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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 2/3/2022
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Dana Gauruder
11:00
We've already received lots of questions. I'll try to get to as many as I can in the next hour.
Anthony
11:00
If Beal requests a trade and your Tommy Shepard and Celtics call what would you ask for?
Dana Gauruder
11:04
I don't see a match here, simply because the Celtics don't want to trade Tatum or Brown. If neither one is part of the package, the Wizards have no real incentive make a deal with them. I don't see anyone else on that roster that you'd call an All-Star or future All-Star. I think they'd rather move him to the Western Conference, where they don't have to compete vs. him. So if I'm Shepard, I'd ask for either Tatum or Brown as the centerpiece and if the Celtics say no, I'd look for another trade partner.
Ballmer
11:04
With Kawhi expected to be out all season and George out extended time. Wouldn't it make sense to just tank season and hope for a Top 5 pick?
Dana Gauruder
11:07
I don't see them going in that direction. The Clippers are hovering around .500, so even if they start losing, more than likely they'll be at the back end of the lottery unless they get really lucky. They'd have to move into the Top 3 to be assured of landing one of those premier bigs in this year's draft. But again, their chances of moving up would be slim, so they might as well just keep doing what they're doing and see how the season plays out.
sean
11:08
Part of me feels the sixers would be best served getting someone like Mccollum, Bridges or Trent Jr for Simmons now rather than waiting for Beal, Harden, or Lillard. Any likely scenarios of a deal with Portland, Charlotte or Toronto at the deadline?
Dana Gauruder
11:12
As I stated last week, I do think the Sixers will take the best package available rather than have the Simmons saga linger on until the offseason. I don't see a good fit for the Hornets to add Simmons with LaMelo already there as primary ballhandler. Toronto would be an interesting fit but I doubt Morey would settle for Trent as the centerpiece of a deal. McCollum might be a decent consolation prize but certainly you'd rather have Lillard. And in the spot the Blazers are in, Lillard would have incentive to move on and join forces with Embiid. So yes, I think there are scenarios where Simmons winds up in Portland.
Ryan
11:14
Two questions. First the I know the Raps are very much in it and looking to make a run, but two team in my opinion should be calling for Chris Boucher. I think both the Bulls and Grizzlies are perfect fits for Boucher. What’s your thoughts?
Dana Gauruder
11:18
Boucher would give the Bulls some immediate help at a spot where they've had injury issues. Boucher would be backup behind Jackson/Adams in Memphis, though perhaps they'd view him as a second-unit upgrade. I could see either scenario. Perhaps if the Raptors can get a future first-rounder as part of the package from either team, they'd strongly consider it. But their bench is pretty thin as it is, so I'd think they've have to get a usable player as well in return so they don't wear out their frontcourt starters.
Black Ace57
11:20
I asked this in a chat earlier in the season, but with Maxey’s continue improvement is he on the untouchables list for the Sixers and what is his trade value compared to Simmons?
Dana Gauruder
11:23
I don't think anyone besides Embiid is untouchable among the Sixers but Maxey would probably be next in line. Not only has he been a pleasant surprise as Simmons' de facto replacement, he's on his rookie contract. Getting that kind of production out a guy at the low end of the salary scale is a front office exec's dream. If you're adding Maxey in order to, for example, shed Tobias' contract, now you've got to replace 2 starters who are probably your second and third-best players right now. Don't see that happening.
aol Ted
11:25
Does beal to the Heat make sense? I think Herro + two firsts exceeds anything Philly or Boston could offer
Dana Gauruder
11:29
I like Herro a lot, I think he showed his mettle 2 years ago in the Orlando bubble. But I just don't see the Wizards shipping Beal to an Eastern Conference contender. Plus, those first-rounders would not be lottery picks.Think of what the Clippers had to give up for Paul George -- pretty much had to mortgage their drafts for years to come. Miami would probably have to give up three or four first-rounders along Herro and probably Robinson. Remember, all the salaries have to match up, too.
Jerami grant
11:29
What are the odds I’ll be dealt by the deadline?
Dana Gauruder
11:32
Ha ha. Well Jerami, I'd say less than 50-50. The Pistons don't necessarily need to trade you since you're signed through next season and can a nice trade package for you in the summer. And I know you like being a No. 1 or 2 scoring option -- that's why you came to Detroit in the first place. I don't think any contender sees you in the same light. However, if you're willing to go back to the role that you had with the Nuggets, and the Pistons front office can get a promising young player and a first-round pick in return, you might be wearing a different uniform at the end of next week.
Tstreetz
11:34
With Desmond Bane playing well and Ziare Williams coming along as a solid wing in the future so you see memphis trading Dillon Brooks?
Dana Gauruder
11:36
The Grizz obviously have to great pieces toward title contention in Ja and Jackson. Getting another star or borderline All-Star would make them even more dangerous, perhaps even put them on a short list for title contention. So sure, I could see Brooks being traded along with Kyle Anderson and/or De'Anthony Melton plus picks if they could get a player of that caliber.
jamoche1
11:36
In the last week, the Cavs have been blown out by the two worst teams in the league, Deroit and Houston. Cause for concern? What do you see hem doing a the deadline?
Dana Gauruder
11:39
The Cavaliers front office has made it clear they'd like to add more depth at the guard and wing spots. Having both Sexton and Rubio go down for the season is rough but they have exceeded expectation. They also made it clear they don't want to mess with their chemistry. A bad loss or two won't change their goals. I do see them making a move but nothing major -- they'll look for a solid veteran or two who can fortify their bench.
Pistons
11:40
If you're Troy Weaver what types of players would you be targeting to build around Cade? Would you deal Grant? Bey has had some huge games this season, but has been very inconsistent overall. Seems like they need another starting guard and frontcourt help, among other things.
Dana Gauruder
11:44
The Pistons have been a disappointment but a lot of it has to do with injuries. Grant and Olynyk, who was their main free agent pickup, missed significant time. Cade got off to a slow start, particularly offensively, after spraining his ankle in preseason. The jury is very much out on Killian Hayes being a longterm part of their future. Casey inserted Cory Joseph into the lineup and moved Hayes to the second unit. That's a signal they're not sure the Hayes-Cade partnership would work long-term. They have a good shot at getting a quality big in the draft. Weaver isn't afraid of making a trade he feels will help long-term but there's no pressure at this point to do something right away. They should get a quality big in the draft.
Injuries
11:45
Will Zion return?
Dana Gauruder
11:49
I don't believe there's any assurances he will be back this season. He suffered a setback in his rehab back in December and there's been very little news regarding his progress since that point. He has been doing his rehab away from the club, which makes his recovery even more of a mystery. With the Pelicans 13 games under .500 and only 2 1/2 months, what's the point of ramping up Zion to get back to action. His season, and the team's, is already lost.
MiamiVice
11:50
Once Vic returns, who on Heat will get PT bumped?  Or will VO be behind the likes of Duncan, Strus, etc?  Whatcha think?
Dana Gauruder
11:54
Miami is a prime contender and I don't see Spoelstra force-feeding Oladipo minutes if they're going well. However, Robinson has been inconsistent with his outside shot this season, so I could see Oladipo cutting into Robinson's minutes if that doesn't change. Plus, they don't want to run Lowry into the ground during the regular season, so he might pick up some minutes there. But I don't see the Heat staff simply handing Oladipo minutes and messing up their rotation.
Coleman
11:55
What do you see the Atlanta Hawks realistically doing at the trade deadline?
Dana Gauruder
11:57
Very little. I think they got rid of their dilemma at the wing by trading Reddish and the club has begun to turn things around. They've won 7 of their last 8 and I think they just need better luck on the injury front to maintain that momentum. Perhaps they'll pick up some depth up front but that's about it.
Joe Z
11:58
Beal to the Pacers? Something around Sabonis?
Dana Gauruder
12:00
While Sabonis would be a pretty solid centerpiece for the Wizards in a trade package, why would Beal force a trade and go to a EC team with a worse record? The only incentive for Beal to request a trade would be to go to a team that's already in contention.
Jay
12:01
Do the Kings do anything at the deadline?
Dana Gauruder
12:03
If they fail to shake up their roster, it won't be for lack of trying! They'd like to do something big. I have to believe Buddy Hield will be on the move, either as a stand-alone or part of a bigger package. Pretty much every player on the roster can be had for the right price and I'm not entirely convinced Fox is untouchable, either.
12:04
That's all the time we have. Plenty of questions I couldn't get to but please join our next chat on Tuesday with Luke Adams.
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