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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 12/14/2021
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Cavs
12:35
I've seen a few writers mention we might be interested in LeVert, but it would require us trading Cedi and Sexton or Rubio and maybe a pick to make salaries match. Why would we be interested in a ball-dominant player when things are clicking so well right now?  I don't get the logic behind it. I think Altman should stand pat.
Luke Adams
12:38
I'm inclined to agree. It's not as if the Cavs are a single move away from a title or their window will close after this season. Hanging onto Sexton and seeing if you can sign him to a discounted deal coming off the injury would be a fine outcome if the alternative is selling him off at a low point.
Ted
12:38
Is it possible that the NBA Players' Union would consider a rollback on max salaries' percentage of the current cap? Maybe down to 25%? I don't see how it's beneficial to have a team with two or three max salaries and most of the remaining teammates on minimum deals. Of course, the players on max salaries do wield disportionate power in the union, so it might not be politically feasible.
Luke Adams
12:40
You hit the nail on the head with that last point, which is a key reason why I don't see it happening. A lot of superstar players are already underpaid (relative to what they'd earn with no player maximums) based on the current rules, so I wouldn't expect those max salaries to be adjusted downward.
Raptors
12:41
Do you think we'll still be on the hunt for a center? Would Mo Bamba make sense? He's certainly got the wingspan that we covet...
Luke Adams
12:43
Bamba is certainly worth kicking the tires on, but the Raptors probably still believe in Birch (who got a three-year deal) and Achiuwa (the centerpiece of the Lowry return). We haven't seen both of them healthy at the same time much this season.
Jaryd
12:43
Do Clippers have a chance without Kawhi? Do they make any moves or just try to weather the storm?
Luke Adams
12:45
Weathering the storm is the right play, barring a small tweak here or there. The West isn't as deep this season as it normally is (the No. 9 seed is three games below .500), so the Clippers can probably make the playoffs without any upgrades -- if Kawhi is healthy by the spring, their ceiling obviously increases a ton.
Darius Garland
12:45
I'm a borderline All-Star this season -- will the Cavs offer me a max extension in summer of 22?
Luke Adams
12:46
Let's see how the rest of this season plays out. But I will say that you have a much better shot than Collin Sexton did of getting that max offer -- and I expect your next deal to exceed Jarrett Allen's $100MM contract.
Rick
12:47
Are we finally getting close to the end of the Simmons saga?
Luke Adams
12:48
I hope so! That said, I wouldn't count on the Sixers immediately getting something done once the calendar flips to December 15. Usually the big deals don't happen until a lot closer to the trade deadline.
Morey
12:48
Out of all rumored Simmons’ deals, which would you do (among the reasonable non-pipedream ones)?
Luke Adams
12:50
I like the idea of trying to get 2-3 solid rotation players for Simmons rather than the single star that Morey seems fixated on. Like, if the Pacers were willing to do something like Brogdon, LeVert, and a 1st (which could be flipped for a wing), that would appeal to me. McCollum + another solid player or two would also work.
Jokic
12:50
Will I get any guard help? Or will ownership bet on Jamal Murray returning to near 90% from his ACL?
Luke Adams
12:53
Denver's situation is similar to that of the Clippers -- it doesn't really make sense to make a big swing now when your team may not be at 100% in the playoffs. The Nuggets' play is probably to hope for the best for Murray and wait until the offseason to do anything more serious, though I could see them making a smaller deadline move.
Pacers crunch time
12:53
Pacers have Lost 9 Games by 5 points or less.  Is a crunch time Scorer all they are missing to make the Leap ?
Luke Adams
12:54
I will say I thought their declaration about becoming sellers seemed a little premature based on their record in close games and the fact that T.J. Warren (probably their top scorer) has been unavailable all season.
12:55
It's possible they see value in being a seller early in the play-in era, with so many teams still "in the hunt" at the trade deadline. The Magic made out pretty well last year in the Vucevic and Gordon deals.
Wolves
12:55
Do you think Gupta really has the authority to go all in on improving this roster...such as trading Edwards for a top 10 player?
Luke Adams
12:56
If "all-in" means trading Edwards or Towns, I don't see that happening. I think he'd have the green light to trade anyone else on the roster, though it would likely require approval from both the outgoing (Taylor) and incoming (A-Rod/Lore) ownership groups.
Who says no
12:56
You mentioned Turner and the Hornets earlier...Turner and Brissett for Plumlee, PJ Washington and Bouknight, who says no?
Luke Adams
12:57
I think the Hornets would take that in a second if it were on the table, so the Pacers ask for more (likely draft assets).
Evans
12:58
Are there other coaches on the hot seat?
Luke Adams
1:00
I don't think anyone's in imminent danger. But if we're looking ahead a few weeks or months, Frank Vogel and Stephen Silas maybe. Possibly Dwane Casey. And I never really expect first-year coaches to be on the hot seat, but I'd be feeling a little pressure if I were Chauncey Billups or Willie Green.
Guest
1:00
Will the Suns beef up the lineup by going after a Torrey Craig or Marvin Bagley.  I always wanted Sabonis on the Suns.  With not Resigning Ayton, he would be a very good piece to package for Sabonis.  Thoughts?
Luke Adams
1:01
Don't see Sabonis as a fit for the Suns -- Phoenix doesn't ask Ayton to play a huge role on offense, so bringing in an even more offensive-minded center would be odd. A smaller deal involving Saric's contract makes sense though.
1:02
Thanks for all the questions today, everyone. Trade season unofficially begins tomorrow -- I wouldn't expect immediate action, but it should be a fun couple months!
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