Community Shootaround Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/17/15

December 17th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

A report made by Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops this week relayed that Dwight Howard is “extremely unhappy” being a secondary option to James Harden on the Rockets. Though Howard refuted the report, this is not the first time rumblings of discontent have surfaced regarding the pair, with Fran Blinebury of NBA.com relaying that members of each player’s camp went into the 2014 offseason “whispering” about their desire to get rid of the other.

Houston entered the 2015/16 season with its eyes firmly set on contending for a title, but the team hasn’t meshed, and that cost Kevin McHale his job as coach. There’s no denying that both Harden and Howard are extremely talented players, but neither has the reputation of making their teammates around them better, which is likely part of the Rockets’ woes this campaign. Howard can opt out of his deal at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent, while Harden still has two more seasons remaining on his pact beyond this one.

This brings me to the topic for today: Can James Harden and Dwight Howard form an effective tandem for the long term, or should the Rockets consider dealing one or both players?

Do you think Houston should continue to build around the duo, or is it time to tear down the roster and begin anew? If you believe that keeping the two players together is not the answer, which one should the franchise look to retain? Who do you believe is more to blame for the discord? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/16/15

December 16th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Heat have made a significant investment in combo guard Goran Dragic. First by giving up two future first-round picks to acquire him from the Suns, then by re-signing him to a five-year, $85MM contract as a free agent this past summer. Things haven’t quite worked out as Miami envisioned when it decided to pair Dragic alongside Dwyane Wade in the backcourt, and the team hasn’t found much consistency this season despite the strong play it is receiving from Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside. Dragic has looked remarkably tentative on the court, and the Heat’s offense has run more smoothly when Wade and Dragic haven’t shared the floor.

This brings me to the topic for today: Can the backcourt of Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic flourish, or will Miami need to make a change?

Do you think the duo are merely experiencing a temporary downturn and will pick up their play as the season progresses, or are the two players’ games not a good match? If you believe a change needs to be made, then let’s hear your best solutions to the problem. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/15/15

December 15th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Lakers coach Byron Scott plans on continuing his strategy of limiting the minutes of the team’s younger players despite the team’s poor record, according to Robert Morales of the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Scott’s philosophy has not been met with unanimous enthusiasm by fans of the team, nor the front office, which acknowledged the conflict between Kobe Bryant’s high usage and the need for young players like D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle to see minutes and touches. Morales also noted that part of the team’s plan is to use Bryant as an example of the sort of work ethic they want their young players to adopt.

This brings me to today’s topic: What is your opinion of Byron Scott’s player usage thus far this season?

The argument could be made that Scott is paid to win basketball games, and since part of his job security is tied to his won-loss record, he should play who he believes gives him the best chance to win. Plus, with Bryant in his last season, should the team not try and milk the farewell tour for all that it’s worth? After all, he is making $25MM for the season, so Los Angeles may as well let him work for it. Of course, the other side of the debate is that the franchise needs to do all it can to develop its young assets. This will not only help in identifying areas that need to be addressed via the draft and free agency. Plus, I’m sure many Lakers fans would rather see Russell and Randle on the court as much as possible, warts and all.

Which side of the fence do you sit on? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts, opinions or rants against whomever in the Lakers organization you wish. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/14/15

December 14th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Will Joseph

Judging from statistics alone, Kings point guard Rajon Rondo has put himself in line for a major pay day this summer when he becomes a free agent again. Yet throughout his career, there has always been more to Rondo’s story than his unquestionable talent.

Rondo has often been labeled a polarizing figure for his locker room demeanor and questionable decisions off the court. The latest example of this actually happened on the court. Rondo fired a homophobic slur he directed at referee Bill Kennedy during a game on December 3rd. Rondo is paying for his mistake now from the media and fans. He was also suspended by the league for one game.

The poor choice of words could end up costing Rondo more than that. As Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic pointed out earlier today (Twitter link), it wasn’t exactly the best thing to do for a player set for free agency.

That leads us to today’s question: What effect will Rondo’s latest transgression have on his free agency?

Being mindful of our commenting policy, let us know in the comments section below what you think. We look forward to learning about what you have to share.

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Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/13/15

December 13th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Will Joseph

Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal has said in the past he has no desire to play for any other team as he approaches restricted free agency next summer, even after Washington didn’t sign him to an extension. Yet now Beal is sidelined once again with another leg injury.

The prevailing thought is that Beal will still re-sign with the Wizards in the offseason. After all, the first-round pick in 2012 is still only 22 and is averaging 19.8 points per game this season. But what will be the cost? The Wizards might be able to bring back Beal at a lower rate because of his history of battling injuries. Beal will likely see a minutes restriction when he initially returns to the court, but what happens if Beal’s injury lingers the rest of the season, though? It appeared Beal was in line to receive a max offer at the start of this season, but that might be in jeopardy now.

That leads us to the question for today: What effect will Bradley Beal’s injury history have on his restricted free agency in the summer?

Being mindful of our commenting policy, let us know in the comments section below what you think. We look forward to learning about what you have to share.

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Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/12/15

December 12th, 2015 at 11:09pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Sixers are reportedly talking to former NBA coach Mike D’Antoni about becoming an associate head coach. D’Antoni has a long relationship with Jerry Colangelo, who joined Philadelphia’s front office this week. With Colangelo and D’Antoni working together both in Phoenix and with USA Basketball, this is an early sign that Colangelo is exerting his newly acquired influence.

D’Antoni has been a head coach with the Nuggets, Suns, Knicks and Lakers, but he doesn’t seem to be a threat to current head coach Brett Brown, who agreed to a two-year contract extension on Friday. Brown is now signed through the end of 2018/19 season, and the front office has expressed support for him despite a 38-149 record since taking over the job before the start of the 2013/14 season.

The Sixers talk often about “trusting the process,” but there are indications that fans, players and even the league is becoming frustrated with the team’s non-competitiveness. The presence of Colangelo in the front office and D’Antoni on the bench would be signs that patience with the process is wearing thin in some circles.

So here’s the topic for today’s Shootaround: Are the Sixers in danger of having too many competing voices, both in the front office and on the bench?

Will Colangelo take too much of the decision making away from GM Sam Hinkie? And would D’Antoni be an experienced complement to Brown or would he give Sixers players the sensation of having two head coaches?

Please share your thoughts and opinions on the subject in the comments section. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/11/15

December 11th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

A report made yesterday by Michael Scotto of SheridanHoops relayed that the Clippers are gauging the interest that other teams have in trading for Jamal Crawford once again. Crawford had been the frequent subject of trade rumors in the offseason, when reports indicated the team explored trading him around draft time and that the Knicks, Heat and Cavs had interest. Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports suggested this week that the Clippers remained open to dealing the 35-year-old shooting guard amid a report that the team recently gauged interest in Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith.

Clippers coach/executive Doc Rivers denied on multiple occasions in the past few days that he’s spoken to anyone about Stephenson and Smith, and he said in September that he’d be “very surprised” if Crawford doesn’t remain with the team through the rest of the season. Any trade talk the Clippers are engaging in at this point is exploratory, a source told Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Crawford is in the final year of his contract, which pays him $5.675MM. It’s unclear if Miami, Cleveland or New York maintains interest in the veteran.

So here’s the topic for today: Should the Clippers look to trade Jamal Crawford, or is he too valuable a commodity to part with?

Do you believe L.A. would be better served to deal Crawford and try to extract some value from his expiring deal? If so, what sort of return can the team realistically expect? If not, why do you believe Crawford should remain a Clipper? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/10/15

December 10th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The NBA announced on Wednesday that Hornets center Al Jefferson was suspended for five games without pay for a violation of its anti-drug program. He’ll serve the suspension once he returns from the strained left calf that’s kept him out since the end of last month, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer. Jefferson, a Jeff Schwartz client, is poised to hit free agency in the summer, so the timing of the suspension certainly isn’t ideal for the big man. The 30-year-old is earning $13.5MM this season in the final year of the three-year, $40.5MM contract he signed with Charlotte back in 2013.

This brings me to the topic for today: What impact, if any, do you think Al Jefferson’s drug-related suspension will have on his upcoming free agency?

Do you believe that Jefferson’s wallet will take a hit when he inks his next deal, or are you of the opinion that teams will overlook the suspension because of Jefferson’s talent level? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/9/15

December 9th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

A number of teams have inquired about acquiring swingman Shabazz Muhammad from the Timberwolves, according to a report made by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The Nets and the Lakers are fond of Muhammad, according to a report by Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, though both reporters heard from sources who informed them that Minnesota, despite having depth at Muhammad’s position, is unwilling to trade the 23-year-old.

Muhammad’s NBA career didn’t begin to take off until his second season, when he averaged 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game, though it should be noted that was over just 38 appearances, including 13 starts. He’s appeared in all 20 contests for the Wolves thus far this season, averaging 8.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per night. The 23-year-old is under contract through the 2016/17 campaign after the team exercised his fourth year option in October.

This brings me to the topic for today: Should Minnesota look to trade Shabazz Muhammad, or is he a player whom the team should retain and continue to develop?

The Wolves currently have ample depth at the wing, and despite Muhammad’s level of talent, he’s stuck behind Andrew Wiggins, Tayshaun Prince, and Zach LaVine on Minnesota’s depth chart. Would it be wise for the team to deal him away if it could obtain a useful rotation piece, or would the Wolves be foolish to trade away an up-and-coming young player who is still on his rookie scale contract? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 12/08/15

December 8th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

There have been conflicting reports regarding the job security of Nets head coach Lionel Hollins, whose squad is off to a 5-15 start to the 2015/16 campaign. This is not the first time the coach has been rumored to be on the hot seat in Brooklyn, with conflicting reports also surfacing back in January about Hollins’ job security, mere months after he took over the team, though GM Billy King at the time said Hollins was safe and that he liked his demanding approach. Brooklyn signed Hollins in the summer of 2014 to a four-year deal that reportedly could be worth as much as $20MM if the Nets pick up their team option on the final year.

Despite the team’s denials that Hollins may be on the chopping block, it would hardly be the first time that a coach was dismissed after receiving an endorsement indicating his job was secure. Hollins, who was let go by the Grizzlies back in 2013 after a 56-win campaign that resulted in a trip to the Western Conference Finals, said, “The seat is always hot. It was hot when I sat in it for the first time.” Brooklyn is no stranger to coaching turnover, having had four different head coaches since the start of the 2012/13 season.

This brings me to today’s topic: Should Lionel Hollins be held accountable for the state of the Nets?

There’s no denying that the Nets are a bad squad this season, and the coach is usually the first one to take the hit when his team doesn’t perform well. But Hollins isn’t responsible for the Nets’ personnel moves, including the ill-fated trade to sacrifice a plethora of draft picks to the Celtics in exchange for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry, which was an epic failure on virtually every level for the franchise.

But what say you? Is Hollins’ coaching style and system the problem in Brooklyn, and would a change benefit the club at this juncture of the season? Or should the franchise look to lay blame elsewhere and retain the veteran coach? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.