You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 10/29/24
powered byJotCast
ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to our first Front Office Subscriber Chat. Because we're working with a more limited audience, I'd like to make this chat more interactive, so feel free to ask multiple questions and respond to my answers.
UncleMike1525
11:02
Any news on the possible movement of any of the Bulls tradeable assets? LaVine, Vujevic? Probably a tad soon to be thinking of moving Ball until he proves he can stay at least relatively healthy even at 16 minutes and no BTB's. Thanks as always.
ARTHUR HILL
11:08
Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are both off to strong starts, which raises their respective trade values and may cause the Bulls to think twice about moving them for a modest return. Through four games, LaVine is putting up numbers similar to his All-Star seasons. He's averaging 26 PPG while shooting 55.2% from the field and 45.7% from three-point range. Vucevic is scoring 20.8 PPG, which would be his highest total for a full season since coming to Chicago if he can keep it up. The Bulls took steps toward rebuilding over the summer, but they're not completely committed. The race for play-in spots in the East is wide open, and the front office may see how it plays out for a month or so before deciding what to do with LaVine and Vucevic.
Matt
11:08
How many coaches do you think will be fired during the season? Is Doc Rivers in danger if the Bucks keep playing like they have so far?
ARTHUR HILL
11:14
I don't expect the Bucks to rush into another coaching change. This is still Rivers' first full season with the team and there are a few new pieces on the roster, so he'll be given time to make things work. His job should be safe unless there's a complete disaster. Chauncey Billups is the obvious name for a coaching change, but the Trail Blazers don't expect to be a playoff contender and may let him finish out the season. If anyone gets fired, it will likely be a coach who underachieves with a team that has postseason hopes. That's more likely to happen out West because the Eastern playoff hierarchy seems set. We don't know how the season is going to play out, but Willie Green in New Orleans and Mike Brown in Sacramento might be names to watch.
Guest
11:14
Which team is the biggest threat to knock off the Thunder in the West? The Nuggets haven't look great and the Mavs have just been OK so far. COuld it be the Suns?
ARTHUR HILL
11:19
The Suns deserve consideration. Finally adding a legitimate point guard to set up Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal has unlocked another level to the offense. The main concern is their limited ability to make roster moves under the second apron, but as long as the stars stay healthy, Phoenix should be near the top of the conference. Dallas and Minnesota are still really good, but both teams are working in important new lineup pieces, so it might be a few weeks before we see them at the top of their games. Right now, I expect the Mavericks to face the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, but the Suns and Wolves are certainly in that race.
Raptors rebuild
11:19
Are there reasons for optimism in Toronto? I feel like the roster is just talented enough not to get a high draft pick but doesn't have enough upside to turn into a contender
ARTHUR HILL
11:25
I feel like any optimism is more long-term than immediate. Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and Gradey Dick provide at least the makings of a competitive roster, but there's a lot of work left to do in building around them. Like a lot of teams in the East, the Raptors will need lottery luck to have a path toward contention. And that doesn't necessarily mean full tanking from the start of the season. Remember that the Hawks and Rockets both made big jumps in this year's lottery, so the process is unpredictable.
Guest
11:25
when should we expect the in season trade market to pick up? who do you think the biggest names traded this season will be?
ARTHUR HILL
11:31
Everyone always points to December 15 as the start of trading season because that's when most of the free agents who signed during the summer become eligible to be dealt. But usually things don't pick up until mid-January when the trade deadline starts to get closer. Jimmy Butler might be the biggest prize on the market this winter because he's already said he intends to test free agency and it's not clear if the Heat are committed to him as part of their future. The Trail Blazers should be active, so maybe Jerami Grant or Deandre Ayton gets moved. Cam Johnson from the Nets is also likely to be traded.
Bucks
11:31
If the Bucks keep playing poorly, is there any scenario where they have a fire sale this year and go into a full rebuild by trading Giannis, Dame & Middelton for a bunch of picks and creating a ton of cap room for 2025?
ARTHUR HILL
11:39
Trading Giannis will be a last resort. His extension keeps him under contract for two more seasons beyond this one, and he'll still be the franchise centerpiece whether the pairing with Lillard works out or not. The only way he'll get moved is if he demands a deal, and that's not likely to happen during the season. There could be somewhat of an in-season market for Lillard, especially in Miami, but his hefty contract might scare most teams away. I don't think the Bucks can get much in return for Middleton given his age and injury history. Brook Lopez might be more likely to be dealt.
Guest
11:39
Is Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler a more realistic target for Houston? Or is there someone else that makes more sense?
ARTHUR HILL
11:48
There have been conflicting reports on whether the Rockets want to seek veteran help right away or save their big moves for the offseason. I don't think Phoenix would consider parting with Durant. Mat Ishbia paid a high price to assemble this team, and he'll want to give it at least one more shot to be successful in the playoffs. Durant played 75 games last season and he's off to a strong start this year. I don't see any scenario where he gets moved during the season. Butler seems like too much of a risk for Houston considering his age and history of missing games. Having him replace Dillon Brooks would improve the offense, but Butler will be expensive to re-sign this summer, which would mess up the salary structure for a team that still has a lot of young talent about to become extension eligible. I don't expect the Rockets to wind up with either Durant or Butler, but I also don't see a better fit on the trade market this season. Their best strategy is to wait for summer.
Zach Lavine
11:48
What's the best possible return the Bulls can realistically expect for me if they trade me before the deadline?
ARTHUR HILL
11:55
LaVine's hot start might be changing the equation. He's scoring like he did two years ago, and he's not showing any ill effects from the injuries that ruined last season for him. Still, a lot of teams are going to be scared off by that contract, which pays him about $46MM next season with a nearly $49MM player option for 2026/27. The Lakers are still probably the best bet for a trade, but the Bulls would be taking back mostly unwanted contracts if they deal him now. They're better off hoping LaVine can stay healthy and productive so the offers will improve by February.
Matt
11:55
Who are your picks for all the major awards this season? (MVP, ROY, DPOY, 6M, MIP, COY)
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
It seems like Luka Doncic is going to win at least one MVP during his career, and he's probably the favorite this season. The Mavericks are one of the best teams in the West, and he's guaranteed to put up flashy numbers. The competition should be easier as Joel Embiid is unlikely to reach 65 games, and the Nuggets and Bucks may be headed toward down seasons, taking Jokic and Giannis out of the running. Rookie of the Year is wide open, and could go to someone like Dalton Knecht if he keeps scoring for the Lakers. Wemby seems like a sure thing for DPOY. He's going to lead the league in blocks by a wide margin. Malik Monk is probably the favorite for Sixth Man because of his role in Sacramento, but Peyton Pritchard or Miles McBride are good dark horse candidates. Most Improved is always tough because the criteria aren't well defined, but Paolo Banchero, Evan Mobley and Jalen Green all look like they've moved up a level.
12:06
I like Kenny Atkinson or Jamahl Mosley for Coach of the Year, but Mark Daigneault will get a lot of votes if the Thunder pull away in the West.
12:07
Thanks for all the great questions this week. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
Connecting…