Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/29/15
During the Kings’ annual media day, center DeMarcus Cousins and head coach George Karl referred to their relationship as “solid.” Karl had reportedly wanted to trade Cousins after he took over as the head coach late last season, and Cousins had tweeted emojis depicting a snake in the grass in response. Cousins said their offseason meeting in Las Vegas this summer went a long way toward establishing a relationship between the two men.
“When we met in Vegas, we came to a head and we talked our differences out like men,” Cousins had said. “And at the end of the day, it’s about winning games. That’s one thing me and him can agree on – we want to win and that’s our goal and that’s all that really matters, winning.” For his part, Karl gave Cousins an A-plus for his offseason training and said Cousins has shown maturity. “I see a different player,” Karl said. “I see a different substance of character in this guy right now.”
This brings me to the question/topic of the day: Will DeMarcus Cousins and George Karl be able to successfully co-exist in Sacramento for the long haul?
The Kings as an organization have not been the picture of stability recently, which led to this unusual situation of a new coach and star player not being, at least initially, on the same page. The organization reportedly considered firing Karl this summer, but cooler heads have seemingly prevailed since then, and all parties involved are now saying the right things publicly. But can this detente last, especially of the team gets off to a rough start in the standings? How long can these two strong-willed men maintain a good working relationship? A week, a month, multiple seasons? 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 9/26/15
The Wizards offered an extension to Bradley Beal, but it’s worth less than the maximum salary that he’s seeking. The team wants to preserve flexibility in order to court free agents next summer. Washington could sign Beal to a max contract, which is projected to have a starting salary of $20.4MM, and still have enough to sign Kevin Durant on a max deal, but that set of events would squash the team’s opportunity to bring in credible bench players, as Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors discussed when examining the possibility of an extension.
In his first three seasons in the league, Beal has progressed nicely. He has become a plus defender who can hold his own against most twos and even some point guards. He has a silky shot and an arsenal of moves that allow him to get him decent looks. However, he has seen his share of injuries, missing 54 games since coming into the league. He also hasn’t been the most efficient player, sporting a PER of just 14.0 this past season, which is below the league average of 15.0.
The Wizards certainly have reason to attempt to strike a pact with Beal at below the max. Which leads us tonight’s topic: Is Beal worth a max contract and should Washington offer that deal to him?
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 9/25/15
One potential point of contention that may come up during negotiations for the next collective bargaining agreement is in regards to the current minimum age requirement for players to enter the NBA Draft. The current rule — which has been in place since 2005 — prevents a player from playing in the NBA until he’s been eligible for at least one draft. In order to be eligible, you must be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year in which that draft takes place, and if you’re an American-born prospect, you have to be at least one year removed from high school.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has gone on record stating that he’d like to increase the minimum age for draft eligibility to 20 years old, using the argument that an additional year to allow players to mature would improve the overall quality of the game. Of course, the NBPA wasn’t thrilled with that proposal, and its stance is that there should be no age restrictions imposed on players and their earning potential.
This brings me to the question/topic of the day: What changes, if any, need to be made to the current eligibility system for the NBA Draft?
On a practical level, I fully concur with Silver’s assertion that more mature and developed players entering the league would be good for the game, but on a philosophical level I support the NBPA’s stance. My solution to the issue is directly tied to the NBA D-League and its eventual expansion. I believe the best possible compromise for both the players and the teams would be to make 18 the minimum age but confine players under the age of 20 to the D-League. This would allow players freedom to forgo college and immediately begin earning a salary, as well as give teams time to develop the players for when they are eligible to join the big boys. My plan would certainly require an adjustment to how rookie scale deals are handled, but it would almost assuredly be a workable solution that could appease both parties.
But now its time for you to weigh in. Let me know what you think of my suggested course of action, be it positive or negative. We also want to hear your solutions to this issue. 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 9/24/15
In a recent Q&A with Akis Yerocostas, editor of SB Nation’s Sactown Royalty, as part of our ongoing Top Bloggers series, he opined that the Kings were better off not having signed Wesley Matthews or Monta Ellis, whom they were reportedly targeting, and instead splitting their cap space between Rajon Rondo, Kosta Koufos and Marco Belinelli.
Yerocostas’ full response to our query was, “I’m actually a bit happier that the Kings missed out on those two bigger names. While I would have loved to have a player of Matthews’ caliber on the team, the fact that he’s coming off of a major injury makes me a little squeamish about offering him what would have been the second biggest contract on the team. Ellis would have been a smaller financial commitment, but I’ve never been a fan of his fit on a team that already features two heavy usage scorers in DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. The Kings were instead able to use that money to acquire some solid depth at key positions. Rajon Rondo might not be the Rondo of old anymore, but he’s still a top-tier playmaker and is only locked down for one year (meaning the Kings can cut ties pretty easily if things don’t work out). Koufos was probably one of the best bench bigs in the league last season and will bring a real defensive presence in the middle, and Belinelli brings the kind of shooting the Kings have been lacking for years. I don’t know if the Kings would have been able to add as much depth if they had signed Matthews or Ellis.”
This brings me to the question/topic of the day: Would the Kings have been better served to land either Wesley Matthews or Monta Ellis this summer, or was adding more depth across the board a better move for the team in the long run?
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 9/23/15
The Grizzlies reportedly looked into acquiring Danilo Gallinari at the trade deadline this past season, according to Grantland’s Zach Lowe, which corroborates a report from June indicating that Memphis was pursuing the combo forward as the draft neared. Denver instead held on to him, even though they “absolutely could have” scored first-round picks for Gallinari or Wilson Chandler, as Lowe wrote. Both signed renegotiations-and-extensions this summer with Denver, a place Gallinari loves, according to Lowe’s report, making him a relative rarity among top-level players and extra valuable to the Nuggets.
This brings me to the question/topic of the day: Should the Nuggets have dealt Danillo Gallinari last season when the opportunity was available?
While Gallinari’s strong second half of the 2014/15 campaign, as well as his excellent performance during this summer’s Eurobasket qualifying tournament, certainly bode well for the future, the 27-year-old’s injury history makes it difficult to count on the Italian forward for a full season. Would Denver, a team in the midst of a full rebuild, have been better served to deal Gallinari to Memphis for draft picks?
On one side of the argument, I can make the case that it would have been worth it for Denver to do so, as the extra draft pick(s), as well as the increased odds of securing next season’s No. 1 overall pick if Gallinari were indeed subtracted from the roster, would certainly aid in hastening the team’s overhaul. Dealing the forward would have also eliminated the yearly worry that Gallinari would miss significant time due to some malady. Of course, the argument could easily be made that the Nuggets have a great shot at securing the top overall pick in 2016 regardless of Gallinari’s presence, and having the forward on hand will at least make the team watchable on a nightly basis for its fans. In addition, Denver isn’t viewed around the league as a free agent destination, so retaining talent is paramount for the Nuggets as they move forward.
But what do you think? Should Denver have pulled the trigger on a trade? If so, what sort of return would they needed to have received to make such a deal worthwhile? 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 9/22/15
Forward Harrison Barnes has reportedly turned down a four-year, $64MM contract extension proposal from the Warriors this offseason. It’s unclear just how rich a contract the 23-year-old and his new agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, are seeking, though it’s highly likely they will attempt to secure an average annual value as close to the maximum as they possibly can. The offer of $16MM per year annually had been negotiated by Barnes’ former agent, Jeff Wechsler, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. After that initial offer, Wechsler countered with a figure north of $16MM annually before he and Barnes parted ways, league sources informed Wojnarowski.
The Warriors obviously wish to retain Barnes, judging by their offer. GM Bob Myers had previously gone on record about the team’s desire to keep Barnes, as well as big man Festus Ezeli, who is also eligible to sign an extension prior to the November 2nd cutoff date. “We love them and we’re going to try to keep them as long as we can,” Myers said of Barnes and Ezeli. “Thankfully, like with Draymond Green, they would be restricted free agents [next summer]. But hopefully we can figure something out like we have with a lot of our players. They’re a key part of what we do. Without them, we don’t win a championship.”
This brings me to today’s topic: Should the Warriors ink Harrison Barnes to an extension? If so, what average salary would be commensurate with his production and potential?
Grantland’s Zach Lowe has estimated that Barnes would end up with a deal between the four years and $58MM that DeMarre Carroll secured from the Raptors this offseason and the projected $20.4MM max for players with Barnes’ level of experience. Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group has suggested salaries of $14MM-$16MM a year, while Hoops Rumors’ Chuck Myron reasoned that salaries of $16-18MM would make sense for both sides when he looked in-depth at the extension candidacy of the former seventh overall pick.
Which of these estimates do you think make the most sense for both sides? If you don’t agree with any of the above assessments, then please share the average annual value that you would be willing to fork over to Barnes. 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 9/21/15
Earlier today, we learned that the Wolves are making progress on a contract buyout with former No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett. Minnesota has a deep frontcourt with playing time likely to be distributed among Kevin Garnett, Nikola Pekovic, Gorgui Dieng, Adreian Payne and No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. The team also added Damjan Rudez and Nemanja Bjelica, who could both vie for minutes as well. Bennett’s representatives have wanted a buyout to allow him a chance for greater playing time.
Bennett would be a free agent if he clears waivers. He is owed $5.8MM this season and only the Sixers and Blazers possess enough cap space to claim him. Bennett hasn’t lived up to expectations, but he has improved since coming into the league. He slash line improved from .356/.245/.638 during his first season with Cleveland to .421/.304/.641 last season with Minnesota. Although he only took 23 three-pointers, his long-range shot is worth monitoring. If he can handle an uptick in shooting from behind the arc, while improving his percentage there to about 32%, a total that would be above what a few other stretch fours, like Markieff Morris and Nikola Mirotic, hit last season, he could be a nice piece for some team willing to take a chance on him. Becoming that proficient from behind the arc is no easy feat and it’s not the only part of his game that needs works. He needs to improve on the defensive end as well, as he was the fourth worst power forward in the league last season on that end of the floor, according ESPN’s Real Plus/Minus.
So here’s tonight’s topic: Will Anthony Bennett have a prosperous career in the NBA and if so, what kind of player do you see him becoming?
Let us know your thoughts on him as a player now and what kind of player he can potentially be. Also, let us know what team would be a good fit for him should he clear waivers. 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 9/20/15
Tristan Thompson‘s salary dispute with the Cavs is ready to carry into training camp because the two sides have been in an impasse since negotiations began in July. Regardless, Thompson appears headed toward signing the Cavs’ qualifying offer and entering unrestricted free agency next summer.
It’s been widely believed that Thompson’s immediate future is in Cleveland, but for how long? If Thompson has a big season how likely is it that he would bolt from the Cavs?
That brings us to today’s topic: What do you think Thompson’s future in the league is and where will he be playing after this season (assuming he signs the Cavs’ qualifying offer for this season)?
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 9/19/15
The Kings made several moves to improve the team around their star center DeMarcus Cousins with an eye on making the playoffs this season. After signing a one-year, $9.5MM deal with Sacramento, Rajon Rondo will look to lead this team to the postseason, something that hasn’t been accomplished since the 2005/06 campaign. The Kings added a pair of centers with in order to aid their 27th ranked defense and added veterans Marco Belinelli and Caron Butler with the hopes of improving their outside shooting.
Sacramento also made news this summer for the rift between Cousins and coach George Karl, which caused owner Vivek Ranadive to consider firing Karl. Karl signed a four-year pact last February and he’ll be in town to at least start the second year of that pact. He’s had a history of rocky starts with franchises, as Sam Amico of Hoops Rumors detailed in his weekly column, but he has also had success at pretty much every stop in his career.
So here’s tonight’s topic: How many games will the Kings win this season and do you think they can achieve their goal of making the playoffs?
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 9/18/15
The Bulls currently have a bit of a logjam at the power forward position heading into training camp. Veteran Pau Gasol is the expected starter, but after him things become a bit muddled. The remainder of minutes at the four spot will need to be divvied up between Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, rookie Bobby Portis, Cameron Bairstow, and offseason signee Cristiano Felicio. While not all of these players are assured of a regular season roster spot, new head coach Fred Hoiberg will certainly have some tough calls to make, not just during the preseason, but over the course of each and every contest throughout the season.
This brings me to the topic of the day: Who should the Bulls’ power forward rotation consist of during the 2015/16 season?
Time for you to play head coach and make the call. Should Gasol be utilized off the bench to better take advantage of his versatility, or should he indeed remain the starter? As for the rest of the rotation, who makes the cut, and what should be the minutes allotments between those players? If you feel that the team is too stacked at the four, who would you trade, and why? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.