For our third weekly edition of Four Random Lottery Questions, we’ll have Jackson McNally and Jon Elliott answering questions. Jackson’s responses are preceded by “JM:”, and Jon’s responses are preceded by “JE:”. This week’s questions have been submitted by our own James Plowright.
1. Which Lottery team is Demarcus Cousins most likely to wind up with if traded?
JM: This is an interesting question, because there are teams with confirmed interest and teams that will come out of the woodwork. I see the Bobcats, the Cavaliers, and the Mavericks as the best possible fits in the lottery. The Bobcats have young, hardworking players who could inspire Cousins to work harder. The Cavs are similar with their young talent, and the Mavericks have the best chance to win out of these teams and have been in the market for a big.
JE: There are a few schools of thought right now. As of yesterday, there were three named potential suitors for trade partners in Cleveland, Dallas, and Charlotte. Focusing on which of these teams will arise as the most likely makes sense, so for now I’d say the choices are most likely limited to these teams. There are a few variables to consider: team needs, salary caps, and the most underrated factor, the head coach. The reason that the head coach is the most underrated is due to the lack of maturity shown by Cousins as of late. Rick Carlisle has been a steady coach for the Mavericks and alongside veterans such as Dirk Nowitski, Vince Carter, and Shawn Marion, the Mavericks can possibly handle his antics. These veterans know that they have a limited time to win and will only deal with focused efforts. The Cavs and Bobcats both have new coaches, albeit familiar face in the Cavs situation. Mike Brown will reunite with the team that he led to the Finals in 2007, although the roster is completely different. Steve Clifford will join a struggling Bobcats franchise without an identity, an All-Star, or a veteran leader. The Mavs situation makes the most since as it gives the team a chance to immediately become better while giving Cousins a supporting cast that is more than capable of keeping him happy.
2. Who will be the biggest Lottery loser in Free Agency?
JM: I personally see the Bobcats coming away with virtually nothing this off-season. There are a combination of things that lead me to this conclusion. First, Charlotte is not a draw to big FA’s, and they will struggle to get any big signings. Second, the Bobcats have a great amount of cap space, but I personally don’t see them wanting to use it this year. Third, with the supposedly great class of 2014, the Bobcats may want to be bad for just one more year.
JE: The Orlando Magic are just broke. Luckily, they amnestied Gilbert Arenas’ contract so that they can still be under the salary cap. They are expected to pay out around $53 million this upcoming season, so they should still have a few million left to sign their rookies and possibly look to move some players via trade. I just don’t see many teams willing to take on any of their big salaries, except possibly Turkoglu (for an expiring contract) or Afflalo (to obtain a veteran shooter). If they aren’t able to make a move, I doubt they’ll be a player this year. They are setup nicely for 2014-15 as they only have $21 million on the books currently, so look out for a big move the following season.
3. The Timberwolves have needed a Shooting Guard for years. Who will start at SG for them this season?
JM: The Wolves have a variety of different ways they could approach this. They could explore the draft or possibly Free Agency to find their guy. It is a known fact that this has been a major weakness for them; they even tried Brandon Roy out of retirement (we all see how that worked out). In our Lottery Mafia mock draft, we have them selecting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at 9. I feel that drafting a SG would be the best avenue for this team to explore.
JE: There are a few ways to go here. Obviously Free Agency has to be considered, as well as a possible trade, but the most likely is via the draft. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a possible candidate to be taken 9th by the Timberwolves, as you can see in our latest mock draft, but there’s also the unlikely chance that Tim Hardaway Jr. sneaks into the top 10 if Caldwell-Pope is taken before. He had a good workout yesterday, and it’s highly possible that he shoots into the Lottery by the time the draft comes up. If the Wolves decide to try and gain a shooter via FA or trade, then there is the possibility that a trade with the Cavaliers could be open, yet they would have to give up Kevin Love (hashtag unlikely, as you know). Tyreke Evans, OJ Mayo, and Kevin Martin are all interesting options in FA, yet the price tag may be too much for the Wolves to dish out. I’m going with Caldwell-Pope as the next starting SG in Minnesota, after a brief Rubio-Shved stint early next year.
4. What is the best frontcourt in the NBA Lottery?
JM: Well currently, I think you have to go with the Jazz. There is the possibility that Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap leave the franchise, but they already have 2 young studs to fill their roles in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Some others that catch my attention are the Pistons with Greg Monroe and rookie Andre Drummond. Drummond completely surpassed my expectations last year, and Monroe has already proven himself as a great young player. The other team that comes to mind is the Portland Trail Blazers who have J.J Hickson (who averaged a double-double) and one of the best big men in the game LaMarcus Aldridge (who averaged an astounding 21 PPG and 9 RPG).
JE: To me, this comes down to three teams. This is, of course, taking out the Thunder who technically have a Lottery pick. The Jazz, Timberwolves, and Sixers all have very good frontcourts, but the Jazz aren’t in consideration with Gordon Hayward being the foreseeable starter. Then there were two. The Sixers have one of the best Centers in the game in Andrew Bynum, as well as two very talented and athletic forwards in Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner. The Wolves, on the other hand, have one of the best Power Forwards (and possibly the best technical rebounder) in the game in Kevin Love. Add that to an emerging Nikola Pekovic and a strong, smart veteran named AK47 (Andrei Kirilenko). Ultimately, the Sixers have the edge at full health and potential, as Bynum is a game-changer down low and Young/Turner combine for a heck of a punch at the forward position. Kirilenko is aging and not exactly the same as he once was.
By Jackson McNally and Jon Elliott
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