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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 11/25/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on Chauncey Billups.
Chauncey Billups
11:01
Will I ever coach another NBA game? (Portland or elsewhere)
ARTHUR HILL
11:10
Even if he gets acquitted of the federal money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy charges that he's facing, it's hard to see a scenario where Billups becomes an NBA head coach again. Time is working against him, as the judge in his case said Monday that he's hoping to begin the trial next September. That's already near the start of training camp, and with 31 defendants it won't be a speedy process. Billups will be looking at close to two full seasons away from the game, and the Blazers aren't going to give him his job back right away even if he's found not guilty. Regardless of the verdict, the stigma hanging over Billups due to the nature of the charges won't ever go away. The NBA is very touchy about gambling-related issues, so I don't think they'll ever welcome back someone who's accused of being in league with the mafia.
Cale
11:10
Did the Pistons actually benefit from not getting the chance to resign Malik Beasley? This version of their roster seems pretty good!
ARTHUR HILL
11:23
Detroit was ready to give Beasley a three-year, $42MM contract, but the gambling accusations that emerged right before the start of free agency took that offer off the table. He certainly was an important part of the Pistons' success last season, but the moves they made after pivoting away from Beasley have helped them to the NBA's second best start at 15-2. They traded for Duncan Robinson, who moved into the starting lineup and appears headed for the best season of his career, and signed Caris LeVert, who's been a reliable three-point shooter off the bench. The Pistons' success is built around Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and a deep roster, so they probably would have been fine just running things back with Beasley (if not for his off-court issues). But they've been better with Robinson and LeVert, so it's easy to argue that missing out on Beasley worked to their advantage.
Jonathan Kuminga
11:23
Where will I be playing on Feb. 6?
ARTHUR HILL
11:33
Kuminga got off to a strong start to the season and looked like he might be a long-term keeper for the Warriors following a summer-long contract standoff. However, he's been injured lately and doesn't have a defined role, which is a familiar story in his NBA career. It was pretty clear that Kuminga wanted to leave during the offseason, and he's not going to be happy until he has a guaranteed starting spot and a significant role in the offense. He and his agent will likely push for a trade before the February 6 deadline, and it's probably in the Warriors' best interest to take the best deal they can find to get rid of the distraction. The Kings and Suns both made sign-and-trade offers. Phoenix may be less interested now, but Sacramento needs to tear down its roster. I could see Kuminga winding up with the Kings as part of a deal involving DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk.
Scott S.
11:33
What's the scenario where the Derik Queen trade becomes a win for the Pelicans? How good would he have to be, or where would the Pelicans pick have to end up?
ARTHUR HILL
11:44
Queen has played pretty well and is a legitimate candidate for first-team All-Rookie honors. His talent was never the knock on the trade. It was Joe Dumars' decision to part with an unprotected first-rounder in next year's draft with a Pelicans team that seems likely to miss the playoffs. The final verdict on the trade can't be made until at least the lottery, when we find out how much the Hawks will benefit from holding that pick. New Orleans currently has the league's third-worst record, which would result in the maximum amount of lottery chances. If the Pelicans can improve and the pick falls into the middle of the first round, then it could turn out to be a decent gamble. However, the nightmare scenario where Atlanta gets a future franchise player is still very much in play. Queen will be a fine NBA player, but Dumars' reckless decision could hang over him for the rest of his career.
Guest
11:44
What % of DeAndre Ayton's performance this season is him benefitting from playing with Luka Doncic?
ARTHUR HILL
11:53
Doncic wanted a lob threat after he was traded to the Lakers in February, and Ayton has turned out to be an excellent finisher at the rim. He's shooting an incredible 69.6% from the field so far and has been a reliable rebounder as well. Other than the inflated shooting percentage, his statistics aren't much different than they've been throughout his career. There have been other issues with his game and he's been injury prone, so he's never lived up to the promise of being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft. Playing alongside Luka (and Reaves and LeBron as well) is unlocking the best version of Ayton, who looks like the solution of the Lakers' long search for a center as long as he can stay healthy. His $8.1MM contract has been a bargain, and re-signing him to a long-term deal should be a priority when he turns down his player option for next season.
JD
11:54
Obviously teams like the Wizards and Nets look awful, but we knew they'd be tanking this year. What's the worst team that's actually trying to win?
ARTHUR HILL
12:04
There are a lot of good contenders for that honor, with early-season disasters in New Orleans, Dallas, Sacramento and Indiana. The Clippers may also fit into that group with an aging roster that appears to be breaking down. I view the Kings as the worst situation, even though they had surprising wins against Denver and Minnesota this week. There's no reason to believe Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can lead them to the playoffs, and trading for LaVine's contract last season when no one else wanted it was a foolish decision. The Dennis Schroder signing hasn't worked out, and the Kings have an expensive veteran roster that doesn't have the talent to compete in the West. It's sad to see the mismanagement of what was a fun team to watch two years ago, but it's time to tear things down and start over.
Thanks for the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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