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.
With the Lakers buying out Luol Deng‘s contract, is it still possible we could see a move made for Kawhi Leonard before the season begins? What would it take to make that transaction? — Omar A. Gonzalez, via Twitter
The Raptors aren’t going to pull up off a blockbuster trade that involves giving up DeMar DeRozan, one of the most popular players in franchise history, without seeing what they have in Leonard. If he’s fully healed from the quad issue that limited him to nine games last season, Leonard has a chance to be the best player in the East and the Raptors are legitimate contenders for the NBA Finals. But Lakers fans should be patient. Leonard is still coming up on his option year, and nothing stands in his way of leaving for Los Angeles in 10 months if he’s not happy in Toronto. If the Raptors aren’t confident by the February deadline that they can re-sign Leonard, a trade with the Lakers becomes much more likely.
With Deng out, who’s in? Kawhi Leonard or Damian Lillard? — Boy Roy, via Twitter
A free agent signing next summer is more likely than a trade this year. With nearly $37MM in projected cap space after the Deng buyout, the Lakers will be on the radar for just about every marquee free agent. Leonard should be considered the favorite if he’s fully healthy, but the list of free agents for next summer is impressive. It starts with Kevin Durant and includes Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Kemba Walker, Al Horford and Khris Middleton. Who wants a max contract to play alongside LeBron James, live in Los Angeles and be part of one of the league’s glamour teams? Just about everybody.
Do you think Carmelo Anthony will be a big boost and fit in with the Rockets as a championship contender?– Greg Dizon
The good news is that Anthony doesn’t have to do a whole lot to make the situation in Houston work. He doesn’t have to be part of a Big Three or challenge for the scoring title. James Harden and Chris Paul do the heavy lifting for the Rockets’ offense. Anthony just has to hit the open shots that are created for him and be willing to move the ball so the offense doesn’t stagnate. The main doubts involve whether he can help replace the contributions on defense from Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, who both left in free agency. The Rockets have other options if Anthony doesn’t work hard on both ends of the court, and his effort on defense may determine how large his role is.
Not necessarily everyone wants to play alongside LeBron. ESPN and others have an article that says Kyrie was on the set of his show when he found out he’d been traded to Boston. They said he left the set and ran outside jumping and screaming. He was very happy. The ESPN guys say Kyrie is expected to remain with Boston.
Kawhi has to decide if he wants to play for the Clippers or play 2nd fiddle to LeBron. Jerry West says he’ll do everything in his power to get Kawhi.
Durant says he plans to sign a 5 year contract with Golden State next summer. Klay Thompson says he’ll take a hometown discount to play in Golden States new arena set to open 2019-20.
Mitch Kupchak says he intends to re sign Kemba, and Kemba says it’s mutual.
I think we know what you think of Lebron and it is tiresome to hear over and over. When his name comes up it is oh no, now Mio will air his grievances again. He doesn’t even have to be in the article and there goes Mio prattling on.
Nobody seems to want to listen, but Portland has said over and over that Lilliard and McCollum aren’t available. Look at CP3 and Harden, Thompson and Steph, or Wall and Beal. If they have no intention of moving them, why would Portland move Lilliard or McCollum?
The media has said Portland needs to break up Lilliard and McCollum. No one has ever reported Portland having discussions with any one. Trying to move Evan Turner has been reported.
Simple, other teams want them and most of the rumors come from Boston and LA newspaper columnists.
NESN has video of Kyrie and KD working out together in Miami. Next we’ll hear rumors of them teaming up next offseason. lol!
I’ll just say it right now. If Khris Middleton is the best player the Lakers can get on a second max deal, they might as well just trade LeBron and rebuild again.
Next year it will be Khris Maxxleton! Still getting (slightly) better at 27.
Why bother answering the most idiotic question about Kawhi?
I know Kawhi, in general, is a hot topic, but yeah, that was an idiotic question..
Every casual fan has their favorite team, but anyone can find information already out there about Kawhi..You have any question you want, where the answer isn’t hidden behind a paywall, and THAT’S what you ask!?!
C’Mon people let’s try to ask some better questions, that way there aren’t any dumb questions that can be chosen..
Is that USMNT stalwart Omar A Gonzalez asking that question? If so, a fine one!
LA has great appeal & by next summer players might see the Lakers as a contender team for the title, so who knows, anyone might wanna play in there.
The Los Angeles media said Paul George and DeMarr DeRozan would go back to L.A., they didn’t. LeBron is the only marquee free agent to choose the Lakers since Kobe retired, and he did it because of Hollywood. The oddsmakers do give the Lakers a 5% chance to reach the Finals. LeBron had Love and Kyrie when he faced Golden State with Durant and got smoked. He’s the only all star on the Lakers now.