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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 12/21/2023
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Luke Adams
12:45
I definitely don't hate it. Curious to hear if any others have thoughts.
Obi
12:46
My Pacers are struggling quite a bit since the finals of the IST. Do you think they go after a big fish like OG or Siakim or will they just stand pat with what they have?
Luke Adams
12:48
They'll certainly kick the tires on those guys, but they shouldn't be in any rush to add another impact player via trade. Haliburton's under contract for five years after this one. If the opportunity arises to get him help in the short term, you go for it, but otherwise it doesn't hurt to give it a bit more time to see what you might have in someone like Jarace Walker, for instance. They'll also have a lot of cap room in the next couple years, which could put them in position to add help without giving up young talent/picks.
Bench development
12:49
How big of a competitive advantage is it to be able to find 7th to 10th men with low picks, udfa, gleague, and minimums? Not talking about finding stars or even starters, just guys who can give you 15-30 min when needed. Feels like this season we've seen it be a big swing factor, with Cleveland & Miami & Orlando being able to weather injuries partly by relying on these cheap reinforcements, while Toronto & Memphis seem to have unraveled partly because they don't have the reserves of cheap depth they did a few years ago
Luke Adams
12:52
It's huge, and it's something that most teams seem to have trouble doing consistently over the long haul. The Heat have a great track record of it, but as you say, some teams that used to be pretty good at it haven't had as much luck in recent years. The Nuggets seem to be establishing themselves as a team that can do it, though we'll see how the young guys hold up in the playoffs this season.
Charlie’s Moms
12:52
100% co-sign the half court shot suggestion. But these are still guys who don’t want to hold the ball at the end of games because they’re worried they will take the turnover (even tho it’s a team turnover). So not sure the actual rule would change the ingrained behaviour
Bridgeportoarizona
12:53
What are the chances the bulls trade Zach Lavine for a defensive front court player instead of draft assets and the bulls go on a playoff run? More realistically do you see Donovan benching Lavine until he can fit into the new look Coby White led team? I know it's unheard of to bench a flashy 40 million a year "star" player (at least offensively), but dang it wouldn't it feel good to see Lavine have to earn his minutes old school style by playing solid defense?
Luke Adams
12:54
It seems like the Bulls' preference would be to trade LaVine in a deal that gets them immediate help in addition to maybe a pick or two. They're not interested in a tear-down. I don't think LaVine will have a ton of value on the trade market though, since teams seem increasingly reluctant to invest heavily in guys who will be defensive liabilities in the postseason if they aren't going to be the No. 1 option on offense.
udaman
12:55
Who says no? Jazz trade Collins and Sexton to the Pistons for Bagley, Hayes, Harris & two future 2nd rd picks. Pistons get 2 young vets that can help them with their shooting/scoring/spacing problems and grow with their young core of Cunningham/Ivey/Thompson/Duren. The Jazz move on from 2 big long term contracts, pick up two young former Top 10 picks, and this trade would give Utah over $80M in cap space for Danny Ainge to play with this summer on the Free Agent & trade markets.
Luke Adams
12:55
Don't see that as something that would appeal much to Detroit, who would be locking themselves into a couple expensive long-term contracts for players who wouldn't be difference-makers.
Dan’l
12:57
The Thunder have so many assets, will trade partners demand more from them since they have more assets to offer?
Luke Adams
12:58
It's possible. What's an extra second-round pick in 2028 when they have so many others? But as I mentioned above, Presti won't be urgent or desperate at this point, so I doubt a trade partner would push its luck in an effort to squeeze out one more marginal asset if that team is already getting a fair deal.
Raf Stone
12:59
Trae Young for FVV a pick and Tate, who says no? Hawks get elevated D while keeping the assist contributions and outside shooting in Fred, a pick and good 2-way role player in Tate who is underrated while also giving Murray the chance to become that lead guy he wanted to be. Houston get the offensive force they have been crying out for post-Harden who’s game fits perfectly with Sengun and Smith/Eason. It may be at the expense of some D but with the other players being good defenders it should be a better fit, like early Steph years the good defenders can hide his poor defence while contributing extreme offence.
Luke Adams
1:01
I don't see either side being especially eager to pull the trigger on that one. The Hawks would want more in return for their franchise player, and the Rockets would likely be reluctant to add someone like Trae after spending months preaching defensive intensity. From a value perspective, I like it more for Houston -- I'm just not sure it's an ideological fit.
1:02
Thanks for all the questions today, guys! I won't be doing a Thursday chat next week during the holidays, but we'll be doing them again regularly in the new year leading up to the Feb. trade deadline.
Happy holidays!
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