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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/24/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:03
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Hawks.
Steve 8
11:04
What would it take for the Hawks to move up in the top 5 for Ace Bailey? Would Char be interested in Okongwu and 13, for the #4 pick?
ARTHUR HILL
11:11
I think that offer would definitely get the Hornets' attention. There's not a sure thing available at the No. 4 pick, and Okongwu would give them a ready-made starting center, freeing them up to find a new deal for Mark Williams after trying to send him to the Lakers in February. However, Atlanta appears to like Okongwu a lot and wouldn't have an easy replacement with Clint Capela heading into free agency, so there would need to be a plan to add a new center. Also, they may not have to trade into the top five to get Bailey. The Wizards at No. 6 and the Nets at No. 8 should also have interest in Okongwu if Bailey starts to slide.
Guest
11:11
So the 10th, 16th and 23rd picks have already been traded in the last week. How many more first-rounders will get moved by the end of Wednesday?
ARTHUR HILL
11:20
I expect more trades than usual this year, especially once the draft moves beyond the lottery. The Hawks and Thunder don't really need multiple first-rounders, so the picks at 22 and 24 could certainly be available. The Wolves may also move No. 17 rather than add another guaranteed salary to their roster as they try to re-sign their free agents. There are a few teams that have talked about moving up into the first round, so I think there will be a lot of action on draft night.
Celticsfan44
11:20
What's the chances that Simmons expiring contract gets moved again to cut more salary? Could doing that along with trading Hauser allow them to get below the 2nd tier and keep Kristaps?
ARTHUR HILL
11:25
The Celtics are looking at every option to cut salary this summer, so it's definitely not certain that Anfernee Simons will still be on the roster when training camp opens. Simons and Hauser make a combined $37.7MM next season, so unloading their salaries could help the Celtics in their effort to duck below the second apron, depending on what contracts they have to take back. I believe they'd prefer to keep Porzingis if they can work it out, assuming he fully recovers this summer from his lingering illness. He was a big part of the 2024 championship run, and Boston would like to preserve as much of the core of that team as possible if they can make it work financially.
Brian Gregory
11:26
Thoughts on the return in my first big trade as Suns GM? Did I do OK given the leverage KD had in the process or should I have held out for more?
ARTHUR HILL
11:33
Once Durant made it public that he only planned to sign an extension with the Rockets, Spurs or Heat, Gregory's options really became limited. Other interested teams such as the Timberwolves and Raptors were dissuaded from making their best offers, and the three teams on Durant's list knew they could low-ball Phoenix. San Antonio reportedly didn't make an offer at all, while Miami's final offer is being reported as Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, two bench players and the No. 20 pick in the draft. Under the circumstances, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th pick looks like a pretty good return.
11:34
Green is still young enough to reach the potential that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, and Brooks brings the grittiness that owner Mat Ishbia pined for in his end-of-season press conference. Brooks helped to change the culture in Houston, and he's a good first step toward doing the same thing in Phoenix. Plus the No. 10 pick is a welcome addition for a team whose draft assets are depleted. It's probably less than the Suns expected to get for Durant, but it's still a decent haul.
Unclemike1526
11:34
Has it been authenticated the Bulls were offered 2 first round picks and a player for Coby White and said no? Because whoever did that should be fired not extended. Thoughts?
ARTHUR HILL
11:44
I don't think it's been authenticated, but I saw the report that before trading for Desmond Bane, Orlando offered Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, two first-rounders and a pick swap for White. If it's true, that's a deal the Bulls should have jumped on while they had the chance. White has put together two very good seasons, but he's a year away from free agency and I don't see how Chicago can build a competitive team by giving big money to both him and Josh Giddey. The offers for White aren't going to improve as he gets closer to hitting the open market, and I agree that passing on a deal like that shouldn't result in an extension.
Ace Bailey
11:44
I'm getting a lot of hate for how I'm handling the draft process but doesnt it sorta make sense for me to do all I can to avoid a situation like Reed Sheppard's, where I barely get to play in year one?
ARTHUR HILL
11:51
Players traditionally schedule workouts to help them rise as high as they can in the draft, but the unpredictability of the lottery has shown that's not always the best strategy. If the Wizards or Nets were picking at No. 3, Bailey likely would have conducted workouts with either team. But he probably won't get the minutes and shots he wants if he goes to Philadelphia unless the Sixers go through another injury-plagued season. Bailey is sort of a pioneer in this strategy, but he no doubt was inspired by Sheppard, who many scouts considered to be the best prospect in last year's draft. Canceling the workout in Philadelphia was a bad look, but otherwise Bailey is justified in doing what he believes is best for his career.
JD
11:52
Which of the Tatum/Dame/Haliburton achilles injuries hurts their team the most next season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:00
The Pacers don't have the extreme tax concerns that the Celtics do, and it sounds like they're going to approach this summer the same way they would have if Tyrese Haliburton were healthy. Coach Rick Carlisle said re-signing Myles Turner remains the "No. 1 priority," meaning Indiana will keep its core together in hopes of returning to title contention once Haliburton comes back. The Tatum injury is forcing the Celtics to sell off talent to get below the second apron, but that might have happened anyway. Like the Pacers, Boston will probably take a year off as a title threat before returning in 2026/27. The Bucks without Lillard are still in the worst shape of the three teams. There hasn't been any confirmation that Giannis won't ask for a trade, and even if he stays, it's an older, expensive roster that won't be easy to transform. They can hope for the best when Lillard comes back, but I still see danger ahead for Milwaukee.
Thanks for the great questions this week. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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