Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 11/5/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a Luka Doncic question.
Luka Doncic
11:01
Is it finally my turn for MVP?
ARTHUR HILL
11:10
The Lakers star has put together a strong case during the early part of the season. The numbers speak for themselves -- 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists per night -- but even that doesn't reflect what a dominant force he is on the court. LeBron's departure means the offense fully revolves around Luka for the first time since he joined the Lakers, and he's been able to lift the team near the top of the West with a largely average supporting cast. It looks like a two-man race with Victor Wembanyama, who figures to have the "best player on the best team" argument by the time the season is done. But right now the narrative is favoring Luka, and I think he's likely to get the award if his production stays at its current level.
JD
11:10
Were all the concerns about the Sixers chemistry overblown? Doesn't seem like they've had any trouble sharing the ball so far
ARTHUR HILL
11:20
Everyone is buying into the team concept so far, with none of the stars insisting on a certain role in the offense or a certain number of shots each night. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown both talked about the greater good when they joined the team, and the other new additions have been good fits as well. It helps that LeBron and Joel Embiid have been healthy so far, which isn't a guarantee over the long season. Also, all the major players are signed long-term, so nobody is playing for their next contract. The Sixers have handled a relatively challenging schedule so far, as well as the brighter spotlight that's always part of having LeBron on the roster, and they look like the best team in the East. There's no reason to think that won't continue, as long as they can avoid major injuries.
Cale
11:20
Any ideas for teams that would make sense for a Porzingis trade?
ARTHUR HILL
11:32
Yesterday's report that the Warriors are withholding payments to Porzingis signals the end of his time with the organization, and likely his NBA career. The only question is whether Golden State can trade his $20MM contract to a team that believes it can save money by working out a buyout. It's a move that makes sense for lower-level teams hoping to unload future salary, and there are plenty of those, with the Bulls, Bucks, Clippers, Kings and Jazz all off to miserable starts. However, the Warriors don't want to take on a long-term deal that will cut into their cap space next summer, so it may be close to the trade deadline before he's moved. It feels like a trade and a retirement announcement will happen sometime in the next three months.
Jalen Green
11:32
Should I be taken out of Phoenix's starting 5 in place of Gillespie? Or should I be traded?
ARTHUR HILL
11:44
Green's injury last season enabled the Suns to maximize their scrappy, defensive-oriented approach and made them the surprise team in the West. Collin Gillespie took Green's place in the starting lineup and became an ideal floor general on offense and a disruptive force who always competes hard on defense. His playing time has been similar in a reserve role this season, but his shooting numbers are way down as he spends more time with the second unit. Despite flashes of brilliance, Green has always been an inefficient shooter who needs to be the focus of an offense to succeed. He won't be happy in a sixth-man role, so the Suns' best decision would be to send him elsewhere. Unfortunately, that contract is going to be tough to move with a $36MM player option for next season. Phoenix is probably stuck with Green, but it's time to start reducing his role before it's too late to save this season.
Guest
11:44
Are the Kings making the right move to let Acuff just let it fly 20-25 times a game or is there a better way to develop him into a winning player?
ARTHUR HILL
11:56
This feels more like an organizational decision rather than a strategy by coach Doug Christie, who probably wouldn't want a rookie guard monopolizing the offense if he's trying to win games. The Kings desperately need something to get their fans excited and to keep showing up, and it is fun to watch Darius Acuff play. He seems to have total freedom on offense, and he's shooting 24 times per game. There are already rumblings that the team's veterans don't enjoy this style of play, but many of them will likely be gone by the trade deadline, while Acuff is the future of the franchise. Christie doesn't have enough job security to object, so the Acuff experiment is going to continue. But at some point, he's going to need a coach to rein in his excesses to help him become a player who can do more than just put up stats.
11:57
Thanks for the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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