Poll: Rudy Gay’s Extension With Kings
Earlier today, we learned that the Kings and Rudy Gay agreed to a three-year, $40MM extension that includes a player option after year two. On the surface, it’s significant money to be spent on a player whose game has endured sharp criticism from the analytics community over the last few years. However, when considering Gay’s age, the short length of the pact, and Sacramento’s position as a free agent destination, one could argue that the deal is something of a good value for the Kings.
As Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated writes, the deal actually appears to be something of a head-scratcher from Gay’s perspective. The forward was set to hit the open market this upcoming summer and would have had a good amount of leverage behind him. No, Gay isn’t regarded as the type of guy that can be a No. 1 player for a contending team, but he’s still on the right side of 30 and the incumbent Kings likely would have been just as hungry to retain him then, if not more so. Meanwhile, the $13.3MM average annual value won’t leave Gay starving, but it’s a step back from the $16.4MM AAV on his previous deal.
On the flipside, the Kings have signed on for at least two additional seasons for a player who has been widely panned for his offensive inefficiency in recent seasons. In 75 games for the Grizzlies and Raptors in 2012-13, Gay recorded a combined PER of 15.6, putting him in the same range as guys like Ivan Johnson, DeMarre Carroll, and Matt Barnes. Since then, Gay has set new career highs in PER in each of the last two seasons (18.3 and 22.0, respectively), but the forward is not far removed from his pattern of dreadful offensive decisions and ill-advised long-range shots. The Grizzlies didn’t fade after trading Gay to Toronto and the Raptors actually improved after dealing Gay to the Kings, so it’s certainly fair for one to wonder exactly how valuable the 28-year-old really is.
Gay traded in the chance to earn a bit more this summer for the security of a new deal with the Kings, albeit with an escape hatch that can allow him to collect some of that sweet, sweet TV money in the summer of 2017. Putting aside the wisdom (or lack thereof) of the deal from Gay’s perspective, what do you think of the extension from the Kings’ side of things?
Is The Gay Extension A Smart Deal For The Kings?
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Yes 79% (625)
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No 21% (165)
Total votes: 790
Poll: Which 2015 FA Is Most Likely To Depart?
The 10 players atop the Hoops Rumors 2015 Free Agent Power Rankings comprise a star-studded list, but not all of them will change teams between now and next season. Only two of the 10 free agents on the final edition of last year’s Power Rankings changed teams. It’s indicative of the extra power that incumbent teams have to retain their star talent under the collective bargaining agreement, but it didn’t help the Heat, who lost LeBron James to the Cavs. Conservely, the Cavs saw Luol Deng sign with the Heat, but that’s a trade-off any team would make.
The idea of James leaving the Cavs again, and so soon after returning, seems a bit far-fetched, so we won’t include him among the options in this poll. Kevin Love has indicated his intent to remain with the Cavs, too, and he denied a report that he’s interested in signing with the Lakers. LaMarcus Aldridge also seems like a solid bet to return to his team, having repeated his desire to re-sign on a long-term deal, but his hometown Mavs are apparently eyeing him, and his relationship with the Blazers appeared to be on rocky ground up until last year.
Marc Gasol is a slick-passing defense anchor of a center who has an aging team around him, and brother Pau Gasol isn’t ruling out the idea that Marc would join the Knicks. Still, the younger Gasol has close ties to Memphis and appears content there. Rumors swirl nearly constantly around Rajon Rondo, but he hasn’t stopped singing Boston’s praises. The Spurs appear poised to match any offer for Kawhi Leonard, but after they passed on a max extension for the reigning Finals MVP last month, it’s fair to wonder whether a rival team will force them to decide whether to match a max offer sheet for him next summer.
Al Jefferson‘s value may never be higher after this season in Charlotte, and if he opts out, he’ll presumably have his choice of destinations. The same may be true of Goran Dragic, but the Suns will push to retain him, and they’ve already signed brother Zoran Dragic through 2015/16.
Greg Monroe and the Pistons haven’t ruled out a new deal this summer, but this past offseason he resisted any scenario that would tie him to the Pistons for the long term. DeAndre Jordan is fond of Doc Rivers, but the big man’s best days still seem to be ahead of him as he awaits his 27th birthday in July, the month when NBA teams traditionally shower cash on promising starting centers.
Last year’s 8 for 10 retention rate might be on par with what we’ll see this summer, but it would nonetheless be surprising to see all 10 top free agents re-sign with their current teams. Tell us which free agent you think is most likely to leave his team next summer, and leave a comment to let us know why you made your choice.
Which Top 2015 Free Agent Is Most Likely To Sign Elsewhere?
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Greg Monroe 41% (350)
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Rajon Rondo 19% (165)
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Kevin Love 12% (101)
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Marc Gasol 9% (75)
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Al Jefferson 5% (43)
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Goran Dragic 5% (42)
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LaMarcus Aldridge 3% (28)
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DeAndre Jordan 3% (26)
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Kawhi Leonard 2% (18)
Total votes: 848
Poll: How Many Games Will Sixers Win?
At the end of the summer, Hoops Rumors readers weighed in on the Sixers’ tanking strategy, with nearly 45 percent of the votes advocating GM Sam Hinkie‘s controversial methods. The NBA brass didn’t share the same enthusiasm, however, as the league tried to push through lottery reform that would’ve immediately discouraged tanking only to then have it rejected last month.
So, for now, it appears that the Sixers’ quest for the No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft will move forward unimpeded. And they’re off to quite a start, losing their first seven games by a league-worst margin of 12.9 points per contest. The Sixers began last season with the veteran likes of Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes, Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, enabling the team to win 19 games and somehow avoid finishing the season as the league’s worst team.
Those guys are gone and Hinkie didn’t do much to replace them — at least not with guys ready to make an NBA impact anytime soon. As they wait for Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, the Sixers will presumably continue to employ the white-glove treatment with Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel. The losses will pile up; the only question is how many? Will the Sixers come anywhere near their win total of 19 from a year ago? If not, will they challenge the 1973 Sixers, who finished at 9-73? Just how low can Hinkie and company go?
How Many Games Will The Sixers Win?
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Between 10 and 15 46% (394)
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Less than 10 31% (271)
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Between 16 and 20 18% (152)
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More than 20 5% (46)
Total votes: 863
Poll: Which Unbeaten Is The Best?
With the Rockets and Heat squaring off in Miami tonight, there will be only three unbeaten teams left in the NBA come morning. But, for now, we still have four. Yes, we’re only one week into the 2014/15 season. But, considering that none of these four teams are among the Vegas favorites to win it all this season, wouldn’t it be fun to see which of them has the best shot? So let’s hear it. Of the Heat, Grizzlies, Rockets and Warriors, which has the best chance at winning the NBA championship this season?
- Heat (3-0): Now don’t laugh. LeBron James may have left South Beach, but his departure seems to have energized Chris Bosh. The lefty has averaged over 25 points in the team’s first three games and Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng have worked well as Miami’s second and third fiddles. While the Heat might seem like the worst choice on this list, at least they have the luxury of playing in the Eastern Conference.
- Grizzlies (4-0): The Memphis grit-and-grind has risen to new levels through four games. The Grizzlies lead the NBA in scoring defense and rank second in defensive efficiency. They’ve won one shootout (105-101 over Minnesota), one slugfest (71-69 over Charlotte) and two games that were somewhere in between (97-89 and 93-81 over Indiana and New Orleans, respectfully). Throw in Memphis’ toughness and propensity to compete come playoff time, and it might not be a stretch to believe this is the Grizzlies’ year.
- Rockets (4-0): Houston might be the logical choice here. Through four games, they seem to have displayed the type of balance that would fare well in the postseason. They rank fourth in defense and fifth in offense in terms of efficiency. James Harden is an elite scorer and many predicted an MVP-caliber season for Dwight Howard this year. Even Trevor Ariza, who was signed in desperation this summer, has been great in the early going (shooting over 57%).
- Warriors (3-0): The Warriors have won their first three games by a combined 46 points. As good as Memphis has been defensively, it is Golden State that leads the NBA in efficiency, allowing a ridiculous 89.9 points per 100 possessions. An offseason of trade rumors and a max extension seem to have done a world of good for Klay Thompson, who currently leads the NBA in scoring. The Warriors are undoubtedly the sexiest pic on this list.
Which Unbeaten Is The Best Team?
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Golden State Warriors 54% (360)
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Houston Rockets 27% (179)
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Memphis Grizzlies 13% (87)
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Miami Heat 5% (35)
Total votes: 661
Poll: Which Extension Is Most Team-Friendly?
Teams around the NBA combined to hand out more than $450MM in rookie scale extensions this year, as Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors recently noted. Such a high figure isn’t overly surprising given the number of eligible candidates that there were, and the total would have been much higher if young talents like Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, and Tristan Thompson could have worked out deals with their respective clubs. Two players who inked extensions earned maximum salary pacts in Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, with the former scoring a four-year deal and the latter receiving a five-year pact. Ricky Rubio put pen to paper on a four-year, $55MM contract with the Wolves just before the deadline after initially holding out for max money.
Some extensions were more surprising than others, like the four-year one Alec Burks worked out with the Jazz, which will net him about $10.5MM per year even though he’s never started more than 12 games in a given season. That dollar figure is much higher than the one Chuck predicted Burks would land, and so was the four-year, $48MM contract Kemba Walker signed with Hornets. Kenneth Faried agreed to a four-year, $50MM deal with the Nuggets, but big men often find a way to get paid handsomely, so neither his deal nor the four-year, $48MM one inked by Nikola Vucevic come as a total shock.
Not every new contract is worth such an lucrative amount, however, as Markieff and Marcus Morris reached four-year agreements with the Suns that will pay them average annual values of $8MM and $5MM, respectively. Smaller rookie-scale extensions aren’t typically the norm, but with the deals signed by the Morris twins, a total of three rookie scale extensions with average annual values of less then $10MM have been signed in the last two years (Quincy Pondexter is the other recipient of such a contract; he inked a four-year, $14MM extension with the Grizzlies in 2013).
Which of these rookie scale extensions do you think will end up being the best deal in the long term? Any one of these contracts could end up being unquestionably team-friendly, but just as easily, any of them could end up looking like poor decisions a few years down the road. It’s hard to predict how guys will develop as players, which is the deciding factor on how these extensions will eventually be judged, but we want to hear your thoughts. Vote below and share your reasoning in the comments section as to why you made your selection!
Which rookie scale extension is the most team-friendly?
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Nikola Vucevic (Magic): Four years, $48MM (plus incentives) 20% (170)
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Kemba Walker (Hornets): Four years, $48MM 15% (132)
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Kenneth Faried (Nuggets): Four years, $50MM (plus incentives) 13% (107)
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Marcus Morris (Suns): Four years, $20MM 12% (106)
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Markieff Morris (Suns): Four years, $32MM 12% (105)
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Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers): Five years, maximum salary 11% (93)
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Klay Thompson (Warriors): Four years, maximum salary 10% (88)
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Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves): Four years, $55MM (plus incentives) 4% (32)
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Alec Burks (Jazz): Four years, $42MM (plus incentives) 2% (19)
Total votes: 852
Poll: Who Will Win The 2014/15 NBA Title?
The 2014/15 season is finally here! The first three regular season games tip off tonight, and the bulk of teams begin their seasons Wednesday. It brings to a close an active offseason full of trades and free agent signings that have reshuffled the power structure across the league. The Cavaliers added LeBron James and Kevin Love and are poised to jump from the lottery right into the title picture. The Pacers are in line to go in the opposite direction, minus Paul George, Lance Stephenson and with a host of short-term injuries to start the season. The Mavs might have passed the Rockets, but the Spurs stood pat atop the Texas triangle, and time will tell if they’ll remain atop the league.
The first Hoops Rumors poll of the 2014/15 regular season is a simple one that asks you to identify the team you think will win the championship this coming June. The list of choices here reflects the teams that most pundits believe have the best chances to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy, but perhaps you think a darkhorse will emerge. It wouldn’t be altogether surprising to see a team that isn’t on this list at least make Finals, if not win them, since there are only two Eastern Conference clubs listed here. In any case, if you support a write-in candidate for the title, let us know which team you have in mind in the comments section.
Who Will Win The 2014/15 NBA Title?
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San Antonio Spurs 21% (218)
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Cleveland Cavaliers 18% (185)
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Chicago Bulls 17% (176)
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Another team 12% (126)
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Dallas Mavericks 10% (99)
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Los Angeles Clippers 8% (85)
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Golden State Warriors 6% (61)
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Oklahoma City Thunder 5% (46)
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Houston Rockets 2% (24)
Total votes: 1,020
Poll: Should W’s Give Thompson Max Extension?
There’s been a little confusion lately about whether Klay Thompson is seeking the maximum salary in extension talks with the Warriors or an amount that would be a shade beneath it, but his father this week attempted to clear that up, insisting that his son is indeed going after the max. So, the Warriors face tough a decision between now and the October 31st extension deadline, since co-owner Joe Lacob apparently has reservations about paying Thompson any more than the roughly $15MM salaries that David Lee is set to make this season and next.
It’s not clear at this point just how much a maximum-salary extension would entail, since the maximums for 2015/16, when the extension would kick in, won’t be known until next July. A five-year maximum extension, one that would make Thompson the team’s Designated Player, would come in at around $85MM based on this year’s figures, while a four-year max would run about $66MM. Still, this year’s figures aren’t necessarily as indicative of next year’s as they normally would be. The salary cap is projected to jump to around $66.5MM for next season, a sizable uptick that doesn’t take into account the league’s new TV deal that’ll kick in come the summer of 2016. If the league decides to fold even a fraction of that money into the 2015/16 cap, the number will go higher still. Maximum salaries are tied to the salary cap, so a lot is unknown.
The luxury tax line is another X-factor that won’t be resolved until the league sets the salary cap, and it’s of particular concern to the Warriors. Golden State has about $56.1MM in commitments for 2015/16, not including a nearly $3.9MM team option on Harrison Barnes that the Warriors will almost assuredly pick up. That’s $60MM on the books without a new deal for Thompson or Draymond Green, whose contract is also set to expire at season’s end. This year’s tax line is $76.829MM. Lacob has spoken of a willingness to pay the tax in the right circumstances in the past, but he’ll surely attempt to avoid it if he can.
The owner has promised to strike a deal with Thompson, though he didn’t specify whether it would be an extension or a new contract in restricted free agency next summer. The Warriors took a hard line against including Thompson in Kevin Love trade proposals that otherwise met the demands of the Timberwolves, and it would surely sting the Bay Area if Thompson were to hit the open market and somehow get away.
I predicted in late July that Thompson and agent Bill Duffy would settle for a discount and laid out the reasons why when I examined the shooting guard’s extension candidacy the next month, but in hindsight, it doesn’t sound like they’ll be willing to do so. Absent a change of heart, the onus is on the Warriors to figure how to secure an asset they clearly value. Let us know how you think Golden State should proceed, and explain your choice in the comments.
Should The Warriors Sign Klay Thompson To A Maximum-Salary Extension?
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No 52% (274)
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Yes 48% (249)
Total votes: 523
Poll: Who Will Win The Southeast Division?
The 2014/15 NBA regular season doesn’t officially begin until Tuesday October 28th, when the will Spurs raise another Championship banner to the rafters, and host the rival Mavericks. This is the time of year when most fans can still have hope, and every team is still undefeated. It’s also the time of year for predictions to start rolling in on how the upcoming season will play out. We’ve already gotten your input on the Atlantic and Southwest Divisions. Today we’ll be seeing who you folks think will win the Southeast Division. Let’s take a quick look at the possible contenders…
Note: All projected starters taken from the respective team pages at ESPN.com.
Orlando Magic
The Magic finished in the cellar of the Southeast Division last season, notching a record of 23-59. Orlando wasn’t expected to contend, and instead was focusing on rebuilding the franchise through the draft.
That focus continues into the 2014/15 campaign, when the team will break in its two first-round draft picks — Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon. Gordon has a higher upside than Payton, and with his off-the-charts athleticism, he’ll be a crowd-pleaser once he cracks the rotation. But it’s Payton who is more vital to any success the Magic hope to achieve this year.
If Payton can handle starting point guard duties, it would free up Victor Oladipo to return to his more natural shooting guard position. With Oladipo being able to focus more on his offense instead of being the primary distributor, it might help the second-year player take the next step toward stardom and keep him fresher by not making him chase around opposing teams’ point guards on defense.
Orlando is a franchise heading in the right direction, but it’s doubtful that this is the season they will break through in the Southeast Division. The Magic need Payton to be able to handle running the show, or else they will really feel the loss of Arron Afflalo, who was traded this summer in part for Evan Fournier. It will most likely be a few seasons before Orlando will be in the hunt for a division title. For now, player development is the main focus.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Elfrid Payton
- SG: Victor Oladipo
- SF: Maurice Harkless
- PF: Tobias Harris
- C: Nikola Vucevic
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks should have a chance to improve on their 38-44 record of a season ago. Atlanta made the playoffs because it has the good fortune to play in the Eastern Conference, though a lottery pick would have been more helpful in the long run than their first round playoff exit was.
Working in Atlanta’s favor is the fact that it still plays in the east, though the conference will be tougher this year with the strides the Hornets, Wizards, and Cavs made this offseason. Even more important to the Hawks’ fortunes will be the return of Al Horford, who missed all but 29 games last year. With the return of the big man, along with the arrival of Thabo Sefolosha, the Hawks defense should be improved over last season.
It does looks like another middle-of-the-pack season is in the cards for Atlanta, with the future direction of the franchise a bit in doubt. Paul Millsap is in the final year of his team-friendly deal, and his pending free agency might make him a trade candidate. It wouldn’t improve the team’s chances of snagging a division crown if he is dealt. But if the trio of Millsap, Horford, and Jeff Teague remain intact and healthy, another playoff berth isn’t too far of a stretch.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Jeff Teague
- SG: Kyle Korver
- SF: Thabo Sefolosha
- PF: Paul Millsap
- C: Al Horford
Washington Wizards
The Wizards are on the brink of taking the next step forward in the East, and are one of the five most talented teams in the conference on paper. The backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal is one of the most talented in the conference, though Beal’s wrist injury that occurred last night bears watching. Wall seems poised to take the next step toward greatness this year, and if Beal remains healthy, he is an excellent complement whose outside prowess will open up the paint for his teammates.
It’s the arrival of Paul Pierce that has the biggest game-changing potential. While he’s no longer the dominant star of his Celtics’ days, Pierce is a leader who knows how to play the game, and more importantly, how to win. This will prove invaluable to his younger teammates as they attempt to take the division crown away from the Heat. If Pierce can provide stability and 14 to 17 points per game, the Wizards will be a dangerous team, and could wind up at the top of the division standings.
Projected Starters:
- PG: John Wall
- SG: Bradley Beal
- SF: Paul Pierce
- PF: Nene
- C: Marcin Gortat
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are another up-and-coming team in the division. They surprised quite a few folks last year by snagging the seventh seed in the playoffs. Another trip to the postseason looks to be in the cards as the franchise made a number of notable upgrades this summer.
With the arrival of Lance Stephenson and Marvin Williams, Charlotte addressed its biggest weakness of a season ago — outside shooting. Williams replaces the departed Josh McRoberts, who migrated south to Miami this summer to join the Heat. Williams should match McRoberts’ production while adding some veteran leadership to the mix.
But this season will depend on how well Stephenson adjusts to his new surroundings, and how well head coach Steve Clifford is able to contain the guard’s eccentricities. One of the primary factors in Charlotte’s breakthrough season was the team’s superior locker room chemistry, something that Stephenson is quite capable of disrupting. It also remains to be seen how he will adjust to being a primary scoring option instead of a supporting player like he was with the Pacers.
The outlook is bright in Charlotte, though I predict the team takes a step back this season. The playoffs are a possibility, but the Hornets will have a more difficult time sneaking up on teams this year.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Kemba Walker
- SG: Lance Stephenson
- SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
- PF: Marvin Williams
- C: Al Jefferson
Miami Heat
It’s a new era in Miami now that LeBron James‘ talents are back in Ohio. The cupboard is hardly bare, but the Heat aren’t likely to win 54 games again this season. The division will be tougher with the Wizards looking to break through, and the Hornets a possibility to overtake Miami in the standings as well.
Chris Bosh will now be the team’s primary scoring option. Bosh handled those duties during his years in Toronto, but now he’ll be dealing with higher expectations, a much larger contract to live up to, and struggling to make the Heat Nation forget about LeBron. Not an easy task, but Bosh has the talent to carry a team when he’s motivated.
The health and stamina of Dwyane Wade will also be a major storyline in South Beach this year. With LeBron around, Wade could take games off to rest for the postseason. But making the playoffs will not be a given this year, and the team will need a full season out of Wade. The hope is that with LeBron gone, Wade will no longer need to defer, and will re-emerge as an upper-tier scorer. That might not be so easy, given the mileage that Wade has on his body. He can still take over a game at times, but he will never be the player that he was earlier in his career.
Miami added enough talent this summer to stay in the playoff hunt, but it’s no longer the team to beat in its own division, much less in the Eastern Conference. Team president Pat Riley did the best he could in the wake of LeBron’s departure, and adding Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts to the mix will help defuse that loss. But teams seldom improve after losing the best player in the league.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Mario Chalmers
- SG: Dwyane Wade
- SF: Luol Deng
- PF: Josh McRoberts
- C: Chris Bosh
Who Will Win The Southeast Division?
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Wizards 49% (257)
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Heat 24% (126)
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Hornets 18% (95)
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Hawks 5% (24)
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Magic 4% (21)
Total votes: 523
Poll: Who Will Win The Southwest Division?
The 2014/15 NBA regular season doesn’t officially begin until Tuesday October 28th, when the will Spurs raise another Championship banner to the rafters, and host the rival Mavericks. This is the time of year when most fans can still have hope, and every team is still undefeated. It’s also the time of year for predictions to start rolling in on how the upcoming season will play out. Today we’ll be seeing who you folks think will win the Southwest Division. Let’s take a quick look at the possible contenders…
Note: All projected starters taken from the respective team pages at ESPN.com.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets had as difficult an offseason as any team in the league. GM Daryl Morey attempted to add a third star to the roster but came up short in his overtures to Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony. But it’s not so much who they didn’t get that will make it difficult to equal last season’s 54-28 mark, but rather who the team lost.
In his attempt to clear cap room to sign Bosh, Morey dealt away Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik. While it can be argued that neither of those two were performing up to their contracts, both provided Houston with some needed depth, and if Howard has any injury woes this season, Asik will be especially missed.
The franchise also chose not to match the offer sheet that Chandler Parsons inked with the rival Mavericks. Acquring Trevor Ariza will ease the sting of that loss somewhat, as both players’ statistical production was remarkably similar last year. Ariza did shoot three-pointers at a higher percentage than Parsons (40.7% for Ariza, 37% for Parsons), and he is also a better defender, and Houston has certainly had room for improvement on defense. But Parsons has a higher upside than Ariza, and also had his numbers impacted by being the third option behind Harden and Howard.
Some regression in the won-loss column is likely for the Rockets this season, especially competing in this difficult division. It also doesn’t help that the Mavs improved as much as they did, and the Pelicans will continue to grow along with Anthony Davis‘ game. With Harden and Howard, the Rockets are top-heavy with talent, but it’s their depth and supporting cast that may let the team down this season.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Patrick Beverley
- SG: James Harden
- SF: Trevor Ariza
- PF: Terrence Jones
- C: Dwight Howard
New Orleans Pelicans
Though the Pelicans finished at the bottom of the division last season, this is definitely a franchise on the rise. If they played in the Eastern Conference they would have an excellent shot at snagging a playoff spot, but in the brutal Western Conference they look to be a year away from breaking through.
Losing Jrue Holiday for all but 34 games certainly put a dent in any chance that New Orleans had at competing for the division crown in 2013/14. Plus, Eric Gordon continued his injury woes, missing 18 contests, and he still hasn’t approached the production he had while with the Clippers. A full season of Holiday and Gordon would go a long way for New Orleans’ chances this coming year.
The brightest spot for Pelicans fans is the presence of Anthony Davis. Davis had an excellent season last year, averaging 20.8 PPG and 10 RPG. But those numbers appear to be just the beginning, and if he can stay healthy, Davis has a chance to climb into the best player in the league discussion. He also had a strong FIBA World Cup, and should carry that momentum into the season. Davis should also benefit from the defensive presence of Omer Asik, which will allow him to focus more energy on scoring. Bad news for stretch-fours tasked with trying to slow down the “Uni-brow.”
My take on the Pelicans is that they’ll show improvement, but not necessarily in the win column this year. The team will be better overall, but the west is just too stacked. New Orleans really should figure out a way to switch to the Eastern Conference. But watch out for them in 2015/16.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Eric Gordon
- SF: Tyreke Evans
- PF: Anthony Davis
- C: Omer Asik
San Antonio Spurs
The defending champs return with their aging core still intact for another season. Is this the year that “Father Time” and injuries finally catch up with the Spurs? One would have to think they are due for a decline and/or a string of injuries, but the same could have been said for any of the last few seasons. San Antonio has managed to remain one of the best, if not the best, organizations in the league.
The rest of the teams in the division probably need to hope that San Antonio experiences some bad luck. Otherwise, there isn’t much reason to think that the Spurs won’t be at or near the top of the Southwest for another year. Their style of ball doesn’t rely on freakish athleticism, just basketball IQ, which this roster has plenty of.
The two primary factors for the Spurs this year will be the health of Manu Ginobili, who is still recovering from a leg injury he suffered during last year’s playoffs, and the continued development of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is the future of this franchise, but he also needs to show that his stellar playoff performances weren’t an aberration. He has a wealth of talent, and if Leonard can continue to progress, he may just keep the “old guard” around for a bit longer as San Antonio’s championship window will remain open.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Tony Parker
- SG: Danny Green
- SF: Kawhi Leonard
- PF: Tim Duncan
- C: Tiago Splitter
Dallas Mavericks
No team in the division did more to improve themselves this summer than the Mavs. While I still believe that three years, $46.08MM was an overpay for Chandler Parsons, I can’t deny that he will help this team out quite a bit. With Dirk Nowitzki in his decline phase, Parsons has a chance to get a lot of touches, and he can shine in the Dallas offense. What remains to be seen is how much Parsons benefited from Houston’s offensive system, and if he will feel the pressure trying to justify that large of a contract.
Another major addition is Tyson Chandler making his return to the Lone Star state. Now, this isn’t the same Chandler who departed Dallas as a champion, but he’s still a major upgrade at center. Chandler seems revitalized by his return to Dallas, and this should translate into a strong season from the big man. If he can remain on the court, he’ll anchor the defense, which will need all the help it can get.
The Mavs won 49 games last season, which they will have a chance to improve upon thanks to their new performers. One concern is that despite adding Jameer Nelson, the team isn’t as strong as it needs to be at the point guard position. They will miss Jose Calderon more than they realize, but the Mavs will be a big factor in the divisional race just the same.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Jameer Nelson
- SG: Monta Ellis
- SF: Chandler Parsons
- PF: Dirk Nowitzki
- C: Tyson Chandler
Memphis Grizzlies
The two biggest questions facing the Grizzlies this year are whether Marc Gasol can stay healthy and if this team will be able to create enough offense to be contenders. Gasol missed 23 games last season, and he is the team’s most important player. He needs to remain on the court for the team to make any noise.
As for the offense, Memphis averaged 96.2 PPG, good for only 26th in the league last year. The addition of Vince Carter should help, but he’s more of a part-time contributor at this stage of his career and isn’t a game-changer.
There’s no reason to believe that Memphis won’t be in the playoff hunt this year. They play defense well and control the pace of the game to mask their offensive deficiencies. But with Dallas improved, and New Orleans improving, getting to 50 wins again might be a tough task in this division.
Projected Starters:
- PG: Mike Conley
- SG: Courtney Lee
- SF: Tayshaun Prince
- PF: Zach Randolph
- C: Marc Gasol
Who Will Win The Southwest Division?
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Grizzlies 42% (454)
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Spurs 38% (404)
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Mavericks 12% (126)
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Rockets 6% (64)
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Pelicans 2% (23)
Total votes: 1,071
Poll: Will Michael Beasley Return To The NBA?
Michael Beasley‘s basketball odyssey took yet another unexpected turn Thursday, when he agreed to a deal to play for China’s Shanghai Sharks and the Grizzlies obliged, waiving his non-guaranteed contract. An undisclosed illness that kept him out of the team’s first preseason game might have helped contribute to the decision, since the 25-year-old had to make the most of his time this month if he were to have made the Grizzlies regular season roster, but his departure is nonetheless surprising. Memphis has guaranteed money on the books for 14 players, which left the Jared Karnes client a decent chance to stick for opening night, just as he did on a non-guaranteed deal with the Heat last season.
The former No. 2 overall pick didn’t see an abundance of playing time for the Finals-bound Heat, but he was effective when he did hit the floor, scoring 18.9 points per 36 minutes. He appeared in 55 regular season games but only four postseason contests, as it seemed by the spring that the Heat had already moved on. Team president Pat Riley was quick to dismiss whispers that his team continued to worry about Beasley’s maturity level, but the former Kansas State standout’s reputation is still in need of heavy scrubbing. It was little more than a year ago that the Suns took the unusual step of impugning Beasley’s “personal and professional conduct” when they waived him after agreeing to a buyout deal. That didn’t stop the Spurs, who tolerate no hijinks, from working him out this summer, and the Lakers auditioned him twice.
Beasley was one of the top scorers, rebounders and three-point shooters still on the market in August before he hooked on with the Grizzlies, so it’s clear that much of the talent that made him such an intriguing prospect when he came out of Kansas State in 2008 is still there. He’s only 25, so he still has time to forge a productive NBA career, if he gets that chance. That won’t happen until the end of the Chinese season, at the earliest. Let us know whether you think Beasley will make it back to the NBA, and elaborate on your choice in the comments.
Will Michael Beasley Ever Return To The NBA?
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Yes 64% (346)
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No 36% (191)
Total votes: 537