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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 12/14/2021
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Luke Adams
10:47
Hey guys, we'll get underway in about 75 minutes. Submit your questions now and I'll get to as many as I can during today's chat!
12:01
Alright, let's dive in...
Adam Nelson
12:02
There is no way the Lakers could pull off a trade that upgrades this roster at all, right? Such a deal would need to include Westbrook (cap-wise) and THT.
Luke Adams
12:03
I don't recall ever seeing a roster like the Lakers' current one, where all but two players are earning either the minimum or the maximum. It'll make it really hard to get anything done, since the max guys either definitely aren't available (LeBron, AD) or don't have a ton of value (Russ).
12:04
THT is definitely the most logical trade piece based on both his upside and his contract. If the Lakers do anything notable, he'll almost definitely have to be involved. They could do something smaller using Nunn and/or the minimum guys.
J Rod
12:04
Blazers seem like a dumpster fire at the moment. Will they ever be a top 4 seed while Lillard is there? Seems like they're stuck in 8 seed purgatory.
Luke Adams
12:06
It really wasn't that long ago that the Blazers made it to the Western Finals, but it's tough to see a path back there now, especially if Lillard and CJ aren't at the peak of their powers. I'm starting to think it might be a blessing in disguise for Portland if Lillard quietly asks out -- would give them a chance to rebuild without being the "bad guys" for trading a franchise legend who wants to win there.
Black Ace57
12:06
At what point does Zion's injury issues become a concern to the point it might affect his next contract? If he can't stay fit or get on the court is it wise to give him a max extension?
Luke Adams
12:07
We'll see how the rest of this season plays out, but I have to assume the Pelicans are seeing how the MPJ situation in Denver has played out and thinking that offering Zion a max deal on July 1, 2022 shouldn't necessarily be automatic.
12:08
Having said that, Zion has more upside than Michael Porter and his injuries actually aren't as concerning to me as MPJ's back (though the weight issues are a troublesome wild card). If he's back in the second half this season and looks like his old self, I think the max deal will be on the table for him.
Magic
12:08
Are we gonna trade Mo Bamba? Gave Isaac and Carter extensions already -- does it make sense to re-sign Bamba too? Having a decent year.
Luke Adams
12:10
It could be worth gauging Bamba's value on the market this season, but I don't think they should feel any pressure to move him, even with free agency looming. Carter's contract is moveable if necessary, and I'm skeptical that Bamba is gonna get some sort of huge payday on the open market.
Blank Name
12:10
Last week on the site you had a rumor that Jody Allen might sell the Blazers after the NBA's next TV deal. If that were to happen, do you think a new owner might move the team to Seattle?
Luke Adams
12:12
I'd be shocked. Moving the Sonics out of Seattle created bad PR for the NBA for years after the fact, so I expect Adam Silver will want to avoid relocation unless a franchise has repeatedly exhibited that things are untenable in its current city. That hasn't been the case in Portland.
Aaron Samuelson
12:12
I gather the most obvious trade for both teams - Ben for Kyrie - won't happen because management on both sides (I think it's safe to include KD in management) is against it. Do you see either one getting traded this season?
Luke Adams
12:13
Yeah, I've outlined in previous chats why I don't think either team would be too enthusiastic about that specific swap. Basically, if you're trading a major question mark who isn't playing for your team, you'd like to be getting back someone reliable -- not another question mark.
12:15
Simmons is more likely to be traded this season than Kyrie. I'd be surprised if the Nets don't just wait out the Kyrie situation -- nothing they get back for him would be as valuable as an active Irving would be.
Pete Sirr
12:15
Should the Pistons decide to trade J.Grant, what’s a realistic return we could expect?
Luke Adams
12:17
Depends on what the Pistons are prioritizing, but if they're looking to the future and focusing on draft assets, I'd want a lightly-protected first-round pick, plus at least one second-rounder.
12:18
The players coming back probably aren't as important, but if they're taking on unwanted multiyear salary, the draft return should be higher. If they're getting a decent player or two, maybe they accept more protections on the first-rounder and don't push for any seconds.
Buy-out candidates
12:18
Can we start a Buy-out watch list?  Looking at the non-Playoff teams, with older vets, are names like Robin Lopez, Michael-Carter Williams, Tristan Thompson, Alex Len, Thaddeus Young, good candidates?
Luke Adams
12:19
I think it's probably a little premature for buyout candidates -- some of those guys are tradable, especially the ones with cap hits of $5MM or less. The most likely buyout candidates at this point are the players making a lot more than that, like Goran Dragic.
Guest
12:20
Do you think the Kings will actually trade Marvin Bagley and why do you think Luke Walton benched him earlier this season?
Luke Adams
12:21
Walton was trying to win games to save his job, so he must have believed Bagley didn't give the Kings the best chance to win. Gentry either disagrees or has been asked by the front office to showcase Bagley in the hopes of generating some trade interest in him.
Ernie grunfeld
12:21
Would trading for Ben Simmons help the struggling Knicks? What would it take to make it happen?
Luke Adams
12:23
I hadn't really considered the Knicks as a Simmons fit before yesterday's report on their interest, but the more I thought about it, the more I kinda liked it. The idea of Simmons playing defense for Tom Thibodeau is really fun.
12:24
I just can't quite see it working though. The Knicks don't have the pieces the Sixers would want, and I imagine New York would have apprehensions about bringing Simmons to an even bigger market after the way he seemed to wilt under playoff/fan pressure in Philadelphia.
JaRod
12:24
What fringe playoff teams do you see making a push? Are Cavs for real?
Luke Adams
12:26
Are we talking current fringe playoff teams? Because the Hawks and Knicks are currently outside the top 10 in the East and I don't expect them to finish there. The Mavs and Nuggets (7-8 in the West) also have a lot more upside if they can just get healthy.
12:27
As for the Cavs, I'm not buying them as a top-4 seed in the East like they are right now, but I've loved what I've seen from them this year. I think they'll at least make the play-in tournament and I wouldn't be totally shocked if they even hang onto a top-6 spot.
listencat
12:27
Do you believe OKC’s decision to play struggling Darius Bazley significant minutes is more because OKC still sees possible upside potential for Bazley, or because of their lack of faith in Pokusevksi (and trying to protect him more from playing poorly against NBA starters), or their absolute refusal to see if Roby has more NBA potential then the other 2 1st round picks?
Luke Adams
12:31
I won't claim to have an inside track on the front office's thinking, but there may be a little more urgency to see what they have in Bazley, who's extension-eligible in 2022. Poku's still raw and is under contract through 2024. Roby's a minimum-salary guy whose upside isn't considered to be as high as that of the other two.
If Bazley continues not to show much this season, maybe they decide in the 2022 offseason to move on.
10-Day Contracts
12:31
When can teams start Signing players to 10-Day Contracts?
Luke Adams
12:31
Teams can already sign 10-day deals if they're doing so via the hardship exception. Otherwise, January 5 is the start date.
JaRod
12:32
What's next for Hornets? Do they upgrade at center or wait until the offseason to do something significant?
Luke Adams
12:33
No reason not to pursue something during the season if the opportunity arises. They've been after Myles Turner for years, so they certainly welcomed the news about the Pacers being sellers.
12:34
If the Hornets were to make a play for Turner, it could be similar to the Bulls/Vucevic deal last season -- making a move at the deadline, even if the team isn't quite ready to contend until next season. (On the other hand, with Ball, Bridges, and Turner, maybe Charlotte could actually make some noise in this year's playoffs).
Phillip G
12:35
If the Warriors don’t win this year will they continue to pay the tax for their roster?
Luke Adams
12:35
If they don't win the title? Sure, they've already proven they're a legit contender and there's no reason to think that'll change in 2022/23 even if they don't win a championship this season.
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