Community Shootaround Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/10/15

September 10th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Back in April, teams were advised ‎by the NBA’s Board of Governors that the league’s salary cap could rise past the $100MM mark as soon as the 2017/18 season. The league has been careful to stress to its teams that any projections are contingent on the NBA and its players avoiding a work stoppage after the 2016/17 season when the league and the NBPA can opt out of the current CBA. A higher salary cap will certainly increase the amount of teams that will have available cap space to compete for free agents, not to mention the average annual salaries that will be agreed upon as a result.

One other effect that may also result from a significant salary cap increase is in how expiring contracts are valued as potential trade chips. We may have already witnessed the beginning of a change in how these deals are regarded, given the difficulty that Cleveland had in dealing Brendan Haywood and his sizable non-guaranteed contract this offseason. In the past, non-guaranteed or expiring contracts like Haywood’s were highly sought after commodities that would allow teams to shed salary without having to take back undesirable deals or unwanted personnel.

This brings me to today’s topic: What effect do you see a rise in the salary cap having on how non-guaranteed/expiring deals are valued?

Will the increase in the salary cap make it nearly impossible to recoup anything of value in exchange for these types of contracts? If so, just how dramatic will the change be? Or are you on the other side of the fence, and believe that teams will fall over themselves to use every bit of available cap space, and thus, will still need trade partners to help them recover from contractual missteps? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

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Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/9/15

September 9th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

On Tuesday, the NBA’s Board of Governors unanimously approved changes to how teams qualify for the playoffs and how they will be seeded. Teams will now be seeded based on the order of their regular-season records. Previously, every division winner was guaranteed a top four seed in its conference regardless of record but did not receive home-court advantage if its playoff opponent had a better regular season mark.

The Board also approved changes to tiebreaker criteria for playoff seeding and determining home-court advantage. Head-to-head results have become the first criteria to break ties for playoff seeding and home-court advantage between two teams with identical regular season records, with the second criteria being if a team won its division. Under the old system, a division winner was awarded the higher seed and received home-court advantage in series between two teams with identical records.

This brings me to today’s topic: What are your thoughts on the new playoff seeding structure?

Will this new seeding structure make for improved playoff matchups, as well as increase the overall importance of regular season contests? Do these new rules penalize teams in weaker divisions since a top four seed would have been guaranteed to divisional champs under the old system? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts, opinions, and concerns regarding these dramatic changes to the current playoff structure. We look forward to what you have to say on the matter.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/8/15

September 8th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The Mavericks are reportedly encouraged by what they have seen from Deron Williams during informal workouts this Summer, with the veteran said to be looking leaner and quicker than he has in recent seasons. Williams certainly has quite a bit to prove this season after securing his release from the Nets via a buyout arrangement and signing on with Dallas this offseason.

This will be the second season in a row that the Mavs have added a former All-Star point guard to the roster, with the ill-fated trade with the Celtics for Rajon Rondo last December not working out for the franchise in the least. Williams’ departure from Brooklyn will likely have few fans shedding tears over the loss, with him not nearly coming close to fulfilling the expectations that came with his arrival via trade back in February of 2011. The veteran is expected to be the starter at the point for the Mavs in 2015/16, though exactly how much he has left in the tank at this point is certainly up for debate. In fact, that’s the perfect segue into today’s topic: How will Deron Williams fare in Dallas this season?

While I seriously doubt that many fans will expect a return to the star-level production of his Utah days, the change of scenery could certainly help revitalize Williams’ career in the NBA. What do you predict Williams’ stats to be this season in Dallas? Does anyone believe he can be an All-Star in 2015/16, or do you see his downward slide continuing this season? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts, opinions, and predictions regarding Williams’ upcoming season. While there’s no prize for being right, there is a certain measure of satisfaction that can be had by being proven correct…and having had your predictions documented in the comments section below for all posterity. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/7/15

September 7th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Will Joseph

Despite the Suns seemingly wanting to work things out, it seems inevitable that Markieff Morris will be playing elsewhere this season. He hasn’t backed off on his trade demand. The four-year, $32MM extension that Morris signed last fall kicks in for this coming season. The contract might be an obstacle for a trade, but a lack of communication between Morris and the team indicates that the relationship will be extremely difficult to repair.

With Morris’ days in Phoenix apparently numbered, there are a few teams that come to mind as potential new homes. Personally, I think the Magic are a good fit, given Orlando’s lack of talent at the power forward position. Morris would be an intriguing fit because he would further allow Tobias Harris to play small forward.

There are other teams that make sense, of course. Thus, our topic of the day: Where do you think the best landing spot for Markieff Morris is?

Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.

Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot us a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com.

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Community Shootaround

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/6/15

September 6th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Will Joseph

Earlier today, we learned Jared Sullinger, David Lee and James Young are the players on the Celtics who have the most riding on this season, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.

All three make a lot of sense because Sullinger will be a restricted free agent if he does not get an extension, Lee is on a new team after losing his starting job last season with the Warriors and Young is a entering an important season in terms of his growth.

Those players are not alone in the league. From Wesley Matthews to Reggie Jackson, there are so many other players with something to prove this season because of large contracts, pending free agency, age and many other factors.

Thus, our topic of the day: Who are some players with the most to prove this season and why?

Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.

Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot us a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/5/15

September 5th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

New Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry calls Anthony Davis a “generational player” who compares to some of the greatest stars the NBA has ever seen. As an assistant with the Warriors, Gentry coached last season’s MVP in Stephen Curry, and he believes Davis will capture that same honor before he’s through.

“It is up to us to make him as good as he can possibly be, and not settle for him to be less than great in this area or that area,” Gentry said to Ian Thomsen of NBA.com. “I told him that I have no doubt that he is going to be an MVP in this league. And I said to him, ‘We are going to be really, really good if you also win Defensive Player of the Year.”’

It’s natural for a newly hired coach to make gushing remarks about his best player, but it’s also easy to understand why Gentry is so excited. At age 22, Davis is already a two-time All-Star. Last season, he earned first-team All-NBA honors and led New Orleans to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. In addition, he won an NCAA championship at Kentucky and a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.

Some scouts questioned his physical strength and mid-range shooting when he came out of college, but Davis has improved in both areas. He posted career highs last season with averages of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.9 blocks.

Today’s topic is: Will Anthony Davis be the NBA’s best player over the next decade or do you see another young star who can come along and eclipse him?

Please share your thoughts and opinions on Davis in the comments section below. We look forward to what you have to say.

Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot us a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/4/15

September 4th, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

One of the more challenging aspects of being a first round draftee in the NBA is that you generally have a complete lack of control as to where you will play throughout the duration of your rookie scale deal. Some first year players find themselves in the ideal situation, and their development is hastened as a result. But there are other draftees who are not so lucky for one reason or another, and they begin their careers at a slight disadvantage.

These reasons can include being blocked on the depth chart by already established players, ending up in a system that is a poor fit for a player’s skillset, or even landing smack in the middle of a toxic locker room situation, which can certainly act as a demotivating factor that early in a professional career. There are also some players, who, based on their draft position, are weighted down with unrealistic expectations that they will single-handedly elevate their new clubs into the company of the league’s elite during their rookie seasons.

This brings me to today’s topic: Which 2015 NBA first round draft pick is entering the most difficult situation, and why?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on which 2015 NBA Draft pick’s professional career will have the roughest beginning, and why you believe that to be the case. We look forward to what you have to say.

Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot us a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/3/15

September 3rd, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Their have been quite a few prognostications of doom unleashed regarding the Nets’ 2015/16 campaign, and much of this pessimism revolves around Jarrett Jack, who is projected to be the team’s starting point guard this season. While Jack is not likely to earn an All-Star nod anytime soon, it’s not like he’s replacing Chris Paul or Stephen Curry in the team’s rotation. Former starter Deron Williams certainly wasn’t getting the job done for the franchise, and the team was all too happy to reach a buyout deal with him earlier this offseason.

Jack started 27 games for the Nets last season, and they went 11-16 overall in those contests. For the season, the 31-year-old averaged 12.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists to accompany a slash line of .439/.267/.881. The veteran isn’t a neophyte to starting in the NBA, with a total of 310 starts over the course of his 10 year NBA career. But it should also be noted that Jack hasn’t been a starter for an entire season since the 2006/07 campaign, when he was on the court for the opening tip during 79 times for the Trail Blazers that campaign. That season Jack notched averages of 12.0 points and 5.3 assists and Portland finished an underwhelming 32-50.

This brings me to the topic/question of the day: Do you feel that the Nets are better off with Jarrett Jack as the starter, or would the team have been better served to retain Deron Williams?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/2/15

September 2nd, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Restricted free agent Tristan Thompson, who has already rejected a five-year, $80MM contract offer from the Cavaliers this offseason, also nixed a four-year, $52MM extension offer from the team last fall. The power forward’s agent, Rich Paul, has reportedly informed the Cavs that his client would not put pen to paper on a new deal unless it was a maximum salary arrangement, and that Thompson would be OK with signing his one-year qualifying offer worth $6,777,589 if a deal can’t be worked out between the two sides prior to the deadline in October.

One reason that Thompson is reportedly willing to risk playing without the security of a long-term pact in 2015/16 is that Paul believes he can wrangle a max deal out of the Raptors next offseason, as was noted by Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher. Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops had previously broached the possibility of Thompson, a native Canadian, joining the Raptors in 2016/17. Raptors GM Masai Ujiri has stated that he considers it a priority to add Canadian born players to the team, which obviously makes Thompson a natural target for the franchise.

This brings me to the topic for the day: Which would be a better situation for Tristan Thompson long-term, re-signing with the Cavaliers or joining the Raptors next Summer?

Would the young forward be better served to remain a key reserve in Cleveland, and have the opportunity to chase NBA titles for as long as LeBron James is still on the roster? Or would he be better served to chase the bigger dollars and a likely role as a starter for the Raptors back in his country of birth? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the matter. We look forward to what you have to say.

Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 9/1/15

September 1st, 2015 at 11:00pm CST by Eddie Scarito

During the offseason it’s OK for teams to carry as many as 20 players, but franchises must pare down their rosters down to a maximum of 15 by opening night. The Pistons find themselves in a bit of a difficult situation, with the team currently possessing 17 players with fully guaranteed pacts, as Hoops Rumors’ Chuck Myron examined last week.

This brings me to the topic of the day: Looking at the Pistons’ roster below, which two players with fully guaranteed deals should the team waive or trade prior to the start of the regular season?

The players who own fully guaranteed deals are listed below alphabetically, and I’ve also included the 2015/16 salary for each player, courtesy of the Basketball Insiders salary pages, for your convenience.

Joel Anthony (C) — 6’9″/32 years old/$2,500,000
Aron Baynes (F/C) — 6’10″/28 years old/$6,500,000
Steve Blake (G) — 6’3″/35 years old/$2,170,465
Reggie Bullock (G) — 6’7″/24 years old/$1,252,440
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G) — 6’5″/22 years old/$2,891,760
Spencer Dinwiddie (G) — 6’6″/22 years old/$845,059
Andre Drummond (C) — 6’11″/21 years old/$3,272,091
Danny Granger (F) — 6’9″/32 years old/$2,170,465
Darrun Hilliard (F) — 6’6″/22 years old/$600,000
Ersan Ilyasova (F) — 6’10″/28 years old/$7,900,000
Reggie Jackson (G) — 6’3″/25 years old/$13,913,044
Brandon Jennings (G) — 6’1″/25 years old/$8,344,497
Stanley Johnson (F) — 6’7″/19 years old/$2,841,960
Cartier Martin (F) — 6’7″/30 years old/$1,270,964
Jodie Meeks (G) — 6’4″/27 years old/$6,270,000
Marcus Morris (F) — 6’9″/25 years old/$5,000,000
Anthony Tolliver (F) — 6’8″/30 years old/$3,000,000

Keep in mind that Detroit has no choice in the matter, and will have to part ways with a minimum of two of the players listed above prior to the regular season tipping off. Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on which two players need to go, and more importantly, why? We look forward to what you have to say.

Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot us a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com.