Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/30/2026
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Luke Adams
2:01
Hey all! Thanks for the questions so far. I'm running a little late since I'm in the process of finalizing a long article breaking down where things stand with Jalen Duren's free agency. Given how many questions I've gotten about that situation, I think it probably makes sense to publish that story before we start here.
2:02
Appreciate your patience! We'll get underway in just a few minutes.
Uncle Bobbo
2:05
So what is this Oct1st deadline for Duren? Can you explain what remaining outcomes exist for the Pistons and Duren and if a trade were to happen, what would Duren’s trade value be?
Luke Adams
2:06
I think this covers the Duren situation from just about every angle. It really doesn't seem as if a sign-and-trade is a plausible outcome right now.
xdrta
2:07
If Duren signs the reported 5yr/200M contract with the pistons, would BYC rules apply to a trade before the trade deadline this year?
Luke Adams
2:07
No, base year compensation rules (which I briefly outlined in that story) only apply in a sign-and-trade scenario, not if the player has signed a contract and is being traded several months later.
2:09
I believe the only instance where there's a discrepancy between incoming/outgoing salary-matching numbers for a player being traded several months after signing a contract is for guys who sign rookie scale extensions. The poison pill provision applies to them.

So that'd be relevant this season for guys like Amen Thompson, Keyonte George, Victor Wembanyama, etc. Though I'll go out on a limb and predict Wembanyama won't be traded.
Rusty
2:09
I'm seeing a lot more two way/former two way NBA players in training camp invites then years before when it was usually a ton of G league or undrafted guys. Is that partially due to a smaller pond of young guys who would normally be out of college sticking around for another year due to NIL?
Luke Adams
2:12
NIL is a factor for sure. There are far fewer underclassmen going pro than there used to be.

The court battles over eligibility are also playing a part here. I have a list of guys whose Exhibit 10 deals were reported in June/July who still haven't officially signed, and a lot of players on that list are four-year college players who are looking to go back to school for a fifth year of eligibility.
David Pringles-Winecellar
2:12
There seems to be a fair amount of criticism for the extremely thin Nuggets roster, but also the rational that Jokic being one of the best players of all time will prevent them from being a play-in team/having a losing season. In my mind, this is the flimsiest Nuggets roster we've seen in the Jokic era. What's your opinion on their outlook for the upcoming season? Jokic and Jamal Gordon I assume will miss some stretches leaving 38 year old Demar Derozan and Marvin Bagley III doing a LOT of the lifting here.
Luke Adams
2:14
I didn't really love the roster from a couple years ago either, with Westbrook playing big minutes and DeAndre Jordan acting as the primary backup center. But that version of the team won a playoff series and pushed the eventual champion Thunder to seven games.

I still think that IF the starters are healthy, the Nuggets have championship upside, but I agree that the depth looks shaky.
Rob Dillingham
2:14
Is my career over 2 yrs in? Do u think a team will take me on a two way or is it just over? Either way what team do you think I would go to, like maybe pistons?
Additionally, what makes me so undesirable for teams to keep like the bulls who are rebuilding?
Luke Adams
2:18
I think you'll end up a two-way, even if it happens a little later in the season. You're still so young that there's gotta be a team willing to take a shot on you.

But you're an undersized guard who hasn't shown the ability to score efficiently at all during your first couple seasons and if you're struggling offensively, you don't really have a bunch of other strengths to fall back on.

As for why the Bulls moved on, I think it's mostly a case of a new GM taking over and you just not being his type of player. I also don't think the Bulls are in "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mode. They want to be competitive and have a roster that fits together, even if they're probably not gonna be a playoff team.
Kim
2:19
Good afternoon. I’m hearing that there are many suitors or teams willing to do a sign and trade for Jalen Duran, should things not work out for the Pistons. My Hawks were listed as a potential suitor of interest. Why in the world would we come this far with great contracts and no over paid players (except maybe Kispert but okay) to do a sign in trade for a player who flamed out in the playoffs and not even worth the $200 million that Detroit recently offered? I know the Hawks are in waiting for that next big star opportunity. But do you agree this is not a good fit for our team??? Thanks!
Luke Adams
2:21
The report about the Hawks' interest sounds like something that came from the agent. I'm skeptical that it's all that legitimate. Most likely, Atlanta did its due diligence to see what it might take to get Duren and the agent, in an effort to use what leverage he has, is listing them as one of the interested teams to remind the Pistons that there are plenty of other clubs willing to pay up for his client.
Unclemike1526
2:21
Hey Luke, Bulls question. When the new regime came in they started doing the things a rebuilding club should do. They acquired Claxton, Had 2 first round draft choices and things seemed on track. Then it morphed into signing Powell and trading for Hield and now it seems like it's morphed into trying to be a play in team again. Do you think that comes as a directive from Reinsdorf? Is it a by product of the tanking rules? Because the not drafting any second rounders seems like a really dumb way to play this. I admit they needed outside shooters badly, But I thought they'd try young ones not geezers. Thank You Sir.
Luke Adams
2:24
Yeah, I think the tanking rules are a major factor there. I don't think adding someone like Buddy Hield (who is coming off his worst season) takes the Bulls from lottery team to play-in team. They'll still probably be in that 4-10 range in the "reverse" standings, which is the sweet spot to get the best lottery odds.

Plus, Hield is the sort of player who could eventually have positive trade value with a bounce-back season, given that he'll be on an expiring contract worth well below the mid-level in 2027/28. To get him basically for free (apologies to Dillingham) is a fine move, especially for a team that needs shooting.

Re: Powell, again I think he'll add much-needed scoring/shooting to make sure this isn't a bottom-3 team and is a guy who could be flipped at the deadline or next offseason for value if he plays well.
Sam
2:24
Last chat before preseason games. So, for fun, what are your wildest opinions/predictions for this upcoming season that you genuinely believe in? Can be about anything.
Luke Adams
2:26
I have no idea why, but I'm way more bullish on the Magic this year than pretty much anyone else. I get the sense that a lot of people expect them to miss the playoffs entirely in a competitive East, but I'm increasingly convinced that they could be really good as long as they're relatively healthy. Maybe not "come out of the East" good, but "win a playoff series or two" good.
GrizzMan
2:27
O/U Edey playing 41 games this year?
Luke Adams
2:28
I'll take the over. Under the old lottery format, I probably would've taken the under because it would've been in the Grizzlies' best interest not to play him that much (sorta like the Jazz with Markkanen in recent years), but that's no longer the case. Fingers crossed that the ankle holds up.
Trajan Langdon
2:28
So we're down to the wire. Let's assume Duren signs the QO. Do you actually use him to the fullest while you look for alternatives (possibly even in February, since all you need is for him to agree to a trade, and it wouldn't be that far-fetched that he'd accept anyone who guarantees to sign him to the max in the summer), bench him and use Reed instead, or what?
Luke Adams
2:31
The Pistons would know better than I would how real these rumors about his dissatisfaction are and how seriously to take them. But unless they know with 100% certainty that Duren wants to leave Detroit as soon as possible, it still makes sense to use him to his fullest.

An in-season trade would be tricky (outlined why in my story this afternoon). Plus, if he's still open to staying in Detroit, you have the ability to offer him more years and money next summer than any other team can.
Uncle Bobbo
2:32
What are the pitfalls of the Philadelphia roster as constructed? How big of a downgrade, if at all, is going from Jaylen brown to Paul George?
Luke Adams
2:35
Confused about the second half of the question, which seems more like a Celtics question. But in response to the first half...

I'd be worried about the center spot behind Embiid, who is almost definitely going to miss some time at some point (it could happen in the playoffs). Guys like Bona, Hukporti, and Barlow are OK as reserves, but I don't want to be relying on them to play big roles with Embiid out.

I'd also be concerned about how the defense comes together. Embiid isn't as dominant as he once was there and I'm not sure Brown is as good as his reputation suggests. Would be very helpful if Edgecombe emerged as an All-Defensive caliber guy like LeBron believes he can.
KKP
2:35
What are the chances for Agbaji  and Lonnie Walker to go to EuroLeague and not stay in NBA?
Luke Adams
2:37
I don't think either guy is likely to make his current team (Knicks, Nuggets), based on their cap situations. Walker has played in the EuroLeague before, which probably makes him the more likely of the two to go back, since he's familiar with it. Both of them would have G League opportunities as well if that's what they prefer.
Trog
2:37
Can you update us on teams that are unlikely to carry a 15th man? Thanks for all your continued hard work!
Luke Adams
2:40
Wouldn't consider this list to be definitive, since I'm coming up with it on the spot here, but at a glance, I'm guessing these teams carry 14 to start the season:

Boston, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Indiana, Miami, Minnesota, New York, OKC, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Antonio, and Toronto.

Utah could be in there too. They have plenty of room below the tax to carry 15 but only have 14 on standard contracts for now.
BeachBoyFan420
2:40
Where do you see Kevin Love ending up?
Luke Adams
2:41
Speaking of Utah... Seems like the Jazz would be an obvious fit for Love. By all accounts, he really liked it there last season, and they have an open spot.
Shaq
2:41
Tough break for Rob Dillingham (him being bad at basketball, and all). Is he the highest paid player to go from a standard contract to being a potential two-way player?
Luke Adams
2:45
Would need to do a little more research to confirm, but off the top of my head, I think he would be. Can't think of a higher draft pick who ended up on a two-way deal, and even if there was one, rookie salaries have kept increasing.
GrizzMan
2:45
Who’s the odd man out in Memphis?
Luke Adams
2:47
There will be three of them! Still have to get from 18 to 15.

Seems like Micah Peavy could be among them, given that an ankle injury is preventing him from taking part in camp. Jordan Hawkins and Kris Murray could be the other two. I'd consider Walter Clayton Jr. to be at risk too, especially if the Grizzlies want to keep any of those other three.
Critter, the unused NBA Mascot
2:48
The NBA All Star Weekend should feature a "we didn't make teams yet and we're old" game where the likes of Kevin Love, Kelly Olynk, Aaron Holiday, and Marjon Beacuhamp play their hearts out on a big stage. Maybe it gets them signed to a 10 day or end of season contract? You could have retiring players on one team, or vets vs. best of the unsigned G league. Why would the NBA say no?
Luke Adams
2:49
Feels like that game might have the same issue as the actual All-Star game -- guys would be reluctant to go all out due to the risk of injury. Especially since an injury in those circumstances could be a career-ender for some of them.
Unclemike1526
2:49
Quick follow up. if you knew you needed shooters why on Earth would you draft Swain over Cam Carr who can shoot the lights out? Thanks.
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