Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/3/2026
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Luke Adams
3:01
Thanks for the early questions, all! We'll get underway in about 2-3 minutes.
Golden State Worrier
3:04
Jimmy and two picks (light protection) for Herro and Turner?  About fair?
Luke Adams
3:05
I think the Bucks would (or should) do it. I doubt the Warriors would. They haven't seemed eager to part with first-round picks for non-star talent, and I don't think either of those guys qualifies as a star, in spite of Herro's All-Star berth. It also sounds like they'd prefer not to trade Butler if they can help it.
GrizzMan
3:06
Any chance Memphis rosters AJ Johnson? Or will he be moved in another salary dumping trade?
Luke Adams
3:06
Can't imagine he survives the roster crunch, and trading him would require the Grizzlies to attach an asset, so he probably just gets cut. If they like him, he's still two-way eligible.
Kim
3:07
Good afternoon. Hawks fan here. I keep reading that the Hawks are open to a sign and trade for Kuminga. I realize that the incentive can be future picks. But they still need to shed 2 players (from 17) by season start. How can they do this? They certainly can’t take back players if they do, right? Thanks!
Luke Adams
3:10
The biggest issue for the Hawks isn't really the roster crunch (waiving guys is always an option) -- it's their position relative to the tax line ($4MMish away). I don't think they'll want to pay the tax for this roster, so if they want to take someone back in a sign-and-trade involving Kuminga, they'll probably need to send out someone else too (a player like Hield, Carter, Kispert, etc.)

Given that Kuminga is a UFA and could sign outright with a new team, I expect the Hawks would probably be happy to get a second-round pick or two back for him if they don't get a player.
Guest
3:10
If the Spurs had signed restricted FA Austin Reaves instead of trading for Fox would it have changed this years finals result?
Luke Adams
3:11
No, since the Lakers would've matched the Spurs' offer sheet and it wouldn't have changed San Antonio's subsequent roster moves.

(Not a fun answer, I know, but there was no way the Spurs were ever getting Reaves. All they could do was make life harder on the Lakers.)
Gradey Dick and BI3
3:11
When will be able to be Clippers, if ever?
Luke Adams
3:12
I still think that trade happens by the start of training camp. But... it might be pretty close to the start of training camp. Definitely doesn't feel imminent.
Ant
3:12
We rolling with Jaden as the 4 for now, even after Finch's comments? I can't imagine we gave Ayo that bag to come off the bench.
Luke Adams
3:15
I agree that starting Ball, Edwards, and Dosunmu together seems to be the most logical outcome in Minnesota unless they make some sort of trade in the next couple months to add a power forward. I think we'll see plenty of McDaniels at the four, even if it's not Finch's first choice.
Granger33
3:16
Do you anticipate a move at center for the utah jazz?
Luke Adams
3:17
Not in the short term. They signed Jaxson Hayes and Jusuf Nurkic, and they can use Filipowski and Jaren Jackson there for stretches if needed. If Bamba makes the roster, that's one more option.

It's a spot they could address during the season, especially if they're in the playoff/play-in mix, but I don't think they'll feel the urgency to do anything before then.
Sam
3:18
Predictions/thoughts on regular season standings in the East? Knicks and Sixers might be the consensus top 2 teams, but I'm skeptical that either of them finish as the top seed in the regular season, especially the Sixers.
Luke Adams
3:21
Yeah, I'd bet against those two teams finishing as the top two seeds in the East (the Knicks weren't even top two last season!) and I'd bet against them meeting in the Eastern finals. There are too many good teams in the conference, and you never know which ones will have better injury luck than others.

Everyone seems down on the Cavs and Pistons because they haven't done anything exciting this offseason like acquiring a Jaylen Brown or a Giannis Antetokounmpo or a Kawhi Leonard, but I bet they'll both be really good regular season teams again. The Celtics, Raptors (assuming they have Kawhi), Pacers, and Heat are all legitimate contenders for a top-four seed too.
RapsFan
3:21
The Portland roster is a total mess. Agree or disagree?
Luke Adams
3:22
I don't fully agree, but I'll acknowledge that it could get messy if either Avdija or Camara gets hurt -- they'll be relying on those two guys for a lot of minutes if they don't want to constantly be playing three-guard or two-center lineups.
Hoopsfan
3:22
When looking at the Sixers starting lineup, do you see VJ Edgecombe taking a step back this season in terms of scoring because of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James? Do you think VJ’s overall development will be stunted because of the new additions?
Luke Adams
3:24
I think he'll be fine. Embiid and LeBron definitely aren't gonna play 82 games, and even if/when everyone's healthy, he should get a handful of easy baskets every game in transition/on cuts/etc., even if he doesn't have the ball in his hands as much.
Darin617
3:24
Would Johnathan Kuminga be a good fit for the Wolves if he would be willing to play on a minimum contract?  If it works out playing on a contender and contributing could help him regain his value for a new contract after this upcoming season.
Luke Adams
3:26
I don't really think the Wolves need a score-first PF (I'd prefer a floor-spacer who plays off the ball). But for a team limited to minimum-salary offers, the saying "beggars can't be choosers" comes to mind. He'd definitely be a home run signing on the vet minimum. Can't see him settling for it though.
GrizzMan
3:27
being as no one will be “tanking” this year, should Memphis, or someone lean into tanking and maximize their draft odds?
Luke Adams
3:27
I mean, the whole reason so few teams are tanking is that all-out tanking is no longer the best way to maximize your pick odds, given the revamped lottery format. So I expect they'll do their best to be competitive while still giving the young guys plenty of run.
MkeMike
3:28
Is Turner really that bad or did Doc just use him badly? Of course, who didn’t Doc use badly.
Luke Adams
3:29
I like Turner and think he'll bounce back a little. Still, it's hard to ignore the fact that his offensive numbers over the course of his career have been pretty modest when he's not playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton, and he's never been a great rebounder.
Guest
3:30
Jalen Brunson, Victor Weyenyama, and LeBron James all took significant salary discounts which gave their teams flexibility.  I thought the players union strongly opposes such actions being taken.  Comments?
Luke Adams
3:34
Case by case:

  1. Brunson received the maximum amount he was allowed to at the time he signed his contract, which was roughly double the amount he'd earned in his career up until that point. He could've earned more if he'd waited another year, yes, but I think it's a little misleading to characterize it as a significant discount.
  2. Wemby gave up the extra 5% of the cap that he could earn if he makes an All-NBA team next year, but he's technically not eligible for it yet and won't be unless he plays 65+ games, which isn't a given at all (he barely got there this year and didn't do it the year before). The gesture is admirable and it's possible he'll end up sacrificing $50MM+, but it's also possible we'll look back a year from now when he's coming off a 58-game season and realize he's still earning his max.
  3. LeBron is a soon-to-be 42-year-old who has made hundreds of millions of dollars over the course of his career. It's his prerogative at this point in his career to prioritize winning/"happiness" over money.
3:36
I don't think the NBPA would care much about the LeBron situation, since he's made his money already. They'd be more concerned about a rising superstar like Wemby taking less than he could get and they probably won't want that to become a trend, but it's also not like he's gonna be playing for the mid-level exception. It's still technically a max contract!
JimnyCracks
3:36
Straight swap Embiid for Duran makes sense for both parties?
Luke Adams
3:37
No way the Pistons go for that. Wouldn't work from a cap perspective anyway due to base year compensation complications.
Jazz
3:37
You think Keyonte’s ascension was real or too good to be true and can he play enough D to be a starter on a contending team?
Luke Adams
3:39
His offense looks pretty real to me. The defense is the big question. You can get by during the regular season without him giving you much on that end, but it'll be a problem in the playoffs if he can't at least hold his own there. I suspect the Jazz might hold off on a new contract for him until next summer so they can fully assess his defense this season.
B Mathurin
3:40
Where am I gonna be playing this season and what kind of contract am I gonna get?
Luke Adams
3:42
Could see you accepting the QO if you don't like the offers you get from the Clippers. They probably won't want to do more than 1-2 guaranteed years, so maybe something like 2/$30MM or 3/$42MM with a team option on the last year?
I still think sticking with the Clippers is the likeliest outcome for you unless L.A. acquires Watson.
Raz1374
3:43
Most likely Jarace Walker trade destination? Can’t see him making it through the year with the Pacers, especially when they are barely over the Tax.
Luke Adams
3:45
He'd be a nice on-court for the Timberwolves but they don't really have a viable route to take on his $8.5MM salary, at least not in a straight-up deal with the Pacers.

Off the top of my head, teams like the Grizzlies, Nets, Hornets, and Bulls are best positioned to take on that contract without sending out any salary of their own. Maybe Clippers and Pistons too, depending on what happens with their RFAs.
Guest
3:46
i can think of so many teams that could benefit from having Russel Westbrook on their team. Why the hesitation for someone who at one point lead their team in all offensive categories for most of the season last year? It really reminds me of when Lebron had to lobby to get the Trailblazers to sign Carmelo. I feel like there is collusion to keep veteran talent for signing for anything more than the minimum. Drummond touched on this on his quickly deleted “heartfelt” video at the beginning of free agency. Thoughts ?
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