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:

“ESPN has mentioned Joe Harris is being shopped. What say you folks?” — Eric

HR: Actually, it was Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal who wrote that the Cavs would like to obtain a second-round pick in exchange for Harris. As a result, Harris has been showcased in the D-League this month, moving up and down a handful of times. The Cavs are looking to move Harris because of the surprising play of Jared Cunningham and the team’s looming luxury tax bill, according to Lloyd. Harris has not played much in the league since being drafted in 2014 and, while this is just my speculation, it seems likely the Cavs will shed his fully guaranteed $845,059 salary as soon as possible since he is now looking more expendable than ever.

Do you think the Lakers will consider trading players such as Roy Hibbert and Lou Williams for picks? What kind of value do you think they hold? — Aaron

HR: Hibbert, in my opinion, has a better chance of being dealt because he is set to be a free agent after the season. Williams, on the other hand, signed a three-year, $21MM deal with the Lakers in the summer after he scored 15.5 points per game on 40.4% shooting last season in Toronto. I really think that the Lakers are committed to Williams, who could help lure more talent into the fold next season. Hibbert has helped the Lakers has a veteran mentor on a young team. While he is not the player he was a couple of years ago, Hibbert has re-established himself as a serviceable starting option in the league and there is a decent chance he could help the Lakers land a future second-round pick of sorts, in my estimation.

Can the Lakers get a first-round pick from a team for Hibbert? — Aaron

HR: I highly doubt it. Hibbert just turned 29, has experienced down seasons already and is likely past his prime. I credit him for having a decent comeback season now, but it’s just not enough to warrant exchanging a first-round pick for. That is unless, perhaps, he is part of a larger package, of course.

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 me a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com or @EddieScarito on Twitter. This week, in a continued effort to change things up a bit, I’ve once again invited some of the other staff members to join in on the fun. Now for this week’s inquiries:

“Any news on the Cavs $12 million trade exception? I heard they’re looking for a backup SG/SF or PF, a couple rumored names have been Markieff Morris and Rudy Gay, any chance those are true and will Ray Allen return?” — Dan

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 me a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com or @EddieScarito on Twitter. This week, in a continued effort to change things up a bit, I’ve once again invited some of the other staff members to join in on the fun. Now for this week’s inquiries:

“Which player’s deal this year is looking the best value for his team? Why?” — Silas

Chuck Myron: Bargains always emerge. You could say Sixers point guard T.J. McConnell, making the rookie minimum and among the league leaders in assists, is the best value, and you could say much the same about Ish Smith, who’s only costing the Pelicans the two-year veteran’s minimum. Plenty of others make a lot more but are still well worth the money. If you’re just talking about guys who signed this summer, I’d nominate Brandon Knight, who took more than $24MM less than the max on his five-year, $70MM deal with the Suns and is playing lights-out ball so far this season. If you’re talking about guys on existing deals, Hassan Whiteside is the clear choice in the minimum-salary category. Stephen Curry‘s $11.37MM salary is nowhere close to the minimum, but it’s also nowhere close to his market value.

“How much stock do you place in the rumors that Dion Waiters wants to play for the Sixers?” — Damon

Eddie Scarito: I think there is definitely some legitimacy to the chatter, though Waiters did take to his Twitter account to deny the rumors. But I think that’s just a case of him being diplomatic and not rankling the folks signing his paychecks. Waiters didn’t get a contract extension prior to this season’s deadline, so there is the possibility that he feels a bit slighted by OKC, and the team may also not be sure about Waiters’ long-term future with the franchise as well. That leaves the door open for many different scenarios.

I’d be shocked if Philly offered Waiters a boatload of cash and he declined it. There are quite a few players in the league who grew up dreaming of playing for their hometown squads, and Waiters is likely no different. Plus, with the Sixers bereft of talent, the numbers he would have the opportunity to put up in Philly would certainly be a draw for him. He’d also be one of the team’s focal points, a role he hasn’t had the opportunity to have with either Cleveland or Oklahoma City. So to answer your question…yes, I do think that there is an excellent chance Waiters could be a Sixer at some point…voluntarily. An important distinction to make given the team’s penchant for taking on bad contracts in exchange for draft picks.

“What is the current trade market for Ricky Rubio? Is Minnesota better with him or without him in the long run?” — Zeve

Charlie Adams: I have a hard time believing there’s a team interested in giving up any valuable assets in exchange for a point guard who has yet to prove he can stay healthy for an extended period of time. I think the Wolves would be foolish to sell low on someone with the potential that Ricky has, and their decision to sign him to $55MM extension speaks to their commitment of keeping him long term. The numbers speak for themselves; Minnesota is a much better team on both sides of the ball when Rubio is on the floor, so I think it’s fair to say the greatest value he provides the team is as their starting point guard and not as a trade chip. He has the ability to facilitate for the young pieces Minnesota has, and he can contribute without taking 20 shots from the floor each night. If he can stay healthy, he’s the ideal fit for a young team with the sort of potential that the Wolves have.

“With the way Mario Chalmers is lighting it up in New Orleans, how big of a contract is he setting himself up for this summer? Where do you think he may end up playing next season?” — Kyle

Chris Crouse: Chalmers looks like he found himself a good fit and he could very well return to the Grizzlies next season. If he continues playing this way, he’ll certainly see a raise on his current $4.3MM salary. Memphis will probably want him back, as starter Mike Conley will be a free agent and Chalmers would serve as a decent plan B. As far as his next contract, I can envision him getting a deal in the four-year, $40MM territory, but that’s on the high end of the scale.

“What has gone wrong with the Rockets this season? Were they simply overrated? Or is it something deeper? The curse of Ty Lawson perhaps?” — Chris

Will Sammon: We hear this a lot — so much so that it sounds annoying — but it’s fitting at this time of the year: It’s a long season. There’s a lot of talent in Houston so there’s reason to think the Rockets can turn it around despite defensive woes. That said, acquiring Ty Lawson was a questionable move. It was an interesting gamble that looks like it has backfired. It’s unlikely that it will cost them, though.

That’s going to do it for this week’s edition. Thanks to all those who sent in their inquiries. We’ll see you back here next Saturday with more responses.

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 me a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com or @EddieScarito on Twitter. This week, in a continued effort to change things up a bit, I’ve once again invited some of the other staff members to join in on the fun. Now for this week’s inquiries:

“How much will the Heat miss Mario Chalmers, especially if Gerald Green were to miss more time this season? Do you really thing Tyler Johnson is the answer at backup point guard?” — Vinnie

Chris Crouse: The Heat will miss Chalmers. He was playing pretty well this season and with his departure, the door has opened for Tyler Johnson to receive more touches. However, the team seems to be going with Beno Udrih as the backup point guard. That role doesn’t come with the burden of a traditional point guard because of how coach Erik Spoelstra staggers the minutes of Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade and how much they both handle the rock. Both players should dominate the ball even more as a result of this trade. It’ll really hurt the Heat in games that Wade doesn’t play. Those should be the games where we see Johnson running the offense and probably taking too many shots for a player of his caliber.

“Now that this season’s extension deadline has passed, which player who didn’t agree to an extension will make his team regret it the most? Why?” — Sam

Will Sammon: A handful of guys, notably Andre Drummond and Bradley Beal, are expected to ink deals with their current clubs after not agreeing to an extension. By the end of the season, Evan Fournier could very well make the Magic regret not being able to extend him before the deadline. Fournier is an excellent perimeter defender and is now consistently attacking the rim on offense. He’s an important player right now for the Magic and it will be interesting how Orlando’s offseason shapes up if Fournier ends up not returning.

“Give me your three most under-the-radar free agents for next summer who will make the GMs who sign them look like geniuses. I’ll hold you to these by the way….” — Isaac

Chuck Myron: No pressure, huh? Well, a lot depends on how much you sign a guy for. The genius signing for $5MM is the foolish signing for $15MM. Anyway, Courtney Lee, though he’s off to a slow start this year, has always fit in well for the right team at the right price, so if someone can get him for the mid-level exception next summer, that’ll be a bargain. Alan Anderson, who seems to have exceeded expectations wherever he’s gone, could be available on the cheap if he doesn’t bounce back quickly from his injury. Miles Plumlee, who started for the 48-win Suns team that barely missed the playoffs in 2013/14, is buried on the bench in Milwaukee and is set for restricted free agency. I think he’ll succeed if given minutes somewhere.

“Which rookie(s) have impressed you the most so far this season?” — Billy

Eddie Scarito: I’ve been pleasantly surprised by a number of this year’s crop of rookies, and I’m beginning to believe that the 2015 draft may end up being looked back upon as one of the deeper ones in recent years. I’m glad you allowed me to choose more than one player, since there are a few who have caught my eye. Here are some rookies who I think have stood out from the rest of the pack thus far:

1. Karl-Anthony Towns: Sure, he’s the No. 1 overall pick, and that honor always comes with a set of lofty expectations based on talent level. But after playing just one season at Kentucky, and playing limited minutes while there thanks to the team’s depth, Towns is looking like the real deal for Minnesota. When I say real deal, I mean he appears to have the capability of being a top five player in the league in just a few seasons.
2. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Brooklyn did rather well for itself on draft night by nabbing Hollis-Jefferson. Sure, he’s still as raw as freshly butchered steak, but there is no denying that the Nets are a better, more exciting team when he’s on the court. Defensively, he’s already a stud, and Hollis-Jefferson is a highlight reel waiting to happen when running the break. If he can ever develop a passable jump shot, GM Billy King should be lauded for maximizing the No. 23 overall pick he acquired from Portland in exchange for Mason Plumlee.
3. Myles Turner: Turner is another would-be project who has surpassed initial expectations and snagged himself a rotation slot early in his rookie campaign. His fractured left thumb will keep him out of action for roughly a month, which is unfortunate. But the Pacers have to be happy with what the big man has shown them thus far. He looks like he has the makings of a solid stretch-four, and if he can improve his defense, the franchise landed itself a starting-caliber player in this year’s draft.
4. Kristaps Porzingis: Porzingis’ selection was met with quite a bit of skepticism (myself included), but he’s making Phil Jackson look very wise for snagging him at No. 4 overall. I have been very impressed with his rebounding and defense thus far, and the Latvian has shown flashes of greatness on the offensive end at times. After Towns, Porzingis could end up being the second best player in the entire draft. The Knicks finally catch a break and land a player the franchise can build around. What a world.
5. T.J. McConnell: McConnell is the only undrafted player on this list, but he’s held his own thus far, and is averaging a stellar 7.7 assists per game for the Sixers. I’m not sure that he can sustain his production over the course of a full season (probably not), and his playing time will likely take a hit once Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall return to the lineup. But for now, he’s a great early season storyline, and for Sixers fans struggling to cope with yet another awful start, he’s one of the few reasons to cheer on a nightly basis.

Well, that’s all the space we have for this week. Thanks again to all those who sent in their inquiries. Keep them coming, and we’ll be back next Saturday with more responses.

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 me a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com or @EddieScarito on Twitter. This week, in a continued effort to change things up a bit, I’ve once again invited some of the other staff members to join in on the fun. Now for this week’s inquiries:

“Who will be starting point guard for the Sixers by the end of this season? Is the team more likely to fill the spot long-term via the draft, trade, or free agency?” — Billy

Will Sammon: T.J. McConnell — a point guard who went undrafted, by the way — is making it really hard to remove him from the starting role once Kendall Marshall and Tony Wroten are healthy. Would I bet he’s the long-term answer for the Sixers? Probably not. Then again, though, I wouldn’t bet on anything when it comes to the Sixers. GM Sam Hinkie hasn’t done anything to make a free agent want to come to the Sixers. The team will likely have another lottery pick next year and it would make sense to draft a viable point guard.

“Do you see Indiana trading Solomon Hill before the trade deadline? If so, what team might you see that can use him?” — Tyler

Chuck Myron: It’s certainly not uncommon for players in his position to end up in trades, with Austin Rivers a recent example. Any team that turns down a rookie scale option has usually lost faith that the player will become productive on the NBA level, and that’s particularly true when you’re talking about someone who was taken near the end of the draft like Hill was. His option was only worth $2,306,019, a pittance compared to most NBA salaries and only about $1MM more than his minimum salary. The Pacers can’t re-sign him for more than that, and that also applies to any team that trades for him. Ostensibly, that would dampen his trade value, since any team that trades for him runs the risk of getting outbid. But realistically, the chances of that aren’t so great. Unless he goes some place and lights it up in the back half of this season, it shouldn’t take more than $2.3MM to re-sign him. So, with the Pacers more or less having moved on, I can certainly envision Indiana dealing him away, perhaps to the Grizzlies, since Hill’s a decent outside shooter and relatively young, two qualities Memphis lacks. That’s just my speculation, though.

“What are the chances the Timberwolves trade Nikola Pekovic this season? Any teams come to mind that would be interested in him?” — Zeke

Chris Crouse: Pekovic is still recovering from an Achilles injury, but when he does return, it’s unlikely he sees heavy minutes for the Wolves due to the presence of Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns. The best move for Minnesota might be to deal him, however, the team is not going to give him away. He’s owed $35.8MM over the next three seasons. Minnesota has no problem committing that much salary to him because most of its core is going to be on rookie contracts. Pekovic’s contract doesn’t match his production right now, yet, it’s not an unmovable deal, especially with the rising salary cap.

“What gives with Markieff Morris? First he wants out of Phoenix, then he’s happy to be in training camp, and now he wants out again. Where and when will this end?” — Scott

Eddie Scarito: Honestly, I don’t think all that much has changed from the offseason regarding Morris’ feelings toward still being in Phoenix. Markieff and the Suns’ prospects for a healthy long-term relationship don’t appear to be very good, and the franchise dealing away his brother, Marcus, is something I don’t think he’ll get over anytime soon. I don’t believe Markieff has been flip-flopping on his stance on Phoenix at all. Instead, I think he realized that rocking the boat wasn’t going to work for him, especially if the franchise hoped to find a suitor that would offer an acceptable return for his services. The latest chatter from Marcus is merely a case of him speaking out of turn, as well as trying to support his brother. I don’t fault him for that … but it’s not going to help matters to stir up trouble right now.

The whole situation is getting tiresome, and not just from those of us observing from outside the organization. I’ll bet the Suns’ front office would love to part ways with Markieff, but I’d wager nothing will happen until after December 15th, which is when the majority of the league becomes eligible to be dealt. I would be shocked if Morris was still a member of the Suns by the time the February trade deadline rolls around. But … I will also add that I don’t see Phoenix recouping equal value in any deal, since Morris’ antics over the summer most likely didn’t garner too many fans around the rest of the NBA’s front offices. While Morris is certainly a talented player, he’s not quite at the level that is worth the all the headaches that come with him, especially if he remains unhappy at being separated from Marcus.

“What happens if Hassan Whiteside‘s play regresses this season? Could the Heat look to sell him off while he still has high value? If so, what teams could be a fit for Whiteside?” — Larry

Charlie Adams: To be fair, his play hasn’t shown any signs of regressing, and even if he went cold for the next several weeks, almost every team in the league would be interested in acquiring a guy like Whiteside. He’s making less than a million dollars and has All-Star potential, which isn’t typical in the NBA, even for players much younger than him. I’m sure Pat Riley and company have valid concerns about his character and durability, but there’s virtually no chance Whiteside plays for any team other than the Heat this season. There’s a chance he won’t be back in Miami next year, since the Heat don’t have his full Bird Rights, but I think the team will do everything in its power to retain him, even if it means sacrificing a chance at going after a big name free agent from another team. There’s a short list of big men in the league who can fill up a stat sheet the same way Whiteside does.

That’s going to do it for this week’s mailbag. Thanks to all those who sent in their questions. We’ll be back next Saturday with more responses.

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 me a line at HoopsRumorsMailbag@Gmail.com or @EddieScarito on Twitter. This week, in a continued effort to change things up a bit, I’ve once again invited some of the other staff members to join in on the fun. Now for this week’s inquiries:

“With Harrison Barnes and the Warriors not likely to work out an extension, what kind of cap issues will this cause for the team next offseason?” Is Barnes likely to head elsewhere next summer now?” — Li

Chuck Myron: Theoretically, it gives the Warriors a chance to open some cap room for next season, especially if the cap escalates to $95MM instead of the projected $89MM, as some agents and executives around the league reportedly think it will. Still, it’s a long shot that Golden State would clear that cap room, since it would involve waiving Shaun Livingston and Jason Thompson and renouncing the rights to players like Festus Ezeli, who might just sign an extension before Monday’s deadline and close off the cap room possibility anyway. The more realistic effect of failing to sign Barnes to an extension is that the Warriors will be unable to trade him without his consent next summer if an appetizing deal, such as a sign-and-trade for Kevin Durant, were to materialize, as Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group has written on multiple occasions. Granted, I wouldn’t bet on Durant playing with the Warriors next season regardless of what happened with Barnes, but this makes that possibility slightly more remote.