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.
LeBron James becomes a free agent this summer and listed four teams — Cavs, Rockets, Lakers and Sixers. Do you think he would consider the basketball Mecca, New York, with Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Emmanuel Mudiay? — Jonathan Joyner, via Twitter
As much as LeBron might enjoy the benefits of being a star in New York, the Knicks aren’t in position to be a serious bidder right now. James is focused on winning championships and New York is a long way from that level, especially with Porzingis expected to be sidelined until at least December. Cap space is also a concern for the Knicks, who will be on the edge of the cap if Enes Kanter, Ron Baker and Kyle O’Quinn all exercise their options for next season. But be patient because New York will have a much better chance to chase elite free agents in the summer of 2019.
The way Mikal Bridges is playing I feel his stock is rising. Will he still be available when the Knicks make their first pick in the 2018 NBA draft? — Loose Joint, via Twitter
The draft order remains unpredictable, with the Knicks holding the ninth spot in our current Reverse Standings. They are two wins behind the Bulls and at least three wins behind the other seven teams, which is a lot of ground to make up now that tanking season is in full effect. Bridges checks in at No. 10 in ESPN’s latest mock draft, which is nearly three weeks old, but it’s hard to see him rising much higher with all the elite talent at the top. Bridges is a versatile forward who can play defense, and he looks like an effective long-term running mate for Porzingis. If the Knicks are interested, he should still be on the board when they are on the clock.
Do you see Nerlens Noel staying long term in Dallas? I think it didn’t work good enough and he could try to sign with another team this offseason. If it happens, how much do you think he can sign for and what team do you think will pursue him? Very few teams will have cap space this summer. — Ralph Brandao
Noel will be one of this summer’s wild cards and could wind up being a huge bargain or could be vastly overpaid. He turns 24 next month and has the size and athleticism to become a productive center, especially on defense. However, he hasn’t produced much in Philadelphia or Dallas, so whoever signs him will be taking a chance. It’s hard to imagine a team giving him a full mid-level exception, which now tops $8MM, but you never know once prime free agents start coming off the board. The most likely scenario for Noel is a modest short-term contract where he gets a chance to prove himself — maybe one year with a player option for a second — and plenty of teams will have the cap flexibility to make such an offer.
No.. not even worth asking