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.
Where do you think Anthony Davis gets traded to after reports floated of Danny Ainge trying to trade for him, offering Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and LeBron James spotted having dinner with AD, Celtics or Lakers? — Greg Dizon
Trading Davis remains a last resort for the Pelicans and it will only happen if he turns down an extension this summer. But if he does become available, the Celtics and Lakers will both be ready to lavish New Orleans in riches to obtain his rights. Boston may have four first-rounders in this year’s draft, and L.A. has been building up young talent for several seasons. The Pelicans will want to make the best deal possible, but Davis’ decision to sign with Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, offers a major clue to how things will play out. James and Paul wield a lot of power, and they won’t hesitate to throw it around to make Davis a Laker.
Do the Grizzlies make a move before the trade deadline? Who goes or who comes in? — David Day II, via Twitter
Memphis tried to get involved in the deal that sent Trevor Ariza from Phoenix to Washington and attempted to sign Austin Rivers after his buyout with the Suns, so there’s reason to believe the front office will continue to be active. There was a report last month that the Grizzlies contacted the Knicks about Frank Ntilikina, so the organization seems to believe it needs at least one more productive guard. Like a lot of teams, Memphis could be buyers or sellers by the February 7 deadline. Who goes and who stays will depend on what shape the playoff race takes over the next month.
Patrick McCaw‘s decision to hold out with such little leverage always seemed odd. Will it pay off with the offer from Cleveland? — J.B., via Twitter
Whether the Warriors elect to match or not, there is no guaranteed money in McCaw’s deal, at least for another week. The Cavaliers are giving him two non-guaranteed years at $6MM, but all NBA contracts guarantee for the rest of the year on January 10 and teams have to waive players to avoid that by January 7. So it looks like McCaw will receive $3MM this year, with a chance to earn another $3MM in 2019/20. That’s much better than the $1.7MM qualifying offer he turned down, and assuming he isn’t released, it beats the Warriors’ best offer of $5.2MM over two seasons with one year guaranteed. If McCaw winds up in Cleveland, he will get a chance to prove himself with a young team and set up a larger payday later on.
If you’re a Lakers fan, you’ll say Lakers. If you’re a Celtics fan, you’ll say Celtics. If you’re a Pelicans fan, he’s staying in New Orleans.
The real question is Tatum available in a deal for Davis. If so they better pull the trigger. Tatum could be a star right away on another team where he’d actually get more shots, not behind the ball dominant Irving and cluster of forwards in Boston. I’m sure the Celts are offering everything but him, and doubt this article is right. He’s my target if I’m the Pelicans. Brown isn’t in the same universe as Tatum.
Point guards are supposed to run the offense. In the old days all point guards ran the offense. I’m impressed with Kyrie. He is on video of giving a homeless man in Boston $200. He’ll be an All Star again this season. The most recent poll has Kyrie rated as the 3rd best point guard in the NBA.
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Very random info on Kyrie, whose not in the article.
You hate Kyrie, that’s why I did it. I was responding to your comments.
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Why do I “hate” Kyrie? I only said he’s ball dominant. Which obviously he’s extremely ball dominant. He’s a score first point guard, and I indicated that Tatum would get more touches with a traditional playmaking for others pt guard.