NBA Rumors Chat With Steve Kyler 8/30/12

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. Erik

    Are the magic going to fully guarantee Gustavo Ayons contract and do you see him as a rotation player this season?

    • Steve Kyler

      Welcome to the chat everyone… hope the week has been good to you… we are closing in on roughly a month before training camp opens, so basketball is right around the corner. Lots to get to, so lets get started.

      All non-guaranteed contracts become fully guaranteed on January 10th, so the Magic don’t ever have to do anything except keep him on the roster.

      There has been some debate on Ayon’s contract status, our sources… show Ayon’s contract as non-guaranteed this season, with a team option for next season. We’ll continue to monitor that situation but until January 10th, the Magic owe him exactly what they pay him.

      As far as a rotation player? Maybe, he is actually very good, but when you consider all of the guys on the roster, he’s going to have to earn the spot. The Magic like him and there is a reason they took him in the Ryan Anderson deal, he’s an upside guy.

  2. john boy

    The raptors have JV coming over this summer. Personally I think that the raptors have a valuable trade piece in Kleiza. Why does the management think that Kleiza has to be present for the arrival of JV to make his transition period easier. The raps have already waited a year for this young man JV and now we are holding players inorder to make his life easier ? I don’t get it. Kleiza had a decent olympics but he’s been a raptor for the last 2 years and we know what he has to offer. Why not trade him in a package with calderon or ED davis and get a proper 3 which the raps desperately need.

    • Steve Kyler

      Here is the problem… you are assuming that the Raptors can just make the trade happen… it takes someone willing to take Kleiza and others to make a deal.

      Do not assume that LK’s role has any relation to Jonas’ role or arrival… the Raptors have spent a lot of time and money getting to know Jonas, so don’t assume LK is being kept around for some kind of security blanket. Not every player is going to be a star, LK was out of the league when Toronto signed him, they never expected him to be any more than he is.

      If they could trade LK and upgrade, trust me… they’d do it, but for the very reasons you want him traded, thats why others are not trading for him. He is not a coveted player.

  3. Chris G

    There’s a rumor that Brian Scalabrine may join the Bulls as a coach. If that happens, and an injury would happen to hit one of the team’s frontcourt players, could the Bulls still sign him to a 10-day contract as a fill-in, or once he signs as a coach is he ineligible to join the team as a player? I assume he can’t just one day pull on a jersey and play while collecting his coaching money, since that would be against the CBA rules, right?

    • Steve Kyler

      Scal is finished playing… so you can play out the what ifs, but he’s not putting on a jersey again.

      But to answer your question… no he can’t take coaching money and player money, he’d have to be released from his coaching duties and sign a player contract that fits under the cap rules. The NBA can and would void anything that they feel is an attempt at cap circumvention. However in the history of the NBA there have been player/coaches, its just not something thats done in the modern era.

      Scal is being added because Coach Thibs wants him on the staff.

  4. Andrew C

    Steve, I have a fun question. Who would win in a 3 vs 3 basketball game between these Hoopsworld writers in a 3 game series and why?
    Team 1: C-Yannis,F-Greene, G-Bible
    vs
    Team 2: C-Page,F-Kyler,G-Pincus

    • Steve Kyler

      Hard to say… Lang Greene is a big boy… he’d go Shaq on us and it would be over… also Yannis is a little Ron Artest crazy so there is the fear of dying that would creep into Derek Page. That said, I’d have EP on my squad and you always win with EP. The fact that I am a lot less fluffy these days might swing things our way, but Bible is a gunner and I think thats how it would play out.

  5. Wil

    Hi Steve, love the site and the chats, keeps us fans going through the dog days of summer. A question on teams stuck in neutral, although I don’t subscribe to the “it is all about the finals” assumption, I am concerned these teams as constructed not only cannot content, but may be stuck in purgatory based on players, salaries, and management; in particular the Pacers (have they actually improved?) and Clips (the new Atlanta Hawks). Thoughts? What steps would you take with each franchise going forward? Thanks!

    • Steve Kyler

      I do not agree on either team… The Pacers have a great squad and like the Thunder once they learn how to play every possession, they could be very good. David West said this during the playoffs and it stuck with me “We have too many ‘My Bads’” — once they get past that I think they are very good.

      As for the Clips… if Chris Paul is healthy they are in the discussion… equally if Blake Griffin’s knee can stay right, they are down right scary.

      If you look at both teams: The Clippers roster has maybe 3 of the top 50 players in the league on it… The Pacers have maybe 4 of the top 60… thats not terrible.

  6. 2dogs

    Steve, the C’s will have two great defenders (Bradley and Lee) to put on Dwayne Wade and a trio (Pierce, Green, Bass) for Lebron. In fact, I thought Bass played some strong d against Lebron in the playoffs last year. How much of a chance does Boston have against Miami if/when they meet in the playoffs next year?

    • Steve Kyler

      Gotta be healthy first… Boston ran out of gas at the end… I think the youth and talent infusion will help. Basketball isn’t about individual matchups… it how well can the collective play together and Boston is as good as anyone in the East… if healthy.

  7. Alan Siegel

    this is a question i should asked eric pincus but in thinking about matchups the lakers will face against the young athletic teams in the west, specifically denver and OKC, i was curious how last year’s success or lack of success by a pheonix team run by steve nash can be applied for comparison to what the lakers will face this year. in other words when matched against westbrook for instance last year, how did steve nash fare? how even or uneven were the match ups. could nash score on OKC? did westbrook just kill him on the other end?

    • Steve Kyler

      I don’t think you can compare what Phoenix had to work with, with the Lakers… the talent pool is RADICALLY deeper… also its not just Nash, its Kobe, Pau and Dwight. Nash has never been a great individual defender, so opposing guards tend to have great games against him. I don’t think you can measure Nash on what Russell Westbrook does, because Russ is elite at his position.

      Given the Lakers’ roster, its all about the team concept working… if any game comes down to Steve Nash’s performance the Lakers have HUGE problems.

  8. LA in LA

    The Nets seem like they have a great starting 5 but it seems like they have a thin bench, notably their frontcourt. Marshon Brooks and Watson are good but Reggie Evans is their only notable frontcourt player.
    Is that cause for concern?

    • Steve Kyler

      Who is the elite big in the East they have to worry about?… I get what you are saying and thats why they are looking at other big like Eddy Curry and Hilton Armstrong, guys they can bring to camp on minimum deals.

      There are no perfect rosters… the Nets are front loaded at the guard position and they will likely get worked by the Lakers and maybe the Knicks who are bigger, but they are going to work a lot of teams that can not match-up with them on the perimeter.

      Are they thin up front? sure, but they spent all their money so this is what they have.

  9. Christian

    What do you know about the raptors’#56 pick Tomislav Zubcic?

  10. Patrick

    Steve, now that the Magic have 17 players signed (I’m including Ayon because they wouldn’t do a sign and trade if they were planning on waiving him), what moves do you see them making in order to get down to the league maximum of 15?

    • Steve Kyler

      They have until the start of the season to get there. We’ll see maybe 20 guys brought in for training camp and they’ll either payout guys they don’t want or dump them. There are some low dollars guys like Ish Smith and Christian Eyenga that would be easy enough to cut if they can’t find trades for them.

  11. SatBchMagicer

    Mark Price was coach of ‘ORL’ in July’s NBA Summer League(after wholesale Magic courtside clean-out), does/will he have role with ORL in 12/13? beyond? If so, still in ‘player development area’?

    • Steve Kyler

      Does not seem like it. They needed a coach, he was in town… they agreed to let him showcase. Honestly, not sure Mark helped anyone last year and given the desire to change almost everything, not sure he’s brought back.

  12. SatBchMagicer

    I see, understand multiple reasons, not related to actual on-court ‘skill set’ talent, for Magic re-signing Jameer Nelson to the reasonably priced/length contract that was ’2nd’ move ORL made after July moratorium ended. One thing we know, affordable, ‘proven’ PGs were not in over-supply. Do you agree retention of Nelson a ‘good move’ for ORL 12/13, then near future?

    • Steve Kyler

      Sure… you don’t let assets walk away unless you have better assets… and the Magic had nothing to work with. Did Jameer get overpaid a little… sure, but they needed someone to run the team and Jameer is as good as anyone they could have gotten in free agency. Keep in mind the Magic had no free agent money to offer anyone, so it was pay Jameer or downgrade significantly.

      I am not sold he is on the roster next year, but a lot of that will be on Jameer. Keep in mind what you know of Jameer is what Stan Van Gundy allowed Jameer to be. I used to joke with Ish Smith, that if Stan could install a joystick on his point guard he would… he is that controlling.

  13. SatBchMagicer

    Steve, with signing of E’Twaun Moore, 2 year contract, is DeAndre Liggins(know he is FA) 1-yr stint with Magic done or could he still have role 12/13 training
    camp and/or D-League with ORL?

    • Steve Kyler

      Not sure how the magic will use the D-League… given both Rob Hennigan and Magic Assistant GM Matt Loyd’s history using the D-League I would suspect you’ll see something on that front more frequently than you ever have with the Magic.

      Where Liggins fits I think gets worked out in Training camp.

  14. adobo nation

    They say phx got the best medical staff, why not sign arenas then? Is he really done with the nba?

    • Steve Kyler

      Because Gilbert is not a good player any more.

      I don’t think his health is why he is not on a roster… its the same reason Iverson and Marbury are not in the league… its not health or ability to play. They are score-first, first option players. They struggle when they are not first option guys. Having spent some time with Gil in LA earlier this month, he shows flashes of Gil, but he’s too much of a score first guy for most teams that are looking for veterans to play a role.

      Most team just don’t want to bother with what Gil can be in the locker room and as a personality. Especially not with a roster full of young guys that need to buy into the structure they are building.

  15. mouse driver

    Do u see similarities on how boston and houston run their team? Both look at it as a business and not as a family no more. Thats why ray allen stick it to the ceotics and signed with the heat. Do u see the c’s as the rockets of.the east 2 years from now? I heard cp3 ,mayo, d12 specifically say they dont want to play with boston. Do u see a new gm in 2 years?

    • Steve Kyler

      Do u see similarities on how boston and houston run their team?
      — No. Danny was a former player and they have Doc Rivers, who guys love. All teams run their teams like a business. You have to, the dollar amounts and the margin for error is too great.

      Do u see the c’s as the rockets of.the east 2 years from now?
      —- No. They are too good at drafting talent. They have a market that guys want to play in and they have an owner that will pay to play.

      Do u see a new gm in 2 years?
      — Maybe, but not for the reasons you are thinking. Danny Ainge has had some heart problems and I am not sure how much longer he wants to do this. I think when the Big Three are done and Doc wants to retire I could see a bigger change.

  16. andrew

    Hey Steve! Long time since I asked a question so I’m going to make up for lost time haha

    The cavs have managed to pull together a surprising decent roster(on paper at least). I see this season as a time to figure out who stays, who goes, and who is needed. That said there’s kind of three questions.

    Based off what we know for sure today, who do u think is still in wine n gold in 13-14? Do they trade for draft picks or players n if so who would fit(hypothetically) and who could attract in free
    agency?

    Thanks for ur time, keep up the good work

    • Steve Kyler

      Based off what we know for sure today, who do u think is still in wine n gold in 13-14?
      — Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters… beyond that its about who plays well.

      Do they trade for draft picks or players n if so who would fit(hypothetically)
      — Maybe, this is a team building their own thing, so moving guys for better fitting guys makes sense. Ownership wants to be in the playoffs this year, so we’ll see what they do to achieve that.

      who could attract in free agency?
      — Not sure anyone is lining up for Cleveland. They’d have to overpay for guys and I am not sure they are there yet.

  17. LJ

    Steve, the tone of your chats always comes across as though you hate doing them. Consequently, you come off condescending and with a bad attitude. If you hate doing them so much, why bother? As a fan of the site, I sure don’t appreciate it.

    • Steve Kyler

      Wow… not sure thats how I see it.

      I don’t have hate in my heart… just not something I care about. I love doing the chats. I see great value in them which is why I spend my time on them.

      My question to you is if you think I am so “condescending and with a bad attitude” — why do you bother reading me?

      Here is a philosophical concept… when you look into the abyss, you will see what you want to see… if you want to see me as “condescending and with a bad attitude” – thats what you’ll see. No matter what I do, thats what you want to see.

      I am answering questions. That requires me to be authoritative in most cases. I try and have fun with each of you and I try and take your questions seriously, even the ones that are not very serious in composition.

      If you are not enjoying them, please with my blessing… stop clicking the links with my name on them. But I promise you, I don’t take me nearly as seriously as you are taking me.

      Thanks for the question.

  18. Dennis

    I believe the X factor in Brooklyn is this Teletovic guy brought from overseas. The Nets gave him a 3 year / 15 million dollar deal. What are your expectations from him next year? Care to project a stat line.

    • Steve Kyler

      I agree that he could be very good… think Ryan Anderson with a bigger body. But let me ask this back to you… when is the last time a hot international guy that was not a draft pick, came into the NBA and make a huge impact?

      The NBA is pretty good at finding talent before they are good… typically when a guy like Mirza emerges, it rarely works out. I think they see promise in him, but I also think they got the guy they could get.

  19. Tyrober

    What do you think the odds of someone other than the Thunder, Lakers, or HEAT winning the championship are? Less than 20%? 15%? 10%?

    • Steve Kyler

      Those are your front runners for sure… less than 25% would be my guess.

  20. Josh

    Steve,

    Is the writing on the wall that either Millsap or Jefferson is traded? Favors is ready for some big time minutes…Should the Jazz trade millsap or Jefferson for picks and a an expiring rather than going for a long term guy?

    • Steve Kyler

      The Jazz say no… the Jazz say Paul and Al are key parts of the team this year, although at some point they have to let Favors play… I think the future of those two guys has more to do with the guys behind them showing up huge in the early parts of the season. Until Favs and maybe Enes prove they can start in the NBA, not sure Utah is trading their two best front court players just because.

      That said, I do think there is an inevitability to both of those guys not being in Utah, but I am not sure that happens this year. Unless they struggle or the guys behind them really improve.

  21. Anthony

    Do you see Josh Smith being moved this seasons? If so, where do you see him being a good fit? I would like to see him playing off a legit play maker like Rondo or Nash.

    • Steve Kyler

      I do not.

      Having talked with Josh this summer after all the trades, he likes whats going on… that said if the Hawks could radically upgrade, I think they are open for business, but the team has told Josh they want to build around him.

      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.