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:
Assuming the Raptors lose today, what coaching candidates would fit in Canada if Dwane Casey is cut loose? — Darrell Samuels, via Twitter
NBA coaches are on a historically long run with no one getting fired, and Casey doesn’t deserve to be the one to break it. He is 261-215 since taking over in Toronto six years ago and had three straight Atlantic Division titles before this season. The problem is that he can’t get past the Cavaliers in the playoffs, but it’s not his fault that the other guys have LeBron James and he doesn’t. If the Raptors decide to axe Casey, the obvious candidate is waiting in the D-League. Jerry Stackhouse just led Toronto 905 to the league title and seems ready for opportunity to be an NBA head coach. A former assistant with the Raptors, Stackhouse was named D-League Coach of the Year this season and is probably viewed by the organization as Casey’s eventual replacement, whether that’s right away or somewhere down the road.
Who will be the “under the radar” free agent getting the most attention this summer? — Grizz Tony, via Twitter
Joe Ingles is a name that a lot of NBA fans may not know, but his contributions helped the Jazz reach the final four in the West. The third-year small forward averaged 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds this season, but those numbers don’t tell the full story. He shot 44% from 3-point range and is a rugged defender who isn’t afraid to take on the toughest challenges. Ingles will be a restricted free agent, and although Utah would like to keep him, the organization will have other priorities with Gordon Hayward and George Hill both on the market. Toronto’s Patrick Patterson and P.J. Tucker could also be considered “under the radar,” along with Cavaliers guard Deron Williams, Heat center Willie Reed and Clippers forward Marreese Speights.
If the Jazz get swept in the second round, what are the chances that Gordon Hayward leaves in free agency? — Todd L., via Twitter
Utah will have a max offer ready for Hayward any time he wants to sign it, but there will be competitors lurking once he hits the open market. The Heat and Pacers are rumored to have interest in the All-Star small forward, and the Celtics seem like a natural fit with Hayward’s connections to Brad Stevens, his college coach. However, the Jazz have the advantage of being able to offer more money and more years, and Hayward seems happy to be part of the team they’re building in Utah. Look for him to re-sign, and probably very early.