You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 7/8/25
powered byJotCast
ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on Bradley Beal.
Bradley Beal
11:01
Am I going to be a Clipper?
ARTHUR HILL
11:09
The trade sending Norman Powell to Miami seems to open up an obvious spot for Beal. He can step right into the scoring guard role that Powell filled last season, and he'd probably handle it similarly. A lot of blame has been directed at Beal for all that went wrong in Phoenix, but he's actually played pretty well during his two seasons there. He averaged 17 PPG while shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range amid the chaos of last season, which included being pulled from the starting lineup for a while. He'll almost certainly benefit from a fresh start, and the Clippers offer the best combination of playing time and a chance to win a title. He can rehabilitate his reputation on a one-year deal, then hit the free agent market next summer.
Mike Dunleavy Jr.
11:09
When am I going to make a move? Do I need the Kuminga situation resolved before I do anyhting else?
ARTHUR HILL
11:18
The uncertainty surrounding Jonathan Kuminga seems to be holding up everything for the Warriors. The restricted free agent is a bright young talent, but he's never really fit in with Golden State, and the trade for Jimmy Butler left him without an obvious role. Trading him is probably the Warriors' best move, but they haven't been able to gain any traction toward a deal with the Kings, Bulls, Heat or anyone else. In the meantime, free agency is more than a week old and other options have come off the board. Hopefully a resolution will happen this week when everyone gathers in Las Vegas for the Summer League because Dunleavy has other business to address to keep the Warriors competitive in an improving Western Conference.
teddygreen
11:18
Can the Clippers afford both Bradley Beal and Cp3?
ARTHUR HILL
11:25
If Chris Paul is willing to accept a veteran's minimum deal, it won't be a problem. He reportedly wants to be near his family in Los Angeles and he's planning for this to be his last season, so the Clippers would give him a chance to go out with a ring. L.A. has $5.3MM of its midlevel exception remaining, and it will probably take all of that to land Beal in a competitive market. I think it's the best choice for him, and the Clippers can fit both players on their roster without going above the first apron.
Guest
11:26
There's barely been any market for restricted free agents. Will players eligible for rookie extensions this summer be willing to accept lower offers to avoid being in this spot next year?
ARTHUR HILL
11:37
This offseason is somewhat unique because Brooklyn is the only team that started it with significant cap space. After trading John Collins, Utah can create enough room to chase one of the bigger names left on the board, but the Jazz may not be ready to prioritize winning. More teams will have money next summer, but RFAs will always be at a disadvantage. Their teams tend to match offer sheets to avoid losing an asset, and the waiting period puts the club hoping to sign them in limbo while the decision is being made. There aren't many stars in the 2022 draft class, apart from Paolo Banchero, who already received a max deal. Jabari Smith Jr. took less than the max in his extension, and I think more agents will advise their clients to do the same.
Damian Lillard
11:37
Which team is the best fit for me? Also, will I play next season at all?
ARTHUR HILL
11:46
It depends on the speed of the healing process, of course, but I don't believe it's a good gamble for Lillard to try to play next season. Considering his age and the fact that the injury just happened in April, his best strategy is probably to prepare for 2026/27. That's one of the reasons I view the Celtics, who are heading into a gap year, as a good fit. He would be joining a strong organization with nucleus of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, plus whatever additions they make next summer as they get serious about contending again. Lillard can provide added scoring punch, either as a starter or in a sixth-man role, and staying in the East gives him an easier path to reaching the NBA Finals.
Guest
11:47
Which non-lottery pick has the best chance to make the All-Rookie team next season? My pick would be Walter Clayton, though I like Daron Holmes in Denver as a dark horse
ARTHUR HILL
11:54
There are a lot of guards in Utah, but Clayton will get a chance to excel. The Jazz traded up to get him at No. 18, so they're obviously big believers after what he did at Florida. Holmes is a good dark horse candidate after returning from injury, but his playing time may be dependent on whether Jonas Valanciunas stays in Denver or returns to Europe. Another good candidate is Kasparas Jakucionis in Miami. He's a big guard with ball-handling skills who can make an impact in the Heat's backcourt if he can get his shot to fall.
JD
11:54
Will the Lillard and Beal stretches be the start of a trend? Could we see teams go this route for other highly paid players in the next year or two? Embiid, George, Lavine?
ARTHUR HILL
12:01
It's a risky strategy that results in a lot of dead cap money, so I'll be surprised if it becomes a trend. Both of this summer's situations were unique. The Bucks wanted to make an aggressive move by adding Myles Turner, and they needed to lessen Damian Lillard's cap hit for next season. The Suns are hoping for make a fresh start coming off a disastrous season, and they're apparently willing to give up future cap space to get rid of Beal. I don't think we'll see a lot of big contracts being stretched in the future, although it is possible with Embiid if his health issues don't subside. He's got four years of huge salaries ahead, culminating with $69MM in 2028/29, and he represents wasted cap space anyway if he's not able to play.
Thanks for the great questions this week. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
Connecting…