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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 2/16/2021
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Luke Adams
12:38
West: I see the Nuggets, Blazers, and Suns in the 4-6 range, followed in some order by the Spurs, Warriors, and Mavs, with the Grizzlies and Kings as the frontrunners for the 10th spot, with Pels and Rockets as wild cards.
12:40
In the East, I still have faith in either the Raptors or Heat to get into the top six, which would leave the other one in the 7-10 range along with the Knicks, Hornets, and Hawks. The Bulls would be the wild card to crash that party.
Drummond’s Rage
12:40
How should Cans fans evaluate Koby Altman’s tenure so far?
Luke Adams
12:42
I'd be a little worried about all the odd confrontations and abrupt exits in Cleveland over the last 2-3 years. On the other hand, while I didn't love the Cavs' last few lottery picks initially, Sexton and Garland have been growing on me. And the Allen trade was a nice bit of business.
Luke Adams as GM
12:42
If you could take your pick of any non contending franchise to turn around in the NBA, (1) which one would you choose  and (2) what would be your first trade as GM?
Luke Adams
12:44
Great question! The Pelicans or Thunder would be my first choice, given their stockpiles of draft picks and their young talent (building around Zion or SGA would be fun). In either case, my first trade would be getting what I could for a veteran point guard (Bledsoe or Hill).
John Collins fan
12:44
What is the probability that if Collins is not dealt at the trade deadline that the hawks will let him walk in rfa.
Luke Adams
12:45
I'd be shocked if they do that. I know they don't want to pay him the max, but if enough teams think he's worth it, it makes sense to just match his best offer and then trade him down the road. The other option would be to signal that you'll match any offer in an effort to work out a sign-and-trade in the offseason with a team that wants him.
Rob
12:46
Is Andre Drummond underrated or is he really more of an empty stats Hassan Whiteside type?
Luke Adams
12:48
A bit of both. He's better than Whiteside, but he also doesn't contribute as much to winning as his rebound and block totals may suggest -- you'd much rather have someone like Gobert, who puts up more modest numbers but whose defensive talent and screen-setting ability greatly exceeds Drummond's.
JJ
12:48
Do you think the knicks will trade off assets in a win now attempt?
Luke Adams
12:50
I expect they'll explore more win-now moves, but that they won't trade anything too valuable unless they're acquiring a player who can be a key part of the team beyond this season. That's not inconceivable though -- their $15MM+ in cap room gives them lots of options.
D Wright
12:51
I'm not sure that Detroit really wants to trade me, but if they do, my play has surely increased my value beyond a 2nd round pick, right? A first? Multiple 2nds? If Philly wants me, Maxey?
Luke Adams
12:53
Multiple seconds, maybe. I can't see anyone giving up a first unless they're able to get off a bad contract in the process. Based on the reporting around the time of the Harden trade last month, it sounds like the Sixers like Maxey quite a bit, so I'm not sure he'd be in play for a role player like Wright.
Jwade
12:53
Why does the NBA allow teams such as the Cavs/Pistons to let well known players to just sit out while they work on trades? Weren’t they handing out fines for doing that with healthy players?
Luke Adams
12:54
The NBA seems willing to look the other way in situations like this, where all involved parties just want to move on.
Mount Zion
12:54
Who could use Eric Bledsoe that would be willing to trade for him?
Luke Adams
12:56
I think it'll be hard for the Pelicans to find a taker. He's pretty expensive, has another guaranteed season left on his deal, and has been badly exposed in the last couple postseasons. I was surprised New Orleans kept him in the offseason when they sent George Hill over to OKC. Given Presti's recent track record, I have to think the Thunder would've been fine taking on Bledsoe instead if New Orleans threw in another second-rounder or two.
HOT!
12:57
Should coach Bud be on the hot seat? I mean couldn't anyone pile up a bunch of wins the rosters they've had last couple years?
Luke Adams
12:58
His seat will get very hot if the Bucks don't advance any further in the playoffs this year than they have the last couple years. Now that Giannis is locked up long-term, we can expect Milwaukee to be pretty aggressive in shaking things up around him if they aren't working.
Wally
12:59
Markkanen to the Spurs for Trey Lyles + protected first.  Who say's no?
Luke Adams
1:01
Interesting! I like the idea of Markkanen playing for Popovich, and they'd certainly have the cap flexibility to sign him this summer. The Spurs are typically reluctant to trade first-round picks, so I don't actually see it happening, but it's not outrageous for either side.
Travis
1:01
Do you see the Utah Jazz making any moves for the playoffs?
Luke Adams
1:02
They're playing so well at this point that it doesn't make sense to jeopardize their success by doing anything too significant. I expect if they make any moves, they'll involve bringing in a role player for a second-round pick, or maybe adding someone on the buyout market.
Guest
1:03
What do you see the Kings doing if anything at the trade deadline?
Luke Adams
1:04
A lot will hinge on how they play in the next few weeks. If they slump, I don't think a fire sale is out of the question -- Hield, Barnes, Bjelica, Joseph, etc. If they play well and are in the playoff hunt, they could still move expendable guys like Bjelica, but they won't be a seller.
SPD
1:05
what do you think Tucker and/or Oladipo might return for Houston?
Luke Adams
1:06
Tucker, maybe a couple second-rounders. If they're going to move Oladipo, I think they should target a younger player who can be part of the core. I kind of like the idea of going after John Collins, even though he's not the best fit alongside Christian Wood. If the Hawks believe they can re-sign Oladipo, he'd be a nice fit next to Trae.
That's all for this week, everyone. Thanks for all your questions! We'll do it again next Tuesday at the same time.
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