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:
“ESPN has mentioned Joe Harris is being shopped. What say you folks?” — Eric
HR: Actually, it was Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal who wrote that the Cavs would like to obtain a second-round pick in exchange for Harris. As a result, Harris has been showcased in the D-League this month, moving up and down a handful of times. The Cavs are looking to move Harris because of the surprising play of Jared Cunningham and the team’s looming luxury tax bill, according to Lloyd. Harris has not played much in the league since being drafted in 2014 and, while this is just my speculation, it seems likely the Cavs will shed his fully guaranteed $845,059 salary as soon as possible since he is now looking more expendable than ever.
Do you think the Lakers will consider trading players such as Roy Hibbert and Lou Williams for picks? What kind of value do you think they hold? — Aaron
HR: Hibbert, in my opinion, has a better chance of being dealt because he is set to be a free agent after the season. Williams, on the other hand, signed a three-year, $21MM deal with the Lakers in the summer after he scored 15.5 points per game on 40.4% shooting last season in Toronto. I really think that the Lakers are committed to Williams, who could help lure more talent into the fold next season. Hibbert has helped the Lakers has a veteran mentor on a young team. While he is not the player he was a couple of years ago, Hibbert has re-established himself as a serviceable starting option in the league and there is a decent chance he could help the Lakers land a future second-round pick of sorts, in my estimation.
Can the Lakers get a first-round pick from a team for Hibbert? — Aaron
HR: I highly doubt it. Hibbert just turned 29, has experienced down seasons already and is likely past his prime. I credit him for having a decent comeback season now, but it’s just not enough to warrant exchanging a first-round pick for. That is unless, perhaps, he is part of a larger package, of course.
Could the Heat fit Whiteside in, knowing they have to use cap space to sign him, at $17-20 million per, and sign Wade with bird rights, and still have enough space to sign a free agent at a wing position? or Would Whiteside entirely tap them out, while not allowing them to keep Deng or sign another wing? As a side question, if the Heat were to trade for Dwight, would they hold his bird rights?
I think the answer to your first question depends on how much Wade gets on his next deal (and how high the salary cap is set, of course). But if the Heat were to trade for Dwight, yes, they’d have his full Bird rights.
What if Wade gets $16 million?