NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 6/14/12

1. Deven

   Hi Steve. I heard a report that the Cavs make a big offer to Hornets for that number one pick. Any truth to that?

   • Steve Kyler

     That’s whats been reported… but teams don’t comment on that kind of stuff. I am sure they tried, because whats the harm in calling. The Cavs don’t want four rookies, so if they could flip parts they don’t want into Anthony Davis?… thats brilliant.

2. Deven

   Prediction on what happens to the Celtics this offseason?

   • Steve Kyler

     Re-load… add a few more pieces, get after it again.

3. Deven

   Will any stars be traded on draft night?

   • Steve Kyler

     Not sure we are there yet… I think you have to watch Orlando, Memphis and the 76ers… they have deals to make… not sure they will make deals, but they want to.

4. Deven

   Thoughts on the First game of the Finals?

   • Steve Kyler

     KD35 is really something special isn’t he… Until someone wins on the road – this went as scripted.

5. mojart

   wats ur thoughts on austin rivers?wil he be a oood fit with the hornets?and who do u think the hornets should target wid the 10th pick?

   • Steve Kyler

     Austin is a very one dimensional player. He is a prolific scorer and I think he’ll be very much like Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Jordan Crawford and Marcus Thornton… Big buckets with limited defense.

     I’d be OK with Austin at ten… I don’t think thats happening, but if it did that is about his range… 10 to 16.

6. jullia

   if drummond still aboard at #9 wil my PISTONS pick dis guy?a monroe-drummond frontcourt would be fun to watch…and if he is not available who do u think the pistons should pick?thanks

   • Steve Kyler

     He won’t be… would be floored… Too many people think he is a future star if you can get him to play hard. His tools are off the charts. He is risky because of his motor, but his skills are impressive.

7. Sven

   Hi Steve, great playoffs !
   If OKC decides against paying luxury tax and has to choose between Harden and Ibaka, would they be willing to dangle Harden to the Bobcats for the 2nd pick ?
   And would/should Bobcats take the deal ?

   • Steve Kyler

     Welcome in everyone… kind of a chaotic morning, so sorry for the delay. Lots to get to so lets get after it.

     “and has to choose between Harden and Ibaka” —> They won’t have to. This is a big myth.

     The Thunder CAN give Harden and Ibaka new contracts this summer, but they do not have to… those guys won’t hit restricted free agency until July 2014… at that point the Thunder have $55 million in cap commits on what looks to be a salary cap of $60 million and a tax threshold north of $70-$72 million, meaning they should have roughly $17 million to offer both guys BEFORE hitting the tax line and before they do anything else with the roster… keeping the band together is not going to be an issue if they want to.

     As for your deal… why?… the Thunder have a situation that works… why mess with that? Ask Orlando about over thinking things.

8. calvinzero

   Is Ruday Gay really in the trading block?? It creates me such confusion regarding that. Really..

   • Steve Kyler

     The Grizz say no… but there are a lot of things in play right now. The team will be sold, so what the next owner is willing to do will be radically different than what Heisley would do.

     I’ll say this… Rudy wanted out of Memphis when he was a free agent. The Grizz knew the only way they could keep him was to overpay and they did. That never changed the situation with Rudy. We’ve been told a number of times that Rudy would welcome a trade, so when you hear Rudy rumors, don’t always assume that the team generated those concepts. I think the Grizz have some tough choices to make and trading Rudy solves a ton of them and I am not sure Rudy would object to being moved.

     On the block implies the Grizz are actively shopping him… thats not happening… Are teams calling because they see opportunity? Absolutely.

9. The Boss Of Hoopsworld

   How about A 3 team trade Lakers send Gasol to Rockets in return gets Lowry Scola also gets Beasley from wolves and wolves get Kevin Martin to shore up their shooting guard ..is That possible?

   • Steve Kyler

     Yes… its possible, but you;d have to toss in a lot more guys to get the math right in the trade… Its possible.

     I think everyone;s obsession with Houston landing Gasol over looks what Houston was trying to do in getting him in the off-season… they didn’t want Gasol. They wanted Gasol and Nene, it was a package deal… had they gotten Gasol supposedly Nene would have signed in Houston. Not sure I buy that, but thats how the story gets told.

     If Houston really wanted Gasol they could have gotten him, but when Nene signed elsewhere I think Houston soured on Gasol alone.

     I am also not sold that Scola can pass a physical. I hear his knees have gotten pretty bad, and I think a lot of teams know that. He just turned 32 in April and is owed three more years and roughly $30 million… thats a huge risk in the new NBA economy.

10. The Boss Of Hoopsworld

    Who do you think would make a great coach for my Portland Blazers? I don’t wanna keep the Fake Spoeltra coach canales

    • Steve Kyler

      Wow. Kaleb did a good job not sure he’s experienced enough for a veteran team, but when you look at the job Coach Spo has done… two straight NBA Finals… what Scott Brooks has done. Coach Thibs in Chicago. Not sure I am ready to say go get a re-tread guy unless its Stan Van Gundy.

11. Mark

    Has Moultrie quietly gotten a guarantee or two from teams drafting in the teens, which explains his pull-out from the combine?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… we were at a workout with Arnett at the Combine on Thursday night… He was advised not to participate by his agent. Not sure that was a good decision, but Arnett did not have a promise from anyone.

12. Mark

    What’s the consensus or debate on 1 Scott Machado as a draft prospect?

    • Steve Kyler

      Love him. He’s not a first rounder, but he’s a NBA player for sure.

13. A

    On ascale 1-10, how likely is it dat hinrich returns to bulls?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure there is any information to support that. He’ll go where he gets the best deal, not sure the Bulls can or would offer that.

14. Tio

    Deng and 29th pick for Tyrege and 5th pick? Is it likely first of all?

    • Steve Kyler

      Never happen.

      Deng is having wrist surgery after the Olympics and will miss considerable time next season… no chance Sacramento takes on a guy that won’t play, a contract they couldn’t move and a pick they don’t want for the 5th pick. Deng is also owed way too much money for the Kings.

15. Tio

    How about harden
    In a bulls uniform?

    • Steve Kyler

      Why not go for LeBron while we’re dreaming?… Harden plays in OKC for the next five years… after that, we’ll see.

16. Deven

    Is Lebron still doing the powder toss or did he give that up?

    • Steve Kyler

      You know, I never look for it… I am in Miami for Game 3-6… so I will update.

17. shaq gone fishing

    How did the rome stern interview made u feel? Juicy stuff!

    • Steve Kyler

      Saw the notes from it, but don’t really pay attention to it.

18. shaq gone fishing

    With the new theory that athleticism beats chemistry.( okc beat SA) and mia beat bos. Do u think the older succesful teams will try to get younger?

    • Steve Kyler

      athleticism beats chemistry? —> The Thunder are as tight nit a group as they come. They go everywhere together. they have some of the best chemistry in the league, so that premise is alittle off.

      But yes, the old teams want to get younger, but San Antonio did that… Danny Green was huge for them, Kawhi Leonard, Gary Neal… thats not an old team… their stars are older, but age was not the issue in San Antonio. The Thunder have maybe 4 of the top 25 players in the league hard to beat talent… same with Boston – they need a talent infusion not a youth infusion.

19. David from Portland

    This years draft is going to be pretty important to the Blazers, which 2 players do you think they should draft with their two picks assuming they fall to them? Beal, Drummond, Meyers, Lillard, Barnes, Sullinger, Zeller, or any other players you think would be a good pick.

    • Steve Kyler

      My latest Mock has them taking Drummond and Waiters… Drummond is too talented to pass and Waiters has a promise from someone, hearing its not Phoenix or Toronto, so either there is a trade in play for him or its the Blazers

20. dzei

    what if the kings grab thomas robinson with the 5th pick? how would a cousins/robinson frontcourt fare in the long term?

    • Steve Kyler

      Amazing… but I’ll be surprised if he’s there at #5… I think teams would trade up to get him if he falls from #3.

21. Hap Hanes

    This question is along the same lines as a question you answered for me on 4/5. Paul Allen made the comment that he didn’t hire David Morway because he had character issues and he was Pritchard 2.0.
    Since then, Bird has given forth a couple of questionable reasons for why he wants to replace Morway. How valid are these remarks and what is not actually being said? Thank-you once again.

    • Steve Kyler

      I know David personally and I would hire him. I think if you follow the agent business closely enough – and no one should – every agent is linked to something unsavory, thats the nature of it. So I don’t buy any of the stuff being said negatively about any of these guys.

      The Larry Bird situation is not about David Morway as much as it is about Larry Bird… as someone said… “Larry likes who Larry likes…”

      I think Pritchard fits what Larry Bird wants in a GM, just as much as Olshey fits what Paul Allen was looking for. Morway will land on his feet.

22. tony

    what is solution for pistons?Waiting to contracts of bg,cv and prince expire or try to trade them?What they can get for either of them?Is dumars the worst gm in last 3years.Not even one trade in this team that doesnt go anywhere?

    • Steve Kyler

      Hard to make trades when your owner won’t let you. I think you are forgetting that when Karen Davidson took over, she locked Joe down. New ownership has more checks and balances in place. There is more oversight of everything, so its no longer the Joe Show.

      I think you are seeing prudence, the Pistons have tried to make trades, but with so much uncertainty about the future landscape before the CBA was done, team shied away as Detroit’s assets get better, you’ll see moves.

      But to be fair… and this is just how it goes. GM’s get a lot of credit for things they did not do.

23. Luka

    Should wizards go for eric gordon or danny granger?If they do what they need to do?How much money to gordon and what to send to pacers?

    • Steve Kyler

      No change they;d get either… should they try… sure… but not sold thats their game plan.

24. Bernard

    If the Magic can get Rudy Gay,would that be enough to appease Dwight to sign long term?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Dwight situation is not about appeasement… Dwight wants to be in the Conference Finals and NBA Finals every year… show him a roster that can do that every year and you’ll keep him.
      To quote LeBron “Not one… not two.. not three…” – its going to be more than getting one guy… its about constructing a real contender.

25. J. Bizz

    What has happenned to Sonny Weems, I thought he had some decent potential? Is he an RFA or FA?

    • Steve Kyler

      Restricted free agent… he is looking for a deal in July. He played in Lithuania last year, wants to be back in the NBA this year. There are a dozen teams interested, but Toronto still holds his rights.

26. Gery

    How bout Hornets trade E.Gordon for Portlands 6 and 11 pick. that way they can completly rebuild. Probably get next years number one pick as well.

    • Steve Kyler

      Eric can’t be traded until July… he’d have to agree to the deal and not sure thats happening. Not sure the Hornets would do it. Not sure Eric would agree to it. Not sure thats where Portland wants to be either.