Chad Ford

  (1:00 PM)

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today. We'll start with some NBA questions and then move onto the draft in the second half of the chat. Let's roll ...

Nick (NYC)

Chad, what have you heard on this David Lee to Portland stuff?? Wouldn't Lee for Jerryd Bayless and a first rounder be a great deal for both teams??

Chad Ford

  (1:03 PM)

Portland has interest in Lee. But honestly, Portland has interest in all of the good young players in the league. Kevin Pritchard is very proactive and likes to collect assets. The Knicks would probably be interested in that deal ... Bayless and a first rounder. The problem is, Portland's not offering that. I think they're not willing to give up that much for Lee. I think Lee will be gone by the trade deadline, but I'm not sure it will be Portland.

Herman (Virginia Beach)

What's Donnie Walsh's next move?? Will Curry or even Lee be a Knick after the All-Star break?

Chad Ford

  (1:04 PM)

Curry is a tougher sell. First he has to show he's 100 percent healthy and in shape. Then you have to convince a team to take his huge contract. The team that needs him the most, ironically, is the Bulls. They desperately need someone who can score in the paint. I just don't see Paxson ever taking him back.

Steiny (NYC)

Do the Knicks still plan on buying Stephon Marbury out?

Chad Ford

  (1:06 PM)

Most over reported story of the year. Does anyone REALLY care? We've had some slow news days and a lot of New York newspaper guys are treating this like LeBron. The guy has no future with the Knicks. If he has no future with the Knicks, do you really think he's the missing piece to a championship contender? Please. Whether the Knicks buy him out or not makes zero difference to their future. Whether the Celtics, or some other team sign him, won't be a big factor one way or the other. Marbury needs to pack his bags and head to Europe.

George, San Antonio

Any trades in the coming months??????

Chad Ford

  (1:12 PM)

Sure they're coming. I think the Thunder actually have some of the biggest assets. There is interest in Joe Smith, Chris Wilcox, Earl Watson and someone like Johan Petro. I think OKC is willing to move any or all of them. That makes them big brokers. Obviously the Knicks want to move Cury and probably have to move David Lee. Clippers have a log jam up front which means either Marcus Camby or Chris Kaman probably goes. Bobcats still shopping Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton. Bulls have to do something to get a big man who can score in the paint. Blazers have a ton of assets they'll most likely try to move by the trade deadline including guys like Channing Frye, Sergio Rodriguez, Ike Diogu and possibly Travis Outlaw. Lakers would still be open to a trade for Lamar Odom. Shawn Marion can be had. I could keep going, but those are the guys I could see all moved by the trade deadline.

Ben (Charlotte)

the Pistons are 13-3 with Stuckey in the starting line-up, is it too early to think about an All-Star appearance?

Chad Ford

  (1:14 PM)

A little too early just because there are a lot of good young point guards in the East. Devin Harris is likely in. Ditto for Jameer Nelson or Rajon Rondo. The fact that Allen Iverson is getting a starting nod in the All Star game hurts Stuckey's chances. But right now it looks pretty obvious he WILL be an All-Star some day soon.

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

What moves would you make if you were Ed Stefanski? The Sixers gots to do something.

Chad Ford

  (1:15 PM)

I've heard from several teams that they've been pushing Samuel Dalembert hard. Dalembert is big, athletic and can play, but he's overpaid. Will be interesting to see if a team, in desperate need of a big, pulls the trigger. A few teams like the Bobcats and Bulls really need some size. The Raptors are another possibility too, though it would probably cost them Bargnani.

Larry (Sacramento)

Any chance that a team deals for Brad Miller? Honestly, I can't imagine anyone wanting a slow, lazy, soft 7-footer whose best quality is being able to pass out of the high post and worst qualities (there's a 4 way tie) are his lack of athleticism, lackadazical attitude, aversion to playing defense, and his lack of guts. Then again, I'm not an NBA GM.

Chad Ford

  (1:20 PM)

Yeah, there's interest. One thing I've heard some rumblings about was a deal that would send Miller and Salmons to the Knicks for Curry, Jared Jeffries and David Lee. The plus for the Knicks would be that it would give them some serious cap space in 2010. Obviously Lee would be the attraction for the Kings. He'd be good paired on the front line with Spencer Hawes.

Lance (New York, N.Y.)

Why aren't more teams seeking trades for players with contracts that expire in 2010 such as Larry Hughes and Kenny Thomas?

Chad Ford

  (1:25 PM)

Usually teams trade for those expiring contracts in the year they expire. Most owners don't like paying guys huge amounts of money to do nothing for the next 18 months. There are a few exceptions -- see the Knicks. But it's a hard sell. This is the first year we've seen so many teams maneuvering for cap room so far in advance of the actual cap room. Ask this question same time next year and I'm sure Hughes and Thomas will be very hot names.

Brad

Chad, longtime Bulls fan here. For the first time ever, I am rooting against the Bulls with the hope that Vinny and Paxson get fired quicker. Maybe this is futile, since I suspect Jerry Reinsdorf is personally responsible for many of the Bulls' worst moves over the last 10 years. What the heck is going on?

Chad Ford

  (1:27 PM)

They're not that bad. They really need a post presence. Their bigs just aren't getting it done. The problem is ... good big guys are hard to come by. Joakim Noah or Tyrus Thomas isn't going to land you one. Neither will Kirk Hinrich. They'll have to offer Luol Deng if they really want a good big. Problem is that Deng has been a disappointment this year and his huge new contract makes him a base year compensation player. So I'm not sure what they can do. They could dangle Drew Gooden and others and get a mediocre big man, but that's not what they need.

Raptor Nation

One word describes us. Frustrated. Please tell us what Bryan Colangelo can do to improve this team? He's hurting his rep right now...

Chad Ford

  (1:30 PM)

It's tough. One bad move can really screw things up. Had the Raptors selected Brandon Roy or Rudy Gay or LaMarcus Aldridge No. 1, Raptor fans are probably ecstatic. But Bargnani has been a disappointment and the Raptors just don't have enough other talent around them to make up for it. Jermaine O'Neal won't land them a star. Neither will Anthony Parker. Bargnani will get some interest, but again, not enough to turn this around. The only plus I can see is that the Raptors have had a really tough schedule. But .. yeah, things aren't great at the moment.

Robin (ohio)

do you think wally szczerbiak will get traded at the trade deadline even with the strong play of tha cavs?

Chad Ford

  (1:35 PM)

Yeah, they'll want to pick up an asset for him. I've heard rumblings about Mike Miller. Younger, provides great shooting and his contract expires in 2010. Gives the Wolves roughly $21 million in cap room to play with in the summer of 2009.

Dre ( Los Angeles )

Give me one good reason Eric Gordon is not top ten in the rookie rankings?

Chad Ford

  (1:37 PM)

He should be. He's been really good. Think the Knicks, who seriously considered drafting him ahead of Gallinari, are crying themselves to sleep at night?

Manny (Memphis)

Let's get to the draft! Assuming the first 3 teams picking are the Thunder, Kings, and Wizards, who are the top 3 picks?

Chad Ford

  (1:37 PM)

Thunder - Blake Griffin Wizards - Ricky Rubio Kings - Greg Monroe

Chad Ford

  (1:38 PM)

You can go over to our Lottery Mock Draft on the 2009 NBA Draft page and play this over and over again to see the different scenarios. It updates automatically each night based on standings and I make adjustments to where players fall in the tool each week based off of draft stock and team needs.

Andy G: (Minneapolis, MN)

Chad, Is there a great guard prospect in the '09 Draft, or did Minnesota completely blow it when they traded away OJ Mayo?

Chad Ford

  (1:40 PM)

Great? I'm not sure. James Harden and Ricky Rubio (if he declares) both look really good. Not sure either is OJ, however. Right now I have them drafting Thabeet in the latest mock draft. If McHale drafts him, then he's guaranteed to be a bust.

Eric (NY, NY)

Chad, You've been very high on Greg Monroe lately...did his last 2 games against Blair and Harrangody help, hurt or do nothing for his draft stock?

Chad Ford

  (1:41 PM)

Obviously Monroe needs some help on the defensive end. Blair especially ate him alive on the boards. However, offensively Monroe held his own and had 21 and 10 versus Notre Dame. He's still young and raw, but on potential he's either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick in the draft.

GMs in the Lottery (Oklahoma City, Washington)

Is Blake Griffin a franchise-changing type player or just a good, solid pro?

Chad Ford

  (1:42 PM)

I think he's somewhere in between. He has definite All-Star potential, but I don't think he's got superstar potential. Think a more athletic Carlos Boozer.

Aaron (Tel Aviv)

Take an Israelite question Professor! What's is up with Omri Casspi? Is he coming to League next year? Where do you have him going and how will he be??

Chad Ford

  (1:46 PM)

First of all, a quick note to all of my friends in Israel and Palestine. Praying for a quick end to the conflict that both secures Israel's security and ends the horrible suffering on the Palestinian side. As for Casspi, I think he's on the first round bubble right now. He reminds me of a young Matt Harpring.

Sujei

Let's talk some Draft please... How good can Kyle Singler be? I see him as a Matt Harpring type of player...what do you think?

Chad Ford

  (1:47 PM)

I'm not sure he's as tough as Harpring was (wow two Harpring references in the same chat). I think he's also a bubble first rounder at the moment.

Todd (Lexington, Tn)

BJ Mullens and Austin Daye seem to be slipping the most any chance both these guys go top 10 based on potential alone?

Chad Ford

  (1:48 PM)

Maybe on Mullens. Size always blinds some GMs ... even when the production isn't there. Daye will be a tougher sell. He lacks a NBA body. Combine that with his very uneven production and I don't think he cracks the Top 10 if the draft were held today. As for Mullens, he too really needs to return to Ohio State next year. He doesn't want to be DeAndre Jordan.

Greg (Boston)

Al-Farouq Aminu is putting up some impressive numbers, but still looks incredibly raw, especially with ball-handing. Is he looked at as more of a "potential" pick in the 09 draft?

Chad Ford

  (1:53 PM)

Sure, he's a potential type of pick. But his potential is "Wow" Great athlete with versatility and he's shown a nose for the boards in the early going. I think he could be a four in the league. My guess is he's a lottery pick if the draft was held today.

Chad Ford

  (1:54 PM)

I've got to run everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat. We'll do it again next week.