Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/6/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a Klay Thompson question.
RichH
11:01
Which team will Klay Thompson be on at start of season?
ARTHUR HILL
11:10
The Heat are pursuing Thompson harder than anyone, but they don't have much left to offer the Mavericks after sending so many trade assets to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal. Miami's best hope may be that a buyout will occur, which is why it has been saving about $8MM to give Thompson if he reaches the open market. It's telling that the Mavs have been exploring the trade market for Thompson without any success. If that continues, it definitely increases the chances that he'll start the season with the Heat. At 36 and with an expiring contract, Thompson is no longer part of the future in Dallas, but his three-point shooting would be a valuable asset for a Miami team that needs snipers to surround Giannis and Bam. Dallas brought in younger shooters this summer, and the chance to save some money with a Thompson buyout probably makes that the most likely scenario.
JD
11:10
Who would you like to see the Knicks play on opening night?
ARTHUR HILL
11:15
As defending NBA champions, the Knicks will get to tip off the new season at home. There's no better opponent to feature on opening night than the Sixers, who have been the talk of the summer after trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James. Philadelphia is viewed as a major challenger to take the title away from New York, and an opening-night matchup would create plenty of buzz for the league heading into the new season. There's a case to be made for the Celtics, with Mitchell Robinson coming back to MSG for ring night, or a Finals rematch with the Spurs, but those games can wait for later in the season. Give me the Sixers on opening night.
Esteban
11:15
What's going to happen to Peyton Watson? Will he remain in Denver, or will he be sign and traded to another team?
ARTHUR HILL
11:25
Watson is in a mid-summer holding pattern, as the offers he's getting from the Nuggets are nowhere near the $25MM per year that he wants, and the teams pursuing him in a sign-and-trade aren't willing to meet Denver's asking price of at least one first-round pick and an impact player. It may be at least another month before the standoff is resolved for him and the other restricted free agents left on the market. Watson showed a lot of promise last season, but he's really only had one good NBA year, so it's easy to understand why everyone is being cautious. My best guess is that there will be a compromise with the Nuggets and he'll stay in Denver for much less than his desired salary. Maybe on a two-year contract with a player option, so he has a chance to test the market again if he remains productive.
Guest
11:25
What are the chances that the Warriors are a legit contender again before Curry and Green retire?
ARTHUR HILL
11:34
It's really hard to see it happening this season with Jimmy Butler likely out through the All-Star break or maybe longer as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee. The Warriors' efforts to add another star dating back to the February trade deadline all fell through, and they're mostly bringing back an older version of a team coming off a 37-45 record. However, if Curry signs a two-year extension, that opens up the contention window for a little longer if age doesn't catch up to him. Golden State has a path to creating nearly $100MM in cap room next summer, which presents an opportunity to completely remake the roster. The star hunting will continue, as the Warriors are determined to give Curry a proper sendoff that includes at least one more long playoff run.
Julius Randle
11:34
Will I be with Brooklyn long-term or will the Nets try to flip me before the trade deadline?
ARTHUR HILL
11:41
Adding Randle in a trade with Minnesota gives the Nets a chance to climb out of the bottom of the East this season. He's a proven scorer to team with Michael Porter Jr. and provide a steady framework to incorporate the team's collection of young guards. However, Randle may not be happy as part of a rebuilding project at this stage of his career. With a $35.8MM player option for 2027/28, he has a virtual expiring contract and should be heavily in demand by the trade deadline, especially if Brooklyn is out of the playoff race. The Nets' extension talks with Porter should provide a clue to their intentions. If they're willing to give him big money and a long-term deal, they'll probably do the same with Randle.
Esteban
11:41
What's going to happen to Bennedict Mathurin? Will he remain in Los Angeles, or will he be sign and traded to another team?
ARTHUR HILL
11:48
Much like Peyton Watson, who we discussed earlier, Mathurin's options are limited by his restricted free agency. Although the Clippers would like to keep him, he hasn't been satisfied with their offers so far and doesn't have any leverage to drive up the price. A few teams have expressed interest in a sign-and-trade, with the Pelicans and Bucks reportedly the most prominent, but the Clippers are in position to set a high price for a deal and see if anyone is willing to meet it. It's another situation that will probably go on for weeks before it's resolved, but he'll most likely stay in L.A. on a short-term deal for less money than he wants.
Wizards
11:48
How patient do you expect the Wizards to be with Brian Keefe? He's facing real expectations for the first time this year
ARTHUR HILL
11:53
Washington is expecting to contend for the playoffs after trading for Trae Young and Anthony Davis last season and adding AJ Dybantsa with the top pick in the draft. That creates a much different coaching environment for Keefe, who so far has been overseeing a team that has been tanking to improve its lottery odds. Even if Young and Davis are able to stay healthy, Keefe faces a difficult task in trying to turn them and a group of young players into a legitimate challenger in an improved Eastern Conference. With more experienced coaches available, it's easy to picture the Wizards moving on from Keefe if he can't make them competitive right away.
Just Curious
11:53
I think Zach Lavine would be a really good fit with Miami, but they need the Kings to buy him out first. Heat have a 2032 pick swap to offer. Would it be allowable for the Heat to include that pick swap along with a minimum salary player, in a trade with the Kings to get another minimum player back? With the understanding that the Kings would then buy out Zach?
ARTHUR HILL
12:00
The NBA frowns on any type of wink-wink deal, so I think there would be an investigation if that series of events were to occur. Giving away a future first-rounder without getting any obvious value in return would raise alarm bells, and the precedent of LaVine then taking a buyout and going to Miami is something the league wouldn't want to allow. The Kings have said they aren't interested in a buyout right now, but that could change as the season wears on. He could wind up with the Heat eventually, but I don't think the NBA would permit the scenario you suggest.
Unclemike1526
12:00
Odds Mathurin is a Bull for 2026-27? Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
Chicago has been listed among the teams that have contacted the Clippers about a Mathurin sign-and-trade, but a report last week called their interest "overstated." His age and scoring talent seem to make him a natural addition for the Bulls, who need more young firepower in their backcourt. It might not happen right away, but maybe L.A. would be interested in a reunion with Norman Powell later in the season. He excelled in his last stint with the Clippers, and his short-term deal seems to make him a rental in Chicago.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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