Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 7/16/26
powered byJotCast
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Bulls.
Unclemike1526
11:01
Kind of concerned about the Bulls draft philosophy lately. After Wilson which wasn't complicated the Bulls drafted Swain who as far as I can see can't handle the rock, Shoot or Play defense( Yeah I know it's 3 summer league games) But I can't see anything he does well at all. Then Graham's curious comment about not seeing anybody in the second round worth being on the roster. Huh? Then he continues the Reinsdorf policy of selling off second round picks for cash and signs a 33 year old SG. I mean he had a decent start and then just like the previous guys just wet the bed. Now they really don't have the money to chase a Watson without making some deals or going into the apron.  What are they doing? Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
11:10
Wilson was a gift that feel into their hands, both through lottery luck and the good fortune to have four high-level talents in this year's draft. He gives the Bulls a star to build around, but picking him at No. 4 was an easy selection for Bryson Graham and the team's new front office. The moves since then are harder to endorse, although Swain is worth being patient with and should become much better than he's been in Las Vegas. Selling the second-round picks was an error for a team that should be investing in young talent, and so was the Norman Powell signing. Graham likely views him as a trade chip to move at the deadline, but it would have been wiser to use the cap space to make an aggressive move for Watson or another young player. Graham needs to understand that he's building a foundation for the future rather than trying to win right now.
Elvis26
11:10
Will the lakers trade for Johnathan Kuminga? Also do you think they will trade briny James?
ARTHUR HILL
11:16
A lot of moves are on hold while the league waits to see where LeBron James is going, but the Lakers haven't lost their interest in Kuminga. If LeBron winds up in Cleveland, that probably removes a major competitor for Kuminga and increases the chances that he'll wind up in L.A. Rob Pelinka has been assembling a younger, more athletic roster this summer, and I think he'll be willing to meet Atlanta's price to make Kuminga part of it. While there's an assumption that Bronny will join his father on his next team, the Lakers have two years invested in him and won't give him away for nothing. It might be best for his career to start playing outside LeBron's shadow.
LeBron James
11:16
Am I going to sign a one-year contract with my new team or is there any chance I do a two-year deal with a second-year player option?
ARTHUR HILL
11:22
LeBron and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul love the attention that comes from keeping the league guessing, so I don't think LeBron will offer any hints about retirement when he signs his new deal. His production level has remained high, and he's been able to stay mostly injury free in his 40s, so he may be eying multiple years with his new team. He's used to having player options to give him some control over his future, and he'll want to recoup some of the huge pay cut he's taking this season. I think a second-year option is pretty likely no matter where he signs.
bill laimbeer
11:22
as pistons fans, we have been told to be patient since our ouster from the playoffs because trajan was going to get cade some help with the ball handling, initiating of the offense and scoring.  we were given names that mostly would've been great additions to the team, dependent on what we would have to have given up.  now with the summer league here and most of the offseason movement drying up, it seems the pistons are the ones left holding the bag.  we were told he had to trade most of us fans' favorite player in beef stew to be able to open up room for this new player-but still nothing.  is this what the off season looks like for the pistons????
ARTHUR HILL
11:30
When the Stewart trade was announced, it sure seemed like the Pistons had another big move in the works, but nothing major has happened and they're currently left with a weaker version of last season's roster. Stewart, Tobias Harris and Caris LeVert are gone, and Detroit is fortunate that there's not a serious suitor remaining for Jalen Duren. Everyone knew the Pistons needed another playmaker to team with Cunningham, even as they rolled to the best record in the East. That should have been Langdon's top priority heading into the summer, but July is half over and he hasn't addressed the team's most glaring problem. Maybe he has another trade left to make, but it's been a disappointing offseason so far for Detroit fans.
JD
11:31
The 76ers managed to find a trade for Paul George. Could they do the same for Embiid? What team would be willing to gamble on him?
ARTHUR HILL
11:38
Philadelphia has some salary concerns after acquiring Jaylen Brown, and there are starting to be whispers around the league that they'd like to unload Embiid's contract, which has three years and $187.9MM remaining. As talented as Embiid still is when he's healthy, that's a huge financial commitment for a player who hasn't reached 40 games in the past three seasons. Yossi Gozlan mentioned the Mavericks this week as a team that might be interested, but I'm skeptical. I think they'd prefer a more stable environment as they build around Cooper Flagg and don't want the distractions of wondering when Embiid will be available. It feels like any team would be doing the Sixers a favor to take on Embiid's contract right now. Maybe in a year or two, but he's currently too much of a risk.
Just Curious
11:38
It looks like all the teams have used their cap space, so if Nuggets, Cavs, etc. want to get rid of salary, they need to look to the teams with big trade exceptions. Hornets have $40 million, Bucks $25m. Mavs, Celts, Griz also have over $20m each. Do you think we will see some moves this summer where teams will trade big salaries into those trade exceptions? Gordon or Allen to the Hornets, maybe?
ARTHUR HILL
11:46
The trade exceptions can be a huge asset to have when cap space dries up, and all the teams you mention have an easy way to acquire talent without disrupting their current rosters. Most trade exceptions have historically gone unused, but we're in a unique environment with so many teams feeling pressured to unload unwanted salaries. I don't think the Nuggets are at that point with Gordon yet, and the Cavs still want to keep Allen in hopes of a title run, especially if they land LeBron. However, there are many unwanted contracts around the league, and all these teams are in position to accept them for the right price.
Cale
11:46
Anything you saw in summer league make you think that the top four in the draft would change at all if the there were a re-draft this week?
ARTHUR HILL
11:52
All four players have done what you'd expect at Summer League and have shown why they're considered to be future stars. No disrespect to Darryn Peterson, but I think if the draft took place after Summer League ended, the Jazz would have to think hard about taking Cameron Boozer instead. He looks like the definition of a modern NBA big man, equally comfortable shooting from the perimeter or taking the ball to the basket. He's a committed defender and rebounder who understands the game and can make plays for teammates. Several scouts and writers viewed him as the best player in the draft, and I can understand that argument after watching him in action. All four teams got players to build around, but the Grizzlies might have something really special in Boozer.
Nuggets
11:53
Even if the Nuggets manage to resign Watson and Jones, should we expect them to be any better next season after losing THJ and Valanciunas?
ARTHUR HILL
12:00
Tim Hardaway Jr. in particular won't be easy to replace. He's an experienced guard who played in 80 games and shot better than 40% from three-point range. It's not easy to find players like that, especially when you're limited to veteran's minimum contracts. Valanciunas was solid if not spectacular during his lone season in Denver, and he was a least a big body to match up with rival centers while Jokic is resting. Their moves with Watson and Jones will determine the success of their offseason, but there are reasons right now to wonder if the roster is deep enough.
Gary
12:00
I’m wondering what the holdup is with LeBron signing with the Warriors? It has to be either trying to get a taker for Jimmy, which is highly unlikely, or trying to find a taker for Moses Moody, which is also pretty tough.? but I suppose my question is, who is LeBron bringing with him to the bay?
ARTHUR HILL
12:08
Nobody knows for sure what LeBron is thinking, and he and Rich Paul aren't providing many clues. There have been rumors for more than a year that he wants to team up with Stephen Curry to finish his career. It's close to his L.A. home and it would make the Warriors the most watchable team in the league. However, more recent reports indicate that he wants to head East. Hopefully he'll explain his reasoning once he makes a decision. Other than his son, LeBron no longer has a group of preferred teammates like he did when he went from Cleveland to Miami. However, if he does sign with the Warriors, a lot of veteran free agents will be willing to accept minimum salary offers to be part of that team.
JPink
12:08
If Benn Mathurin doesn't get any offers from other teams, is the Clipper's qualifying offer still valid?
ARTHUR HILL
12:16
Yes, Mathurin's $8.77MM qualifying offer remains in effect, and he can still accept it if he wants to play for that amount this season and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The deadline for the Clippers to withdraw the QO was July 13, so the decision is up to Mathurin now. It will expire on October 1, which doesn't prevent him and the team from working out a new deal. It just means he can't accept the $8.77MM offer. Mathurin obviously believes he's worth much more, but he doesn't have much leverage as a restricted free agent. Negotiations could extend into the fall, just as they did with most of last year's RFAs.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
Connecting…