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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/25/2024
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Luke Adams
3:33
Heck, even with LeBron and AD on the roster, they went 33-49 a couple years ago.
OKC
3:34
This all ends with Kevin Durant being traded back to OKC in the next couple years and winning a championship, doesn't it?
Luke Adams
3:35
Are Thunder fans ready to squash that beef? I feel like they'd get much more satisfaction out of going through KD to win a title than they would with him helping them win one.
Expansion
3:35
Do you think the NBA will expand? If so, I suspect it will be 2 teams instead of 1 to keep conferences even. I suspect Seattle would likely be one of the 2. Which city do you think would get the other team?
Luke Adams
3:36
Seattle and Vegas are significant frontrunners, and I expect that process to kick into high gear after the next TV deal gets done. Wouldn't be a surprise if both cities have teams within the next 4-5 years, with one of the non-coastal Western teams (Minnesota, New Orleans, Memphis, etc.) moving East.
Mark Cuban
3:36
Do I need to make an impact trade at the deadline to save Luka from asking out?
Luke Adams
3:38
I don't get the sense we're at that point yet, but it'd be great if you could find a way to upgrade the forward spot. Doesn't seem as if guys like Jerami Grant or Kyle Kuzma will be shopped at this year's deadline, but Bojan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Royce O'Neale, or Dorian Finney-Smith could be options.
Keith
3:38
Why are the Lakers so resistant to including Reaves in a deal for Murray. Murray is a much better player, and fits a need on the team.
Luke Adams
3:39
I assume the idea is that in order to maximize the LeBron/AD window in the short term, you want to give up assets that won't help you win within the next year or two (e.g. young prospects, far-off draft picks) rather than a guy like Reaves, who plays a key role for the current team.
Pacers Fan
3:39
What’s the next trade look like for the Pacers?
Luke Adams
3:41
I can't imagine they trade any more first-round picks this season, and the Siakam deal suggested they're not looking to give up any of their youngsters. I guess guys like Hield, McConnell, Jalen Smith, etc. could be trade candidates, but any deal that includes them would probably just be about balancing the roster. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't do anything major at the deadline and assess the Siakam fit the rest of the year before deciding which direction to go in the offseason.
Pj Tucker
3:42
Am I going to stay in LA for the rest of the year? I cant get one minute? Me and bones could go out and help the bulls get over the top. Swap Caruso and get us out of here
Luke Adams
3:44
You've never been much of a threat on offense, but it's gotten especially bad in the past couple years. You're still a great locker room guy, by all accounts, but at age 38, your defensive impact is slipping and it's unclear if it's worth essentially playing 4-on-5 on offense.
You'd be an obvious buyout candidate if you were on an expiring contract. I think it'll be tough to trade you unless the Clippers attach an asset or two.
dunleavy
3:45
does wigs even have value to trade for a shorter term contract? i assume he would need to be packaged with a younger player like moody.
Luke Adams
3:47
It's difficult to get a sense of a player's value when his production falls off this much with no obvious explanation. Like, six months ago, the idea of an Andrew Wiggins for Joe Harris swap would be absurd. Now I'm like, "Hmm, would the Pistons really want to use their cap room on Wiggins for the next three years without getting another asset in the deal?" I still don't have a good feel for whether the Warriors would be open to just salary-dumping Wiggins or if they'd want to attach an asset or two to try to get a guy on a multiyear contract who could play a rotation role. I'm guessing they'd prefer the latter path.
Spurs
3:47
What can the Spurs do to right the ship? They got a generational talent in Wemby, yet they are one of the worst teams in the league, and with no clear path to improvement
Luke Adams
3:48
I'm not convinced they're in any rush to right the ship. The various point guard experiments in the first half reflect a team that's happy putting itself in position for another top-five pick and maybe getting serious about taking a step forward in a year or two.
Walker Kessler
3:48
Has my production truly fallen off enough to warrant my bench role? Or are my Jazz just peacocking trying to get the older guys some highlights to raise their value before I get reinserted?
Luke Adams
3:50
I know the Jazz have slumped a bit in the past week, but before those three losses, they'd won 12 of the last 13 games in which you'd come off the bench. Don't think it's a gimmick or a ploy or anything -- just think it was working for them!
Cavs
3:50
What are you hearing about the Cavs making deals at the deadline?
Luke Adams
3:53
Still sounds like the top four guys (Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Allen) are off-limits. If they can find a way to upgrade on the wing without including LeVert, they'd certainly be interested. I'm not sure that, say, a Niang/Wade/second-round pick combo is gonna move the needle much though, so LeVert might have to be included if they hope to add a reliable rotation guy.
Finney-Smith or O'Neale from the Nets would be a perfect fit, but without a tradable first-round pick, that'll be tough. Maybe the Cavs would be willing to include a pick swap or two to get something done.
HeatBaby!!!
3:54
I've seen a few rumored trade candidates for the Heat, one being Caleb Martin.  Have they really soured on him?  Could PJ Tucker be a buyout candidate for the Heat?
Luke Adams
3:54
There has been some speculation about Martin this week, but it's mostly for financial/cap reasons. Adding Rozier to the books makes it trickier to re-sign Martin if he opts out of his contract this summer (which he likely will). I'd be surprised if the Heat move him though.
3:55
Tucker would draw interest from a few teams if he's bought out, I think. He'll benefit from having a salary below the full mid-level, which means tax apron teams (like the Heat) would be eligible to sign him.
Goyo
3:56
What can Portland realistically get for an injured Robert Williams?
Luke Adams
3:56
Honestly, not much. I'm sure they'd be open to inquiries, but I expect them to hang onto him and try to rebuild his value next season. No one's giving up anything good for him now.
Keith
3:57
How would LaVine fit with the Kings? Or where do you think he ends up at the deadline?
Luke Adams
3:58
I'm becoming less and less confident in the idea of a LaVine trade. His contract was already a huge impediment. The fact that he's been injured for a huge chunk of the season further reduces his value. It makes more sense for the Bulls to hold onto him and see if there's more of a market in the summer than to accept 25 cents on the dollar now.
RAB
3:58
Was Wes Unseld Jr. that bad a coach, or are the Wizards that bad a team, or both?
Luke Adams
4:00
Unless a head coach is flagrantly mismanaging his timeouts or constantly getting into sideline arguments with his players or something like that, it's hard to know exactly how much credit he deserves for a team's success or how much blame he deserves for their struggles. The Wizards' roster is pretty terrible, but I will say that there weren't many Unseld moments in the past two-and-a-half years that really impressed me or sold me on his coaching talent.
Rudy Stein
4:01
How about Dejounte to Utah for THT and 2 first rounders (MIN '25 & LAL '27 Top 5 protected). Ainge loves young all-star caliber players and has plenty of ammo to go get him.
Luke Adams
4:02
It's a pretty good fit, and they could offer a wide variety of pick/player packages to make it work. I'm not sure Ainge is ready to start cashing in his assets, but if he is, Murray looks like an obvious target.
Thanks for all your questions today, guys. We'll be back with two more live chats next week. Have a great weekend!
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