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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/12/2026
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PistonFanInAZ
2:45
Luke, if you’re Trajan Langdon are you making a move for a shooter or standing pat?
Luke Adams
2:48
I don't think Detroit needs to do anything big, but they're operating $19MM below the tax and have that $14MM trade exception burning a hole in their pocket. Feels like they've gotta do SOMETHING with it. Even a relatively minor addition like a Svi Mykhailiuk would make some sense.
K George
2:48
Think the pendulum swings back against Keyonte George? It seems unlikely this is his new floor. Is he really a bonds side starting PG for a competitor?
Luke Adams
2:50
George is a genuinely good offensive player, but he's still a potential liability defensively. And I imagine the Jazz are probably seeing the way that offense-first guards like Trae Young and LaMelo Ball are being valued on their maximum-salary contracts and are wary of investing TOO heavily in a guy like George.

Still, based on how shaky he looked at times during his first two seasons, this is a pretty good outcome for the Jazz. I feel a lot better about their future in general now than I did a year ago.
Trog
2:51
What kind of trade value would you attach to Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall? Late first/high second round draft pick for each?
Luke Adams
2:52
Don't think the Mavs would get that kind of return for Klay, who has lost a step (or more) defensively and has the biggest cap hit of those three guys. But that projection is reasonable for the other two. I'd probably be most confident of getting a first-rounder for Gafford, since he's on a longer-term contract and there are so many teams seeking help at center.
Guest
2:53
Do you see Houston as a dark horse for Ja. They have a dying need for a floor now and they may be losing patience with the current bad run of games.
Luke Adams
2:55
They're still on a 50-win pace and apparently haven't ruled out the possibility that VanVleet could be back before the season's over. I think that's unlikely, but I still don't think the Rockets are looking to do anything drastic at point guard, especially for a relatively high-risk player like Ja (who doesn't really fit Udoka's defense-first style).
Somewhere down in texas
2:55
What do the mavs do leading up to the deadline? All the rumors have been about trading Davis, with his most recent injury, that has to tank his value. Irving may or may not play this season, so do they stand pat or make some minor moves?
Luke Adams
2:57
Still lots of interesting trade chips on that roster even with Davis, Kyrie, Flagg, PJ Washington (not trade-eligible this season), and Lively (injured) not going anywhere. We just discussed three of them (Klay, Marshall, Gafford). Christie would generate a ton of interest if they made him available (they might not). Plus they have guys like Caleb Martin and D'Angelo Russell who have negative value but they'd obviously be open to moving. I expect them to make at least one or two moves.
Julian
2:57
Why nobody trades for Nick Richards? He is a rim protector and rebounder, a skill set very sought after now, has a 5 million contract, accesible to trade for, and is the 3rd or 4th center in the depth chart, doesn't play. He shouldn't command more than a 2nd round pick, ND many teams can use a rim protector, rebounder and lob threat. Warriors, and many others
Luke Adams
2:59
I expect Richards to be traded. But his ceiling is pretty limited, so (unless you're the 2024/25 Suns), he's not really the type of guy you go out and get several weeks before the deadline. More of a Plan B who you circle back to if more intriguing options fall through. I could see him end up in Toronto if the Raptors don't get other rumored targets (Sabonis, Davis, Gafford, Bitadze, etc.)
Wannes
3:00
Who are the biggest names you expect on the buy-out market for teams below first apron? Middleton comes to mind first. Dont see it happening for Porzingis, McCollum, Simons. Big expirings contracts with potential depending on their final team are Rozier, Harris, J Collins, Z Collins, Vucevic, Nurkic, Powell, Barnes, Sexton, Huerter, Bogdanovic, Olynyk, Williams III. Thybulle, Vincent, Kennard, Kleber, Conley, Clarkson, Ball, Connaughton and Niang could be for teams above the first apron...
Luke Adams
3:02
That's a pretty extensive list. There aren't really a ton of bad expiring contracts out there this year, and I think you touched on all of them, so I don't have anyone to add at this point.

It's worth reiterating that buyout candidates often emerge based on what sort of trades happen at the deadline -- if a guy like Middleton is sent to a playoff team, maybe they keep him, whereas if he ends up on a lottery team, a buyout seems like a near certainty.
3:03
Appreciate all the questions today, guys. Arthur will be hosting his weekly chat for Front Office subscribers on Thursday, then I'll be back next Monday to do this again. Have a great week!
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