NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 7/19/12

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. Istanbull

    Hi ,Steve. Whats ur prediction on east standing this year?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome in everyone. I hope the week has been good to you. Nice to be home after a few weeks on the road. Lots to get to so lets jump right in.

      I don’t have one. At some point this summer we’ll start to seriously look at teams, but until free agency and summer league settle, things are too up in the air. I could take the cheap route and say Miami and everyone else… but in all honesty I have not given any thought to that yet.

  2. Michael

    What do you think the Magic will get in return if this 3 team deal goes through?

    • Steve Kyler

      Do not have a real sense of whats real and whats smoke at this point.

      I have talked to all of the parties involved and they are deny that whats being talked about in the media is whats really being talked about.

      I think there is a lot of price setting taking place with the reports of what teams are offering.

      I do know that none of the things on the table are firm… everything is still very fluid.

  3. akbar

    being a laker fan , i am excited to hear howard potentially being traded to lakers. if you have to guess, whats the possibility of that happening considering all the variables around the scenarios (andrew bynum, magic’s bad contracts etc)

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure we are there yet… so hard to say.

      A wise man said to me this week, they will trade him or they won’t. Beyond that, its still very much up in the air.

  4. James

    Are the HEAT done making moves or are you hearing anything in the works?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure there is any more they can do, the roster is pretty maxed out and they have spent their money.

      I sat with Rashard Lewis for a bit in Vegas and it seems what they told him is that Ray and he are basically the key additions and that he’ll play a lot of his time at the four spot with Bosh playing the five.

  5. A.

    If HOU got DH in a trade now, would they really send him to BKN at the deadline for Lopez?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think they would see where things are and make decisions from there. If Houston trades for him and he genuinely doesn’t like the situation in February they’d have the right to do whatever they want.

  6. akbar

    dont u think it was a very tactical move by Kobe to mention that he will retire in 2-3 years, giving an indication to Howard that he can take the charge once that happens…

    • Steve Kyler

      No. Kobe told Dwight that last year on the phone. This is not new information.

  7. LA in LA

    If due to injuries Noah. Deng and or Boozer all miss around 30 of the pre All-star break games due to injury and the Bulls are like 11th or 12th in their conference and DRose can’t return before March, do you think that the Bulls would just try to tank for a high draft pick?

    • Steve Kyler

      No.

      Coaches are measured by wins and losses. The veteran players on the team are playing for their next contract. This idea that guys who’s careers are based on wins and losses would “tank” is crazy.

  8. Scott

    The Clippers are about 9 deep now and are still looking to add another big guy, how good can this team be if healthy?

    • Steve Kyler

      I think pretty good… but health is a HUGE factor… Billups coming off an Achilles. Blake knee surgery.

      Chauncey was recently in Vegas at Impact Basketball and he’s started some training so thats a positive, but its still a long road back.

  9. 123Eric

    Whats the latest scoop on where tmac, redd, kenyon martin, arenas will land?

    • Steve Kyler

      I have not heard anything on those guys except for Kenyon Martin… he’s getting a lot of interest but he does not want to do a one-year deal so they are waiting out the situation.

  10. Scott

    Hi Steve – Curious of your thoughts on the Pacers in essence swapping Collison with Augustin and Mahinmi on their roster? Mahinmi seems like a hugely overpaid journeyman, but I don’t know much about him either.

    • Steve Kyler

      $4 million a year is about right for a backup center. He’s not changing the world, but thats not a horrible deal either.

  11. rscivil

    Steve, do you think the phx will still pursue another FA sg? or they will stick to Dudley as their starting shooting guard?

    • Steve Kyler

      They are in the mix for a number of players. Courtney Lee is one of the guys they may have a real shot at.

  12. Jeff

    Could Deng be in play for Raptors? Heard rumors about him around the draft.

  13. Raph

    Apparently Dwight is now ready to sign with the Lakers long term according to Jarrod Rudolph and his sources. How does this change things and do you think he’s in a Lakers jersey to start the 2012-13 season?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure it does.

      Orlando was never doing a deal based on what Dwight wants… its about what Orlando wants. Now the Lakers may be willing to do a little more knowing D12 would stay, but what Dwight wants won’t be a factor in what Orlando ultimately does.

  14. David from Portland

    What do you think about the Blazers bringing in Phil Jackson as the president, Brian Shaw as the coach, and Scottie Pippen as the assistant?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not on the table, so I have never thought about it.

      Not sure what Phil has done that makes anyone believe he’s ready to run a team. Coaching and being an executive are two radically different skill sets. equally I am not sure Brian Shaw is going to land a coaching job and Pippen?… no comments on him as an assistant either.

  15. Wilson

    Steve, although it seems the Lakers are now the frontrunner for Dwight, does Jeremy Lin now make Houston a more attractive option?

    When Yao was in town, Tracy McGrady benefitted immensely from the exposure to the Chinese market and topped the NBA’s most popular jersey list for several seasons.

    If Dwight really wants to “increase his brand” and still remain top banana on his team, isn’t Houston the better option?

    • Steve Kyler

      No, Lin does not make Houston a more attractive option. Lin is an average guard at best.

      Don;t assume that the Howard situation is about any one detail… its about several, one being able to compete for a championship. Lin does not do that any more than marketing options off the court do.

  16. Mark

    If you had to pick one young, obtainable player on the Cavs/Rockets for the Magic to get back in a trade who would you pick?

    • Steve Kyler

      Tristan Thompson and Alonzo Gee in Cleveland… and Terrence Jones and Chandler Parsons for Houston.

  17. Wilson

    Do you expect Iguodala on the Sixers roster come opening day? Do the Olympics play any role in management’s inactivity at this point?

    • Steve Kyler

      Yes on being on the roster and No… Management would do what ever it saw fit.

  18. Wilson

    Is the Aaron Brooks signing a signal that Tyreke Evans may be on his way out of town? Between Brooks, Evans, Cousins, and Thomas Robinson, there’s too many guys looking for their own shots.

    At very least, is Jimmermania headed out of Sac-town?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure anyone trades for Jimmer. He has been AWFUL in Vegas.

      The end for Reke has been here for a while, not sure anyone would give much for him.

  19. Wilson

    Although there’s been a ton of activity, most of the trades this offseason have been directly tied to free agency.

    Do you see a major trade (for basketball reasons) before the start of next season. Dwight counts I guess, but who knows when that’s ever going to go down.

    • Steve Kyler

      Easier to buy guys than trade for them… there will be more “trade” trades as we get closer, but we are in free agency mode now so teams are trying to solve their problems that way.

  20. Matt Mc.

    Please tell me the Magic aren’t going to make the fans suffer another rebuilding process for years to come?!?

    • Steve Kyler

      Can’t say that. Seems a massive rebuild it coming.

  21. Emanuel

    Where do you see Carlos Delfino landing?

    • Steve Kyler

      Looking like Boston is a real option… His agent said this week that a lot of teams are calling including Phoenix and Minnesota.

  22. Murad Houry

    Which free agent PF is most likely to sign with the Warriors?

  23. Emanuel

    Now that Dwight Howard has let it be known he will resign with the Lakers, do you foresee a trade anytime soon? Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      No. Howard is not controlling or holding this up… its Orlando getting what they want in a deal thats holding this up.

  24. mario

    Hi steve is it me or am i making a big deal out of nothing it seems that free agents don’t want to come to chicago and not only that the organization isn’t doing much to bring derrick any help and don’t say its the money thing steve because the lakers. Miami. And the knicks are all financially strapped just like the bulls maybe even worse than so what is really goin on or are they waiting for 2014 to try and be players.

    • Steve Kyler

      I was asked that on Mully and Hanley this morning… the Bulls don’t have money. Free agents go where the dollars are.

      The Bulls got Vlady and Kirk… two quality veteran reserves. major guys don’t take pay cuts.

  25. T

    Now that Humphries has re-signed & Jamison chose LA who do the Bobcats target at PF, please dont say Carl Landry

    • Steve Kyler

      Then how can I answer the question?… Landry is a guy they like a lot.

  26. Jake

    Do you see the Timberwolves making any notable moves, ala, making a play for a guy like Deng in regards to the fact they lost out on Batum?

    • Steve Kyler

      Talked to David Kahn this week, he said he had more up his sleeve… read that to be Courtney Lee.

  27. Erik

    Since Iman Shumpert is out until january, which current free agent shooting guards are the knicks looking at to back up Jr Smith?

    • Steve Kyler

      Knicks not looking for that, they have a loaded roster now.

      Shump is in good spirits, he did his photo shoot with Adidas on Monday was kicking it at Hard Rock on Tuesday night. He’s doing some court work with a knee brace.

  28. Sed D Cain

    Hi steve why dont the bulls get in on the Bynum sweepstakes im sure he would sign long term to play with Rose, the bulls could send Boozer to the magic and two 1st rders the charlotte pick to orlando. Do you see the bulls trying to pair Noah and Bynum, and do you think they will sign and trade Asik for Courtney Lee.

  29. marc

    what do you think of MKG? i love the way he plays. cats are fun to watch cause of him.. the wolves have rubio roy love pekovic, who starts at 3? jeremy lamb and brad beal look good in summer league!

    • Steve Kyler

      I love the way he plays too. More impressed with the kind of leader and teammate he is. Special guy that way.

      Its a shame that he has such an issue with media attention, because he’s a great guy when the cameras are off. The stammering is going to cause people to judge him and he’s a really solid guy.

  30. Angie

    Good Morning Steve hope you are well.

    Could you tell me what’s going on with Ishmael Smith? Do you know if he’ll play for Orlando next season.

    • Steve Kyler

      No… I heard Ish got hurt. Not sure what happened, but his status is unclear.

  31. kevin

    Courtney Lee goes where ? Are my celtics still in play to get him ..

    • Steve Kyler

      Hearing Minnesota, Phoenix and Boston as a serious… its about years and dollars and who will offer most.

  32. Jim

    Steve, as the resident Orlando fan, do you just hate the thought of a Shaq part II scenario?

    • Steve Kyler

      Orlando will do the best deal for themselves, but the parable is real.

  33. Josh

    How potent do you think the backcourt between Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters can be? Waiters looks somewhat lost out there in summer league, hopefully KI fixes that.

    • Steve Kyler

      I think it could be good… but the concerns you have the Cavs have too.

      This is the problem with drafting a kid without meeting or working him out. Waits is out of shape. He is a bit slower than expected and he struggles to get his shot off.

      He has a lot of work to do.

  34. Justin

    Will the timberwolves go after courtney lee now that they’ve lost out on batum? Thanks!

  35. Justin

    Do you think a deal for jose calderon will get done before training camp starts ? and if so do you think Iggy or Gay could wind up in a raptor uniform ? would they settle for anything but ?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… I don;t see Jose alone netting a talent like Gay or Iggy… would need to be a lot more included.

  36. Rick

    When players train at the high-profile locations and/or trainers, do they pay themselves? Or, is this something paid for in their contract or by their agent?

    • Steve Kyler

      Depends.

      Veteran players typically pay for private training themselves. In some situations teams cover expenses for Veterans guys to take part in things like Summer League.

      During the draft process, training costs are typically covered by the agent.

  37. Steve

    chances of this being headline in Orlando Sentinel. Hennigan erupts!, trades D12 for bowl of Fruit Loops?

    • Steve Kyler

      Might seem like that when you see what comes back, but in hearing the logic… what comes today won;t be the fruit of a deal… it will be what can be done down the line.

  38. Jim

    Wow, i know your a sour-grapes Orlando fan steve, but the tired old “orlando will do what it wants” is a naive way of looking at the situation. As teams (Brooklyn and eventually LA) drop out due to frustration, doesnt Orlando lose leverage? Less buyers means a drop in price.

    • Steve Kyler

      No I really am not an Orlando fan… just happens to be my home market.

      I explain the situation like this… I may “want” to get with Kate Upton… I may be willing to sign a long term agreement there. That does not mean Kate is trading for me, or that my wife would trade me to Kate.

      Its about what Kate has to take back and give up to get me, and what the Wife wants in return… after all I am a catch.

      Orlando has no timeline to do a deal. They can wait this out until they get everything they want.

      Its not sour-grapes… but I am going to guess that you are a Laker guy and believes that the Lakers get everything they want.

      The Magic do not want Bynum and they want to dump ALL of their unwanted contracts — if the Lakers can do that, Orlando would make a deal.

  39. Kobefan24

    Why do yall always bypass certain questions?

    • Steve Kyler

      Because they are either answered already or repetitive.

  40. Austine

    Please answer my qustion. Laker fan here. :)

  41. Mario

    Steve, if the Rockets can’t get Howard or Bynum. What do you think they should do? Personally, I think they should develop that young talent they have and then try to make a trade again at the deadline.

    • Steve Kyler

      The existing staff will be replaced if they don’t make the post-season this year.

  42. James

    Has the Greg Oden ship sailed for the HEAT?

    • Steve Kyler

      No… Greg wants to play, but more importantly I think he wants to know he will get a chance to… don’t sure that happens in Miami.

  43. Erik

    What current Roster Moves do the Knicks need to make in order to be considered a championship contender

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure there is one.

      The guys they have are good, but not better than Miami.

  44. Louis

    Why would Cleveland take Bynum for one year?

    • Steve Kyler

      They’d have to… players won’t sign extensions any more.

  45. Kobefan24

    And what nerve does eric pincus have putting on twitter questions that he wont answer? Dont do the damn chat if your just gonna whine about what you wont do. Just had to get that out.

    • Steve Kyler

      what he said…

      But honestly I have no clue why this is my chat, but there you go.

  46. Mario

    If the Lakers do pull of the Howard trade and don’t win the title this year, do you think Jackson is back in the coaching conversation? Nash, Kobe, Howard, Gasol, Metta and Jamison. That’s just scary. They should be able to easily come out of the West.

  47. John

    Do you think Orlando is waiting for the Omer Asik thing to play out before making a deal considering Houston offers the Magic the best chance to rebuild?

  48. Larson

    What do you hear about where Carl Landry is going to sign?

    • Steve Kyler

      Looks like the Warriors want him pretty aggressively.

      Guys… I am out of time. Thanks for all the questions. Make sure you are following me on Twitter (@stevekylerNBA). I am a scheduled guest on tonight’s Sports Biz on NBC Sports, so make sure to check it out at 7:30pm EST. See you all next week.