Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/18/2026
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Luke Adams
3:02
Thanks for all the early questions, guys! Lots to get to today. We'll get underway in just a couple minutes.
3:04
OK, let's dive in!
Unclemike1526
3:04
Do the Bulls have their MLE and BAE available for 26/27? And when are you guys going to publish the list for each teams options for this year? Thanks
Luke Adams
3:06
The Bulls technically could have both the MLE and BAE available, but that would require them to operate over the cap. Teams that go under the cap and use cap room lose those exceptions and get the room exception instead. So that's the likelier outcome for Chicago.

Is this list of team option decisions what the second half of your question is referring to? If not, I might need more info.
Pels
3:06
What do you think about the trade we made for Queen now that we know the Hawks will be picking at 8? Was he worth, say, Brown or Flemings, and Newell? He really impressed me this year
Luke Adams
3:09
It definitely looks better now than it did at the time. The fact that it could've easily turned into a Dybantsa/Peterson/Boozer type was what made the deal so risky. The Hawks should still get a really good prospect at No. 8, and it's entirely possible that the player they draft there will end up being better than Queen. But that's definitely not a lock.
T Pups
3:09
What does MN try and do here? With reports of Connely wanting to be aggressive on the trade market, what do we do? I keep hearing Giannis, but that ship sailed. Our chance was last year. We don't have the draft picks they'd want and now a bunch of team that didn't have draft capital then, do now.
Luke Adams
3:13
Yeah I don't really get how they can be a legitimate suitor for Giannis unless they're willing to move McDaniels and other stuff on top of that, which wouldn't leave them with much depth beyond Ant and Giannis.

They're in a tricky spot. Randle is the most expendable of their higher-paid players but would also have the least trade value. Moving Gobert might be their best chance to recoup real value and reset the roster, but that would mean losing their defensive anchor, so that could easily be a lateral (or backwards) move.
Seattle
3:14
If the league were to expand and bring in a new Seattle team, would they be able to be called the Sonics again or does OKC own the name?
Luke Adams
3:15
They'd regain the Sonics branding/logos/trademarks/etc. That was part of an agreement worked out at the time the team relocated to OKC. There are a few more details on that in this ESPN expansion primer: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48223005/nba-expansion-seattle-las...
Unclemike1526
3:15
No I meant which teams have used their MLE and BAE and how much they have left. I thought you did that every year but it might be a tad early. Thanks
Luke Adams
3:16
Got it. Yeah, teams can't begin using their MLEs/BAEs until July, so we usually publish those posts in mid-July, after most of the early signings are in and we know exactly how teams are operating (ie. over or under the cap) and the exact amounts that newly signed contracts are worth.
LeBron odds
3:16
Would you say the odds of LeBron resigning with the Lakers for his 24th season are higher or lower than 50%?
Luke Adams
3:17
I'd put them higher. Maybe something like 65% Lakers, 30% another team, 5% retirement.
Silver
3:17
Most mocks that I've seen have Boozer going to Memphis at #3. I think it's a very good fit. Your thoughts?
Luke Adams
3:19
I agree, though I think they'd be a fine fit for any of those top four guys. They don't have many core pieces in places yet.

I actually think Memphis is in a really nice spot in this draft. I like Caleb Wilson, but he'd be a clear No. 4 on my board, so if I'm the Grizzlies, I'd happily take whoever falls to No. 3 out of Dybantsa, Peterson, and Boozer.
Edwill
3:19
Do you think the pistons will make a big splash this summer. After the way they lost in game 7 against the cavs yesterday they gotta upgrade there roster.
Luke Adams
3:23
Definitely should be an eventful summer in Detroit. Even just with their current guys, there's Duren's restricted free agency, Harris' unrestricted free agency, and Thompson's rookie scale extension to deal with.

I'm curious about what else they do with their roster though. I don't think it'd be that hard for them to acquire a scoring forward whose value is down a little (e.g. a Julius Randle or Brandon Ingram type). But they have the draft capital to aim higher than that.
Hawks
3:24
I was super disappointed when the Hawks pick didn't come in top 4, but I've started getting excited about Brown or Mara ending up as Hawks. While I love the idea of drafting a big man like Mara to help Okongwu out on the inside, how do you pass on a guy like Brown who can shoot, get to the hole, and has the length to help on D?
Luke Adams
3:25
Yeah, obviously it would've been great to land a top-four pick, but the Hawks should have some good options available at No. 8. Brown would be a nice one. And if he's off the board, it means Wagler, Acuff, or Flemings will be there. I'd probably favor one of those guards over Mara or another big.
Regret
3:25
Do you think the Hawks regret not trading the 2026 MIL/NO pick when everyone was saying it was one of the best assets in the NBA? Think they missed out on any deals for a superstar that coulda helped them in the playoffs?
Luke Adams
3:30
It's easy to say with hindsight that they messed up by not trading that pick, but it had a 40% chance of being in the top four and it's not clear who they could've used it to acquire at the trade deadline anyway. I think the process was fine, given where that pick could've landed. If they'd traded it and it moved up, they'd be second-guessed just as much as the Pacers have been in the last week.
Sixersfan
3:30
If the Sixers are willing to attach a first round pick, do you see a team trading for Paul George this offseason?
Luke Adams
3:30
Yeah, I think there'd be more than one team who would go for that. I'm skeptical the Sixers would attach a first-rounder to George just to move off of him -- they'd want something decent in return.
Guest
3:30
If Charlotte packaged picks 14/18 - how high could they move up.  IYO, would Yaxel be worth trading up for in terms of their team?
Luke Adams
3:34
They could probably get to 9 or 10? The last similar deal I can remember was way back in 2017, when the No. 10 pick got traded for 15 and 20.

I think I'd prefer to stay put if I were them. There are a few players I like in that range. And even if they're high on Yaxel, I'm not sure it's a lock he's off the board by No. 14.
Shane
3:35
With all the cap space, this free agent market seems a little underwhelming in my opinion will Chicago do a lot of one year deals to fill out the roster spots and go hard next offseason or do you think they will take bad contracts with trades?
Luke Adams
3:36
Think they could do a bit of both. Acquiring draft picks with unwanted contracts should probably be the priority, but I like the idea of waiting out the FA market and seeing if they can get a bargain or two -- assuming they get a good price, they'd have a chance to flip guys like that at the trade deadline (similar to what the Wizards did with Valanciunas a couple years ago).
Trog
3:37
Assume for Mavs: PG Irving, SG '26 draft pick/Christie, SF Flagg/Klay, PF PJ/Naji, C Lively/Gafford -- who should the team target in free agency? Should they look to sell off PJ, Naji and/or Gaff if they can recoup draft assets? (I'm assuming Klay is negative value.)
Luke Adams
3:40
Point guard should probably be the top priority if they go shopping in free agency, with Kyrie coming off the ACL. Collin Gillespie might be an interesting target.

Depends on what sort of timeline they have in mind though. If they're not in any rush to take a step forward right away, there's no need to spend mid-level type money on that spot, and shopping those rotation players you mentioned would make more sense. You're right that Klay would be a negative asset, but the others should be positives.
Murray
3:40
Do you think the Nuggets would trade Jamal Murray?    Murray going to the Hawks for Kuminga, Kispert, and the #8 pick makes sense for both teams.    Allows the Nuggs to save some money and draft a good, young player to help build out the team around Jokic.  Murray gives the Hawks a lead guard who'd have defensive help from Daniels and NAW
Luke Adams
3:42
Can't see the Hawks going for it. They have a chance to find a future Jamal Murray at No. 8, and that player will be a lot less expensive than the actual Jamal Murray (three years, $161MM, yikes!).
raz1374
3:42
Now that the Pacers officially have no pick, what FA/trade moves do you see them making? KP has said that he would like  to add to the Core 7 (starters + TJ/Toppin) to build more depth. Seems like some scoring punch and rebounding would be in order. Who are the most likely/optimal targets they should be looking at?
Luke Adams
3:46
Even without that first-rounder, the Pacers are basically right at the tax line already. I doubt they want to be in the tax, so it's hard for me to envision them pursuing any high-level free agents.

Jarace Walker looks like an obvious trade candidate, but he won't bring back much on his own, and moving off his salary wouldn't free up much room to spend on FAs.

Unless the Pacers want to move a higher-paid guy (Toppin?) or trade more future first-round picks (I guess 2031 is freed up now), it's hard for me to imagine them making meaningful upgrades.
Sam
3:47
Does Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert start next season with wolves?
Luke Adams
3:47
I'm guessing at least one of them will be gone.
MDJ
3:47
11th pick and what to get Jones, and Murphy from NOP? Probably Jimmy outgoing for salary.
Luke Adams
3:48
Jones and Murphy? Think the Pelicans would probably ask for all the first-rounders the Warriors could legally trade, especially if they have to take back Butler's maximum-salary contract. I think that'd probably be an overpay, but the Pels have made it clear they're not giving those guys away unless they get overpaid.
Brandon O
3:48
How do the magic get better? Feels like they’ve blown their chances as they are maxed on salary and are nowhere near a championship team
Luke Adams
3:51
Yeah, they don't have many tradable picks left either, though they could move the 2032 first-rounder.

The way Jeff Weltman was talking at the end of the season, it sounds like he still believes in this roster if the team has better health luck and the right coach, so I'm sorta skeptical they'll do anything too drastic. But I still wonder about the long-term viability of the Banchero/Wagner duo. I feel like the roster would make more sense if they could trade one of them for 2-3 solid role players (ideally some quality shooters).
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