Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/24/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Lakers.
Elvis26
11:01
will the lakers make a trade for a wing?
ARTHUR HILL
11:08
The Lakers completely rebuilt their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves this summer, but their aggressive pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga indicates that the front office still isn't satisfied with the current group. Finding another wing would be ideal, but L.A.'s trade assets are limited after the package that was sent to Utah in the sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler. The Lakers have one tradeable first-round pick remaining in 2032, along with a pair of second-rounders in 2031 and 2032. They have a few expiring contracts and young players, but none of them really carry much trade value. GM Rob Pelinka will be working the phones throughout the season to find another forward or wing, but it would have to be a significant upgrade to cash in that remaining first-round pick.
Kevin Durant
11:08
Will I retire as a Rocket or play for another team before the end of my career?
ARTHUR HILL
11:14
Rockets GM Rafael Stone said at media day that Durant is happy in Houston, but Durant wasn't willing to discuss his future beyond this season. He'll have a $46MM player option next summer, and his decision figures to be heavily influenced by how this season turns out. Durant remains extremely productive as he nears age 38, but it's been a long time since he's won a playoff series. And since he left OKC 10 years ago, he has a history of becoming unhappy quickly when things start to go wrong. Unless the Rockets can make a real playoff run, it's likely that Durant plays for another team or two before he retires.
theBigLip
11:14
Surprise, a Jalen Duren question :-)            Is a sign and trade even possible now? Would it need to involve a 3rd team? What would a Sacramento trade even look like, and could Keegan Murray be the target instead of Sabonis?
ARTHUR HILL
11:29
A sign and trade is still possible if the two sides can't come to an agreement, but obviously it's much more difficult now than it would have been in early July. If we're figuring on a starting salary in the $40MM range on Duren's new contract, a third team wouldn't necessarily be needed to complete the deal, but it depends where he goes. The Kings have been mentioned as a possible destination, either now or in the future, and they could easily work out a trade without another team involved. Considering their contracts, Murray is a better value than Sabonis, but taking him in the deal would leave Detroit short on big men. Also, because Murray only makes $24.1MM this season, the Pistons would have to take back Malik Monk ($20.2MM) or Deandre Hunter ($24.9MM and expiring) while sending back a small contract to make the salaries match. Plus, it would be tougher to convince Sacramento to part with Murray rather than Sabonis. It feels like Duren will re-sign with the Pistons, and they'll try to trade him next year
Cale
11:29
Are the Wizards good enough to be in the play in mix? What direction do they go if they fall well short of that?
ARTHUR HILL
11:35
The front office seems to believe they are, but it's tough to see in an improved Eastern Conference. Unless Trae Young and Anthony Davis can stay healthy and return to elite status, there are probably 11 Eastern teams that are clearly better than Washington. The roster is loaded with high draft picks, and it's good to have veterans around to guide them, but the current mix is unlikely to produce a winning record. Davis has a $62.8MM player option next summer, and there's no point in keeping him past the trade deadline if he's not going to be extended. Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton are low-cost expiring contracts that should also be in demand. The Wizards should be better now that they're trying to win, but I expect a sell-off in February.
Guest
11:35
With Robinson already gone and Towns' extension talks stalling, what are the odds the Knicks' core breaks up in the next year or two due to money?
ARTHUR HILL
11:42
Owner James Dolan's unwillingness to go into the second apron is a bad sign for keeping the current roster together. Spending big is the only way to keep everybody happy, and it's not realistic to expect all the top players to accept discounts like Jalen Brunson did in his last deal. The timing is also bad for the Knicks, who have Towns and Josh Hart eligible for extensions now, with Brunson and OG Anunoby ready to join them next summer. New York fans love the current roster and are hoping for more titles, so Dolan will go back to being booed at home games if he refuses to spend to keep the core of the team together.
Esteban
11:42
I would love to see Darius Garland on the Grizzlies. Darius Garland has Tenesse ties. Wouldn't the Clippers and Grizzlies be good trade partners?
ARTHUR HILL
11:53
Garland would be a great addition for the Grizzlies and would love playing alongside that talented young frontcourt of Cameron Boozer, Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. However, it's hard to see what Memphis sends out in return to match Garland's $42.2MM salary since it doesn't have any large contracts outside of Jerami Grant ($34.2MM), who doesn't hold much trade value. The Grizzlies' best chance would be if Garland, who has two more years on his deal, decides he doesn't want to stay with the Clippers and either forces a trade or waits for free agency in 2028. He'd be a tremendous fit in Memphis, but it's probably not realistic to expect him there for a while.
Raptors
11:53
Are the Raptors a legit title contender with Kawhi? Where do you expect them to finish in the East?
ARTHUR HILL
11:59
If Leonard can stay healthy and put up numbers like he did last season, then Toronto is in position to take a large step forward. He provides a superstar presence on both ends of the court and should accelerate Scottie Barnes' rise to stardom. Leonard is a much more efficient scorer than Brandon Ingram, who he'll replace in the starting lineup, and he make the Raptors significantly better on defense. A lot of teams in the East have improved, so it's hard to rate them until we see them in action, but Toronto is definitely in the mix to reach the NBA Finals.
JD
11:59
Over under 4.5 more rookie scale extensions before the deadline?
ARTHUR HILL
12:06
Four players from the 2023 draft class have signed extensions so far and 18 more are currently eligible, so we should see a lot of activity before the October 19 deadline. Brandon Miller, Anthony Black and Cason Wallace seem like the best bets to reach new deals, and a few others could join them. It wasn't an outstanding draft class outside of the early lottery, but players in general are motivated to take guaranteed money while they can rather than going into restricted free agency. I'll take the over on that bet.
12:07
Thanks for the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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