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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 7/20/2021
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Hornets
12:33
Should we go after Lonzo to pair the Ball brothers? Or go after a C like Richaun Holmes with our $ instead and match whatever Graham gets? What's a reasonable extension for Miles Bridges? Improved a lot this season.
Luke Adams
12:34
A Ball brothers reunion would be a lot of fun, but I don't think Lonzo fills any real need for Charlotte -- Holmes, on the other hand, would be a great fit at the five.
12:35
As for Bridges, his camp will probably point to OG Anunoby's extension (four years, $72MM) as a comparable during negotiations. The Hornets should definitely be interested in getting something done if they can keep it below that price.
Chad
12:35
What do you think it would realistically trade for the Rockets and Pistons to swap picks? Feel like I can’t see it being worth it for Houston to give up their own picks the next two years, or any of the last 2 or 3 Brooklyn picks
Luke Adams
12:37
The Pistons would probably want at least one unprotected pick from the Rockets. If Houston isn't willing to pay that price, it would likely take multiple future protected picks.
Gary
12:37
What can the Wizards do to improve themselves, and I mean improve themselves by getting deeper into the playoffs and making it look like they've improved?
Luke Adams
12:39
The Wizards' situation is one of my least favorite of any NBA team right now. I'm not sure how much longer Westbrook will be able to keep playing at a high level (he turns 33 later this year), and the young guys have been up and down. The easiest way to take a step forward would be to trade another first-round pick or two, but I wouldn't feel great about that, since the team isn't just a piece or two away.
12:40
This is a long way of saying I have no good answers and don't envy Tommy Sheppard this summer. Will be fascinating to see what he does.
Kyle Lowry
12:40
Best guess on who I am playing for next season?
Luke Adams
12:41
Miami and Philadelphia have always looked like the best bets to me. I had been leaning toward the Heat, but I'm starting to wonder if the Sixers will be able to find a way to pull off some sort of complicated Simmons/Lowry multi-team sign-and-trade that also nets Philadelphia another rotation player or two.
Sam Presti
12:42
What in the world am I going to do with all my picks and cap space? So many options!
Luke Adams
12:44
It doesn't appear there's any mandate from Thunder ownership to accelerate the rebuild and compete right away, so for now there's no need to rush the process. The best approach is to just keep stockpiling assets -- and if there's a player in the draft or a young free agent OKC really likes, they're in position to do what it takes to get that player by cashing in some of those assets.
Dylan
12:44
Steve Adams to Boston? Who goes back to NO?
Luke Adams
12:46
I'm not sure adding a pricey traditional center like Adams is something the Celtics are eager to do, but if they like him, they have the pieces to get him. It'd probably have to be Tristan Thompson's expiring contract and one or two of the guys on rookie deals.
Michael Porter Jr.
12:46
Am I getting a full max extension this summer? Am I worth it, even with my injury history?
Luke Adams
12:49
I'm curious to see how those negotiations go. My guess is that Denver will pay up, but I also wouldn't be shocked if it plays out like the John Collins negotiations did (the extension offer is a little below the max and nothing gets done before restricted free agency). You're far enough removed from your lost rookie season that I'm pretty confident you'll be able to get a max deal, whether it's this year or next.
Rocket Fan
12:49
What is the best starting 5 that you can build out of this years draft entrants?  Same question, but you can't include the big 4 (Cade, Evan and the Jalens).
Luke Adams
12:53
I'd feel pretty good about a starting five made up of Cade, the Jalens, Mobley, and Scottie Barnes. Without the top four guys, I'd have to think about it a little more, but at first glance... give me Barnes, Davion Mitchell, Trey Murphy, Kispert, and Kai Jones. (I like Kuminga, Keon Johnson, Sengun, and some others, but I'm not sure how ready they'll be to contribute right away).
Mia T
12:53
Odds of Nigeria and its eight NBA players medaling?
Luke Adams
12:54
Maybe 35%? They're sort of like the U.S. in that their guys don't have a lot of experience playing together. Team USA has enough talent to overcome that, but I think Nigeria will be in tough against teams like Argentina or Spain with a ton of international veterans.
Suns
12:55
Will we have any cap space this summer? Our starters are great, but we could use a backup wing and big (losing Dario hurt us a lot). Extensions for Bridges and Ayton wouldn't kick in until 22-23, right?
Luke Adams
12:57
The only chance at cap room would be if Paul leaves, which creates its own set of problems. The mid-level should be in play though. And yes, extensions for Ayton and Bridges would begin in 2022/23, which is a big reason I think Paul could opt in for $44MM and add two smaller ($20-25MMish) years on an extension, rather than opting out and signing a new contract that's more backloaded.
Dylan
12:57
Who has the best long term value? John Collins, Evan Turner, or Dom Sabonis?
Luke Adams
12:58
I love the idea of Evan Turner being in the mix here, but I'm gonna assume you mean Myles. It's great question, and one that I think sort of depends on the players you put around them -- Turner (Myles, not Evan) is my favorite of the three, but I think you could make a legit case for any of them.
Tom Emanski
12:59
What do you think Lonzo will get as an RFA?  The Bulls seem like the perfect suitor, do you think they'll come in with the highest bid?
Luke Adams
12:59
Something in the four-year, $80MM range feels about right to me. And yeah, the Bulls look like the favorites to me for now.
OKC Fan
1:01
What do you think we could get for Kemba?
Luke Adams
1:02
If you're willing to keep taking on unwanted contracts, you could do what you did with Chris Paul -- get draft picks to take him, then get a draft pick when trading him away. For instance, I think the Pelicans would probably give up at LEAST one first-rounder in a swap of Kemba for Bledsoe and Adams.
1:03
We're out of time for today. Thanks for all your questions, guys -- I apologize, there were a ton of them that I didn't get to. Enjoy Game 6 tonight and we'll do this again next week!
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