Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/19/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on the draft.
Unclemike1526
11:01
Art- OK 4 days until he draft. Do you think this will be a wild and crazy draft with tons of moves or will everyone basically stay put and just draft? What are the rumors flying around? Thanks.
ARTHUR HILL
11:08
I expect the lottery to be pretty quiet, but there could be a lot of deals in the second half of the first round. The top four teams aren't looking to trade down, and the Clippers seem happy with all the prospects they've worked out. Assuming they take Wagler at No. 5, the Nets will have their choice of Brown or Acuff at No. 6, and the Kings will probably take the other one at No. 7. Atlanta might consider moving the eighth pick, but it's also a good opportunity for the Hawks to add size to a pretty set roster. For trades, I would watch some of the teams with multiple first-rounders (especially the Thunder, Hornets and Hawks) and teams trying to move late-first rounders for cap reasons.
theBigLip
11:08
Is Stewart, Holland and #21 enough for Detroit to get Trey Murphy?
ARTHUR HILL
11:15
The Pelicans have made no secret that they want to trade into the first round, and it's the type of deal they should be looking for -- a potential starter, a good young prospect and a pick that's not too far down to be helpful. It's also a good move for the Pistons, who get a much-needed shooter without touching their core other than Stewart. However, there's a lot of interest around the league in Murphy, who's signed to a reasonable contract for the next three years, and other teams may be able to top Detroit's offer. I think the Pistons should be willing to add a future first-rounder if that's what it takes to get Murphy.
Don
11:16
Would a sign trade sending Kessler to Altanta and Kuminga and the 23rd pick to Utah make sense for both teams. I just think that Atlanta has to get some experienced rim protection and not sure where Kuminga’s minutes are coming from.  I think Rissacher might be a better long term fit with his better 3pt shooting.
ARTHUR HILL
11:22
There was a report this week that Kessler is unhappy with the progress of negotiations, but I don't think the Jazz are going to let him go. They still view him as the rebounder and rim protector that's necessary to make the combination of Lauri Markkanen and JJJ successful. The Hawks would certainly be willing to part with Kuminga and the 23rd pick to get a legitimate defensive force at center, but I'm not sure that Kuminga would have a clearer role in Utah than he does in Atlanta. A lot of teams have expressed interest in Kessler, but I don't think it's going to matter. The Jazz are either going to negotiate a new deal or match whatever offer he lands as a restricted free agent.
JD
11:23
Is Peterson or Dybantsa the best choice for the Wizards? Who would you take?
ARTHUR HILL
11:29
Rumors are beginning to sprout that Peterson has made such a strong impression on the Wizards that he's becoming the new favorite to be taken at No. 1. We don't know how he looked at his private workouts or what he said in his interviews with team officials, but from everything I saw during their college careers, Dybantsa looks like the better player. He has a combination of size and scoring touch that's extremely rare, and his offensive skills seem certain to transfer to the NBA level. Dybantsa has looked like a sure thing to me since I first saw him at BYU, and it would be a huge risk for any front office to let him slip to another team. The Wizards may be seriously considering both prospects, but I expect Dybantsa to be their pick.
theBigLip
11:30
Denver, Lakers, Minnesota, Cleveland, Orlando, Golden State - all seem like 2nd tier teams, not Championship level in their current state.Who would you expect to get things fixed for next season to get back to “elite”?
ARTHUR HILL
11:37
Of that group, the Nuggets are probably the closest to "elite" status. Denver could theoretically keep its roster together and re-sign Peyton Watson if the front office was willing to be more aggressive about spending. But even if they have to move Cameron Johnson to accommodate Watson's new deal, that's not a huge loss. The Nuggets don't need any major moves this summer to get back to contender status. Jokic and Murray are still an elite combination that shouldn't be broken up. If they can find some low-cost shooters on the free agent market, I like the Nuggets' chances better than those other teams.
DJ Clutch
11:37
How do you like the Rockets new unis?  If you were Stone what type of moves would you be eyeing this offseason?
ARTHUR HILL
11:42
Adding a touch of yellow to Houston's uniforms is a welcome nod to the past, and the new look should be very popular with Rockets fans. There was a lot of speculation about changes during the playoff collapse, but I expect GM Rafael Stone to take a conservative approach this summer. Fred VanVleet got hurt before training camp last year, and it sounds like the organization still has a strong belief in a version of the roster that includes VanVleet and Kevin Durant playing together. The only way I see that changing is if Jaylen Brown becomes available as part of a Giannis trade. Adding another star-level scorer would be worth breaking up more of the young core, and I think Ime Udoka would love to coach Brown again.
Lebron James
11:42
The Lakers aren’t offering me what I’m worth.  Can I convince them to play ball on a three-way sign-and-trade deal that gets them Michael Porter Jr. and a pick?  I think everyone wins here:  Nets get multiple firsts and can flip Butler again at the deadline, Lakers get a guy to run JJ Redick actions,
ARTHUR HILL
11:51
So LeBron to the Warriors, Jimmy Butler and draft assets to the Nets and Michael Porter Jr. and a pick to the Lakers? I can see the benefits for all three teams. If LeBron decides to leave L.A., Golden State looks like the landing spot. He'd be happy with a deal that keeps his salary high and gives him a chance to team up with Stephen Curry. Porter is coming off the best scoring season of his career and would benefit from playing alongside Luka Doncic. Brooklyn doesn't expect to win right away, and Butler could turn into the most sought-after asset at the trade deadline. The major sticking point is LeBron, who I think prefers to stay with the Lakers, but this is a reasonable deal for everyone.
Jon Horst
11:51
If I don't get any offers I'm in love with for Giannis by draft day, do I keep these sweepstakes going into the summer or is it in my best interest to take the best offer available at the time (Miami's?) and end the drama?
ARTHUR HILL
11:58
As numerous observers have pointed out, Miami's offer hasn't really changed since it was first made, but no one has topped it. If Boston isn't willing to part with Jaylen Brown in a three-team deal that sends draft assets and young talent to Milwaukee, then the status quo may not change by draft night. While the whole league probably wants the Giannis saga to end soon, there's not much reason to stick to a self-imposed deadline. The Miami offer will likely remain on the table all summer, and who knows what else might change. Giannis remains a major talent, and Bucks GM Jon Horst shouldn't accept a deal that doesn't really excite him.
Mardy
11:58
The Kawhi Leonard to the Warriors rumors continue. If the Warriors can offer Kawhi a better chance of competing for a title, and a larger extension, and they can offer the Clippers another lottery pick, why wouldn't Kawhi and the Clippers consider the change of scenery scenario that could be better for both parties long term.
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
I'm not convinced that the Clippers want to move Leonard. He's coming off the highest-scoring season of his career at age 34, and he stayed healthy enough to play in 65 games. I think L.A. hopes to build a real contender around Leonard and Darius Garland, rather than start a rebuilding project. Things could obviously change if the Aspiration report is a disaster or if they can't come to terms on an extension, but the odds seem low for either of those outcomes. The Clippers are more likely to trade their own pick at No. 5 for veteran help than to part with Leonard for another lottery selection.
theBigLip
12:07
What is Jabari Smith’s trade value? Any chance he could be had this offseason?
ARTHUR HILL
12:14
I think the only way the Rockets part with Smith is if he has to be included to get a major star, like the Jaylen Brown deal I mentioned earlier. He's still only 23 and is part of the young core that Houston had to tank repeatedly to assemble. The extension that kicks in next season (five years at $122MM) may turn out to be a bargain. He's coming off the best shooting season of his career and clearly benefitted from having Kevin Durant as a teammate. Unless the Rockets get a trade offer that's too good to pass up, he'll be in Houston for a long time.
Unclemike1526
12:14
Have there been any rumors about who Splitter might might hire to be his assistant coaches? Since Stackhouse doesn't seem to be getting any consideration as a Head Coach this cycle do you think he might be a choice? I think he'll be one someday. Thanks.
ARTHUR HILL
12:18
Stackhouse has won Coach of the Year honors in the former D-League and in the SEC and spent time working under Steve Kerr with the Warriors. I don't know if he has any connections to Sweeney, but he seems like an excellent addition for the Bulls to consider if he wants to get back into coaching.
12:19
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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