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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/8/2021
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Luke Adams
12:01
Thanks to all those who have submitted questions so far! We'll get underway in just a minute.
Listencat
12:02
Last Tuesday, you stated, “As for [Indiana Pacers head coach] Bjorkgren, maybe a 40% chance that he's back? The longer the Pacers go without announcing a decision, the higher that number climbs, …” How much higher in a week has that number climbed?
Luke Adams
12:05
A little higher, but it's still below 50%. You'd think with three other teams having launched coaching searches, the Pacers would want to make a decision soon so that they don't get beaten to the punch for top candidates, should they decide to make a change. But the fact that they did a very extensive search just last year probably gives them a head start and reduces the urgency a little -- they're already familiar with many of the candidates on their potential list.
Blank name
12:05
Do you think Stotts will get a new head coaching job this offseason? I feel like he could do pretty well in the East.
Luke Adams
12:06
It wouldn't surprise me. The Blazers clearly didn't think he was a bad coach -- they just needed a change. I believe he's already been linked to the Magic job.
Vogel
12:07
We all know that the outcome of the series could have been different without Davis' injury. But don't you think Vogel is also to blame? He was constantly changing the rotation, burying players in the bench for no clear reason (first Gasol, then Harrell, then Morris and THT) just to reinsert them into the line-up after some games. I feel the Lakers were good enough to put up a fight, even without AD (especially since Chris Paul was also limping).
Luke Adams
12:08
Vogel can get a little bit of the blame, but with AD injured and LeBron not 100%, I just think the Suns were the better team. I also didn't love the Lakers' center rotation in general this year -- Harrell and Drummond weren't great fits for the roster. Gasol was a better fit in theory but is clearly on the decline.
Sharkey
12:08
Let’s assume they lose this series 4-0 or 4-1, are the Bucks a few coaching tweaks away from contention or do they need to think about making some major changes? Can they make major changes or are they locked in to this roster?
Luke Adams
12:09
I really thought the Bucks would put up more of a fight than they have so far, especially with Harden out. It's far from over yet (the Bucks know this first-hand, having blown a 2-0 lead in the 2019 Eastern Finals), but if they lose in four or five games, something's gotta give. Would expect a coaching change a that scenario.
12:11
I think it'd be hard to do anything drastic with the roster. You just extended Holiday and you're obviously not moving Giannis. Maybe they consider a Middleton move, but his contract will make it hard to get good value back. Their best bet for upgrades might be the mid-level exception and maybe whatever they could get in a trade for DiVincenzo (having him healthy would help a little in this series but obviously wouldn't have been the difference in the first two games).
Drew
12:12
Do the Pelicans really have shot to keep Zion long term?  Seems the franchise gets these great players (Kobe, Mourning, Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, etc) and cannot keep them.
Luke Adams
12:14
Depends what constitutes "long term." No one ever turns down a maximum salary rookie extension, and I'm skeptical that Zion will be the first. Assuming he signs an extension, he's probably a Pelican for at least the next 4-5 years. But (as David Griffin knows from past experience) they're already on the clock when it comes to upgrading the roster and trying to convince him to stay beyond that.
Alan
12:14
is the window of opportunity closed for the Raptors? Should they start looking to trading assets and rebuild?
Luke Adams
12:16
They probably won't contend for a title in the next couple years but trading assets and rebuilding isn't necessary. Their core guys (Siakam, VanVleet, OG) are young and under contract for several years, and they'll add a lottery pick to that group this year. That's a good start -- no need to bottom out.
Deathbydeathwest
12:16
Bulls trade for Kemba Walker this offseason? Odds on a Chicago firesale at the deadline when LaVine refuses to extend?
Luke Adams
12:17
I kinda like the idea of a Kemba/Bulls trade. They have pieces that could interest the Celtics (Thad Young or a Markkanen S&T) and Kemba's contract wouldn't be too onerous, since it only covers two more years. Might be safer than overpaying a free agent point guard for four years.
12:20
As for the odds of a fire sale... it's sort of hard to see it happening so soon after the front office gave up first-round picks for Vucevic. But if things go really badly in the first half next season, it's worth noting that the Bulls control their own 2022 first-rounder (assuming this year's pick is sent to the Magic). If things look dire, it might be tempting to bottom out next year and take advantage of that lottery pick while acquiring some assets for the future.
Hawks fan
12:20
Do you think Nate McMillan will stick around as coach? I can't see them replacing him after finishing 5th in COY voting, but the Raps did it with Casey
Luke Adams
12:20
Yeah I don't think he's going anywhere. Casey was fired after a great regular season but a disappointing postseason. Even if the Hawks lose the next four games, McMillan has already exceeded expectations for the postseason.
Stan
12:21
I don’t think the Knicks are willing to give up enough to trade up to the top 5 to get a top point guard in the draft. How do you think the Knicks will resolve that issue?
Luke Adams
12:22
Free agency looks like their best bet -- the Knicks will have significant cap room and a bunch of this year's top FAs are point guards, including CP3, Lowry, Conley, Ball, Schroder, Dinwiddie, and Graham: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/06/2021-nba-free-agent-power-rankings...
Hawks
12:23
The Hawks probably can't afford to keep Young, Collins, Huerter, Hunter, Capela, Bogdanovic, and Gallinari together too long without serious cap issues. Obviously, Young is a long-term building block and won't be going anywhere. What do you think happens with the other guys? Personally, I'd let Collins walk and use his money elsewhere
Luke Adams
12:25
Young, Huerter, and Hunter won't be expensive in 2021/22, so even if they don't view Collins as part of the long-term future, I think it makes sense to re-sign him if you can't get decent value in a sign-and-trade. His new contract shouldn't make him a negative trade asset.
12:26
I could see Collins and/or Huerter included in an offer for an impact wing if one becomes available.
Wally Gaines
12:26
Is Ayton’s ceiling the third best in his class? He’s been very impressive these playoffs and I can only imagine how big of a vocal point he’ll become after Paul (eventually) moves on
Luke Adams
12:28
The 2018 draft class is really strong, so I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to Ayton as having the third-highest ceiling (he's behind Luka, and Trae, MPJ, and SGA all have cases for being ahead of him too).
12:29
Still, that draft decision reminds me a little of Hakeem (1) over Jordan (3) in the 1984 draft. NOT that I expect Ayton to have Hakeem's career or be an MVP one day, but passing on a generational star doesn't sting so much when you still end up with a really good player.
Detroit fan 684
12:29
Who are the most likely candidates for the Olympic squad? Lebron and A.D. and Curry don’t seem likely and the Nets trio probably won’t suit up either, right?
Luke Adams
12:31
Yeah, I expect the Nets' guys will be playing too deep into the summer to want to head to Tokyo right after. Wouldn't be surprised if we get a bunch of younger stars (Tatum, Zion, Adebayo, etc.) complemented by a small handful of Olympic veterans who won't have deep playoff runs (Lowry, etc.)
Sign and Trade
12:32
Say a player wants to leave Team A and sign with Team B as a free agent. Team B reaches out to Team A and they work out a sign and trade deal. Team B gives up a 2nd round pick in the deal. What is the point in the sign and trade? Couldn't they have just signed the player outright and not had to give up the pick?
Luke Adams
12:34
If the player is a restricted free agent, Team B would be willing to give up something to get him so as not have to risk getting an offer sheet matched. If the player is unrestricted, Team B might not have the cap room necessary to sign the player without sending some salary out in return.
12:35
If Team B can sign the player outright, usually there's no reason to give up an asset -- in fact, it might be Team A giving up the second-round pick in order to turn it into a sign-and-trade and create a trade exception for the outgoing player (this happened with the Celtics and Gordon Hayward last year).
Tbone
12:35
Porzingis for Kemba Walker this off-season? Who says no first?
Luke Adams
12:36
I actually feel like both teams might believe they're selling too low and would say no. I don't hate the idea though.
Joel Embiid
12:36
How do you see see the rest of our series with the Hawks playing out? I think we took their best shot and win in 6. you?
Charles is Charles
12:36
Are the Sixers going down in four vs. the Hawks?
Luke Adams
12:37
A couple different views here on the Sixers/Hawks series -- I'm somewhere in between. The Hawks are legit and it'll be a real challenge for the Sixers to get by them. I'm still leaning Philadelphia to win the series, but it might take 7 games.
Chuck
12:38
Based on what you have seen so far these playoffs, which western team would give the Nets a run for their money?
Luke Adams
12:40
Honestly after the first two games against the Bucks, I'm losing confidence that any team is going to seriously challenge the Nets during these playoffs. Having said that, if Serge Ibaka gets healthy and the Clippers are playing like they're capable of, I'd like to see what they could do against Brooklyn.
Lemony Snicket
12:40
Is Rick Carlisle overrated as a coach? Mark Cuban said his job isn’t in jeopardy but is he getting a lot of freedom for a title ten years ago? Ty lue outcoached him  and it’s the same thing nearly every year...
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