You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat 8/6/2022
powered byJotCast
Trades
12:01
Who's most likely to be on a new team by opening night: KD, Kyrie, Mitchell or Westbrook?
Dana Gauruder
12:04
In horse racing lingo, I'd say it's a dead heat between Mitchell and Westbrook. I have to believe the Jazz would like to avoid a situation where there's constant speculation about a Mitchell trade. I'm sure Mitchell would like to avoid those questions during camp. Utah's trade of Gobert signaled its ready for a teardown or at least a revamping. In Westbrook's case, I never saw a fit there last year and I don't think it's going to get any better. Best course of action is for the Lakers to take the best offer and run with it.
James
12:04
Does the Pistons signing Rodney McGruder mean Saben Lee will be the odd man out when rosters are cut down?
Dana Gauruder
12:07
Not necessarily. They still have the buyout of Kemba to complete, plus it has a logjam in the frontcourt, which they may ease with a trade. However, I don't see a role for Saben unless someone gets hurt. They've got Ivey, Hayes and Joseph at the point.
Ryan
12:07
The East finally caught up to the West last year. Was that just a one-year blip that won't happen again with Kawhi, Zion, Murray, and some other injured players coming back, or has the balance of power shifted more permanently?
Dana Gauruder
12:11
I think the gap has closed significantly in recent years. The Heat, Celtics and Bucks are all quite capable of winning the NBA title. Looking at the bottom, the Pistons and Magic have gotten an infusion of young talent. In between, Sixers, Raptors and Bulls have pretty solid rosters and yes, even the Nets could be tough if they keep KD and Kyrie.
Collin Sexton
12:11
What will my new contract look like?
Dana Gauruder
12:14
The longer this thing drags out, the more I'd say Sexton might have to call Cavs' bluff and accept the qualifying offer. Then he could become an unrestricted free agent. It's an uneasy time for both sides. Sexton might have to rebuild his value on the court after that knee injury.
Sean
12:15
Are there any more players overseas that NBA teams are targeting for roster spots this year
Dana Gauruder
12:18
There are some teams will open roster spots but not many. You'd have to think that if a player from the EuroLeague, NBL, China, etc. was coveted by a particular NBA team, they'd have already gone in that direction rather than risk that player staying overseas. So, it's possible, but I doubt it. I think it's more likely you'll see NBA free agents heading overseas rather than vice versa.
Leroy19
12:19
What is the situation with Christian Koloko? Why has he not signed with the Raptors yet?
Dana Gauruder
12:23
The Raptors have 17 players on the roster (13 guaranteed contracts) and have filled their two-way slots. It appears to be a case of Toronto keeping its options open in case of a trade. I think Koloko will eventually be signed, otherwise why draft him? But it's a little unusual for this to drag into August.
Trog
12:24
I've heard Silver mention adding an in-season tournament a few times. What would that look like?
Dana Gauruder
12:26
The format that was being discussed was a tournament that would include all 30 teams. Not quite sure how many each team would play. Eight teams would then qualify for a single elimination format to crown the winner. It won't happen until at least the 2023-24 season and that's only if Players Association agrees to it.
LSB4EVA
12:27
Who are the 2nd draft round draft picks from this years draft that have yet to sign overseas and haven’t been signed by the team that drafted them for this years NBA season.
Dana Gauruder
12:30
Other than Koloko, as previously discussed, the only unsigned second-rounders who aren't expected to play overseas include E.J. Liddell of Pelicans, who suffered a major knee injury in Summer League, and Kendall Brown of Pacers. Not sure of Brown's situation -- like Toronto with Koloko, Indiana might be keeping its options open for a trade. Pacers have been mentioned as a potential Westbrook destination.
Dc Bullets
12:30
Do you see the wizards making another move or just staying put?
Dana Gauruder
12:33
I don't see another major move coming in the near future. They addressed their biggest need by acquiring Monte Morris and Delon Wright to split up point duties. They'll finally get to see how Beal and Kristaps mesh if both of those guys stay healthy. They do look a little overloaded upfront, so perhaps they add another wing player. But they did get Barton as a stopgap in the Denver trade.
Some Guy
12:34
I honestly have to wonder why the Lakers and Spurs don’t hook up on trading THT for Josh Richardson. The Spurs need a primary ball-handler now that they traded Murray, and THT is still only 21, so he fits the Spurs timeline now that they’re rebuilding. He has borderline All-Star upside; he just needs a chance at consistent minutes. Meanwhile, Richardson is a veteran guard-forward and combo guard who is a good off-ball player, 3pt shooter, and defender with no real weaknesses. He’s basically a perfect fit for the Lakers. Win-win, and the financials match up too.
Dana Gauruder
12:37
Makes sense for both sides. Interesting to note that THT may not have much of a role the way the Lakers are presently constituted. He may benefit from a change of scenery. However, LA may want to include his salary in broader trades.
HFJR
12:38
Will the grizzlies make any moves or signings in your opinion?
Dana Gauruder
12:41
They have a full roster at the moment, so any move of significance would have to come in the form of a trade. They seem pretty content with the group they already have. They've survived long stretches without Jaren Jackson before, so they feel confident they can hold the fort until he returns.
GarPax
12:42
DO you think Nikola Vucevic will get an extension paying $25 million a season? Or do you think it will be lower than that?
Dana Gauruder
12:45
His last contract averaged $25 mill and the cap has gone up since then. If Vuc and the Bulls get an extension done, I think it will be in that range but not any higher. Chicago already has around 89 mill committed to three players in 2023/24 -- Ball, Zach and DeRozan, plus another 9 mill for Caruso. So they'd have to be careful and make sure they'd leave enough money available to have a decent bench.
springfieldcelt
12:47
What will happen to Sharife Cooper now that he has been waived by the Hawks ?
Dana Gauruder
12:49
I'm sure he'll look to land another NBA deal, perhaps a two-way offer. If not, I'd be fairly confident he'd get a training camp invite somewhere on an Exhibit 10 deal.
Number man
12:50
Is LeBron recruiting Draymond Green to the Lakers next year?  Green would need to take a big pay cut to do so but said he would be willing to do it to play with LeBron.
Dana Gauruder
12:52
Draymond says a lot of things that I wouldn't take too seriously. I don't think he'd leave $27.5 mill on the table (his player option) next season to play for the taxpayer midlevel just to join forces with LeBron. That's definitely a case of "I'll believe it when I see it."
Heanets
12:52
Are the Nets really want to deal KD or just playing chicken game until they can have KD to play beginning next season because they know he won't sit out games?.
Dana Gauruder
12:55
I don't think the Nets want to trade KD at all. They gave him an extension with the idea they'd be contenders for years to come. It will be interesting to see if this meeting with the team owner changes anything. I think KD is coming to the realization it's tough to deal him and get fair value. Not sure of all the issues he has with the Nets but if he, Kyrie, Ben, Harris, etc. ever got the chance to play together, they'd still be on the short list of Eastern Conference contenders.
Knickbocker
12:55
What is the likelihood Mitchell becomes a Knick? 100%?
Dana Gauruder
12:58
I certainly wouldn't put it as a death and taxes probability. From what we've been hearing, there's no real traction for a Mitchell deal at the moment. Ainge isn't going to do the Knicks any favors and lower his demands any time soon. And I still don't see how a Brunson-Mitchell backcourt would work at the defensive end.
Guest
12:58
Do you see any chance of the 76ers moving Tobias Harris
Dana Gauruder
1:00
Seems like they've been trying to unload Harris -- who just got married, by the way -- for awhile but the contract numbers are tough for potential suitors to swallow. He's still a pretty solid player, but not at the money they're paying him and his somewhat reduced offensive role with the emergence of Maxey and addition of Harden.
That's all the time we have for today. Please join Luke Adams on Tuesday for our next live chat.
Connecting…