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Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/13/15

June 13th, 2015 at 6:38pm CST by Eddie Scarito

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.

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2015/16 Roster Counts: Indiana Pacers

June 13th, 2015 at 5:26pm CST by Eddie Scarito

During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but clubs must trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. In the meantime, some teams will hang around that 15-man line, while others will max out their roster counts. Some clubs may actually have more than 15 contracts that are at least partially guaranteed on the books. That means they’ll end up paying players who won’t be on the regular season roster, unless they can find trade partners.

With plenty more movement still to come, here’s the latest look at the Pacers’ roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Indiana’s roster.

(Last Updated 3-7-16, 5:00pm)

Fully Guaranteed (15)

  • Lavoy Allen (F) — 6’9″/26 years old. Acquired via trade from Sixers.
  • Rakeem Christmas (F) — 6’9″/23 years old. Acquired via trade from Cavaliers.
  • Monta Ellis (G) — 6’3″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Paul George (F) — 6’9″/25 years old. Drafted with No. 10 overall pick in 2010.
  • George Hill (G) — 6’3″/29 years old. Acquired via trade with the Spurs.
  • Jordan Hill (F/C) — 6’10″/27 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Solomon Hill (F) — 6’7″/24 years old. Drafted with No. 23 overall pick in 2013.
  • Ty Lawson (G) — 5’11″/28 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Ian Mahinmi (C) — 6’11″/28 years old. Acquired via sign-and-trade from the Mavericks.
  • C.J. Miles (G) — 6’6″/28 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Glenn Robinson III (G/F) — 6’7″/21 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Rodney Stuckey (G) — 6’5″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Myles Turner (F/C) — 6’11″/19 years old. Drafted with No. 11 overall pick in 2015.
  • Shayne Whittington (F) — 6’11″/24 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Joseph Young (G) — 6’2″/23 years old. Drafted with No. 43 overall pick in 2015.

10-Day Contracts (0)

  • None

TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (15)

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Hoops Rumors Weekly Mailbag 6/7/15-6/13/15

June 13th, 2015 at 3:09pm CST by Eddie Scarito

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second 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 me a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com or @EddieScarito on Twitter. Now for this week’s inquiries:

“What changed LaMarcus Aldridge‘s mind about potentially playing in San Antonio, and is Dallas the favorite to land him?” — Kyle

The first thing to keep in mind is that Aldridge has never come out an expressly indicated that he wanted to play for a Texas team, which obviously includes San Antonio. So it’s possible that nothing at all has actually changed. But if Aldridge has actually soured on the idea of signing with the Spurs, it likely revolves around the statuses of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. If the two are intending to play for another season it would make it extremely difficult for the Spurs to offer a max contract to Aldridge, which would almost certainly be a deal breaker. And if the duo were to retire, then San Antonio enters a rebuilding phase, regardless of whether or not Kawhi Leonard is re-signed. I don’t think Aldridge is too keen at this point in his career to struggle to make the playoffs in the brutal Western Conference.

The Mavs also have their drawbacks, and quite a bit of the roster is unsettled heading into the 2015/16 campaign. So it’s difficult to label them the favorites, but if Aldridge is determined to return to Texas on his next deal, I’d still give them the edge. Aldridge won’t be trying to replace a legend like Duncan, and the Mavs have a bit more flexibility this summer to revamp their roster than San Antonio does.

“With the Clippers looking to buy their way into the first round of the NBA draft, who should they look to select?” — Richard

The Clippers have a number of needs, and the most pressing is a starting small forward. It’s doubtful that Los Angeles would be able to find such a player at the end of the first round, which is likely where the team would be able to land a pick. If by some miracle a player like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson fell that far, then that would make things easy. But that’s almost assuredly not going to occur. Virginia’s Justin Anderson would also be a prime target, but I’m not so sure the Clippers can acquire a pick high enough to land him.

The team also badly needs to add some depth in the middle even if DeAndre Jordan is re-signed. If he departs, and I do think that he will, then the Clippers will need to land a big in the worst way. The team could take a chance on Robert Upshaw, who has a myriad of red flags, but mid-first round talent. If not Upshaw, then perhaps Dakari Johnson, Christian Wood, or Jordan Mickey could fit the bill at the tail end of the first round, or early in the second.

“Would trading down in the draft really be the best move for the Knicks?”  — Scottie

That depends on the circumstances and how far down the team were to slide in the first round to make a deal. If the team isn’t in love with any of its options with the No. 4 overall pick, and Phil Jackson were able to score a decent return, then it’s something to consider. New York has a myriad of holes that need to be filled, so I can understand the temptation to turn one pick into a few.

But the NBA isn’t like the NFL, and finding value late in the first round or anywhere in the second round is no easy task. If the team could remain in the top eight this year and score a 2016 first-rounder, that might be worth rolling the dice on. But the Knicks need building blocks, not role-players. Trading away a potential star player for a number of lesser pieces won’t excite the fanbase, nor will it turn around the team’s fortunes in any meaningful way. So I say keep the pick and try to strike gold. Praying one of the teams picking ahead of the Knicks passes on Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor, or D’Angelo Russell so one slips to No. 4 wouldn’t hurt matters either.

“Which new coach will have the greatest amount of success next season?”  — Andrew

There are different measures of success. But if you are referring simply to winning percentage and playoff success, then I would have to go with Billy Donovan and the Thunder. Any team with Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Serge Ibaka on its roster has a better than average chance of making the playoffs. Health permitting of course. But if Durant can stay on the court next season, then I fully expect OKC to make the playoffs and have the potential to make some noise once it gets there.

Fred Hoiberg should also do well in Chicago with the Bulls, but that is an aging roster that will always play under the looming shadow of an injury ready to strike. The Bulls probably blew their best shot to make it to the NBA Finals this season, which is one of the reasons that Tom Thibodeau got his walking papers. I don’t see the team making huge strides next season, though revamping the offense should make the Bulls more entertaining to watch.

The remainder of the new head coaches enter rebuilding situations, and I don’t think the coaching changes will markedly turn things around for any of those franchises in 2015/16. However, I am excited to see what Alvin Gentry‘s faster paced offense will do for the Pelicans. But that team is still a few players away from being able to contend in the West.

That’s all the space that I have for this week’s column. Thanks for continuing to fill up my inbox with inquiries, and I’ll be back next week with more responses.

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2015/16 Roster Counts: Houston Rockets

June 13th, 2015 at 12:39pm CST by Eddie Scarito

During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but clubs must trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. In the meantime, some teams will hang around that 15-man line, while others will max out their roster counts. Some clubs may actually have more than 15 contracts that are at least partially guaranteed on the books. That means they’ll end up paying players who won’t be on the regular season roster, unless they can find trade partners.

With plenty more movement still to come, here’s the latest look at the Rockets’ roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Houston’s roster.

(Last Updated 3-9-16, 6:00pm)

Fully Guaranteed (15)

10-Day Contracts (0)

  • None

TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (15)

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Hoops Rumors Originals 6/7/15-6/13/15

June 13th, 2015 at 10:06am CST by Eddie Scarito

Here’s a look at the original analysis generated by the Hoops Rumors staff this past week…

  • Dana Gauruder previewed the Magic’s offseason.
  • Zach Links interviewed NBA first round draft prospect Kevon Looney.
  • We released the latest version of our NBA Mock Draft.
  • I profiled Arizona forward Stanley Johnson, a first round draft prospect.
  • Chuck Myron updated us on the status of player option decisions.
  • I ran down the current 2015/16 roster counts for the Bulls, Hornets, Mavs, Cavaliers, Nuggets, Warriors, and Pistons.
  • Chuck took a look at the offseason ahead for the Heat and the Nuggets.
  • If you missed the week’s live chat you can view the transcript here.
  • I answered reader questions in Hoops Rumors’ Weekly Mailbag.
  • Zach highlighted some of the better basketball blogs around in his weekly installment of Hoops Links.
  • We debuted our new feature, Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround, where we provide a forum for readers to voice their opinions on trending topics.
  • Here’s how you can follow specific players on Hoops Rumors.
  • In a reader poll we asked which contender would land the Nuggets’ head coaching position. The results were closely divided between Mike D’Antoni, Melvin Hunt, and Michael Malone.
  • Here’s how you can follow Hoops Rumors on social media and RSS feeds.
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2015/16 Roster Counts: Golden State Warriors

June 12th, 2015 at 9:30pm CST by Eddie Scarito

During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but clubs must trim their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. In the meantime, some teams will hang around that 15-man line, while others will max out their roster counts. Some clubs may actually have more than 15 contracts that are at least partially guaranteed on the books. That means they’ll end up paying players who won’t be on the regular season roster, unless they can find trade partners.

With plenty more movement still to come, here’s the latest look at the Warriors’ roster size, the contract guarantee status of each player, and how each player came to be on Golden State’s roster.

(Last Updated 2-22-16, 1:15pm)

Fully Guaranteed (15)

  • Leandro Barbosa (G) — 6’3″/32 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Harrison Barnes (F) — 6’8″/23 years old. Drafted with No. 7 overall pick in 2012.
  • Andrew Bogut (C) — 7’0″/32 years old. Acquired via trade with Bucks.
  • Ian Clark (G) — 6’3″/24 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Stephen Curry (G) — 6’3″/27 years old. Drafted with No. 7 overall pick in 2009.
  • Festus Ezeli (C) — 6’11″/25 years old. Drafted with No. 30 overall pick in 2012.
  • Draymond Green (F) — 6’7″/25 years old. Drafted with No. 35 overall pick in 2012.
  • Andre Iguodala (G/F) — 6’6″/31 years old. Acquired via sign-and-trade from Nuggets.
  • Shaun Livingston (G) — 6’7″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Kevon Looney (F) — 6’9″/19 years old. Drafted with No. 30 overall pick in 2015.
  • James Michael McAdoo (F) — 6’9″/22 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Brandon Rush (G) — 6’6″/29 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Marreese Speights (F/C) — 6’10″/27 years old. Free agent signing.
  • Klay Thompson (G) — 6’7″/25 years old. Drafted with No. 11 overall pick in 2011.
  • Anderson Varejao (C) — ’11″/33 years old. Free agent signing.

10-Day Contracts (0)

  • None

TOTAL ROSTER COUNT (15)

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Prospect Profile: Stanley Johnson

June 12th, 2015 at 7:50pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Stanley Johnson arrived at Arizona coming off four straight high school state championships and was regarded by many scouts as the best wing prospect in the nation. While the freshman didn’t quite live up to the hype, he had a solid 2014/15 campaign, and led the Wildcats in scoring last season. But a lackluster NCAA tournament and some holes in his game have dampened NBA scouts’ projections for Johnson a bit. Instead of a potential superstar, the 19-year-old is now being looked at as more of a solid rotation player.

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

The forward’s draft stock has fluctuated over the course of the season. He was projected as a possible top five pick earlier in the year, but is now more likely to hear his name called on draft night toward the end of the lottery. Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress ranks Johnson as the No. 8 player available, while Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) slots him at No. 11.

“I want to love him,” one NBA GM told Fran Fraschilla of ESPN.com. “My scouts all loved him in high school. I’ve watched him live four times and every time come away with the same thought: ‘He’s pretty good.’ But pretty good isn’t going to make you a great NBA player. He’s a good athlete, a good shooter, a good defender, a good motor. He has a great body but doesn’t always use any of those skills to his advantage. If he were the athlete that [Justise] Winslow was, I’d love him. But he isn’t, and I just feel he’ll be pretty good. If those are your expectations, great. If they’re higher, I think you’re going to be disappointed.”

With the draft full of talented wings, Johnson’s skillset, while solid, doesn’t rise above the rest of the field in any particular area. He’s not as explosive as Winslow, not as good an outside shooter as Mario Hezonja, doesn’t have the upside of Kelly Oubre, nor is Johnson as stellar a defender as his teammate and fellow draft prospect, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Johnson is the highest player on the draft board to hit the “safe” category, according to Ford’s profile of the player.  “He’s not as good as we thought he’d be coming into things,” one GM told the ESPN scribe. “But he’s not as bad as I think we’ve made him out to be either.” He’ll work hard and if he improves, he’ll be a very good value pick.”

The odd thing about Johnson’s game, especially when discussing him as a potential lottery pick, is how middle-of-the-road he ranks in relation to other small forwards in this year’s draft. According to ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton, in terms of the core projected statistics he looks at to measure skills, the only one where Johnson is in either the top or bottom 25% among NBA-bound small forwards is his steal rate of 1.5 per contest, or 2.1 per 40 minutes. The rest of his statistics are solid, but not mind-blowing, with Johnson logging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest.

Johnson was not considered a great shooter upon entering college, only making 82 of 279 of his 3-point attempts (29%) in high school and AAU events, notes Givony. But he managed to impress NBA scouts with his ability to make shots as a freshman, hitting 41 of his 111 3-point attempts on the season (37%), and showing a much quicker release and more compact mechanics than he had displayed earlier in his career, both shooting off the dribble (he converted 49% of his pull-ups in the half-court) and with his feet set (44% when catching and shooting), notes the DraftExpress scribe. The freshman was solid from the charity stripe, connecting on 74.9% of his free throw attempts.

While Johnson’s improvement from the outside was a boon this season, he doesn’t necessarily project as a 3-and-D player in the NBA. This is where some teams could be scared off from selecting the forward. With his rock solid frame and overall athleticism, Johnson should have been an absolute beast in the paint area while at Arizona. But he was an abysmal finisher in the lane, connecting on only 50% of his attempts around the rim. That is not a great success rate no matter what level of hoops you are playing at, and will be a major source of concern for Johnson when he steps onto the NBA hardwood.

This is not to say that Johnson is an albatross to his team on the offensive end. He has shown that he can create his own shot effectively with his combination of quickness, size and power, Givony notes. Johnson is also a solid ball-handler who can be quite a load to handle in transition, and he is effective in the pick-and-roll, though his failure to connect on shots when beating his man to the rim limits his usage in this capacity.

Johnson’s biggest appeal as a prospect is his potential on the defensive end. He has tremendous physical tools, including great size for his position, a strong frame, solid length, and excellent anticipation skills, adds Givony. The 19-year-old can legitimately defend three positions with his combination of size, speed, and strength, though his intensity wasn’t a constant, and his coaches at Arizona expressed some level of frustration with Johnson’s tendency to take plays off, or letting a poor offensive possession haunt him on the other end of the court.  Johnson is also an effective rebounder, notching 9.1 per 40 minutes despite playing out of position at shooting guard for much of his freshman campaign.

The forward’s NBA potential is still a bit murky. Pelton projects Johnson’s ceiling to be that of Luol Deng or Thaddeus Young, with the more pessimistic view being Marvin Williams. The team that selects Johnson this June will be getting a solid player with potential to be in the league for a long time. But the 19-year-old doesn’t appear ticketed for stardom, which will likely drop him out of the top 10 selections. This slight drop could actually be a boon to Johnson’s long-term development, since he isn’t a player who can or will change the face of a franchise. There is significantly less pressure involved, as well as more patience shown, with players taken toward the middle of the first round. Johnson should evolve into a solid rotation piece by his second season, though his rookie campaign will likely entail heavy D-League time.

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Hoops Rumors 2015 NBA Mock Draft 2.0

June 12th, 2015 at 5:16pm CST by Eddie Scarito

With the NBA draft draft order set and the big event less than two weeks away, the remaining time will be filled with reports of interviews, workouts, and teams trying to hide who they are interested in selecting. While the 2015 draft class doesn’t bring with it the same level of hype as last year’s, there are still a number of players who can change the face of a franchise and develop into tomorrow’s superstars.

No draft pick is ever a sure thing, and careers will be made as well as broken based on the moves made on the night of June 25th. There should also be a significant amount of trade talk revolving around the draft, and there are quite a few teams that could end up dealing away draft picks in exchange for veteran players or future assets.

Front offices are still figuring out their respective draft boards, and upcoming pre-draft workouts will launch the stocks of a few players and send others tumbling by the wayside. While I anticipate my mock draft to continue to change all the way up through draft night, this is my current read on whose name each team will likely have commissioner Adam Silver intone while on stage for the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. You can view the previous version of my mock draft here.

#1 Timberwolves — Karl-Anthony Towns F/C (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/250 pounds
  • Stats: 10.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 2.3 BPG. .566/.250/.813.

There had been reports that have Minnesota leaning toward selecting Jahlil Okafor with the top pick. But I firmly believed that the Wolves would become increasingly enamored with Towns’ superior defense, athleticism, and upside as the pre-draft process wears on. That is now apparently the case, with a recent revelation that Wolves coach/executive Flip Saunders is now firmly in Towns’ camp after watching him work out last week. Towns would also be a better fit than Okafor alongside Nikola Pekovic, provided he recovers from his Achilles surgery. With Towns running the floor alongside Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and the rest of the young athletic talent on Minnesota’s roster, the team may not make the playoffs next season, but it should become a regular fixture on SportsCenter’s top plays.

#2 Lakers — Jahlil Okafor C (Duke)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11”/272 pounds
  • Stats: 17.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. .664/.000/.510.

Okafor becomes the prize for the franchise moving up in the draft order on lottery night. Los Angeles could still throw a wrench in my mock draft by selecting a guard, but I think the idea of adding a potential franchise cornerstone like Okafor at the pivot will be too tempting to pass up. The Lakers can solidify the middle with this pick for years to come, and pairing Okafor alongside Julius Randle should make for a formidable frontcourt.

#3 Sixers — D’Angelo Russell G (Ohio State)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/176 pounds
  • Stats: 19.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 5.0 APG. .449/.411/.756.

Not landing the No. 1 overall pick this season is actually a blessing in disguise for the franchise. As long as the top two teams go big, Philadelphia will have no choice but to address its glaring hole in the backcourt, rather than stockpiling another big man to go alongside Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel. Philadelphia could opt for Emmanuel Mudiay here, as well as Kristaps Porzingis, whom the team is reportedly high on. But Russell’s playmaking ability and versatility should get him the nod at pick No. 3.

#4 Knicks — Emmanuel Mudiay G (China)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/200 pounds
  • Stats: 18.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 6.3 APG. .493/.321/.586.

This slot is the most difficult one to predict in the entire draft. Team president Phil Jackson is an unknown quantity when it comes to the draft, and the franchise has a myriad of needs and holes to fill. I have gone back and forth on this one in my mind, and for now I’m sticking with Mudiay, though Willie Cauley-Stein and Justise Winslow are very real possibilities at this spot as well. There is also the chance that the Knicks attempt to deal this pick for an established star, having lost out on the chance to select Towns or Okafor by falling in the draft order. With New York’s current barren roster, trading down for multiple picks could also seem appealing for Jackson. If a franchise wanting to move up calls with an offer of a lottery pick this year and a 2016 first-rounder, I think the Zen Master would pull the trigger and deal away this pick.

#5 Magic — Kristaps Porzingis F (Latvia)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/220 pounds
  • Stats: 10.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 0.9 BPG. .560/.328/.750.

While I’m not sold on Porzingis as a top five talent, scouts and front office types reportedly are. There’s no denying Porzingis’ athleticism and potential, but there have been far too many international lottery picks who have turned out to be busts for my comfort level. But Orlando needs to add some frontcourt scoring and outside shooting, and the young Latvian certainly has the potential to provide both. Winslow is a very real possibility at this spot, but his outside game is still a work in progress, and he’s considered a bit of a tweener as well.

#6 Kings — Willie Cauley-Stein C (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/244 pounds
  • Stats: 8.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.7 BPG. .572/.000/.617.

DeMarcus Cousins has reportedly been pushing to be used more as a power forward, and Cauley-Stein would be a great addition to pair alongside the mercurial big man. Cauley-Stein won’t provide much in the way of offense, but he’ll be ready to play immediately, and his defensive ability will be a welcome addition in Sacramento.

#7 Nuggets — Justise Winslow F (Duke)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/221 pounds
  • Stats: 12.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.1 APG. .486/.418/.641.

The Nuggets need talent at virtually every position, and Winslow would be a steal at No. 7. His outside game needs more consistency, and he might not have a defined position, but his defense, character, and open court skills will be most welcome in Denver. If Winslow develops the way that I think he will, the Nuggets could be snagging themselves the next Kawhi Leonard here.

#8 Pistons — Mario Hezonja G/F (Croatia)

  • Height/Weight: 6’7″/200 pounds
  • Stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .475/.406/.739.

The Pistons need to add someone who can stretch the floor and fill up the stat sheet from the wing position. Hezonja has a wealth of talent, though he’s reportedly had issues with his attitude and maturity while playing overseas. While Detroit could go for Devin Booker or Stanley Johnson at this spot, I say Stan Van Gundy rolls the dice and goes for the superior upside and athleticism of Hezonja with this pick.

#9 Hornets — Devin Booker G (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/195 pounds
  • Stats: 10.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .470/.411/.828.

Charlotte desperately needs to add some outside shooting, and Booker may very well be the best in the entire draft from beyond the arc. He’s not as athletic as some teams might prefer, but he has the potential to become something special in the league in a few seasons.

#10 Heat — Frank Kaminsky F/C (Wisconsin)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/242 pounds
  • Stats: 18.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 1.5 BPG. .547/.416/.780.

The signing of Josh McRoberts last offseason didn’t quite work out for the franchise, and thanks to injuries, “McBob” wasn’t able to be the stretch four that Pat Riley was seeking. Kaminsky has his athletic limitations, but he’s also a seven-footer who can shoot the ball with aplomb. The team snags a valuable role-player with this selection.

#11 Pacers — Cameron Payne PG (Murray State)

  • Height/Weight: 6’2″/180 pounds
  • Stats: 20.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 6.0 APG. .456/.377/.787.

Payne is shooting up draft boards with gusto, and there are reports that the point guard already has secured a promise that he’ll be drafted in the lottery. The assumption was that the promise was made by the Thunder, who sit at No. 14. I don’t think he lasts that long, and the Pacers nab their point guard of the future instead. If OKC wants a crack at Payne, it will need to move up in the draft to have a shot.

#12 Jazz — Kelly Oubre G/F (Kansas)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/204 pounds
  • Stats: 9.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 0.8 APG. .444/.358/.718.

The Jazz need outside scoring and help at the wing. Oubre didn’t blow NBA scouts and front office personnel away with his showing during his freshman campaign. But there is no denying his talent and upside. With the Jazz still in a rebuilding phase, the team can afford to be patient with Oubre, who has a much higher upside than the remaining wings on the board. The team could choose to go big here, and if so, Texas center/stretch four Myles Turner could end up being the pick.

#13 Suns — Myles Turner C (Texas)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11”/242 pounds
  • Stats: 10.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 2.6 BPG. .455/.274/.839.

The Suns need frontcourt depth and outside shooting. Turner has the potential to fill both needs. The big man didn’t have a standout season for the Longhorns in 2014/15, but much of that can be blamed on Texas’ system being an extremely poor fit for Turner’s skillset. He has an extremely high upside, and can play both center and power forward for Phoenix. Turner also has a solid outside shot, and he could end up being a steal at No. 13 for the team. If GM Ryan McDonough decides he prefers a wing, then look for Stanley Johnson to be the pick.

#14 Thunder — Stanley Johnson F (Arizona)

  • Height/Weight: 6’7″/237 pounds
  • Stats: 13.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG. .446/.371/.742.

The Thunder lose out on Payne, a player who fills an obvious need for depth at the point. While Jerian Grant or Tyus Jones could fit the bill, this is a bit high for either player to hear his name called. OKC also needs depth at the wing, and Johnson is the best one still available. His offensive game is still a work in progress. But Johnson can defend three positions, and his frame is NBA-ready. A solid addition to coach Billy Donovan‘s rotation.

#15 Hawks (via Nets) — Trey Lyles F (Kentucky)

  • Height/Weight: 6’10″/235 pounds
  • Stats: 8.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG. .487/.138.735.

The Hawks could potentially need to replace both Paul Millsap and DeMarre Carroll, both of whom hit free agency this summer. Lyles’ stats aren’t eye-popping, thanks to Kentucky’s depth and platoon system, but this kid has the potential to be a solid contributor. His offensive game is still a work in progress, but that can be said for the majority of big men making the transition to the pros. If Atlanta elects for a more offensively minded player, then Bobby Portis could come into play here.

#16 Celtics — Bobby Portis F (Arkansas)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11″/242 pounds
  • Stats: 17.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG. .536/.467/.737.

Speaking of Portis…Boston could use some depth and athleticism from the four spot, and Portis can certainly provide both. The forward isn’t a stellar defender, so pairing him alongside center Kelly Olynyk could be a disaster for the team’s defensive ranking. But at pick No. 16, the former Arkansas player would provide excellent value, and be a solid addition to the Celtics’ rotation.

#17 Bucks— Sam Dekker F (Wisconsin)

  • Height/Weight: 6’9″/230 pounds
  • Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.2 APG. .525/.331/.708.

Some of the buzz that Dekker’s NCAA tournament performances generated has worn off. But he is a versatile forward who can shoot the ball well, and Dekker is more athletic than many give him credit for. The Bucks are gathering a nice young core, and Dekker fits in well with Jason Kidd’s squad.

#18 Rockets (via Pelicans) — Tyus Jones PG (Duke)

  • Height/Weight: 6’1″/184 pounds
  • Stats: 11.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 5.6 APG. .417/.379/.889.

The Rockets need to improve at the point guard spot, and Jones is a pass-first playmaker who will pair nicely alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard. Jones is still a bit raw, and his athleticism leaves something to be desired. But his upside is higher than Delon Wright‘s or Jerian Grant‘s, so he gets the nod here.

#19 Wizards — Jerian Grant PG (Notre Dame)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/185 pounds
  • Stats: 16.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 6.7 APG. .478/.316/.780.

The Wizards’ talented backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal have had their injury woes, and the team could use some insurance. Washington is a talented squad that have a very real shot to contend in the East in 2015/16. The team learned the hard way this past campaign that it needs to have solid depth at point guard. While Grant’s age, 22, has some scouts concerned that he’s already close to his ceiling, Grant is a solid two-way player who fills an obvious need for the Wizards. He would be an excellent pickup for the franchise here.

#20 Raptors — Rondae Hollis-Jefferson F (Arizona)

  • Height/Weight: 6’7″/215 pounds
  • Stats: 11.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG. .502/.207/.707.

Toronto desperately needs to improve on the defensive end, and snagging Hollis-Jefferson, who is perhaps the best wing defender in the entire draft, would be a great start to correcting that deficiency. His outside game, or lack thereof, is what is preventing him from being a lottery pick. But in the open court he is exciting to watch, and with some hard work and serious gym time he could develop into a steal at this spot.

#21 Mavericks — R.J. Hunter G (Georgia State)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/190 pounds
  • Stats: 19.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 3.6 APG. .396/.307/.878.

The Mavs will need to add some help in the backcourt with the likely departure of Rajon Rondo and the uncertainty regarding Monta Ellis. Hunter’s ability as a scorer and deep threat would be a solid addition, and while he’s not ready to be a starter should Ellis depart, he could be valuable as the team’s sixth man. If Dallas wants more versatility, it could opt for Delon Wright here as well.

#22 Bulls — Delon Wright G (Utah)

  • Height/Weight: 6’5″/178 pounds
  • Stats: 14.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 5.1 APG. .509/.356/.836.

Derrick Rose can no longer be counted on to play a full NBA season, and his backup, Kirk Hinrich, isn’t getting any younger. Chicago desperately needs to add some depth at the point, and Wright is the best remaining playmaker available. Though he’ll need to bulk up and improve his outside game if he wants to get on the court during his rookie campaign.

#23 Trail Blazers — Kevon Looney F (UCLA)

  • Height/Weight: 6’9″/220 pounds
  • Stats: 11.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 0.9 BPG. .470/.415/.626.

The Blazers may have two significant holes to fill, depending on whether or not the franchise retains LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews. Looney is a tweener who could potentially fill either hole, though he’s not quite ready for primetime just yet. He’s a very raw player, but possesses an extremely high upside. Finding a position in the NBA may be an issue. But he can certainly evolve into a solid rotation player, and if Portland is lucky, much more.

#24 Cavaliers — Montrezl Harrell F (Louisville)

  • Height/Weight: 6’8″/243 pounds
  • Stats: 15.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.4 APG. .566/.243/.597.

The Cavs need to add frontcourt depth, and possibly a replacement for Kevin Love. Harrell’s game has a number of offensive similarities to Love’s, and he can also chase down his fair share of rebounds. He’d be a good fit in Cleveland, and a good value pickup this late in the first round.

#25 Grizzlies — Justin Anderson G/F (Virginia)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/227 pounds.
  • Stats: 12.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 1.7 APG. .466/.452/.780.

The Grizz need more production from the wing, and Anderson is a solid player who can stretch the floor with his shooting. He’s a polished player who has a strong all-around game, and he’ll fit in perfectly in Memphis.

#26 Spurs — George De Paula G (Brazil)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/205 pounds
  • Stats: 10.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 3.1 RPG. .500/.750/.500.

The Spurs need to start looking for a replacement for Tony Parker, who is nearing the end of his career. De Paula, also known as George Lucas, is a freakish athlete who isn’t close to being prepared to run the floor for an NBA team. But the Spurs have shown themselves to be shrewd drafters, as well as patient in developing young talent. De Paula fits the bill for how San Antonio usually drafts, and he could turn out to be a future star. Just don’t expect that to happen for a few years.

#27 Lakers (via Rockets) — Rashad Vaughn G (UNLV)

  • Height/Weight: 6’6″/215 pounds
  • Stats: 17.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 APG. .439/.383/.694.

The Lakers could use some depth in the backcourt, as well as a future replacement for Kobe Bryant. Vaughn has maturity issues, and didn’t live up to the hype he had entering UNLV as a top 10 recruit. But he’s very young, and could evolve into a scoring machine in the NBA. He’d be a tremendous value pick this late in the first round.

#28 Celtics (via Clippers)— Christian Wood F (UNLV)

  • Height/Weight: 6’11″/220 pounds
  • Stats: 15.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 2.7 BPG. .497/.284/.736.

The Celtics need depth in the frontcourt, and Wood provides good value at this spot. He’s a few seasons away from being able to contribute anything of significance. But his upside and potential is extremely high. Boston could also roll the dice on Robert Upshaw at this spot.

#29 Nets (via Hawks) — Terry Rozier G (Louisville)

  • Height/Weight: 6’1″/190 pounds
  • Stats: 17.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.0 APG. .411/.306/.790.

With the health and production level of Deron Williams a concern, Brooklyn could certainly use an insurance policy at the point guard spot. Rozier has been impressing teams during his pre-draft workouts, and has likely earned himself a first round selection. The Nets land a solid backup and insurance policy.

#30 Warriors — Robert Upshaw C (Washington)

  • Height/Weight: 7’0″/255 pounds
  • Stats: 11.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 4.2 BPG. .593/.000/.434.

Upshaw has lottery potential, but his documented substance abuse issues have lowered his draft stock quite a bit. There have been reports that teams will be leery of selecting him in round one because of the guaranteed contract that comes along with any first-rounder. But Golden State can afford to take the gamble, and the franchise needs to add depth at the pivot. At pick No. 30 Upshaw is worth the risk. Teams that select at the bottom of round one don’t often get a chance to nab a potential star, which Upshaw could be, if he can put his troubled past behind him.

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Offseason Outlook: Denver Nuggets

June 12th, 2015 at 2:59pm CST by Chuck Myron

Guaranteed Contracts

Non-Guaranteed Contracts

Options

Restricted Free Agents/Cap Holds

  • Will Barton ($1,181,348) — $1,181,348 qualifying offer3
  • Ian Clark ($1,147,276) — $1,147,276 qualifying offer4

Unrestricted Free Agents/Cap Holds

Draft Picks

  • 1st Round (7th overall)
  • 2nd Round (57th overall)

Cap Outlook

  • Guaranteed Salary: $53,124,036
  • Non-Guaranteed Salary: $4,927,335
  • Options: $2,854,940
  • Cap Holds: $22,117,078
  • Total: $89,677,385

The Nuggets roster still in many ways resembles the one that went 57-25 in 2012/13, but nothing has truly been the same in Denver since the team suffered an upset loss in the playoffs that season to the Warriors. GM Masai Ujiri left the following summer and the team replaced coach George Karl with Brian Shaw. Injuries, including the ACL tear in Gallinari’s left knee that may have been the true catalyst for Denver’s misfortune, derailed Shaw’s first season, but even with Gallinari and others back this year, the Nuggets still fell well shy of a playoff berth, and the team dismissed Shaw amid seeming apathy among the players.

Mar 4, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives to the basket in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Denver has moved slowly to replace Shaw, with interim coach Melvin Hunt among a field of candidates with whom the Nuggets only recently progressed into the interview stage. Hunt, Michael Malone and Mike D’Antoni seem like the primary candidates, though the team has also interviewed Blazers assistant David Vanterpool and Wizards assistant Don Newman, with Mike Woodson also reportedly lurking as a possible interviewee. Malone is the only one known to have garnered a second interview, though reports paint conflicting pictures about whether Denver’s apparent deal to bring Pete D’Alessandro back to the Nuggets front office threatens Malone’s candidacy. Hunt at one point appeared to nudge his way to the front of the pack, and while it’s not clear whether Hunt remains the favorite for the job, he has the support of the players.

Team president Josh Kroenke, GM Tim Connelly and the rest of the Nuggets braintrust will have plenty more to address once a coach is finally in place. Connelly spoke recently of a “period of transition” on the horizon as he made it clear that the team will make an aggressive push to land the sort of star the roster has lacked since the Carmelo Anthony trade. That’s easier said than done in an offseason when two of the most prominent trade candidates are already Nuggets. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried are losing confidence in the organization and have let the team know that unless it makes a significant trade or hires an inspiring name as coach, they’d rather Denver trade them than keep them through a rebuilding process, as Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported. Connelly made the reported tension and frustration between Lawson and the organization readily apparent, making a public call as this year’s trade deadline passed for Lawson to “grow up.”

The Nuggets nonetheless held out for multiple first-round picks in exchange for Lawson as they discussed him at the deadline, as Grantland’s Zach Lowe reported. This month’s draft presents another opportunity to talk about Lawson with teams, and this time, the Nuggets would have more certainty about the prospects they could reap if they acquired additional picks for this year. Denver probably isn’t going to end up with a star with their own pick at No. 7, but the Nuggets would stand a better chance of doing so if they packaged that pick along with Lawson in offers to the Lakers, Sixers and Knicks, the teams in possession of picks two through four. Each has a need at the point. The Lakers were among the teams expressing interest in Lawson at the deadline, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, but that doesn’t appear to be the case for either Philadelphia or New York.

The Mavs don’t appear to have Lawson at the forefront of their priorities, even though there’s apparently a level of mutual interest between Dallas and the six-year veteran. Kings coach George Karl apparently would love to acquire Lawson or any of the players he used to coach on the Nuggets, but just how willing Denver, with D’Alessandro in tow, would be to deal with Sacramento this summer remains to be seen, never mind the confusion that’s reigned in the Kings front office.

Faried emerged as late-first-round steal in his first two NBA seasons under Karl, but multiple reports have indicated that the Nuggets weren’t quite sold on the power forward even as they inked him to a four-year, $50MM extension this past fall. People around the league sensed as the deadline neared that Faried could be had for a particularly strong trade offer, Lowe wrote, even though it seemed a few weeks prior that Denver didn’t want to trade him. The Raptors were loosely connected to Faried in between those times, and they seem like a team that would like to have him, given their lack of a clear-cut starter at the four and the presence in Toronto of GM Masai Ujiri, who drafted Faried when he was Denver’s GM. Still, the Raptors don’t have a high draft pick and probably aren’t willing to part with stars, so trading Faried to them would probably represent a lateral move at best for Denver. Power forwards in a more traditional vein, like Faried, aren’t in vogue these days, so the Nuggets will likely find tough sledding if they try to find a trade partner who covets him.

The Nuggets, frustration with Lawson aside, probably don’t want to trade players on their roster as much as they simply want to trade for others who can become the clear-cut No. 1 option on offense that they’re been missing. The Kings have seemed steadfast against trading DeMarcus Cousins, though surely the Nuggets would cast aside any reservations they might have against doing business with the Kings if he became available. Denver was among the many teams going after Kevin Love last summer, and if Love again is on the market as either a free agent or trade commodity, the Nuggets will probably revisit that pursuit.

Denver would probably find it much easier if Love were available via trade than in free agency, given that the Nuggets don’t have the capacity to open anywhere close to max level cap room unless they clear significant salary in other moves. The desire for cap flexibility would probably fuel the team’s desire to unload Lawson, Faried or both as much as any catalyst, but the Nuggets may well want to hold off until they know a star free agent is willing to join them.

Indeed, Denver’s ledger is crowded with deals that carry into next season. Midseason trade acquisition Will Barton is the most prominent of only three free agents on the Nuggets, and it appears there’s mutual interest in a new deal. Denver has the chance to match bids for him with a small qualifying offer, and while the Nuggets will likely tender that offer, Barton probably isn’t too high on the team’s list of priorities, considering the multitude of other matters at hand.

The Nuggets, with changes on the horizon, seem likely to draft the best available player should they keep the seventh pick, even though Duke small forward Justise Winslow, Croatian small forward Mario Hezonja and Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein seem the most likely candidates to fit that bill. Those players would fill the same positions that mainstay Danilo Gallinari and promising 2014 draftee Jusuf Nurkic occupy, but Denver can’t be too worried about the way its pieces fit together when it seems poised for a shakeup. Our Eddie Scarito has Winslow going to the Nuggets in the latest Hoops Rumors Mock Draft.

New faces, from the draft and from trades, will likely dominate the Nuggets roster next season. It’s nonetheless conceivable that they keep the team intact to a degree, and certainly it would seem that Nurkic, whom the team thinks of as a steal, according to Sean Deveney of The Sporting News, is a strong candidate to return. Deveney wrote that Lawson is likely to stay put, and indeed, there appears a decent chance that the Nuggets simply won’t find offers that would do much for them and decide to sit tight in the hopes that better proposals surface toward next season’s trade deadline. Still, Kroenke’s remark about a period of transition ahead makes it difficult to envision that the team won’t undergo a major shakeup relatively soon.

Cap Footnotes

1 — Green’s salary would become fully guaranteed if he remains under contract through August 1st.
2 — The cap hold for Nelson would be $3,278,400 if he opts out, as he reportedly plans to do.
3 — The cap hold for Barton would be $947,276 if the Nuggets elect not to tender a qualifying offer.
4 — The cap hold for Clark would be $947,276 if the Nuggets elect not to tender a qualifying offer.
5 — See our glossary entry on cap holds for an explanation of why these players technically remain on the books.

The Basketball Insiders Salary Pages were used in the creation of this post. 

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Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 6/11/15

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

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.

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