Community Shootaround

Mavericks small forward Chandler Parsons is entering the second year of the three-year, $46.08MM deal that he signed with Dallas back in July of 2013. The upcoming campaign is a pivotal one for the 26-year-old who can opt out of his contract after this season and become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his professional career. Parsons’ first year in Dallas was marred by injury, as well as the team failing to live up to expectations in the wake of acquiring point guard Rajon Rondo from Boston back in December.

Parsons appeared in 66 contests for Dallas during the 2014/15 season, averaging 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 33.1 minutes per game. While those numbers aren’t terrible, they don’t quite measure up to the expectations that go along with the $15MM+ annual salary that Parsons receives, an amount that is more befitting a star player than the supporting role that Parsons has played thus far since arriving in Dallas.

This brings me to the question/topic of the day: Will Chandler Parsons’ performance ever live up to his contract, or will he be looked at as a mistake once his current deal runs its course?

It can certainly be argued that Parsons’ performance last season was impacted by switching teams and cities, though I was never a fan of the deal in the first place. I have always felt that Dallas overpaid for Parsons in an effort to damage the rival Rockets, and that his contract would hamper the Mavs’ efforts to rebuild. He has shown himself to be a valuable player, though I don’t ever see him evolving past his current ability level and production, which certainly would not justify Dallas’ expenditure for Parsons’ services … especially if he opts in for the 2016/17 campaign.

But what do you think? Do you believe that Parsons will live up to his contract, or are you dissatisfied with the return the Mavs franchise has received thus far, and remain pessimistic that Parsons will do much to improve? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.

According to a report by Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times, a Western Conference team has had internal discussions about the idea of signing former Bucks center Larry Sanders. It’s unknown which team is reportedly interested, or even whether Sanders desires to play again. The 26-year-old cast some doubt on the notion after his buyout deal with Milwaukee last February. Woelfel reported in April that Sanders still had no desire to return to the game, and the player had spoken in early June about his peace with life away from basketball.

The Mavericks and Clippers, as well as the Cavs, all reportedly had at least some level of interest in Sanders toward the end of last season, though all but the Mavericks appear set roster-wise for the time being. That’s not to say that the unnamed team from Woelfel’s report is indeed Dallas, though it would certainly be reasonable to speculate that the Mavericks would have some passing level of interest given the current state of their center rotation. The Mavs have a need for a clear-cut starter at center, though they do happen to have 15 fully guaranteed salaries plus a $500K partial guarantee out to JaVale McGee currently on the books. Both Tim Cato of SB Nation’s Mavs Moneyball and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com confirmed that the Mavs continue to have interest in Sanders, but noted that no talks are currently ongoing.

This bring me to the question/topic of the day: Which team, if any, would be the best fit for Larry Sanders if he were to return to the NBA this season?

A motivated and healthy Sanders could be a game-changing pickup at this point of the preseason, but adding him comes with some level of risk, and his commitment level would be a constant topic of conversation for the team. If I were a team like the Mavericks, who have an aging Dirk Nowitzki, and a clear need for an upgrade at the pivot, signing Sanders to a non-guaranteed, make-good deal would carry little risk and could possibly pay off big time.

But that’s merely my opinion, and now it’s time for you to offer up yours. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts on which team, if any, you believe could use Sanders’ particular skill set. Also, no need to stop there, go ahead and tell us why you feel that way. We look forward to what you have to say.

Kevin Love took part in a full practice for the first time this weekend. He recently mentioned that he is focused on putting his difficult 2014/15 campaign behind him and he is ready to assume a larger role in the team’s offense.

Prior to that, LeBron James also discussed the idea of Love being more of a focal point to the team’s offense, adding weight to that expectation. Love is returning from a dislocated left shoulder injury that he sustained in the first round of the playoffs last season. Love is also coming off of his worst rebounding and scoring per game averages since the 2009/10 season. With Tristan Thompson still unsigned, the Cavs will need Love to post better rebounding numbers.

Thus, today’s topic: What should be expected from Love this season? What do the Cavs need out of him?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Also, be sure to check back later on, as we’ll be responding to readers throughout the evening. We look forward to what you have to say!

Ricky Rubio, when healthy, is one of the craftiest playmakers in the game and he causes terror for opposing point guards with his perimeter defense. However, he hasn’t been the healthiest player, missing 126 games during his first four seasons in the league, and his jump shot is a work in progress that may never materialize into a weapon that he can use on a regular basis.

Rubio has been the subject of trade rumors on occasion during the offseason, although Rubio and the team have done their best to bat them down. Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune knows the situation as well as anyone and he spoke with Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors about the subject earlier today. Zgoda isn’t optimistic about a trade occurring due to a lack of options in Minnesota to immediately replace Rubio, but he speculated that if the Wolves could swing a deal and land someone like Eric Bledsoe, they’d probably pull the trigger.

That leads us to today’s topic: Where does Rubio sit in the league’s point guard ranks? What other point guards are comparable to the 24-year-old?

Back in August, we asked if readers would prefer Bledsoe or Reggie Jackson to lead their team and the majority leaned Bledsoe’s way. Is Rubio a better option to run the point than Bledsoe? Is he better than Jackson? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. Also, be sure to check back later on, as we’ll be responding to readers throughout the evening. We look forward to what you have to say!

Paul George has reportedly voiced some displeasure with the Pacers’ plan to move him to power forward, though he did say that he’s willing to stick with it for the time being. George added that he felt overmatched trying to guard Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis in the team’s first preseason game, but after meeting with coach Frank Vogel and president of basketball operations Larry Bird, George said on Monday afternoon that he would remain in that role. “We’re going to still stick with it, see how it works,”  he told Candace Buckner of The Indianapolis Star. The fact that George lobbied to scrap the team’s entire offseason plan after one game is “lunacy,” Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel opined. But Vogel told Doyel that he’s not worried about George’s reluctance to play the four. “Well, he’s going to buy in, so I’m not really sure how to answer that,” Vogel said. “We’re going to work together to figure out the best combination of all these things.”

This brings me to the topic/question of the day: What are your thoughts on the Paul George at power forward experiment the Pacers are trying out?

Indiana is essentially moving its best player to an unfamiliar position where he may find himself physically outmatched from time to time. With George still working his way back from the devastating broken leg he suffered last year while playing for Team USA, is this a wise move by the franchise with one of its cornerstone players? How do you think George will fare at the four spot if he remains there for the entire campaign? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

With projected starter Dante Exum likely lost for the entire 2015/16 campaign, Utah will look to 2013 No. 9 overall pick Trey Burke to take over as the team’s primary point guard. While Burke is no stranger to the starting role, having started a total of 111 contests during his first two seasons in the NBA, he hasn’t shown enough for the Jazz to view him as their point guard of the future, which in turn led to the 2014 NBA Draft lottery selection of Exum.

In a recent article, Brad Rock of The Deseret News speculated that this season would likely be the final chance for Burke to establish himself as an NBA starter, and noted that Utah’s playoff hopes in 2015/16 hinged on the play of the 22-year-old playmaker. Burke is certainly a fiery competitor and he has excellent intangibles that don’t show up in the nightly box score, but he also hasn’t shown the ability to shoot consistently since entering the league, with Burke owning a .374 mark from the field for his career. With today’s emphasis on guards who can stretch the floor and make it rain from beyond the arc, this certainly puts Burke at a disadvantage in the eyes of NBA scouts and front offices in regards to his future prospects.

This brings me to today’s topic: Is Trey Burke a viable long-term starting point guard in the NBA?

Do you believe that 2015/16 will be Burke’s breakout season, or is he more likely to disappoint with his play this year? Do you view him as a starting-caliber point guard, or is he better suited to be a reserve? Whichever side of the fence you are on regarding Burke, let’s have your best predictions for his stat line this season. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

According to a report by Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press, the Pistons are closely monitoring Markieff Morris‘ situation in Phoenix, and are interested in acquiring the disgruntled forward. Morris had previously said that he felt disrespected by the way the Suns had handled the July 9th trade of his twin and former teammate, Marcus Morris, to the Pistons, and had made it clear that he wanted out of Phoenix prior to the 2015/16 season commencing.

“One thing for sure, I am not going to be there,” Markieff had said. “If you want to put that out there, you can put that out,” he added. “. . . I am not to going to be there at all.” Those comments to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer essentially confirmed a report from John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 radio that Markieff wanted off the Suns. Morris was fined $10k by the league for making those public statements.

Morris has since backed off his negative stance and declared “I want to be here” at Phoenix’s media day gathering, which may have been more for damage control after the fine by the league. The former 13th overall pick had also said that he planned not to talk to the Suns front office and to answer coach Jeff Hornacek only with one-word responses until he was dealt, which would certainly not have been an ideal situation for anyone involved.

In addition to a potential attitude problem from Markieff, the twins are also both facing felony aggravated assault charges for their alleged roles in a January brawl at a Phoenix recreation center. The duo would be suspended a minimum of 10 games if they are found guilty of a felony and could also face a suspension if they’re guilty of a misdemeanor. With the offseason addition of Ersan Ilyasova, who was acquired in a trade with the Bucks, Detroit doesn’t have a pressing need for a player with Markieff’s skills, though he would certainly be an asset if healthy and motivated.

This brings me to the topic of the day: Should the Pistons acquire Markieff Morris?

Is adding his talents to the roster worth the potential risk, as well as the cost in assets, which are reportedly quite high, in order to obtain Morris? Who would you give up in a trade if you were Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony shot down speculation that he would eventually become disenchanted with the franchise and ask for a trade, saying “hell no” in response to a reporter’s question to that effect. He also reiterated his faith in team president Phil Jackson, and added that he was bothered all summer by the notion that he wanted to be traded and the idea that he was against the team’s decision to draft Kristaps Porzingis fourth overall.

Anthony’s contract still has four years and more than $101.606MM left on it, and includes a no-trade clause, which means that Melo would need to be a willing participant in any swap. The veteran’s contract also features a 15% trade kicker, which further complicates any potential trade scenario. With the Knicks suffering through a 17-65 campaign in 2014/15, and the team not expected to be a playoff contender this season, the possibility certainly exists that the franchise could look to pull the plug and begin a full rebuild in the near future.

This brings me to the topic/question of the day: Should the Knicks look to deal Carmelo Anthony? If so, would it be in Anthony’s best interest to agree to a trade?

If you think the Knicks should trade Anthony, what team(s) do you think he should waive his no-trade clause for? What sort of return could/should the Knicks receive in return for the aging star? If you are for Anthony remaining in New York, let us know why. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.