Chad Ford Chat from ESPN

[Scott]

Chat wrap: Chad Ford

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Welcome to ESPN.com's moderated chat room. On Tuesday, ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford dropped by to take NBA Draft questions following the release of his latest Mock Draft.

If you missed the June 25 chat, the full transcript follows:

For a list of upcoming ESPN.com chat guests, visit the Community section.

Chad Ford: I'm in the house . . . let's roll.

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Zippy: Rumor has it Washington would trade its two 2nd rounders to Detroit for the 23rd pick. What exactly could the Wiz get at 23 that they couldn't get in the early 2nd?

Chad Ford: They're looking for a point guard. It's a bit high, at No. 11 to take one there, though they are considering Dan Dickau and Jiri Welsch. I think it's more likely that they'll trade Courtney Alexander to the Hornets for the No. 17 pick. They'll use 17 for either Dickau, Welsch or Bostjan Nachbar, whichever is on the board.

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Jeff, Evergreen, CO: Who do you see the Nuggets taking at no. 5? It seems like they can really control the draft with whom they take.

Chad Ford: Just got off the phone with Denver. They still aren't sure. They said there isn't a lot of consensus among the staff. Some like Nikoloz Tskitishvili, others like Dajuan Wagner and still others think Caron Butler is the guy. My guess is they go with Tskitishvili at No. 5. They understand they need to rebuild and he's got the most upside.

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Jr (Los Angeles): What are your thoughts on Andre Miller being traded to the Clippers. Is Cleveland sabotaging themselves for the LeBron James sweepstakes next year? And if the Clippers do get Miller, will the "old school" point guard fit with the Clippers style of play?

Chad Ford: I think the Cavs know they need an infusion of youth. A trade with the Clippers for either Corey Maggette or Keyon Dooling and the No. 8 and No. 12 along with their own No. 6 pick would give that to them. It would also put them in a great position for LeBron. The Cavs won't try to tank it next season, but wouldn't you at least make an effort to get him? He's that good.

Chad Ford: As for the Clipps -- they need a guy who can actually call the shots on the court. As far as young point guards go, there's none better than Miller. I think he's a great fit. He'd average 14 assists per game in L.A.

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Brian (Vero Beach, FL): I have not seen a consistent thing said about the Spurs pick this year. I have seen atleast 7 or 8 different names mentioned to be taken at that spot. What is the latest news on that pick? Who do you see them taking?

Chad Ford: They want Nenad Kristic, the big center from Yugoslavia. He may not be there when they draft at No. 26, but that's who they want.

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vic (Dallas): What's going on with Yao and the Rockets? What happens if something this whole thing doesn't fall through- do the rockets trade the pick?

Chad Ford: That's everyone's worst nightmare. The deal is not done with Houston. It's close, but it's not done. If they suddenly get cold feet for Yao, they either draft Jay Williams and trade him -- screwing the Bulls. Or they draft Mike Dunleavy and put the pressure on someone else to take Yao. My guess is he would slip to No. 4 to Memphis. Jerry West just has that kind of luck.

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Cal in Madison: Are the Bucks going to shake-up the big 3? Do you see them making a small move, or perhaps pulling a hug blockbuster trade?

Chad Ford: They're talking to folks and using the Big Dog as bait. I don't think anything will come of their talks with Cleveland (Big Dog, Anthony Mason and the No. 13 for Tyrone Hill, Lamond Murray and the No. 6). Cleveland is going in a different direction. I don't think they have much interest in Latrell Sprewell either. What they need is a dominant power forward. Small forwards that don't play defense normally won't get you that.

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Ronald, NY: What are the Lakers planning to do during this draft? will they trade up?

Chad Ford: They're trying. They don't have much to offer. Basically any deal has to include either Rick Fox or Robert Horry. Their best hope is for Qyntel Woods (who they secretly worked out) to fall to No. 14. Indiana would be interested in Horry if L.A. would take Austin Croshere off their hands.

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Frederick Weiss (France): Is there a chance someone in this draft will be a bigger bust than me?

Chad Ford: Nope.

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Joe, Cleveland: Is it true that the Clips have offered the 8, 12, and maggette for Andre Miller ? I also heard the 8,12, and Miles for Miller and the 6th. Is ESPN Insider wrong ?

Chad Ford: Insider is never wrong. I've heard both scenarios. I've also heard Keyon Dooling instead of Maggette. The teams are still talking, so names change. Don't expect the Clipps to give up on Miles so fast though.

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Brian(Detroit): Do you think that Casey Jacobsen will get drafted in the first round and by whom?

Chad Ford: The NBA thinks so. They invited him to come to the draft. He got a promise somewhere. Either Indiana at No. 14, New Orleans at No. 17, Utah at No. 19 or New Jersey at No. 24 are the best guesses.

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Jason (Portland): We've been swamped with Blazer's rumors up here in Portland. Is there anything actually going on?

Chad Ford: They're still trying to get into the lottery to get a shot at Amare Stoudemire. They've already targeted the Clipps and Suns and now seem to be working with Miami. No one is overwhelmed with their offer of Zach Randolph and the No. 21.

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Kyle (Toronto): Is there any chance that the Raptors will trade up to get Wagner or Butler, or get Dixon instead of Dickau??? And Frederick Weiss at least you got your fame by by being jumped and dunked over by VC.

Chad Ford: They really like Dickau. It's possible they could work something out with Indiana at No. 14 or Houston at No. 15. Both teams wouldn't mind moving down. If neither Dickau nor Jiri Welsch are on the board at No. 20, they may trade out.

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Sim, New York City: If Knicks GM Scott Layden makes another horrible pick are his days in New York numbered?

Chad Ford: The Knicks are in a tough spot. The need size, but the most talented players left on the board at No. 7 will likely be Caron Butler and Dajuan Wagner. Still, if Chris Wilcox is on the board, they'll jump. If he's gone, don't be shocked if they take Nene Hilario. He's got the size and athleticism they've craved. As for Layden, he can't last forever. He needs to hit a homerun.

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Joe D: Any truth to the rumors of Vin Baker and Shammond Williams to NY for Kurt Thomas and one of our overpaid scrub point guards?

Chad Ford: That one's been around for two years. The Sonics would love to do it, but if Scott Layden tried it . . . he'll be selling oranges from a street corner next year.

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Khoee: Have the Warriors obtained the #16 pick from Philly, and if so whom will the draft?

Chad Ford: It depends on who you ask. The Sixers have went from "No" to "Undecided". The Warriors are still saying it's a done deal. The conventional wisdom is that they'll take Dan Dickau. But don't count out Jiri Welsch. They watched him this weekend and were impressed. If he's on the board at No. 16, he may be too good to pass up.

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Jeff (Kingstowne, VA): OK... Lets play a little word association... Woods Nachbar Wagner Dickau Jeffries

Chad Ford: Woods=A WalMart McGrady; Nachbar=Mike Miller with an accent; Wagner=Allen Iverson with a few less answers; Dickau=John Stockton on a bad hair day; Jeffries=Tim Thomas on dexitrim

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David (Mexico): Are the Magic really looking to trade Miller and if so, who are they talking to and who are they looking to get?

Chad Ford: They need bigs and a point guard in the worst way. Miller has value, so yeah, he's on QVC. They've offered him to Memphis for the No. 4 and Denver to the No. 5. Cleveland could probably get Miller and Darrell Armstrong for Miller if they're interested.

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Mark (Salt Lake City): What do you see the Jazz doing with the 19th pick? I would like to see them draft Carlos Boozer or a foreigner. What are you hearing? Thanks

Chad Ford: If someone like Jiri Welsch or Bostjan Nachbar falls, they'll go foreign. Otherwise it's between Boozer, Marcus Haislip, Casey Jacobsen and Jason Jennings.

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JP (Cedar Rapids): Any chance the Bulls package one or two of their young players (i.e. Fizer, Crawford, ERob) for an addition 1st or perhaps even a shooter like Wally or Mike Miller??

Chad Ford: Fizer has been on the block since the day he was drafted and Crawford is probably expendable if they stick to drafting Jay Williams. They'd love a shooter like Wally or Miller. Don't count out a Crawford-Fizer for Wally deal. Minnesota is really desperate for a point guard now that Chauncey Billups opted out of his contract.

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Sean (Titusville): Who do the King look to choose with there pick? Also will Bibby stay in Sacramento? Thanks and keep up the good work!!

Chad Ford: They are facing the luxury tax crunch. They will re-sign Bibby, but it will likely mean they need to trade one of their starters. Look for Doug Christie to be the primary target. As for the draft? They'll probably go international with someone like Nenad Kristic (if he's still on the board) or David Andersen. Another possibility is Darius Songaila.

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Jay(Milwaukee): Are the Mavs trying to make any deals in this draft, or are they planning on waiting until July 16th to start wheeling and dealing?

Chad Ford: You can pretty much bank on the Mavs being players. They've quietly shown some interest in Nene Hilario. But to get a deal done they'll have to part with one of their core players. Mark Cuban says the team won't do it. Given all of the other smokescreens Dallas has put out there in the past, do you believe him? I don't.

Chad Ford: Just heard that the Wizards traded Courtney Alexander to the Hornets for the No. 17

Chad Ford: Expect the Wizards to take either Jiri Welsch or Bostjan Nachbar with the No. 17 or they'll move it to Denver in return for James Posey.

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Brian (Philly): Do you think the Sixers will look to trade Mutumbo or Coleman to move up?

Chad Ford: I'm not sure that the draft is their priority. They want to add more athleticism and shooting, but they want to win now. Look for them to move these guys or even Eric Snow if they could land a player like Lamar Odom or Bonzi Wells

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Bob: Have you heard anything about Atlanta moving up, they need a point guard in the worst way

Chad Ford: They're trying. One of the picks they targeted was the No. 17. They really like Dan Dickau, but have to figure out where he'll land before they pull off a trade.

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rocco(brew-town): who and what are the miami heat trying to get

Chad Ford: I think they'd love to get their hands on Nene Hilario and Caron Butler. But Jared Jeffries or Qyntel Woods are the two most realistic targets at No. 10

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Zac (oakland): Shouldn't the warriors trade the #3 to Memphis for Lorenzen Wright and the #4, and then choose Caron Butler?

Chad Ford: It make some sense. No one is sure exactly what Jerry West will do. Some say Gooden, some say Tskitishvili, some say Jeffries. There's no doubt he loves Dunleavy. If Wright can help the Warriors, it would make sense.

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adam: who do you see winning rookie of the year this year, and who do you see becoming the first all star?

Chad Ford: ROY: Jay Williams; ALL ROOKIE TEAM: Williams, Caron Butler, Dajuan Wagner, Bostjan Nachbar, Emmanuel Ginobili

Chad Ford: Gotta run folks! My phone has been ringing off the hook the last hour! Make sure you give ESPN NBA Insider a try. You get 30 days free and a boatload of great inside information on the NBA! Here's the link: http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/archive?sport=nba

[MoonKnight]

Are the Hornets actually going to trade Baron Davis? Alexander probably expects to start and I imagine the bugs would not have made this deal to have Alexander off the pine. Wesley could return to the 1 to allow Alexander to play the 2. I was completely wrong about Davis. After the rookie draft camp at life college I though davis was going to be a bust. He has proved me wrong and is one of the better points in the league. Maybe they don't think Mashburn will return and Alexander will play the 3. If B. Davis is going out of the central our division just got a little easier. Thoughts?

[KB21]

I think Wesley will probably move to the bench. He creates too many mismatches defensively against the Hornets for them to keep that up.

If Alexander fulfills his potential, then the Hornets may be a very dangerous team next year.

[MoonKnight]

If the rumors are true that Davis desires to return to the West coast and will not resign with the Bugs, then he could be on the market and Wesley return to the 1 spot to allow Alexander to move to the 2. I seem to recall that Alexander was somewhat of a malcontent over his lack of playing time though I could be wrong. The Baron Davis trade talk could just be draft time gossip and your assessment correct. I wonder how Wesley would respond to playing off the pine.

[Guest]

Yeah, you are right about the line-up changing...

The line-up will include Baron Davis, Wesley, Alexander, Nailon, Campbell...

Mash is being traded to the Hawks.