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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/11/2022
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Luke Adams
11:26
This week's chat will get underway in about 35 minutes. Get those questions in now and I'll get to as many as I can between 12-1pm CT!
12:01
Alright, here we go! The trade deadline is now just 30 days away, so I imagine our chats over the next few weeks will be pretty heavy on trade talk...
TheKayz
12:01
We've all heard how much the Lakers want Jerami Grant, but without a 3rd team involved, they'll easily be outbid (by everyone!) Which rumored suitor appears to have the most to offer for Grant's services?
Luke Adams
12:02
Grant is a good player, but he's not the sort of star who's going to command a massive return. I think most teams could make solid offers for them if they're willing to give up the right pieces. It may come down to what the Pistons value most -- are they eyeing any particular young players? Would they rather load up on draft picks?
12:04
The Hawks with a Cam Reddish-centric offer make sense to me. The Bulls, if they're willing to give up Patrick Williams. The Lakers aren't even out of the question if the Pistons are high on Talen Horton-Tucker (though the Lakers' assets are admittedly far more limited).
Gabriel
12:04
Which do you think is the future for Ricky Rubio?
Luke Adams
12:06
The Rubio injury was one of the more disappointing developments of the season so far. He really seemed to have found a great fit in Cleveland. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs end up having to use his expiring contract for salary-matching purposes in a trade, then he'll be free to sign wherever he wants this summer. The injury will limit his market though, so he may have to settle for a one-year deal.
Trog
12:06
Stock is down on both Zion Williamson and Ben Simmons. Two high ceilings. Ben won't suit up for the Sixers again and Zion is probably walking in free agency after next year in addition to dealing with injuries this year. So ... Simmons+Maxey for Zion+Graham. The money works. Who would need to sweeten the deal?
Luke Adams
12:09
This sort of deal never happens, but I love the idea in theory -- I suspect both guys would welcome the change of scenery! I actually think the Pelicans would have to sweeten the pot though. Simmons' stock may be down, but health has never been an issue for him since his rookie year. Besides maybe not being the best on-court match, pairing Zion with Embiid would create a LOT of injury risk for the Sixers.
League problem in Toronto
12:09
Does the League have a Problem with the Raptors' home games?  Every time i look at a Box score, it seems the Road team is resting their players against the Raptors in Toronto.  This is due to the Canadian rigid Quarantine policy.  Teams don't want their players Exiled in Canada if they catch Covid, so they are either not bringing them or not playing them.  As a result, the Raptors are getting a lot of Cheap wins.  Seems not good for the League.
Luke Adams
12:11
It's not ideal, but honestly, it sort of feels like the Raptors are owed some good karma after spending the entire 2020/21 season in Tampa. I don't view this as a major issue. Even if the Raptors earn a playoff spot that they may not have otherwise, teams aren't going to be resting their players in the playoffs -- they'll be exposed pretty quickly at that point if they're frauds.
Josh
12:11
What do you think about the recent rumor of the Sixers’s trying to attach tobias in any Ben Simmons trade? How many teams can actually take in that much salary
Luke Adams
12:13
It's a weird one. Brian Windhorst (who reported it along with Marc Spears) said some executives thought maybe the Sixers were looking to remove some big-money contracts from their cap in the hopes of maybe making a run at James Harden in the summer, but that feels like a long shot to me, given all the money they'd have to take back in any Simmons/Harris trade.
12:14
I suspect the Sixers are just considering all their options and that if Simmons gets moved at the deadline, Harris likely won't be involved.
Trey Lyles
12:14
Could I be traded sometime before the deadline or in the offseason?
Luke Adams
12:15
Sure! I doubt you're a crucial part of the long-term plan in Detroit. I'm not sure you'd move the needle for a playoff team much either though, so the Pistons probably shouldn't expect more than a second-round pick.
Block-ness Monster
12:15
Do you think the Knicks will move Mitchell Robinson by the Feb. 10th Deadline?  He seems to have lost favor and has fallen out of the Rotation.  Knicks going with the Nerlens Wall mostly at Center and then Toppin and Randle at Center in their Smaller lineups.
Luke Adams
12:17
It's a possibility. The fact that he's a UFA this summer instead of an RFA means it'd be a risky move to hang onto him in the hopes of getting something in a sign-and-trade. If they don't view him as part of their long-term plans and want to get what they can, now is the time.
Guest
12:18
Mr. Adams: Your overall take on this year's Timberwolves? What would be a good trade for them?
Luke Adams
12:20
Minnesota is my favorite hypothetical Ben Simmons destination. He'd be such a great fit alongside Edwards and Towns on both ends of the ball. They probably don't have the assets to get it done though. Myles Turner or Jerami Grant would be good trade targets too.
Trade deadline!
12:20
Is there a chance of a Tatum and Brown split at the deadline?
Luke Adams
12:22
Unless things go REALLY south in Boston over the next four weeks, I don't think so. I see them making moves around Tatum/Brown instead. And if those moves don't amount to much in the second half, maybe the trade chatter around JT and JB starts picking up again in the offseason.
EricJr.
12:22
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being “definitely” what is the likelihood that Ben Simmons will still be a Sixer after the trade deadline?
Luke Adams
12:24
Maybe a 4? I believe they're willing to hang onto him if the offers are bad, since the idea that a more appealing star will be available this summer isn't unrealistic. But I think the offers will improve a little in the next few weeks and my sense is that the Sixers would rather get this done sooner rather than later if they can.
Lakers
12:24
How can we solve our defensive problems? Do you think that AD and Nunn comebacks can be what we need or we should make moves on the market? if so, what realistically moves can be done?
Luke Adams
12:26
Obviously having Davis back will help quite a bit. Nunn likely won't have much of an impact on defense though. The Lakers' trade options are limited, but they're always a team to watch on the buyout market. Maybe they luck out and are able to land a solid veteran like Thaddeus Young without having to make a trade.
Bol bol trade
12:27
Who in your opinion won the Bol Bol trade?
Luke Adams
12:28
Unless Bol Bol becomes a star, I don't expect there will be a big winner or loser in that trade. I'm not high on Bol, so I think the Nuggets did well to get a draft pick for him, but the odds that the Nets' 2022 second-rounder will turn into a valuable contributor are slim.
JD
12:29
Would the Kings do: Simmons+Harris for Fox+Hield+Barnes?
Luke Adams
12:31
I'm on the record as thinking a Fox/Simmons swap would be an upgrade for Sacramento, but I don't love this one for them. I'd rather have Barnes than Harris even if Harris wasn't going to be earning twice as much as Barnes next season.
Guest
12:31
With the current stand point in Houston. Is it likely to package Wood, KPJ and Gordon into one big trade for a top AS level player?
Luke Adams
12:33
All of those guys could be traded, but they won't be packaged for a star. The Rockets are still very much in rebuilding mode and would be seeking primarily draft picks (they could get a couple good ones for Wood, but would probably be lucky to get a second-rounder for Gordon).
Cleveland's Twin Towers approach
12:33
Seems like the Cavaliers are winning with their Twin Towers approach but Orlando is not.  Why is that?  Is it simply due to the Cavaliers having a superior Backcourt ?
Luke Adams
12:34
The Cavs have more talent up and down their roster, including among those twin towers -- Mobley is a rising star and Allen is playing at a borderline All-Star level this season. Carter and Bamba have been solid, but they're not in the same class as Cleveland's guys.
Ballers
12:34
How likely is it that another coach will be fired midseason? Anyone on the hot seat?
Luke Adams
12:36
If the Kings hadn't already fired a coach this season, I'd probably view them as the top candidate for a change. A lot of listless performances in Sacramento this season.
12:37
I haven't gotten the sense that any other changes are imminent. Most of the bad teams either expected to be bad, have good reasons (injuries, etc.) for being bad, or employ first-year head coaches who probably won't be fired before the 82-game mark.
Frank Vogel is still worth keeping an eye on, but I'd be surprised if the Lakers do anything until after the season, at the earliest.
Lj
12:38
Are the Grizzlies title contenders?
Luke Adams
12:38
They've really impressed me this year, but I think they're still a piece or two away. They have a legit chance to win a playoff series this year though.
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