NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 6/21/12

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. Grant

    Hi Steve,

    where do you see Grant Hill end up this offseason? Which could use him and offer him the best role?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone… coming to you live from Miami. There are lots of questions to get to, so I will do my best to hammer as many of them as possible.

      If Steve Nash re-signs in Phoenix, which Nash’s good friend Jared Dudley indicated to Alex Kennedy yesterday was a real possibility.

      “Steve wants to compete and he wants to play for an organization that wants to compete. If he feels that’s the Suns or another organization, he’ll definitely decide that, but I definitely think it’s 50/50. I think the Suns have a huge, real shot at bringing him back.”

      If Nash is back, I think Grant Hill is back too… If Nash is leaving Phoenix word is Hill wants to be in a situation like Miami and might be willing to come for the veterans minimum to get his championship. Not sure Hill “follows” Nash, but if Nash is back in Phoenix that situation becomes more attractive to everyone there.

  2. Grant

    Hi Steve,
    great chat as always: Did you hear anything about potential free agents/draft pick targets by the Phoenix Suns?

    • Steve Kyler

      They are not in that mode yet… its all draft. They have to also see what Steve Nash is going to do because he’ll represent a HUGE cap hold which will limit what they can offer. If Nash is gone, then the Suns could have as much as $25 million in cap space.

      That kind of money makes the Suns real players in the marketplace. I can tell you players love the idea of living and playing in Phoenix, so they will get a shot at almost anyone they want.

  3. charlie

    Jim Buss said Lakers will hold on to Big 3 – Then which free agents or trade can they do to improve the team realistically? Thank you Steve

    • Steve Kyler

      The Lakers have the core… they need to add pieces to that core, not rip it apart. The Lakers will not be big spenders, but they do have the Lamar Odom Traded Player Exception and that’s likely how they add.

      Sources close to the process say that Ramon Sessions is likely getting a new deal, he may not get a pay raise as much as a few years of security. He wants to stay and I think the Lakers want him to stay. Fans may not have been thrilled with his play in the post-season, but to be fair they had exactly one full practice with Sessions before he went into the post-season. A full camp and a full offense to learn the playbook will help him tremendously.

      There has also been talk of a sign and trade deal with Minnesota and Micheal Beasley… The Lakers tried to get Bease at the deadline and couldn’t make it happen, so look for that one. The Lakers don’t need to use the TPE to get Bease, but in doing so they’d retain their mini-Mid level.

      The New Orleans Hornets are expected to buyout Rashard Lewis. I have talked to him about where he’d like to be, mainly because he thought the Wizards would amnesty him last year. He mentions the Lakers, Knicks and HEAT as desirable situations so don’t be surprised if the Lakers make a run at him.

      Lewis will get a $13.9 million check in his buyout, so money won’t be the first factor, and that’s where the Lakers could get a serviceable experienced small forward – stretch four-type for almost nothing.

      Beyond those three guys, I wouldn’t expect anything super splashy.

  4. Hiram

    Is the Cavs’ interest in Andre Drummond legit or a smokescreen??

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes… everyone at the top of the draft is considering Andre.

      Here is how the league views him… He is super talented. He projects to be an off-the-charts NBA player IF you can get him to play hard and work.

      That is the huge IF… from a skills perspective teams are enamored. They are trying to understand why he was so underwhelming at UCONN. Was it disinterest, was it lack of heart, was it that no one was teaching him.

      Are the Cavs seriously considering him… yes. So are the Bobcats, the Kings and the Blazers. No one wants to miss on the next Dwight Howard-type big man, but at the same time none of them want to draft the next JaVale McGee at number 4 either or worse yet Kwame Brown/Hasheem Thabeet

  5. Mark

    Hi Steve, what are you hearing about the Bucks?! Surely moves need to be made, were a team of PF’s and small guards?! Thanks for your time

    • Steve Kyler

      Hearing they will look at trades for the #12… if they can not move down they’ll likely go big man… Myers Leonard and Tyler Zeller are their two primary guys — if they move down all bets are off.

  6. Wilson

    Steve, does yesterday’s trade signal the Wizards will indeed take Beal at #3, or might they still take a flyer on Drummond knowing he’ll have at least 2 years to develop before having to be thrown into the fire?

    • Steve Kyler

      I was told a few days after the NCAA tournament that Beal was the Wizards’ guy… that was when they were projected to get the #2 pick.

      Everyone thought I was crazy, but that is who they have liked from the jump. They view him and John Wall as having the potential to be the best backcourts in the East. Adding Beal will really open up the game for Wall… things can and do change, but the smart money is Beal unless someone trades up to #2 for Beal, I think he’ll be a Wizard on draft night.

  7. Sam

    Do you what’s out there as far as the best trade option for Dwight Howard?

    • Steve Kyler

      Does not exists… magic have not engaged anyone on Dwight Howard… so there are no offers to consider.

      The magic plan to sit down with Dwight and map out a plan… from there if Dwight will not commit and extend, they will open the market on him and move him where they get the best deal.

      Dwight;s back is a problem in terms of extracting real value, but from what I have been told the magic;s first and primary goal is to get Dwight to extend… nothing else is being openly considered.

      I think thats what you’ll hear today when Ron Hennigan addresses the media.

  8. KB

    How realistic that cavs make a draft trade for picks or to move around!!

    • Steve Kyler

      They don;t want to bring a ton of rookies into camp this year, so I;d expect they are moving the #24 to someone else and maybe drafting in Euro with one of the second rounders.

      So its highly realistic the Cavs trade something.

  9. Wilson

    If the Bobcats pass on Thomas Robinson, there’s a good chance he falls to the Kings at #5. In this scenario, could the Sixers swing a deal for Robinson using Iggy and their pick as bait?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think you’ll see some trade up to grab him, but yes he could be there at #5… not sure that’s where the Kings are going. From what I have heard they are either going Drummond at #5 and moving Cousins to the four spot… or they will go Damian Lillard and solve their point guard problem.

      The Kings like Isiah Thomas but do not view him as a starting guard on a winning team… they seem to be conceding that Jimmer isn’t going to be the guy either. Tyreke has fallen out of favor so they need a starting point and loved Damian.

      I think they;d have to consider T Rob, but I really don’t think he’ll be there when the Kings draft.

  10. mark norman

    Hey Steve, Bulls(fans) want to move up, but Deng(injured/#14 Million salary) gets you no lotto nor even a 14 or 16 from Houston, correct?

    • Steve Kyler

      No one is trading for a guy that’s going to miss 8 to 10 weeks of the season and is owed as much as Luo is owed.

      Equally the reports of the Bulls wanting to trade Luol are really overstated. If they could make a deal that solves multiple problems, I think they would… they need a starting caliber guard and a replacement for Luo and it needs to trim cash off the books.

      Not sure that deal is possible even if Luo were healthy… and there is no way I am trading my All-Star small forward for two draft picks in the teens. Thats a colossal step backwards.

  11. Jake

    What are the Wolves going to do upgrading their wing spot. Are they going to package the 18th and DW to get a shiny legit wing, or do you see them making small moves like standing pat with the pick and adding a guy like Jamal Crawford?

    • Steve Kyler

      They’ll sign someone. Smart money says it will be Jamal Crawford. He regrets not going there in December.

      I know they have eyes for Kevin Martin, so there is that too. They could also draft a decent wing at #18, so they will have options.

  12. Devonte

    if the knicks trade landry fields for a first rounder how high would that first round pick be? what are they most likely to draft with that pick?

    • Steve Kyler

      Can’t trade Landry… he’s a free agent. The draft will be long over before that can happen. Equally Landry would have to approve any deal that takes place.

      Not going to happen.

  13. Dirk

    Rashard Lewis’ decline seemed pretty rapid. If bought out, what do you think his impact on a team could be? Does he have enough left to be more than a Bibby/T-Mac bench guy?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think he’ll be a solid bench guy. He has been working on getting his knee right.

      The other thing is he was never part of the plan in Washington. He can contribute, but his days of being a dominating starter seem to be behind him.

  14. Jake

    Who should the Orlando Magic look to select with the 19th pick?

    • Steve Kyler

      Best talent on the board. That is what you do at #19.

  15. Devonte

    if Brandon Jennings doesn’t get his contract extension whats mostly likely going to happen in the future of his career?

    • Steve Kyler

      He’ll leave Milwaukee as a free agent. I think that is going to happen regardless.

  16. Devonte

    everyone’s saying the knicks wont be able to do much this offseason and likely will be worst than last year, if we not going to be contenders next year i dont see why we dont just blow up the team and start looking for young talent? carmelo is the only “keeper” on this team

    • Steve Kyler

      They just assembled this team and now you want to blow it up… yeah that’s not going to happen.

      Mike Woodson will get a chance to coach this year for a full year and they will see where they are. They believe they underachieved a lot lost year.

  17. Devonte

    do you feel like this is going to be a lebron vs kevin durant league for years to come?

    • Steve Kyler

      For the most part… but there are guys like Derrick Rose, Kobe and Dwight that will have something to say about it.

  18. Scott

    Should the Blazers take the best player available with the 6 pick or look to move him for a point guard like Eric Bledsoe?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… they can draft a better option in Damian Lillard… Eric Bledsoe is not a starting level point guard.

  19. Will

    Do you think the new Magic gm can convince Dwight to stay longterm?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure why Magic fans think there is some kind of magic bullet that will keep Dwight.

      This is not about convincing anything… Dwight wants to compete for a championship. if the Magic can build a team that can do that next year they have a chance to keep Dwight.

      This isn’t about words… all the words have been said… now its about putting a plan in place and showing Dwight this franchise can win a title.

      So it won;t be anything Rob Hennigan says… its what he does… make some trades, get some players and hire a coach and present a plan that is real and has substance.

      Not sure he can do that with whats there in Orlando, but he is a smart and savvy guy that is very bright in this business.

      Its bigger than a GM… its bigger than a coach… or a single roster player… its all of it in one big picture.

  20. Toczik

    In a couple of mock drafts they have Orlando picking Jared Sullinger do u think he’ll still be available. Also I think the new GM is a great pick, what do u think Orlando will do with trades and such on this night?

    • Steve Kyler

      From what I have been told he’ll miss a big chunk of the year to corrective back surgery… not sure that is smart for Orlando.

  21. Mike

    Hey Steve,

    Is there any substance to the rumour that James Harden is available and if so, do the Raptors have the trade chips to get a deal done?

    • Steve Kyler

      None whatsoever… Thunder not even close to entertaining that.

  22. C Timothy Murphy Jr

    Dan Gilbert tweeted that “3 of best 7″ were here yesterday for workout. Most evaluations have top six separated from the rest of the draft. Made me think about rumors re trade with GS for pick # 7. If MKG and Beal go 2 and 3, could see scenario where Cavs take Drummond at #4 and Lamb at #7. Go for home run rather than taking Barnes at 4 w/o trade. Any thoughts?

    • Steve Kyler

      From what I have been told Barnes is their guy at #4 if Beal is gone… I think they have to look at Drummond, but I think it will be Barnes if Beal is gone.

  23. wizards

    Do you think the wizards are a playoff team with this trade?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not in and of itself… good chips towards that goal, but they need more and they need their existing guys to get better.

  24. Jake

    Is Fab Melo worthy of a mid first round pick? His academics scare me, and the past few years Syracuse players have been a bit on the bust side.

    • Steve Kyler

      He is Samuel Dalmbert… so yes. He’s worth a first round pick. He’ll never be Mutombo, but he’ll play in the NBA for a few years and be a serviceable big.

  25. Will

    Do you think the Sixers will look to trade Iguodala for the fifth or sixth pick and go after Drummond?

  26. jw

    Anything on the Knicks?
    or they just going to keep circling the drain?

    Will the Lin/Novack announcement ease things any?
    Might the NBA waiting so long to annouce gum up anything NYK could do w/ that cash?

    Sorry for the rapid fire..
    thx

    • Steve Kyler

      The NBA isn’t running the arbitration… so the NBA isn’t controlling anything on this front. When the arbitrator rules, they will announce it.

      The Knicks have to wait out the marketplace because they have no cap flexibility.

  27. rap-rap

    do you think MKG could drop to #5? given that the cavs are high on barnes and wizards likely will get beal. with that being said it would likely be davis at 1, t-rob at 2, beal at 3, barnes at 4 and mkg at 5?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes. Teams are not as overwhelmed by MKG as fans are. He has real questions associated. There are guys in front of him that have less concerns and that means MKG could tumble a little… I think he’s this year’s Brandon Knight. I do not think he drops past Golden State at #7.

      I know he’s on the board for Charlotte at #2 and Washington at #3. I think if he is there are #4 Cleveland may try and trade their pick for someone who wants MKG.

  28. Steve carter

    If we trade Howard what do you think hennigan will want in return & what players & should we go for speed athletism ?

    • Steve Kyler

      Nothing is on the table about this so its all conjecture and speculation… I am not going to do that.

  29. keo

    Paul pierce and the 21st pick for josh smith?

    • Steve Kyler

      Atlanta wouldn’t do that deal… could get more for Josh than that.

  30. BIG VON

    Are you hearing any potentional trades for Paul Goasol ?

    • Steve Kyler

      None… Lakers say they are holding firm with Gasol, Bryant and Bynum.

  31. Jake

    Who is more likely moved out of Memphis, if at all…OJ Mayo or Rudy Gay

  32. Sammy V

    What does Wiz-NOH do for wizzards? Nene is not a rebounder, Okafor is not better and they are both C. could you please explain, Im a bit lost.

    • Steve Kyler

      It gets them proven pros that are great in the locker room and very coachable. They both can start and they both can bring maturity and professional to a team that was SORELY lacking both.

  33. George

    With the Bobcats in search for a star player do you see them trade for Stoudemire? Big contract but he can´t leave Charlotte for the next 3 years. Maybe Diop, T. Thomas & second pick for him and Fields. Charlotte get´s a star and with a talented Point Guard like Augustin or Walker Stoudemire could go back to his old 25 and 8 times.
    Or is his back to much of a risk?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… no one trades for Stoudemire, especially not the Bobcats. His contract, production and nagging injury and the fact his deal is basically uninsurable make him nearly impossible to move.

      Knicks also would not trade an All-Star for that kind of return

  34. Clint

    Any chance the Hawks could trade Smoothe for a pick in the 3 through 8 range?

    • Steve Kyler

      Maybe… but its not something they are working.

  35. John

    Any news on the raps?

    • Steve Kyler

      Dion Waiters.

      Denials aside, there is a real sense that Toronto is taking Waiters at #8…

  36. Jahrell

    It s been reported Dwight will attempt to push a trade to Nets by draft which is unrealistic but do Nets have chance to get him despite no picks ?

  37. Martin

    Can OKC keep Harden and Ibaka next summer? Will they trade Harden for 2 pick or trade Perk to clear cap room?
    Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes. I have spoken to them about that this week… there is no restriction on paying tax from ownership and assuming the Thunder want both players, they can and will keep them.

      Amnesty on Perkins is an option, but not one they have to explore.

  38. casey j wood

    what of any news coming out of the orlando magic about trade or the trade up in this nba draft year?

  39. matt

    Do the blazers go Lillard and Zellers?

    • Steve Kyler

      Could be how it plays out… I think Myers Leonard becomes a real option there too… most teams have him higher than Zeller.

  40. matt

    I wish my raps had lost a few more games.

  41. matt

    would portland do an Ed Davis + 8th pick for 6th pick swap?

  42. matt

    do you agree that Jennings is the most overrated player in the league. He is still a horrible passer, doesn’t get others involved and chucks up shots.

    • Steve Kyler

      No… lots of more overrated players. Jennings is not a very disciplined player. That will change as he matures and grows up. He is immensely talented.

  43. Luka

    Hamed hadadi is ufa.Where do you see him landing?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure I have given it any thought. He’s a third tier player, so not sure it matters.

  44. matt

    Okafor/Ariza for Lewis/2nd rounder is a horrible deal for the Wiz. NOH wins big time and save some $.

    • Steve Kyler

      I see it differently. You traded a player that did not fit and would not play for two guys that would. Something for nothing.

      If I am going to pay out a salary… I want it to be for guys that actually play. I am not paying a guy to go play somewhere else.

      Salary aside… Emeka gave the Hornets 9 points and almost 8 rebounds per game with a PER of 15.13… thats a decent number for a backup center that could start.

  45. Louis

    You said that the Rockets have moved past PAu but why were they still pursuing him in the days leading up to the deadline even though there was no way to get Nene?

    • Steve Kyler

      Overstated. The Rockets say their interest in Gasol was overstated all year. Its been said if they wanted him, they could have gotten him.

  46. Louis

    what do you think of the Lakers interest in moving into the 1st round? Possible trades with Atl,Bos and Hou have been mentioned but who among the Lakers players would they want for their 1st rounders?

    • Steve Kyler

      No they do not want the guaranteed salary associated.

  47. Nikolai

    There still seems to be 5 candidates for the #2 pick. At this point what do you think Charlotte will do?

    • Steve Kyler

      If they are smart Thomas Robinson… but if the Mike Dunlap hires signals anything, its as much as things change they always stay very much the same.

      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.