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Hoops Rumors Chat With Luke Adams: 3/20/2017
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Luke Adams
2:34
Hey guys! Today's chat will start at 3:00pm CT. Get your questions in up until then, and keep 'em coming once we get underway.
Mikey
3:00
Hey so who do you see could possibly be an under the radar top 2 pick? Obviously there's Fultz and Ball, but do you think anyone else can steal one of their top two spots?
Luke Adams
3:02
Fultz and Ball look like the consensus top two this year the same way that Simmons and Ingram did last year. I'd be surprised if that changed, but the best contender to sneak into the top two is probably Josh Jackson. I could also see Malik Monk going earlier than expected if some team falls in love with him this spring.
A
3:02
Which coach is most likely to be fired after the season/
Luke Adams
3:04
Alvin Gentry is the first one that comes to mind -- I could see New Orleans deciding that it needs to bring in someone who has the ability to maximize the Davis/Cousins duo (in the same way that someone like D'Antoni has gotten the most out of Harden).
It's also been a very shaky season for guys like Fred Hoiberg and Jeff Hornacek, though I'm not sure those teams are ready to make a change.
Fire GarPax
3:05
Anything Bulls fans can look forward to this upcoming offseason? Or just the usual GarPax shenanigans?
Luke Adams
3:07
It seems like this should be the summer that the Bulls finally commit to rebuilding. The question would be whether they do that rebuild around Butler, or whether he's dealt as part of a bigger retooling. Of course, I sort of thought that was the question for the Bulls last year too, and instead they went with a weird half-rebuild/half-win-now approach with vets like Wade and Rondo. They shouldn't take that half-measures approach again this time around, but you never know with that front office.
james
3:08
will the knicks trade carmelo anthony this summer?
Luke Adams
3:10
That's more Carmelo's decision than it is the Knicks', since he still has that no-trade clause at his disposal. But I have a feeling that after this mess of a season, the idea of a trade might appeal to him a little more than it used to. If he's on board, it should definitely happen.
It's also worth noting that even if Carmelo has a small list of teams he'd accept a deal to, those teams will have more flexibility to make a move in the summer than they would during the season.
Ryan
3:11
Is Greg Monroe a Buck next season? I know he wants to start, but he's been killing it off the bench and he tends to be in at the end of most games.
Luke Adams
3:12
Monroe's player option decision is one of several interesting ones that are worth watching this offseason, as I discussed here: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/03/five-key-201718-player-option-decisions-to-watch.html
3:13
In that piece, I compared Monroe to Pau Gasol, since both players have been asked to play smaller roles this season and have been very efficient doing so. Unlike Gasol though, Monroe is still very much in his prime (only 26 years old!), so I'd be a little surprised if he was content to opt in and average 23-24 minutes per game again in Milwaukee. I think he'll opt out.
Brent B
3:13
Even though Karl Anthony Towns didn't make the all star team, how possible is it for him to make an All NBA team this season?
Luke Adams
3:15
The All-NBA teams will be interesting this season. I think there are a few guys who will get votes at more than one position, which could complicate the results. For instance, if Anthony Davis splits votes between forward and center, how does it affect those races?
3:17
I think KAT has a shot, but he has plenty of competition -- you could make a decent case for any of DeMarcus Cousins, Marc Gasol, Al Horford, DeAndre Jordan, Hassan Whiteside, Rudy Gobert, and even Andre Drummond. I don't think KAT would make it if the season ended today, but we'll see how he finishes.
Jimmy
3:17
Are the Jazz going to lose Gordon Hayward and George Hill this off season?
Luke Adams
3:19
I hope not. That's a fun team to watch when it's healthy. But Hayward and Hill will probably be two of the top 10 free agents out there, so if they both get max offers from other teams, it'll be difficult for the Jazz to match both. My guess right now (and it's just a guess) is that they keep Hayward and lose Hill, but it's still a little early to get a good feel for the free agent landscape.
Shuley Baup
3:19
Why is there so much hate on Westbrook being the MVP, what he's doing hasn't been done since the bigO, with that team of mismatched parts, carrying them into the playoffs, with those numbers, wow!
Luke Adams
3:21
MVP voters have long had an aversion to picking a guy who isn't on a top team, which is one factor working against Westbrook. And while his triple-double average is incredible, does the fact that he's averaging a couple more rebounds per game than Harden make him more valuable?
3:23
I don't know yet who I'd pick for MVP, but voting for Westbrook because of the triple-double stats reminds me of when MLB voters picked Miguel Cabrera a few years ago because he won the Triple Crown -- it's a very cool, very rare accomplishment, but it shouldn't necessarily be the deciding factor.
Reid
3:23
Do you think Chandler Parsons will be an effe effective player again or is he going to be a shell of what he once was?
Luke Adams
3:25
My hope for Parsons is that next season, when he's no longer playing for a contract or trying to earn a recently-signed contract, he'll make sure he's 100% (or as close to it as possible) when he gets out there. Trying to rush the recovery process or play through injuries is sure to backfire. He's still young enough that I wouldn't write him off just yet.
Craig
3:26
What has to happen for the Kings this off-season to show that their rebuild is heading in the right direction?
Luke Adams
3:28
Keeping their own pick and the Pelicans' pick would be a great start, but that's only half the battle -- making smart, informed selections with those top picks is the other half, and they've struggled with that in the last few drafts. Stream-lining the basketball decision-making process would be another good step in the right direction (preferably in a way that doesn't have Vivek being so heavily involved). And if Rudy Gay opts in, it would make sense for the team to shop him during the season if/when he's healthy.
Other concerned fan
3:28
What would make the timberwolves contenders next year
Luke Adams
3:31
A nice free agent addition or trade would help, but really the most important factor is continued growth from Towns, Wiggins, Dunn, and the rest of the core guys. I do wonder if there will be any trade chatter surrounding LaVine leading up to the season -- he's extension-eligible this year and will be RFA-eligible in 2018. Is he part of Minnesota's long-term plans?
Danny Ainge
3:31
This offseason do I make a trade for Jimmy Butler and if so who do I trade for it?
Luke Adams
3:33
I want to say yes, though no is a much safer bet (particularly when it comes to the Celtics the last couple years). But for discussion's sake, let's say they do it and try to figure out what it might look like...
3:35
If the Celtics get a top-two pick in 2017, I don't think they'd be willing to include it in a Butler deal. Would the Bulls be open to a package like Smart, Crowder, and the 2018 Nets' pick? If so, that would give Boston the opportunity to add Butler PLUS Fultz/Ball, and still have some cap room left over for free agency. That's a pretty fun offseason for the Celtics.
JP
3:35
Did Cameron Payne really get sent to the D-League? This team will be in basketball purgatory as long as that brain trust is still there.
Luke Adams
3:37
Payne did get sent to the D-League, though I don't think that's necessary a bad move. He hasn't looked all that great since arriving in Chicago (poor FG%, nearly as many TO as AST). He may be the PG of the future, but he doesn't necessarily need to be the PG of the next three weeks -- getting him a little more practice time in the D-League could help.
Jonathan
3:38
What teams could you see making a RFA offer to Noel this summer?
Luke Adams
3:40
That's a good question. The Nets come to mind immediately for any RFA, but I think they'll target guards more than bigs. Off the top of my head, maybe the Suns, Celtics, Wolves, or Rockets? I'd need to take a closer look though. Noel seems like a guy who may end up just re-signing with the Mavs rather than seeking out offer sheets, but we'll see.
Matt E
3:40
With Brandon Knight now being shut down for the season, what happens to him? Stays in Phoenix as the 3rd string guy or can they actually get something of value for him?
Luke Adams
3:42
It's hard to imagine Knight rebounding in Phoenix at this point, though I suppose it's possible. I think it's more likely that they just dump him this summer to a team that has cap room and is optimistic about his chances of bouncing back. Clearing his contract would probably be a win for the Suns at this point, which is kind of crazy, considering what his trade value was a couple years ago.
Reid
3:42
What do you make of the KD fiasco where the Warriors said he was not treated right the first time he visited OKC?
Luke Adams
3:44
Neither side comes off particularly well in that story. I thought the Thunder could've handled KD's return a little better, but complaining about it makes the Warriors look awfully petty. I think Steve Kerr recognized that, which is why he was quick to dismiss it today.
Kevin
3:44
Which of the Lakers young players do you think get traded in the off-season if any?
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