Hoops Rumors Polls

In an Odds & Ends post yesterday, we passed along a piece written by Steve Kerr for NBA.com, in which the former Suns general manager and current TV analyst presented a few ideas for the NBA might alter its draft lottery.

The discussion isn't a new one, but it has ramped up again recently as teams like the Sixers and Jazz have chosen to position themselves for a high lottery pick in 2014 rather than attempting to contend for the postseason. Given how strong the 2014 draft class, led by Andrew Wiggins, is expected to be, it makes sense for teams who don't view themselves as legit contenders to position themselves to lose a lot of games, based on how the NBA's current lottery system works.

There doesn't seem to be a single potential solution that everyone can agree on, but some of Kerr's ideas are intriguing. Among them:

1. Even out the lottery odds, so that each of the league's 14 non-playoff teams has a 1-in-14 shot at getting each draft slot from one to 14. In this scenario, Kerr says, the top five picks would be up for grabs, so the league's worst team would pick no lower than sixth.
2. Reward the Nos. 7 and 8 playoff teams more. Kerr suggests that if there were more incentives to simply earn a postseason spot, even if it meant a quick first-round exit (think the No. 8 Bucks against the Heat this year), teams could make a greater effort to contend. He proposes that the eight teams who are eliminated in the first round of the playoffs could be given the top eight picks of the second round of the draft (Nos. 31-38).
3. Regulation to alter lottery odds. In this scenario, the teams with the NBA's three worst records would be ineligible for a top-three pick, with the other lottery teams having a 1-in-11 chance. As such, there would at least be incentive to avoid being one of the league's absolute bottom-feeders.
4. Deeper weighted lottery odds, meaning that the odds are determined in part (or entirely) by lottery teams' winning percentages against one another — the better you played against other lottery clubs, the better chance you have to land a top pick.
5. Rotate the draft order annually, so that for every 30-year stretch, each of the league's teams picks once in every spot between No. 1 and No. 30. Although Kerr doesn't specify a pattern, I have to assume it would be randomized, so that a team could pick, for instance, 16th one year, 27th the next, and first the year after that. That would make more sense for competitive balance than having a team pick first one year, second the next, third after that, and so on.

What do you think? Do you like any of Kerr's suggestions, or do you think the lottery system is about as fair as possible the way it is? If you have your own ideas for changes the NBA should try, feel free to share them in the comments section.

Yesterday, Hoops Rumors readers voted Brad Stevens of the Celtics the best offseason coaching hire in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers may demand a recount if and when they get their man in Spurs assistant Brett Brown, but for now we're heading west and exploring the other conference's offseason hires.

While there wasn't quite as much turnover as in the East, five Western teams replaced their head coaches, including three clubs who ranked in the top five in the Conference. Vinny Del Negro, George Karl, Lionel Hollins, Lindsey Hunter, and Keith Smart are out, and Doc Rivers (Clippers), Brian Shaw (Nuggets), Dave Joerger (Grizzlies), Jeff Hornacek (Suns), and Michael Malone (Kings) are in.

So what do you think? Which of those five new coaches will turn out to be the best choice? Which Western Conference hiring did you like best?

Since the end of the 2012/13 regular season, an incredible 13 NBA teams have made coaching changes. 12 of those clubs have replaced their old head coach with a new one, while the Sixers' search for Doug Collins' successor continues.

Of the 12 teams to hire a new head coach so far, seven come from the Eastern Conference, including four playoff teams (the Hawks, Nets, Celtics, and Bucks). The East's new bench additions consist of a former college coach (Brad Stevens), respected assistants getting their first chance as head coaches (Mike Budenholzer, Steve Clifford), former head coaches (Mike Brown, Maurice Cheeks, Larry Drew), and even one coach whose playing career had barely ended when he was hired (Jason Kidd).

The seven hirings so far certainly represent a wide variety of philosophies, and will be facing very different expectations in the first season with their new clubs. For coaches like Stevens and Clifford, developing young talent will be crucial, while others, like Cheeks and Kidd, will be tasked with making some serious noise in the East right away.

So, today's poll question is this: Which Eastern Conference coaching hire did you like best? Which new head coach do you think will have the most success with his new team, however that success may be defined?

With the Pacers upgrading their bench and adding Danny Granger, the Bulls getting Derrick Rose back, and the Nets overhauling their roster and adding a couple Hall of Fame caliber contributers, the Heat have some serious competition next season. 

Heading into 2014, is Miami even the favorite?

Earlier today, our own Chuck Myron compared this summer's one-year free agent deals to those of last summer and found a significant drop off in dollars.  Last summer, Chris Kaman cashed in a one-year, $8MM with the Mavs, Nick Young got $5.6MM from the Sixers, Chauncey Billups and the Clippers agreed to a $4.3MM pact, and J.J. Hickson signed for $4MM with the Blazers after a strong second half with Portland.  This year, it's a different story.

The complete list of 2013's one-year deals (excluding the ones for the veteran's minimum) is headlined by a deal that would have been in the middle of the pack last year:

• Elton Brand, Hawks, $4MM.
• Al-Farouq Aminu, Pelicans, $3.75MM.
• Chris Kaman, Lakers, $3.183MM.
• Greg Stiemsma, Pelicans, $2.676MM.
• Jermaine O'Neal, Warriors, $2MM.
• Toney Douglas, Warriors, $1.6MM.

These free agents may not have gotten as much money as they would have hoped, but they're all notable names who can boost their value for the summer of 2014 and beyond.  For the teams that signed them, they could be getting a tremendous value on a player who wants to impress in their walk year.  Based on how you expect them to perform while also taking their salary into account, we want to know how you rank these signings – from the club's perspective – from best to worst.

Click here for the results.

Earlier today on Twitter, Hoopsworld.com's Alex Kennedy listed over a dozen notable unrestricted free agents who've yet to sign with a team. Who do you think is the best player left?