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Five Key Offseason Questions: Cleveland Cavaliers

By Luke Adams | at June 24, 2017 10:59 am

Coming off their third consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals, the Cavaliers are in a very unusual spot. Cleveland went 12-1 against Eastern Conference foes in the playoffs, asserting its dominance in the conference once again, but there’s still a sense that the team has to shake things up and make major moves this offseason in order to be able to truly compete with the Warriors.

For a team led by LeBron James, who has appeared in seven consecutive Finals, anything short of a championship has become a letdown. With LeBron once again just a year from potential free agency, there will be tremendous pressure on the Cavaliers’ front office this summer to make tangible upgrades to a roster that’s already extremely talented — not to mention capped out.

Here are five key questions facing the Cavs this offseason:

1. Who’s running the show?

The lucrative contracts received by the likes of Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith in recent years make it easy to joke that LeBron is the general manager in Cleveland. But the Cavs were actually fairly adept at adding talent in creative ways under David Griffin, generating and making use of trade exceptions, and finessing the cap despite being well over the tax line. Griffin and the front office deserve credit for that.

Heading into the 2017 free agent period though, Griffin is no longer making the team’s basketball decisions, having been unable to reach a new deal with owner Dan Gilbert. Senior VP Trent Redden is out as well, leaving assistant GM Koby Altman and perhaps Gilbert himself as the ones reportedly burning up the phone lines in search of a blockbuster trade.

Not every one of Griffin’s decisions as GM was optimal, and the Cavs are in a tough spot with the salary cap heading into 2017/18. But he’s a smart guy who was intimately familiar with the Cavs’ roster and knew what sort of moves were possible. It’s not clear yet if the same can be said for Chauncey Billups, who is reportedly the frontrunner to become the club’s new president of basketball operations.

Billups has no front office experience, and would likely need to be paired with an experienced executive who could step into the GM role. It’s possible that could work in the long-term, but the fact that it remains up in the air at this point in the summer – Billups is reportedly still considering an offer from Cleveland – isn’t a great sign.

2. How can the Cavaliers add an impact player in a trade?

The Cavs’ ideal scenario would be to add a fourth impact player to their core of James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, using complementary pieces in a trade. That’s a nice thought, but probably an unrealistic one.

Beyond their three stars, the Cavs’ top contracts include Thompson ($16.4MM in 2017/18), Smith ($13.76MM), Iman Shumpert ($10.34MM), and Channing Frye ($7.42MM). Outside of Frye’s deal, those contracts all have multiple years left on them, and they’re not exactly bargains. Thompson, Smith, and Shumpert are all effective players when they’re playing well, but they’ve has consistency issues. And at those prices, teams might be better off just signing a free agent instead.

The Cavs will still look to include those guys – particularly Shumpert and Frye – in potential trades, but if they want to make a major move, their most logical trade candidate is Love. The former Timberwolf looked more at home in Cleveland in 2016/17 than he had during his first couple years with the team, but he’s the most expendable piece of the Cavs’ “big three,” especially if he could be turned into a top-tier, two-way player like Paul George.

There have been no indications that the rebuilding Pacers want to acquire a pricey veteran like Love, which is why we heard so many rumors last week about the Cavs exploring a potential three-way deal. In such a scenario, Love would be sent to that third team, which in turn would send young players and/or picks to Indiana. It’s an interesting idea, and I believe George would make the Cavs a more versatile and more dangerous team. At this point though, it doesn’t seem like there’s a ton of traction on that front.

3. If the Cavs trade one of their big three, will it definitely be Love and not Irving?

It certainly looks that way. Sam Amico of Amico Hoops reported on Thursday that the Pacers and Bulls tried to insist on Irving rather than Love in a possible deal for George or Jimmy Butler, at which point the Cavs “quickly lost interest.” It’s hard to blame them for that.

All indications are that the Cavs view Irving as a cornerstone piece who can become the team’s franchise player as LeBron enters the tail end of his career. For Cleveland to consider moving its standout point guard, it would have to be a deal for a star who meets that same criteria, and there simply aren’t that many possible franchise players out there. Ones who are as young as Irving (25) and on favorable long-term contracts are even rarer.

4. Will the Cavs be able to use free agency to add any useful pieces?

One advantage of being a perennial title contender is that the Cavs may have a chance to sign solid free agents at a reduced rate. While that has been more common for teams like the Spurs and Warriors in the last couple years (we see you, David West), there may be productive free agents willing to sign on with the Cavs for the minimum to pursue a potential title.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, the club won’t have much more than the minimum to use on free agents this summer. Assuming they don’t shed salary to get out of tax territory, which would be a long shot, the Cavs will lose their full mid-level exception and their bi-annual exception, as well as their ability to acquire a free agent via sign-and-trade, leaving them with the taxpayer mid-level exception. That MLE will be worth $5.192MM and can be used to sign contracts up to three years.

That’s a useful little piece, and should be enough to add a solid rotation player, but there’s no guarantee that team ownership is prepared to use it. With the Cavaliers poised to face repeater tax penalties in 2017/18, a $5.192MM contract would cost the club exponentially more in taxes — the exact amount depends on how far over the tax the Cavs are, but repeater penalties start at $2.50 per dollar spent over the tax, and only increase from there. If the Cavs intend to use that MLE, they’ll have to be very confident that the player they’re signing is worth it, because he’ll be extremely expensive.

5. Is it time to start worrying about LeBron’s long-term future in Cleveland?

In the wake of the Cavs’ Finals loss, rumblings about James possibly bolting Cleveland again in 2018 have grown louder. And it’s not just idle speculation from pundits — reliable reporters like Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical have said the Cavs aren’t just assuming LeBron will remain in Cleveland beyond his current deal, and that a move to an L.A. team is “very much in play.”

It may be time for the Cavs to start worrying, but it’s not time for them to start panicking. Forcing win-now moves to appease LeBron could backfire, as they did during his first stint in Cleveland. By the time James left the Cavs in 2010, the team’s roster was stocked with overpaid, underperforming veterans, leaving little flexibility to acquire real help.

While it may seem like the Cavs are nearing that territory this time around too, Irving and Love are far more effective than any player on the 2009/10 roster was, and none of the team’s current contracts is nearly as bad as Shaquille O’Neal‘s (a 38-year-old Shaq earned $20MM in ’09/10, when the cap was $57.7MM).

Still, it won’t be easy for the Cavs to strike the right balance this offseason — their goal is to add immediate help to give LeBron a chance to knock off the Warriors next summer, without taking on the sort of long-term commitments that will compromise their ability to be flexible in two or three years. And, oh yeah, Gilbert probably wouldn’t mind reducing his tax bill a little going forward.

Good luck to the next Cavs’ next head of basketball operations, who figures to have one of the toughest jobs in the NBA.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Cavaliers financially:

Guaranteed Salary

LeBron James ($33,285,709)
Kevin Love ($22,642,350)
Kyrie Irving ($18,868,626)
Tristan Thompson ($16,400,000)
J.R. Smith ($13,760,000)
Iman Shumpert ($10,337,079)
Channing Frye ($7,420,912)
Richard Jefferson ($2,500,000)
Kay Felder ($456,529) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.¹
Total: $125,671,205

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Edy Tavares ($1,471,382)
Kay Felder ($856,082) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.¹
Total: $2,327,464

Restricted Free Agents

None

Cap Holds

Kyle Korver ($9,954,930)
Dahntay Jones ($1,471,382)
James Jones ($1,471,382)
Deron Williams ($1,471,382)
Derrick Williams ($1,471,382)
Total: $15,840,458

Trade Exceptions

Mike Dunleavy TPE ($4,837,500) — Expires 1/17/18
Mo Williams TPE ($2,194,500) — Expires 1/7/18
Sasha Kaun TPE ($1,333,420) — Expires 7/15/17
Chris Andersen TPE ($980,431) — Expires 2/13/18

Projected Salary Cap: $99,000,000

Maximum Cap Room: –$29,933,665

The Cavaliers’ eight guaranteed contracts, plus four cap charges for empty roster spots, bring the total team salary to $128,933,665. Considering the luxury tax line is currently projected to be around $119MM, the Cavs have virtually no way to get below the cap this summer unless they gut their roster, and will likely end up well into the tax again.

Footnotes:

Felder’s salary won’t become fully guaranteed until January 10.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Projected Rookie Contracts For 2017 First Round Picks

By Luke Adams | at June 23, 2017 2:22 pm

As we explained in May when we published the rookie scale salary figures for 2017/18, the value of the contracts for this year’s first round picks depend on where they’re drafted. The NBA’s rookie scale for 2017/18 – which won’t change between now and next month, no matter where the salary cap lands – will determine what each player makes.

Each first round pick who signs an NBA contract this season will ink a four-year deal with two guaranteed seasons and team options on the third and fourth years. Players are eligible to sign for up to 120% of the rookie scale amount, or as little as 80% of that amount. However, virtually every rookie contract comes in at 120%. In fact, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement even alters the rules so that cap holds for first round picks count as 120% of the rookie amount now.

So even though the rookie scale amount for the No. 1 overall pick in 2017/18 is $5,855,200, Markelle Fultz‘s cap hold for the Sixers will be $7,026,240 — that’s 120% of his rookie scale figure, and the amount he’ll almost certainly receive in year one of his new NBA deal.

Listed below are this year’s top 30 picks, along with their projected rookie salaries, assuming they sign for 120% of their rookie scale amount. The total value of these contracts assumes that the third- and fourth-year team options will be exercised.

Additionally, we’ve listed the figures for players like Anzejs Pasecniks, even though he’s not expected to come to the NBA immediately. The rookie salaries for first round picks who are stashed overseas will look slightly different if they sign a year a two from now.

Here are this year’s expected rookie scale contracts:

(Click here for full-sized chart)

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2017 NBA Offseason Trades

By Luke Adams | at June 23, 2017 11:04 am

As we did with last year’s offseason trades and the in-season swaps from 2016/17, Hoops Rumors will be keeping track of all of the trades made this offseason, right up until the start of the 2017/18 season, updating this post with each transaction.

Trades are listed here in reverse chronological order, with the latest on top. So, if a player has been traded multiple times, the first team listed as having acquired him is the one that ended up with him.

If a trade has not yet been formally finalized, it won’t be listed here. So, if a deal agreed upon during the draft June isn’t made official until July, it will show up on our list after it’s completed in July.

For our full story on each trade, click on the date above it. For more information on the specific conditions dictating if and when draft picks involved in these deals will actually change hands, be sure to check out RealGM.com’s breakdown of the details on traded picks.

Here’s the full list of the NBA’s 2017 offseason trades:

2017/18 League Year

October 14

Hawks acquire Richard Jefferson, Kay Felder, less favorable of Timberwolves’ and Lakers’ 2019 second-round picks, Trail Blazers’ 2020 second-round pick (top-55 protected), and cash ($3MM).
Cavaliers acquire draft rights to Dimitrios Agravanis and draft rights to Sergiy Gladyr.

September 25

Thunder acquire Carmelo Anthony.
Knicks acquire Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and Bulls’ 2018 second-round pick.

September 25

Hawks acquire DeAndre Liggins and cash ($100K).
Clippers acquire Hawks’ 2018 second-round pick (top-55 protected).

September 22

Suns acquire Troy Daniels and a 2018 second-round pick.
- Pick will be second-most favorable of Grizzlies’, Heat’s, and Hornets’ 2018 second-round picks.
Grizzlies acquire Suns’ 2018 second-round pick (top-55 protected).

September 1

Bulls acquire Quincy Pondexter, Pelicans’ 2018 second-round pick, and cash ($2.5MM).
Pelicans acquire draft rights to Ater Majok.

August 22

Celtics acquire Kyrie Irving.
Cavaliers acquire Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Nets’ 2018 first-round pick, and Heat’s 2020 second-round pick.
Trade was modified on August 30 to add Heat’s 2020 second-round pick.

July 25

Nets acquire Allen Crabbe.
Trail Blazers acquire Andrew Nicholson.

July 14

Knicks acquire rights to hire Scott Perry.
Kings acquire a 2019 second-round pick and cash ($400K).
- Pick will be second-most favorable of Cavaliers’, Rockets’, and Magic’s 2019 second-round picks.

July 14

Pacers acquire Cory Joseph.
Raptors acquire draft rights to Emir Preldzic.

July 13

Nets acquire DeMarre Carroll, Raptors’ 2018 first-round pick (top-14 protected), and less favorable of Lakers’ and Magic’s 2018 second-round picks.
Raptors acquire Justin Hamilton.

July 7

Pistons acquire Avery Bradley and the Pistons’ own 2019 second-round pick.
Celtics acquire Marcus Morris.

July 7

Mavericks acquire Josh McRoberts, Heat’s 2023 second-round pick, and cash ($5.1MM).
Heat acquire A.J. Hammons.

July 6

Clippers acquire Danilo Gallinari (sign-and-trade).
Hawks acquire Jamal Crawford, Diamond Stone, Rockets’ 2018 first-round pick (top-three protected; from Clippers), and cash ($1.3MM from Clippers).
Nuggets acquire Wizards’ 2019 second-round pick (from Hawks).

July 6

Bucks acquire draft rights to Sterling Brown (No. 46 pick).
Sixers acquire cash ($1.9MM).
Agreed upon in June.

July 6

Clippers acquire draft rights to Jawun Evans (No. 39 pick).
Sixers acquire cash ($3.2MM).
Agreed upon in June.

July 6

Thunder acquire Paul George.
Pacers acquire Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
Agreed upon in June.

2016/17 League Year

June 30

Jazz acquire Ricky Rubio.
Timberwolves acquire Thunder’s 2018 first-round pick (top-14 protected).

June 29

Rockets acquire Jarrod Uthoff.
Mavericks acquire cash.

June 28

Rockets acquire Chris Paul.
Clippers acquire Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Wiltjer, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Rockets’ 2018 first-round pick (top-three protected), and cash ($661K).

June 28

Rockets acquire Shawn Long.
Sixers acquire Rockets’ 2018 second-round pick and cash ($100K).

June 28

Rockets acquire Darrun Hilliard.
Pistons acquire cash ($1MM).

June 28

Rockets acquire Tim Quarterman.
Trail Blazers acquire cash ($100K).

June 28

Rockets acquire Ryan Kelly.
Hawks acquire cash ($75K).

June 28

Rockets acquire DeAndre Liggins.
Mavericks acquire cash ($175K).

June 23

Clippers acquire draft rights to Sindarius Thornwell (No. 48 pick).
Bucks acquire cash ($2MM).

June 22

Pacers acquire draft rights to Edmond Sumner (No. 52 pick).
Pelicans acquire cash ($1MM).

June 22

Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Dillon Brooks (No. 45 pick).
Rockets acquire least favorable of Grizzlies’, Hornets’, and Heat’s 2018 second-round picks.

June 22

Jazz acquire draft rights to Tony Bradley (No. 28 pick).
Lakers acquire draft rights to Josh Hart (No. 30 pick) and Thomas Bryant (No. 42 pick).

June 22

Pelicans acquire draft rights to Frank Jackson (No. 31 pick).
Hornets acquire draft rights to Dwayne Bacon (No. 40 pick) and cash ($1.8MM).

June 22

Warriors acquire draft rights to Jordan Bell (No. 38 pick).
Bulls acquire cash ($3.5MM).

June 22

Grizzlies acquire draft rights to Ivan Rabb (No. 35 pick).
Magic acquire Nets’ 2019 second-round pick.

June 22

Lakers acquire Brook Lopez and draft rights to Kyle Kuzma (No. 27 pick).
Nets acquire D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov.

June 22

Sixers acquire draft rights to Anzejs Pasecniks (No. 25 pick).
Magic acquire Thunder’s 2020 first-round pick (top-20 protected) and less favorable of Knicks’ and Nets’ 2020 second-round picks.
- Thunder pick is top 20-protected through 2022. If it doesn’t convey, Magic will instead acquire Thunder’s 2022 and 2023 second-round picks.

June 22

Jazz acquire draft rights to Donovan Mitchell (No. 13 pick).
Nuggets acquire Trey Lyles and draft rights to Tyler Lydon (No. 24 pick).

June 22

Trail Blazers acquire draft rights to Zach Collins (No. 10 pick).
Kings acquire draft rights to Justin Jackson (No. 15 pick) and Harry Giles (No. 20 pick).

June 22

Timberwolves acquire Jimmy Butler and draft rights to Justin Patton (No. 16 pick).
Bulls acquire Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and draft rights to Lauri Markkanen (No. 7 pick).

June 21

Wizards acquire Tim Frazier.
Pelicans acquire No. 52 pick (later traded again).

June 20

Hornets acquire Dwight Howard and No. 31 pick (later traded again).
Hawks acquire Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli, and the No. 41 pick (used on Tyler Dorsey).

June 19

Sixers acquire No. 1 pick (used on Markelle Fultz).
Celtics acquire No. 3 pick (used on Jayson Tatum) and Lakers’ 2018 first-round pick (top-1 protected and 6-30 protected).
- If Lakers’ 2018 first-round pick doesn’t convey, Celtics will instead acquire more favorable of Kings’ and Sixers’ 2019 first-round picks (top-1 protected).

May 25

Magic acquire rights to hire Jeff Weltman.
Raptors acquire Magic’s 2018 second-round pick.

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Community Shootaround: NBA Draft Winners/Losers

By Luke Adams | at June 23, 2017 8:55 am

While there weren’t many shocking picks, the 2017 NBA Draft featured plenty of activity, with a dozen trades having been officially announced and two more reportedly agreed upon. After the dust settled, Markelle Fultz is a Sixer, Lonzo Ball is a Laker, and…. wait, Jimmy Butler is a Timberwolf?

Minnesota’s acquisition of Butler was the big news on Thursday night, and the Timberwolves have been widely lauded for the deal they made, which saw them give up Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and the No. 7 pick for Butler and the No. 16 pick. However, the Wolves weren’t the only team that has received praise for its night.

[RELATED: Complete 2017 NBA Draft Results]

Several NBA pundits loved the night for the Kings, who landed De’Aaron Fox at No. 5, and also added Justin Jackson, Harry Giles, and Frank Mason later in the night. The Lakers also came away with an intriguing collection of prospects in addition to Ball, drafting Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and Thomas Bryant.

The Jazz traded up twice and ended up with Donovan Mitchell and Tony Bradley. The Hornets didn’t have to move up to nab Malik Monk outside of the top 10, and the Raptors may have gotten a steal at No. 23 in OG Anunoby, assuming he returns to full health.

What do you think? Which teams were the winners and losers of draft night? Weigh in below in the comments section with your thoughts!

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2017 NBA Offseason Previews By Team

By Luke Adams | at June 22, 2017 4:12 pm

The NBA offseason is officially in full swing, and over the last several weeks, Hoops Rumors has been previewing this summer’s roster moves and decisions for each of the league’s 30 teams, asking – and attempting to answer – five key questions for every club.

Our offseason previews of this year’s NBA Finals combatants, the Warriors and Cavaliers, will be published sometime after the draft — while it’s possible both teams will be involved tonight, neither club currently has a draft pick, so their major moves are more likely to come in July.

Our previews for the NBA’s other 28 teams are below:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

Central Division

Southeast Division

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest Division

Pacific Division

Southwest Division

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Five Key Offseason Questions: Charlotte Hornets

By Luke Adams | at June 22, 2017 2:37 pm

The Hornets continued to yo-yo back and forth under Steve Clifford‘s watch in 2016/17. Since Clifford took the reins as the team’s head coach four years ago, Charlotte has posted a pair of strong seasons, winning 43 games in Clifford’s first year and 48 in 2015/16. The Hornets have followed those impressive showings with disappointing ones, however, winning just 33 games in 2014/15 and 36 last season.

The franchise likely expects to rebound once again in 2017/18, having kicked off the offseason by acquiring eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard. While a bounce-back season is possible, there are several questions the Hornets will need to address this offseason in order to return to playoff contention. Let’s dive in…

1. Was Dwight Howard a worthwhile investment?

In the wake of this week’s trade for Howard, Clifford expressed optimism about the veteran center’s ability to regain his All-Star form. Clifford was an assistant in Orlando and then in Los Angeles when Howard was in his prime with the Magic and Lakers, so he knows him as well as anyone.

Expecting Howard to become an All-Star again may be aiming a little too high, but it’s not as if the 31-year-old was ineffective for Atlanta last season. He comfortably averaged a double-double – as he has every year since entering the league – with 13.5 PPG and 12.7 RPG, and his .633 FG% was a career best.

The Hornets also didn’t give up much to acquire Howard and to move up 10 spots in the second round of the draft, parting with Miles Plumlee and his pricey contract, plus Marco Belinelli. Belinelli is a solid, affordable rotation piece for any team, but he only has one year left on his contract, so moving him isn’t a long-term blow for Charlotte.

While it remains to be seen whether Howard can move the needle at all for the Hornets, the price to land him wasn’t exorbitant by any means, so a roll of the dice makes sense.

2. Will the Hornets be active in free agency at all?

One factor that made it easier for the Hornets to add more than $4MM in salary to their 2017/18 cap in the Howard swap was the team’s lack of projected cap room. The addition of Howard – along with the NBA’s new cap projection of $99MM – seals the deal on Charlotte being an over-the-cap team. The Hornets already have $106.5MM+ in guaranteed salaries on their books, and that’s without taking into account their first-round pick, their free agents, or Ramon Sessions‘ team option.

With no cap room to spend, the Hornets could use their mid-level exception to add a free agent or two, but the MLE is projected to start at about $8.4MM this year. The tax line is expected to come in at about $119MM, so Charlotte will have to be careful about using its entire MLE — doing so will bring the team dangerously close to going into luxury tax territory.

Without much spending power at their disposal, the Hornets figure to avoid bidding on free agents in the top two or three tiers, focusing instead on smaller pieces who could help add depth to their bench.

3. Are more trades coming?

Since free agency isn’t a real option for the Hornets to add an impact player, it’s possible that the team could return to the trade market. The team will have five players earning over $12.5MM in 2017/18, and that list doesn’t even include star point guard Kemba Walker ($12MM), so there is no shortage of contracts that could be moved to accommodate a deal.

Unfortunately for Charlotte, most of the team’s highest-paid players, such as Nicolas Batum ($22.4MM), Marvin Williams ($13.17MM), and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($13MM) aren’t exactly coming off outstanding years, and won’t have a ton of trade value. Those three players have overlapping skill sets, so if Charlotte could move one and perhaps pick up some backcourt help, it would make sense to do so.

The Hornets may also be able to spare a frontcourt piece if they look to deal, though it’s not clear yet how those minutes will be divided with Howard, Cody Zeller, and Frank Kaminsky all in the mix. Those three players should be able to coexist, but things could get more crowded up front if Charlotte uses its No. 11 overall pick on a big man such as Zach Collins, which would increase the odds of a trade.

4. What should the Hornets do with the 11th overall pick?

The general consensus leading up to the draft was that there was a group of 10 players atop most draft boards, with the Hornets unlikely to land one of those players at No. 11. However, in recent days, a number of rising prospects have snuck into the top 10 in various experts’ mock drafts, opening the door for an intriguing prospect to fall to the Hornets.

At ESPN, for instance, Chad Ford has Malik Monk slipping to the Hornets at No. 11. Monk is a better shooter than Donovan Mitchell and a better athlete than Luke Kennard, two other guards Charlotte figures to consider at No. 11 if they’re available. Meanwhile, Jonathan Givony’s latest mock for DraftExpress.com has French point guard Frank Ntilikina falling out of the top 10 and all the way to No. 15. If Ntilikina is available at No. 11, I expect the Hornets would seriously consider him.

5. Who will back up Kemba Walker?

Like the Wizards with John Wall, the Hornets had a hard time identifying a reliable backup for the best player on their roster last season. Ramon Sessions looked like a respectable choice, but he struggled for the Hornets, making just 38.0% of his field goals and averaging a career-low 6.2 PPG. I’d be very surprised if Charlotte exercises its $6.27MM club option on him.

The draft could actually provide the Hornets with its most logical path to a backup point guard, but guys like Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. are good bets to be off the board, and may not be ready to take on a No. 2 role behind Walker anyway. Monk and Mitchell can handle the ball, but they aren’t traditional point guards, and there’s no guarantee they’ll be available either.

While a trade for a veteran backup is possible, the Hornets could save their assets by pursuing a free agent like Shaun Livingston or Darren Collison — as long as they don’t get too expensive. As noted above, Charlotte doesn’t have a whole lot of flexibility to spend, so anything above an annual salary of about $5-6MM may be out of the team’s price range.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Hornets financially:

Guaranteed Salary

Dwight Howard ($23,500,000)
Nicolas Batum ($22,434,783)
Marvin Williams ($13,168,750)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ($13,000,000)
Cody Zeller ($12,584,270)
Kemba Walker ($12,000,000)
Jeremy Lamb ($7,000,000)
Frank Kaminsky ($2,847,600)
Total: $106,535,403

Player Options

None

Team Options

Ramon Sessions ($6,270,000)
Total: $6,270,000

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Johnny O’Bryant ($1,524,305)¹
Briante Weber ($1,471,382)²
Treveon Graham ($1,312,611)
Total: $4,308,298

Restricted Free Agents

None

Cap Holds

No. 11 overall pick ($2,904,480)
Brian Roberts ($1,471,382)
Christian Wood ($1,471,382)
Total: $5,847,244

Trade Exceptions

Troy Daniels TPE ($1,666,470) — Expires 7/12/17

Projected Salary Cap: $99,000,000

Maximum Cap Room: –$12,886,728

The Hornets’ guaranteed salaries, plus cap holds for their first-round pick and three empty roster spots, total $111,886,728, putting the team well over the cap. So, barring a significant change in direction, Charlotte is unlikely to dip below the cap this summer.

Footnotes:

O’Bryant’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after August 1.
Weber’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after August 1.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Updated Maximum Salary Projections For 2017/18

By Luke Adams | at June 22, 2017 12:08 pm

Last month, we published maximum salary projections based on a $101MM salary cap. However, on Wednesday, the NBA informed teams that the salary cap projection for 2017/18 is now $99MM. The difference is fairly modest, but it’s enough to affect what maximum salary contracts would look like. For instance, a player like Chris Paul could earn more than $205MM on a five-year max with the Clippers with a $101MM cap. With a $99MM cap, his maximum earnings slip a little to below $201MM.

While maximum salary contracts start at the same amount no matter where a player signs, players re-signing with their own teams can get larger raises and more years than if they sign elsewhere.

Additionally, players with less than seven years of NBA experience can only get a maximum salary worth 25% of the cap, while veterans with more experience can sign deals that start at 30% or 35% of the cap. So, the figures below reflect the various salaries that players like Otto Porter (less than six years), Gordon Hayward (7-9 years), and Paul (10+ years) could get on max contracts.

You can check out our story from March for more details on maximum salary contracts. For now, here’s what new max deals will tentatively look like this summer based on a $99MM cap:

A player re-signing with his own team (8% annual raises, up to five years):

Year	6 years or less	7-9 years	10+ years
2017/18	$24,750,000	$29,700,000	$34,650,000
2018/19	$26,730,000	$32,076,000	$37,422,000
2019/20	$28,710,000	$34,452,000	$40,194,000
2020/21	$30,690,000	$36,828,000	$42,966,000
2021/22	$32,670,000	$39,204,000	$45,738,000
Total	$143,550,000	$172,260,000	$200,970,000

A player signing with a new team (5% annual raises, up to four years):

Year	6 years or less	7-9 years	10+ years
2017/18	$24,750,000	$29,700,000	$34,650,000
2018/19	$25,987,500	$31,185,000	$36,382,500
2019/20	$27,225,000	$32,670,000	$38,115,000
2021/22	$28,462,500	$34,155,000	$39,847,500
Total	$106,425,000	$127,710,000	$148,995,000

7 comments Hoops Rumors Originals Salary Cap

Five Key Offseason Questions: Boston Celtics

By Luke Adams | at June 22, 2017 9:56 am

Not every Celtic fan is in love with Danny Ainge‘s patient, meticulous approach to stockpiling assets and building the team’s roster, but that strategy began to pay major dividends in 2017. The Celtics made a strong second-half push to nab the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, then took advantage of their pick swap with the Nets and some lottery luck to grab the No. 1 pick in the draft as well.

Of course, each of those accomplishments comes with a caveat. Despite their spot atop the Eastern Conference, the Celtics didn’t come anywhere close to knocking off the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals, and will need to add another impact player to their roster to help close that gap. As for the No. 1 overall pick, Boston became the first team in recent NBA history to trade that top selection in advance of the draft, sending it to Philadelphia for this year’s No. 3 pick and a future first-rounder.

Even after a 53-win season and a pair of playoff series victories, Ainge continues to turn current present-day assets into future pieces. Will that approach change at all this summer?

Here are five key questions facing the Celtics as the offseason begins:

1. What will the Celtics do with the third overall pick?

When the Celtics first completed their trade with the Sixers earlier in the week, there seemed to be two schools of thought for what Boston had in mind for its next move — the team would either select Kansas forward Josh Jackson, or use its newly-acquired picks in a trade for a star.

Several days later, it’s not clear that the Celtics will take either route. If the club keeps its pick, there’s no guarantee that Jackson will be the selection — many experts believe Boston may be leaning toward Jayson Tatum instead, and Jonathan Isaac has even been mentioned as a possibility. There have also been reports suggesting that the Celtics could trade down again, perhaps with an eye on a player like Dennis Smith Jr.

The Celtics are sitting in a great spot, and at this point there’s no real wrong answer for the club — whatever happens, Boston should come out of draft night with either a young potential star or a player who is already a star.

2. Is this the right time for the Celtics to cash in some trade chips?

Several teams are reportedly interested in moving into the top four in an effort to land Jackson, making the Celtics an ideal trade partner — there’s no guarantee Jackson would be available at No. 4, but with Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball considered strong favorites to be the first two picks, the No. 3 pick may be the spot for the former Jayhawk.

The Bulls and Knicks are said to have legit interest in Jackson, and each of those teams has been exploring trade scenarios involving its stars — Jimmy Butler in Chicago and Kristaps Porzingis in New York. Either player would be a terrific fit in Boston, though Porzingis, in particular, would be a perfect addition for the C’s. He’d be capable of providing the sort of rim protecting the club has been missing, without compromising short-term cap flexibility.

Still, if Ainge perceives the asking price for those players to be too high, he’s under no real pressure to make a move. Pundits and fans may be anxious for the Celtics to push the Cavs in 2017/18, but Ainge certainly recognizes that he has the team well-positioned for the next five or 10 years — not just the next two or three. There’s no urgency to go all-in within the next couple years, particularly with LeBron James not yet showing any signs of slowing down.

There are potential moves the Celtics could make that would improve the current roster without compromising the team’s ability to contend for the next decade, but striking a balance between those two goals will be the key.

3. What can the Celtics do in free agency?

Historically, the Celtics haven’t frequently landed impact players in free agency, but that changed last summer when the team poached Al Horford, one of the top veterans on the market, from Atlanta. A year later, Boston may try to repeat that feat, having been consistently linked to pending free agents like Gordon Hayward and Blake Griffin.

Creating enough cap room for a maximum salary offer to a player such as Hayward or Griffin will require at least one or two additional roster moves, but that shouldn’t be a significant roadblock if the Celtics are able to get a commitment from a star free agent.

Given Griffin’s injury history and the fact that he’s not an elite rim protector, Hayward looks to me like the better fit in Boston. However, if the Celtics end up landing a forward like Paul George or Jimmy Butler around the time of the draft, it’s possible they won’t pursue Hayward quite so aggressively. And even if they do go after Hayward and/or Griffin, the Celtics have no assurances — both players will be coveted by many potential suitors, and could earn more money by re-signing with their own respective 51-win teams.

4. Will 2016’s first-rounders arrive stateside for 2017/18?

When considering the Celtics’ collection of assets, their current players and future draft picks generally get most of the attention, but the team’s draft-and-stash prospects shouldn’t be overlooked. Guerschon Yabusele and Ante Zizic, last year’s 16th and 23rd overall picks, respectively, had very strong seasons overseas, and appear capable of being long-term pieces for the Celtics, assuming they’re not traded.

Both Yabusele and Zizic reportedly have interest in joining the C’s for the 2017/18 season, so Boston will have to decide whether the time is right to bring them over. Neither player will be expensive, but even their modest cap hits could compromise the Celtics’ ability to offer a maximum salary contract to a free agent, and if Boston doesn’t believe the youngsters are ready to contribute right away, it might make more sense to wait another year to start the clock on their four-year rookie contracts.

I still expect we’ll see at least one – and perhaps both – of those two draft-and-stash prospects arrive in Boston this year, but the decision is a complicated one and will require an agreement from both sides.

5. Which rotation players are keepers?

Outside of Isaiah Thomas, an MVP candidate in 2016/17, and perhaps Al Horford, the Celtics don’t have any All-Stars on their current roster. The team should be looking to increase its star power, either in the form of a current star or a young player with the potential to become one. But in order to have a shot at a great player or two, Boston may have to determine which of its “good” players are expendable.

For instance, Kelly Olynyk, a reliable piece of Boston’s frontcourt last season, is eligible for restricted free agency. If the Celtics intend to pursue an elite free agent, there’s a good chance they’ll have to renounce Olynyk’s $7.7MM+ cap hold to create the necessary room.

If the Celtics go the trade route to land a star, some combination of Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier would likely be headed in the other direction. Based on their current ability to contribute, their future potential, and their contract situations, which of those players will Boston view as most expendable?

I suspect that out of that group, the Celtics will prioritize keeping Brown. But if C’s get deep into trade talks with the Bulls, Pacers, Knicks, or another team, and the inclusion of Brown is a sticking point for that club, Ainge will have a tough decision to make.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Celtics financially:

Guaranteed Salary

Al Horford ($27,734,405)
Avery Bradley ($8,808,989)
Jae Crowder ($6,796,117)
Isaiah Thomas ($6,261,395)
Jaylen Brown ($4,956,480)
Marcus Smart ($4,538,020)
Terry Rozier ($1,988,520)
Demetrius Jackson ($650,000) — Partial guarantee. Non-guaranteed portion noted below.¹
Total: $61,733,926

Player Options

None

Team Options

None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

Tyler Zeller ($8,000,000)²
Jordan Mickey ($1,471,382)³
Demetrius Jackson ($734,750) — Partial guarantee. Guaranteed portion noted above.¹
Total: $10,206,132

Restricted Free Agents

Kelly Olynyk ($4,187,598 qualifying offer / $7,735,033 cap hold)
Total: $7,735,033

Cap Holds

Amir Johnson ($15,600,000)
Jonas Jerebko ($9,500,000)
No. 3 overall pick ($5,645,400)
James Young ($2,803,507)
Guerschon Yabusele ($2,247,480)
Ante Zizic ($1,645,200)
Gerald Green ($1,471,382)
Total: $40,293,809

Projected Salary Cap: $99,000,000

Maximum Cap Room: $26,177,629

For our max cap room calculation, we assumed the C’s will keep their seven guaranteed contracts plus Jackson (whose non-guaranteed portion is cheaper than an empty roster slot), and accounted for cap holds for the No. 1 pick, Yabusele, Zizic, and an empty roster spot. That works out to $72,822,371, which doesn’t quite leave enough room for a max salary for someone like Gordon Hayward. However, Boston could create more cap space by stashing Yabusele and/or Zizic for another year, or by making a trade.

Footnotes:

Jackson’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 15.
Zeller’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 2.
Mickey’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after either July 1 or July 15 (conflicting information available).

Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

15 comments Boston Celtics Five Key Offseason Questions Hoops Rumors Originals

Hoops Links Vol. 10: The Process, The Godfather, More

By Austin Kent | at June 22, 2017 9:00 am

Tired of mock drafts yet? I didn’t think so. Still, it’s important to pace one’s self on a fine day such as this. Before the day is done there will be 60 new NBA players and half that many Woj bombs (we hope), so take a fleeting moment to read about the NBA landscape in general before zeroing in on obscure international sleeper picks and combine results.

To be featured in next week’s Hoops Links (where we prance about telling everybody on the internet why we love the NBA blogosphere so much), submit your favorite articles for nomination. Connect with Austin Kent on Twitter (@AustinKent) as our Thursday publication date approaches and tell us why you think your content deserves a shout out in this most heralded of link dumps.

The offseason is a trying time for sports fans as the balance between passion and rationality can be difficult to strike. For South of the 6ix, Adam Corsair used recent confusion surrounding Kyle Lowry and the Raptors as a telltale example of why fans should be leery of unsubstantiated rumors. Until a decision is made and deal is done, there are too many variables at play for fans to take things at face value all the time.

Author: Adam Corsair – @ACorsair21
Rating: 8 out of 10 Grains of Salt
Link: Kyle Lowry free agent rumors.

A pair of news reports that came out this week suggest that the Spurs could be considering a home run swing in free agency this summer, and Jesus Gomez of Pounding the Rock has broken down exactly what that might look like. The combination of Pau Gasol opting out and the club supposedly shopping Danny Green frees up cap space, and a few other moves could get the Spurs into a scenario where they could offer max money.

Author: Jesus Gomez – @JejeGomez_PtR
Rating: 8 out of 10 Pennies Pinched
Link: Spurs could make big free agent pitch.

Around this time five years ago, the Sixers swung a deal for Andrew Bynum. This, Michael Levin of Liberty Ballers writes, was the true start of “The Process.” In the years since, Sam Hinkie has come and gone, assets have come and gone, and now the franchise approaches the NBA Draft with more optimism than they’ve had since the Allen Iverson Era. Here’s a a celebratory reminder of all that Philly fans have been through and why it was worth it.

Author: Michael Levin – @Michael_Levin
Rating: 8 out of 10 Bowling Injuries
Link: The Process, in summary.

The Suns were wise to turn down an offer for DeAndre Jordan this week, but only because the price was too high. Given more reasonable terms, an acquisition of the three-time All-NBA big man could be wise. For Valley of the Suns, Lucas McLean breaks down scenarios in which Phoenix could make a play for the center and what that could mean.

Author: Lucas McLean – @LucasMcLean
Rating: 7 out of 10 Airplane Emojis
Link: DeAndre Jordan could fit with Suns.

Hockey fans saw an expansion draft unfold in Las Vegas last night, prompting Shameek Mohile of Piston Powered to think about what the Pistons might do in a similar situation. Notably unprotected throughout the hypothetical exercise were Reggie Jackson and Jon Leuer, while the prioritization of those protected was telling in and of itself.

Author: Shameek Mohile – @ShamShammgod
Rating: 8 out of 10 Marc-Andre Fleury Knights Jerseys
Link: The Pistons in an expansion draft.

When the Timberwolves waived Nikola Pekovic this week it brought an official end to an era. In honor of the hulking big man, John Meyer of Canis Hoopus published a streamable video-filled recap of the Godfather’s NBA tenure. It wasn’t always graceful, but that doesn’t mean Pek’s stint in Minnesota didn’t have its fair share of highlights and laughs.

Author: John Meyer – @TheDailyWolf
Rating: 9 out of 10 Brandon Knight Body Slams
Link: Celebrating Nikola Pekovic’s career.

The Nets were wise to capitalize on their valuable cap space and land D’Angelo Russell, who has the sort of potential star power that Brooklyn’s roster lacked. Ti Windisch of The Step Back writes that the 2015 second overall pick will be given every opportunity to succeed with the new club, and that the organization finally appears to have a plan.

Author: Ti Windisch – @TiWindisch
Rating: 8 out of 10 Inappropriate Ravens
Link: D’Angelo Russell could thrive with Nets.

The staff at Mavs Moneyball is well aware that LeBron James could hit the open market next offseason and isn’t wasting any time brainstorming potential ways to lure the biggest of fish to the Mavs. Consider the plethora of “Dear LeBron James” letters penned by the blog and let us know which you think would be the most effective.

Author: Rebecca Lawson – @BeccaAfterSix
Rating: 8 out of 10 Elevator Pitches
Link: Mavericks writers recruit LeBron James.

I’ll admit, it’s easy to pile on the Warriors these days, but that doesn’t mean there’s any logic behind it. Count Ron Moskovitz of Golden State of Mind the latest to be offended by the lack of respect Stephen Curry gets from a significant portion of the basketball community. The scribe puts a Dave McMenamin tweet on blast while reminding us all that the back-to-back Warriors MVP is a genuine “bet-the-house franchise changing solo talent.” Y’know, he’s not wrong.

Author: Ron Moskovitz – @Hotspurrrr
Rating: 9 out of 10 Supervillains
Link: Steph Curry disrespected, again.

Until Paul George is formally traded away from the Pacers or he officially signs with the Lakers next summer, there will be a whirlwind of speculation about possible trade suitors. Minh Dao of Rip City Project has capitalized on the growing notion that the All-Star will be on the move sooner rather than later, making the case for the Trail Blazers as a viable option.

Author: Minh Dao – @BeyondTheArcBTA
Rating: 8 out of 10 ESPN Trade Machines
Link: Blazers should trade for Paul George

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2 comments Brooklyn Nets Dallas Mavericks Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Hoops Links Hoops Rumors Originals Minnesota Timberwolves Newsstand Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers San Antonio Spurs Toronto Raptors

Hoops Rumors’ 2017 NBA Mock Draft

By Hoops Rumors | at June 20, 2017 12:47 pm

With the 2017 NBA draft just two days away, it’s time to reveal Hoops Rumors’ own mock draft. Arthur Hill and Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors have tackled the 2017 first round, alternating picks and providing their thoughts and rationale for each selection.

Our mock draft doesn’t feature trades, outside of the ones that have already been finalized, such as the Sixers‘ acquisition of the No. 1 overall pick. It could be an active draft night, so Thursday’s night board may end up looking much different than what we’ve predicted here. After checking out our picks, be sure to head to the comments section to weigh in with your own thoughts, opinions, and predictions.

Let’s dive in…

1. Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz, PG (Washington)

AH: This is the only sure thing on what is shaping up to be an unpredictable night. The Sixers gave up a valuable asset to acquire Fultz in hopes of forming a new young Big Three with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. It’s hard to find a scout that isn’t impressed by Fultz, who can score, defend, rebound and run the offense.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Lonzo Ball, PG (UCLA)

LA: The Lakers landing the No. 2 pick in last month’s draft lottery looked like a dream scenario for Ball and his father LaVar, who wanted Lonzo to land in Los Angeles all along. The Lakers have made Ball sweat it out since then, with Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox both reportedly receiving serious consideration. But I think Ball’s playmaking ability and potential star power will be too much for the team to pass up.

3. Boston Celtics: Josh Jackson, SF (Kansas)

AH: The Celtics will be getting plenty of phone calls from teams that would like a shot at Jackson, Fox, or Jayson Tatum. Assuming Boston keeps the pick, the safest bet is probably Jackson, a super-athletic defender who is versatile enough to handle either forward position.

4. Phoenix Suns: Jayson Tatum, SF (Duke)

LA: The Suns have no shortage of talented guards, led by Devin Booker, and dedicated last year’s two lottery picks to a pair of bigs in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. This time around, it makes sense for Phoenix to add a player like Tatum, who looks like a future 20-PPG scorer on the wing.

5. Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox, PG (Kentucky)

AH: Sacramento fills its most pressing need without having to trade up. Fox is blessed with lightning-like speed that he uses on both offense and defense, and he’ll be the best point guard to wear a Kings uniform in many years. He cemented his reputation when he outplayed Ball in the NCAA Tournament, showing he has the skill to not only be a good NBA player but possibly a future All-Star.

6. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac, F (Florida State)

LA: Orlando’s new front office, led by former Raptors GM Jeff Weltman and former Bucks GM John Hammond, values length, athleticism, and versatility. Of the players available in this spot, Isaac is the one that most clearly checks all those boxes, making him a good fit for the Magic.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Malik Monk, G (Kentucky)

AH: Bench scoring and three-point shooting were major issues this season for the Wolves. Kentucky’s Monk can help solve both of those problems, stretching defenses as well as anyone in the draft. Monk is a bit of a tweener at 6’3″, but if used properly he can be a very dangerous weapon in Minnesota.

8. New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina, PG (France)

LA: With Monk off the board here, the Knicks are in good position to nab a point guard, and I suspect they may lean toward Ntilikina over Dennis Smith Jr.. Ntilikina, who doesn’t turn 19 until December, won’t make an impact immediately, but his long-term potential is tantalizing if the Knicks are willing to be patient.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr., PG (North Carolina State)

AH: This is an excellent draft for teams in need of point guards. Dallas takes the fifth one available and gets a possible future star in Smith. Another elite player on a poor college team, Smith has drawn comparisons to Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury as offensively gifted point guards who don’t do enough other things to help teams win. Dallas would be the perfect environment for a prospect like that, as coach Rick Carlisle would tutor Smith on how to become a smart and effective NBA player.

10. Sacramento Kings: Lauri Markkanen, PF (Arizona)

LA: Having scooped up their point guard of the future at No. 5, the Kings can turn their attention to the frontcourt with this pick. Markkanen’s ability to play the stretch four makes him an intriguing potential complement to Willie Cauley-Stein up front for Sacramento.

11. Charlotte Hornets: Donovan Mitchell, SG (Louisville)

AH: The Pistons reportedly covet this 6’3″ combo guard out of Louisville, whose draft stock has risen considerably since the season ended. If Mitchell winds up in Charlotte, the Hornets will be getting a defensive specialist with enough of an offensive game to contribute right away. He could be an effective backup to Kemba Walker next season and eventually carve out a larger role in the Hornets’ backcourt.

12. Detroit Pistons: Luke Kennard, SG (Duke)

LA: While I don’t expect the Pistons to let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope get away in free agency, Kennard would provide a nice insurance policy. Even with KCP in the mix, Detroit’s roster isn’t stacked with three-point shooters, so Kennard would give the team another threat from the outside. He’s not a complete two-way player – and may never be – but he’s capable of making an immediate impact on offense.

13. Denver Nuggets: Zach Collins, F/C (Gonzaga)

AH: The freshman from Gonzaga saw limited playing time during the season — just 17.2 minutes per game — but showed off his skills as the Zags made a run to the NCAA title game. At 6’10”, he can rebound, block shots and shoot from the outside, making him a promising frontcourt partner for Nikola Jokic. Trade rumors have swirled around Kenneth Faried for a couple of years, and Collins would be a nice replacement if Denver ships Faried out of town.

14. Miami Heat: OG Anunoby, F (Indiana)

LA: Pat Riley and the Heat aren’t likely to worry much about a player’s ability to contribute in his rookie season if his long-term potential is strong. That makes Miami a possible landing spot for Anunoby, who is expected to miss at least the first month or two of the 2017/18 season, if not more, as he recovers from a knee injury. He and Justise Winslow would make life very difficult for perimeter scorers facing the Heat.

15. Portland Trail Blazers: Harry Giles, C (Duke)

AH: Giles came to Duke last season as one of the most heralded players in the nation, but medical problems with both knees make him a risky proposition for whoever drafts him. With three picks in the first round, Portland is in a good position to gamble. With luxury tax concerns looming over next season, the Blazers are going to have to deal away some established players, and Giles, if he stays healthy, is a good candidate to take their place.

16. Chicago Bulls: Justin Jackson, SF (North Carolina)

LA: The Bulls’ approach to the draft may hinge somewhat on what happens – or at least what the team expects to happen – with Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. If Wade doesn’t return, or if the Bulls decide to trade Butler, Jackson is the sort of player who could assume some scoring responsibilities. His offensive game – particularly his three-point shot – improved greatly during his junior year at UNC.

17. Milwaukee Bucks: Ike Anigbogu, C (UCLA)

AH: Milwaukee has a nice collection of young talent, but there’s not a physical, rebounding, rim-protecting center on the roster. That’s a perfect description of Anigbogu, who would bring an interior toughness that the Bucks currently lack. He may never be a scorer, but he adds an important component as Milwaukee looks to continue its climb up the Eastern Conference standings.

18. Indiana Pacers: John Collins, PF (Wake Forest)

LA: With the Pacers potentially entering a rebuilding and asset-accumulating phase, it makes sense for the club to add the best player available, regardless of position. At this point in the draft, that might mean nabbing Collins, who looks capable of developing into a reliable rebounder and shot-blocker up front.

19. Atlanta Hawks: Jarrett Allen, C (Texas)

AH: The Texas freshman fits very well with the direction that the league is headed. At 6’11”, he’s not a physical player, but he gets up and down the court very well and will get a lot of points from pure athleticism. The Hawks will need frontcourt help even if they re-sign Paul Millsap, and Allen would be a good investment in the future.

20. Portland Trail Blazers: Terrance Ferguson, SG (Australia)

LA: There’s a good chance the Blazers ultimately decide to trade this pick, but if they keep it, it would be a nice spot to roll the dice on someone like Ferguson. Reports have suggested that Ferguson is all over the place on teams’ draft boards, but at his best, he looks like an explosive athlete capable of contributing on both ends of the court.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Justin Patton, C (Creighton)

AH: Oklahoma City will pay more than $40MM next season — and nearly $43MM in 2018/19 — to the combination of Stephen Adams and Enes Kanter. The wise move would be to trade one of them, and Patton would provide a viable replacement if that happens. The seven-footer out of Creighton averaged nearly 1.5 blocks per game during his lone season in college and showed speed and athleticism that would fit in well with OKC.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Andzejs Pasecniks, C (Spain)

LA: With two first-round picks in hand and no rush to contend immediately, the Nets can afford to invest in an international player who may not arrive stateside right away. Pasecniks wouldn’t even be the most notable Latvian big man in town, but he has a solid skill-set for a seven-footer, and has seen his stock rising as of late.

23. Toronto Raptors: Isaiah Hartenstein, F/C (Lithuania)

AH: If Toronto re-signs Kyle Lowry this summer, it will be difficult to keep both Serge Ibaka and Patrick Patterson. That creates an opening for a player like Hartenstein, who brings a soft scoring touch to go with his seven-foot size. Playing in Germany, he has been on a professional strength and conditioning program and is a solid 250 pounds, making him more ready for the rigors of the NBA than some of his contemporaries.

24. Utah Jazz: Jawun Evans, PG (Oklahoma State)

LA: The Jazz were overloaded at the point guard position in 2016/17, but George Hill and Shelvin Mack are free agents, while Dante Exum and Raul Neto are entering contract years. Presumably, not all of those players are in Utah’s long-term plans, so adding a talented ball-handler like Evans wouldn’t necessarily create a logjam.

25. Orlando Magic: Bam Adebayo, C (Kentucky)

AH: Like the Thunder, Orlando is top-heavy with big men, with Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic combining to make more than $29MM over each of the next two seasons. The new management team will want to cut some of that salary, creating a need for a player like Adebayo. A bit undersized at 6’9″, the freshman showed a surprising scoring touch at Kentucky, although he needs to expand his shooting range. He has no problem doing the dirty work — blocking shots, setting screens and running the floor to get baskets in transition.

26. Portland Trail Blazers: Semi Ojeleye, F (SMU)

LA: If the Trail Blazers keep all three of their first-rounders, which seems unlikely, at least one of their picks will probably be a draft-and-stash prospect. However, there aren’t many highly-regarded international players in this draft class, so I have Portland opting instead for Ojeleye, a talented scorer and shooter who could make an immediate impact and provide depth if the club moves one of its more expensive swingmen.

27. Brooklyn Nets: Ivan Rabb, F/C (California)

AH: Brooklyn has shown a willingness to gamble in the first round, and Rabb, once a highly regarded prospect, is a gamble worth taking. The 6’10” sophomore might have been a lottery pick a year ago, but decided to spend another season at California and hurt his cause with a disappointing performance. The Nets need more big men who can score after trading away Thaddeus Young before the start of last season. Rabb was an effective post-up scorer in college and could be a late-round gem for Brooklyn.

28. Los Angeles Lakers: T.J. Leaf, PF (UCLA)

LA: The Lakers’ current frontcourt, which features players like Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac, and Timofey Mozgov, lacks a player capable of really stretching the floor. Leaf, who made an impressive 46.6% of his three-pointers in his first and only college season, has that ability — and joining the Lakers would reunite him with his UCLA teammate and point guard Lonzo Ball.

29. San Antonio Spurs: Frank Jackson, G (Duke)

AH: Manu Ginobili may retire, Patty Mills is a free agent and Tony Parker may not be physically ready for the start of next season. The Spurs need backcourt help, especially if their dream of signing Chris Paul doesn’t pan out. Jackson is a nice start, a 6’3″ player who can help at either guard spot and scores well off the dribble.

30. Utah Jazz: Caleb Swanigan, F/C (Purdue)

LA: Swanigan is capable of banging in the low post, having averaged 12.5 RPG last season at Purdue, and can also make an outside shot — he converted 44.7% of his threes in 2016/17. I like Swanigan’s game and think he could be one of the more undervalued players in 2017’s draft class. He’d be a nice depth addition for the Jazz, who may trade Derrick Favors this year or lose him in free agency next year.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Five Key Offseason Questions: Boston Celtics

Hoops Links Vol. 10: The Process, The Godfather, More

Hoops Rumors’ 2017 NBA Mock Draft