Weekly Mailbag

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

HR: I like both ideas, though, I don’t know how practical either of them are. The idea of a Curry Challenge would appeal to the mainstream audience enough, even it is solely about one player, just because of how popular Stephen Curry is. I hate the dunk contest voting system and the way the competition is won. It is silly on all levels and detracts me as a viewer. I’m in favor of something different and involving fans might be a good bet. I could see fans being able to vote on Twitter and online from home in addition to fans having the ability to do it live at the venue.

I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t feel that Byron Scott has done that bad of a job. He was put in an impossible position to actually contend with this team. We, as fans, rant about developing talent and that’s exactly what he’s done. — Miles

HR: I have to disagree, Miles. Scott openly has said he does not prefer the use of advanced statistics and his coaching of D’Angelo Russell is baffling to me. I wouldn’t attribute the development of players to Scott because he seems like a coach who is interested in results more than the process. For example, Scott benched Russell for “cockiness” in December, which struck me as bizarre. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak doesn’t want to discuss Scott’s future anymore and indicated that the coach’s status with the organization hasn’t changed, so only time will tell if he will remain. My guess, which is purely my speculation, is he doesn’t last beyond this season.

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Doesn’t it seem perfect that Al Horford became available in trade talks right about the same time Festus Ezeli had surgery? That seems like a good fit. Golden State could trade picks that they don’t seem to need. — Isaac

HR: Perfect, sure, if the Warriors were simply able to plug him into their rotation. I don’t see that dream becoming a reality, though. It was reported earlier today that the Hawks are not actively shopping Al Horford despite his looming free agency. While Horford has not offered much regarding his plans for after this season, he has on multiple occasions expressed how much he enjoys playing in Atlanta so I wouldn’t bet on him signing anywhere else. I know that is the politically correct answer from athletes, but there is a lot to like about the Hawks’ situation, especially with the season they are experiencing. While the Celtics have reportedly reached out about Horford, the Warriors have not expressed interest in him, at least not publicly. I don’t see Golden State making a move, anyway. What’s more, Ezeli, a soon-to-be restricted free agent, is expected back in five weeks and has said he wants to stay with the Warriors for the rest of his career.

Who are possible suitors for Greg Monroe? — John

HR: The Bucks shouldn’t be shopping Monroe, but they’ve reportedly let teams know that they are. It’s unlikely the center is moved because Monroe was the Bucks’ prized free agent signing last July. He can opt out after next season. The Knicks, Lakers and Blazers made max offers to Monroe, so they all could presumably still be interested. I wouldn’t bet on Monroe getting traded because coach Jason Kidd, who apparently calls the shots on player personnel, said the Bucks won’t be making any deals at the deadline.

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Does Nuggets GM Tim Connelly’s extension make sense based on his performance to date? — Keith

HR: I really think so. I am a fan of what Connelly has done, but I’m also not a Nuggets fan so my perspective may differ from yours, Keith. I know the Nuggets are 10 games under .500 and I have not been impressed with first-year coach Michael Malone, but Denver is positioned well for the future and a lot of that has to do with Connelly, who took over for Masai Ujiri in 2013. Connelly has acquired three potential lottery-protected first-round picks over the next two drafts after drafting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay in the lottery last summer. It’s hard to argue with that. I strongly believe that when Connelly’s contract is up, this will no longer be a question.

What do you think of a trade that would send Arron Afflalo, Jose Calderon, Cleanthony Early and a pair of second round picks to the Kings for Darren Collison, Marco Belinelli, and Caron Butler? — Keith

HR: The Knicks have two second-round picks they can trade, one in 2018 and one in 2022. From a financial standpoint, the deal works fine. I don’t mind the deal from the Knicks’ perspective much because they need backcourt help and Collison has the potential to provide that for a couple of years. I don’t like the Knicks moving Afflalo, though, because he has proven to be the rare player who is able to produce while playing second fiddle to Carmelo Anthony. Of course, to receive, you have to give. I’m not convinced Belinelli has anything left, but I can say the same about Calderon. The question is, which player would each team want, Collison or Afflalo? I like this deal.

Should the Celtics consider a deal for Ryan Anderson? Could a Jonas Jerebko/Evan Turner/non-Brooklyn first round pick package interest New Orleans, or would Marcus Smart or a Brooklyn first round pick be needed? — Craig

HR: The Celtics really shouldn’t deal Smart at all, especially not for a player they will likely have for only a couple of months. It does make sense for the Celtics to consider a deal for Anderson, though, because although the team has a slew of power forwards, none of them can open the floor quite like Anderson can. I would suggest a swap of Anderson for Jerebko and Jared Sullinger with some picks exchanged as well.

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

With Blake Griffin out, will the Clippers make some bold moves? — Richard

HR: There is no debating Griffin’s talent, but losing Chris Paul would be a bigger blow to the Clippers. Heck, considering the way Griffin tends to dominate the ball, losing DeAndre Jordan would probably be worse than not having Griffin, too. As far as “bold moves,” I don’t see any on the horizon for the Clippers. They’ve won four straight and their bench has looked vastly improved lately. It’s easy to point to Lance Stephenson and say he should be traded, but who would take him? What would the Clippers get in return? Coach/executive Doc Rivers seems to imply that Stephenson will remain on the team through the deadline. If the Clippers don’t make it to the finals this season, I would expect significant moves, perhaps one involving Griffin, especially if the Clippers continue to show they can consistently win without him.

Do you think the Hornets will try to trade for Marco Belinelli? — Nick

HR: Teams have reportedly shown interest recently in acquiring Belinelli from the Kings, but it is unclear if the Hornets are one of those teams. I doubt it. In previous seasons, the Hornets were known for making a deal, but they find themselves in a unique situation this time around. Unlike previous seasons, the Hornets don’t have a major flaw and they are a pretty decent team. Granted, not many expected the Hornets to be as competitive, but since they are, why acquire a guy like Belinelli, who is signed for two more years after this one and is experiencing a down season? I expect the Hornets to let the deadline pass without making a move.

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Is Baron Davis close to signing with any team in the D-League and have there been any teams that have been interested in bringing him aboard? — Ryan

HR: Despite many fans wanting to see it happen, I don’t see Baron Davis making a return to the NBA this season as a player. All signs point to it not happening. Davis cleared D-League waivers last week after going unclaimed by the league’s 19 teams. In other words, that means no team thought he was worth burning a waiver for. More recently, and perhaps more perplexing, Davis has declined offers from D-League teams wanting him to practice for them. At this point, Davis would still have to sign with a D-League team, play well enough to warrant interest from the NBA and then have a team with flexibility and a need to sign him. There has been little to suggest any of that will happen.

From Minnesota’s perspective, does a trade of Kevin Martin and Tyus Jones to the Bulls for Pau Gasol and Cameron Bairstow hold any appeal?  — Mark

HR: The trade you proposed would work from a financial standpoint, but I don’t see the Bulls adding a player like Martin by subtracting Gasol. In other words, if the Bulls are going to make a move with the thought of competing this season, which acquiring Martin would signal, I don’t think they give up Gasol, even though they might lose him this summer (if he opts out). Gasol is making only $7.4MM this season, so he still holds significant trade value. I think if anyone on the Bulls is traded, it is going to be Taj Gibson because the Bulls have depth at that position.

What do you think of this Cavs and Rockets trade: Kevin Love and Timofey Mozgov for Dwight Howard? Or Ty Lawson, Corey Brewer and Terrence Jones for Love? — Dorian

HR: The Cavs seem like the league’s most dysfunctional yet functional team of all time and you want to add Dwight Howard to the mix? It’s not going to happen. Ditto for Lawson. I love the idea of a blockbuster like this, but I don’t see these two teams blowing up their respective rosters months before each prepare for the playoffs (Yes, I think the Rockets will make the playoffs as they’re currently constructed). Just to answer the question in a more thorough way, the deal involving Love and Mozgov would work from a financial standpoint, but reports have indicated that no potential deals are imminent regarding Mozgov.

In addition to our weekly chat, which Chuck Myron facilitates every Wednesday, we have a second opportunity for you to hit us up with your questions in this, our weekly mailbag feature. Have a question regarding player movement, the salary cap, or the NBA draft? Drop us a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com. Here are this week’s inquiries:

Do you believe that DeMar DeRozan will return to the Raptors or should the Raptors trade him now? — Illbedat44

HR: I’d be completely shocked if DeRozan was not playing with the Raptors next season. That’s how strongly I feel about the situation. DeRozan has been very transparent about his desire to stay in Toronto for the remainder of his career even though he is poised to turn down his player option worth only slightly more than $10MM and hit free agency this summer. DeRozan is from California and the Lakers would be a sensible fit, but I just don’t see him leaving the Raptors. Often when a player says he wants to stay with a team, he is being politically correct. DeRozan, however, has gone on record every time he is asked with a detailed answer on why playing with the Raptors is so important to him. If I’m the Raptors, I take him at his word, keep him for the remainder of this season and make the best offer possible this summer.

How likely is it that the Bulls make a trade this season? — Daniel

HR: I’d say it’s very likely now that Joakim Noah will be out of action for four to six months after suffering a dislocated left shoulder in Friday’s game. I don’t mean that the Bulls will be acquiring talent, either. I agree with Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com that the loss of Noah diminishes the Bulls as a contender this season. It’s unfortunate, at least from Chicago’s perspective, but this team doesn’t strike many as a championship contender. It’s time to look toward the future. While I don’t feel too strongly about his market, there will likely be several teams willing to at least listen about Pau Gasol, who has a player option for next season and is expected to enter free agency this summer. It is imperative for the Bulls to move Gasol. Still, it’s not clear what the Bulls plan to do at this point. If Chicago still wants to make a run at it, a wing player with some offensive upside is a necessity.

Who will be the biggest name traded before the trade deadline in just about a month? — Illbedat44

HR: We just answered a Bulls question, so Gasol and Taj Gibson jump out to me as well-known names to watch before the deadline. The most accurate answer to your question at this point is likely Markieff Morris. I know, it feels as if we’ve been discussing the Suns power forward as a trade candidate every week for months. That’s because we have. While Morris’ attitude is a question mark, he is also still viewed as a valuable stretch-power forward on the trade market, Sean Deveney of the Sporting News wrote recently. With the Suns struggling, it has to be only a matter of days before we see Morris, who has three years and $24MM left on his contract after this season, in a new uniform.