NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 4/12/12

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.

  1. hugh

    i don’t understand all this tyreke trade talk, your thoughts? he is still a great player with potential to be a star. tyreke, cousins, thomas and the draft pick will be a very good team

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone… hope the week has been good to you… less than 9 games remaining before the playoffs and lots of things are still unsettled. We have the framework of a draft class and some teams will be shifting to off-season mode very soon. Lots of questions in the que. I will do my best to get as many as I can…

      The Kings are really struggling with what Tyreke is at the NBA level… there is no doubting that he is a good player, but he’s not much of a point guard and thats been the problem for the Kings.

      If you recall there were several people in the Kings organization that pushed for Ricky Rubio instead of Tyreke… imagine how good the Kings would look with Rubio running the show?

      I think you are hearing Reke’s name kicked around because he’s really the odd man out and he is good enough that he might return a real asset either in a veteran player or a high level draft pick.

  2. Deven

    Hi Steve. Should other teams follow the Spurs method and rest their key guys come playoff time?

    • Steve Kyler

      Its risky… the NBA game is a rhythmic game… when guys get out of their rhythm even for a single game it can cause problems.

      If you talk to players about the daily cycle, they;d rather play than not play… but I wouldn’t fault a team for going lighter on guys minutes or even sitting guys that have miles on them especially this year with so little rest and practice time.

      I think you have to really be comfortable with your guys and how they are playing… I also think there is value in giving your bench guys extended time before the playoffs in the event that you need them.

      I think its more of a situational thing rather than saying… we should rest guys… I think its more about the guys and what they are doing than timing.

  3. calvinzero

    Do you agree with this argument? The reason behind Dallas Mavericks “struggling” as the title contenders this season is to have a strong plan to acquire Dwight Howard and Deron Williams next season due to their flexibility of the Cuban franchise. Nice to chat with you, Steve.

    • Steve Kyler

      No…

      The Mavs are struggling as title contenders because they let huge chunks of the team that won last year walk away. They also replaced them with lesser guys.

      Its not that the Mavs lost Tyson Chandler… its compounded with the fact they are now using Brendan Haywood and Brendan Wright. They are not terrible, but they are not Tyson and the team isn’t nearly as good when they are on the floor as they were with Tyson.

      I think having the chance at Dwight (which they don’t any more) and Deron factor in, but I don’t think the Mavs assembled a team or are tanking/losing games so they can say — “see, if we had you we’d win”.

      I think the Mavs are product of not keeping the squad that won together, but as Mark Cuban points out… if he could have gotten all of them to sign two year deals he would have done that… Guys like Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea were not signing two year deals, so this is what you get.

  4. tigermask

    Are the Celtics still too old to complete with the likes of Indiana, The Heat, and the Bulls? Were their recent wins over Miami April Fools Day part one and two? Maybe KG is not yet over the hill?

    • Steve Kyler

      No.

      In the post season when there is lots of time between games and the pace slows down, it becomes more about defense and execution. I do think the Pacers, HEAT and Bulls have better players, but if you look at how Boston has played lately… they are as good as anyone.

  5. Joel

    What do you see of Lamar Odom’s future?

    • Steve Kyler

      If they Mavs can not trade his buyout to another team they will eat his cash and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

      He’ll play again, he just may not get a huge payday. Lamar was not right when I talked with him two weeks ago. I think having the personal parts of your life play out in the media was unsettling. I think the fit in Dallas was poor.

      I think he lands with the HEAT or with a team that really wants him. I wouldn’t rule out a return to the Lakers, but it would have to be on the cheap and I think a team like Golden State will make him a real offer.

  6. Chris

    If the Heat were to trade Wade for a defensive center and a 3-point shooter (say players like Joakim Noah and Ray Allen), would the Heat be a better team? Wade is indivudallly a bigger talent than either of them, but he and Lebron seem to have overlapping skill sets and needs on the court.

    • Steve Kyler

      The HEAT won’t be trading Dwayne Wade.

      If they’d consider breaking up the Big Three it would be Chris Bosh who is moved, and even then I am not sure they will… They’d have to fall on their face in the post-season.

  7. Mehdi

    What happened to former Sonic President Wally Walker? Do you think he would be a great fit as gm of the blazers? He built the sonics teams that dominated the west in the 90′s and he helped rebuild and had a eye for talent drafting real well and singing low key guys

    • Steve Kyler

      I have not seen or heard that name in years… Honestly the way it ended in Seattle, Wally took a lot of blame for a lot of things and there were a lot of issues that I think tarnished his name.

      Not sure anyone sees him as viable.

      I loved the idea of Noah Croom, who the Blazers are reported to have interviewed… He was the Assistant GM with the Vancouver Grizzlies and has worked for the NBA and been involved in the business/legal side for a number of years. He is current the cap/contract guy for Goodwin Sports and he’s been around for a while.

      He is extremely smart, knows the business inside and out – paired with Chad Buchanan, thats a great front office.

  8. Will

    Any idea who the Magic go after this summer for coach and gm?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure they are there yet… but the names you have heard make a lot of sense.

      Coaches…Nate McMillan, Brian Shaw, Mike Malone

      GMs… Adonal Foyle as an in-house candidate… Kevin Prtichard, Larry Harris, David Morway, Sam Hinkie would be the guys I interview.

  9. Prem I.

    If the clippers let go of del negro in the off season do you think mike d’antoni would make a good fit for them?

    • Steve Kyler

      Unless Vinny goes deep in the post-season like Conference Finals… I think he’s out.

      As for Mike D in LA.. not my first, second or third choice… If I am the Clippers I go after Stan Van Gundy when he’s released in Orlando. Portland may beat them to the punch.

  10. MikeF

    Hey Steve,
    Will the Bulls keep Omer Asik this offseason? There should be a huge demand for him and the price for him should be upwards of 5M. Would the Bulls pay that for a backup center or will he be able to flourish with as a starter on a new team?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure the Bulls go crazy money for Omer… but I do think he’s their player to loose. Lots of centers in the draft and free agency, so not sure the market is crazy for Omer.

      As for flourish… not sure I am there on that. Quality backup.

  11. MikeF

    What’s your opinion on Jan Vesely now that he has accumulated more minutes? Is he going to play SF or PF? What is his potential?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not overwhelmed with Jan… frankly I was not in the draft process. He is not a good shooter, so Small Forward is a risk. He is a decent rebounder and efficient when he shoots the ball, but he simply isn’t dynamic yet.

      I think he needs a summer to develop, play Summer league and get a real feel for the NBA game.

      He grades out as an average player at best in almost every major advanced stat category.

  12. Doug

    What do you think sac kings should do with Thornton and tyreke? Trade one? Who should they keep?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think of the two Thornton is the keeper… that contract is gonna be hard to trade.

      I think Reyke returns more value, not sold they have to trade either, but finding a role for Tyreke has not been easy.

  13. Hugh

    Who would be the best fit for the kings to draft this year?

  14. Peter

    Hi Steve,

    do you think Phoenix should go after Garnett and Allen this offseason? They could start one last run and their medical staff could do wonders for Garnett and Allen.

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure either go there… but they have money to offer.

  15. Jay

    You think the Magic would trade for Stoudemire if he came available this offseason?He and Dwight are good freinds.

    • Steve Kyler

      The friendship is overstated… Dwight is friends with a number of guys.

      That contract is a franchise killer. There is almost no scenario in which the Magic can make that work if Amar’e goes down to injury and he is nursing a back thats been a problem since this time last year.

      Thats how they got into this mess, bad contracts.

  16. Jazzfan

    Just a fun question say you have a equally balanced team, if you had to decide between a player with great offense and avg defense or a player with great defense and avg offense which would you choose?

    • Steve Kyler

      Defense creates offense… so I got with the defensive player.

  17. George

    Landry Fields for JJ Redick this summer?

    • Steve Kyler

      I wouldn’t do that deal… also does’;t come close to working under the cap…

      JJ is owed $6.3 million next year, Landry is a free agent… so are you talking about a sign and trade for Landry Fields on a deal in the $5 million range?

      No chance I would do that deal.

  18. Nate

    My Bucks need more size. Maybe not this season but next year for sure. Is it smart to trade Jennings or Ellis in the offseason for a true SG?

    • Steve Kyler

      They could draft one or sign one… I wouldn’t trade either guy just yet.

      Of the two Monta Ellis returns the most value because of the size of his contract.

  19. KJG

    Hello Steve. This is my 1st time to chat on here. My Celtics are playing some excellent ball lately. I hope it continues to a championship but I realize it may be far-fetched. 2 questions. 1st) do you see the Celtics as real contenders? 2) what do they do in the off season in order to stay competetive? I know if KG and Ray were to come back it would have to be at a reduced rate. If they don’t were do you see this franchise going to get help for Rondo and Pierce? Thanks.

    • Steve Kyler

      1st) do you see the Celtics as real contenders?
      — Yes, but not in the class of Chicago or Miami… both would have to come apart… I put them in the next tier with Orlando, Indiana, and the Knicks.

      2) what do they do in the off season in order to stay competitive?
      — get a center that can actually play 80-plus games and start adding replacements for Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

  20. Chip

    Sorry to be so tunnel visioned about the Blazers, but eh, I’m a disgusted fan. Will any top flight FA sign with the Blazers after this F’d up season? Again, is PDX an attractive team, given max dollars, LMA, Batuum, JJ (if he stays) and Crawford (again if he stays)?

    • Steve Kyler

      Free agents go where the money is and Portland will have a ton of it.

      They need to get their house in order, so getting a real GM and a head coach is the first step… drafting well is the second.

      Are the Blazers contenders for Deron Williams and Steve Nash? — No. But they could make things interesting with Chris Kaman, Roy Hibbert and Brook Lopez…

  21. George

    Hey, with Mike Woodsen it seems like the Knicks are all on the same page and starting to realize that defense and rebounds get them a lot of wins. Question, do you think M.Woodsen is going to coach the Knicks longterm or Dolan bringing in Phil Jackson? Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      I think the Knicks will do the dance with Phil Jackson and John Calipari first… if they are rebuffed, which they might be… I think Woody has a shot at keeping the job but as a third or fourth candidate.

      If the Knicks go deep that might change things, but I think Dolan wants a marquee coach.

  22. Dallas

    Who, in your opinion, should be the top draft and FA targets for Raps in the offseason?

    • Steve Kyler

      The draft?… Michael Kidd-Gilchrist… free agents, hearing they have eyes for Ersan İlyasova and Goran Dragic

  23. Chip

    Okay, what the heck, here’s another. Since this team is so, well, dysfunctional, who would want to coach it under these circumstances, other than a 1st timer like Canales? Is Canales a good candidate for the permanent job? Would a veteran coach (Dantoni, SVG if, Heck even Phil) consider it? Would huge $(PAM) make a difference?

    • Steve Kyler

      Money always matters.

      A veteran coach is gonna want guarntees of control, not sure the Blazers give that… but they might.

      “Is Canales a good candidate for the permanent job? ” — not if you want free agents to take you seriously. I like Kaleb, but he is not a serious head coaching candidate.

  24. Hurricane Game

    What are the chances that the bulls are able to get Jason terry for the MLE this summer?

    i have a feeling he will ask for about 7-8 million per year and get overpaid by the t-wolves or some other team with cap that has a need at the 2 guard spot

    i would love terry off the bench, and maybe we release korver or something to avoid paying alot of tax

    • Steve Kyler

      “What are the chances that the bulls are able to get Jason terry for the MLE this summer?” — if thats what other teams set the price at, then maybe… but Jason is not leaving money on the table.

      Not saying he’ll run to the highest dollar, but if a playoff teams offers $7 million and Chicago offers $5 million, he’s not going to Chicago.

  25. Guilherme

    Do you got any idea of whats kinda player(s) the Magic should try no acquire to better complement D12 game?

  26. Rory

    two questions…
    1st. Wheres Beasley suiting up next year? do you think hes mature enough to step up and start and bring a poor team forward (see nets, bobcats, kings)

    2nd Shabuzz muhammed just picked UCLA….what sort of stats do u see him producing? if ur OKC do u trade harden on draft day for shabuzz if we cant pay him?

    • Steve Kyler

      “Wheres Beasley suiting up next year?”

      — not even a hint of a clue. The trade market for Beasley was low at the deadline, so thats generally a sign that teams won’t go big dollar for him. Minnesota will hold his rights, he may be best served taking the Qualifying Offer and hit unrestricted in 2013. Not sure there are teams that will do a two or three year for Beasley.

      “what sort of stats do u see him producing?” — Not anything I give any thought to. He could score 40 points per game, and thats not anything I get overly excited about. I hope he plays well. I hope he expands his game and takes UCLA into a deep tourney run. I don’t get caught up in college stats. I am more interested in how you play fundamentally.

      As for what the Thunder should do in a year… way too early to give that any thought either.

  27. Lucas

    Hi Steve,

    Do you think any team will offer Jeff Van Gundy a coaching job next season? And is Doug Collins out of Philly at the end of the season?

    Thank you

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure Jeff is willing to give up what he has… He works about 50 days per year… is paid extremely well and is well liked doing what he’s doing.

      It would have to be a serious situation with a lot of proven things in place.

      Not sure he’ll take a job with anyone.

  28. Grandad4334

    Morning!
    The Knicks have seen STAT go down twice in 2 years right when it really matters for the team’s championship chances.
    His contract is awful but do you see NY moving him to say Houston for Scola/K-Mart/1st round pick or Detroit for Gordon/Maxiell/Daye/2nd round 2012 pick?
    Sounds crazy, but he’s got to go to help the Knicks move forward and Melo obviously isn’t going anywhere.

    • Steve Kyler

      I do not think there is a team in the league that takes on $65 million in non-insured salary on a player thats had major knee surgery and may require back surgery this summer, unless they get to dump their worst contracts on the Knicks in the deal.

      Keep in mind Amar’e deal will consume 34% of the salary cap next year – what if he can’t play again after surgery or has to sit for an extended period of time.

      They days of spending your way out of injuries is gone… teams especially Houston and Detroit can’t risk $19 million in dead money next year for the offchance Amare return to form.

      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.