In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:
Are the Cavs looking to make a trade this season to enhance their championship run? — Thea
HR: Barring an injury, I really don’t think acquiring more new players would help the Cavs. In fact, I think that would be counter-productive. For the first time all season, the Cavs are actually healthy. With a roster already dotted with talent, the depth chart will likely soon be in a state of flux with coach David Blatt mixing and matching until he finds something that he thinks works. We haven’t heard or read from anywhere else that the Cavs are intent on making a move. What’s more, now at full strength, there really is not an area of weakness that needs to be addressed. Making a trade at this point would delay what’s most important for the Cavs heading into what projects to be a deep playoff run: time to gel.
Since it seems the Bucks will stay put and they looked to be the most likely to relocate, who are the logical candidates now or is it as simple as the league just stalling until they decide to expand? — Joe
HR: This is just my speculation (based on conversations from reporters and lower-level executives in the league last season), but I think there is a stronger chance of the league expanding than there is of a team relocating, like you hint at. I think you’re right about the Bucks. They seemed to be on thin ice for a while, but it looks like they’ve sorted things out. To digress momentarily, I would not have been surprised to see the Pelicans relocate had it not been for Anthony Davis. To get back to your question: Commissioner Adam Silver said in April that relocation or expansion is unlikely for at least the next two years. Again, this is solely my opinion, but one would have to think that Seattle would be in line as a city that can generate the revenue needed once the league does decide to expand again.
Why won’t the Knicks just add Jimmer Fredette? — Allie
HR: Well, you can’t really blame any team for not jumping to add Fredette based on the minimal success he has experienced so far in the league. Sorry; I know he is a fan favorite for many. For whatever the reason, though, his game has not translated well to the NBA. Fredette is currently playing for the Knicks’ D-League affiliate in Westchester. But if you’re a Knicks fan, shouldn’t you be wanting more? They’ve checked in on Brandon Jennings, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com and are reportedly interested in Tony Wroten. Both would be better options for a team with backcourt issues.