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.
Besides Jimmy Butler, who is and who should be on the radar of the Brooklyn Nets? — D-Rock, via Twitter
The Nets haven’t been successful for a long time, so it was a bit of a surprise to see them included on the list of preferred destinations Butler submitted to the Timberwolves when he made his trade request. Brooklyn has less than $17MM committed right now for 2019/20, although that number could rise depending on what Allen Crabbe does with his $18.5MM player option and how the team handles D’Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Regardless, the Nets will be in position to offer at least one max deal to an extremely talented free agent class available. It’s hard to say specifically who they will be looking at between now and next summer, but when the next Butler-style situation crops up with an unhappy star — and it’s been a frequent occurrence of late — Brooklyn will be in position to pounce.
Do you think the Spurs will be championship contenders this season with the addition of DeMar DeRozan? Kawhi Leonard hardly played last season and yet the Spurs played well.– Greg Dizon
Championship contender is a hard level to define in an era where the Warriors have dominated, but the Spurs should be better than casual fans probably expect. Leonard was a non-factor last season, playing in just nine games, but San Antonio still posted a 47-win season and finished just two games behind the third seed. DeRozan is a four-time All-Star who will help replace some of Leonard’s scoring punch. Jakob Poeltl, who was acquired in the same deal, with bring some youthful energy to a veteran front line, and the return of Marco Belinelli bolsters the outside shooting. The Spurs may not be in the mix for the NBA title, but they should remain a factor in the playoff race and could have home court advantage in a first-round series.
Why hasn’t anybody signed Jamal Crawford yet? Can’t someone use an explosive scorer off the bench? — Bobby M, via Twitter
There was a report at the start of the week that Crawford and the Celtics have “mutual interest,” but nothing has happened yet on that front. Boston may have a roster spot open after Jabari Bird‘s legal troubles, and Crawford could fill the team’s need for more 3-point shooting. The Sixers, Warriors and Lakers have also shown interest, Marc J. Spears of the Undefeated reported this week. Crawford is still getting paid by the Hawks as part of last year’s buyout, so he doesn’t have to be in a hurry to find a new team. Expect him to land a job with a contender before the season starts.
Kyrie has said on ESPN (to Jackie McMullen), and reported on Bleacher Report and NBA.com that he believes the Celtics can beat the Warriors in a 7 game series this season and hopefully the next several years (doesn’t sound like someone who wants to leave the Celtics). He says his experience (30 ppg games 3 thru 7 and series winning shot in 2016) against the Warriors would help. Says who wouldn’t want to play with the group the Celtics have now (plus the 1st round picks next summer). The Celtics could have used Crawford in game 7 versus Cavs. They should get him before the Warriors do.
New username, same comments
Just want to see how you react when Kyrie makes All NBA, re signs, and Celtics play Warriors in the Finals the next 4 years. Seeing Kawhi in LA with Butler and the Clippers, and the Lakers with no one who wants to play 2nd fiddle to LeBron will be hilarious. If Durant wanted to join LeBron in LA, he could have done it this offseason. Iguadala says he’ll push Durant to pass LeBron as the NBA’s best player this season, and he will. I’m in Heaven!
Wonder how many more times you’ll post the exact same thing
I’m a great Celtics and Kyrie fan. I’ll probably post as much B.S. as you guys have about LeBron. I have freedom of expression too!