Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/16/15

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ve begun been posting a new topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, which we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. If you missed our previous discussions you can view them here, or simply head over to the sidebar and select “Hoops Rumors Community Shootarounds.”

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy.  Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors.  Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble has been handled, let’s get to the topic of the day: What are your thoughts on the trade that sent Lance Stephenson to the Clippers in exchange for Spencer Hawes and Matt Barnes? Can Stephenson regain his status as a nightly triple-double threat under coach Doc Rivers? Will Hawes effectively replace what Charlotte was missing last season thanks to the departure of Josh McRoberts? What does this mean for both franchises’ playoff hopes? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/15/15

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we have begun providing a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ll be posting a topic for readers to discuss each weeknight, and we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day.

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy.  Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors.  Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble is out of the way, we can now get to the day’s topic: What should the Lakers do with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft?

Should L.A. try to deal the pick for an established star? If so, which players would be worthy of the franchise passing on a potential young superstar in the draft? If not, then whom should the team target with the pick? Should the Lakers go with a big man such as Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, or add a playmaker like D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay? Maybe you think the franchise should gamble on the upside of Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis? We had our say when we looked at the offseason ahead for the Lakers today. Now, the floor is yours. Take to the comments section below and weigh in with your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/13/15

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we at Hoops Rumors want to provide a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ll be posting a topic for discussion on weeknights, and we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day. We began the series on Thursday with a discussion about Dwyane Wade‘s contract situation with the Heat, which can be viewed here.

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy.  Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors.  Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that the preamble is done, let’s get to today’s topic: What does the future hold for current Pistons big man Greg Monroe?

Thursday saw some early action on the trade front, with the Bucks shedding some salary and clearing up a logjam in their frontcourt, and the Pistons landing the stretch-four they had been seeking. I’m of course talking about the deal that sent Ersan Ilyasova to Detroit in exchange for Caron Butler and Shawne Williams.

There’s a high probability that Monroe won’t be returning to Detroit next season, and the talented big man is sure to be one of the more in demand players available on the open market this summer. The acquisition of Ilyasova could be interpreted as the franchise preparing itself for Monroe’s departure. If that is indeed the case, where do you all think Monroe will end up playing next season? How much do you predict Monroe will end up signing for? And…is he worth that amount?

Now it’s time to turn the floor and spotlight over to you, the readers. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Feel free to expand on the topic beyond what I’ve already laid out. Most of all…have fun.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/11/15

Some of the greatest joys of being a sports fan, besides your favorite team winning the championship, are the debates that arise between fellow sports nuts along the way. It’s with this in mind that we at Hoops Rumors want to provide a forum for basketball fanatics to voice their opinions, debate trending topics, and simply hang out with like-minded hoops aficionados. We’ll be posting a topic for discussion on weeknights, and we hope that this will become a regular part of your sports day.

Of course, there will be differing opinions from time to time. While we absolutely encourage lively discussion and debate, we do expect everyone to treat each other with respect. So, please refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults or attacks, as well as the other taboo types of discourse laid out in our site’s commenting policy.  Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Hoops Rumors.  Just put in your name, email address, and comment and submit it; there is no need to become a registered user.

Now that I’ve gotten the preamble and the fine print out of the way, it’s time to open the floor for our first topic: Dwyane Wade‘s contract situation with the Heat…

The Heat and Wade have been talking and there appears to be a significant difference in what the two sides believe Wade’s next deal should be worth, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. The latest report from Jackson pegged the proposed deal at $16MM for 2015/16, and then $10MM for each of the remaining seasons. This is far from the reported $20MM per season that Wade is seeking.

Wade has played the part of the good soldier for the Heat in the past, accepting lower salaries on his previous contracts so that the team would have greater flexibility to construct its roster. The guard likely did so with the understanding, or at the very least, the hope, that his loyalty would be rewarded down the line. There is a chance that if the organization does not up its offer to Wade, he’ll opt out of his deal this summer and head elsewhere.

So the question I’m asking you today is this: How should Miami handle Wade’s contract situation? Should the Heat pay Wade what he wants as a reward for his past service? Or should the team hold fast and risk losing a 33-year-old player who has averaged just 58 contests over his last four seasons, despite him being the face of the franchise? Head to the comments section below to voice your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.