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:
What do you make of the Bucks right now? They’re clearly a lottery team, but seemingly with a lot of individual talent. What’s your sense for how they’ll approach the trade deadline? — Daren
HR: The Bucks are one of the most interesting teams in the league. Note: That’s not necessarily a good thing. The team is built to compete now, but Milwaukee is 15-23. Before getting into the trade deadline, it’s worth pointing out that the Bucks have reportedly met twice with free agent Carlos Boozer. The Bucks are without much roster flexibility, since they have 15 fully guaranteed contracts, though they have a $1.664MM sliver of the mid-level exception left over if Boozer, a 13-year veteran, demands more than the minimum salary, which for him would be $1,499,187, as our own Chuck Myron pointed out. With or without Boozer, the Bucks would still have issues. As you pointed out, they have individual talent, but rank as a poor defensive team that needs to score more. Meeting with Boozer signals that the Bucks will likely not be sellers at the deadline. After signing Greg Monroe to a lucrative deal over the summer, I’d look for them to make a minor deal or two with an eye toward next season.
Would the Mavs consider going after Joakim Noah from the Bulls or go get combo guards like Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin from the Wolves. Which is most likely to happen? — Daniel
HR: Actually, I think the position to keep an eye on regarding the Mavs heading into the trade deadline frenzy is small forward. Chandler Parsons is still rounding into form and there is not much, if any, depth behind him at the position. I could see the Mavs landing Noah because Mark Cuban has reeled in veterans as complementary pieces in the past and it usually has worked. Noah would add some defense and depth in the middle. With four point guards on the roster, I’d be surprised if the Mavs didn’t move at least one of them, even if that is Deron Williams.