Weekly Mailbag

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 are your thoughts on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist‘s contract extension? Is he worth the money in your opinion?“ — Jason

I keep having to remind myself that the salary cap is going to jump next Summer when considering each new deal that is handed out. If I look at the current salary structure that exists in the NBA, then $13MM for a wing who can’t shoot from the outside seems a bit high to me. But beginning next season, that figure will probably be in line with what players of Kidd-Gilchrist’s talent level will be pulling down.

Charlotte isn’t really a free agent destination for players, which means that it’s vital for the franchise to retain the players it has taken the time to nurture and develop. That’s one of the reasons why I think that it was a wise move to lock up Kidd-Gilchrist for four more seasons, or at least three, if he decides to opt out of the final season of the deal. His defensive prowess, leadership, hustle, and superior athleticism are the other factors that make the young forward a keeper. While it’s not ideal in today’s NBA to have a starting three who isn’t a threat from the outside, possessing a player who can shut down opponents’ top scorers on a nightly basis certainly is an excellent trade off.

One area of concern though is with Kidd-Gilchrist’s ability to remain healthy and on the court. The 21-year-old has missed roughly 29% of Charlotte’s games the last two seasons, which isn’t great. But no matter my thoughts, in the end, I don’t believe that the Hornets had any other choice but to extend Kidd-Gilchrist. With quite a few teams expected to have ample cap space to throw around next offseason, it’s more than likely that Charlotte would have been forced to pony up at least $13MM per season to match any offer sheets that Kidd-Gilchrist were to sign as a restricted free agent anyway.

“Who do you see being the top pick in next year’s NBA Draft?” — Scott

Wow. Questions about the 2016 draft already! I guess it’s never too early to look forward to adding a potential star player for lottery bound teams…unless you’re talking about the Knicks, who will send their first-rounder to Toronto for having had the privilege of Andrea Bargnani sitting behind their bench in street clothes for 95 of the 164 games he was part of the team for. And yes, I am still working out some feelings regarding that trade…

Back to your question, it’s extremely early to definitively predict who will be the first player off the board next June. After all, Jahlil Okafor was the overwhelming choice in most preseason mock drafts last year to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, and he fell to No. 3 overall. That just shows what an inexact science player scouting can be. But the early favorite to be the first name intoned by Adam Silver next June is LSU freshman Ben Simmons. Simmons is 6’10” and plays the game like a point guard. The sky is the limit for the 18-year-old, and he certainly has the potential to become a superstar in the NBA. Simmons stiffest competition for the top spot is Kentucky center Skal Labissiere, who should be the next great Wildcat big man.

“What are your thoughts on the Clippers being fined for offering DeAndre Jordan an endorsement deal as part of their pitch?” — Benny

I don’t think it’s a big deal at all really. The fine imposed by the NBA is mere pocket change to an owner as rich as Steve Ballmer is, so the Clippers organization will be just fine. The situation hasn’t reached the conspiracy level associated with the Patriots and “Deflategate,” as well it shouldn’t be. I’d hazard a guess that this sort of deal sweetener is not at all uncommon during negotiations in the NBA, and it’s only coming to light because of the highly unusual circumstances attached to Jordan’s free agent flip-flop on where to sign. I’d also like to take a moment to commend the Mavs’ organization for not trying to turn this into a bigger issue than it really is. While the league’s investigation determined that the Lexus endorsement offer that Jordan was offered didn’t influence him to return to Los Angeles, one can never know for sure if it played a part, no matter how small. Dallas could have made some noise about this, but it has seemingly moved on, which is a good thing for all involved.

In the end, Ballmer’s wallet is a little lighter, Jordan is back where he wants to play, and Dallas still needs a starting center. The league stepped in and meted out a fair punishment, and everyone involved seems satisfied and ready to move on. If this was the NFL we’d be talking about this situation for months, so kudos to the NBA for handling the whole affair swiftly and professionally.

That’s all for this week. Thanks to all those who submitted questions. Please keep them coming in. I’ll be off next Saturday, so I’ll return in two weeks with the next installment.

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:

“Now that the Mavs have a glut of centers, which player gets the axe before the start of the season?” — Orien

Well, let me first point out that while Dallas currently has five players who can play the pivot, none of them should especially excite fans of the team. Zaza Pachulia is the likely starter, and while he’s serviceable enough, he’s not exactly going to be an All-Star next season. Samuel Dalembert should have the inside track on being the backup, which is in line with his production level. As for the rest of Dallas’ options at the five, the most intriguing is JaVale McGee, who possesses the highest upside of the lot. That’s not to say McGee will make anyone forget Tyson Chandler, but he’s certainly capable of being the x-factor at center next season for the Mavs…if he’s healthy AND makes the opening night roster. I don’t see Salah Mejri or Jarrid Famous making much of an impact in 2015/16, although perhaps the Texas Legends may benefit from one or both of them in the D-League this coming season. The Mavs’ best hope may be to try and mine some gold when training camp cuts begin, or to hope they can luck out with a D-League player once the season is underway like the Heat did with Hassan Whiteside.

“Is Ricky Rubio on borrowed time in Minnesota, and if so, where might he end up?” — Victor

I don’t know if I’d classify Rubio as being on borrowed time, though I’m sure that Minnesota would listen intently to any reasonable trade offer it received for the 24-year-old. After four NBA seasons, three of which were cut short due to injuries, it’s still difficult to nail down just what kind of player Rubio is, and can be. The Wolves are a team on the rise, and are packed with exciting young talent — including Rubio, though I don’t necessarily think he’s a good fit for their roster as it is currently constituted. Minnesota is badly in need of players who can stretch the floor, something that Rubio, who owns a career slash line of .367/.314/.801, has not demonstrated the capability of doing.

Rubio’s contract will also make him difficult to deal this season, with him set to earn $12.7MM. While the team could probably find a taker, the likely return at this point in the offseason wouldn’t be much to write home about. At the very least, the Wolves would most likely have to take back at least one less than desirable contract to get a deal done. I believe that the franchise would be best served to see what kind of season Rubio can put together, if he can finally remain healthy, and how well he meshes with the team’s core of Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and Karl-Anthony Towns. If Rubio is in fact dealt, I could see him ending up on the Knicks, though they would need to get very creative to fit in his deal with their current cap situation. With New York not being able to make a big splash in free agency, landing Rubio, who would be an upgrade for the Knicks at point guard, may end up being something that both sides explore. But if I had to guess, I’d say there’s a 95% chance that Rubio is on Minnesota’s roster to begin the season, with him being a potential trade deadline move for the Wolves.

“Will the Pistons deal Brandon Jennings before the season begins?” — Charlie

It’s a pretty good bet that Stan Van Gundy would love to remove Jennings’ salary of $8,344,497 from Detroit’s cap figure prior to October, but it’s highly unlikely that he will be able to. With the point guard recovering from Achilles surgery, and potentially out of action until December, I seriously doubt that there would be too many takers at this point. The Sixers are always a possibility to take on expiring contracts like Jennings’ in exchange for drat picks, and they are in need of a stopgap at the one spot,  but it’s still highly improbable. The most likely scenario is that Detroit hangs onto Jennings and hopes that he shows enough prior to the trade deadline that the Pistons can extract some value from a player who they are unlikely to re-sign next Summer.

“As a Knicks fan (which you have admitted to being), what is your take on their offseason? What is your prediction for the team’s record this coming season?” — Luis

Yes, it’s true…my name is Eddie, and I’m a New York Knicks fan. Now that my terrible secret is out, on to your question. New York’s offseason, which began with dreams of landing LaMarcus Aldridge and/or DeAndre Jordan, instead brought Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, and Kyle O’Quinn to the Big Apple. Not a great haul on first blush, though I think the additions of Afflalo, Lopez, and O’Quinn were solid ones. Williams…not so much. He isn’t a good fit for the triangle, not a great rebounder, and I’m not sure how well he’ll mesh with Melo when/if they play alongside one another. Adding backcourt depth and another big should have been a bigger priority than inking Williams.

I think it’s time for both the team and its fans to realize that there is no quick fix coming. Kevin Durant isn’t signing with New York next Summer, nor is LeBron James. This will be a much more drawn out process than simply loading up on star-level talent during the Summer. It’s also a process that Phil Jackson won’t be around for the end of, regardless of if he finishes out his five-year contract or not. Which for the record, I’d say he won’t. But the addition of Afflalo will be a huge boon for Melo, and Lopez, provided he can remain healthy, will certainly improve the team’s rebounding numbers. I’m also a huge fan of adding O’Quinn, who could really have a breakout season for the team, provided he gets the necessary minutes.

I discussed my feeling regarding the addition of Kristaps Porzingis in last week’s mailbag. But in case you missed that, I’ve grown to be a fan of the pick, though he’s realistically two seasons away from blossoming into a steady contributor. Hopefully the team, and its fans, will have the patience to let the kid develop on the fly. But the best addition that Jackson made on draft night was acquiring Jerian Grant. Regardless of Anthony’s feelings on the matter, flipping Tim Hardaway Jr. for Grant was a fantastic move, as Grant is a much better fit for the team’s system, and he plays point guard, a position of need for the Knicks.

As for my season prediction for New York, I’ll definitely say they’ll be a better squad than the D-League caliber bunch that finished out the season. Reaching the playoffs in the East is definitely within reach, but advancing past the first round is likely a pipe dream. Look for the Knicks to win between 30-38 games in 2015/16, and possibly snag the eighth playoff spot. Expecting anything more will lead to heartbreak. Something Knicks fans know all too well…

Well, that’s all the space I have for this week. Thanks again to all who sent in their inquiries, and please keep them coming! I’ll be back next week with more responses.

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:

“Where do you see Markieff Morris ending up?” — Stu

This is an extremely difficult situation that the Suns have been placed in, and there is no easy answer to this quandary. If Morris had demanded to be dealt immediately after his twin brother was traded, then Phoenix would have had a much better chance of flipping Markieff for ample value, as teams were still in the midst of filling out their rosters, and more franchises would have had available cap space to play with. As it stands now, other teams around the league are well aware of that the Suns need to move the forward, and that limits Ryan McDonough‘s bargaining power significantly.

At this point I don’t think Morris is on the Suns’ opening night roster, unless some serious fence-mending is done by both parties. Thankfully for Phoenix, Mirza Teletovic is on hand to step into the rotation in Morris’ place, which is a nice insurance policy in case the team is unable to deal or placate the young forward. As for potential landing spots, the most likely candidates include the Celtics, Raptors, and possibly the Lakers. Speculation indicated that the Suns had expressed interest in the Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson, but it’s not known if New Orleans would be amenable to a swap, especially given Morris’ reputation as a locker room disruption and his legal issues. I do expect Morris to eventually be dealt, but it will likely be for below market value. Even so, it could become a case of addition by subtraction for the Suns.

“I’m not sold on D’Angelo Russell becoming a star player for the Lakers. Do you think Los Angeles will regret passing on Jahlil Okafor or Emmanuel Mudiay?“ — Deon

Actually, I do think Russell will turn into something special in the league, though I don’t necessarily see him becoming a superstar playmaker like Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul. Having said that, I think if Los Angeles regrets passing on anyone it would be Okafor, since there are far more elite guards entering the NBA than there are big men with star potential. Okafor’s game isn’t without holes, and he and Julius Randle on the same court defensively would have been ugly for the team, but he certainly has the talent to become a franchise centerpiece. I’m also a fan of Mudiay, but he’s a wildcard thanks to his limited track record and decision to play in China last season. I wouldn’t have pulled the trigger on him at No. 2 if I were making decisions for the Lakers, especially with Russell and Okafor available at that slot.

With the NBA becoming more and more reliant on guard play, selecting a talented playmaker like Russell was a wise move. Plus, with the propensity for big men to get injured nowadays, going with a backcourt player is also a safer route. While I do expect Russell to have a challenging rookie season, he was a solid pick by the team, and the Lakers’ fanbase should come to love him in no time at all.

“What happens with the Cavs and Tristan Thompson? If he re-signs for a max salary deal, is he worth that amount?” — Keith

I do believe the two sides will reach an agreement on a deal prior to training camp beginning. The team wants him back, and perhaps more importantly, so does LeBron James.  The complication involved is the luxury tax hit that will be attached to Thompson’s deal, a penalty that could end up being in the $35MM range. Spending approximately $50MM for a backup forward, even one as effective as Thompson, is probably a tough pill for owner Dan Gilbert to swallow. But with the Cavs looking to hang a championship banner, Gilbert almost has no other choice but to pony up. The only real alternative here is for Thompson to sign his qualifying offer, worth nearly $6.778MM, and then hit the market next offseason as an unrestricted free agent. For many players, the opportunity to play for a contender and then enter free agency just as the salary cap is primed to explode would be a dream come true. But Thompson reportedly wants the security of a long-term pact prior to the season tipping off, and has indicated he won’t re-sign with the Cavs if he is forced to go the qualifying offer route.

As for Thompson’s worth, he is indeed a valuable part of Cleveland’s rotation, as well as a solid insurance policy in the event Kevin Love is injured. But is he worth a starting salary of $16,407,500, which is the maximum amount for a player of his experience? I’m sure his agent, Rich Paul, would argue that Thompson is. Me, I’d have to say no. Thompson is a big part of the team, but that is also a huge chunk of cap space to dedicate to a player who averaged 8.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game. Even with the expected jump in player salaries beginning next season thanks to the bulging cap, the economics of a max salary deal for Thompson are a bit hard to fathom. I think the Cavs will argue that point to Paul and Thompson, and in the end they will likely compromise somewhere in the $12MM-$14MM range annually.

“With the new NBA schedule reducing the number of back to back games, does this set up the Spurs to be the favorites to win the NBA title this season?” — Jeffrey

It certainly won’t hurt their chances, but it should also help a number of contending teams just as much, if not more. San Antonio rests its players regularly anyway, much to the chagrin of the league and its broadcast partners, so it’s not as big a game-changer for Popovich’s crew as one might think. The reduction in back to backs should actually help teams like the Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Clippers, and Heat more than the Spurs. Those squads all rely quite heavily on their star players, and aren’t necessarily very deep teams rotation-wise, though Miami has made strides in that area this offseason. Giving players like LeBron or Dwyane Wade more recovery time between contests will not only keep them fresher for the playoffs, it should help improve their overall effectiveness on a night to night basis. I still think the better answer for the league would be to reduce the overall amount of regular season games. Eighty-two is far too many, and I think the NBA’s product suffers as a result. But with all that new TV money set to roll in, I doubt that change will occur.

That’s all the space that I have for this week’s edition. Once again, thanks to all those who submitted their questions, and please keep them coming. I’ll be back next Saturday with more responses.

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:

“Where do you see J.R. Smith ending up this season?” — Steve

Smith is quickly running out of options as well as bargaining power. He’s also probably thinking that the $6.4MM he would have earned next season, had he not opted out of his deal, is looking better and better each day that he is unemployed. I don’t see many realistic options open to him besides the Cavs, unless he’s willing to go back to China and play, which could become a real possibility if Smith isn’t willing to swallow his pride and take a significant pay cut. Heading to China would allow Smith to join an NBA club in the Spring, where he could be a real difference-maker for the stretch run of the season. But if I had to lay odds on it, I’d say there’s an 80% chance he’s back in Cleveland for the 2015/16 campaign.

“What does Dante Exum‘s injury do to the Jazz’s chances at making the playoffs this season?” — Zach

Well…it certainly doesn’t help matters, that’s for sure, but if it’s any consolation, Utah wasn’t necessarily going to make the playoffs this season even with a healthy Exum. I’m not discounting the team’s second half surge that helped them post a 13 win improvement over the 2013/14 squad, but it’s a huge leap to go from 38 wins to the 46-48 wins likely needed to nab the eighth seed this season. The West is just too darn tough, and there are a number of solid teams that will also be on the outside looking in come the postseason.

Remember, Alec Burks is coming off of a serious injury, and I also think that Rudy Gobert will regress slightly this season. Plus, runs like the Jazz had after the All-Star break are hard to maintain over the course of a full campaign. Lightning in a bottle is hard to catch twice. Looking at the Western Conference playoff teams from a season ago, Dallas and Portland probably won’t be seeing the postseason in 2015/16, but OKC should certainly take one of those slots, and I’ll go out on a limb and say Sacramento nabs the other playoff berth…even if Exum were healthy.

But this stroke of bad luck could end up benefiting Utah in a way, since the team can now throw Trey Burke back into the fire and see if he is worth hanging onto in the future. I like Burke’s makeup and competitive spirit, but I also don’t think he’s a starting-caliber NBA point guard. This season he’ll get a chance to prove me, and whoever else doubts his abilities, wrong. Either way, Utah appears bound for the lottery come next June, though the franchise is certainly on the upswing, and should begin making noise in the West as soon as 2016/17.

“What’s your take on the Nuggets extending Danilo Gallinari‘s deal?” — Freddie

I have mixed opinions on the matter, and need to keep reminding myself about the salary cap boom that is coming when looking at recent contracts. Gallinari is a solid player, but his injury history isn’t great, and one has to think he’s already at his ceiling as far as his on-court production is concerned. But having said that, Denver isn’t really a free agent destination, so retaining players and assets is extremely important for the franchise. A 2015/16 salary of $14MM isn’t that far out of line, and $15.05MM for next season could look like a bargain once the dust settles from what should be a wild 2016 offseason. If Gallinari can remain healthy, which is a big if, then this wasn’t a bad move by the Nuggets.

“What do you think the Pacers’ rotation will look like this season? Where do you see them finishing in the East?” — Sam

Indiana’s rotation for 2015/16 shapes up like this right now:

• PG: George Hill/Rodney Stuckey/Joseph Young
• SG: Monta Ellis/C.J. Miles/Toney Douglas
• SF: Paul George/Solomon Hill
• PF: Jordan Hill/Lavoy Allen
• C: Ian Mahinmi/Myles Turner

One thing to note is that the Pacers are going to play small quite a bit of the time, or at least that’s the plan heading into the season. The team seems intent on utilizing George as a power forward quite a bit, which I’m not too keen on. George is an extremely effective three, and putting him at the four will negate many of his defensive strengths. He’ll be OK versus stretch-fours, but if he has to spend significant time in the paint it will be a very long season for George, and the team.

As for their chances this season, I’d be more optimistic if Indiana wasn’t going to experiment with George. But in a weak Eastern Conference, I could see the Pacers potentially sneaking into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed with a sub-.500 record if they remain healthy. But don’t count on it. Fans of the team shouldn’t expect miracles this season since the team has just begun rebuilding. I do love the additions of Turner and Young via the draft, both of whom will take some time to develop, but possess a wealth of potential. Ellis will provide some scoring punch, but he’s more of a stats guy than a “wins” guy from my perspective.

That’s all the space that I have for this week. Thanks for all the submissions, and please keep them coming! I’ll be back next week with more responses.

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:

“Why do we need a moratorium? If there wasn’t one it could have spared us the whole DeAndre Jordan debacle. Right?” — Angel

The Jordan situation is an interesting one, but it’s certainly an outlier, and not the norm. But the league may indeed take a look at revamping the system, especially if Mark Cuban and other owners make enough noise about it. But changing things wouldn’t be so simple since the moratorium is part of the collective bargaining agreement, and the NBPA would have to approve any proposed alterations.

As for why there is a moratorium, it technically exists to allow the NBA to finalize its books from the previous season, which in turn determines the salary cap, luxury tax line, etc. It was also implemented with the intent that more teams would be able to bid on players and it would generate a larger open market. Of course, instead of teams reaching early verbal agreements and signing players on July 1st, we now have to wait eight agonizing days for these tentative deals to be finalized. Next year’s moratorium is going to be 11 days, so we’ll have an extended period to cope with next offseason.

So removing the moratorium may have prevented Jordan’s situation, and landed him on the Mavs, but it’s not a given. As someone who covers the NBA, I wish the moratorium would go away just to streamline things, but I also see the value of it for players and teams, though a strong argument can be made that it merely delays the free agent process, rather than improves upon it.

“What do the Mavericks do about a starting center now?” — Tyler

There aren’t a whole lot of options available on the free agent or trade markets right now for Dallas. It’s looking more and more likely that Zaza Pachulia will tip off the season as the starter at the pivot. That’s not great news for the team or its fans. I like Pachulia a lot as an option off the bench, but as a starter in the brutal Western Conference…not so much. When JaVale McGee and Samuel Dalembert are your best free agent options, that’s not a great spot to be in for any team. McGee may indeed be the best fit since he has a much higher upside than Dalembert. But McGee isn’t a great locker room guy, nor has he been able to harness his immense physical gifts thus far in the NBA. So there’s that. Dallas’ best hope right now may be to wait until training camp cuts begin and to pray someone useful gets dropped by another team. I’ll also float out that Dallas should consider trading with the Heat for Chris Andersen. Andersen is certainly on the downside of his career, but he would add defense, hustle, and rebounding to complement Pachulia’s offensive skills. Andersen won’t make the Mavs a contender, but he’d certainly be a decent addition, as well as provide some needed minutes throughout the season.

“Why haven’t the Cavaliers re-signed Matthew Dellavedova yet? And is he worth his asking price?” — Stu

Cleveland reportedly wants to bring back Dellavedova, but are prioritizing negotiations with Tristan Thompson. I think the team is waiting to see how those negotiations shake out before making the final call on Dellavedova. As for his worth, the point guard is reportedly seeking an annual salary of $4MM. While I like the grit and hustle that Dellavedova brings to the court, his overall production isn’t in line with that annual amount in my book. I’d value him at $2MM to $3MM per season at most. But the Cavs have to factor in the luxury tax hit for the point guard, and according to former Nets executive Bobby Marks, the Cavs inking Dellavedova at $4MM per season would actually cost them close to $18MM thanks to the luxury tax hit. There’s no way that he’s worth that amount, which is the likely hold up in getting something resolved between the two sides. I do think the team will end up re-signing Dellavedova, especially since alternative veteran point guard options are drying up rapidly, and would likely cost a similar amount anyway.

“What happens with Ty Lawson in Denver? Does he get dealt or waived?” — Carlos

The Nuggets are in a tough spot here. They appear ready to part ways with the talented guard, but his salary ($12,404,495 in 2015/16 and $13,213,482 the following season) and off the court issues (the veteran was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of DUI, his second DUI-related arrest in six months time) make getting anything of value for Lawson almost impossible right now. Unless a team with a significant amount of cap space is willing to take a chance, there’s almost no way to deal Lawson without taking back some questionable contracts in return. That’s probably not the ideal move to make for a rebuilding Denver squad. The best option may be to hold onto Lawson, hope he is productive, then try to flip him at the trade deadline. But if the team is truly concerned about the effect his attitude is having on the locker room, then waiving Lawson via the stretch provision, or reaching a buyout with him are perhaps the best options on the table right now.

“Why does almost every single multi year deal in the NBA have a player option/opt out? Also, why is it worded “2 year deal with player option after the first year” as an example? As a big baseball/football fan as well, that sounds very weird to me.” —Matt

The rise of the player option is a trend that is directly influenced by the league’s new TV deal, and the salary cap boom that is expected to arrive along with all that extra cash. Players are now anxious to hit the open market during the Summer of 2016, which is the first offseason when that dramatic cap increase is expected to kick in. It’s smart business on the part of the athletes (or more specifically, their agents). They ink a short-term deal, or one they can get out of in quick order thanks to the player option, and they will be able to sign a long-term arrangement next summer. In the case of someone like LeBron James, the player option is also a way to keep the organization on its toes in regards to roster building, not too mention pushing them to venture into, or remain in, luxury tax territory. With the threat of James being able to take his talents elsewhere after a season, you best believe GM David Griffin will go all out to surround LeBron with the best possible supporting cast.

As for the wording…these are in principle two-year deals, since one cannot assume that a player will choose to opt out. But the caveat of the player option is added to relay the full scope of the agreement. I suppose it could be relayed as a “one-year deal with a player option for a second season”, but they both essentially mean the same thing. Each of the three major sports leagues’ contract and salary structures are markedly different, so the terminology will vary across the board. It’s just the easiest way to present the terms of the deal.

That’s all the space I have for this week. Thanks again for all of the submissions, and please keep them coming. See you all back here next Saturday.

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.

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:

“Where do you see Kevin Love playing next season?” — Trey

The situation with Love is certainly going to be an interesting one to watch this offseason.  I don’t see him remaining in Cleveland long-term, nor do I think Love is a good fit for that particular roster. But I’m not quite sure that the split will occur this offseason. Love could decide that exercising his $16,744,218 player option for 2015/16 and waiting until the potential salary cap explosion the following offseason would be his wisest financial move. Plus, Cleveland would likely be considered the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals next season, so one more opportunity to chase a ring could hold some level of appeal for Love.

But if he does indeed decide that he’s had enough playing second-fiddle to LeBron James, I would have to go with the Lakers as Love’s likely landing spot. The team has the cap room to ink both he and Rajon Rondo potentially. And with Kobe Bryant possibly entering his final campaign, the team would be Love’s in a year’s time. The main problem for Love if he departs for a rebuilding team like Los Angeles is one of public perception. He was known as a stat sheet guy who didn’t make his teammates better while in Minnesota. Leaving a team like the Cavs, who will be in contention as long as LeBron remains healthy, would not be a great reflection on Love’s hunger to win as opposed to his need to put up individual numbers. But receiving a max level contract from a major market team in Los Angeles would certainly go a long way toward making Love not care what is said and written about him.

“Do you think it was a good move for the Magic to hire Scott Skiles as coach? If not, who should they have hired?” — Ralph

While I don’t think that Skiles is a bad coach, I’m not a fan of him being paired up with Orlando’s young roster. The team is an offensively challenged one already, and bringing in Skiles, who is a defense first type of guy, seems like a bad idea to me. The Magic also have a very young roster, and Skiles is an extremely demanding coach who tends to wear out his welcome because of his tough as nails approach. I think the hire lacks creativity and boldness on the Magic’s part, which is disappointing.

If Orlando truly wanted a disciplinarian, why not go for Michael Malone instead? He’s also a coach who demands accountability and defensive focus, but is also a bit more progressive offensively than Skiles has shown himself to be. Malone also reportedly had a great relationship with DeMarcus Cousins, who isn’t the easiest player to reach. If Malone could get Boogie on board with his philosophy, the players in Orlando would be a cinch.

If it was me making the call for the Magic, I’d have attempted to think outside the box with this hire. I realize that he just signed his deal with Texas, but Shaka Smart would have been my prime target. Smart is an innovative coach who is climbing up the ranks quickly, and he would mesh well with the Magic’s young roster. If not Smart, then I say they should have gone for John Calipari. Orlando isn’t viewed as a free agent destination, but coach Cal could certainly help change that. He would also match up well with the team’s personnel, though I’m not sure Orlando would have ceded the level of control that Calipari would probably be looking for if he were to make the jump back to the NBA.

“What are the chances that Dwyane Wade leaves Miami this summer?” — Vinnie

This is certainly a story that seemingly came out of nowhere. I get where Wade is coming from here regarding wanting to be paid. He did sacrifice some salary for the team when he re-signed last summer, which the team should take under consideration. But on the other side of the argument, Wade is no longer a player who will play 82 games in a season. He is also not the player he once was, so committing a significant amount of cap space over the next three seasons makes little business sense for the Heat given all the other needs the franchise has to fill.

That said, I don’t think Wade ultimately leaves Miami. He is the face of that franchise and it wouldn’t be great for public relations if the team held out and let him walk away. Especially after the departure of LeBron a year ago left a bitter taste amongst the team’s fanbase. But never say never. I never thought I would see Michael Jordan in a Wizards uniform, nor Patrick Ewing wearing Orlando’s colors. If I had to put a number to it, I’ll say there is a 90% chance that Wade is back in South Beach next season.

“Which teams (if any) are most likely to deal away their first round picks this year?” — Marcus

I do think that there will be a robust trade market for draft picks this year. Whether or not these deals will come to fruition is another story, but there will likely be a lot of chatter regarding picks potentially changing hands. This is mainly because of how the talent in the 2015 draft shakes out. There is a distinct dropoff from the top five or six players to the rest of the field, which could make quite a few teams consider moving up, or dealing away their picks for future assets. The other factor that should stimulate the trade market is the depth of that second tier of players. There isn’t much separation talent-wise between the No. 18 pick and the No. 28 one this year. This reduces the risk of moving down in the draft somewhat, and could also cause a number of teams to try and snag a late first-rounder via trade.

As for what teams are most likely to deal, I would definitely have my eye on the Celtics at No. 28 overall, the Suns at No. 13, and perhaps the Knicks at No. 4 overall. The Celtics have more draft picks than they know what to do with, and there are only so many roster spots to go around. I can easily see Danny Ainge flipping the pick for future assets, or packaged as part of a larger trade. The Suns are loaded with younger players already, and GM Ryan McDonough has indicated that he is more willing to deal his first-rounder than in years past. As for the Knicks…I’m not sure they know what they want to do right now. Dropping to fourth in the lottery was a gut punch to the franchise, and complicates matters for Phil Jackson. If I had to go on record as to which team is the likeliest to deal, I’ll go with the Celtics here.

Thanks for all of the submissions and please keep them coming! That’s going to do it for this week, but I’ll be back next Saturday with some more responses to your inquiries.