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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 7/28/2022
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Luka
11:00
Realistically, can the Mavs be a championship contender in the next few years or so?
Dana Gauruder
11:03
Any team with Luka Doncic is always going to be a playoff contender. However, I don't see a championship in the near future, simply because the roster isn't good enough and cap relief isn't coming until after the next 2 seasons. Losing Brunson was obviously a big blow, though he's not worth the money the Knicks paid to get him. Right now, there's no obviously No. 2 or 3 scorer behind Doncic on the team. Compare the rosters of the Warriors, Grizz, Pelicans, Suns, TWolves, Clippers, etc. and Dallas just doesn't measure up.
Some Guy
11:03
Does Peyton Pritchard really have any role on the Celtics going forward? He's behind Brogdon and Smart for PG; Brown and White (and Brogdon) for SG, and they have JD Davidson on a two-way. He's also voiced some pretty obvious displeasure for his limited role, and it's likely to get worse this year.
Dana Gauruder
11:06
It's going to be very difficult for him to get steady minutes, unless there are injuries or a trade to break the logjam. Even White is going to have to settle for a lesser role. On the flip side, Pritchard will be a valuable piece to have on the bench if Smart or Brogdon are out of action for awhile.
Warriors
11:06
Will any of the core players on this team leave anytime soon? Thanks for hosting the chat!
Dana Gauruder
11:11
I have to believe Curry will be a Warrior for his entire career. Would be a great legacy, right? I also believe Thompson will remain there for years to come. Could get a little trickier with Draymond if he truly demands a max contract. Golden State has been willing to pay huge luxury taxes but there has to be a ceiling at some point. Plus, you'd have to think at some point Kuminga will develop into a starter. They're also going to have interesting decisions to make on Wiggins and Poole -- if there are suitors willing to pay big bucks for them, they'll be tough to retain.
Trog
11:11
Most of the Exhibit 10 deals that have been reported were never made official. Since teams want to preserve roster flexibility, do those commonly just became handshake deals for the summer and then a flurry of official sign and releases before opening day?
Dana Gauruder
11:14
Some teams use the Exhibit 10 contracts as a means to fill up their G League teams. Those players get a bonus if they're waived, join that franchise's G League roster and remain on it for a couple of months. It's rare for a player to sign an Exhibit 10 and make enough of an impression to get a standard contract by opening night, in part because of all the guaranteed deals already signed throughout teams' rosters.
Trog
11:14
What do you expect is the internal deadline for Brooklyn to keep Durant versus moving him? Do you believe there is a "make your best offer by X day" coming to Boston, Miami, etc.? Surely the Nets wouldn't let this linger into the regular season, right?
Dana Gauruder
11:18
I believe a lot of it is predicated on their communications with Durant and his reps. If he signals he's not coming to camp, or that he'll pull a Ben Simmons (eventually show up but not play), that may force the Nets' hand a little more. Realize, though, that KD is signed for multiple years and he's 34. Does he truly want to sit around waiting for a trade? Seems like too much of a competitor to do that. And I think that's what the Nets expect.
Trog
11:18
Are you surprised that Miami has stated that they plan to roll out 6'5 Caleb Martin at PF? He's not the anomaly that PJ Tucker was who could guard much bigger opponents.
Dana Gauruder
11:21
I do think it's a little odd but by NBA standards these days it's become more of a position-less league. I don't think Martin will remain a starter for long, even if the Heat fail to make a trade before opening night. They're in a championship-or-bust mode and will eventually upgrade at that spot, whether they go all in for KD or another impact player.
Connor🏀
11:22
Hornets make any moves what are expectations for next year? Thanks for doing this guys always love reading these for football baseball basketball & hockey!!!
Dana Gauruder
11:25
Hornets are hamstrung by Bridges' legal woes. He's still an RFA but his status for next season and beyond is in limbo. If they can find a suitable deal for Rozier and/or Hayward, they'll make something happen. My sense is they're just not getting any offers close to their liking for either of those high-salary players.
Kim
11:25
I feel like the Hawks will be around a 7-8 seed this year, even with the changes made. What moves can they still make, to compete against teams like Milwaukee, 76ers, Boston and Miami (and possibly Brooklyn) thanks.
Dana Gauruder
11:30
They invested a lot of their assets to acquire Murray, so it's going to be tough to do much else of significance unless they trade Bogdanovic or Collins. In that instance, they'd have to get another starter level forward in return. They might make some minor moves for bench purposes but I suspect what they have now is essentially what you'll see when camp opens.
Bucks fan
11:31
Who do you think makes the biggest second-year leap in 2022-23?
Dana Gauruder
11:36
That's a tough one. Grimes could make a nice jump, if he gets enough playing time (or gets traded). Sengun, Kuminga, Giddey -- all of those guys should make a statistical leap. Among 2021 second rounders, Isaiah Livers could have a more prominent bench role if the Pistons clear some PT for him.
Luc Richard
11:36
Teams with too many players on the roster -- do we see any movement (consolidation trades, etc) from them before training camp? Seems like they might lose some leverage if they wait too long.
Dana Gauruder
11:41
There's a difference between having an excess amount of players and an excess amount of guaranteed deals. The Rockets and Thunder have an excess amount of players on guaranteed contracts, so they'll have to either make a deal or eat some money. The Bucks and Raptors, according our roster counts, are 1 over the 20-man limit but several of those players are on non-guaranteed or training camp deals as well as an unsigned restricted free agent.
lawyer guy
11:41
do you think we’re getting another lockout when the CBA expires?
Dana Gauruder
11:43
Doubt that will happen, given the relatively strong relationship the league and NBPA has compared to other major sports. Plus, revenues have gone up to unexpectedly high levels since the pandemic. I don't see any issue right now that would cause games to be lost.
Rodney
11:44
Who's the starting 5 for the Wizards and who is the first man off the bench
Dana Gauruder
11:46
I don't know if Unseld has the answer to that! My best guess would be Beal and Morris in the backcourt with Porzingis, Kuzma and Barton at forward. First guy off the bench? Hachimura. On paper, they have a pretty solid second unit.
bravesfansince1966
11:47
I know that the Magic is not on the radar for the Nets but would Frans Wagner, C. Anthony and three 1st Round draft choices enough to land Durant?
Dana Gauruder
11:49
Orlando would just be happy to make the playoffs in the next couple of years, so it wouldn't be in the Durant sweepstakes. Theoretically, a package like that would only be enticing if there were no protections on those first-rounders and the Nets could get some pick swaps in other years.
JLacob
11:50
If you’re a GM next summer and Draymond hits the market, are you offering more than the mid level? He’s an aging “energy” player who contributes very little offensively. I’m struggling to see how anyone values him at even half what he’s supposedly targeting outside of GSW.
Dana Gauruder
11:53
Draymond has a $27.5-plus option for 2023/24, so he's not going to opt out if he's only going to get $10-12 mill on the open market. He's worth more to Golden State than any other team because he fills his role so well with the Splash Brothers. However, I could easily see another contender who would value Green's defense enough to do a sign-and-trade (unless they can open up cap room themselves). I don't think you'll see Draymond play for less than $25 mill per in any scenario.
Celtics
11:54
Do you see us trading for Kd?
Dana Gauruder
11:56
I don't. I just don't see the need to break up what they have. They're already the favorites without him. I think they have enough without him and they've got good chemistry with that bunch.
Morey
11:57
What else can Sixers do to fill out the roster with more depth? Doc doesn't like playing the kids, so maybe minimum salary vets?
Dana Gauruder
11:59
They technically have a full roster, but several are not guaranteed deals. I think they'd like to move Thybulle, and of course they've been seeking a trade partner for Harris for quite awhile. Most likely, though, they're pretty much done after the Tucker signing.
Wembenyama sweepstakes
12:00
Spurs the early Favorites to win the Tank-a-thon and land Victor Wembenyama with the first pick in the 2023 Draft? Or might it be the Jazz ?
Dana Gauruder
12:01
The Spurs will definitely be one of the contenders for that prize. Jazz could be if they deal Mitchell. Pacers will probably be in that mix, too.
That's all the time we have for today. Join Luke Adams on Tuesday for the next live chat at 12 noon CT.
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