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Hoops Rumors Chat With Luke Adams: 2/22/2017
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Luke Adams
4:09
Paul George or Jimmy Butler to the Celtics would make things very interesting, obviously. It wouldn't necessarily make Boston the favorites in the East, but I think the Cavs are probably a little more vulnerable in the playoffs than the Warriors. In the West, the Spurs and Rockets are the closest to challenging the Warriors, but neither of those teams is gonna do anything too drastic.
Chase
4:09
Chances rockets make another trade? And what do you think they need? Already have pretty solid starting and rotation now.
Luke Adams
4:11
The Vertical reported that they're still keeping an eye out for bigs. Another PF or C who can shoot from outside might be a nice fit for them. I also mentioned Wilson Chandler on the site earlier today, and I could see him doing pretty well with D'Antoni.
Mark
4:11
Why would the Lakers trade for Paul George? I get that it would be gaining a star in his prime, but it would almost guarantee that the Lakers don't keep their pick this year while probably gutting them of their current assets and still no guarantee that he stays past the end of next year
Luke Adams
4:13
Yeah, if I were the Lakers, I'd be very reluctant to make a Godfather offer for George when he's already thinking about wanting to sign there -- that didn't work out all that well for the Knicks with Carmelo a few years back. If George gets traded to another team or stays with the Pacers but doesn't make the All-NBA team this year or next, he won't be able to earn WAY more by re-signing with his current team in 2018, so I'd roll the dice at that point if I were the Lakers.
Donald Sterling
4:13
Is it time for Clippers to trade Blake Griffin?
Luke Adams
4:15
They won't do it, but they should probably think about it. As others have said, I think Doc the GM is at odds with Doc the head coach. As an executive, he may recognize that trading Griffin could make the roster deeper and more balanced, but as a coach, he loves what Griffin does on the court too much to lose him.
Stvn
4:15
This years draft class is supposedly very deep. Does this make late first rounders more valuable than in years past?
Luke Adams
4:17
To a certain extent. I think the consensus among draft experts is that it's a deeper draft at the top -- if you're in the top 10, you should have a great chance to land someone exciting. That doesn't necessarily mean that teams are going to be finding All-Stars in the 20s though. It's also worth remembering that rookie scale contracts are going up at the same rate as the salary cap now, so they be quite as cheap (by comparison) as they have been in the last few years.
Matteo
4:17
I really want to see Melo go somewhere to win a ring. Do you see it happening?
Luke Adams
4:18
It really doesn't sound like anything's happening with Carmelo this week. Most reports have shifted to "maybe in the summer..." mode, which actually seems reasonable. At that point, his contract will be a little more manageable, and teams will have more cap flexibility, with expiring contracts coming off their books.
SeaBass
4:18
Predictions on best available bought out players?
Luke Adams
4:20
I think the best-case scenario for teams eyeing buyout candidates would be guys like Rose, Rondo, Bogut, Afflalo, etc. being bought out. Most of those guys should be good enough to be moved in a trade, but you never know
Chris
4:20
Do you see the Jazz making any type of move for PG depth for the playoffs? Also because George Hill seems injury prone this year. Should I see any concern Hayward leaves in the offseason?
Luke Adams
4:23
This is sort of a dumb cliche, but if I'm a Jazz fan, I'd feel a lot better about the odds of Hayward staying if Utah can win a playoff series this year. Ending the season on a promising note like that wouldn't necessarily guarantee that they'd take another step forward the following year (the Blazers are a good example), but if Hayward can see that sort of tangible sign of forward momentum, I think it'll be a real factor in his free agency. As for this year, I could see a PG move for the Jazz, though it sounds like they might have their eye more on a wing (having been linked to Lou Williams and P.J. Tucker).
Matt E
4:23
What happened to guys like Mudiay and Exum that were so highly thought of coming into the league that now they're bench players? Are they not as good as previously thought or just have yet to grow into what was hoped of them?
Luke Adams
4:25
Elfrid Payton sort of falls into this group of underachieving PGs as well. I think it's still too early to pass judgment on any of those guys (I believe Mudiay and Exum are still 20 or 21), since they still have some developmental years ahead. Still, it definitely would've been more encouraging to see them come out of the gate like Devin Booker did.
Z....
4:25
As a Heat fan, would anyone be willing to trade a young player and 1st round pick for Whiteside? I just want him off my team
Luke Adams
4:25
I think a team would probably make that offer, yeah. Haven't seen any signs that the Heat would seriously consider it at this point though.
MIchael
4:26
Anything on the Brook Lopez trade front? Any other nets have potential to be traded?
Luke Adams
4:28
I think if the Nets intend to move Lopez, they'll have to keep their expectations in check for what they could get. Even though they've apparently lowered their asking price from two first-rounders to a 1st and 2nd, I'm still not sure how many teams would be willing to do that. I think he probably sticks with Brooklyn through the deadline and they revisit trade possibilities in the summer.
Axel
4:28
Okafor gets traded to...
Luke Adams
4:29
It seemed at one point like it the Blazers, Pelicans, and Bulls were the top candidates. Portland and New Orleans have acquired their centers, so I'll say Chicago.
Eli
4:29
Do you see the Hawks making any move at all? If so, who is leaving or coming in?
Luke Adams
4:31
I think they're a really good bet to do SOMETHING. Wes Wilcox pointed to their draft-pick surplus today and described them as buyers. It's hard to identify a specific target for them, since I think they could use some help at 2-3 different positions, but if they make a deal, I'd expect them to use a couple of their expiring contracts (ie. Splitter and Humphries) along with a pick or two.
Ryan
4:31
Why does it seem like the Pistons are so adamant on trading Drummond? Does not seem like they will get anything of equal value and it would put them back for a few years. Especially given his locked under contract for a few years.
Luke Adams
4:32
I'm not sure I'd classify them as "adamant" about trading Drummond. They're just listening on everyone right now. I get the impression that Stan Van Gundy has been really disappointed with the performance of a roster that he essentially assembled, and is doing a little soul-searching on which direction the team needs to go. That means gauging what guys like Drummond and KCP are worth, even if they'll probably stay put.
4:34
Thanks for all the questions today, guys. Looking forward to the next 22 hours or so! When we chat again next week, hopefully we'll be able to look back on a bunch of blockbusters.
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