Talk NBA with Insider Chad Ford
Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford will drop by to take your questions.
Ford writes the daily NBA Insider column for ESPN Insider. He also in a frequent contributer to ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine and makes weekly apperances on ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.
Send in your questions to Chad Ford now, then join him right here for the answers on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET!
Chad Ford: Hey everyone. Lots of free agency stuff to talk about today. Let's get rolling.
Tom (STL): Where does Michael Redd sign? And what do the Cavaliers do if he does not sign with them?
Chad Ford: He "visited" the Bucks on Tuesday (your guess is as good as mine on why he needs to visit the team he's played for his whole career) and he's in Cleveland today. The Bucks are offering him the max. So are the Cavs. Because of differences in the CBA, the Bucks offer is $20 million more. 99 percent of the free agents I've covered over the past seven years take the money and run. The fact that Redd is still deciding speaks to how appealing the Cavs situation must be. If he cares about winning and a great situation it's Cleveland. But $20 million is a lot to leave on the table. In other words I'll be shocked if he bolts the Bucks.
Mike (NY): Is there any truth to Steph for Dalembert? Where else could Steph go?
Chad Ford: Isiah is trying to work out a sign-and-trade with the Sixers for Dalembert. He's willing to offer him the max. Marbury is one of the players he's willing to move this summer to get a big. However, I have a hard time believing that the Sixers would make this trade. I think he'd have a much better shot of trading Steph to the Hawks for Al Harrington, Tony Delk and Jason Collier.
Hector, Los Angeles: Do you think any of the Baby Bulls, (Chandler & Curry), will be leaving Chicago this summer?
Chad Ford: I think they'll match any offer for Chandler. He's too valuable to what they do. Curry? They keep saying that they'll match any offer, but from what I hear, the Bulls are looking to do a sign-and-trade for him. Atlanta (for possibly Al Harrington) might be the best option.
Andrew (DC): What happens in DC with larry Hughes and Kwame Brown? Sign Hughes and sign-and-trade Kwame?
Chad Ford: I don't know why teams aren't making a bigger play than Hughes. As I point out in my blog today, he may be the best two guard prospect out there and he's an unrestricted free agent. Everyone just assumes he re-signs with Washington. I'm not so sure. From what I hear, they have made a huge offer yet. Kwame will likely be some sort of sign-and-trade. The Knicks are especially interested and are willing to move Michael Sweetney as part of the deal. A straight deal with the Hawks is also a big possibility.
Michele (Houston): Stromile Swift is in Houston today. What are the Rockets chances if he leaves w/o a contract?
Chad Ford: The Rockets are one of several teams (Nets, Knicks, Hornets are others) who are pushing hard for Stro. With the exception of the Hornets, they're all offering the mid-level. Obviously Stro wants more. Don't see the Grizzlies re-signing him. They really need to cut down the cap.
Kevin (New Jersey): Hey Chad, how big are the chances of Shareef Abdur Rahim running alongside J Kidd, Vince, and RJ in a Nets uniform next season?
Chad Ford: They are praying. He'd be a great fit there and both Shareef and the Nets know it. The problem is that several other teams like the Spurs are talking sign-and-trade with the Blazers. That allows them to pay more money. The Blazers are trying to work out a Rasho Nesterovic for Abdur-Rahim swap.
Andrew (Flagstaff AZ): No that the Spurs have re signed Horry is their going to be enough money for Sciola? If not, what is their next move?
Chad Ford: Yes, they can still re-sign Luis Scola.
Zach, Cleveland, Ohio: Who do you think is a better fit for the Cavaliers, Antonio Daniels or Jasikevicius?
Chad Ford: Tough question. Daniels has great size and is an excellent defender. Jasikevicius is much better offensively but MUCH worse defensively. If they want a real floor leader, however, it's tough to pass on Jasikevicius, He hasn't played in the NBA yet, but three straight Euroleague titles means a lot. The Pacers are also strongly in the mix for Jasikevicius
RANDY NEW ORLEANS: Should the Hornets trade Magloire?
Chad Ford: Not unless they get another, younger center in return. If they were willing to swap Magloire for Samuel Dalembert or Tyson Chandler, I think it's a good move. But I wouldn't just give him away.
MileHighMelo ( Denver, CO): Hey Chad, I'm hearing a lot of buzz about the Nuggs sending Nene and Vo Lenard to the Kings for Mobely...anything to that other than rumors?
Chad Ford: The Nuggets like Mobley and really need a two guard who can stroke it. But I don't think they'd part with Nene to do it. If they would, the Kings should make that trade in a heartbeat. Depending on where the cap comes in, the Nuggets could either use their mid-level exception or cap room to get him signed.
Phil (LA): Hey Chad, What do you think the Clips will do next now that Ray Allen has re-signed with the Sonics?
Chad Ford: Mike Dunleavy has to be beating his head against the wall. For the second straight year the Clippers have come very close to landing an all-star two guard. At this point, they probably stick to the plan of re-signing Bobby Simmons at this point. Larry Hughes is an option, but they'd really like another shooter. They'd love Joe Johnson, but the chances of the Suns matching an offer for him are very high.
Noah (Chelmsford, MA): What moves, trades or signings, do the Lakers make if any? Also, does the pick of Bynum help or hurt their playoff chances?
Chad Ford: They're making a push for Antonio Daniels. Bynum is probably a non-factor. He's very talented (I really liked him in the McDonalds game) but he's realistically a few years away.
Angelo (NY): Ok let me get this straight. The Knicks would trade their one superstar, the one person who puts people in the seats, the one person who sells jerseys, one of the top 5 players in his position for either another power foward in Harrington or a center with no offensive game (Dalemburt) then they would trade their best power foward for a player who didnt even play in the post season (Brown). That would be crazy!
Chad Ford: Angelo, where've you been for the past two years? That's par for the course for Isiah. And frankly, I'd do either deal if I were the Knicks. They need to shake things up and moving Marbury is the only way to make a major play.
Adam (St. Paul): What's crazy Angelo, is you calling Marbury a superstar.
Chad Ford: Ouch. Here we go ... I didn't say it, Isiah. Adam did.
Chris (W.Spfld, Ma): Danny Ainge has made some nice draft choices over the last 2 summers, and he seems to be hitting his stride as a GM. Do you see this year's handling of Paul Pierce as the most important thing he's done (or will do) as a GM?
Chad Ford: Sure. Ainge has had two great drafts. At this point, I don't think the Celtics need anymore young players. They've got plenty of building blocks and two (Al Jefferson and Gerald Green) that have star potential. So ... I'm not sure why you trade Pierce. The Celtics need veterans to show the kids how to play. The team can't get equal value for him. He could demand a trade, but I think the Celtics are better off keeping him. The same probably holds true for Antoine at this point if they can get him form $6 or $7 million per year.
Brian (seattle, wa): Out of Antonio Daniels, Jerome James, Damien Wilkins, Ronald Murray, Reggie Evans, Vitaly Potapenko, and Vlad Radmanovic, which ones will stay with Seattle? James and Daniels gone as unrestricted FAs?
Chad Ford: Hmmmm... don't know. Daniels and Radmanovic want to start. If they can find teams willing to pay them starter money, they're gone (and no, I don't think the Sonics would match a big deal for Radmanovic). Murray wants out too, and with the re-signing of Allen that's possible. I think that Nate isn't a fan of either James or Potapenko. I think they'll try hard to re-sign Evans and Wilkins as long as offers to them don't get out of control.
Jon (Phoenix): Will Phoenix match any offer for Joe Johnson including the max? Teams like the Clippers who missed out on Allen may just try to do that.
Mike (Bedford, NY): Are the Knicks really pushing hard after Antonine Walker? I find it hard to believe since we already have Crawford and Richardson who like to chuck three pointers.
Chad Ford: Mike, I'm going to refer you to the Angelo question up above on Isiah's reasoning. But yes, they are interested in Walker.
Adam, Indy: Please Chad, I need to know what the Pacers are doing? I haven't heard anything in some time.
Chad Ford: Sarunas Jasikevicius is at the top of their list. They also like another sweet shooting Lithuanian, two guard, Arvydas Macijauskas.
Mike (Atlanta): What's your gut feeling about the Hawks? What FAs end up here in '05-06?
Chad Ford: I don't think it looks good Mike. You have to have a plan going into free agency and then execute it. The Hawks plan, Ray Allen and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, was a bad plan. A very bad plan. In the process, they've alienated many of the younger free agents willing to come there. It wouldn't shock me if, for a second straight summer, they strike out on signing a major free agent. Someone needs to pull the plug on the Billy Knight era in Atlanta. Now.
Alex (Hollywood): Chad - let's play a little jeopardy! The answer is "I was the worst run NBA franchise from 2000 - 2005". What, Chad, is the question?????
Chad Ford: I've already picked on the Hawks, so how about the Raptors. Five years ago the team looked like it was going to be a contender. Now they're in shambles and after last week's draft, I don't see them recovering any time soon.
Scott (SF, CA): Hey Chad...can you briefly explain the NBA's "amnesty program" and its effects on a teams salary cap, etc....Thanks!
Chad Ford: We're still waiting for all the details, but here it is in a nutshell. Teams get a one-time chance before October 1st to waive one free agent. The team still has to pay the player and does NOT get cap relief. So what's the benefit? Teams get luxury tax relief. The salary no longer would count for luxury tax purposes. It would only affect a few teams but could save teams like the Mavs and Knicks close to $50 million each. It's purely financial relief. Still it could mean that several interesting veterans like Michael Finley and Allan Houston will be free agents this summer. They'd be free to re-sign with any team after they're waived.
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Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford will drop by to take your questions.
Ford writes the daily NBA Insider column for ESPN Insider. He also in a frequent contributer to ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine and makes weekly apperances on ESPN Radio and ESPNEWS.
Send in your questions to Chad Ford now, then join him right here for the answers on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET!
Chad Ford: Hey everyone. Lots of free agency stuff to talk about today. Let's get rolling.
Tom (STL): Where does Michael Redd sign? And what do the Cavaliers do if he does not sign with them?
Chad Ford: He "visited" the Bucks on Tuesday (your guess is as good as mine on why he needs to visit the team he's played for his whole career) and he's in Cleveland today. The Bucks are offering him the max. So are the Cavs. Because of differences in the CBA, the Bucks offer is $20 million more. 99 percent of the free agents I've covered over the past seven years take the money and run. The fact that Redd is still deciding speaks to how appealing the Cavs situation must be. If he cares about winning and a great situation it's Cleveland. But $20 million is a lot to leave on the table. In other words I'll be shocked if he bolts the Bucks.
Mike (NY): Is there any truth to Steph for Dalembert? Where else could Steph go?
Chad Ford: Isiah is trying to work out a sign-and-trade with the Sixers for Dalembert. He's willing to offer him the max. Marbury is one of the players he's willing to move this summer to get a big. However, I have a hard time believing that the Sixers would make this trade. I think he'd have a much better shot of trading Steph to the Hawks for Al Harrington, Tony Delk and Jason Collier.
Hector, Los Angeles: Do you think any of the Baby Bulls, (Chandler & Curry), will be leaving Chicago this summer?
Chad Ford: I think they'll match any offer for Chandler. He's too valuable to what they do. Curry? They keep saying that they'll match any offer, but from what I hear, the Bulls are looking to do a sign-and-trade for him. Atlanta (for possibly Al Harrington) might be the best option.
Andrew (DC): What happens in DC with larry Hughes and Kwame Brown? Sign Hughes and sign-and-trade Kwame?
Chad Ford: I don't know why teams aren't making a bigger play than Hughes. As I point out in my blog today, he may be the best two guard prospect out there and he's an unrestricted free agent. Everyone just assumes he re-signs with Washington. I'm not so sure. From what I hear, they have made a huge offer yet. Kwame will likely be some sort of sign-and-trade. The Knicks are especially interested and are willing to move Michael Sweetney as part of the deal. A straight deal with the Hawks is also a big possibility.
Michele (Houston): Stromile Swift is in Houston today. What are the Rockets chances if he leaves w/o a contract?
Chad Ford: The Rockets are one of several teams (Nets, Knicks, Hornets are others) who are pushing hard for Stro. With the exception of the Hornets, they're all offering the mid-level. Obviously Stro wants more. Don't see the Grizzlies re-signing him. They really need to cut down the cap.
Kevin (New Jersey): Hey Chad, how big are the chances of Shareef Abdur Rahim running alongside J Kidd, Vince, and RJ in a Nets uniform next season?
Chad Ford: They are praying. He'd be a great fit there and both Shareef and the Nets know it. The problem is that several other teams like the Spurs are talking sign-and-trade with the Blazers. That allows them to pay more money. The Blazers are trying to work out a Rasho Nesterovic for Abdur-Rahim swap.
Andrew (Flagstaff AZ): No that the Spurs have re signed Horry is their going to be enough money for Sciola? If not, what is their next move?
Chad Ford: Yes, they can still re-sign Luis Scola.
Zach, Cleveland, Ohio: Who do you think is a better fit for the Cavaliers, Antonio Daniels or Jasikevicius?
Chad Ford: Tough question. Daniels has great size and is an excellent defender. Jasikevicius is much better offensively but MUCH worse defensively. If they want a real floor leader, however, it's tough to pass on Jasikevicius, He hasn't played in the NBA yet, but three straight Euroleague titles means a lot. The Pacers are also strongly in the mix for Jasikevicius
RANDY NEW ORLEANS: Should the Hornets trade Magloire?
Chad Ford: Not unless they get another, younger center in return. If they were willing to swap Magloire for Samuel Dalembert or Tyson Chandler, I think it's a good move. But I wouldn't just give him away.
MileHighMelo ( Denver, CO): Hey Chad, I'm hearing a lot of buzz about the Nuggs sending Nene and Vo Lenard to the Kings for Mobely...anything to that other than rumors?
Chad Ford: The Nuggets like Mobley and really need a two guard who can stroke it. But I don't think they'd part with Nene to do it. If they would, the Kings should make that trade in a heartbeat. Depending on where the cap comes in, the Nuggets could either use their mid-level exception or cap room to get him signed.
Phil (LA): Hey Chad, What do you think the Clips will do next now that Ray Allen has re-signed with the Sonics?
Chad Ford: Mike Dunleavy has to be beating his head against the wall. For the second straight year the Clippers have come very close to landing an all-star two guard. At this point, they probably stick to the plan of re-signing Bobby Simmons at this point. Larry Hughes is an option, but they'd really like another shooter. They'd love Joe Johnson, but the chances of the Suns matching an offer for him are very high.
Noah (Chelmsford, MA): What moves, trades or signings, do the Lakers make if any? Also, does the pick of Bynum help or hurt their playoff chances?
Chad Ford: They're making a push for Antonio Daniels. Bynum is probably a non-factor. He's very talented (I really liked him in the McDonalds game) but he's realistically a few years away.
Angelo (NY): Ok let me get this straight. The Knicks would trade their one superstar, the one person who puts people in the seats, the one person who sells jerseys, one of the top 5 players in his position for either another power foward in Harrington or a center with no offensive game (Dalemburt) then they would trade their best power foward for a player who didnt even play in the post season (Brown). That would be crazy!
Chad Ford: Angelo, where've you been for the past two years? That's par for the course for Isiah. And frankly, I'd do either deal if I were the Knicks. They need to shake things up and moving Marbury is the only way to make a major play.
Adam (St. Paul): What's crazy Angelo, is you calling Marbury a superstar.
Chad Ford: Ouch. Here we go ... I didn't say it, Isiah. Adam did.
Chris (W.Spfld, Ma): Danny Ainge has made some nice draft choices over the last 2 summers, and he seems to be hitting his stride as a GM. Do you see this year's handling of Paul Pierce as the most important thing he's done (or will do) as a GM?
Chad Ford: Sure. Ainge has had two great drafts. At this point, I don't think the Celtics need anymore young players. They've got plenty of building blocks and two (Al Jefferson and Gerald Green) that have star potential. So ... I'm not sure why you trade Pierce. The Celtics need veterans to show the kids how to play. The team can't get equal value for him. He could demand a trade, but I think the Celtics are better off keeping him. The same probably holds true for Antoine at this point if they can get him form $6 or $7 million per year.
Brian (seattle, wa): Out of Antonio Daniels, Jerome James, Damien Wilkins, Ronald Murray, Reggie Evans, Vitaly Potapenko, and Vlad Radmanovic, which ones will stay with Seattle? James and Daniels gone as unrestricted FAs?
Chad Ford: Hmmmm... don't know. Daniels and Radmanovic want to start. If they can find teams willing to pay them starter money, they're gone (and no, I don't think the Sonics would match a big deal for Radmanovic). Murray wants out too, and with the re-signing of Allen that's possible. I think that Nate isn't a fan of either James or Potapenko. I think they'll try hard to re-sign Evans and Wilkins as long as offers to them don't get out of control.
Jon (Phoenix): Will Phoenix match any offer for Joe Johnson including the max? Teams like the Clippers who missed out on Allen may just try to do that.
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Chad Ford: I agree that both the Clippers and Cavs could make him a max offer. But if you look at what the Suns have done already this off-season, it's pretty clear that they plan on matching. Mike (Bedford, NY): Are the Knicks really pushing hard after Antonine Walker? I find it hard to believe since we already have Crawford and Richardson who like to chuck three pointers.
Chad Ford: Mike, I'm going to refer you to the Angelo question up above on Isiah's reasoning. But yes, they are interested in Walker.
Adam, Indy: Please Chad, I need to know what the Pacers are doing? I haven't heard anything in some time.
Chad Ford: Sarunas Jasikevicius is at the top of their list. They also like another sweet shooting Lithuanian, two guard, Arvydas Macijauskas.
Mike (Atlanta): What's your gut feeling about the Hawks? What FAs end up here in '05-06?
Chad Ford: I don't think it looks good Mike. You have to have a plan going into free agency and then execute it. The Hawks plan, Ray Allen and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, was a bad plan. A very bad plan. In the process, they've alienated many of the younger free agents willing to come there. It wouldn't shock me if, for a second straight summer, they strike out on signing a major free agent. Someone needs to pull the plug on the Billy Knight era in Atlanta. Now.
Alex (Hollywood): Chad - let's play a little jeopardy! The answer is "I was the worst run NBA franchise from 2000 - 2005". What, Chad, is the question?????
Chad Ford: I've already picked on the Hawks, so how about the Raptors. Five years ago the team looked like it was going to be a contender. Now they're in shambles and after last week's draft, I don't see them recovering any time soon.
Scott (SF, CA): Hey Chad...can you briefly explain the NBA's "amnesty program" and its effects on a teams salary cap, etc....Thanks!
Chad Ford: We're still waiting for all the details, but here it is in a nutshell. Teams get a one-time chance before October 1st to waive one free agent. The team still has to pay the player and does NOT get cap relief. So what's the benefit? Teams get luxury tax relief. The salary no longer would count for luxury tax purposes. It would only affect a few teams but could save teams like the Mavs and Knicks close to $50 million each. It's purely financial relief. Still it could mean that several interesting veterans like Michael Finley and Allan Houston will be free agents this summer. They'd be free to re-sign with any team after they're waived.
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