Hoops Rumors Polls

Poll: Who Will Win 2020 Slam Dunk Contest?

February 14th, 2020 at 2:53pm CST by Luke Adams

Bulls guard Zach LaVine, a two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner, flirted with the idea of taking part in this year’s event in his home arena. However, after suggesting that he’d only participate if he was named to the All-Star team, LaVine has stuck to that stance. That means fans in Chicago this weekend won’t get the opportunity to see a rematch of the 2016 final, which pitted LaVine against Aaron Gordon in perhaps the most memorable Dunk Contest of the decade.

Gordon will participate though, and he’ll be one of the most experienced dunkers on the court this Saturday night. Besides finishing as the runner-up to LaVine in 2016, Gordon also took part in 2017’s contest. Having fallen short twice before, the Magic forward is confident the third time will be the charm, telling Josh Robbins of The Athletic, “I’m gonna win.”

However, it’s Dwight Howard – not Gordon – who has the most Dunk Contest experience of any of this year’s participants. This will be Howard’s fourth time taking part in the event, and he even has a win under his belt.

That win came in 2008 though, and the Lakers center hasn’t participated in a Dunk Contest since 2009, more than a decade ago. A win this year for the 34-year-old Howard would be unprecedented in an event that’s typically a young man’s game. Dominique Wilkins, who had just turned 30 when he won 1990’s contest, is the oldest all-time winner. The second-oldest? Nate Robinson, who was 26 when he beat Howard in 2009.

If you believe that youth will win out in 2020, you’ll have to consider Bucks wing Pat Connaughton an underdog as well. The 27-year-old will be participating in his first NBA Dunk Contest, and is flying under the radar as Saturday’s festivities near — something he says is just fine with him.

“No one’s worried about me and hopefully Saturday night they’ll be like, ‘Damn, I should have been worried about him,'” Connaughton said this week, per Matt Velazquez of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The fourth contestant this year will be Heat swingman Derrick Jones Jr., who will also be celebrating his birthday on Saturday, as he turns 23. Jones finished as the runner-up to Glenn Robinson III in 2017’s event and will likely have some new tricks up his sleeve this time around.

What do you think? Will Howard defy the odds and win his second Dunk Contest? Will Gordon or Jones get over the hump after placing second in past competitions? Will the first-time Connaughton make a name for himself with a win on Saturday?

Vote below our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!

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Poll: Who Will Win Three-Point Contest?

February 13th, 2020 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

When the NBA announced today that Devin Booker would take Damian Lillard‘s place in the 2020 All-Star Game this Sunday, the league noted that the Suns guard would replace Lillard in Saturday’s three-point contest as well.

The change makes logistical sense, and it’s not as if Booker’s not qualified — he has participated in the event three times before and won it in 2018. Still, he’ll be in tough against a talented field of competitors, all of whom have put up better outside shooting numbers than him this season.

Among the eight participants in this year’s three-point contest, Booker ranks last in both three-pointers made and three-point percentage. Here’s the full breakdown:

Player	Team	3PM	Rank	3PT%	Rank
Buddy Hield	Kings	207	3	.385	52
Duncan Robinson	Heat	191	4	.438	5
Devonte’ Graham	Hornets	190	5	.374	75
Trae Young	Hawks	173	6	.369	81
Zach LaVine	Bulls	168	8	.385	53
Davis Bertans	Wizards	156	9	.424	10
Joe Harris	Nets	126	24	.408	21
Devin Booker	Suns	101	54	.358	96

Robinson’s combination of volume and efficiency has made him arguably the most well-rounded three-point shooter in the NBA so far this season, but this will be his first time participating in the three-point contest. The same is true for Graham, Young, LaVine, and Bertans.

The experience advantage goes to Hield, who was in last year’s event, and especially to Harris and Booker, who won in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Of course, these events often come down to which player gets hot at the right time, so those season-long stats may not end up meaning much on Saturday.

What do you think? Who is your pick to win 2020’s three-point contest? Do you like one of the returning champions, Harris or Booker, to do it again? Will Hield take home the trophy after coming up short a year ago? Or will one of the newcomers win out?

Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Should Bradley Beal Be An All-Star?

January 31st, 2020 at 8:51am CST by Luke Adams

The NBA announced its All-Star reserves on Thursday night, and while none of the players voted in by the coaches were shocking choices, Bradley Beal‘s exclusion from the list of Eastern Conference All-Stars came as a surprise to a number of fans and league observers.

Although Beal’s outside shooting rate has dipped this year – his .325 3PT% is a career-worst mark – he has shouldered the Wizards‘ scoring and play-making burden with John Wall out and has put up some massive numbers. His 28.7 PPG ranks third in the Eastern Conference and would be a career high. His 6.4 APG also represents the best mark of his career. Beal is arguably having a better season in 2019/20 than he did when he was named an All-Star the last two years.

However, the performance of Beal’s team cost him an All-Star spot this season. Even after a win on Thursday, Washington is just 16-31. The seven Eastern All-Star reserves were all from the top six teams in the conference — none of those clubs has a record worse than 31-18.

Despite the Wizards’ struggles, Beal and those around him still felt as if he deserved an All-Star spot. As Fred Katz of The Athletic relays, Beal’s fiancée Kamiah Adams went on the team’s post-game show and called the decision “laughable.” The Wizards guard himself addressed the snub after the game to NBC Sports Washington reporter Chris Miller (link via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington).

“I’m a little pissed off about it, but I know how I am,” Beal said. “I was kind of expecting it, honestly. It’s disrespectful. But the real ones know.”

Even Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, delivered an impassioned case for why Beal’s exclusion was the wrong decision. Bartelstein suggested to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that his client is essentially being punished for sticking with the rebuilding Wizards instead of “jumping ship” and forcing his way to a contender.

“He chose not to (leave), and instead stayed the course — only to not be recognized as an All-Star because his team hasn’t won enough games when, in fact, the Wizards have exceeded expectations,” Bartelstein said. “It can’t be just about the gross numbers of wins and losses. It has to be, ‘What is your impact on the game?’ And so I think the coaches are sending a horrible message to players, that if you want to be loyal and go through the tough times in your organization, you’re not going to be an All-Star in those tough times.”

The All-Star case for Beal is an obvious one that centers around his impressive offensive output, but there are arguments against his case as well. For one, the Wizards’ defense has been historically bad this season. That’s not all on Beal, but his play on that end of the court hasn’t helped matters — the Wizards have a dismal 120.7 defensive rating when he plays, compared to 107.0 when he sits.

Jimmy Butler (Heat), Bam Adebayo (Heat), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Khris Middleton (Bucks), Domantas Sabonis (Pacers), Ben Simmons (Sixers), and Jayson Tatum (Celtics) don’t have the gaudy counting stats that Beal does, but they’ve all been very effective on both ends of the court — many of them are candidates for All-Defensive consideration this season.

This debate may end up being moot, since even a minor injury to any one of the 12 Eastern All-Stars within the next couple weeks could open up the door for Beal to be named an All-Star anyway. But for now, he’s on the outside looking in, so we want to know what you think of the decision.

Did the coaches voting on the East’s All-Star reserves make a mistake? Should Beal an All-Star? If so, which of the other seven Eastern reserves would you remove from the roster to make room for Beal?

Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Eastern Conference’s No. 2 Seed

January 20th, 2020 at 2:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Barring a major second-half swoon, the Bucks won’t give up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season. At 38-6, Milwaukee is on pace to win over 70 games and currently has an eight-game cushion over the next-best team in the conference.

While the race for the top seed in the East may already be over, a fascinating race is developing for the No. 2 spot. With six potential contenders in the conference, the importance of nabbing that second seed shouldn’t be understated. Not only would it set up a first-round matchup against a less dangerous opponents like the Magic or Nets, it would also mean avoiding the Bucks until the Eastern Conference Finals and holding home court advantage for two rounds.

As we enter the second half of the season, the Heat currently hold the second seed, but the margin is extremely tight. Here’s what the standings look like for the five teams vying for the No. 2 seed, entering today’s action:

Miami Heat (29-13)
Toronto Raptors (28-14)
Boston Celtics (27-14)
Indiana Pacers (28-15)
Philadelphia 76ers (28-16)

All five teams are separated by just two games, so one hot or cold streak could have a significant impact on seeding. Just ask the Celtics, who could fall out of the top four tonight for the first time since October if their current losing streak extends to four games.

With a real incentive tied to claiming the No. 2 seed, the second-half race among these five teams should be fascinating. The Raptors finally have a healthy roster, and the Pacers will be getting star guard Victor Oladipo back next week. The Sixers have been shakier than expected all year long, but showed their upside on Christmas Day when they dismantled the Bucks. The Celtics and the Heat are in position to potentially upgrade their rosters at the trade deadline if they so choose.

Of course, we should also consider each team’s second-half schedule. According to Tankathon.com, the Heat, Sixers, and Raptors have three of the NBA’s easiest remaining slates, while the Pacers’ schedule ranks in the middle of the pack and the Celtics’ is the eighth-hardest.

What do you think? Which of these five teams do you like best to finish the season strong and claim the No. 2 seed in the East?

Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Who Will Be Biggest Name Traded This Season?

January 13th, 2020 at 3:05pm CST by Luke Adams

No superstars are expected to change teams at this season’s trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean that former All-Stars or even All-NBA players won’t be on the move in the coming weeks.

Five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward Kevin Love is among the players whose name has frequently come up in trade rumors in recent months. And while Love’s overall value to a franchise is up for debate as a result of his $30MM-per-year long-term price tag, the Cavaliers‘ veteran remains a positive contributor on the court, averaging a double-double (16.9 PPG, 10.3 RPG) with a three-point percentage north of 37% for the fifth time in his career.

Love isn’t the only All-Star big man in the Eastern Conference who looks like a realistic trade candidate. The Pistons have reportedly shopped Andre Drummond, a two-time All-Star who is leading the NBA in rebounding for a third consecutive season, with 15.9 RPG. Like Love, Drummond’s value is complicated by his contract situation – he can opt out this summer – but he’s still one of the league’s best traditional big men.

2019 All-Star D’Angelo Russell is a trade candidate, though the Warriors may be more likely to consider a move during the summer. LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan, Chris Paul, and Jrue Holiday have earned a combined 21 All-Star berths and 15 All-NBA nods, and have been at least mentioned in passing in trade rumors, but the Spurs and Pelicans remain in the playoff hunt in the West, and probably aren’t looking to trade their stars. The Thunder, meanwhile, firmly hold a playoff spot and might have trouble getting fair value for CP3’s contract even if they wanted to move him.

If none of those players end up changing teams, players like Marcus Morris, Kyle Kuzma, or Evan Fournier could be headliners at this year’s trade deadline.

On the other hand, if 2020 is anything like 2018 and 2019, it’s possible we’ll get an out-of-nowhere blockbuster that involves a bigger name later this month. Blake Griffin was acquired by the Pistons on January 29, 2018, while Kristaps Porzingis was sent to the Mavericks on January 31, 2019. Neither player was widely known to be on the trade block when those deals were made.

With the February 6 trade deadline inching closer, we want to get your two cents on who will be the biggest-name player dealt this season. Will it be Love? Drummond? Holiday? Russell? A lesser player? Or an even bigger-name star who hasn’t been at the center of many rumors so far?

Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Eastern Conference’s Top Six Teams

January 3rd, 2020 at 11:00am CST by Luke Adams

A year ago, four Eastern Conference teams had serious title aspirations and plenty at stake if they didn’t make deep playoff runs. The Raptors, Bucks, Sixers, and Celtics had set their sights so high that anything short of an Eastern Conference Finals berth would be considered a disappointment. And sure enough, after Philadelphia and Boston were knocked out in the Eastern Semifinals, they made major offseason changes, with Jimmy Butler, J.J. Redick, Kyrie Irving, and Al Horford all departing in free agency.

This season, the situation is a little different. Most Eastern Conference contenders have their core players locked up for the foreseeable future, so if they fall short of expectations in the postseason, that doesn’t necessarily mean roster shake-ups are coming. Still, the logjam near the top of the East’s standings will be fascinating to watch because there are now six strong contenders in the conference, with the Heat and Pacers joining the aforementioned four.

After struggling down the stretch last season when Victor Oladipo went down, Indiana has learned to win without him this season, posting a 22-13 record. It’s reasonable to assume the Pacers will be an even more dangerous team once Oladipo is back, which is expected to happen within the next month or so. As for Miami, the addition of Butler and young players like Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and Kendrick Nunn has led to an impressive bounce-back season so far for the 25-9 Heat.

The Celtics (23-8), Raptors (23-12), and Sixers (23-13) are bunched together with those two teams, and they’re all looking up at the top-seeded Bucks (31-5).

Based on how well these six teams have played so far, it’s safe to assume they’ll all enter the postseason expecting to win at least one series — and potentially more. But the math is working against them. Only four teams can make it through the first round, so at least two of these aspiring contenders will be one-and-done in the playoffs.

That brings us to today’s poll question: Which of the East’s top six teams won’t make it through the first round this spring?

Vote for two teams below in our poll, then head to the comment section below to explain your picks and to weigh in on which teams you expect to make deep postseason runs.

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Raptors At The Trade Deadline

January 1st, 2020 at 9:34pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

Despite a flurry of player injuries, the Raptors remain firmly ensconced among the class of the Eastern Conference. Currently, they are seeded fourth with a 23-11 record.

If one were to project this present winning percentage across an 82-game schedule, Toronto would win 55 contests. Not bad for a team already missing its best player from the season prior.

Five of the Raptors’ top eight players in minutes logged per game this season (All-Star level studs Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam, plus starters Marc Gasol and Norman Powell and integral reserve Serge Ibaka) have been lost to various maladies for at least nine games each, as we have noted previously on Hoops Rumors.

The ascent of Siakam to two-way superstar status, when healthy, has been a boon to the Raptors’ terrific start to 2019/20. 33-year-old Lowry’s ability to help shoulder more of the offensive burden left by departed fun guy Kawhi Leonard, along with the rise of Fred VanVleet as a major scorer, have helped plenty, too.

Provided Siakam doesn’t miss too much more time with his stretched groin injury, he and Lowry should both be All-Stars this season. The team’s various absences have doubled as showcases for young role players like OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Terence Davis to prove their mettle.

Assuming the team is healthy by spring, the Raptors’ depth, size and star power makes them a legitimate contender in the East in 2020, one year removed from winning it all. Or does it? Can they really best the Bucks, Celtics, or Sixers in a seven-game series? Teams like the Pacers and Heat have a realistic chance at advancing far, too. And do any of these teams have a chance against the two stacked Los Angeles squads or the Nuggets in a Finals series?

Before the season started, many pundits assumed Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri would tactfully rebuild his team, moving some of his solid veterans on good deals for future assets. Lowry has one season remaining this year; Gasol and Ibaka are both on expiring contracts.

The team has proven to be better than even some of the most devout occupants of Jurassic Park could have hoped. Should the Raptors blow it up? Or should they move some of their intriguing youth for a bit more veteran help ahead of another playoff push? The team will probably strive to avoid adding too many contracts that will extend beyond the 2020/21 season, as that summer promises to supply a stacked free agent class.

This writer believes that, barring some kind of collapse down the ranks ahead of the deadline, the Raptors should look to improve their team for 2020. The Raptors have bucked the odds to reach this point. Let them see this through. Though the Bucks, Lakers, and Clippers feel like the current cream of the crop in the NBA, the Raptors number among a host of talented squads nipping at their heels.

Should the Raptors be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline this season? Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: The West’s Last Two Playoff Spots

December 21st, 2019 at 2:11pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

In an epic new piece published yesterday, The Athletic’s John Hollinger takes a look at the nine middling NBA teams vying for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference. Hollinger notes that the West used to be mighty across all eight of its playoff teams. It’s taken 45.4 wins on average for a team to make the playoffs since 2000.

A team with a losing record has not made the cut since 1997; all nine teams in the bottom of the West have losing records at this point in 2019/20. Last season’s eighth seed, the Clippers, won 48 games.

Hollinger feels that, while the 6-24 Warriors and 10-19 Grizzlies could each make theoretical runs for the final two playoff spots, it is not in their best interests to do so. Hollinger expects Memphis to instead gauge the trade market for its attractive expiring veteran contracts (Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill).

Hollinger also dismisses the 7-23 Pelicans as being much of a contender for the final two playoff spots in the West, observing that reaching just 38 wins would be a fairly Herculean task for a team that just lost a staggering 13 games in a row. The team would have to win 62% of its remaining games to reach even that benchmark. With Zion Williamson still in street clothes for the indefinite future, New Orleans may be best served moving off some of its best veterans (Jrue Holiday, J.J. Redick and Derrick Favors) and throwing in the towel.

The Spurs and Timberwolves have nursed eight- and nine-game losing streaks of their own (and Minnesota may yet add to its streak). San Antonio’s two $20MM+, 30+ ex-All Stars, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, may be difficult to trade thanks to their performances this year. Minnesota three-and-D specialist Robert Covington could be a terrific trade attribute, on just the second year of a very reasonable four-year, $62MM deal.

After being the darlings of the NBA’s first month, the Suns have lost five straight games. The Kings kicked off their season with five consecutive defeats of their own. Hollinger considers Phoenix candidates to make a trade with an eye towards roster improvement this season, while he thinks the Kings need to see how former top draft picks De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III, who have missed most of the year with injuries, will help goose the team’s lackadaisical offense.

The Trail Blazers at present are $12MM into the NBA’s luxury tax, and Hollinger expects them to move one of their several expiring contracts and/or future draft picks to either (a) get under the tax threshold, (b) improve the team, or (c) both. With All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard still operating at the peak of his powers, shooting guard CJ McCollum providing steady offense, and injured center Jusuf Nurkic expected back at some point this season, the Blazers may have enough talent to sneak into the playoffs even with a cheaper supporting cast.

Hollinger accurately points out that the No. 7-seeded Thunder, fronted by several veterans GM Sam Presti would love to offload, are currently the class of this underwhelming crop. Though Hollinger is confident Danilo Gallinari, Chris Paul (having a potential All Star season if he stays healthy), and Dennis Schroder could be had for the right price. Steven Adams is not mentioned, but the same holds true for Oklahoma City’s $25.8MM center.

To this writer, the Trail Blazers and Suns feel like the teams with the right combination of talent and desire to be left standing when the dust settles. The Timberwolves and Thunder will be hard-pressed to not offload at least one of their more crucial starters. The Kings’ trade flexibility has been doomed by the four-year, $85MM summer contract they awarded to Harrison Barnes, who will never be an All-Star.

Which teams do you think will make the cut for these final two playoff spots in the West? Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Will An L.A. Team Win The 2020 NBA Finals?

December 18th, 2019 at 2:18pm CST by Luke Adams

Following the series of offseason moves that saw Anthony Davis team up with LeBron James for the Lakers and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George join forces with the Clippers, NBA fans and observers spent the next several months anticipating a season in which both Los Angeles teams were legit contenders for the first time in years.

Through the season’s first two months, those two clubs have actually exceeded expectations. The Lakers were expected to experience at least a few growing pains as they incorporated Davis and the rest of their newly-added rotation players, but there has been no adjustment period — the team has a 24-4 record and is on pace to win 70 games.

For the Clippers, George’s lingering shoulder issue and Leonard’s load-management plan were potential red flags, and there was a widespread belief that the club may not hit its stride until later in the season. That’s still possible, but the early results have been pretty impressive too. The 21-8 Clippers are on pace for 59 wins.

With the Nuggets and Jazz playing inconsistent ball and the Spurs and Trail Blazers off to disastrous starts, the Lakers and Clippers have emerged as the Western Conference’s most dominant teams so far in 2019/20. In fact, a panel of ESPN analysts and reporters polled on this season’s outcomes unanimously predicted that the two L.A. teams will meet in the Western Finals.

That ESPN poll included another interesting question, asking its panelists whether they’d bet on one of the two L.A. clubs or one of the NBA’s other 28 teams to win the 2019/20 title. Only 30.4% of respondents took the field, with the other 69.6% forecasting a championship for Los Angeles.

We want to know what you think. If you had to make a prediction today, would you pick a Los Angeles team to win this season’s title, or are you betting on the field? And if you’re taking one of the L.A. clubs, do you view the Lakers or the Clippers as the frontrunner?

Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

Poll: Will East’s Current Top Eight Teams Make Playoffs?

December 13th, 2019 at 2:43pm CST by Luke Adams

Entering the 2019/20 NBA season, oddsmakers considered the Bucks, Sixers, Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, Heat, Nets, and Magic to be the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference, in that order. Approximately 25 games into the season, it looks like they were almost exactly right — the East’s early playoff standings are nearly identical to that preseason projection, with Miami jumping up to No. 2.

Milwaukee, Miami, Boston, Toronto, and Indiana have all looked even better than we expected so far. Philadelphia has had a couple bumps along the way, but has stabilized as of late and appears to be a legit contender. It looks like a safe bet that those six teams will end up in the postseason.

Brooklyn’s spot in the top eight of the East isn’t quite so secure, but the club has had an impressive run with Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert on the shelf over the last month. The Nets’ 13-11 record gives them a comfortable hold on the No. 7 seed for the time being, with more reinforcements eventually on the way.

That leaves the 11-13 Magic as the only top-eight team with a tenuous hold on a playoff spot for the time being. However, Orlando has underperformed through the first quarter of the season and should be getting All-Star center Nikola Vucevic back in its lineup soon. The Magic look better positioned to claim that No. 8 spot than challengers like the Hornets (11-16), Pistons (10-15), and Bulls (9-17).

Still, with more than 50 games still to play, there’s more than enough time for one of those seemingly lottery-bound clubs to make a run and shake things up at the bottom of the Eastern playoff race. The Pistons may be the best candidate, but even current bottom-feeders like the Wizards (7-16) and Hawks (6-19) aren’t totally out of it yet — they could gain ground quickly if they’re able to string together some wins.

What do you think? Are you just about ready to pencil in the current top eight teams in the East as the eventual playoff teams? Or do you think one of the clubs currently in the lottery can make a run in the second half? If so, which of those clubs do you like?

Vote in our poll, then jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!

Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.

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