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.
Who do you see the Kings selecting with the second overall pick now that Iman Shumpert has opted in? — Pat Aukes
Shumpert’s decision really doesn’t factor into Sacramento’s draft strategy. His contract only runs for another year, and the Kings have to be thinking about the long-term future with this draft. Luka Doncic was considered a co-No. 1 prospect with Deandre Ayton for most of the winter, and the Kings are said to have their eyes on Michael Porter Jr., assuming team doctors approved him at Friday’s medical exam. If they really want Porter, their best move is find a team that likes Doncic and trade down a few spots. The Kings need a lot of help up front, so if they stay at No. 2, look for them to take Marvin Bagley III or Jaren Jackson Jr.
Considering the deep draft, who are the teams most willing to trade on draft night? — Fernando Bravo
The Grizzlies have let it be known that their selection at No. 4 is available to anyone willing to take on Chandler Parsons‘ contract, and as we relayed earlier today, the Sixers have more draft picks than open roster spots. We could see a lot of movement on draft night as this year’s crop of players offers intriguing prospects through the middle of the first round. Porter presents a wild card that makes this year’s draft especially unpredictable. He may have been in contention for the No. 1 spot without the back injury, and it’s hard to say who might try to engineer a trade to get their hands on him. The farther he falls on draft night, the more likely it is that someone will be willing to take the risk.
Which player will be the first shock with how early he went? — Jimmy Robinson, via Twitter
There are several contenders, especially after the way Donovan Mitchell shocked the league after falling to 13th last year. No one wants to miss the next Mitchell, so teams are taking a long look at prospects pegged to go in the middle of the first round. One potential surprise is Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who turned into a star for the Wildcats over the second half of the season. He stands 6’6″ with a 7-foot wingspan and can handle either backcourt position. Don’t be surprised if he moves into the top 10.
Two years of Parsons for the #4 pick seems like a great deal for a rebuilding team.
I don’t follow the NBA that much outside of the Bucks and the playoffs. How could (in two years) Parsons go from a player that could command 4 yrs and 94 million to be to needing to be given away for nothing and requiring the fourth pick in the draft. I understand mid to low first round picks are worth very little now, but is even the fourth pick worth that little?
Man these writers don’t even have close to the finger on the Kings situation as they think.. the Kings have young bigs they don’t need another they need wing help.. they have Cauley Stein, Giles, Labisere .. people are forgetting about Giles they drafted him last year and he is said to be Killing it…they need a small forward really bad that leads to Porter Jr or Doncic .. I think they take Doncic .. they would have Fox at the point Bogdanovic at the SG Doncic at the SF Giles at PF and Cauley Stein would play Center .. they have Hield off the bench and backup point Mason Jr.. that’s what they are looking at and will have cap space to add another piece maybe Aaron Gordon from Orlando.
I could see a trade with the Clippers and Grizzlies happening where the Clippers receive Parsons and the 4th pick and the Grizzlies receive Tobias Harris, Sam Dekker, Sindarius Thornwell, the 12th pick, and the 13th pick.
The Clippers do this to draft a clear building block for the future without having to tank in future years. The Grizzlies do this to offload Parsons’ contract and acquire a win-now asset in Harris while also retaining the ability to draft two lottery picks.
Clips say no, too much given, yet not enough $ included, so the league says no too. Thornwell had a good rookie year.
Must suck to be a Grizzlie fan, seeing them embarrass themselves (apart of Gasol, he is great) all year getting battered & been the worst team in the league, to get their hands to the #4, to then give it for free as it were, just to save money for Parsons, neither is he that bad nor the #4 is worth so little, at least they could value getting it, but that a slap for the fans, all year sucking for nothing, with the #4 they could pick a franchise player, like MPJ, Bamba, Young or a very good one like WCJ or JJJ. That is gotta be a lot better than getting rid of the Parsons contract, right?
How about the grizzlies trade the #4 pick to the kings
Grizzlies: Randolph, Shumpart, Bogdanovic
Kings: Parsons, Martin, Wayne Selden, and the 4th pick
If MEM was going to give up #4 just to get rid of Parsons (which I doubt actually they would) then getting that package is a bonus! They won’t have to bid on Tyreke with Bogs & Shump. ZBo would not have to be included, indeed none of them do, but MEM could use the shooting.