Community Shootaround

As a part of out ongoing series “The Beat” we spoke with Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun regarding a number of Raptors-related topics. One such topic was whether or not small forward DeMarre Carroll would justify the four-year, $58MM contract he inked with Toronto this offseason. Wolstat’s response to our question was:

“Considering how insane the money is getting in the NBA, the Carroll deal seems pretty fine to me. His track record isn’t as long as you’d like, but he’s been a very good player for a while now, and was by far Atlanta’s best performer in the playoffs, and that was a very good team. He’s a perfect fit both on and off the floor. He gives Toronto badly-needed size at small forward, another outside threat in the starting lineup and above-average defense and a willingness to compete against any of the NBA’s top swingmen. He also is a leader with an infectious style of play. His relentlessness, similar to how Lowry plays, already seems to be rubbing off.The Raptors would love to see the postseason version of Carroll every night, but if the regular season guy shows up, that will be fine.”

This brings me to the topic/question of the day: What sort of production will the Raptors need from DeMarre Carroll to justify his new contract?

Do you agree with Wolstat, and believe that Carroll’s stat line of 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest coupled with his excellent perimeter defense would justify the Raptors’ investment in him? If not, what numbers would the 29-year-old need to put up to satisfy you? What averages do you think Carroll will actually end the 2015/16 campaign with, keeping in mind he’ll be learning a new set of teammates and system in Toronto?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

The Thunder and shooting guard Dion Waiters have had discussions regarding a contract extension, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The two sides have until November 2nd to come to an agreement or Waiters would be eligible to become a restricted free agent after the 2015/16 campaign, which is just in time for the anticipated jump in the salary cap. For his part, Waiters has been enthusiastic about working toward a new deal with the Thunder, as Wojnarowski’s report noted, and he is eager to compete on a contender as well as comfortable with his growth in a strong atmosphere for player development like Oklahoma City provides.

Oklahoma City already has $59,056,672 in guaranteed salary on the books for 2016/17, and that figure doesn’t include Kevin Durant, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent come the end of this campaign. Any dealings by the franchise this season will certainly need to be conducted with Durant’s pending free agency in mind, which could potentially hinder the two sides in reaching an accord by the league’s deadline. For what it’s worth, Durant believes Waiters will remain in OKC for the long term, telling Royce Young of ESPN.com, “He feels like he belongs here. He’s not going anywhere.”

This brings me to the question/topic for today: Should the Thunder sign Dion Waiters to an extension? If so, then how much is Waiters worth annually?

The Thunder acquired Waiters as part of a three-way trade last January and he contributed 12.7 points in 30.3 minutes while shooting 39.2% overall and 31.9% from long range after arriving in OKC. Hardly earth-shattering numbers, but in fairness to the 23-year-old, he was learning a new system and collection of teammates on the fly. With the Thunder more than likely to be over the salary cap for the next few seasons, especially if the team re-signs both Durant and Russell Westbrook, who is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency in 2017, retaining existing talent will take on increased importance.

But is Waiters worth holding onto, and for what price? That’s your call to make, and we want to know your thoughts on the matter. Take to the comments section below and share with us whether or not you think the Thunder should work out an extension with the young shooting guard without the benefit of full season with the team, or if it is wiser to risk letting Waiters become an unrestricted free agent. We look forward to what you have to say.

Last year’s NBA All-Star game saw six players earn themselves an invite for the first time, and for many of these players, it won’t be their last appearance at the annual showcase. While the league has averaged approximately five first-time All-Stars per year since 2005, the 2013 and 2014 events saw a combined 13 first-time All-Stars join the ranks of the elite. The 2014 first-timers were DeMar DeRozan, Paul Millsap, and John Wall in the East, and Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, and Damian Lillard out West. While being named as an All-Star starter is occasionally based more on a player’s popularity than actual on-court production, it’s difficult to argue against any of last season’s rookie All-Stars making the cut.

This brings me to the topic/question for today: Who will earn their first NBA All-Star game invitation this season?

Which player(s) do you predict will take the next step this season and emerge as an All-Star? Or are you on the other side of the fence, and believe that there won’t be any new additions to the All-Star rosters of either Conference? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons is entering the second year of the three-year, $46.08MM deal that he signed with Dallas back in July of 2013. The upcoming campaign is a pivotal one for the 26-year-old who can opt out of his contract after this season and become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his professional career. Parsons’ first year in Dallas was marred by injury, as well as the team failing to live up to expectations in the wake of acquiring point guard Rajon Rondo from Boston back in December.

Parsons appeared in 66 contests for Dallas during the 2014/15 season, averaging 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 33.1 minutes per game. While those numbers aren’t terrible, they don’t quite measure up to the expectations that go along with the $15MM+ annual salary that Parsons receives, an amount that is more befitting a star player than the supporting role that Parsons has played thus far since arriving in Dallas.

This brings me to the question/topic of the day: Will Chandler Parsons’ performance ever live up to his contract, or will he be looked at as a mistake once his current deal runs its course?

It can certainly be argued that Parsons’ performance last season was impacted by switching teams and cities, though I was never a fan of the deal in the first place. I have always felt that Dallas overpaid for Parsons in an effort to damage the rival Rockets, and that his contract would hamper the Mavs’ efforts to rebuild. He has shown himself to be a valuable player, though I don’t ever see him evolving past his current ability level and production, which certainly would not justify Dallas’ expenditure for Parsons’ services … especially if he opts in for the 2016/17 campaign.

But what do you think? Do you believe that Parsons will live up to his contract, or are you dissatisfied with the return the Mavs franchise has received thus far, and remain pessimistic that Parsons will do much to improve? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

According to a report by Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times, a Western Conference team has had internal discussions about the idea of signing former Bucks center Larry Sanders. It’s unknown which team is reportedly interested, or even whether Sanders desires to play again. The 26-year-old cast some doubt on the notion after his buyout deal with Milwaukee last February. Woelfel reported in April that Sanders still had no desire to return to the game, and the player had spoken in early June about his peace with life away from basketball.

The Mavericks and Clippers, as well as the Cavs, all reportedly had at least some level of interest in Sanders toward the end of last season, though all but the Mavericks appear set roster-wise for the time being. That’s not to say that the unnamed team from Woelfel’s report is indeed Dallas, though it would certainly be reasonable to speculate that the Mavericks would have some passing level of interest given the current state of their center rotation. The Mavs have a need for a clear-cut starter at center, though they do happen to have 15 fully guaranteed salaries plus a $500K partial guarantee out to JaVale McGee currently on the books. Both Tim Cato of SB Nation’s Mavs Moneyball and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com confirmed that the Mavs continue to have interest in Sanders, but noted that no talks are currently ongoing.

This bring me to the question/topic of the day: Which team, if any, would be the best fit for Larry Sanders if he were to return to the NBA this season?

A motivated and healthy Sanders could be a game-changing pickup at this point of the preseason, but adding him comes with some level of risk, and his commitment level would be a constant topic of conversation for the team. If I were a team like the Mavericks, who have an aging Dirk Nowitzki, and a clear need for an upgrade at the pivot, signing Sanders to a non-guaranteed, make-good deal would carry little risk and could possibly pay off big time.

But that’s merely my opinion, and now it’s time for you to offer up yours. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts on which team, if any, you believe could use Sanders’ particular skill set. Also, no need to stop there, go ahead and tell us why you feel that way. We look forward to what you have to say.

Kevin Love took part in a full practice for the first time this weekend. He recently mentioned that he is focused on putting his difficult 2014/15 campaign behind him and he is ready to assume a larger role in the team’s offense.

Prior to that, LeBron James also discussed the idea of Love being more of a focal point to the team’s offense, adding weight to that expectation. Love is returning from a dislocated left shoulder injury that he sustained in the first round of the playoffs last season. Love is also coming off of his worst rebounding and scoring per game averages since the 2009/10 season. With Tristan Thompson still unsigned, the Cavs will need Love to post better rebounding numbers.

Thus, today’s topic: What should be expected from Love this season? What do the Cavs need out of him?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Also, be sure to check back later on, as we’ll be responding to readers throughout the evening. We look forward to what you have to say!

Ricky Rubio, when healthy, is one of the craftiest playmakers in the game and he causes terror for opposing point guards with his perimeter defense. However, he hasn’t been the healthiest player, missing 126 games during his first four seasons in the league, and his jump shot is a work in progress that may never materialize into a weapon that he can use on a regular basis.

Rubio has been the subject of trade rumors on occasion during the offseason, although Rubio and the team have done their best to bat them down. Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune knows the situation as well as anyone and he spoke with Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors about the subject earlier today. Zgoda isn’t optimistic about a trade occurring due to a lack of options in Minnesota to immediately replace Rubio, but he speculated that if the Wolves could swing a deal and land someone like Eric Bledsoe, they’d probably pull the trigger.

That leads us to today’s topic: Where does Rubio sit in the league’s point guard ranks? What other point guards are comparable to the 24-year-old?

Back in August, we asked if readers would prefer Bledsoe or Reggie Jackson to lead their team and the majority leaned Bledsoe’s way. Is Rubio a better option to run the point than Bledsoe? Is he better than Jackson? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Also, be sure to check back later on, as we’ll be responding to readers throughout the evening. We look forward to what you have to say!