Weekly Mailbag

We have an 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 us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Is Dwyane Wade to the Cavs to reunite with LeBron James a possibility now that cap is announced? — Michael Rodriguez

As much as they may want to team up again, the Cavaliers don’t have the cap room to make such a move even thinkable. Cleveland is paying $54MM in luxury taxes and has more than $74MM committed in payroll for next season, without factoring in James, J.R. Smith or Richard Jefferson. James and Wade joining forces again may be fun to think about, but it’s no more realistic than LeBron’s “superteam” fantasy of someday teaming up with Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul.

With the moves the Lakers are making, does this mean that the pick the Sixers have from the Lakers next year [top 3 protected] is worthless? Are the Lakers now not a lottery team? — Anthony

The pick may be worth a little less, but it’s a long way from being worthless. Remember, this is a Lakers team that won just 17 games this season, lost Kobe Bryant and underwent a coaching change. Adding Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng is certainly an upgrade, as is the drafting of Brandon Ingram, but the Lakers have a long way to go to be considered a playoff team. They have a talented young core with a few veterans mixed in, but the Sixers will almost certainly be holding their lottery pick next June.

What in the world does the Magic depth chart look like now? — Pastor Mike Chandler

It looks really good from here, pastor. Orlando added two elite shot blockers with the trade for Serge Ibaka and the signing of Bismack Biyombo. They also kept Evan Fournier, signed a versatile forward in Jeff Green and a veteran point guard in D.J. Augustin and sent a 2019 second-round pick to the Pistons for Jodie Meeks. That’s a lot of talent and experience added to what was already a promising young roster. The Magic should be one of the league’s most improved teams in 2016/17.

We have an 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 us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

What should be the plan for the Washington Wizards for the long term? — Thomas Warrick II

We haven’t reached July, and two major offseason questions for the Wizards have already been resolved. They weren’t one of the seven teams to get a meeting with Kevin Durant, and they seem ready to gamble on giving Bradley Beal a maximum contract despite lingering injury concerns. The immediate objective for Washington should be to fortify the front court, as Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris are the only big men under contract for next season. The long-term plan should be to focus on younger players with their cap space this summer, regardless of position. The Wizards had an aging roster this season, and they have a chance for a significant makeover starting Friday.

With Dwight Howard opting out and the Rockets having $44MM in cap space, where do you see them going in free agency? Also, do you see any other rotation players from last year on the way out? — Scott Barzilla

The Rockets were hugely disappointed that Durant didn’t consider them, despite his friendship with James Harden. They are moving onto their next target, Atlanta’s Al Horford, who would put up big numbers in Mike D’Antoni’s offense. Houston hasn’t given up on Donatas Motiejunas, despite lingering concerns about his back, and will probably match any reasonable offer he gets in free agency. The Rockets would like to find a taker for Corey Brewer and the two seasons and $15.2MM left on his contract, and don’t be surprised if they shop around Trevor Ariza and Patrick Beverley if the need arises for more cap space.

If the Lakers strike out on Hassan Whiteside, do you think they’d explore a trade for Brook Lopez? And would Larry Nance Jr. and Nick Young get it done? — Miles Reaves

Lopez is only 28 and seems fully recovered from the foot injury that cost him virtually all of the 2011/12 and 2013/14 seasons. He would be a great fallback plan for the Lakers as a veteran center who can put the ball in the basket. Whether Brooklyn would be willing to trade him is anybody’s guess. New GM Sean Marks emphatically said he planned to rebuild around Lopez and Thaddeus Young, then traded Young to Indiana this week for a draft pick. The Nets have to swap picks with Boston next year and then send their 2018 pick to the Celtics, so there’s no incentive for them to tank. However, Marks seems headed toward a full rebuild and might be tempted to add a young player like Nance.

We have an 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 us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Where do you see the Raptors going with the No. 9 pick? If they trade it, it will likely be for a stretch four with a couple years under contract. I like Thaddeus Young and Brooklyn has no picks. Who else do you think is in play? — Enio Pippo

Young would be a nice fit in Toronto, but new Nets GM Sean Marks has let it be known that he considers Young and Brook Lopez the foundation of the team and he doesn’t plan to trade either one. Brooklyn would like to move into the first round, but probably not badly enough to give up Young and set off a Sixers-style rebuilding project. This year’s draft is well stocked with power forwards, and the ideal scenario would be if either Jaylen Brown, Marquese Chriss or Dragan Bender slides to the ninth spot. If not and the Raptors can’t find the power forward they want via trade, they will be choosing from Domantas Sabonis, Skal Labissiere and Henry Ellenson.

You are Danny Ainge, trying to make a move, but just like last year, you get stonewalled and are unable to make a trade during the draft. What do you do to build a team? Who do you try to sign? — Tyler Norton

The obvious answer is to see how the Kevin Love situation plays out in Cleveland. If the Cavs decide Love isn’t the right fit and they want to unload his contract for luxury tax relief, Boston should be first in line as a trading partner. The Celtics could give up a package centering on Jae Crowder and a couple of young athletes who fit Tyronn Lue’s up-tempo style in Cleveland. If that doesn’t work out, Boston has nearly $42MM in cap space this summer. Ainge can afford to pursue every big name free agent on the market, starting with Kevin Durant. If he stays in Oklahoma City, Al Horford would be a good alternative.

Could the pick Boston has at the top of the second round be a valuable commodity to use in  trades? — Richard Barnett

Many teams find second-round picks enticing because they don’t come with guaranteed contracts. GMs are willing to take more chances because they aren’t bound to the players they draft if they wind up being washouts. The Celtics have three picks in the first round and five in the second round, so they’ll surely be in a trading mood. It won’t be hard to find a taker for the 31st pick or the 35th or 45th. Most likely, Ainge will try to package a few of those selections and maybe some players in a bid to get an established star.

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 us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

HR: I like both ideas, though, I don’t know how practical either of them are. The idea of a Curry Challenge would appeal to the mainstream audience enough, even it is solely about one player, just because of how popular Stephen Curry is. I hate the dunk contest voting system and the way the competition is won. It is silly on all levels and detracts me as a viewer. I’m in favor of something different and involving fans might be a good bet. I could see fans being able to vote on Twitter and online from home in addition to fans having the ability to do it live at the venue.

I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t feel that Byron Scott has done that bad of a job. He was put in an impossible position to actually contend with this team. We, as fans, rant about developing talent and that’s exactly what he’s done. — Miles

HR: I have to disagree, Miles. Scott openly has said he does not prefer the use of advanced statistics and his coaching of D’Angelo Russell is baffling to me. I wouldn’t attribute the development of players to Scott because he seems like a coach who is interested in results more than the process. For example, Scott benched Russell for “cockiness” in December, which struck me as bizarre. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak doesn’t want to discuss Scott’s future anymore and indicated that the coach’s status with the organization hasn’t changed, so only time will tell if he will remain. My guess, which is purely my speculation, is he doesn’t last beyond this season.

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 us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Doesn’t it seem perfect that Al Horford became available in trade talks right about the same time Festus Ezeli had surgery? That seems like a good fit. Golden State could trade picks that they don’t seem to need. — Isaac

HR: Perfect, sure, if the Warriors were simply able to plug him into their rotation. I don’t see that dream becoming a reality, though. It was reported earlier today that the Hawks are not actively shopping Al Horford despite his looming free agency. While Horford has not offered much regarding his plans for after this season, he has on multiple occasions expressed how much he enjoys playing in Atlanta so I wouldn’t bet on him signing anywhere else. I know that is the politically correct answer from athletes, but there is a lot to like about the Hawks’ situation, especially with the season they are experiencing. While the Celtics have reportedly reached out about Horford, the Warriors have not expressed interest in him, at least not publicly. I don’t see Golden State making a move, anyway. What’s more, Ezeli, a soon-to-be restricted free agent, is expected back in five weeks and has said he wants to stay with the Warriors for the rest of his career.

Who are possible suitors for Greg Monroe? — John

HR: The Bucks shouldn’t be shopping Monroe, but they’ve reportedly let teams know that they are. It’s unlikely the center is moved because Monroe was the Bucks’ prized free agent signing last July. He can opt out after next season. The Knicks, Lakers and Blazers made max offers to Monroe, so they all could presumably still be interested. I wouldn’t bet on Monroe getting traded because coach Jason Kidd, who apparently calls the shots on player personnel, said the Bucks won’t be making any deals at the deadline.

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 us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Does Nuggets GM Tim Connelly’s extension make sense based on his performance to date? — Keith

HR: I really think so. I am a fan of what Connelly has done, but I’m also not a Nuggets fan so my perspective may differ from yours, Keith. I know the Nuggets are 10 games under .500 and I have not been impressed with first-year coach Michael Malone, but Denver is positioned well for the future and a lot of that has to do with Connelly, who took over for Masai Ujiri in 2013. Connelly has acquired three potential lottery-protected first-round picks over the next two drafts after drafting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay in the lottery last summer. It’s hard to argue with that. I strongly believe that when Connelly’s contract is up, this will no longer be a question.

What do you think of a trade that would send Arron Afflalo, Jose Calderon, Cleanthony Early and a pair of second round picks to the Kings for Darren Collison, Marco Belinelli, and Caron Butler? — Keith

HR: The Knicks have two second-round picks they can trade, one in 2018 and one in 2022. From a financial standpoint, the deal works fine. I don’t mind the deal from the Knicks’ perspective much because they need backcourt help and Collison has the potential to provide that for a couple of years. I don’t like the Knicks moving Afflalo, though, because he has proven to be the rare player who is able to produce while playing second fiddle to Carmelo Anthony. Of course, to receive, you have to give. I’m not convinced Belinelli has anything left, but I can say the same about Calderon. The question is, which player would each team want, Collison or Afflalo? I like this deal.

Should the Celtics consider a deal for Ryan Anderson? Could a Jonas Jerebko/Evan Turner/non-Brooklyn first round pick package interest New Orleans, or would Marcus Smart or a Brooklyn first round pick be needed? — Craig

HR: The Celtics really shouldn’t deal Smart at all, especially not for a player they will likely have for only a couple of months. It does make sense for the Celtics to consider a deal for Anderson, though, because although the team has a slew of power forwards, none of them can open the floor quite like Anderson can. I would suggest a swap of Anderson for Jerebko and Jared Sullinger with some picks exchanged as well.