Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/11/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a couple of questions about De'Aaron Fox.
Corban
11:01
Do the Spurs need to move on from De'aaron Fox to allow Dylan Harper the room to grow? If so, what package do you think he would bring back? (Yes, this question came to me after THAT play)
ARTHUR HILL
11:12
Spurs fans are understandably frustrated with Fox this morning after his decision to attempt a layup that was blocked in the closing seconds of Game 4 rather than dribble out the clock and wait to be fouled. It's not the type of judgment you expect from the veteran leader of your backcourt. The Spurs were always going to face a tough decision on Fox, whom they acquired last February without any idea that they would be fortunate enough to draft Dylan Harper. Harper's rapid development may speed up the timeline, as he looks like a future star and deserves a larger role. Fox is only 28 and offers many good qualities, but he's about to become very expensive when his four-year max extension kicks in next season. Rival teams will become less willing to give up assets as he gets older, so it feels like this summer is the right time to make a move. Adding another reliable shooter would be ideal, but the purpose of any trade would be to free up a starting role for Harper and get out from under Fox's contract.
Nets fan Dan
11:12
I felt De'Aaron Fox was on a bad contract BEFORE this series. 30% of the cap is too much for a guard who can't shoot or defend well and is just an okay passer. What should the Spurs include to swap him for MPJ? What picks? And should the Nets do that if we don't draft a PG?
ARTHUR HILL
11:20
If the Nets decide to be aggressive about improving next season, they're probably the best landing spot for Fox. Acquiring him would free them up to focus on another position with the No. 6 pick or maybe even trade down and pick up some more assets. Fox isn't a bad player to have for a young team like Brooklyn that can afford his salary. The Spurs have plenty of draft capital that they can use to entice a team to take Fox's contract, including the No. 20 pick this year. I wouldn't give up Carter Bryant or anyone from the current rotation, but that shouldn't be necessary to find a taker for Fox.
Cale
11:20
Anyway the Spurs can bounce back from last night's loss or is the series over?
ARTHUR HILL
11:28
It's devastating to blow a 29-point lead, and then to have the game in hand and lose it because of poor decision making and missed free throws. While it's an incredibly tough loss to overcome, the Spurs have proven to be resilient throughout the playoffs, and there's a good chance that Mitch Johnson will have them refocused by the time Game 5 tips off Saturday night. Letting Game 2 slip away was also disappointing, but San Antonio recovered by turning in its best game of the series on Monday. The Spurs have looked like the more talented team for most of the Finals, but haven't shown the ability to close out games. That's not surprising for such a young team. Every game has been close, so Knicks fans shouldn't be celebrating yet
Corban
11:28
With the draft looming, I am curious: who are your favorite 2026 draft guard prospects, and what is about their games is most exciting to you?
ARTHUR HILL
11:38
There are a lot of guards in the mix after the top four picks are off the board, but they're not really the same type of players. Keaton Wagler will fit in well with most teams because of his size and ability to handle both guard positions, but I believe Darius Acuff has the best chance to develop into a star. He admittedly has defensive liabilities, but he's a big-time scorer who's not afraid to attack the basket. Some scouts believe Mikel Brown is the best of the bunch, but we didn't get to see much of him in college. He's a great passer who knows how to break down defenses. Kingston Flemings offers speed and defense, while Brandon Burries is a solid contributor on both ends of the court, so it's a really strong guard class.
Wack100NBA
11:38
Just trying to understand sign-and-trade contracts. Does the contract have to be for a minimum of 3 years, or can the deal have a shorter length?
ARTHUR HILL
11:42
NBA rules require sign-and-trades to cover three or four seasons, but only the first year needs to be fully guaranteed. That provision won't matter much with top-level free agents, who aren't going to accept a contract with non-guaranteed seasons, but it could be useful for other players who are willing to take that risk to get to a desired team.
Jon Horst
11:42
Let's assume I take the Heat's offer for Giannis. What other moves should I make this off-season after that?
ARTHUR HILL
11:51
The reported offer is Tyler Herro, Kel'El Ware, Jaime Jaquez and draft assets, which gives the Bucks a solid foundation to start rebuilding. Ware would be the center of the future, so the obvious first move is to find a taker for Myles Turner. The 30-year-old center was signed last summer in a desperation move that really didn't work out for him or the team. Milwaukee may also gauge the market for Herro, but it's not bad for him to stick around for a year or so as a reliable scorer, and I think Jaquez is worth keeping. The Bucks should take whatever they can get in return for Kyle Kuzma and start shopping Bobby Portis, who could have real value for a contender. Above all, GM Jon Horst should be patient and realize that the post-Giannis rebuild will take some time. No more short-sighted moves in hopes of winning right away.
Unclemike1526
11:51
Hey Art there is talk going around about how the Bulls are after Wagler while keeping #4. The only way I see this happening is if the Bulls move Giddey. Would Giddey be a fit for any team in Wagler's range? I don't see any way that the Bulls have anything to pair with 15 other than future 1st's which I'm not doing if I'm them. I remember the Vujevic trade that stalled the franchise that they just got out from. I don't see it as feasible. You? Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that Chicago is hoping to land another pick in the 7-10 range, which is why Wagler, Kingston Flemings, Mikel Brown and Nate Ament all worked out for the team recently. I think that's too low for Wagler, who will probably come off the board at No. 5 or 6. The most willing trade partner I see for the Bulls is the Nets, who hold the sixth pick and might be looking for a quick improvement since they don't have their first-round pick next year. Giddey is an affordable lead guard to build around, but I don't know if he and the No. 15 pick are enough to entice Brooklyn. I agree that Chicago shouldn't part with future first-rounders to move up a few spots. They need to operate like a rebuilding team and hold onto those assets.
Mardy
12:01
Darius Garland would be an incredible fit alongside Cade Cunningham. Should the Pistons inquire about Darius trade status if the Clippers are going to draft a point guard with their 2026 first round pick?
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
The Pistons badly need another playmaker and scorer to take some of the offensive load off Cunningham, and Garland checks both boxes. He's a little pricey at $42.2MM next season, but Detroit could incorporate that salary with some other roster moves. I don't believe the Clippers intend to part with him, though. I think they were happy to get him in exchange for James Harden and intend to build the roster around Garland and Kawhi Leonard. L.A. figures to get a slew of good offers for the No. 5 pick, and it seems more likely that they will decide to trade down or pick up an established star rather than stay where they are and draft a lead guard.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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