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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 3/5/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Hornets.
Embiid’s much shorter brother
11:01
With the recent surge by the Hornets into playoff contention, one guy that seems to have been left behind is Tidjane Salaun, the 6th pick from last year’s draft. Given that he is still on his rookie contract and probably has some value, do you think he will be on the move this offseason?
ARTHUR HILL
11:09
Salaun hasn't produced the way you'd hope for someone who was drafted that high, but he's only 20 years old and still has a lot of potential. The Hornets viewed him as a long-term prospect when they drafted him and understood that it was likely going to take some time to develop his game. He'll eventually get bigger and stronger and better able to compete with other NBA power forwards. He'll be very affordable on his rookie contract for the next two years, so I don't think Charlotte will be in a hurry to part with him. Teams that need young frontcourt help may call about Salaun this summer, but I think the Hornets would prefer to keep him.
Spurs/Pistons
11:10
Should the Spurs and Pistons be considered real title contenders even though neither team has won a playoff series with this roster?
ARTHUR HILL
11:16
Teams usually have to experience the playoffs a few times before making a title run, but that might not be true for Detroit and San Antonio. The Pistons got a taste in a competitive first-round series with the Knicks last year, and they've responded by becoming the best team in the East. I don't think their limited playoff exposure will be a factor this time around. It may be different for the Spurs, whose roster is filled with players that have never been to the postseason before. Victor Wembanyama is an impossible matchup and San Antonio has talent throughout its roster, but the lack of playoff experience may be hard to overcome.
Just Curious
11:16
Was watching Thunder-Knicks last night (great game) but was not impressed with Dort. OKC has several wings who look more athletic snd skilled than Lu. I expect he won't be back next year, but do you see Daignault replacing him in the lineup for the playoffs with Wallace or even Mitchell?
ARTHUR HILL
11:22
Dort has built a reputation as an elite defender since he entered the league in 2019 and he played an important role in last year's title run, so Daigneault has some loyalty to him. The Thunder have been stocking their roster with really good defensive players who are younger and more athletic than Dort, and they probably won't pick up his $18.2MM option for next season considering their other salary commitments. Matchups will affect Daigneault's decisions in the playoffs, of course, but I think he still believes in Dort's defensive capabilities and will keep him on the court for his normal playing time.
Tarunafish
11:23
Are the Hornets a talented team who deserve to be in the playoffs? Or, are the Hornets a below-average team that’s benefitted from the tanking teams?
ARTHUR HILL
11:30
There are a lot of tanking teams to feast on, especially in the East, but Charlotte has been handling the good teams as well. Last night's blowout of the Celtics in Boston was the latest example. The Hornets had a lot of injuries to overcome early in the season, so it took a couple of months before we got to really see them at full strength. Their record with their preferred starting five intact is very impressive, and Coby White was a great pickup as a bench scorer at the deadline. I'm a believer in the Hornets, and I think they're a team that no one is going to want to face in the first round.
Cale
11:30
What should the Raptors do at the center spot this summer? Is it worth sticking with Poeltl as long as he's healthy or do they need someone better (Sabonis?) there?
ARTHUR HILL
11:39
The Raptors were chasing Sabonis before the deadline, and that deal will probably be revisited this summer. Sabonis is very expensive at $45.5MM and $48.6MM over the next two years, but he's a dynamic passer and productive scorer who can be the focal point of an offense. I don't see an upgrade as a necessity, though. Injuries have been a concern during Poeltl's time in Toronto, but he's played well for them and the front office valued him enough to give him a three-year extension last summer. Back issues have limited Poeltl to 27 games this season, but the Raptors have managed to contend without him. I understand why they're interested in Sabonis, but they shouldn't be willing to overpay in a potential deal.
Trae Young
11:40
If I sign an extension this summer, what will it look like?
ARTHUR HILL
11:52
Young will be eligible for an extension worth up to $222MM over four years, which is a lot more than the Hawks were willing to pay. Not many rival teams were interested either, so the Wizards were able to acquire him at a bargain price. There's finally some excitement in Washington at the prospect of teaming up Young and Anthony Davis, but there's also a need for caution when negotiations begin. Young's shooting numbers haven't been great for the past few years, and he's not likely to get better as he ages. He has a $49MM player option for next season, but he may have to settle for a lower annual salary to get a new long-term deal. I would offer him three or four years in the $40MM to $45MM range.
Guest
11:52
Should we expect a really aggressive offseason from the Nets given that they don't own their 2027 first rounder?
ARTHUR HILL
12:01
The Rockets own swap rights on Brooklyn's 2027 first-rounder, so the Nets won't have any incentive to tank next season. However, with a really young roster that's produced a 15-46 record so far, it's a challenging question to consider how the team might get better in a hurry. One obvious solution is to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Nets plan to be involved when that sweepstakes resumes this summer. However, their best offers are likely to be focused on draft picks rather than immediate help, which may not interest the Bucks. It's also doubtful that Giannis would view Brooklyn as an upgrade unless the Nets are able to add another star or two, which seems unlikely. With Giannis probably unattainable, the best course of action is for the Nets to write off the lost draft pick and keep focusing on the next step in their rebuilding efforts.
Mikey
12:01
Sounds like the 76ers made a run at Kawhi in the offseason. Could the 76ers try again in the offseason?
ARTHUR HILL
12:09
Leonard will have a $50.3MM expiring contract next season, so it's reasonable to consider a move if he's not part of the Clippers' long-term plans. He would be a great addition in Philadelphia, creating a dynamic offense alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. However, it feels like the Clippers are committed to contending, and Leonard has been playing so well that their asking price would be really high. Paul George's salary would have to be included, and I don't think he or the Clippers are interested in a reunion, so another team would have to get involved for a deal to be possible. A healthy Leonard is still one of the NBA's best players, so the Sixers should definitely try, but it seems like a long shot at this point.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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