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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 11/20/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a Celtics question.
Guest
11:01
Watching the Celtics is painful, as they have 4 maybe 5 NBA players (on a good team). I understand the why and what they are doing, but I have 2 questions. 1- Tanking doesn't seem like an option for a proud franchise, but do you think the front office will push that way as the season progresses (the Pacers get it). 2- They will need a center to compete for a title when Tatum comes back, is it remotely possible the might bring back Kristaps Porzingis who will be a free agent after this season? Simmons will be off the books and they should have the ability to add, and Porzingis loves Boston and might not cost as much.
ARTHUR HILL
11:09
Even if the Celtics started tanking right away, it's probably too late to finish behind the Wizards, Nets or Pacers. They have a winning record at 8-7 and they're firmly in the race for the play-in tournament and possibly a top-six guaranteed playoff spot. I think Joe Mazzulla will keep experimenting with his lineups to find out who he can really depend on, but I don't expect out-and-out tanking to become a strategy. For the second part of your question, I think Porzingis returning to Boston next year is definitely a possibility. The experience was good for both him and the team, and the Celtics might have made a stronger playoff run (apart from the Tatum injury) if not for his lingering illness. Bringing back Al Horford isn't out of the question either. He's got a $6MM player option for next season, and I think he'd prefer to end his career in Boston.
Guest
11:09
It's kind of insane that OKC could have 4 first round picks next year, including a Clippers one that seems like it might be pretty high. What to do they do with those picks? Trade them to make the current roster even better? Try to kick them down the road? Draft more injured rookies?
ARTHUR HILL
11:19
The Thunder own first-round picks from the Clippers, Jazz, Sixers and Rockets, so the NBA's best team is in position to dominate the 2026 draft. The Utah pick is top-eight protected and probably won't convey, but three first-rounders could still turn into a massive draft haul. Oklahoma City's biggest problem is fitting them on a roster that's already filled with talented players. Remember that the Thunder only made one roster move over the summer, trading Dillon Jones to clear a spot for Thomas Sorber. GM Sam Presti will likely explore trade options, much like he did in sending the 24th pick to Sacramento this year. If the Clippers' selection stays in its current range and the Thunder get another blue-chip prospect, that could make it easier to part with Lu Dort or Isiah Hartenstein, who are both on team options for next season.
Scott S.
11:19
Anything the Clippers can do to upgrade their roster? Potential trade targets? They can't really afford to miss the playoffs
ARTHUR HILL
11:24
The veteran-heavy approach the Clippers adopted hasn't worked out, and there's a growing sense of desperation to avoid a lost season. L.A. badly needs another scorer with Bradley Beal lost for the season. That leaves the team without a replacement for Norman Powell, who was traded over the summer, and means that James Harden has been forced to carry the offense, especially with Kawhi Leonard injured. If the Grizzlies decide to part with Ja Morant, I think the Clippers should make an aggressive bid, and really they should be after any scorer who becomes available.
Unclemike1526
11:24
Not that I'm expecting anything of the sort but after watching the Bulls blow a 21 point lead with 9 minutes left in the game to Portland last night who are some big men that might be available as FA's next year that might want to come here? Not to mention I think re signing Collins is a must to pair with such a person, Also who might be available in the middle of the draft next year that might be available in the middle where they will end up I'm assuming? Big men who can run and play defense? And please don't say Anthony Davis! LOL. Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
11:33
I agree that Anthony Davis is a long shot, even with his connection to Chicago. His age, health and salary demands make him too risky for a franchise that should be targeting younger players to team with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. It's going to hard find a player like that in free agency, though. The Pistons aren't going to let Jalen Duren leave and the Jazz will likely keep Walker Kessler, so the best free agent big men are Kristaps Porzingis and maybe Isaiah Hartenstein. There aren't any great centers projected to be available in the middle of the draft either, unless you really like Yaxel Lindeborg. The Bulls may need to trade for their center of the future, and they should start exploring their options before Coby White hits free agency.
Joe Dumars
11:33
If the Hawks and Pacers end up picking in the top 5 in 2026 with picks I traded over the summer, is there a chance I'm fired after one year? Or will Pelicans ownership be more patient than that?
ARTHUR HILL
11:41
Trading Indiana's pick back to the Pacers looks like a bad move now, but Dumars couldn't have known at the time that Tyrese Haliburton would get injured and Myles Turner would leave. However, parting with his own 2026 first-rounder -- and leaving it unprotected -- just to get Derik Queen was a massive gamble that never should have been taken by a team in the Pelicans' position. That deal currently puts Atlanta as one of the three teams with the best odds at a top pick in a loaded draft, and the Hawks could easily walk away with a future superstar. Those decisions, plus the trade for Jordan Poole, wrecked a franchise that was already in precarious shape. Dumars is fortunate that the Pelicans don't have a more passionate fan base, or the "fire Nico" chants that led to Nico Harrison's dismissal in Dallas could easily be replicated in New Orleans.
Victor Wembanyama
11:41
Too early to worry about me going down the Anthony Davis path (i.e. not being able to hold up over an 82 game season)?
ARTHUR HILL
11:49
It's probably too early, with Wembanyama only in his third season, but the calf strain that will force him to miss a few weeks is the latest red flag. After playing 71 games as a rookie, he was limited to 46 last year, being shut down after the All-Star break due to deep vein thrombosis. He came back bigger and stronger this year, but he still has a unique body type that makes it difficult to handle the physical nature of the NBA game. Think of Kristaps Porzingis and Ralph Sampson as examples. Of course, there's no guarantee he'll wind up like them, or even Davis, but it's concerning that he's already missing so much time early in his career. The Spurs will feel a lot better if he can finish out the season once he does come back.
teddygreen
11:49
The Clippers don't have their draft pick this season, but If the Clippers continue their downward spiral, could you see them trading away their players for other team's draft assets? Those picks from other teams would be protected from NBA confiscation regarding the pending Aspiration scandal. This is a Clippers team that really needs to replenish trade and draft assets for the future.
ARTHUR HILL
11:56
That's a clever idea for sheltering their assets from whatever penalties the league imposes in the Aspiration probe, but I don't think it's what the Clippers have in mind. Owner Steve Ballmer is willing to spend big to put together a contender, and I think he'll focus on a potentially loaded 2027 free agent class if the current roster keeps failing. The Clippers need to improve right away to at least reach the play-in tournament and try to save this season. I think they're more likely to trade away the limited draft assets they have left than to try to replenish their stockpile.
JD
11:56
If we figures Jokic, Doncic, Giannis, SGA, Wemby and Sengun are All-Star locks, which 2 players do you think join them on the international team?
ARTHUR HILL
12:04
Assuming they're all healthy in February, that team looks loaded regardless of who the other two players are. Joel Embiid would normally be a seventh lock, but his injury issues will likely disqualify him. There are still a lot of really great choices left. My current picks are Lauri Markkanen, who's averaging more than 30 PPG for the Jazz, and Josh Giddey, whose strong play has made the Bulls an early-season surprise.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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