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.
What do you think are the chances that Kyrie Irving and his good buddy Jimmy Butler will bolt their teams and play together in New York or another team next season? — Greg Dizon
Elite players finding ways to team up has been the trend in the NBA for several years, and there are reasons to suspect Irving and Butler are plotting a way to form the next version of a superteam. Both are entering option years, so they can become free agents in what is shaping up to be a loaded class in 2019. It’s easy to picture them with a healthy Kristaps Porzingis as the leaders of a rebuilt Knicks team that would become an instant contender. If the Timberwolves falter this season, it’s also possible that the Celtics could try to make a deal for Butler before the deadline as an incentive for Irving to stay in Boston. The odds seem good that Butler and Irving will become teammates, almost certainly in the East as teams try to fill the power vacuum left by the departure of LeBron James.
What do you think is going on with the Sixers’ general manager search? It has been oddly quiet. There haven’t been any leaks of interviews, potential front runners or interested parties. Some think the lack of a general manager hurt them in pursuit of this summer’s big three (LeBron James, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard). — Anthony Coleman
It’s hard to defend the decision to go into such a pivotal summer without a GM when several franchise-changing talents were available, especially when the Sixers had cap space and trade assets. They couldn’t have gotten George, and James made up his mind early about the Lakers, but they definitely could have rivaled the Raptors’ bid for Leonard. A quick hire of ex-Cavaliers GM
David Griffin might have put them in a much stronger position. There hasn’t been much news about the GM search in recent weeks, other than
an odd attempt to lure Daryl Morey away from the Rockets. The Sixers say they are being diligent about finding the right person to run their front office, but they may regret not having
Bryan Colangelo’s replacement in place by the start of July.
Dwight Howard seems to change teams every year. What are the chances that his current arrangement with the Wizards is a long-term one? — Wizfan, via Twitter
Obviously it depends on how much success Washington has with him in the middle, but Howard’s future salary demands will also factor in. The Wizards already have tax concerns with huge contracts for
John Wall,
Bradley Beal and
Otto Porter, while
Kelly Oubre is eligible for an extension this summer. Howard has gotten used to being among the highest-paid players on his team and hasn’t made less than $20MM in a season since leaving the Lakers in 2013. Would he accept the Wizards’ mid-level exception when he become a free agent again next summer? If not, his journey around the league will continue.
Am I the only one that doesn’t really get all the hype of Jimmy Butler? He’s missed at least 15 games in 4 of the last 5 seasons. And even when he plays he averages around 20/5/5. That’s not a bad average for a #1 wing by any means, but it’s not exactly superstar level either. He seems like he’d be a good #3 or #4 guy on a good team, but people talk about him like he is a franchise changing type guy. And I just don’t see that.
Butler is a top 15-20 player in the NBA. To say he wouldn’t be at LEAST the 2nd best player on a good team is a bit underestimating his abilities. To say he wouldn’t be a top 3 on ant team other than GSW is a bit ridiculous.
Except I don’t agree that he is a top 15-20 player in the NBA. That is not an exact science, it’s just your opinion.
It’s the opinion of a lot of people who voted him All NBA, to the all stars, and is one of the most respected players around the league. He’s unselfish, plays great defense guarding multiple positions, and is a leader.
Like you not liking Butler. He’d fit with Horford, Irving, Tatum, and Hayward. LeBron wouldn’t.
It’s the Butler + Irving package that is franchise-changing. That’s what I’m talkinbout! And Arthur.
I guess from a Boston perspective, only Butler is being added to a scenario that then looks crowded and expensive and maybe not worth it. But, it keeps Irving in place. We will see how Hayward does at the 3.
Agree with hiflew, Butler is a star player, very good, but isn’t a superstar, he is not a KAT, he can really change a franchise, Butler just improved on what Minny had, but without KAT having only Butler, Minny would have never made it to the playoffs.
Ainge wanted Butler before he wanted Paul George, but didn’t have the trade assets he has now. Butler is an All NBA player. With what Boston has already, it should move them ahead of Toronto with or without Kawhi. Boston has several trade scenarios. They have Sacramento, the Clippers, Memphis, and their own 1st round picks. They won’t include Jayson Tatum, but could Jaylen Brown. Marcus Morris is an expiring contract that would help match salaries. It’s not likely Hayward or Irving would be included because of their salaries. Likely it would take Brown, Morris, other players, and picks. Horford, Tatum, Butler, Hayward, and Irving would make a nice lineup to go against the Warriors. And the Celtics are willing to spend the money.