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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/14/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:31
Welcome to this week's chat. Sorry for the delay, but everything seems to be running smoothly now.
Trog
12:31
Who do you have coming out of the West and why? Those are some epic semifinal battles and all their rosters look great for long term sustainability too.
ARTHUR HILL
12:34
It seems appropriate that both series at tied at 2-2, and the teams are so evenly matched that it's hard to pick a winner in either one. I'd give slight edges to the Nuggets and Thunder because home court is extremely valuable in a potential Game 7. And yes, all four of these franchises look like they might be at this level for a long time.
glorious197
12:34
Do you believe Tim Connelly will leave Minnesota to run Pistons team?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
He's built a great team in Minnesota and I expect him to stay, but the Wolves' ownership situation makes it difficult to say for sure. If he's concerned that Rodriguez and Lore won't spend enough if they take over, he might consider looking elsewhere. And Tom Gores proved with Monty Williams last year that he's not afraid to throw money around to get what he wants.
Justin
12:37
So the number one pick in this year’s draft would typically be 7/8 in most drafts. I have a hard time seeing any of the lottery picks will be sought after in a trade.
ARTHUR HILL
12:39
The draft appears to be light on prospects who can help right away, so there's little incentive for contending teams to trade up. There's more long-term value than immediate value in this draft class, which favors the teams with the best scouting departments. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few trades by draft night as teams go through the pre-draft process and start to identify the players that they like.
Zac
12:40
Any idea what portland will do with their two lottery picks? This seems like a guard heavy draft and they already have several guards... scoot, ant, Shaedon
ARTHUR HILL
12:44
Portland could have used more lottery luck, but there are useful non-guards who could be available at No. 7 and maybe even No. 14. Colorado's Cody Williams is one example. If the Blazers can't package their picks to trade up, they'll take the best talent available and try to develop them. The team is still fairly early in the rebuilding process.
Clippers
12:44
Are we good? Steve Balmer
ARTHUR HILL
12:48
If you imagine a version of the team where Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are fully healthy for a playoff run, then the Clippers are definitely good. We saw a glimpse of what they can be during at midseason. I expect George to re-sign and James Harden to return, but the core of the team is getting older and remains susceptible to injuries, so Ballmer may never get the playoff success that he's counting on.
Arcman
12:48
So is all the Bronny rumors are true that teams are thinking of picking him or is it just to get the Lakers to waste their 1st round p[ick on him? I even seen a rumor the Hawks will pick him with their #1. Yes you can laugh at that.
ARTHUR HILL
12:50
Unless Bronny shows something during the pre-draft process that he didn't at USC, he'll probably be lucky to get drafted at all. A long-shot chance to land LeBron in free agency is the only reason any team would gamble on Bronny. It will add some drama to the late second round, though.
braywyatt313
12:50
Who do you believe the Pistons hire as POBO and does Troy Weaver get fired???
ARTHUR HILL
12:54
Assuming they don't land Tim Connelly, I like Pelicans GM Trajan Langdon. He's a rising star among NBA executives, and he seems like a good candidate to take over a team with a strong collection of young talent and another high lottery pick. The Pistons' record has been disappointing under Weaver, but he has drafted well. His future may depend on how willing he is to accept a second in command role after running the organization.
Edward w
12:54
Should the rockets keep the no.3 pick or trade it
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
It depends, of course, on what they could get for it. The Rockets need shooters and a legitimate rim protector, so we'll see what kind of offers they get. GM Rafael Stone said after the lottery that he's leaning toward keeping the pick, but that could be a negotiating tactic. Houston has a lot of players becoming eligible for rookie scale extensions over the next three years, so that will factor into their willingness to take on a high-priced veteran.
Charlie’s Moms
12:59
MPJ is on a max contract and isn’t closing playoff games for the champs. Regardless of the outcome of this series and the playoffs as a whole, given the difficulty of adding players as an apron team, the need to resign KCP, and the Nuggets’ glaring lack of playable depth, do you see a scenario where they try to move him for multiple players? With his injury history, is that even feasible?
ARTHUR HILL
1:01
Even if he's not closing, Porter has been a really good complement for the other talent in Denver. His combination of size and shooting is rare, and I don't think the Nuggets are looking to break up their championship core. His contract was risky when he signed it, though, and I don't expect any other teams to be eager to take it on.
Arturas
1:02
How much do the Bulls actually change this off-season? Our executives claim there will be big changes but they mainly just lie all the time, who would even want Lavine or Vuc?
ARTHUR HILL
1:05
That's the main problem in Chicago. It's easy to talk about change, but it's hard to make it happen when you have players like LaVine and Vucevic whose contracts limit their trade value. I can't think of a realistic deal involving either of them that would make the Bulls better. I expect the team to re-sign DeMar DeRozan and hope to improve through internal development, like with Coby White last season, and hopefully a Lonzo Ball comeback.
Patience Zero
1:05
What is the argument for San Antonio trying to "win now"? What scenario or additions could they possibly make to compete with any of the 3 leaders in the west (which all took time to develop). Not saying they should tank, but why not continue to make the most of what they have and at worst end up with better draft position/better assets?
ARTHUR HILL
1:11
Victor Wembanyama is on his way to becoming one of the elite players in the league, and it feels like he should be playing important games on a team that's trying to make the playoffs. In particular, the experiment of trying to get by without a legitimate point guard didn't do Wembanyama any favors. You can see in Detroit or in Houston before this season what happens when young players are in a situation that's directionless. They don't develop the way they should. San Antonio should seek out veteran leaders this offseason who are good fits with Wembanyama's extraordinary talents.
Yaakov
1:11
Are the Knicks better or worse without Randle in the playoffs? Very tough because he is the second scorer they are really lacking but also makes so many bonehead decisions and would most directly affect Josh Hart's time and usage (more before the OG injury)
ARTHUR HILL
1:17
It's a really good question and something the front office will have to ponder this summer. Randle has one more season on his contract at about $30MM, followed by a player option, so this might be the best time to move him if the Knicks are considering it. He's an All-Star level talent and the team's best interior scorer by far, but the combination of Brunson, Hart, DiVincenzo, Anunoby and either Robinson or Hartenstein is probably their best lineup. It may come down to whether a star becomes available this summer that the Knicks really want. Randle and a package of draft picks may be their best offer.
Yaakov
1:17
Is there a chance that Atlanta picks at 1? A 3 team trade flipping Young/Murray and adding Ingram and Lauri M makes too much sense. Who would say no?
ARTHUR HILL
1:18
I don't think the Hawks are as sold on Sarr as all the mock drafts seem to suggest. If they can get immediate help, I expect them to be open to it, especially if they can solve their backcourt issue at the same time.
Dill
1:19
whats your take on teams with high expectations firing coaches early and then hiring coaches that were just fired from other great teams? 76ers, lakers, bucks, and suns have seemed to all just traded their coaches to and from each other. My take is the coach is the easy scapegoat and always the first to go when it’s not really their fault
ARTHUR HILL
1:23
There are only a handful of coaches who really make a difference in wins and losses every year, and even they can't win consistently without top-level talent. Steve Kerr and Eric Spoelstra have built up enough equity with their organizations that they can survive a down year or two, but not many can. It was roster construction more than coaching that doomed the Lakers, Bucks and Suns this year, but that's the nature of the business for head coaches.
Wing targets for Sixers
1:24
There are plenty of wings the Sixers could pursue. What is the chance to acquire Clippers forward Ingram, Paul George and Jimmy Butler?
ARTHUR HILL
1:26
Ingram appears to be available, and probably Butler too despite Pat Riley saying that he intends to keep him. George is likely the Sixers' No. 1 choice out of that group. I imagine they have an offer ready if he doesn't reach an extension with the Clippers.
SPD
1:27
How 'bout I don't tell S Adams Houston doesn't have a legitimate rim protector?
ARTHUR HILL
1:28
He's legitimate, but he'll turn 31 this summer, is coming off a serious knee injury and is only signed for one more season. I was referring to more of a long-term option for the Rockets.
Guest
1:29
Are OKC in the worst “best” position ever? They appear to have the perfect young core that needs no more than a few minor tweaks to being a top team. Yet they have more pick assets than most and will likely get wasted on top talent that won’t get mins, or rival teams will hike the prices of players they’re looking to acquire. Seems like this off is the best/only option to go star chasing with their glut of assets.
ARTHUR HILL
1:31
Some of the picks might get "wasted," but Sam Presti has a very good track record of identifying talent. He's got a great young core in place, and I would trust him to use his draft assets to surround them with a strong supporting cast.
1:32
Thanks for another great week of questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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