You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/19/25
powered byJotCast
ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Sixers.
JD
11:01
Quentin Grimes still hasn't signed, Paul George had knee surgery and now Joel Embiid may not be ready for training camp. Is there any reason to feel good about the Sixers?
ARTHUR HILL
11:10
Any Sixers fans who were hoping the team's luck would change after last season's disaster have to be disappointed in this summer. Negotiations with Grimes haven't gone smoothly, George had an arthroscopic procedure last month and Embiid's status remains as uncertain as ever. There are a few positives, though. Tyrese Maxey should be fully recovered and ready to take on a major part of the scoring load, and I think they made the right choice by taking VJ Edgecombe at No. 3. Grimes will eventually sign, even if it's a short-term deal, and the Sixers will have plenty of perimeter scoring to throw at opponents. The health of George and Embiid will determine what happens this season, and that's always a reason to be nervous, but there's some good young talent in place for the future.
Unclemike1526
11:10
I mean we all know the Bulls are morons but How can they pass on trading Coby White and drafting Derrick Queen when it's obvious that would be the smart play? I'm like they have 5 PG's and 6 Swing men so why would they draft another swing? I was all for drafting Queen when Vuj and Collins are  on expiring deals how could they pass that up? Is it that hard to draft a Basketball team I mean it's only 5 guys. Smith isn't a starting C  so is there like a plethora of starting C's in next years draft? Signed confused and getting worse.
ARTHUR HILL
11:22
The Pelicans were high enough on Queen to give up an unprotected first-round pick next year to trade up to No. 13, so it's hard to understand why the Bulls didn't take him at 12. There are no long-term answers at center on the roster, and they could have started developing Queen to fill that role. I thought 35-year-old Nikola Vucevic and his expiring contract would be gone by now, and they can't believe Collins or Jalen Smith is their center of the future. Chicago continues to have a poorly constructed roster, with too many guards and wings and not enough size. Management may plan to address that imbalance next summer when they'll have more cap room, but they won't have good options if they plan to re-sign both Giddey and White. The Bulls probably need a whole new front office to change the course of the team.
Guest
11:22
Did Bobby Webster deserve to be promoted in Toronto? He was a big part of the front office that built the underwhelming roster of the past few years
ARTHUR HILL
11:32
It seems like Masai Ujiri had the final say on most decisions, but it's hard to get excited about the team that Webster helped to build over the past few years. The Raptors will enter this season ranked in the top 10 in team salary, spending more than the defending champions, and they're not even a definite play-in team. They gave big money to Brandon Ingram when the Pelicans couldn't find anyone else to take him, they rewarded Jakob Poeltl with a large offseason extension and they're probably paying Immanuel Quickly and RJ Barrett more than their market value. In Webster's favor, Toronto has done well in the last few drafts, finding under-the-radar talents who look like legitimate players. It would have been hard to pass over Webster, given his years of service with the organization, but he's going to face some difficult salary decisions to clean up the team's books.
Guest
11:32
Was happy to see Rick Carlisle extended today. Is it crazy to think he can get the Pacers back to the playoffs without Haliburton and Turner?
ARTHUR HILL
11:39
Carlisle is probably the ideal coach to have in charge, given the situation the Pacers are facing. Expectations are low with two starters gone from last season's NBA Finals team, and it wouldn't be shocking if Indiana falls to .500 or worse. Carlisle is very good at adjusting his game plan to fit the players he has available, and the Pacers have enough talent left to remain competitive. The East outlook gets murky after the top three or four teams, so it might be a year when coaching makes a big difference. I expect the Pacers to at least make the play-in tournament, and I wouldn't be surprised if they manage to land in the top six.
Cleveland Rocks!!’n
11:39
Are you hearing any trade rumors about Dean Wade of Cleveland?
ARTHUR HILL
11:49
Things have been quiet in Cleveland over the last month or so, but I expect Dean Wade trade rumors to eventually resurface. The Cavs reportedly talked to several teams about Wade during the Las Vegas Summer League, with the Mavericks being among those who showed interest. He's the type of player who should be a popular trade target as a floor-spacing big man that was successful as both a starter and reserve in Cleveland. His $6.6MM contract is a bargain, but the Cavs have to watch every dollar due to the second apron. I don't have any fresh rumors for you, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's somewhere else by training camp.
East
11:49
Seems like the Cavs and Knicks are widely considered the favorites in the East, but shouldn't the Magic be right there with them? With Bane + better health, they should be pretty good
ARTHUR HILL
12:00
The Magic rarely got to use their best lineup, as it seemed at least one of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs was always injured. Orlando still grabbed the seventh seed and put up a fight against the Celtics in the playoffs. I see the Magic as the most likely team to make a major jump this season, with Bane added to the other three stars. He should significantly improve the team's three-point shooting, which has been its major flaw over the past two years. Throw in a weakened Eastern Conference, and Orlando should be able to far exceed its 41-41 record from last season.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
Connecting…