We have an 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:
I keep reading about a Carmelo Anthony to Cavs trade. If the Cavs won’t give up Kevin Love, I don’t see what they have that would interest the Knicks because they can’t trade a #1 for a long time. Am I missing something? — Michael Hecht
Cleveland won’t trade LeBron James or Kyrie Irving, so if they want to deal for Anthony, Love is the only player who gives the Knicks a worthwhile return — unless a third team gets involved. Cleveland could try to match salaries by offering Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye and a couple of others, but Shumpert and Frye have already been Knicks and they don’t offer enough value for Anthony. It’s the same problem with a rumored Clippers deal involving Austin Rivers and Jamal Crawford. Unless Phil Jackson can get a player to build the future around, he’s better off waiting to deal Anthony.
What will Danny Ainge do with another point guard if [when] the Celtics get the first pick in the draft? — William D. Baskind
Boston has the option to swap picks with Brooklyn, and the Nets are pulling away with the top spot in our reverse standings. The Celtics would still have win the lottery to get the top pick, but this year’s draft is heavy in point guards, with Washington’s Markelle Fultz and UCLA’s Lonzo Ball projected as the top two selections. It’s a dilemma for Boston, as Isaiah Thomas is playing at an MVP level. The Celtics may seek to trade the pick or they could take Fultz and try to convert him into a shooting guard.
We can all agree that the Thunder need another playmaker now that Enes Kanter is out. Can you name three players that are possible targets at the trade deadline? — Casey Becker
Oklahoma City was reportedly “intrigued” about chasing Anthony, but that seems like a remote possibility. Kanter will be missed after breaking his forearm, but with a four- to eight-week recovery time he should be ready for the playoffs. The need that the Thunder might try to address before the deadline is 3-point shooting, where they are one of the league’s worst teams. Someone like Nick Young could be possible if the Lakers decide to cut salary and commit further to their young core. If they’re looking strictly at playmakers, three names to watch are Sacramento’s Darren Collison, Dallas’ Deron Williams and Orlando’s Elfrid Payton.
Melo is highly overrated if anyone thinks a Melo for Love deal would be fair. Melo old and slow and love having the best year of his career as the best PF in the east.