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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 12/11/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question about the Thunder.
Cale
11:01
Is the Thunder's dominance good or bad for the NBA? Does any team have a chance to beat them in a 7-game series?
ARTHUR HILL
11:10
Not only are the Thunder off to a 24-1 start, they've rarely been challenged on their way to that record. Last night was an extreme example because they were facing a Suns team without Devin Booker, but they're usually able to rest their stars in the fourth quarter. The emergence of super teams normally creates interest in the league as people tune in to see if anyone can beat them. OKC will need at least one more title before it reaches that level, but it's well on the way. The Nuggets are probably in the best position to beat them in the playoffs. They played a tough seven-game series last spring, and Denver's roster is much better now. The Rockets took Oklahoma City to double overtime on opening night and have the talent for a competitive series, and the Spurs might be in that class as well. GM Sam Presti has done an amazing job assembling this roster, and until we reach the playoffs, it's going to be a competitive mismatch on most nights.
teddygreen
11:10
The Clippers could be in the position to pull off a major sell off this year and still make the play in tournament thus better positioning themselves as an organization long term ala the Clippers 2017 and 2018 season by getting assets by moving on from Kawhi, Harden, Zubac just like that Clipper iteration  got assets by moving on from CP3, Blake Griffin, and eventually Tobias Harris years ago.
ARTHUR HILL
11:19
That's a possibility if the Clippers can't turn things around, and we'll find out how committed the front office is to the current roster if the losing continues. Teams are already beginning to ask about Ivica Zubac, and they've probably gotten calls about several other veterans as well. Leonard is owed more than $50MM next season, and his injury history makes him a risky investment. Harden is 36 and holds a player option for 2026/27, so there's also some risk involved in trading for him. For now, I think management is committed to keeping the core of the team together, but the Clippers have very few guaranteed contracts past next season and they're in position to pivot off that strategy at any time. If they can acquire future assets and still reach the play-in tournament, they'll have to consider it.
Victor Wembanyama
11:20
The Spurs are 9-3 without me. Will we be the 2nd best team in the West when I'm back?
ARTHUR HILL
11:28
San Antonio's success since Wembanyama was injured is among the most significant stories in the league. Fox, Castle and Harper are finally all healthy at the same time, and they look like a dynamic young backcourt that can carry the Spurs whether Wembanyama is available or not. Coach Mitch Johnson has done a tremendous job blending the rest of the roster, getting positive contributions from just about everyone. Whenever Wembanyama is sidelined for an extended period, it's easy to forget how much he changes the game. He's been the NBA's best shot blocker since he entered the league, and he was displaying an expanded offensive arsenal before the injury. If he stays healthy throughout the playoffs, the Spurs are definitely a title contender.
Don
11:28
Who would be better for the Hawks long term, based not just on fit but also cost. AD or Zubac
ARTHUR HILL
11:39
Trading for Davis would be the flashier move, but factoring in cost and reliability, Zubac is a better investment. Davis will make $58.5MM next season and holds a $62.8MM player option for 2027/28. He's going to want an extension next summer, so any team that acquires him will have to commit a major part of its cap. Zubac has a much more team-friendly contract that pays him $19.5MM next season and nearly $21MM in 2027/28. He won't put up the offensive numbers that Davis does, but one of the league's top defensive big men and a reliable rebounder as well. Unlike Davis, the Hawks could fit Zubac into their cap and still keep their young talent together. He's a better choice if Atlanta has the chance to trade for either player.
Koby Altman
11:39
Do I need to stay the course or is it time to consider a more drastic move like trading Jarrett Allen or Darius Garland?
ARTHUR HILL
11:47
It's been a disappointing start for the Cavaliers, who were projected to be one of the top two teams in the East. Fans expressed their displeasure over the past week during home losses to Portland and a short-handed Golden State team. Injuries have played a role, but every team has had to deal with them and the Cavs have the talent to be better than 14-11. Still, I don't think the front office is considering major changes during the season. This is basically the same team that won 64 games last season, and the Eastern playoff picture remains wide open. If the Cavaliers make another early exit from the postseason, then I think we'll see Allen and/or Garland moved as part of a reset next summer.
JD
11:47
Any chance the Nets could be a play-in contender or is their recent hot streak just a blip during a tank season?
ARTHUR HILL
11:54
The Nets were viewed as an obvious tanking team coming into the season, and the five first-round picks they made indicated that this would be part of a long rebuild. However, coach Jordi Fernandez has them playing much better after an 0-7 start, and they're only three games behind Milwaukee and Chicago for the final play-in spot. The roster is probably too young and not talented enough for sustained success, but Fernandez is already proving to be an outstanding coach who could be capable of big things if the Nets keep him past their rebuilding stage. Talent development remains the focus in Brooklyn, and some older players might be moved before the trade deadline, but the Nets are still fun to watch and could be poised for a quick turnaround if they land one of the top three picks in the lottery.
Guest
11:54
Thoughts on the fast paced offense that teams like the Bulls and Heat are using? Both have been losing lately after hot starts. Is it just a gimmick that's easy for opponents to adjust to?
ARTHUR HILL
12:02
NBA coaches are very smart and watch a lot of film, so it doesn't take long for them to figure out how to counter a new strategy. If opponents want to build their game plan around playing fast, they'll find ways to slow them down. Billy Donovan has been leaning into this strategy for a while in Chicago, but the Bulls are so bad defensively that it often doesn't matter how many points they score. Erik Spoelstra is a new convert to the up-tempo style, but its success is wearing off for the Heat, who have typically been one of the league's more methodical teams. Both coaches will likely stick with the philosophy, but they can't count on simply speeding up the tempo as a way to produce more wins.
12:03
Thanks for the great questions this week. We'll talk again next Thursday.
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