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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 12/10/24
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. Sunday will mark the unofficial beginning of NBA trade season, so we'll get started with a question about potential deals.
jDubster
11:01
I’ll take any or all of your “early December” predictions for the upcoming trade season.  Please name your:
  1. 3-5 players most likely to be traded
  2. 3-5 teams trying hardest to make a deal
  3. 3-5 top buyout candidates 
Thanks!
ARTHUR HILL
11:07
Let's start with the teams. The top three sellers are probably the Nets, Wizards and Jazz. Brooklyn is still in position to chase a postseason spot, but Dennis Schroder, Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith are all sought-after veterans on reasonable or expiring contracts. I expect the Nets to be active. Washington should get interest in Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogden and will listen to any and all offers for Jordan Poole. The Jazz will be willing to part with veterans John Collins, Jordan Clarkson and maybe Collin Sexton.
11:10
The top buyers are the Warriors, who need a second reliable scorer to team with Stephen Curry; the Nuggets, who need bench help to keep from wearing down their starters; and the Lakers, who we've been waiting to see make a big move since last winter. Golden State is probably the most likely of those to be involved in a major trade. They've been linked to a number of stars who might become available, with Jimmy Butler as the latest.
11:15
Jimmy Butler is probably the most likely big-name player to change teams by the deadline. It seems like the Heat have realized that the current group's ceiling is about a .500 record and an early playoff exit. With Butler at age 35 and determined to pursue free agency in the offseason, I don't believe Miami views him as part of its future anymore. It's just a matter of someone being willing to pay Pat Riley's asking price. I believe Dennis Schroder could be an exceptional pickup for a contender willing to part with draft picks. I expect him, Cam Johnson, Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Clarkson to all be traded by February 6.
PacersFan
11:15
The Pacers waived Moses Brown. Is a trade in the works for a center? They desperately need rebounding.
ARTHUR HILL
11:22
Brown was always kind of a long shot to fill the backup center role in Indiana. He has been a journeyman throughout his career, and he hasn't shown much to indicate that he can handle consistent minutes for a contender. Early-season injuries to James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson left the Pacers short-handed in the middle, so they'll definitely be in the market for another back-up big man. Names that have already been mentioned include Thomas Bryant, Cody Zeller, Charles Bassey, Alex Len and Daniel Theis, but there should be many options available in that price and talent range. The Pacers expected to be much better than 10-15 at this point, so I think they'll try to fill the opening quickly.
Unclemike 1526
11:22
It seems like Billy Donovan has come to the realization it's in his best interests to play Matas Buzelis. Although they keep insisting on putting players at the 4 who are not 4's. Any hope the light bulb will come on and they actually acquire a true at some point? Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
11:28
Buzelis will probably see his playing time continue to increase throughout the season, whether the Bulls contend for a postseason spot or not. He looks like a steal at the No. 11 pick and should be part of the team's foundation moving forward. But there's a huge question of whether he and Patrick Williams can ever be successful together. Neither provides a physical inside presence or the consistent rebounding the Bulls will need from a power forward, especially if they're considering trading Nikola Vucevic. The Bulls don't have enough shooting on the current roster to be successful with a small-ball lineup. No matter what they do with their veterans at the deadline, finding a legitimate power forward should be a priority.
Nets
11:29
Is it realistic to expect the Nets to get a first-round pick for Schroder and one for Finney-Smith? Or will their expiring contracts make it hard?
ARTHUR HILL
11:35
I think Schroder is worth a first-round pick --nothing that might fall into the lottery range, but definitely from a contender that needs another guard who can score and run the offense. He's got plenty of big-game experience in both the NBA and international competition, and at age 31 he's young enough to consider signing to a long-term deal when he hits free agency this summer. Orlando seems like a natural spot for him so he can reunite with the Wagner brothers and take advantage of the chemistry they've built on the German national team. Finney-Smith seems more like someone who might draw two second-round picks. It depends on the team and the situation, though, and the offers might increase as the deadline gets closer.
Guest
11:36
Will Kuminga still be a Warrior on opening night of next season?
ARTHUR HILL
11:47
Kuminga's audition is happening right now to see if he can handle a larger role. He moved into the starting lineup this week, and Draymond Green gave his blessing to the change. The early returns have been good, as he scored 33 points against Houston and followed that up with 13 and 20 in a pair of games against Minnesota. The Warriors didn't give him an extension before the start of the season, so they're keeping their options open. The most likely scenario is that they'll seek a major deal before the deadline that will make them title contenders again for the final years of Stephen Curry's career. If that happens, Kuminga will almost certainly be included. I would put the odds around 60-40 that he won't be with the team for 2025's opening night.
JD
11:47
Does it make sense for the Pelicans to sell off a bunch of players this season or are they better off mostly holding pat and maybe just doing something with Ingram?
ARTHUR HILL
11:55
Injuries decimated the roster for the first month or so of the season, so we haven't gotten a chance to see how good the Pelicans can be at full strength. At 5-20, they're eight games out of the 10th spot in the West and it's probably too late to salvage this season. I still believe the talent is there to be a contender, and I wouldn't break up the current group. Rookie center Yves Missi has been a great find, and he may solve their problem in the middle going forward. We don't know how long Brandon Ingram will be sidelined with his current injury, so it may be hard to move him before the deadline, but here should be some interest in a sign-and-trade this summer. I think the Pelicans should make the best deal they can for Ingram and keep the rest of the roster together.
Jeremy
11:55
If you had to pick a team besides Boston to win this year's title, who would it be?
ARTHUR HILL
12:02
I viewed the Thunder as the top challenger to the Celtics heading into the season, and nothing has happened to change that. They're on top of the West at 18-5 without Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein playing a single game together. Once Holmgren returns, probably sometime in January, OKC might go on a dominant run for the rest of the season. They have an elite defense that's capable of matching up with Boston in a potential Finals matchup, and they'll have more size and physicality than they did last year. They also have an impressive stockpile of draft picks stored up in case Sam Presti wants to make a significant roster addition before the deadline. The Thunder look like title contenders for many years to come.
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