Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/3/2026
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Luke Adams
3:49
I think a lot of it is about expectations and role. Even though Westbrook has been playing for the vet minimum for the past few years, he still expects to play 25-30 minutes per game, and he's going to have the ball in his hands a lot during those minutes. A lot of teams would rather use that min-salary roster spot on a non-star who will come in with no expectations and do whatever the coaching staff asks of him.

We saw with Chris Paul in L.A. last year what can happen when a veteran isn't playing the sort of minutes or role he wants/expects to, and the effect that can have on a locker room. Westbrook has, by all accounts, been a great locker-room guy to this point in his career, but there's no guarantee that would still be the case if he's getting DNP-CDs or playing 10 MPG.
Dolo
3:50
The Memphis grizzles seem to have a roster crunch. A lot of good young talent. Who do you think will get waived/traded ?
Luke Adams
3:51
I think I may have answered this question last week, now that I'm writing out the names, but my guess would be that, of the 19 players currently on standard contracts, the four odd men out are Taj Gibson, D'Angelo Russell, AJ Johnson, and Kris Murray.
Kkj
3:51
Future alternatives for Detroit if Duren takes the QO? Who can they realistically go for?
Luke Adams
3:52
I'd be pretty shocked if Duren took the QO. That case feels to me like Giddey's restricted free agency with the Bulls last season, where eventually he'll get a long-term deal for pretty good money (well above what Giddey got!).
Chris D
3:52
What's your best guess on Wizards extensions for Anthony Davis and Bilal Coulibaly?
Luke Adams
3:55
I don't think Coulibaly signs this year. Maybe they want to try to buy low after an injury-plagued down year in '25/26, but it feels a little risky.

As for Davis... that one's tricky. I don't expect him to take much of a discount, since it doesn't seem like he's super thrilled to be in D.C. in the first place, but I can't imagine them offering him a max deal, so something may have to give there. (Of course, I also didn't think Trae Young would get nearly the contract he got from the Wiz this offseason, so who knows).
Avi
3:55
I don't understand why the Celtics are going into the season with all these first round picks but clearly worse than last year. Best case scenario there's some slight improvement from queta& hugo, and Pritchard expands his role. Clearly Brad must be working on trading PG's contract and 1sts for someone? Lauri? Curry?
Luke Adams
3:58
I do think the Brown/George trade will probably be a bridge to another move, but there's no guarantee it happens before the season starts -- or even in 2026/27 at all. George will be easier to move once he's expiring next summer.

I'm also not sure I agree that the Celtics are "clearly worse" than last year's version, which featured a compromised Tatum playing only a handful of games. If he's healthy and back to 100%, he can play the role of 2025/26 Brown, and George should be able to do more overall than the '25/26 version of Tatum did, even if he misses some time. Throw in Mitchell Robinson and I think this roster is still pretty intriguing.
Victoria Beckham
3:59
The first head coach who will be fired in 26-27?
Luke Adams
4:01
Could see Brian Keefe's seat getting pretty hot if the Wizards get off to a slow start.

Also, I know he was JUST hired, but I'm curious about how patient the Blazers will be with Micah Nori, given his unusually structured contract that only includes one guaranteed season. Will Dundon be willing to have a quick trigger there if Portland underachieves early?
Hawks
4:01
I really feel like Sabonis would be a great fit with the Hawks. Would bring some toughness and rebounding that they're lacking. What do you think about a deal that includes Kuminga, Hield, Kispert, and a pick for him?
Luke Adams
4:02
I don't hate it. Sabonis isn't a great fit on a lot of rosters because he's not the sort of center that's going to help you with rim protection, but like you say, the Hawks could use his rebounding and physicality, and the cost probably wouldn't be super-high. They make more sense to me than some of the potential Sabonis suitors I've seen reported or rumored.
4:03
Thanks for all your questions today, guys, and apologies if I didn't get to yours. We'll do this again next Monday. Have a great week!
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