Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/17/26
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Pistonsfan
11:00
Do you see the Pistons signing Ausar Thompson to an extension before the deadline? If so, do you think he can get a deal that averages $35 million a season?
ARTHUR HILL
11:08
The Pistons reportedly view Thompson as their second most important player behind Cade Cunningham, so they'll be motivated to get his next contract finalized before the season starts. Thompson and his agent no doubt realize the diminished bargaining power of restricted free agents, so they'll have similar motivation. I believe a big part of the Pistons' reluctance to give Jalen Duren the deal he's asking for is they want to be able to pay Thompson his market value without creating long-term second apron concerns. Something approaching $35MM per year seems like a fair contract for Thompson, considering his elite defense and improving offense. The team views him as a vital part of its foundation, and I expect him to have a new deal signed within the next month.
Trajan Langdon
11:08
If you were me, what would you have done differently with the Pistons' roster this offseason (if anything)?
ARTHUR HILL
11:19
A recent fan survey by the Athletic showed that a vast majority of Pistons fans are unhappy with Langdon's roster moves this summer. The playoffs exposed an obvious need to find another reliable scorer and playmaker to team with Cade Cunningham, and Langdon hasn't done that, so the team will be relying on Daniss Jenkins and rookie Ebuka Okorie to help fill that role. It's easy to criticize Langdon, but the free agent market wasn't filled with that type of player. Most of the available scorers/ballhandlers were very likely to stay with their current teams, so that would have meant overpaying for someone like Norman Powell, Quintin Grimes or Collin Sexton. That would have been reckless considering the huge investment the team has to make in Duren and Thompson. Pistons fans may be disappointed in the offseason, but Langdon has made a lot of good decisions since coming to Detroit and should be given the benefit of the doubt until we see how this season plays out.
Chip
11:19
I see teams sign and then release players the same day. What is the benefit of this practice ??
ARTHUR HILL
11:24
This is the point of the offseason where a lot of teams sign players to contracts and release them quickly, sometimes the same day. The reason for this practice is to secure their G League rights with an eye toward having them on their affiliate's roster. Sometimes these players are brought to camp to see how they fare against proven NBA talent, but often the teams know they're headed to the G League, so they're signed and released quickly. This arrangement also benefits the players, as anyone with an Exhibit 10 contract has the opportunity to earn a bonus worth up to $91K if they spend at least 60 days with their G League team. Many teams will continue these quick sign-and-release deals throughout training camp and the preseason.
Cale
11:24
What are the odds that we have new Vegas and Seattle teams starting to play in fall 2028?
ARTHUR HILL
11:33
Fans in Las Vegas and Seattle have been expecting good news for several years, but Commissioner Adam Silver has often thrown cold water on the process, cautioning that expansion is far from certain. But reading between the lines of Silver's latest comments, it appears that even he's preparing for the addition of two new teams. The escalation of sale prices for NBA franchises has pushed up the projected expansion fees to possibly $10 billion for Las Vegas and maybe $7-8 billion for Seattle. That undoubtedly has worked in favor of expansion, and it would be a surprise at this point if the Board of Governors doesn't approve it overwhelmingly. It's been a long wait for the fans in both cities, but I think the process is moving toward a 32-team league by the 2028/29 season.
Unclemike1526
11:33
Thanks for the chat Art😁   What do you think the odds are that the Bulls can get an unprotected 1st round draft pick for Powell either this year or next year if they pick up his option? Thanks!
ARTHUR HILL
11:40
It's not impossible, but Powell is going to have to be really good between now and the February deadline to command that type of return. We don't know for sure yet how the flattened lottery odds are going to affect the trade market, but the general feeling is that teams in the middle of the pack are going to be less likely to part with unprotected first-rounders when they have a better chance to result in a high lottery pick. Powell is coming off the two best seasons of his career, and he'll certainly get plenty of opportunities to carry the offense in Chicago. However, at age 33, teams aren't going to view him as a long-term investment, especially when he has a player option for next summer. Maybe some contender will make a desperate offer by the deadline, but two second-rounders seems like a more reasonable price.
Victor Wembanyama
11:40
Will 2026-27 be my first MVP season?
ARTHUR HILL
11:48
Wembanyama is the current betting favorite for the award, with the best odds on a variety of sportsbooks. It's easy to see why, considering his awe-inspiring mixture of size and talent and the feeling that he has plenty of room to grow his game at age 22. MVP voters tend to tire of casting their ballots for the same player every year, so Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have to do something exceptional to win a third straight trophy. Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are both strong candidates, but the Spurs could easily post the league's best record this season, while the Nuggets and Lakers have plenty of uncertainties. As long as he avoids injuries, Wembanyama is likely to win several MVPs before he retires, and it feels like the first one will come this season.
Guest
11:48
Which of last year's 10 Western playoff/play-in teams do you expect to drop out in 2027? Which teams are the best bets to replace them?
ARTHUR HILL
11:55
It hasn't been a particularly good summer for the Suns, Trail Blazers, Clippers and Warriors, who made up last season's play-in field. Phoenix and Portland both lost important players to long-term injuries in Mark Williams and Shaedon Sharpe. Golden State did little to revitalize an aging roster, and L.A. was devastated by league sanctions for salary cap circumvention. The Kawhi Leonard trade alone may have been enough to take the Clippers out of contention, as the roster is now filled with minor stars and role players. The Jazz are poised to replace L.A., and keep an eye on Dallas to challenge the Warriors for the final spot. Cooper Flagg's all-around excellence and Kyrie Irving's return could push the Mavs into the top 10 in a weaker West.
JD
11:55
Who will be the biggest names to watch at this season's trade deadline?
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
A lot depends on how their teams fare, but the players to watch are those with the chance to become free agents next summer. It doesn't look like Anthony Davis will get an extension in Washington, so he'll be looking to get out if the Wizards don't improve dramatically. Tyler Herro and Brandon Ingram are in the same situation and could be in heavy demand by February. The Suns may move on from Jalen Green as well if he turns out to be an awkward fit. The Mavericks keep saying they're committed to Kyrie Irving, but they'll get offers from a lot of contenders if he stays healthy, and it will be hard to keep saying no.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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