Chat with Chad Ford
Chad Ford: Hey everyone. Trade deadline is heating up. Darko was finally traded. The Knicks look poised to make 17 deals before the deadline. Let's roll.
Anthony (Chicago): Chad, Nice piece on Darko. Do you think he can become the player that everyone thought he could be in Orlando?
Chad Ford: I honestly don't know. I haven't seen him really play in three years. I'm not sure how that affects a kid's development in the long haul. Does he have the confidence in himself to play through what will likely be a rough stretch the next few months? Will the Magic be patient? Will they let him play through his mistakes and stay positive with him? Darko has all the tools to be a star. He's 7-foot-1, athletic, strong, and is very skilled. But he has to become a basketball player again. The good news is that I think Orlando is the right place for him to try. Small market. Bad team. Nothing to lose. And he's paired up in the frontcourt with a budding superstar, Dwight Howard. If he ever finds himself, Orlando got a steal and will have one of the biggest frontcourts in the league. But it's still a big if right now.
Leonard (New Haven, CT): Will you take full responsibility for Darko's collapse?
Chad Ford: Sure. I wrote back before the draft that Darko had as much potential as LeBron James and that the Pistons made the right call passing on Carmelo, Bosh and Wade to draft him. Clearly I was wrong. However, contrary to public opinion, I didn't discover Darko (there were already a ton of scouts in Serbia before I arrived), I didn't draft him (Joe D doesn't consult me on his draft choices) and I didn't refuse to play him in Detroit (Larry Brown isn't taking my calls either). I writing about him in glowing terms before the draft led to his collapse, then I'll take the blame.
Alex (LA, CA): Did the Suns ever look at Milic - seems like a good fit into their system, especially with D'Antoni's euro style offense.
Chad Ford: Yes. And he would've been a good fit there. D'Antoni seems to be able to get the best out of everyone. The Mavs, Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Bobcats also made pitches. But none of them offered what Orlando did -- salary cap relief and a future lottery pick. That's what Joe D was looking for. The team I'm surprised didn't make a push for him was the Raptors. They need a center in the worst way (and won't be able to find one in the lottery or in free agency this summer), Toronto has the biggest Serbian population in North America, and Darko would've been a good fit next to Chris Bosh. And they were the one team that could've beat Orlando's offer if they'd have thrown Mike James in the deal.
Jim (Det): Chad, when I saw that the Darko trade went though, my 1st concern was that Detroit was losing their back up point guard. I know Joe D wouldn't make this trade without having a plan to acquire some point guard depth. Who are the Pistons targeting? Who is available?
Chad Ford: He's looking. But I think he did make the trade without a deal already in place for a back-up point. I think they'll try to use Cato's expiring contract to land them a point guard. Brevin Knight is an option. But for those that think Joe D made too big of a risk by letting Arroyo go, I don't think so. If Chauncey Billups goes down in the playoffs, the Pistons are no longer favorites to win the NBA title with Arroyo running the show. If Billups goes out for shorter stints, they've built up a big enough cushion in the East to withstand it.
DH (Atlanta, GA): With the Detroit/Orlando trade now complete, how realistic is the Steve Francis trade to the Knicks? Can Francis & Marbury co-exist in the same backcourt, or is this another dumb trade by Zeke?
Chad Ford: I think it's a real possibility. Is there any other team dumb enough to take Steve Francis off their hands? A deal that sends Francis, Keyon Dooling and DeShawn Stevenson for Penny Hardaway's expiring contract and Jamal Crawford works. I know Orlando is still trying to see if their willing to put up with Crawford's shoot first, ask questions later approach to basketball ... but at least they get some major salary relief and can move on with a nice young core. As for the Knicks, I haven't talked to anyone who thinks it's a good idea to pair Francis and Marbury together in the backcourt. Say it can't get any worse? Yes it can? I can see Francis and Marbury coming to blows at mid-court over who gets to over dribble the ball for the first 20 seconds of the shot clock.
Derek (New Orleans): I'm hearing rumors that marbury might be teaming back up with KG. Is this true and who would be involved if it happened?
Chad Ford: The other possibility is that the Knicks trade for Francis and then turn around and move Marbury in a two or three team deal. The Wolves are desperate enough to do it if the Knicks would take back Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson and Trenton Hassell.
Karl (Denver): Chad, after watching the Nuggets embarrass themselves at home vs. the Suns last night, please tell me that Kiki is and can make some serious moves before the deadline?
Chad Ford: They've been trying. And trying. And trying. But nothing ever seems to work out for Denver they way they hope. Lately, they've been trying to package Kenyon Martin and Earl Watson in a super deal with New York. The problem is that the Nuggets want a two guard and some cap relief. It's a tall order given Martin's contract and shaky knee.
Jee (Seattle): What do you think the Sonics will do before the deadline? I liked the move to get Wilcox, but they obviously have more work to do. Do you think they'd seriously consider moving Rashard Lewis or Ray Allen? If so, what could they get in return? Thanks!
Chad Ford: I like the Wilcox deal for Seattle. Radmanovic wasn't working out and was going to bolt anyway and Wilcox has talent (albeit a reportedly light work ethic). Maybe the trade will wake him up a bit. I think there's a very strong possibility that they move Ray Allen. The team is going nowhere and his salary keeps them from revamping the team in any major way. Rashard Lewis has more trade value because of his age and his reasonable deal, but if I were Seattle, I'd move Allen. I bet the Bulls might be willing to throw Ben Gordon and the expiring contract of Tim Thomas in there for Allen. If the Sonics pulled the trigger, they'd be 10 million under the cap this summer.
Mike (Boston): Come Chad... Danny Ainge has got to be working on something
Chad Ford: Actually, I think he's in Spain with most of the other GMs in the league right now scouting the Kings Cup. I'm just not sure what the Celtics options are. Move Paul Pierce (which Ainge continues to say he doesn't want to do) or ... trade who? Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Kendrick Perkins aren't going anywhere. Wally isn't either. And Raef LaFrentz only gets moved if he's paired with one of the aforementioned players. I just don't know where the Celtics are going with all of this. Hopefull Danny does.
Glenn (Detroit): With the recent failings of Darko and the no show of Fran Vazquez at Orlando do you feel European players value as a whole will drop in the next few drafts?
Chad Ford: Scouts call it the Darko backlash and it's been pretty evident. We only have three international players ranked in the Top 30 of our big board at the moment (the big board rankings are based on what NBA scouts tell me, so it reflects a general feeling in the league). It will be interesting to see how it affects Andrea Bargnani of Italy. He's a great prospect. Another 7 footer with some great skills. However, given the failings of Darko ... who's going to stick their neck out and take him over a more proven college player? It's going to take a lot of guts. He should be an interesting test case.
Jeff (Chicago, IL): If the Bulls get a high lottery pick with the Knicks pick, the sportswriters here have fallen in love with Adam Morrison. Good idea?
Chad Ford: I think the Bulls need either a big two guard or a four that can score in the paint. Neither are really availble in the high lottery, though LaMarcus Aldridge could make some sense for them. Morrison isn't a fit if you believe Luol Deng is going to be good, but lots of scouts sure do love him.
Joe, Detroit: Why did the Pistons settle for a 2007 draft pick. Does Joe D know something we don't. I thought for sure we'd insist on a pick this year.
Chad Ford: Yes. The 2006 draft isn't particularly strong. The Pistons need to use that pick to replace Darko with another young big. Given the protections Orlando wanted on the pick, the Pistons didn't think they'd find a guy they wanted. The 2007 draft is projecting to be much stronger. While there's a risk that Orlando gets better and the pick isn't as good, I think the talent crop will be much higher.
John (Toronto): How can Toronto get a center? Who do you think they should draft if they are in the range 5-10? Thanks
Chad Ford: Hey everyone. Trade deadline is heating up. Darko was finally traded. The Knicks look poised to make 17 deals before the deadline. Let's roll.
Anthony (Chicago): Chad, Nice piece on Darko. Do you think he can become the player that everyone thought he could be in Orlando?
Chad Ford: I honestly don't know. I haven't seen him really play in three years. I'm not sure how that affects a kid's development in the long haul. Does he have the confidence in himself to play through what will likely be a rough stretch the next few months? Will the Magic be patient? Will they let him play through his mistakes and stay positive with him? Darko has all the tools to be a star. He's 7-foot-1, athletic, strong, and is very skilled. But he has to become a basketball player again. The good news is that I think Orlando is the right place for him to try. Small market. Bad team. Nothing to lose. And he's paired up in the frontcourt with a budding superstar, Dwight Howard. If he ever finds himself, Orlando got a steal and will have one of the biggest frontcourts in the league. But it's still a big if right now.
Leonard (New Haven, CT): Will you take full responsibility for Darko's collapse?
Chad Ford: Sure. I wrote back before the draft that Darko had as much potential as LeBron James and that the Pistons made the right call passing on Carmelo, Bosh and Wade to draft him. Clearly I was wrong. However, contrary to public opinion, I didn't discover Darko (there were already a ton of scouts in Serbia before I arrived), I didn't draft him (Joe D doesn't consult me on his draft choices) and I didn't refuse to play him in Detroit (Larry Brown isn't taking my calls either). I writing about him in glowing terms before the draft led to his collapse, then I'll take the blame.
Alex (LA, CA): Did the Suns ever look at Milic - seems like a good fit into their system, especially with D'Antoni's euro style offense.
Chad Ford: Yes. And he would've been a good fit there. D'Antoni seems to be able to get the best out of everyone. The Mavs, Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Bobcats also made pitches. But none of them offered what Orlando did -- salary cap relief and a future lottery pick. That's what Joe D was looking for. The team I'm surprised didn't make a push for him was the Raptors. They need a center in the worst way (and won't be able to find one in the lottery or in free agency this summer), Toronto has the biggest Serbian population in North America, and Darko would've been a good fit next to Chris Bosh. And they were the one team that could've beat Orlando's offer if they'd have thrown Mike James in the deal.
Jim (Det): Chad, when I saw that the Darko trade went though, my 1st concern was that Detroit was losing their back up point guard. I know Joe D wouldn't make this trade without having a plan to acquire some point guard depth. Who are the Pistons targeting? Who is available?
Chad Ford: He's looking. But I think he did make the trade without a deal already in place for a back-up point. I think they'll try to use Cato's expiring contract to land them a point guard. Brevin Knight is an option. But for those that think Joe D made too big of a risk by letting Arroyo go, I don't think so. If Chauncey Billups goes down in the playoffs, the Pistons are no longer favorites to win the NBA title with Arroyo running the show. If Billups goes out for shorter stints, they've built up a big enough cushion in the East to withstand it.
DH (Atlanta, GA): With the Detroit/Orlando trade now complete, how realistic is the Steve Francis trade to the Knicks? Can Francis & Marbury co-exist in the same backcourt, or is this another dumb trade by Zeke?
Chad Ford: I think it's a real possibility. Is there any other team dumb enough to take Steve Francis off their hands? A deal that sends Francis, Keyon Dooling and DeShawn Stevenson for Penny Hardaway's expiring contract and Jamal Crawford works. I know Orlando is still trying to see if their willing to put up with Crawford's shoot first, ask questions later approach to basketball ... but at least they get some major salary relief and can move on with a nice young core. As for the Knicks, I haven't talked to anyone who thinks it's a good idea to pair Francis and Marbury together in the backcourt. Say it can't get any worse? Yes it can? I can see Francis and Marbury coming to blows at mid-court over who gets to over dribble the ball for the first 20 seconds of the shot clock.
Derek (New Orleans): I'm hearing rumors that marbury might be teaming back up with KG. Is this true and who would be involved if it happened?
Chad Ford: The other possibility is that the Knicks trade for Francis and then turn around and move Marbury in a two or three team deal. The Wolves are desperate enough to do it if the Knicks would take back Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson and Trenton Hassell.
Karl (Denver): Chad, after watching the Nuggets embarrass themselves at home vs. the Suns last night, please tell me that Kiki is and can make some serious moves before the deadline?
Chad Ford: They've been trying. And trying. And trying. But nothing ever seems to work out for Denver they way they hope. Lately, they've been trying to package Kenyon Martin and Earl Watson in a super deal with New York. The problem is that the Nuggets want a two guard and some cap relief. It's a tall order given Martin's contract and shaky knee.
Jee (Seattle): What do you think the Sonics will do before the deadline? I liked the move to get Wilcox, but they obviously have more work to do. Do you think they'd seriously consider moving Rashard Lewis or Ray Allen? If so, what could they get in return? Thanks!
Chad Ford: I like the Wilcox deal for Seattle. Radmanovic wasn't working out and was going to bolt anyway and Wilcox has talent (albeit a reportedly light work ethic). Maybe the trade will wake him up a bit. I think there's a very strong possibility that they move Ray Allen. The team is going nowhere and his salary keeps them from revamping the team in any major way. Rashard Lewis has more trade value because of his age and his reasonable deal, but if I were Seattle, I'd move Allen. I bet the Bulls might be willing to throw Ben Gordon and the expiring contract of Tim Thomas in there for Allen. If the Sonics pulled the trigger, they'd be 10 million under the cap this summer.
Mike (Boston): Come Chad... Danny Ainge has got to be working on something
Chad Ford: Actually, I think he's in Spain with most of the other GMs in the league right now scouting the Kings Cup. I'm just not sure what the Celtics options are. Move Paul Pierce (which Ainge continues to say he doesn't want to do) or ... trade who? Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Kendrick Perkins aren't going anywhere. Wally isn't either. And Raef LaFrentz only gets moved if he's paired with one of the aforementioned players. I just don't know where the Celtics are going with all of this. Hopefull Danny does.
Glenn (Detroit): With the recent failings of Darko and the no show of Fran Vazquez at Orlando do you feel European players value as a whole will drop in the next few drafts?
Chad Ford: Scouts call it the Darko backlash and it's been pretty evident. We only have three international players ranked in the Top 30 of our big board at the moment (the big board rankings are based on what NBA scouts tell me, so it reflects a general feeling in the league). It will be interesting to see how it affects Andrea Bargnani of Italy. He's a great prospect. Another 7 footer with some great skills. However, given the failings of Darko ... who's going to stick their neck out and take him over a more proven college player? It's going to take a lot of guts. He should be an interesting test case.
Jeff (Chicago, IL): If the Bulls get a high lottery pick with the Knicks pick, the sportswriters here have fallen in love with Adam Morrison. Good idea?
Chad Ford: I think the Bulls need either a big two guard or a four that can score in the paint. Neither are really availble in the high lottery, though LaMarcus Aldridge could make some sense for them. Morrison isn't a fit if you believe Luol Deng is going to be good, but lots of scouts sure do love him.
Joe, Detroit: Why did the Pistons settle for a 2007 draft pick. Does Joe D know something we don't. I thought for sure we'd insist on a pick this year.
Chad Ford: Yes. The 2006 draft isn't particularly strong. The Pistons need to use that pick to replace Darko with another young big. Given the protections Orlando wanted on the pick, the Pistons didn't think they'd find a guy they wanted. The 2007 draft is projecting to be much stronger. While there's a risk that Orlando gets better and the pick isn't as good, I think the talent crop will be much higher.
John (Toronto): How can Toronto get a center? Who do you think they should draft if they are in the range 5-10? Thanks
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Chad Ford: This is a terrible draft for centers. Tiago Splitter may be the best of the group, but he has a huge NBA buyout and likely won't come to the NBA for another 2 years. Paul Davis of Michigan is OK, but his rebounding numbers are sliding again. Everyone else is a major project, though some like UConn's Hilton Armstrong and Bradley's Patrick O'Bryant.
