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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/28/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on the Wizards.
Chris D
11:01
As a Wizards fan, the trade deadline is like our playoffs. If you were forced to give an answer, who among Kuzma, Valunciunas, Brogdon, Poole, and some other Wizard will be traded by the end of next week?
ARTHUR HILL
11:06
The Wizards should be open for business between now and next Thursday, willing to accept offers for any of their veteran players. Jonas Valanciunas is probably most likely to be dealt. He has been effective in limited playing time, and there are a lot of teams that need help at center. He shouldn't be expensive, probably bringing back a second-round pick or two. A team like the Lakers might view Valanciunas as a good fallback option if they can't get one of their other trade targets.
11:10
Kyle Kuzma is also likely to be on the move. His comments this week about being more aggressive and not trying to fit in suggest that he's had enough of the endless losing in Washington. He shouldn't be part of a major rebuilding project at this stage of his career, and he could be a good complementary piece for a contender. It will be interesting to see if anyone is willing to offer a first-round pick. Brogdon could be a nice addition for a team seeking veteran guard help, but the Wizards won't get much in return. I don't think any teams are willing to gamble on Jordan Poole yet with two expensive years left on his contract.
Jimmy Butler
11:10
Which roster will I be on on Feb 7?
ARTHUR HILL
11:16
It seems the least likely choices are Miami and Phoenix. The Heat are obviously fed up with Butler's antics and the constant distractions they bring to the team. They appear ready to sell at a bargain price as long as they don't have to take back any expensive long-term contracts. The Suns are known to covet Butler, but Bradley Beal seems like an unsolvable problem. Most teams are reluctant to take on his contract, and his no-trade clause ensures that he doesn't have to go anywhere he doesn't want to be. He prefers a winning franchise in a warm-weather climate, and there aren't many of those available.
11:21
After weeks of Butler trade rumors, nobody has emerged as a clear leader. Brian Windhorst said there could be some "surprising moves" as teams reassess their interest in Butler now that the asking price is lower. A recent report said "about half the league" has communicated interest to the Heat about facilitating a deal, so this could wind up as a three-, four- or five-team trade to make all the pieces fit. Regardless of where he winds up, Butler probably won't be any happier unless he believes it will result in a contract extension.
JD
11:22
How many of the Bulls' trade candidates (Zach, Vooch, Lonzo, P-Will, etc.) will they actually be able to move at the deadline? Is it more likely they fully overhaul their roster or don't do much?
ARTHUR HILL
11:30
LaVine's statistics this year are comparable to his last All-Star season, but it doesn't seem like the trade offers have adjusted to his increased production. The Bulls might have been willing to sell LaVine cheaply a year ago or even last summer, but not now. Unless they want to completely tear down the roster, they should keep LaVine and build around him. As I've said before, I don't see the need to rush into a Vucevic trade either. He's putting up excellent shooting numbers and his contract runs for one more season as a reasonable salary. If the Warriors want him, as reported, the Bulls should insist that Moses Moody is part of the package.
11:35
It's almost comical that the Bulls have decided to shop Patrick Williams after tanking his trade value by giving him a five-year extension last summer and removing him from the starting lineup. He would almost certainly benefit from a move to another organization, but the trade offers are probably meager if there are any at all. I think Ball will probably be traded, although he's a popular figure in Chicago after battling his way back from injuries. As for the rest of the roster, it depends how badly the Bulls want to ship out productive players to protect their draft pick.
Tyler Herro
11:35
Will I make the All-Star team or are there too many East guards ahead of me?
ARTHUR HILL
11:42
Herro is having an excellent season, but the competition might be too good for him to be selected. Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell were voted as the East's backcourt starters, leaving Herro to battle with Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Trae Young, Darius Garland, LaMelo Ball and Cade Cunningham for the other spots. Herro's numbers match up well with that group, but he doesn't have an All-Star pedigree, having never made the game before. I think he'll probably get passed over, but he'll get strong consideration as an injury replacement if someone drops out.
Guest
11:43
Will Cam Johnson be traded? I feel like it's hard to find a deal that makes sense for him unless the Nets' asking price comes down. Which team do you think is most likely?
ARTHUR HILL
11:48
The market for Johnson has been dwindling for some time, with teams unwilling to meet the Nets' asking price of two first-round picks. The Kings reportedly haven't talked to Brooklyn about Johnson for weeks, and the Cavaliers only registered preliminary interest. The Pacers were mentioned as a possibility, but they may not want to make major changes to a team that has been playing well over the past month. It's looking more like Johnson will stay with the Nets, which may be the best move for everyone involved. Brooklyn is proving that it can tank very well with him on the roster.
Guest
11:48
Should the Rockets be looking to use draft picks and contracts like Adams, Landale, Tate + Jeff Green to upgrade their roster? Seems like they're for real but I don't trust them in the playoffs without a little more help
ARTHUR HILL
11:55
Despite their surprising success, the Rockets are one of the league's worst teams when it comes to three-point shooting, so it makes sense to give up one or more of those contracts to add another shooter. Houston gave itself plenty of trade assets by signing Tate, Landale and Green to short-term contracts in the $8MM range. I wouldn't part with Adams, though. He's been very effective as a backup center and remains one of the league's best offensive rebounders and screen setters. The Rockets will probably try to sign him to a long-term deal once the season is over.
KevinG
11:55
Should the Grizzlies just go for Jimmy Butler even though he apparently doesn't want to be there? I feel like he probably wouldn't half-ass it if he ends up playing for a top-3 seed after the trade deadline, and losing him after this season wouldn't be a disaster for Memphis since they could use the cap room to renegotiate and extend JJJ. In a best-case scenario, Butler is to the Grizzlies what Kawhi was to the 2019 Raptors.
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
Pat Riley would probably take at least a little pleasure in sending Butler to a city that's reportedly the last place he wants to go. And "Playoff Jimmy" could be the missing piece in Memphis, teaming up with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to create a dangerous lineup. Now that more teams are getting involved, the Heat might get better offers than what the Grizzlies are willing to make, but Butler going to Memphis would be a satisfying conclusion to the ongoing drama.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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