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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 10/06/2022
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Number man
11:01
Is Draymond Green just upset that Poole might be who gets a big contract not him? I see Green going to Lakers in off season because Lebron will tell lakers to give him a max contract.
Dana Gauruder
11:06
It's certainly not the first time Draymond has had some sort of altercation with a teammate. It's a lot more prevalent in the NFL with teammates going at it in practice. I'm sure Draymond will get some sort of discipline from the organization for his actions. But that edge about him is also what makes his successful. I don't think they were discussing contract numbers when they were bumping bodies in practice! It'll be interesting to see what happens when Draymond goes into free agency. I don't think a LeBron-AD-Draymond will happen but it would certainly keep the media entertained.
Poole's contract
11:07
If the Warriors have to trade away Jordan Poole, would it be more wise to Sign him to a lucrative extension first, and then trade him away for a player making $20M+ rather than trading him now for a player making less than $5M.  Seems like the team could fetch a better player in return if they sign him to a large contract first.  Not sure how the League rules work regarding trading players after they recently signed a Contract extension?
Dana Gauruder
11:10
That wouldn't work. You can't use future figures in trades after someone signs an extension. Why would they need to trade him? Golden State has always been willing to pay a big luxury tax bill for a championship level team. Just a little heated moment in practice is how I read this situation. Draymond and Poole won a championship together a few months ago, right?
Jeff
11:11
The Sixers are close to the hard cap and have 17 players with at least partial guarantees. Is there a logical trade partner with cap space and open roster spots who might take a shot on some players buried on their depth chart or is it more likely they just have to release a few players?
Dana Gauruder
11:14
Much more likely they'll just make some cuts. It wouldn't be easy for many trade partners to make, for example, a 3 for 1 deal right now. From all indications, Reed will get one of those spots. Most likely, the other 3 with partials are fighting for one spot.
Town of rebuilds
11:14
Who’s rebuild are you most impressed with? I personally really like what the Pistons have been doing and I’m a rockets fan
Dana Gauruder
11:17
The Pistons have done an impressive job in a short period of time. What the Cavs did last year was also an eye opening, considering they lost a couple of backcourt pieces to injury along the way. The Rockets have done a nice job, too. And the Thunder have to start winning some games one of these years. Of the teams who have been in the rebuild phase the last couple of years, the Pistons -- to me -- have the potential to become a real contender a couple of years down the road. Real nice young core group.
Hawks Hopeful
11:18
If all the pieces fall correctly, could Atlanta be a sneaky Finals Contender?
Dana Gauruder
11:20
Their backcourt will certainly be dynamic. The question is whether the pieces around them will mesh. Seems like they'd trade Collins and/or Hunter if the right impact player became available. I'm also wondering about their depth. Not sold on their second unit but certainly, it will be fun to watch Trae and Dejounte on a nightly basis.
Wannes
11:20
Which teams do you think will tank from the start in hopes of drafting Wembanyama?
Dana Gauruder
11:25
It's incredible to think about tanking even before the season begins. You can look at teams right now that are unlikely to make the postseason and figure they might "rest" some vets down the stretch to lose a few more games. Same with some teams that have a disappointing 1st half of the season or getting hit hard by injuries. But you're not going to see a team on the fringe of making the top 6 or the play-in tournament intentionally lose some late-season games just to have a 1 or 2 percent chance of getting the top pick.
Big Baby Davis
11:25
What would be a successful season for the Cavs? Is second round realistic?
Dana Gauruder
11:27
Absolutely. I think that should actually be the expectation, if not a second-round triumph. Expectations, rightfully, have ramped up with the trade for Mitchell. Looks like the Cavs aren't sure what to do with the small forward spot at the moment -- possible trade at some point to upgrade that position, though LeVert will play quite a bit. But the rest of the starting 5 is rock solid. Cleveland didn't trade for Mitchell with the thought that making the play-in tourney or losing the first round would be considered a good season.
Chris
11:28
Looking at the Trailblazers, I see a starting 5 with 2 ball dominant, smallish offense only guards and Nurkic who is not really a rim protector behind them. There isn't a legit NBA backup center or point guard on the roster. And the rest if their bench is extremely thin. Yet there is so much hype coming from Portland. What do you see as the prospects for Portland this year?
Dana Gauruder
11:32
I'm a big Chauncey fan -- I covered him many years when he played for the Pistons -- but I definitely see your point. Grant will definitely help them, he's a quality 2-way player, but he's not a star. Simons had a nice breakout season but is he any better than McCollum? And the bench seems a little thin to me. I'd predict a play-in spot for them but no higher.
Wannes
11:35
OKC and Houston did an 8 player trade. They both want to trade for picks and tank for Wembanyama. Who do you expect to remain on their roster? For OKC, which of Chriss, Brown, Nwaba, Bazley, Wiggins and Burke do you consider tradeable/worth to cut or keep? For Houston, same question but with Favors, Harkless, Marjanovic and Maledon? I expect it is best to keep Favors and aggregate his salary with Gordon in two-three months?
Dana Gauruder
11:39
Looking at 2023 draft, a majority of teams still own their picks and the ones that have been dealt have some protections. I believe the only unprotected ones were dealt away by the Bucks and Wolves -- two teams will serious title aspirations. In order for OKC or Houston to get another lottery pick, they'd have to trade away one of their top players to a team that doesn't end up of making the postseason and the pick is unprotected. Don't see that happening.
dtownbobo
11:39
Who do you think will be the surprise team in the NBA?
Dana Gauruder
11:43
The Pistons have a shot to win that distinction. So do the Kings -- I like some of their offseason moves but they're the Kings, right? Though more obvious, the Pelicans should go from fringe playoff team to a powerhouse this season with Zion back. They've made some nice moves (McCollum, recent draft picks) to build a formidable team around Zion, Ingram, etc.
dtownbobo
11:44
Do you see any other preseason trades for the PIstons?
Dana Gauruder
11:46
Not at all. I think they made their big (and somewhat surprising) deal with the Bojan acquisition. I had a feeling Olynyk would be the odd man but the got a really solid rotation player in return without dipping into their pool of future draft picks. I don't think the Pistons need to make any more moves, they've actually got real good depth, they just need to let their young guys build chemistry and figure out how all the pieces fit.
Jae Crowder
11:46
Where will I end up?
Dana Gauruder
11:48
Good question. How about the Cavs, they seem to intent on getting another SF. The Bucks might be a good possibility, too, but I don't know if they could give you a steady starting spot.
Uwe Blab
11:48
Who else goes in the Jazz fire sale before the season starts?
Dana Gauruder
11:51
Clarkson and Beasley would probably head the list. I'm sure they'd like to get a future first rounder for at least one of them but that's probably a pipe dream for a second-unit player. For an instant offense guy, Clarkson is a pretty good buy for a contender at $13M (he's got one more year left on his deal after this season). I'd put him at the top of the list.
Quimbly
11:51
Any chance of a Kemba Walker for Jae Crowder swap between the Suns and Pistons? Both are sitting out training camp with their current teams & make similar salaries
Dana Gauruder
11:54
Can't see that happening at all. Crowder wants to go to a contender that can give him a starting job. The Pistons just acquired a starting forward in Bojan to play alongside Bey. They've also got Bagley re-signed and he's going to play quite a bit. From all indications, Walker will get his buyout and be free to sign with anyone after clearing waivers.
Stan
11:54
W ho do you like for MIP? I vote Brunson who could put up good assist numbers with the Knicks
Dana Gauruder
11:57
They're going to love Brunson in NY and they certainly paid a big price to get him. If he doubles his assist total -- a possibility considering the PT he'll get -- he has a really good chance of getting that award.
Nico Harrison
11:57
With the resulting hype around Wembanyama and Henderson after their exhibition debut and rumors that fringe playoff teams will be more likely to tank for a small chance at getting either of those 2, do you think this benefits contenders at the trade deadline looking to make an upgrade? Can the Mavs find some kind of upgrade to help Luka?
Dana Gauruder
12:00
That process is always ongoing with the Mavs. They're always going to look for ways to make a deep run in the playoffs. They got blown out of the water with the Knicks going all in for Brunson. But they traded for Wood to upgrade their frontcourt. I still think they'd like to move Powell. But in terms of your overall point, there may be some moves made closer to the deadline by non-contenders to improve their draft stock by trading an impact player away.
12:01
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