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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 9/22/2022
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Jorge
11:02
Are the Celtics looking for a better excuse to fire Udoka? Can’t exactly blame it on job performance like Rojas
Dana Gauruder
11:07
I see a number of questions regarding Udoka. No official announcement has been made but it's likely he'll serve a lengthy team suspension. The Celtics, as I'm sure most other teams do, have conduct policies in place for their employees. Reportedly, Udoka had an "intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise's staff." It's no different from most companies, colleges, etc. these days. It puts the franchise and other employees in an awkward position and there are potentially legal ramifications, especially when it concerns someone in a powerful position. We'll have to see how this all plays out but certainly, I think the last thing the Celtics wanted a few days before training camp was a situation like this.
Some Guy
11:09
Does Sarver's sale of the Suns allow the rest of the NBA's ownership to save face? They didn't have to vote him out themselves and thus avoided a precedent that owners whose past misdeeds are brought to light can get punished.
Dana Gauruder
11:12
Certainly, that was a part of it. It wouldn't have been a good look for the league if Sarver came back next season and resumed his duties. There seemed to be an almost universal feeling around the league and among media/fans that a suspension wasn't enough. The fact that another member of the ownership group spoke out against him ramped up the pressure. So did the fact of lost sponsorships, player comments, etc. They certainly wanted this problem to go away as soon as possible without a long lengthy lawsuit to try to get him out of the ownership club.
Chip
11:13
I can not understand why a team would make a trade for a player giving up assets and maybe draft picks only to buy out the player and pay him to go away. Seems like a waste of assets and leaves the team in a weaker position.
Dana Gauruder
11:17
Not sure exactly which trade you are referring to but what you are describing may be some sort of a salary dump. You absorb a big expiring contract without any intention of having the player suit up. It frees up cap space for the next offseason. That could allow, for example, a run at a high-priced free agent you're after.
Trog
11:18
Thoughts on the Bogdanovic trade? Pretty underwhelmed by the return for the Jazz, though they did need a stopgap big while Kessler develops.
Dana Gauruder
11:22
Ainge has a history with Olynyk, obviously, from the Celtics' days. From early indications, they're looking at him as a stopgap in the middle with Gobert gone and a mentor to the young bigs in the organization. Lee was caught in a logjam but he could be a sparkplug second-unit PG, depending on how other roster moves shake up. I saw one writer speculate that the Jazz weren't getting any offers with a future first-rounder attached, and that sounds about right. I think if they were offered a decent future first rounder, they probably would have gone in a different direction. Also note that this eases any luxury tax concerns, as well as the fact that only about $3 mill of Olynyk's deal is guaranteed after this season.
Justin
11:22
What would it take for Raptors to get Clarkson, Trent Jr. might not like being sixth man.
Dana Gauruder
11:24
Related to the Bogdanovic topic, I'm sure the Jazz would like a first rounder for Clarkson. Not sure that the Raptors value Clarkson that much.
Leroy19
11:25
Could Deni Avdija be in the conversation for the MIP this season?
Dana Gauruder
11:29
Not entirely out of the question but it would all start with training camp. He's going to have to fight for minutes with Barton, Hachimura, Kispert, Kuzma and Davis to varying degrees. He's got to be much better behind the 3-point arc - 31 percent isn't going to cut it. He's only 21 and a lottery pick, so certainly he could blossom but right now, he's got to fight just to get a rotation spot, let alone a starting job.
Brad
11:29
Does Brad Stevens do a Pat Riley and become coach again if Udoka resigns?
Dana Gauruder
11:31
Strongly doubt it. I'm sure they wish they still had Hardy now but more likely they'll promote Mazzulla as interim and perhaps add a former head coach to staff to help out. I think Stevens is very content in his current job and doesn't want to go through the sleepless nights head coaches endure, preparing for the next opponent in the grind of an 82-game schedule.
Robert s
11:31
Clips over/under 55 wins? I say over. And gotta be the fav this yr given their depth.
Dana Gauruder
11:34
A lot depends on how successful Wall is scraping off the rust after not playing last season and how Kawhi looks after sitting out a year. The trade they made for Powell/Covington should really start paying off dividends this season -- Powell got hurt almost right after they acquired him. So yes, I could see them exceed the 55-win total as long as Leonard/George/Wall stay reasonably healthy.
QB1
11:35
What is the goal ultimate goal in trading for Bojan Bogdonovic? Is it to be competitive or eventually put together a deal for Westbrook? Oddly enough, Noel, Burks, Bojan and Kemba are the perfect salary match for Westbrook.
Dana Gauruder
11:38
Don't think so. In the short run, the Pistons got a much-needed 3-point threat for Cade and company. It improves their chances of making a run for the play-in tournament this season. Olynyk wasn't going to play a whole bunch -- he projected as second-unit center -- and Lee wasn't going to play at all. Bogdanovic's contract could be flipped at trade deadline to a contender for an asset. If not, his contract comes off the books next summer.
Joe
11:38
I think Phoneix's title window is closed with this current core- Ayton got his contract but it was grudgingly, Paul is aging, and only Booker is really close to superstar status. I can see a blow-up happening next year a la Utah if they don't win it all
Dana Gauruder
11:42
Not sure about blowing up the roster with Booker and Ayton as core pieces but I see your point. There's certainly concerns about what the future holds when so much is predicated on a 37-year-old PG, albeit a first ballot Hall of Famer. And there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of depth on the roster. Phoenix is a team I could very well see taking a tumble, especially with the likes of the Grizzlies, Pelicans, T-Wolves becoming serious contenders.
Wembanyama vs Scoot
11:43
Can you remind us which days these two Top Draft Prospects will be Facing off against each other ?
Dana Gauruder
11:45
Obviously they won't be guarding each other but their teams are scheduled to square off October 4 and 6 in a pair of exhibition games in Henderson, Nevada. I believe ESPN is broadcasting those games on one of their networks -- it's essentially a made-for-TV event.
Kramer
11:45
I tried to ask this question but it was a little too in-depth so let me rephrase. Do you think we will see players come out against other players (Like Bridges) so they can’t play in the league anymore. Sarver got what he deserved and glad to see him gone. However anything regarding domestic violence is worse - regardless if there is a conviction or not. Sarver didn’t commit a crime but deserved to be significantly punished. Do we see player punishment taking a similar avenue in extreme instances.
Dana Gauruder
11:51
The Bridges situation has still yet to be played out. Obviously, he hasn't been convicted of any crime, he'll have to go through the legal process. In his particular case, he's a restricted free agent, so it's different than someone who's on a team's 15-man roster. I do see the NBA, as we've seen in other sports league, coming down hard on players in domestic violence instances after the investigations/legal processes are completed. We've seen it in several instances in MLB and the NFL-- I don't think it'll be any different in NBA going forward.
bravesfansince1966
11:52
Now that Holmgren is out is Banchero the favorite to win Rookie of the Year and do you expect him to start right away for the Magic?
Dana Gauruder
11:54
Anyone who goes at the top of the draft is going to be one of the favorites for ROY. Opportunity is there for Banchero to win it on a rebuilding team. I think the plan is for Banchero and Wagner to be the starting forward combo there for years to come. I have to believe he'll play 30-35 minutes a game.
Tom Emanski
11:54
Overreaction or proper reaction: Lonzo's knee is now "chronic" not "lingering", and a 65+ game season at full effectiveness is no longer a realistic outcome.
Dana Gauruder
11:58
It's certainly gotten to the point where you could term it chronic. Three knee procedures in less than a year is obviously very troubling. Even when he returns to action as some point this season, presuming his recovery goes well, he'll be on a minutes restrictions and probably sit out back-to-backs. The Bulls' best case scenario with Lonzo is to make the postseason and hope he's close to "his former self" at that point.
Sam
11:58
Best/Worst case scenarios for the Pistons this year
Dana Gauruder
11:59
Best case -- a spot in the play-in tournament. Worse case -- one or more of their young core suffers a major injury and they stumble along to another 20- or 25-win season.
Bucks fan
12:00
Signing the free agent Center named Ibou Badji is an under-appreciated move.  This kid is a shot-blocking menace.  He's going to be a elite rim protector, at least initially, down in the GLeague.
Dana Gauruder
12:00
That's why teams make some of these Exhibit 10 moves -- sign a young player, hope he develops into a player they'll want on the 15-man in the future.
12:01
That's all we have for today. Please join Luke Adams on Tuesday for our next live chat.
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