott
What’s better for the Clippers. Lose in the first round and VDN gets fired or win in the first round and VDN stays?
Steve Kyler
Vinny is likely out regardless… only way he stays is if they get to the Conference Finals and I don’t think they can get there with Vinny as the coach.
Kyle
How about this trade
Raptors get Avery Bradley n a 1st rd pick
Celtics get Andrea Bargnani
Raptors get there pg and Celtics get there Pf/C
Steve Kyler
Avery really is not a point guard, he is more of a two guard.
Not sure Toronto would do that deal, I think Boston would.
WJF
What would it take to get Evans from Sacramento if Toronto was including Derozan, would Toronto want to take a chance on Evans?
Steve Kyler
Evans value is really low… I don’t think Toronto gives up DeMar for Evans… I think they have the better guy.
G'StateW
How far do the Warriors go next year do you think?
Steve Kyler
They have to get their guys off the surgery table first… they have five guys that have under gone something this year… hard to gauge a team with that many surgical scars.
Brad
What is your “best fit” player on draft night for the Raptors? (Excluding Anthony Davis)
Steve Kyler
we need a draft order first… my latest Mock Draft has them at #7 with Harrison Barnes.
Steve
Steve Good Day!!
Hey lets say the Thunder run through the playoffs and win a ring while the Bulls and Heat flop….. Does this blockbuster work?
Orlando gets: A.Horford PF, J. Noah C, Kyle Krover
Chi gets: J. Smith PF, J.J Reddick SG, M. Williams, Orl 1st rd pick
Atl gets: D. Howard C, C. Boozer PF, Kyle Krover
Orlando gets to FL Alum big men and value
Chi gets more athletic bench stays strong and have salary cap flexibility
Atl- Gets Hometown hero (best thing pr wise) and a big 3 of Howard Johnson, Boozer
Orl – PG, JRich, Turk, Hortford, Noah
Chi – Rose, Hamilton, Deng, J Smith, Asik
Atl – Teague, Johnson, SF, Boozer, Howard
Works under the cap what do you think?
Steve Kyler
Not sure Chicago is breaking up a team that has won the east two years in a row…
Lots of moving pieces, so its unlikely.
JimyB
Hey Steve love your chats. When would the Magic be allowed to trade Dwight?Can they make a deal prior to the draft lottery with another team not in the playoffs?
Steve Kyler
The day the season ends they could trade Dwight, but there is no point in that… The Draft would be the earliest a deal likely happens. That is when teams get serious about offers.
Casey
Will another team take Kendall Marshall before Portland has the opportunity too with their own pick? I really think it’d be worth it to take him with NJ’s pick, based on all the depth at other positions at the 11th slot. Or should Portland draft a pg at all?
Steve Kyler
I do not think anyone scoop Kendall Marshall before six where Portland could land… does he go before 11 and their second 1st rounder maybe.
Lots of questions about Kendall, especially the wrist injury… thats a nasty injury that he’ll have to prove is not a problem.
I’d go Lillard before Marshall… keep in mind you draft a point guard in the first kiss your shot at Steve Nash and Deron Williams as free agents good bye.
I’d also rather have DJ Augustin, Goran Dragic or Jameer Nelson over Marshall and the Blazers have the cash to make those happen.
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.