Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/22/2026
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Luke Adams
3:37
I understand why the Kings would expect a first-rounder back for Sabonis, but I'm not sure paying that sort of price makes sense for either the Hornets or Raptors, both of whom would probably be better off with a slightly different kind of center.
Dylan
3:37
This was in regards to a question I had about not this offseason but a future offseason. A trade where a superstar gets tired of not getting over or back over the hump. Like Giannis or Rockets Harden
Luke Adams
3:38
My mistake. I'd keep an eye on Edwards beginning in 2027 if Minnesota has an early playoff exit next season -- especially if he falls short of meeting the super-max criteria again and the Wolves aren't able to offer him that 35% of the cap.
Foggirn
3:39
Any chance the Pistons move up the draft to pick someone like, say, Lendeborg? What would it take? 21st pick and Holland, maybe? More?
Luke Adams
3:40
I think Holland's value at this point is pretty modest. Would depend on how far exactly they'd need to move up (is Lendeborg gonna go at 11 or could he slip to 14 or 15?), but I expect they'd need to include at least a future first-round pick to make that sort of move.
3:41
For comparison's sake, last year the Blazers gave up a future first-rounder and two second-rounders to go from No. 16 to No. 11.
Who says no?
3:41
The basis of Fox for Randle? With picks and/or smaller pieces being moved.
Luke Adams
3:42
I don't hate it from an on-court perspective for either team, but I think that Fox contract would be problematic for a Wolves team that's already facing a bit of a cap crunch.
Clipper nation
3:42
As a clipper fan any chance they go with mikel brown instead of wagler? I am concern with wagler not being athletic enough. Do we trade kawhi and get a 2nd lottery and if so who do we target?
Luke Adams
3:43
If the reporting about that No. 5 pick is to be believed and the Clippers aren't throwing up smoke-screens, it sounds like the pick will probably come down to Brown vs. Wagler -- I could see them going either direction.

I'd be surprised at this point if Kawhi is moved. Sounds like Ballmer has no appetite for that sort of deal, and Leonard has given no indication he wants to leave L.A.
KJ
3:43
I know it's early but are you taking 9th different champion or 1 of the previous 8 gets a chip?
Luke Adams
3:45
Hmm, let's see. So it's Warriors, Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, Nuggets, Celtics, Thunder, and Knicks vs. the field? The field has some intriguing candidates, starting with the Spurs and some Eastern teams (Pistons, Pacers, Cavs), but I think I like those eight a bit more.
Bobby Portis
3:45
Who will I be playing for at the start of the season and what is my current trade value?
Luke Adams
3:47
I think your value is slightly positive, but probably not first-round pick positive, unless the Bucks are taking a bad contract back.

I like the Pistons a lot as a potential fit. Your ability to stretch the floor would slot in well there. That could make sense in a Herro/Giannis three-team scenario, but if Giannis goes to Boston, it'd be a little trickier to get you to Detroit.
Arcman
3:48
Any chance the warriors buy a 2nd round pick since they been looking at a lot of second round players? In the past they bought 2nd round picks.
Luke Adams
3:49
Definitely a possibility, especially if they think they'd benefit from carrying an extra rookie-minimum guy on their salary cap next season. I'd keep an eye on the Bulls, Spurs, Wizards, Clippers, Rockets, and Kings as possible trade partners -- they all control multiple second-rounders.
C$
3:50
If the Mavs trade back with OKC, who do you think they target?  Don’t think I like the idea as there is a clear 2nd tier of guards that most boards have ranked from 5-9.  Definitely seems to be a drop off after 10 as well (1 of Ament or Mara probably go top 10).  If you could pick up Philon/Morez fine, but both are probably gone by 15….
Luke Adams
3:52
Hard to overlook the fact that three Michigan guys (Mara, Lendeborg, Johnson) are projected to be picked in roughly that 8-15 range. I imagine the Mavs could get one of them if they traded back from 9 to 12.
Bad news Barnes
3:52
so what is the realistic trade value of "Beef Stew" by the pistons? Reasonable contract -- but what does that get you?
Luke Adams
3:53
I have to admit I'm a bit surprised that it seems like Stewart is so available. He's a really strong defender and is willing to shoot a little. And his contract, as you say, is pretty reasonable.

If they trade him, I assume it'd be part of a package for a higher-salary player rather than on his own, but he'd certainly strengthen the value of that package. He's a good player who will probably be playing rotation minutes for a playoff team next season, even if it's not in Detroit.
ZoMama33
3:54
Do you think the Heat could swing getting Sabonis and Morant if the Giannis thing falls apart. It obviously feels like Jimmy is trying to get one over on the Heat.
Luke Adams
3:56
They'd certainly be able to acquire one of the two. Getting both would be a bit trickier, since you'd need to send out so much outgoing salary (Herro+ for one, Wiggins+ for the other). I'm also not necessarily sure that would make them a better team, given the health issues those guys dealt with last year (or longer than that, for Morant). Would be risky.
Guest
3:56
If the Bulls offered Tre Jones and Jalen Smith as cost-controlled solid role-players for Jarrett Allen and Cleveland's 29th pick this year who says no? I know Cleveland has to be looking to shed salary and that could net the Bulls a center that prevents them from overpaying for Kessler?
Luke Adams
3:57
Cavs say no. If they're trading Allen, they could do better than that.
Joe
3:58
Sixers roster will probably be static this off-season. There’s not much room for change. What would you do if you were the new head of basketball  operations?
Luke Adams
3:59
You probably have to be patient and wait out those Embiid and George contracts. In the meantime, just try to keep adding young talent and finding undervalued free agent bargains. As they showed this year, they're still capable of winning playoff series with the current group if Embiid and George can stay healthy.
Jaylen Brown
4:00
If Giannis deal does not work out for Boston, am I definitely moving somewhere else? And what kind of package will return?
Luke Adams
4:03
It'd be fascinating to see how Brown would react to that and whether the Celtics would feel comfortable bringing him back after his involvement in these Giannis rumors. I thought going into the offseason that the Celtics could still win with the Tatum/Brown duo, and I still believe that. I also think it might be tricky to extract fair value for him if other teams view him as someone who's unhappy in Boston.

In theory, Miami should be willing to offer most of the pieces in their Giannis package for Brown, but if they win the Giannis sweepstakes, that option's off the table. Maybe a team like Portland or Atlanta would be your best bet to get a big haul back.
4:04
Thanks for all your questions today, guys! Enjoy the draft the next two days. We'll be back on Thursday with Arthur's weekly live chat for Front Office subscribers.

I'm not sure yet about the timing of my chat next week, since next Monday will be a very busy day (deadline for option and QO decisions), but I'll try to find time to do this again before or during free agency.

Have a great week.
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