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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 2/16/2023
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Luke Adams
10:39
Even if OKC gets the No. 2 pick in this draft, I don't think the team with No. 1 is doing that deal. No one wants to be the team that passes up on the opportunity to draft the best prospect since LeBron James.
T-fish
10:40
Do you think Rudy Gobert will make the all-Defensive team? Or has his game fallen off?
Luke Adams
10:41
With just two center spots, I could certainly see Gobert missing out due to voter fatigue and the up-and-down nature of his first Minnesota season. We'll see how the rest of the year goes though and what the stats look like by April.
Guest
10:42
Do you think one reason for the high scoring games for stars are a product of strategically taking more games off (for soreness) so that those players have fresher legs (and also being the focal point of their offense)?  It just seems like more games are being missed and it started as injury prevention and now includes "recovery" time.
Luke Adams
10:43
It could definitely be a factor. Teams' defensive continuity may also be affected by having to use so many different five-man lineups to account for all the players moving on and off the injured list.
Connor🏀
10:43
As of this chat who is your MVP?
Finals
10:43
Who are your picks for the Finals as of today and who will win? Are the picks different than they were before the season started?
Luke Adams
10:44
I have to admit I haven't really been thinking about these questions consistently as the season goes along, so I have no answer ready right away. I'm curious to hear who others would choose for the Finals and the MVP. I'll make my picks before the end of the chat.
KJ
10:44
What are your thoughts on the after-season awards being potentially tied to the number of games played? Me personally I think it's a great idea
Luke Adams
10:46
I'm not sure it's entirely necessary, but I don't hate it. In addition to perhaps encouraging fewer days off for star palyers, it would also make things easier on voters, who often have to weigh a very good 75-game performance against an exceptional 55- or 60-game performance.
Wolves
10:46
So it's pretty clear the 2 center lineup isn't going to work. What do you think Wolves do this off season, trade Rudy,trade KAT, nothing?
Luke Adams
10:47
It'll depend in part on when KAT comes back and how much time he plays with Gobert before the end of the season, but I'd be surprised if the Wolves give up on it so soon and don't seem them trading either player this summer. I get the sense they believe having a more traditional point guard like Conley will help things run smoother.
Middleton
10:48
Zach Lowe has mentioned a few times on his podcast that Khris Middleton’s $40 million player option for next season is the biggest storyline no one is talking about due to his injuries, age and importance to the Bucks when healthy. He’s looked pretty good lately, but still seems like he’s on a minutes restriction off the bench. Will the injuries and down season give the Bucks or other would-be suitors pause?
Luke Adams
10:51
Yeah, at one point it seemed like Middleton would be opting out this summer and getting a deal similar to the one he got last time. I no longer think that's likely, but again, there are still a few months left in the season and postseason for him to prove he's healthy. If he looks good down the stretch, I could see him getting something like a three-year, $100MM deal from the Bucks.
Will Barton
10:51
Who will I sign with after clearing waivers?
Luke Adams
10:53
Bucks, Lakers, Warriors, and Suns all make some sense, off the top of my head. I'll say Milwaukee.
KJ
10:54
I know it's early but right now Dallas has not won since Luca and Irving have played together. Is it too early for concern? Me personally I love the offense but that defense has got me really worried
Luke Adams
10:55
Still too early for concern. A couple of those losses came down to the final play or two and could've gone the other way. But yeah, losing Finney-Smith certainly won't help the defense. Getting Kleber back and incorporating Justin Holiday should help a little.
Just Fowl
10:55
With Robert Williams hampered by knee and now ankle issues do they try to sign Love? Horford will need his rest, leaving the C’s with Griffin, Muscala, Kornet as primary bigs. Love would get plenty of playing time.
Luke Adams
10:57
I'd be surprised if they added Love after trading for a somewhat similar player in Muscala (this comparison may not be flattering to a five-time All-Star like Love, but he's obviously not the player he once was). They have enough to get through the rest of the season, and Williams and Horford will get most of the minutes up front in the playoffs as long as they're healthy.
VanVleet
10:57
Fred had a really tough first half of the season but he’s played much better of late. What do you think his next contract will look like and will it be with Toronto? The roster could get quite expensive.
Luke Adams
10:59
I'll be very interested to see whether the Raptors re-sign VanVleet, Trent, and Poeltl this offseason. Hard to imagine they'll be willing to pony up for all three, since I think FVV could get $30MM+ per year, with Trent at $20MM+ and Poeltl around $18-20MM. Something's gotta give, but VanVleet and Trent are two of their best shooters and they didn't give up a first-round pick for Poeltl just to rent him.
I think Trent is more likely to be the odd man out than VanVleet, for what it's worth.
EonADS
11:00
Who is the biggest threat to sign Kuzma away from the Wizards in FA? Blazers?
Luke Adams
11:02
The Pacers probably aren't in position to splurge on a second-tier free agent at this point in their rebuilding process, but I kinda like the idea of Kuzma playing alongside Turner, Haliburton, and Mathurin, and they'll have the cap room to pursue him if they want to. The Blazers' cap situation will be trickier -- a sign-and-trade might be necessary if Portland wants to go after him.
Thanks for all the questions today, guys! Another reminder: Dana's weekly chat will now take place on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm CT, while mine will be on Thursdays at 10:00 am. See you next week!
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