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:
With only a second round pick in this year’s draft [52nd] and Bojan Bogdanovic as a free agent, who should the Wizards target in free agency/trade to help improve their bench? — Nick Elliston
The bench was an enormous issue for Washington in the playoffs, but with little cap room and just one draft pick, it might be even worse next year. The Wizards have more than $94MM committed for next season without figuring in Bogdanovic or Otto Porter, who appears headed for an extension. They traded their first-rounder to Brooklyn for Bogdanovic, who will want a long-term deal worth significantly more than the $3.73MM he made this season. Point guards Trey Burke and Brandon Jennings are both free agents, with Burke seeming certain to leave and Jennings expected to get much better offers than the $1.2MM he took home this year. Washington will be shopping for bargains on the free agent market and hoping for luck in the draft, which is no way to rebuild a bench. They might be able change the equation by finding a taker for center Marcin Gortat, who will make $12.78MM next season is unhappy with the organization once again.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens has said the Cavaliers have the “perfect roster” around LeBron James. Do you believe that’s true? — CavsFan, via Twitter
Theoretically, the perfect roster would include 11 other guys with LeBron’s skillset, but this might be the best group of teammates he has ever had. There’s plenty of shooting to space the floor for his drives to the baskets, and everyone seems to be comfortable in a complementary role. GM David Griffin has done a remarkable job of assembling players who fit well alongside LeBron, and the Cavs would be in an even better position to defend their title if Andrew Bogut hadn’t suffered a season-ending injury in his first game after joining the team. If Griffin winds up in Orlando or Atlanta, it will be interesting to see how well he can build a team without a superstar like LeBron as the foundation.
Which of the Spurs’ veterans will be back with the team next season? — Grant Lawson
Start with Pau Gasol, who will turn 37 in July. He has a player option worth nearly $16.2MM for next season and announced back in January that he plans to opt in. Gasol has found a good situation in San Antonio and would probably be open to a new deal next summer. Tony Parker has one season left on his contract, but could miss training camp and the start of the season while recovering from a ruptured quadriceps tendon. Manu Ginobili has considered retirement over the past two offseasons. He has been effective in the playoffs, but will turn 40 this in July. It could be another late-summer decision. David Lee turned 34 in April and has a $1.6MM option for next season. Assuming he recovers from what appears to be a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, he should be back for another year. Joel Anthony will be 35 in August and is playing for the veteran’s minimum. The Spurs will look for better options at backup center.
I felt that about cleveland before the season, that this is the best roster they ever had and a perfect build around Lebron, but the injuries and moves they made changed my tone. I think what we’ve seen during these playoffs is more of a product of LeBron James himself, as well as injuries to other teams, and certain circumstances of who actually made it, more than a reflection of the great roster fit
I could see the Spurs ending up with Dwyane Wade or Derrick Rose next year, or possibly George Hill coming back, or even kyle lowry. Should be interesting to see what Ginobli ultimately decides. Pau will definitely be back at that salary.