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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/23/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question about the Rockets.
Rockets
11:01
Can the Rockets still contend without Fred Van Vleet? If not, does it affect what they do with a potential KD extension?
ARTHUR HILL
11:11
The veteran point guard will likely miss the entire season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during an unofficial team mini-camp in the Bahamas. It's a brutal loss for a team that has been considered on the short list of title contenders. It's not a coincidence that the Rockets' worst stretch last season came when VanVleet was injured. His mixture of tough perimeter defense, three-point shooting and on-court leadership isn't easy to replace. The Rockets are only $1.25MM below their first-apron hard cap, so they can't just sign another point guard. Their best hope is that Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday can fill the position or that a trade possibility opens up later in the season. I see Durant's extension as a separate issue. Trading for KD gave Houston roughly a three-year window to chase a title with him as a focal point. That's not going to change just because VanVleet's injury provides a setback for this season.
Malik Beasley
11:11
There haven't been any rumors about me signing anywhere lately. Will I be playing for an NBA team by opening night?
ARTHUR HILL
11:24
Maybe not by opening night. The NBA is conducting an investigation of unusually high prop bets placed on Beasley that's separate from a federal gambling probe. News of the NBA's action just broke two weeks ago, so it may not be resolved soon. Until it is, teams are going to be wary of signing a player who faces a lengthy suspension or even criminal charges if it's determined that he was actively involved. The Knicks, who had been among the teams rumored to have the most interest in signing Beasley, have already moved on. The Pistons have at least one unsettled roster spot and still hold Beasley's non-Bird rights, so that's the most logical place for him to go, assuming his name is eventually cleared. But it may not happen until the season is already well underway.
JD
11:24
I can't decide whether or not to be optimistic about the Sixers. Do you see them as a playoff team?
ARTHUR HILL
11:36
So much depends on the health of Joel Embiid that it's hard to predict with any certainty what lies ahead for the Sixers. Much like Luka Doncic, Embiid has focused on fitness this summer and looks much lighter than he used to be. That should reduce the strain on his surgically repaired left knee and hopefully allow him to play much more than the 19 games he was limited to last season. A healthier Embiid and Paul George could make Philadelphia a factor again in a weakened Eastern Conference. Tyrese Maxey is also back from injury, and VJ Edgecombe was a fantastic pickup in the draft. The Sixers' season could easily go either way, but a healthy roster would make them one of the league's most exciting teams to watch. I recommend guarded optimism with the understanding that things could fall apart again quickly.
Guest
11:36
Joe Dumars is saying all the right things about Zion but he's also not the first one to talk to him about accountability. Will he ever find a way to stay healthy and turn into the star that he could be?
ARTHUR HILL
11:48
Every season seems to start with stories about Zion's commitment to taking care of his body and appearing in as many games as possible. But usually they end like last season, when he was only available for 30 games and the Pelicans missed the playoffs. It's good that Joe Dumars spoke to Zion about "responsibility" and "accountability," but he probably didn't say anything that sounded different from David Griffin's annual message when he was running the team. After six NBA seasons, it's pretty clear that Zion is always going to be a uniquely talented player who presents a massive health risk. New Orleans could be a play-in contender and he might be an all-NBA candidate if he reaches the 65-game threshold to qualify, but the safer bet is that he won't come close to that figure.
Scott S.
11:48
Who's your Most Improved Player pick for 2025-26?
ARTHUR HILL
12:00
Houston's Amen Thompson was already a strong MIP candidate, and Fred VanVleet's injury should improve his chances. Much of the offense will run through Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant, but Thompson will still see increased ball-handling and playmaking duties in his third NBA season. Combine that with his other talents and the increased spotlight on the Rockets, and Thompson is probably the best bet to win the trophy. Andrew Nembhard is another player to watch in the MIP race. With Tyrese Haliburton unavailable, the Pacers will be counting on more scoring from Nembhard. His performance during the playoffs suggests that Indiana might be able to stay in contention without its star guard.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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