NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 4/5/12

1. Deven

   Hi Steve. On the Dan Patrick show, Steve Nash expressed interest in certain teams, such as the Miami Heat and The Knicks, once he becomes a free agent. I was kind of surprised to hear this. What are your thoughts?

   • Steve Kyler

     Whats good everyone?… Hope the week has been good to you. Props to the Kentucky Wildcats for a great season. I was torn because I was born in Kentucky. Learned the game on the concrete courts of UK and bleed Blue, but absolute despise John Calipari… He got the job done so what more can I say. Lots of questions in the que, so lets get after it.

     As I covered in the NBA AM this morning, Nash is playing the free agent game extremely well.

     He won’t be staying in Phoenix unless they radically improve the team. I wouldn’t ready too much into anything Nash says about a particular team because he is being asked specifically about those teams and he’s not the kind of guy that going to smash on another organization.

     If you rewind back to every major free agent, they all get asked about the major markets or front runners, and they always say what Nash said… thats just the game of it.

     I wouldn’t ready being nice in an answer as meaning he is packed for those markets, but I can tell you his dance card will be as full as he wants it to be, but I still think he’s Phoenix’s player to lose.

2. calvinzero

   What do you think? Is Jason Terry a good fit to the Miami Heat system of Spo?? What’s your take regarding that? Thanks HOOPSWORLD

   • Steve Kyler

     He won’t take the pay cut unless thats all there is.

     Does he fit… maybe, but I don’t think bench scoring is where Miami needs help. They need a legit center and a real point guard and Jason Terry is neither of those.

3. Roy Escalera

   Why didn’t the Magic traded Nelson for Felton? Their salaries match and Felton had proven he could be successful if paired with a monster big(Amare). Is there a chance this trade could happen this offseason?

   • Steve Kyler

     You are assuming that Denver last year and Portland this year wanted Nelson. You are also assuming Orlando viewed Felton as a better option than Jameer.

     Felton has been a major bust in Portland, so its highly unlikely they are going to re-sign him so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.

     As I covered this morning. The word from around Jameer is he may opt-out and pick his next situation rather than being traded somewhere as a cash dump or worse yet to a crappy team/market.

     So could a trade happen this summer… not if both are unrestricted free agents.

     Also keep in mind Chris Duhon looked good in the Mike D’Antoni system too.

4. Ron

   Where you see D-will going this summer?

   • Steve Kyler

     Shopping.

     Seriously. Who is going to have the best situation for him on the court and off.

     New Jersey/Brooklyn offers a major market and more money. If they get a couple of good players around D-Will I think he’ll stay and I think the Nets know that.

     If the Nets swing and miss, I think Dallas is first and Portland/Orlando/Miami come in second.

     Not sure the nets are going to facilitate a sign and trade unless they get something major back… so Portland and Orlando as sign and trade situations are likely off the list.

     Would New Jersey deal Williams for Chris Bosh if Williams says I am walking to Dallas or Portland if you don’t… thats the real question.

     If Miami doesn’t get a chip this year they are gonna have to entertain something like that.

5. Matt

   Do you think Jrue Holiday available in Philly? Lots of talk of him playing SG and Turner being a PG – plus don’t forget AI and Lou Williams.

   • Steve Kyler

     No… Jrue is cheap ($2.6 million next year) and an amazing defender. Keep in mind Jrue turns 22 this summer. He’s still a baby in his NBA career and has two more years before restricted free agency.

     Lou Williams is a problem. He has an Early Termination Option on a $5.3 million deal. He’s likely gonna be an unrestricted free agent so he can really leave without any compensation.

     The idea of Evan Turner as a Point Guard scares the crap out of me… he’s not nearly good enough off the bounce to be a starting point guard.

     Letting him playmake a little like Portland did with Brandon Roy makes sense, but full time point guards?… No chance.

6. Jazzaholic

   Which would be better for the Jazz in the long run?
   1. Miss the playoffs keep their lottery pick.
   2. Make the playoffs, lose their pick, and gain playoff experience.

   • Steve Kyler

     Get the pick.

     Damian Lillard could be there for them and he’s the missing piece.

7. Hap Hanes

   With Bird possibly leaving the Pacers, why doesn’t David Morway the G.M. get more respect in Indianapolis? Everyone seems to believe that all the decisions are made at the top but that’s not necessarily true. Thanks for your consideration.

   • Steve Kyler

     Mainly because Larry is the face of the team… those of us that know how the world works understand that David has done the heavy lifting, but Bird is the face.

     I agree that David is one of the more underrated executives in the league, which is why he’s always on our list of the next executive to hire.

8. Mark ryan

   Will Tyreke Evans ever reach his full potential playing with the kings? especially at the Small Forward? He seems lost playing without the ball and playing with a ball dominant guard in Marcus Thornton and Center in Demarcus cousins doesn’t help either.

   • Steve Kyler

     No I really don’t think Tyreke will ever reach is true potential, especially not in Sacramento.

     He needs a coach thats really going to bring it together for him and as much as I like Keith Smart I am not sure he’s the guy.

     I agree he seems lost, but he’s seemed lost for a while… He really reminds me of Larry Hughes… can be a great player, but likely won’t be.

9. Jake allen

   Which players from this draft do you see being a lock or best chances at becomming a 20ppg scorer?

   I say Harrison Barnes, Austin Rivers, Jeremy Lamb will Definitely.

   and Bradley Beal, Tony Wroten, and Damian Lilard all have the Potential to do so.

   • Steve Kyler

     No on Barnes, Rivers and Lamb… I like them as NBA players, but 20 a game is a special breed of guys. There are 14 guys in the NBA that average more than 20 a game.

     Look at the NBA studs that average less than 20 a game.

     Al Jefferson, C , 19.4
     Chris Paul, PG , 19.4
     Tony Parker, PG , 19.1
     Joe Johnson, SG , 19.0
     Paul Pierce, SF , 19.0
     Josh Smith, PF , 18.9
     Kyrie Irving, PG , 18.8
     Brandon Jennings, PG , 18.7
     Danny Granger, SF , 18.4
     Rudy Gay, SF , 18.3
     Andrew Bynum, C , 18.3
     DeMarcus Cousins, PF , 18.2
     Chris Bosh, PF, 17.9 A
     Antawn Jamison, PF , 17.4

10. Matt

    I read Rod Thorn say that Evan Turner is a PG. Holiday has regressed this season with Turner ball handling.

    Raptors 2012 pick (lets say 6-8 range) and Ed Davis for Jrue Holiday and 2012 pick (say 18-20): who says no?

    • Steve Kyler

      Everyone.

11. Hdog

    Who is a better fit for the raptors moving forward and why? Mkg or harrison Barnes.

    • Steve Kyler

      I want nothing to do with Harrison Barnes in the NBA… he tends to play small.

      If you have the chance to grab Michael Kidd-Gilchrist you do it in a heartbeat. He is a leader. he is an impact scorer and he is ready to play at the next level.

12. Will

    Is trading for Joe Johnson a realistic possibility for Orlando this summer?

    • Steve Kyler

      Would be extremely foolish.

      Name	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
      Joe Johnson	$18,038,573	$19,752,646	$21,466,719	$23,180,792	$24,894,865

13. Hammer

    What is your view of Harrison Barnes and the type of player he could be in the NBA? Is Glenn Robinson a good comparison?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… Glenn was a great shooter.

      I am extremely low on Harrison… In the advanced metrics department I want my lottery picks to be above average or excellent in most major categories… Barnes production offensively does not grade out that way compared to his peers.

      Post-Up – 65% – Very Good
       Transition – 73% – Very Good
       Isolation – 64% – Good
       P&R Ball Handler – 64% – Good
      Off Screen – 60% – Good
       Cut – 41% – Average
      Spot Up – 42% – Average
       Offensive Rebounds (put backs) – 55% – Good

      Let not even get into his defensive stats.

14. Flight33, A Chicagoan in England

    Hey there Steve, I always make it a point to check out your chats dude, keep up the good work.

    Ok here goes…..
    Say that the Heat doesnt win it all, do you think that there may be some shake up with the Big 3? The reason I bring this up is because Steve Nash says that he would like to play for the Heat if the Suns dont improve the roster. I dont really see Phoenix as a destination for free agents to be honest and I dont think that they let Nash leave for anything so would you think that Riley would give up Bosh and maybe a late first round pick (possibly throw in Norris Cole) in a sign and trade for Nash? The Heat have been in “Win Now” mode since last year and if it doesnt happen this year, I think that Bosh may be the odd man out. Your thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      Thanks for the love…

      Steve Nash did not say he wants to play for the HEAT. He was asked if playing for the HEAT and with LeBron James was an option he’d consider.

      “I would listen,” Nash said. “He’s phenomenal. I love what they’re doing there. A lot of people don’t like them because they put all that talent there. But they’re professional, they play hard, they play together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.”

      I do think if the HEAT wiff, they will have to look at changes to the Big Three because thats only way they can improve the roster.

15. Tony

    Impressive that the Clippers were still in the game last night without Mo Williams and Billups? From an equivalency standpoint (loss of Billups) I think the Lakers would be in the same boat as the Clippers, if not worse if Gasol or Bynum went down. Agree?

    • Steve Kyler

      Sure… however I think Gaosl/Bynum mean more to the Lakers as they are the second an third options offensively and they do not have nearly the depth that the Clips have.

16. Jamie D

    Hi Steve

    I have been looking at the Draft for Portanld with thier recently acquired pick and its a tough one on who to acquire as we have La Marcus as our PF and the draft is top talent heavy towards this role ! How would you draft for Portland ! Do we trade LA for a young squad to be in the lottery again to total rebuild ? Do we part rebuild or do we trade our selection for a vetran for a win now at all costs ?

    • Steve Kyler

      No.. you do not trade a bona fide All-Star unless you get one back.

      I use one of the picks to add best available talent, then try and move off contracts with the other one of them to insure I have $30 million to play with in free agency.

17. Cain

    What do you think of Granger over last 10 games? Really hoping he and Paul George stick around together for a long time in Indiana.

    • Steve Kyler

      I am a big Danny Granger fan, so this isn’t a surprise… he’s found his groove and thats why Indiana is winning games.

      The Pacers say the name of the game is adding around both Danny and P-Geezy… so I wouldn’t expect either to be anywhere else any time soon.

18. Enrique

    Now that the playoffs are almost here, I have a coaching question for you. Should Thibs stray away from conventional wisdom and NOT shorten his rotation for the playoffs? This Bulls team goes ten deep and the reserves play with confidence when they are pitted against other team’s starters. OR do you think other teams will “bring it up a notch” in the playoffs and render our bench ineffective? Thanks for your time and keep up the great work!

    • Steve Kyler

      I am not sure its an either or situation… I think the good coaches play the match ups and the situations.

      You can get away with shortening the bench because of the rest between games and the routine guys fall into. Equally, your bench guys tend to make the most mistakes. In the playoffs every possession matters, so playing guys just to play them doesn’t make sense, but I think we’ve seen that with the injuries, especially to D-Rose if something isn’t going right match-up wise, making a change isn’t a risk.

      Short answer… No, you play the match-ups… if you need your bench you use it. But you let the game and the situation dictate that, not a rigid, we’re in the playoff so only 7-8 guys get to play.

19. josh

    ARe clipps missing aflalo type of player(defensive stopper) at perimeter and do they have a chance to get him?

    • Steve Kyler

      No on getting him… he signed a long term deal with Denver.

      And almost every team is missing that kind of player… but yes, the Clips need more of a defensive minded guard on the perimeter, thats why Chauncey Billups was so big for them.

20. J. Bizz

    Hi Steve, can you please explain to me what is the difference between buying out a player and waiving a player. I don’t understand why Boris Diaw was bought out and J.J. Hickson was waived. Why would a team choose one over the other?

    • Steve Kyler

      Waiving a player means I am eating your entire contract value unless another teams claims it… here is a little know fact – it costs $1000 to waive someone.

      If I buy you out, we both agree on a “settlement” of you contract, typically at a reduced price. Once we both agree and sign off on a reduced price, I would still waive you, it would be at a lower price.

      Waiving is simply the process of being done with a player… the amount owed is open to negotiation.

      Take Derek Fisher… he was owed about $900K this year and had a Player options worth $3.4 million next year… he agreed to give up the $3.4 million next year… he was paid his $900K by the Rockets and got a pro-rated $2.3 million from the Thunder as a free agent… plus whatever he makes next year.

      It turned out to be a good financial move… Rockets shed $3.4 million next year… paid $900K for the Lakers first round pick. Fish got $900K from Houston, plus a pro-rated $2.3 million from the Thunder.

      As for teams… they need the player to agree to a buyout and most players won’t give up guaranteed money, especially guys like Hickson on a rookie deal.

21. Asiong Salonga

    Do you see Ramon Sessions in long term for the Lakers?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes and so do the Lakers thats why they gave up so much to get him… they needed to clear dollars to re-sign him.

22. Deven

    Did Dwight Howard really tell management to get rid of SVG?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not in the way its being reported.

      Dwight has not kept any secrets of what he thinks is wrong in Orlando and how the team is operated is a big part of it… thats includes the basketball opts side and the coaching side.

      There has been some change from Stan Van Gundy – there was a sit down in training camp in which Dwight pleaded with Stan to lighten up on the yelling and screaming and to trust the captains to police the team.

      The players for the most part have tuned out Stan and I think he knows that. His yelling and temperament is not working any more and more than a few guys in that locker room would like to see a player oriented coach, rather than a rigid system oriented coach.

      Is the writing on the wall that its time for Stan to go… yes.
      Would that line up with the changes Dwight as said he’d like to see? yes…
      Has Dwight openly said Stan Van Gundy needs to be fired… No, and I can say that with a great level of certainty.

      I think the next coach of the Magic is going to be a former player or an assistant coach that understands what players go through in the NBA and tries to win with out the screaming and yelling thats Stan is known for.

      I had a NBA executive point out to me that coaching negativity never works… the coaches that win, win because they coach their guys up and not down.

      Unfortunately, I think Stan coaches his guys down with the screaming and ranting on the side line and I think thats something thats infected the team.

      That’s what Dwight wants changed and I am not sold Stan can change because thats who he is and if he can;t change or won’t change, thats why he not in Orlando next year.

      This is not about not being able to “take it from a demanding coach” — its realizing that whats they are doing won’t win a championship.

      Dwight isn’t seeking a cream puff coach that will be a yes man… he wants a coach that makes his team better.

      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.