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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/11/2022
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Alan
12:39
Any news on the John Wall front? Can he still be a starter in the league?
Luke Adams
12:40
I can't see any way a trade happens before this year's deadline. After that, it'll be a question of whether the Rockets want to just move on and do a buyout, or if they're willing to wait another season and see if they can make a trade when Wall's contract is expiring.
12:41
Wall may not have made his last NBA start, but I certainly don't expect his next team to bring him in expecting him to start. He'd be a better fit on a team with an established starter, where he can be a change-of-pace off the bench (ie. Miami with Lowry).
Adam Nelson
12:42
The Utah Jazz have some defensive issues when Gobert isn't there to bail them out. Do you see any real opportunity they can upgrade their perimeter defense at the deadline? Bogdanovic is probably their highest market value player they'd be open to dealing.
Luke Adams
12:44
I think it'll be a challenge -- wings who play defense will be a hot commodity at the deadline, and the Jazz don't have the sort of assets (exciting young prospects, first-round picks) that would appeal to sellers.
12:46
Having said that, I wonder if they could figure out a three-team trade that sends Bogdanovic to another contender, with the Pistons sending Jerami Grant to Utah. (I feel like I view Grant as the answer to a lot of teams' problems, but his defensive versatility and his ability to do some stuff on offense really makes him a fit for almost every team).
2022 FA
12:47
Looking through the list of 2022 free agents and it's hard to find more than just a couple star/high-level players that will be available, excluding those who will be RFA and can be matched or have a massive player option for 2022-23 that seems difficult to turn down. Are there one or two high-caliber players that will hit the open market that you have any sense will want to change scenery or entertain the idea?
Luke Adams
12:48
Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine were the ones to watch entering the season. Based on how the first half has gone, Beal definitely seems more likely to test the market than LaVine.
The two Nets guards (Harden and Kyrie) are worth keeping an eye on too. They have player options for 2022/23, but if things don't go well in Brooklyn in the postseason again, I don't think it's a lock that both guys are back.
Me
12:48
What playoff teams last year will miss it this year? Any chance Hawks stay this bad and miss out?
Luke Adams
12:49
There's definitely a chance. The East is tougher this year than it has been in a while.
12:50
I still like the Hawks to make a strong second-half push, but out of the group that includes them, the Knicks, the Celtics, and the Wizards, it wouldn't shock me if as many as three miss the playoffs.
Toronto
12:51
The Raptors have quietly won 6 straight and are now squarely in the playoff hunt. They're fully healthy for the first time all season and creating problems with their length and the strong play of FVV and return to form of Siakam. Do you think they should try and make a trade to make a push? People always mention Boucher, but he's played better lately and likely wouldn't fetch much value. Masai seems to like to swing big if he does anything.
Luke Adams
12:52
I don't expect them to do anything big at the deadline. Masai was willing to take a swing a couple years ago with the Gasol deal because the team was legitimately one piece away -- that's not the case this year, so standing pat and maybe tweaking around the edges is probably the right play.
Guest1
12:52
Will Zion play another game with the Pelicans again?
Luke Adams
12:53
I think so, but the fact that it's a reasonable question is a bummer. Things really looked promising in New Orleans when the Pels won the Zion draft lottery and they basically couldn't have gone any worse since then.
Brian
12:53
The market for CJ McCollum seems slim. Possible fits for him? I'm thinking Mavs, Cavs, Pacers
Luke Adams
12:56
Those make sense to me. One of Portland's Achilles heels has been that neither Dame or CJ is a great defensive option against top guards. Pairing McCollum with a solid defender (like Brogdon) or at least another guard with some size (like Doncic) would work.
Drew
12:56
Are the Mavericks bringing back Marquese Chriss to a full contrac
Luke Adams
12:57
They can't sign him to a two-way contract, since he's no longer eligible, but I bet they eventually find room on the 15-man roster. Willie Cauley-Stein is the most likely release candidate.
Random trade
12:57
This is a pretty random idea because I haven't seen any talk about these two, but does Markkanen for Derrick White make sense? Spurs are overloaded with guards and need shooting while the Cavs could use a complmentary defender/playmaker to pair with Garland.
Luke Adams
12:58
I don't hate it! Though I wonder how much interest the Spurs would have in Markkanen. It seemed like they could've had him in the DeRozan sign-and-trade if they'd wanted to. But the contract negotiations may have been a sticking point there -- now that his deal is locked in, maybe he'd be more appealing.
Guest2
12:58
Is Russell Westbrook a Hall of Famer?
Luke Adams
12:59
Yes. A title would make him a lock, but I think he gets in either way.
Ballers
12:59
What's your prediction for conference finals teams?
Luke Adams
1:00
I picked Nets and Jazz heading into the season, so I'll stick with that for now, even if I don't love what I've seen from either team lately.
Thanks for all the questions today, guys. There were a ton that I couldn't get to, but I'll be back next Tuesday at the same time to do it again. Have a great week!
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