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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 1/27/2022
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Dana Gauruder
11:00
Hi all. Got lots of questions, I'll try to get to as many as I can over the next hour or so.
Jiben
11:00
Hi! I keep thinking knicks should take decision whether go all in or developing the young guys. It is sad to see guys like Toppin not getting more minutes even though knicks first unit is not working at all. What direction would you take? Thanks
Dana Gauruder
11:05
You've got to remember that Thibs is the coach and he's always relied on veterans. You see that they traded for Reddish and don't seem to have a rotation spot. That said, I don't see the Knicks turning things around. Randle's production has tailed off and they have injuries. Fournier and Walker acquisitions haven't worked out as expected. I think they should make moves with eyes toward the future but I doubt Thibs will be happy with that approach.
Guest
11:05
Could the DTW Pistons  trade for a good young player? Will they wait for summer and draft to see where they stand?
Dana Gauruder
11:07
All the buzz around the Pistons has surrounded Grant. The thing is, they don't HAVE to trade him now. He'll still have plenty of value in the offseason if they don't get an offer they like. Plus, they really haven't seen how he'll mesh with Cunningham. He got hurt before Cade really found his groove. If they get a solid young player and a future first-rounder, they might pull the trigger. Otherwise, I don't think they'll do anything significant.
Kings fan
11:07
We have a glut of Big Men - Tristan, Len, Damian, Metu, Holmes, Bagley.  How about swinging a Trade with the Warriors, who only have 1 Big Man?  Maybe get Damian Lee for one of our Bigs?
Dana Gauruder
11:11
You're right, the Kings have way too much options up front -- and not a lot to show for it. Trading one of them for Lee wouldn't be a bad idea but I expect them to do something much bolder. They've been splashing around, trying to make the playoffs with all these lottery picks for years. The Bagley pick in particular has blown up in their face. I see Sac doing something bigger and probably multiple deals. They've been trying to dump Hield virtually since the ink dried on the extension he signed. I could see Haliburton or maybe even Fox, despite their denials, in a major trade for Simmons or someone of that caliber. In any case, that roster will look a whole lot different in a few weeks than it does right now.
Brian
11:11
Bradley Beal to Philly, Ben Simmons to Atlanta, John Collins and Kevin Huerter to DC (all with additional players and picks exchanged as necessary) - who says no?
Dana Gauruder
11:14
Intriguing framework for a deal. I'm sure Daryl Morey would love that, he's been holding out for Beal or Lillard since the Simmons controversy began. The biggest stumbling block there is Beal. He's consistently stated he wants to stay in D.C. and the front office has consistently stated they won't deal him. I have to believe Beal might finally change his mind in the next few weeks. The Wizards may have a better overall roster than last season but he's the only star. The temptation to play with a center like Embiid has to be increasingly appealing to him.
Harvurd Crimsun #1 fan
11:15
Is Gary Harris a buyout possibility?
Dana Gauruder
11:16
I would say probable, unless the Magic need to add his contract to a major acquisition. Unlikely scenario for a rotation player making 20 mill. He's an unrestricted free agent after the season and it would be in the best interests of both parties to let him seek an opportunity with a contender.
Trog
11:17
Are the Mavericks buying, selling or threading the needle and trying to do both?
Dana Gauruder
11:21
Can't imagine a team with Doncic and Porzingis will be looking to sell. They're currently tied for 5th in the West, no reason to sell off assets. That said, they could definitely use another impact player. Perhaps packaging DFS and Powell with picks might get in done. Those Dragic rumors haven't gone away, though perhaps they could just wait and see if the Raptors end up buying him out, rather than giving up assets for him in a trade.
Guest
11:21
What is the market for Marcus Smart? Is there a scenario where the Celtics get value in return or will it end up being a salary dump?
Dana Gauruder
11:25
Smart just signed that extension over the summer, so I don't think they're looking to dump his salary that quick. They might use his salary as part of a broader deal for a player that Stevens believes will be a better long-term fit. As for the market for Smart, the extension does them no favors. Anyone acquiring him would have to really value his D and other attributes. Otherwise, the team trading for him will be in same boat as the Celtics are right now. My guess is he'll still be on the roster after the deadline.
Golden State
11:26
So what do the Warriors do when Kevon Looney gets Injured?  Are they really going to ask Draymond to keep Guarding the heavyweight Centers in the League?  He just had a Back injury.  Seems irresponsible and he could trigger the same injury again.
Dana Gauruder
11:28
You're right, the Warriors are thin in that area and I don't think they want to subject Green to that kind of pounding on a regular basis. It would help if Wiseman finally suited up, right? It appears he's finally close to returning, that would go a long way towards solving the problem. But I do feel GS will either trade for a big or sign one on the buyout market. I think they'll want to have that depth and give Kerr more options up front come playoff time.
Edu
11:29
Draymond Green injury is a end season ?
Dana Gauruder
11:32
There has been talk this week that Green's injury is worse than simply a sore back. No one has said it's a season-ender. An update is expected by the end of the month. Certainly, if Green is out an extended period, it would alter their approach before the trade deadline.
Matt
11:33
Talk PortlandTrailblazers, Is there any interest in Norman Powell or CJ McCollum across the league and who might that be?
Dana Gauruder
11:37
Given that McCollum is making 30-plus mill through the 2023-24 season, he's going to be awful tough to move. Powell just signed that extension but those salary figures are more reasonable. I do believe the Trail Blazers are finally coming to the conclusion that it's time to wave the white flag but shedding those contracts will be tough sledding. Right now, I don't think any teams are clamoring acquire them.
Laker fan
11:37
Can the Lakers turn there season around? And make a deep playoff run
Dana Gauruder
11:41
Well, the good news is they still have LeBron and AD. If you could guarantee both will be healthy during the postseason -- provided they actually MAKE the playoffs -- I wouldn't count them out. I felt the Westbrook acquisition had disaster written all over it from the start and that's what it looks like now. I think the Lakers' bench would be a lot better off if they hadn't given up those younger role players for Westbrook. I don't see the Lakers putting it all together. But if I'm a Western Conference playoff team, I don't want to have to deal with LeBron/AD in a seven-game series, either.
Not Ben Simmons
11:42
When will the Big Guy, Ben Simmons be traded?
Dana Gauruder
11:45
We get a lot of Simmons question. My take is that they will move him before the deadline. I just don't see the sense for either party to have this odd 'He's here but he's not playing' going on throughout the season. Nor will it help either them or the Nets' chances in the playoffs if people are constantly speculating about whether Harden will be in Philly next season. I suspect either Lillard or Beal, given the status of their current teams, will tell management they're ready for a fresh start. That will get the proverbial ball rolling. Otherwise, I see the Kings giving up enough assets, as long as Fox or Haliburton is included in the package, to end the Simmons drams in Philly.
jamoche1
11:45
Are the Cavs more likely to make a big move, make a small move, or stand pat?
Dana Gauruder
11:48
The Cavs are loving the chemistry they've displayed this season and so are their fans, who have been waiting to see how the post-LeBron era would play out. Garland has really turn into a difference-maker and Mobley has All-Star ability. They'd like to get more backcourt help due to the injuries to Rubio/Sexton and they wouldn't mind an upgrade at the wing, either. I don't see them doing anything big -- I think they'll be content just to make the playoffs and keep building -- but they'll probably make a lesser deal or two to fortify those needs.
Lakers
11:48
Are there any potential, and realistic, trade targets who can provide a boost to our perimeter defense?
Dana Gauruder
11:50
The Lakers are really hamstrung by the fact they have 3 max deals on their balance sheet. The only thing they can do is try to package  the contracts of THT and Nunn plus a first-round pick and hope someone will bite. So far, they haven't had any takers.
Raptor Crazy
11:51
Do the Raptors make any trades before the deadline?
Dana Gauruder
11:54
The Raptors are in a gray area as far the trade deadline. I'm sure they'll resolve the Dragic situation, either by trade or buyout. Otherwise, I don't see them really doing much. I don't see them moving Siakam or VanVleet, and Barnes is oozing with talent. What other players do they have that could bring in an impact player in return? I don't see any.
Gold
11:55
Do the Nuggets do anything at deadline or just wait on Murray and Porter?
Dana Gauruder
11:58
They made a nice little addition in Forbes to help their perimeter shooting. I think Denver is better off just holding the fort until they get their second and third best players back in action. They're better than anyone they could acquire on the market with the other assets they have.
Orlando Tragic
11:59
Safe to say my team will be the most Active by the February 10th Trade deadline?  Can I get a 2nd Round draft pick for Robin Lopez, Michael Carter Williams, or Gary Harris ?
Dana Gauruder
12:01
As stated earlier, Harris has a pretty hefty contract. And I don't think anyone would covet journeymen like Lopez and MCW to give up an asset.
That's all the time we have. Thanks for your participation and I'll try to answer more of your queries next week!
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