NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 5/31/12

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. Ray

    Hey Steve, will the NBA ever crack down on travelling? Guys like Bron are already near impossible to guard yet he regularly takes 3 steps to the hole and gets away with it nearly every time. Not to single Bron out, most players do it and get away with it, he just seems to get away with it a lot more.

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone… I promise I am not going to get on too much of a rant about how incredibly stupid it is to think the NBA Lottery is fixed… but I will try to get to as many of your questions as I can… lots in the hopper, so lets get after them.

      I am not sold the NBA sees this as a problem they have to address… The NBA wants an up tempo, free flowing game played at the rim. I think what you are seeing is guys getting really good at timing the half step you see as a travel.

      Here is the how the rule book explains it.

      Section XIV-Traveling
      a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
      b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.
      The first count occurs:
      (1) As he receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time he receives it.
      (2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultane- ously after he receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when he receives it.
      The second occurs:
      (1) After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
      c. A player who comes to a stop on the count of one may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
      d. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with one foot in advance of the other, may pivot using only the rear foot as the pivot foot.
      e. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with neither foot in advance of the other, may use either foot as the pivot foot.
      f. In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player’s hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
      g. If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball.
      h. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding.
      i. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.
      PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the sideline, nearest spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

      I think the NBA is fairly good at calling this… but like all things in officiating… we get the benefit of a wide angle high definition view. When you watch the game at the angle Refs see the game, its hard to catch everything thats “so obvious” on replay… refs have to call it as they see it happen and they are in the mix. I think thats a flaw in the NBA’s process and for a while I have said there needs to be a fourth official… too much gets missed because of who the game is officiated angle-wise. To be fair the NBA has changed the angle in which Refs officiate, which sucks for photographers sitting on the baseline.

  2. calvinzero

    Can you clarify this?? Metta World Peace will be amnestied by the Lakers.

    • Steve Kyler

      It would be incredibly foolish for the Lakers to waste their one-time amnesty on Artest while owing Kobe Bryant $27.84 million next year and $30.45 in 2013. If Kobe has a career ending injury, the Lakers are screwed.

      Here is the other problem… and this is not unique to the Lakers… when you amnesty someone they come off your books in salary cap money and luxury tax money however you still owe them every nickle on their deal and you still have to replace them.

      Metta has two years and $14.98 million left on his deal. He gave you 7.7 points 2.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game which you would have to replace. Dropping Metta’s money does not get the Lakers under the Luxury tax line and they’d have to sign a new player and pay tax on that player to replace him – and oh, they wouldn’t gain their full Mid level either.

      What do the Lakers gain in paying Metta $14 million to not play for them?… they don’t get under the tax… they don’t get their exception and its doubtful they get a better replacement player. They don’t need the roster spot they have nine guys on the roster if you count Drew Goudelock’s non-guaranteed deal.

      There is no reason to amnesty Metta, except to get him off the team which the Lakers do not seem inclined to do.

  3. Brian

    How does Lebron and Wade who are supposed to be elite defenders allow a non shooting PG to put up 44? One would think that if Rondo averages around 12 ppg, wade or Lebron should hold him under double figures. If Rondo can put up 44, what are the odds either Parker or Westbrook puts up at least 55 and 10 in at least one game next series against the Heat?

    • Steve Kyler

      You are making the wrong assumption… good NBA teams are not trying to stop one player. They are trying to make you take forced and contested shots.

      You are also not giving Rondo credit for making big shots. The HEAT dared him to shoot it last night and he made them pay. Rondo saw more daylight light night than any Celtic and he stepped up and buried shots.

      The HEAT run a defensive system… they do not play man to man. That system is designed to push to low percentage spots on the floor and to make every shot a tough shot. Its not one or two guys responsibility thats not how the HEAT play.

  4. FG7

    Two part question :
    If Miami doesnt win it all this year, what kind of move do you see them making, trade-wise?

    If picked by Miami, can Fab Melo contribute significantly or he is just a big body like Pittman and Eddy Curry? Which C do you see them choosing if not Melo?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… I don’t see Miami winning it all, San Antonio is a flawless machine right now… not sure anyone can beat them in a game let alone a series.

      “can Fab Melo contribute significantly” — maybe. I see him as a bigger Samuel Dalembert. He can rebound. Block shots, but he’s not a game changing center. I think fab will be gone before Miami picks at 27.

      I have them taking Vanderbilt center Festus Ezeli in my latest Mock Draft. I could also see them trading into the second round with their 27th pick (the guaranteed salary at 27 would be taxable) and trying to swing a deal to pick up two second rounders and going after a guy like Xavier Gibson from Florida State.

  5. Justin

    Good morning Steve,

    Saw your Mock Draft this morning…Question, is Terrence Jones the right guys for the 76ers need at PF? Is PF Arnette from Miss St a good fit or even Henson from UNC?
    Thanks

    • Steve Kyler

      Terrance Jones would be best talent on the board for Philly at 15… not sold he’ll be there, but thats part of the process… when one guy climbs another falls.

      I have been getting a lot of crap about having Bradley Beal fall to 8, but if he does not go Top 4… is Sacramento drafting him at #5 with all the guards they have? Don’t see it when there are need fillers there… #6 is Portland.. they might go Beal because of talent, but don’t see it as a need they are looking to fill… at #7 do the Warriors grab a two after the way Klay Thompson played?… that pushes Beal to #8 if he does not go Top 4.

      Its scenarios like that, that could push T Jones out of the lottery… but short answer. Yes. he is a proven ready to play guy that could fill the gap if the 76ers decide to trade Andre Iguodala.

      On Arnett… much better pro prospect than Henson. Arnett is a bigger Rashard Lewis… he reminds me of Lamarcus Aldridge, but maybe not as solid a shooter. he is big power forward, not a center as some have suggested.

      Here was our visit with him last week in LA.

  6. Rory

    Hello Steve,

    What do you see the Raptors doing with the 8th overall pick in the draft? trade the pick? If so what type of player may be available for that pick?

    Thank you,

    • Steve Kyler

      The Raptors have logged a lot of frequent flyer miles looking at guys… they were in to see Moe Harkless and Kendall Marshall… They were into see Dion Waiters and they were at a bunch of the group workouts in LA with guys like Toney Wroten and John Jenkins.

      Word is they are looking for a small forward or a solid point guard for life after Jose Calderon.

      I wouldn’t rule out a trade, especially if they could get a proven guy over a young guy… but they are doing the work as though they are keeping the pick.

  7. Patrick

    What are your thoughts on Houston sending K.Lowry to Toronto in return for The #8 pick and any pieces that might top it off (read Ed Davis because he’s awful). Lowry wants out apparently, Toronto needs a legit PG of the future, seems to work.

    Toronto would look like Lowry/Derozan/J.Johnson (unless they sign a FA 3)/ Bargs/JV

    Houston, then has 3 picks, and could try to trade 2 or all of them to move up and get a big or just draft a big guy at 8. Kings are looking at Andre Drummond at 5 (unless snatched up at 4 by the cavs) but don’t exactly need another young Center so maybe that?

    Dragic/Lee/Budinger/Scola/Drummond?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not going to happen… but its going to be kicked around because of Kyle’s comments.

      We spoke with Kyle about it, he says he was taken somewhat out of context and that while he’s had issues with Kevin McHale, he’s frustrated to again be talking about lottery picks and not playoff games.

      The Rockets see Kyle as a borderline All-Star guard and have placed tremendous value on him… if you want to get him in trade you are going to have to come with a very serious offer, and a draft pick outside the top 5 won’t be that appealing to Houston.

  8. Rick

    Rockets pull off draft day deals every year. What deals are you hearing that they do this year?

    • Steve Kyler

      They want to trade one of their lottery picks either to move up for a serious talent or move out of having two more rookies on a squad that needs veteran players.

  9. Chris Mendoza

    How amazing was Rondo’s performance last night? Also, why do the Celtics have a tough time handling leads (seems like they have a habit of blowing large leads and play better when playing from behind)? Also, any chance any Celtic can get within a foot of LeBron or Wade without a foul being called?

    • Steve Kyler

      He is pretty good.

      Its amazing, because he is so good on the court and such a bad guy off of it… not sure where that comes from, but he can be a down right jerk more times than not.

  10. James

    Bobcats trade DJ Augustin, Tyrus Thomas and the #2 pick for Portlands #6, #10, Mathews and JJ Hickson, thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      DJ is a free agent so Charlotte can not trade him unless he wants to go there… and no one takes Tyrus Thomas and that contract… Hickson is also a free agent so he too would have to agree to a trade to Charlotte… that can not happen until after the draft in July.

      Teams can not force free agents into trades. They would have to agree to go there and thats generally not something that happens, unless the acquiring team wants to over pay and I think both teams would rather spend their money on other players.

  11. ryan

    Hiya Steve, quick question…would the lakers be able to sign CP3 for next season or is he locked in with the Clipps for next season?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not unless the salary cap goes WAY up. Lakers have $63.519 million in salary commitments in July 2013. $30.453 million to Kobe. Pau is owed $19.2 million

      Now if they can get some real ending contracts for Pau or they consider amnesty on Kobe… it becomes possible.

  12. John

    Would Dennis Lindsey take the Orlando GM job? He has been picky in the past.

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure I’d leave San Antonio for Orlando. He is in the mix and he knows what the Magic organization is like. I lot of people like Jeff Bower there because he has history with Magic CEO Alex Martins and is a known personality to them.

      I’d be fine with either guy personally… both are very good at what they do.

      Bower gets heat because of some of the contract he handed out, but to be fair he had to overpay to get players in New Orleans.

  13. Alewis1201

    Where do the magic go from here now that the nets don’t have a lotto pick? Who are they looking at for the Next GM? And will Brian Shaw be the next coach?

    • Steve Kyler

      The nets draft was not a factor for Orlando… it kind of sucks for Brooklyn as that would have been their best chip to get a Dwight Howard conversation going.

      The Magic will hire a GM, then hire a coach and then sit down with Dwight Howard and map out their vision for the future of the team… they will ask him if he is in or out… if he says out, they’ll trade where they can get the best deal and that will have nothing to do with what Dwight wants.

      I can tell you Houston would rent Dwight and would pay for the privilege. Hearing Washington would too. I think a lot of new suitors will surface if the Magic put Howard on the block, not just Brooklyn.

  14. Tyrober

    What draft day trades do you see? Wizards trade 3 for Blazers 6 and 11? Blazers get Drummond and fill holes in FA?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not there yet. Teams will see what players they can get for themselves and evaluate trades from there.

  15. Zel

    Do you think Lamb could fall to the suns? If not, who do you see them drafting?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… Jeremy Lamb is a pretty special player, but he is not much of an “engaged” defender. He can really score the ball, but he’s kind of one dimensional and there are some exceptional guys in his tier.

      I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go in the 6 to 8 range… or in the 14 to 20 range. I think fans are putting a lot more value into some of the college “names” than NBA teams are.

      As for the Suns… my latest Mock Draft has them grabbing Dion Waiters at #13… he fits a real need and he;d love to play there.

  16. Michael Lacey

    Do you believe Chauncey Billups or Steve Nash will be with the Bulls next year ?

  17. matt

    any updates on magic gm and head coach search?

    • Steve Kyler

      They are startin the interview process on a GM this week. Word is they are flying to the candidates not bringing them to Orlando. Coaches will be part of that discussion with GM candidates.

  18. Blazer Fan

    Do you think the Blazers should keep both first round picks and build for the future or attempt to trade them for vets?

    • Steve Kyler

      The name of the game is best talent… If the two picks get you a proven NBA player, thats likely better than two unproven rookies.

      Depends on what they are offered. They are prepared to use both picks and I think they’ll grab a point and a center with them.

  19. Marlon D.

    Can the Celtics take anything from that heart crushing defeat yesterday? They let 1 slip away but heading into Boston can they build upon almost beating the Heat to be able to even things up or did that defeat pretty much take all they had to give for the series?

    • Steve Kyler

      That they were in the game and the balance of power shifts when they get home.

      Its not a series until someone gets a win on the road… I think we put too much stock in teams winning home games.

      Boston was 24-9 at home this year… lets see how things look after Game 3.

  20. Benji

    What kind of trade scenario might go down with lakers pau gasol? What trade do you think might be beneficial for the lakers?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure we are there yet… Teams in draft mode, because solving problems via the draft is generally cheaper and easier to control.

      Equally, you should temper your expectations on what Pau will return… thats a nasty contract and the Lakers will lose a lot of productivity with Gasol that they would have to replace in order to stay where they were let alone improve.

  21. bucks fan Mike

    A lot of the mock drafts out there have the Bucks picking PJ3, if that happenns who do the bucks trade to clear up room for him at PF spot and what would they get back?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure Perry Jones will be there. I also don’t think they clear room for a rookie until he plays. Most are assuming Ersan Ilyasova is gone as a free agent so there isn’t that much of a long jam.

      Bucks say they want a center, so they may go with some like a Fab Melo, a Meyers Leonard or a Tyler Zeller if he’s there.

  22. jay

    Who do you think the Wizards will take with the 3rd pick?

  23. Jordan

    What’s the latest from D12 and does he honestly think Orlando would trade him to Brooklyn before the season considering DWill has stated he will sign a contract with someone before the olympics. Why not wait it out for him to go to Dallas and have “another change of heart.”

    • Steve Kyler

      D12 is rehabbing and trying to stay out of the story in Orlando. They have kept him in the loop and try to engage him frequently, but he’s not talking about anything with them.

      The Magic will hire a GM. Then a coach. Then talk with Dwight… thats the order of things. There have been no threats or ultimatums. The magic say it this way… They want exactly the same things Dwight wants – to win championships.

      I know that does not line up with the gossipy rhetoric some have thrown around, but that how things are right now. Neither has to make a decision on anything yet.

  24. Bruno

    Hei Steve, how are you ? What can the Warriors offer to get a player like Iguodala in this offseason ? And How good would be starting line up of: Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Lee and Bogut ? Cheers from Brazil !!

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… if Philly wants to move him. The belief is that they would, but they are gonna want something real in return and thats the problem… How do you upgrade without subtracting?

  25. albert

    Hi Steve. Do you think the Suns will go after Goran Dragic?

    • Steve Kyler

      Heard they like him… I also heard Toronto, Dallas, Houston, and a list of others… It won;t be a one horse race.

  26. mike

    what will the knicks do in the offseason with their mid level exception?

    • Steve Kyler

      Depends on what happens with the NBPA’s arbitration hearing in mid June… if the NBPA wins and Bird Rights are claimed when a player is claimed off of waivers, the world becomes easier for the Knicks.

      If they lose, and its spelled out very clearly in the CBA that rights are lost when waived… then the Knicks have to choose between keeping Jeremy Linn or adding new players.

      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.