Moderators: Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites, dVs33
Faiz in Chicago:
Will the bulls make a big trade this offseason? they would have to get rid of dengs horrible contract i presume. Where do you think Ben Gordon is going to go?
Steve Kyler:
Unlikely... they Bulls will make an offer to Ben Gordon, the question becomes does Oklahoma City or Detroit price the Bulls out of the game?... On the trade front, I think they have a deep enough roster to consider deals, but I doubt they make any major changes, especially if they lose Gordon.
derek in orlando, fl:
Hey Steve, How interested is Utah in Turk?
Steve Kyler:
Not that I have heard, unless it involved a sign and trade... Detroit, Toronto and Portland are the suitors for Turk - I would say that he is a second or third option... it;s gonna be a tough summer for Hedo.
derek in orlando, fl:
Current FA talk going on says Magic may get Bass, Dice, and 'Sheed. Would they all be good fits? The finances seem to say only getting 1 or 2 of them is what's realistic.
Steve Kyler:
Brandon Bass is the best fit... Dice and Sheed are gonna cost too much... not sure Dallas lets Bass get away, they can offer him the most money.
derek in :
Playing around w/ the idea Magic do land Bass or 'Sheed. I think they would want to start, and then the Magic would seriously consider changing their "hybrid 4" lineup. What would the Magic finally conclude?
Steve Kyler:
I think they did that when they got Vince Carter, unless Hedo somehow stays - keep in mind that adding Vince Carter and Rasheed Wallace would be toxic to this Magic team, these guys are not ready for those kinds of egos... Looks good on paper, but in reality, the team likely goes backwards if Wallace and Carter are focal points.
Kyle in Oregon:
Hey Steve... Are the Magic still in the running for Sheed and/or Bass?
Steve Kyler:
Considering no one can talk to anyone... sure, ask again in 20 hours... I think both players get offers bigger than Orlando can absorb.
Jared in Memphis:
Hey Steve-O! There was a report saying that Otis Smith and the Magic would rather split the MLE among a number of players. Who are they targeting? Sheed still?
Steve Kyler:
Thats what I have heard too... don't count on Rasheed, he;d be toxic in Orlando... the Magic have 9 players under contract, so they need four bodies... also keep in mind they feel like their starting core is set... they will be very opportunistic, especially with veteran free agents at the minimum.There has been a lot of talk of the Magic paying tax, keep in mind last year there were 7 teams that paid roughly $89 million in tax, meaning each non-tax team gets roughly $4 million - this year, the tax pool looks to be far lower - five teams are looking at a $20 million tax pool, meaning each non-tax team gets $400K, thats not enough to matter... it used to be a huge swing, now it;s not quite the penalty, so you see why the Magic are opne to a minor tax payment, but they won't be a huge tax payer./
colin in oregon:
my opinion is the magic should go after a legit PF instead of hedo. someone like wallace,mcdyess,gooden,charliev,milsap, or boozer. your thoughts?
Steve Kyler:
I am not sure they need a named player... where does that guy get touches with this team... they need a Ben Wallace type - someone who can rebound, play defense and bring intensity, but does not need offensive touches.... would love to see Drew Gooden back in Orlando, but its unlikely any of those guys are serious candidates for Orlando.
Will in Orlando:
Rumors are Orlando is the frontrunner for landing Rasheed Wallace,Do you think he will be in a Magic uniform next year?
Steve Kyler:
No... I think Cleveland or San Antonio gets him... keep in mind the best deal for Rasheed comes through Detroit in a sign and trade, unless detroit wants JJ Redick I just don't see it... also everyone is overlooking the biggest issue - Dwight Howard was pissed at the Magic trade - anyone heard from the Big Fella since the deal went down? - nope, he told some people he needed a few days to cool off before he said something he'd regret - Dwight was unhappy with the amount of touches he got in the playoffs, so now adding Vince Carter and Rasheed Wallace are gonna make him happy? I'll be stunned if the Magic land Rasheed and if they do expect to hear Dwight Howard wants out of Orlando right after it.
allen iverson, antonio mcdyess, rasheed wallace in not sure yet:
will we end up in charlotte...if not all, which of us could go to charlotte
Steve Kyler:
Not likely... Iverson could be the one... but Dyess and Sheed have a lot of suitors
Brandon in Huntington, WV:
Are there any ways the pistons can become contenders again through free agency?
Steve Kyler:
Its possible, but I think free agency will help - not sold Michael Curry can coach them to contention... I think you get two or three good free agents, make a trade or two with Richard Hamilton and maybe Tayshaun Prince and see where you are next year... I see another draft pick in their future before another ring.
Danny in Boston:
Does sheed end up in boston?
Steve Kyler:
Unlikely... just don't see how they can match Big Baby and add Sheed, he's not gonna take that kind of pay cut.
Paul in Akron, Ohio:
We all know about Charlie and Sheed, who else could the Cavs get?
Steve Kyler:
I think they need to add some depth, especially at the two guard - I'd go after Anthony Parker or Ema Udoka - both could come cheap.
paul in ohio:
do you think (boozer probably won't option out) that detroit will go after charlie v.? as a cavs fan i hope not because they can offer a lot more money...
Steve Kyler:
I am not sure Charlie is a Joe Dumars kind of player... he likes Pitbulls... thats not Charlie.
Jon in Florida:
Ford just said in his chat to hold on because there's "breaking news to report", what is he talking about? Lol, inside scoop pleasseee?
Steve Kyler:
Pistons fired Michael Curry... told you I wasn't sold they had the coach.
Blu in Maryland:
Any chance that the wizards are able to find a suitable back-up post player in free agency? What about McDyess? Or any way Millsap could be lured away from the Jazz with a trade?
Steve Kyler:
Milsapp can't be lured away, the Jazz can match anything offered and likely will .... MyDyess might consider it, he liked Flip Saunders.
Jeff in Boise, ID:
Chad Ford is saying Curry is done in Detroit. Who do you think will replace him?
Steve Kyler:
"This was a difficult decision to make," Pistons president Joe Dumars said in a statement. "I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change." - Avery Johnson... there is call holding for you on Line 6...
Rick in Melbourne Beach, FL:
Hey Steve, Enjoy the chats. Who is the best fit for the Magic, Brandon Bass, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, or someone else? Who do you think the Magic are the most interested in?
Steve Kyler:
Bass and McDyess fit the culture... I think they will be opportunistic on the rest, see who falls their way
Another team after Turkoglu is rumored to be the Pistons. While they have the spending power, they're a franchise in transition. After trading Chauncey Billups and firing head coach Michael Curry, Detroit may not be a draw for a veteran player seeking a championship. That said, they have a ton of spending power which often trumps playoff aspirations. In addition to a possible offer to Turkoglu, the Pistons are said to have about $8 million earmarked for Trevor Ariza.
Should the Pistons manage to steal away Turkoglu or Ariza, look for Tayshaun Prince to be actively shopped in trade. Based on the assumptions that Hedo lands in Portland and Trevor sticks in Los Angeles, the Pistons likely turn their attention to Ben Gordon. While a Rodney Stuckey/Gordon backcourt may not be ideal defensively, they'd be a potent duo for a young team looking to reestablish itself in the East.The Chicago Bulls and Gordon came close the past couple of seasons to deals in the $50 million range. Can they finally agree to a deal or will Detroit finally get one of their targets? Gordon was a huge part of Chicago's success against the Boston Celtics in the first round but this team belongs to Derrick Rose. Kirk Hinrich and John Salmons may be enough as the Bulls look to improve their front court. Speculatively, let's say the Pistons get their man.
Detroit has enough cap space to add a big man but until Carlos Boozer announces his intentions, that's a tough call. Boozer could be their man at about $10 million a season, noting that he's still isn't 28 years old yet. If Carlos remains with the Jazz for another year, the Pistons may turn to Utah's restricted free agent Paul Millsap. If Utah is still paying for Boozer and re-signs Mehmet Okur who can opt out, will they have the funds to match a large offer to the younger Millsap (24-years old)? Perhaps the Pistons go an easier route and try to sign Charlie Villanueva, who may be a MLE target for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Pistons Fire Coach Michael Curry
Pistons coach Michael Curry has been fired, the team announced Tuesday.
"This was a difficult decision to make," Pistons president Joe Dumars said. "I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change."
Curry was 39-43 in his only season as Pistons coach. Detroit was swept by Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs.
OKC Weighs Pros, Cons of Adding Millsap?
One name that constantly crops up around here as the start of free agency nears is Paul Millsap. The big man for the Utah Jazz will be a restricted free agent Wednesday, and fans have long wanted the Thunder to take a chance on the 6-foot-8 forward out of Louisiana Tech. It’s an easy connection to make. Millsap, with his rebounding and interior defense, fits the Thunder’s most pressing needs.
And so there are reasons to believe the Thunder will make a run and Millsap, but there are also some that suggest OKC won’t. The question you have to ask is does Millsap fit with the Thunder both short term and long term? The answer seems to be no. With Joe Smith gone and Malik Rose and Robert Swift likely gone as well, Millsap could come in and add relief on the interior immediately as Green’s backup at power forward alongside Collison as the backup center. But how much would that backup tandem cost? Collison is already owed $13 million over the next two seasons. And in the long term, when Ibaka and White are ready to contribute, where would that leave Millsap? And where would that leave the Thunder’s financial state?
It’s possible the Thunder thinks Millsap is worth the gamble, which then begs the question how good is this guy right now in the organization’s mind and how much better does the Thunder think he can be?