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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/24/2022
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Luke Adams
12:00
Thanks for all the early questions, guys! I'm running a little behind, but we'll get underway within the next five minutes.
12:04
OK! Apologies for the delay. Let's get to it...
NBA Draft Combine
12:04
Lots of angst from Front Office reps about the Lack of Prospects willing to play at the Draft combine.  You can only learn so much from measuring a Player's height, weight, wingspan, etc.   How can the League make the Combine more useful to Teams as Agents are really against their Players participating in the 5-on-5 games.
Luke Adams
12:07
I don't know if the NBA has to make any major changes to the combine scrimmage requirements. I got the sense that there were more prospects who increased their stock last week based on their performances than those who harmed their stock. If you ask front offices, they'd probably be more concerned about making sure they can get medical information from every player in the draft rather than trying to get all of them participating in the scrimmages.
That's something that would have to be collectively bargained, so we'll see if it's a factor in the next round of CBA talks.
GM Harry
12:07
If the Sixers trade Thybulle (and Green most likely a FA) who would start in his place? Any FA bargains out there or trade pieces that wouldn’t cost much?
Luke Adams
12:09
Green's injury is one big reason I don't think the Sixers will end up trading Thybulle. They'll need solid perimeter defenders to take pressure off Harden and to make sure they're not leaving Embiid on an island, so trading their best one isn't the best plan.
12:11
Relying on free agency for solid defensive players that won't hurt you on offense is risky, but maybe the Sixers could take a look at some Taurean Prince, Kyle Anderson, or Danuel House types. Morey signed House in Houston, for what it's worth.
Heat vs Celtics series
12:11
So Heat play well in the Odd numbered games and the Celtics play well in the Even numbered games.  Means the Heat will Win game 5, No ?
Luke Adams
12:12
You'd think so, but I'm expecting someone to go off script at some point. Wouldn't shock me if it's the Celtics in Game 5. They've looked more dominant in their wins than the Heat have in theirs.
Davewadena
12:13
What would the Timberwolves have to trade to move up into the  top 3 in the draft?
Luke Adams
12:13
Far more than they'd be willing to give up. I'd be pretty surprised if any of the top three picks in this year's draft are moved.
Question asker
12:14
How does your top 3 in the draft rank?
Luke Adams
12:16
I can certainly find reasons to second-guess both Jabari Smith (low 2PT%) and Chet Holmgren (slight frame), but they're probably my 1-2, in that order, followed by Paolo Banchero.
RapsMania
12:16
If you were the Raptors, which free agent options is better? Nurkic in a sign and and trade (nominal draft pick) above the MLE or Bamba at just under the MLE, say around 8mill/per year. Both are 3 or 4 yr contracts.
Luke Adams
12:18
The problem with the Nurkic scenario is matching his salary. Depending on what you're paying him, it might be tricky to get there with just Birch + minor pieces. That's one reason I'd probably favor Bamba. I don't think the Raptors need to spend big on a center, and he'd fit in well in their long, versatile frontcourt.
Trog
12:18
Would you enjoy seeing each G League team be a direct pipeline to their parent club for talent? (Like how AAA and MLB function.)
Luke Adams
12:20
I wouldn't mind seeing that as long as NBA teams were investing a little more heavily in salaries for G League players. If you're going to take away their freedom to sign with any NBA team during the season, I think you've gotta pay them more.
aol Ted
12:20
Beal to the Kings for 4+Davion? IMO would allow the Wiz to rebuild + Kings can hopefully break into the playoffs
Luke Adams
12:22
Not sure that's the right fit for the Kings if they're willing to move the No. 4 pick. A Fox/Beal/Sabonis core would be fun offensively but a potential disaster on defense.
Goyo
12:22
Any updates if Portland will trade the no. 7 pick or draft someone? Or trade down for multiple picks?
Luke Adams
12:23
That No. 7 pick is one that keeps getting mentioned as one that league personnel expect to be up for grabs, but it's too early to say for sure. We're still nearly a month away from the draft and those kind of deals generally don't materialize until we're less than a week away.
Question asker
12:24
is Zach really thinking about leaving? Can the bulls soften the blow with a sign and trade? If Zach just walks and they don’t get a return what does that say about the bulls? Cause I’m worried
Luke Adams
12:25
It can be hard to tell at this point in the offseason which rumors are real and which ones are being floated for leverage. The LaVine rumors feel like the latter to me -- it seems like his camp wants to make sure the Bulls are prepared to pay the max for him, so they're floating some other potential suitors to show that LaVine has other options.
12:26
It's possible this take will look silly in 4-5 weeks, but for now I still think the Bulls are the heavy favorites to sign LaVine.
LemonPepperWings
12:26
If the Sixers trade Tobias Harris, should they look to get A 3-and-D player in return?
Luke Adams
12:28
If the Sixers move Harris, it's probably because they have a specific target lined up. He's more valuable to Philly on the court right now than he is as a trade chip, so they'd need a good reason to trade him.
MFFL Jam
12:29
It's amazing what the Mavs have accomplished without a true rim protector.  Since the Mavs have no cap space, I'm thinking Drummond or Robinson are more realistic with the mid level, maybe a sign & trade for Mo Bamba.  Drafting Kolonko could possibly help as well.
Luke Adams
12:31
Those are realistic targets at that price. I'd expect Robinson and Bamba to require most or all of the full non-taxpayer MLE, while Drummond could probably be had at a lesser rate. The issue will be whether the Mavs will even have that full MLE available if they re-sign Brunson to a lucrative new deal. I haven't looked too hard at their cap situation yet since their season isn't over.
Magic
12:32
Can the Lakers realistically expect to contend with the same roster and a different coach? Obviously fewer injuries would help, but are they pretty much limited to hitting on minimum salary guys?
Luke Adams
12:33
I don't see a way the Lakers can significantly improve if they're not willing to put their 2027 and/or 2029 first-rounders up for grabs in trade talks. I suppose it's possible that Westbrook, THT, and Nunn have nice bounce-back years, LeBron and AD stay healthy, and they hit gold with the taxpayer MLE and a few minimum-salary guys, but I wouldn't feel very confident counting on that.
Draft
12:34
Who is the most intriguing draft prospect in your opinion outside of the consensus top 3?
Luke Adams
12:36
I like Keegan Murray a lot. His ceiling isn't as high as some other guys in the lottery, but I think he'll be a solid pro. If we're talking upside, Shaedon Sharpe and Ousmane Dieng are pretty intriguing to me, and Jeremy Sochan would be very interesting if he can improve his jump shot.
Zaro
12:36
For the Hawks, wouldn't they need to do some sort of massive trade to attain a TPE to fit LaVine? Or am I misunderstanding their cap situation?
Luke Adams
12:39
They wouldn't necessarily need a TPE if they were to acquire LaVine via sign-and-trade and sent out enough salary to match his incoming figure. But I think it's been undersold how tricky a LaVine S&T would be. Base year compensation rules would make any deal very complicated, since it would result in a major gap between his incoming and outgoing salaries for matching purposes.
Doc
12:39
Can Sixers make it past second round by keeping the band together and signing reliable minimum salary veterans to deepen the bench? Our lack of depth really hurt us this year.
Luke Adams
12:42
I'd probably want to do a little more than just sign minimum-salary free agents (maybe there are trades to be made, or a mini-MLE guy to target), but I do think there's something to be said for the argument that the Sixers could be better with a full season of Harden/Embiid and a couple more reliable depth pieces.
12:43
It's very rare for a team that acquires an impact player at the deadline to immediately see that move pay dividends. Just look at Chicago with Vucevic last year, or Sacramento with Sabonis this year. I bet Harden will be better next year, especially if his hamstring issues don't linger.
David
12:44
How many years does the new Lakers coach get and how long a leash would he have on let's say a three-year deal?
Luke Adams
12:45
Well, Frank Vogel got three years, won a title in year one, and was still gone after three. I'd be surprised if the Lakers were willing to give their new guy a five-year deal or anything, and even if they do, I don't think he'd be a lock to last more than a couple years if the results aren't there.
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