Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/8/2026
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Luke Adams
3:55
I don't love Morant's fit in Toronto, since they really need more outside shooting and if he replaces Quickley at the point, they'd be getting worse in that department.

Still, if there's one team that should be willing to take on one or more of Toronto's questionable long-term contracts (Quickley/Poeltl), Memphis fits the bill -- their cap sheet beyond next season is really clean.
Dan’l
3:55
Have you seen detailed math of how the Thunder can stay actually under the 2nd apron this year? How much money would have to be off the books?
Luke Adams
3:58
The second apron projects to come in at $221.7MM and their current salaries (including team options and first-round picks) come in at about $259.7MM, though that's for 17 roster spots and they can obviously only carry 15 players.

So they'd have to shed upwards of $40MM to get below the second apron. The three team options are worth a combined $53MM+, so it'd be easy enough to do it, but going that route would mean losing Hartenstein and Dort, so they'll likely take a different path. Joe ($11.3MM) and Wiggins ($9MM) both looks like trade candidates.
Moonlighter
3:59
So Pablo Torre wins a Pulitizer Prize for their reporting on the Clippers allegedly evading the salary cap rules. What does your instinct tell you will be the most likely outcome to the league’s investigation?
Luke Adams
4:02
The NBA is in a tough spot with that investigation. If they're too light on the Clippers, they'll basically be sending a message that cap circumvention is OK if you're smart about it and have plausible deniability.

But if they come down hard on the Clippers (taking away multiple draft picks, etc.) without a real smoking gun, it's going to set back a big-market franchise and antagonize one of their most highly valued team owners.

I wouldn't be surprised if they conclude that even without a smoking gun, there's enough circumstantial evidence to hand out some sort of punishment without going too over the top.
4:03
Thanks for all the questions today, guys, and apologies if I couldn't get to yours. Our weekly chat with Arthur Hill for Front Office members will take place on Thursday and I'll be back next Monday to do this again.

Have a great week and enjoy what might be the last 2-3 NBA games of the season!
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