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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 3/8/2022
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Luke Adams
12:36
Even if it takes some time to figure out his role on offense, he should be a major plus on defense right away.
Trog
12:37
The Mavs look damn impressive since the Dinwiddie trade. Might be the best defensive team in the NBA right now. Have you had a chance to watch them recently?
Luke Adams
12:39
I watched some of the games against the Lakers and Warriors last week and liked what I saw. Obviously, accumulating two or star players is the way the NBA works these days, but seeing what Doncic can do with high-level role players who complement him well is really intriguing and makes me wonder if the Mavs can become a legitimate contender without finding another "second star" to replace Porzingis.
12:40
Even though the East has been a little deeper this season, the top six or so teams in the West have looked really strong lately (with the exception of the Warriors, but we know their ceiling is higher than what they've shown recently). If the Mavs have to face the Jazz in the first round, it will be really tough luck for the loser of that series.
Traveling Wilbury
12:41
If I understand correctly, the Hornets can match any offer that Miles Bridges receives on the open market after this season. But will they?
Luke Adams
12:43
I expect they'll either work out a new deal directly with him or negotiate a sign-and-trade if some other team is pushing hard for him. It's been a while since we've had a real RFA offer sheet -- I think Bogdan Bogdanovic is the only big one within the last 3-4 years, and even in that scenario, the Kings were trying to do a sign-and-trade with the Bucks before that fell apart and sort of reset Bogdanovic's free agency.
Went off on a bit of an aside there, but to clarify, I think it's much more likely the Hornets will just re-sign Bridges directly.
OKC Me
12:43
When do we start turning all those picks into actual players?
Luke Adams
12:44
It could be this summer, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't happen until 2023.
Fan
12:44
Which play-in teams do you see winning a playoff series? Any have a decent chance?
Luke Adams
12:47
The fact that so many teams in the play-in could have injured players coming back makes for some interesting upset possibilities. I'm very skeptical that Kawhi will play this spring, but if the Clippers have George and Powell back, they'll be a tough out. The Pelicans with Zion would be awesome to see in the playoffs. And a Nets team with Durant, Simmons, and Kyrie all playing would obviously be a major threat. I think it'll come down to matchups and how many star players are available, but the Clippers and Nets are the most intriguing to me.
Orlando Jones
12:47
Are you excited about the Magic's future? They seem to have a good mix of young players (Carter, Anthony), solid vets (Fultz, Isaac) and high draft picks.
Luke Adams
12:49
I'm cautiously optimistic about the Magic -- I really like Franz Wagner, I think Jalen Suggs will be a good pro, and Wendell Carter and Cole Anthony are solid pieces. I'm still not sure what to make of Fultz and Isaac. I thought Isaac was a future Defensive Player of the Year prior to his ACL injury, but the fact that we haven't seen him in nearly two full years is concerning. If he's back to 100% and continues on the developmental path he was on before the injury, that'd be a huge difference-maker for Orlando.
Chance99
12:50
In retrospect, did the Celtics give up too much in the Derek White trade? A 1st rounder & pick swap seem a little expensive.
Luke Adams
12:51
It'll be impossible to really know for a few years. That pick swap could result in the Spurs moving up by 20 spots in the first round of the 2028 or it could turn into nothing. I think it was a good calculated risk by Boston -- if you're confident in your ability to make good roster decisions and build a long-term winner, you don't have to worry too much about getting screwed by a pick swap.
Playa
12:51
Are there any teams, in your opinion, that are stuck in 8 seed mediocrity that need to either somehow get a star player or buckle down and rebuild?
Luke Adams
12:53
The Blazers were this team six weeks ago. Now... it might be the Knicks? Maybe the Wizards, if Porzingis doesn't work out.
George Irvine
12:54
After a 35-47 record in 2006/2007, Rick Carlisle was fired by the Indiana Pacers.  He stated that the Pacers needed "a new voice."  Nate Bjorkgren was fired after a single season with a 34-38 record.  Rick Carlisle is 22-44 this season.  Do the Pacers need "a new voice" and/or a new GM?  Do you think Frank Vogel would be interested if a vacancy arises?
Luke Adams
12:55
I believe Carlisle got a four- or five-year contract, and the Pacers have already made coaching changes two years in a row. He's not going anywhere anytime soon.
12:56
I actually don't think the Pacers are in a bad spot. They'll have a top-10 pick, and Haliburton, Duarte, and Jackson all look like long-term keepers. Brogdon and Turner are also good players who could be part of the solution or could be traded for positive value. The Pacers' rebuild could be a pretty quick one.
Blockness Monster
12:56
What would a theoritical Contract for Mitchell Robinson cost the Knicks?  Is he an Unrestricted or Restricted free agent?
Luke Adams
12:57
He'll be unrestricted. The Knicks are limited to four years and about $56MM on an in-season extension, but could go higher (anything up to the max) in the offseason. I doubt they'd offer more than about the mid-level ($10MM per year) though.
Wiz
12:57
If Beal signs an extension, will we have any room to make meaningful upgrades? Will Beal, KP and Kuz be enough of a core to make a deep playoff run?
Luke Adams
12:59
Unless Porzingis takes his game to another level (and puts his injury issues behind him while doing it), I'm not super-high on that core -- it looks like first-round playoff fodder at best. If some of the Wizards' young guys (Hachimura, Avdija, Kispert, etc.) develop into high-level rotation players, maybe that equation changes
Guest
12:59
Cunningham ROY!
Luke Adams
1:00
Cade's case reminds me a little of Anthony Edwards' last year -- his slow start might prevent him from winning it over a guy who's contributed all year like Mobley, but he'll get votes.
Thanks for all your questions today, guys. We'll be back Thursday with our next live chat!
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