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.
Would beating the Celtics in Game 7 make LeBron James more likely or less likely to leave the Cavaliers this summer? — Daniel, via Twitter
There’s a school of thought that LeBron returned to Cleveland four years ago because he felt he owed a debt to the city. That was paid off with the championship in 2016, and another Finals appearance would only add to his legacy. It also removes any obligation he might feel about staying. When LeBron ponders his future this summer, his main focus will be whether any situation gives him a better shot at winning than staying with the Cavaliers does. If the team had fallen in the first round against Indiana or the second round against Toronto, that might have helped push him out of town, but now it’s clear that the Cavs are still among the top teams in the East and can remain there with a roster upgrade. Win or lose, tonight’s game probably won’t factor into his free agency decision.
Which players should be on the Bucks’ radar and who are the top three most likely players to land in Milwaukee? — Dan Vachalek, via Twitter
The Bucks are over the salary cap, even without making a decision on restricted free agent Jabari Parker, so they won’t be able to chase any elite free agents. Milwaukee could use another 3-point shooter, more scoring off the bench and rebounding help, but they’ll have to address those needs in affordable ways. They might get some help in the draft, where they have the No. 17 pick, but if you’re looking for free agent targets, Tyreke Evans could be a possibility with the mid-level exception, as could veteran guards Avery Bradley and Danny Green.
With the Warriors now having a legitimate challenger in the Western Conference, how many more seasons will they be favored to win the NBA title? — JR, via Twitter
Age isn’t a concern — Golden State’s four All-Stars are 28 to 30 — so the Warriors could still have another three- to four-year run of championships if the roster stays together. The more immediate obstacles are financial. Kevin Durant has a player option for next season, but he isn’t going anywhere. However, if he winds up with a max contract similar to Stephen Curry‘s, Golden State will be spending about two thirds of its cap room on two players. Klay Thompson‘s contract expires after next season, and Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala both follow in 2019/20. The Warriors have Bird rights on all those players, so they can hold onto them as long as they’re willing to pay an escalating luxury tax, but the point will eventually come where the roster is too expensive to keep together.