Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/7/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Bulls.
Unclemike1526
11:01
Now that we know who the leader of the Bulls is that's only 1 of the questions here. He said at the presser that he values long, and strong players who can switch up on defense, So that should end the PF-C drought here anyway. But they also need shooters. Who are some of the long and tall shooters and players of that ilk that they could target? Quaintance is a no go for me because of health. but other guys. Hopefully we draft higher than 9th but we'll see Sunday. LOL. Thanks Art
ARTHUR HILL
11:09
The Bulls could really use a top-four pick to accelerate their rebuild, but if they stay at No. 9 and prioritize shooting, the best choice is Brayden Burries of Arizona. He doesn't provide a lot of size at 6'4", but he shot 39% from three-point range in college and could be a good backcourt partner for Josh Giddey. I agree that Quaintance is too much of a gamble to consider. The Bulls just had one first-round pick miss nearly an entire season, and they won't want to go through that again. Chicago needs to hit on both of its first-rounders, so Bryson Graham was probably the right hire, given his track record with the draft. Bulls fans can have more confidence in his ability identify young talent than they did with the previous regime.
Unclemike1526
11:09
In a separate question why does the NBA hold FA AFTER the draft? I believe it's the only sport that does that, It's backwards. Thanks.
ARTHUR HILL
11:13
The NBA is also unique because it crowns a champion, then moves immediately onto the draft and free agency, sometimes all in the same week. I don't know if there's any sound reason for holding the draft first, other than it's always been done that way. There was a push to change it a few years ago, with the Rockets introducing a formal proposal, but it never went anywhere. Both processes carry some unpredictability, and I think NBA GMs have gotten comfortable with having the draft first, then addressing other needs on the free agent market.
Chris Finch
11:13
Do I deserve to be mentioned more often as one of the NBA's best coaches? There aren't many others who have won 5 playoff series in the last 3 years
ARTHUR HILL
11:20
Finch's reputation should be growing as the Timberwolves continue to post impressive wins in the playoffs. They're always well-prepared and ready to exploit matchup advantages, and Finch proved this year that he can win even when the roster is short-handed. Pulling out the series against Denver after injuries to Dante DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards was truly impressive work. Maybe it will take a Finals run to elevate Finch into the discussion of the league's elite coaches, but I think he already has that reputation with NBA insiders.
TrusttheProcess
11:20
I think the Sixers will lose the series to the Knicks. If that happens, do you see Josh Harris giving contract extensions to both Nick Nurse and Daryl Morey this offseason?
ARTHUR HILL
11:29
I don't think a second-round exit will make Harris confident enough to give them extensions, but they both probably saved their jobs with the upset of Boston. Considering the expensive roster that Morey put together, with huge financial commitments to two often-injured veterans in Joel Embiid and Paul George, there would have been calls for change in Philadelphia this summer with an early playoff ouster. Nurse may not have survived either, although he's done fine under difficult circumstances. I think the Sixers will have to become one of the top teams in the East before Morey and Nurse get extensions, and that's going to be tough to do with Embiid and George playing so rarely.
Guest
11:29
I know the Bucks can't get the #1 pick but if they end up in the top 4, would that make Giannis more likely to stay in Milwaukee?
ARTHUR HILL
11:39
The talent surrounding Giannis was pretty anemic this season, but there's a chance for rapid improvement if Milwaukee gets lucky on lottery night. He might be excited about the prospect of playing alongside a potentially elite scorer like AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson, who would create more room for him to operate in the paint. The hiring of Taylor Jenkins gives them a coach who's ready to win right away if Giannis decides to stay, and the prospect of a massive extension could convince him to stick around and see if things improve over the next year or two. However, the Bucks only have a 13.9% chance of moving into the top four, so this is a remote scenario.
Chip
11:39
How are offensive players allowed to throw elbows, push off on the defenders and not have a fouls called ? When did they take the "carry" penalty out of the rule book as it is NEVER called ?
ARTHUR HILL
11:45
The NBA made a decision a couple of decades ago to bend its rules to create more offense, and that has morphed into the current situation where offensive players are able to get away with more than ever. There are some clear violations that occur that never would have been permitted in the '80s or '90s. Some players obviously get away with more than others, giving them an unfair advantage over their defenders. That may never change - the league has always protected its stars - but the rules committee should study some game tapes over the summer to see if this is really what they want their product to look like.
Scott S.
11:45
Think the Celtics regret trading away Simons? Is there a chance he'd return to Boston as a FA?
ARTHUR HILL
11:52
Simons was viewed as expendable from the time the Celtics acquired him because of his high salary and impending free agency. But he turned into a productive bench scorer and was much more valuable than Nikola Vucevic, who he was ultimately traded for. Due to injuries, he barely played in Chicago after the deal and probably won't be a priority for the Bulls to re-sign. If he's willing to accept a salary reduction at this point in his career, returning to Boston for the MLE makes some sense, but he's only 26 and will probably get better offers.
Ludwig’s Layup
11:52
Anything significant via trades to be expected by the Hawks, or will they keep their core as is and simply add the lottery pick and keep moving forward?
ARTHUR HILL
12:00
Although the Hawks' playoff run ended in embarrassing fashion, they seem happy with the progress they made this season. They moved on from the Trae Young era and constructed a roster built around defense and length. GM Onsi Saleh indicated that he plans to hold onto both of his first-round selections, and the pick they got from New Orleans should add another rotation player even if it doesn't move into the top four. Atlanta is moving in the right direction, so I don't expect any offseason blockbusters. The biggest issues will be new contracts for CJ McCollum and  possibly Jonathan Kuminga.
Cale
12:00
Thoughts on the number of playoff games on streaming services? GOod thing or bad?
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
The new networks involved in the record-setting media deal had to be given something, and one of those perks was exclusive rights to show a few playoff games. That means games on streaming services such as Peacock and Amazon Prime aren't available to a wide audience like they were when Turner held the broadcast rights. Unfortunately, that resulted in the Minnesota-San Antonio series opener, which might have been the best game of this year's playoffs and would have been an excellent showcase for the league, not being seen by a lot of casual fans. I understand why it had to be done, but it carries a risk of alienating viewers, who have a lot of other choices when the NBA games aren't available.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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