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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/9/2025
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Luke Adams
2:00
Thanks for the early questions, guys! Keep 'em coming. I'm running a few minutes behind but we'll get underway shortly.
2:07
Sorry for the wait, guys. Let's dive in!
GrizzMan
2:07
I think a returning GG Jackson, plus keeping their 1st rd picks would be better than trading for Beal, Butler, Johnson, etc. Agree/disagree?
Luke Adams
2:08
Well, those are three very different trade targets. I think there are cases to be made for Butler and Johnson, depending on what Memphis has to give up. Don't think Beal makes much sense for them.
Guest
2:08
Does Mitchell Robinson have any trade value for this trade season?  Knicks need a center and I don’t think they can trade for anyone without including his salary.  What is the availability of  Nick Richards, Walker Kesslor or Nicola Vucevic?
Luke Adams
2:10
Right now, I'd guess Robinson's trade value would be neutral at best. More likely negative. If he were to get back healthy before the deadline, that would change -- but if that were the case, the Knicks might just keep him.
Vucevic (cap hit) and Kessler (draft-asset cost) probably aren't realistic targets for the Knicks either way. Richards could be.
Brad Beal
2:10
One interesting subplot to my situation. My agent is the father of the Suns President.
Luke Adams
2:11
Yeah, I'm not sure that tells us anything about where you might end up, the way it did when you were traded out of Washington -- but you'd hope that at least the relationship between the Suns and Beal's camp is a friendly one, with the two sides willing to work together.
Mark
2:11
In regards to the CBA and restrictions, do you see less moves being made because of so many restrictions for teams wanting to contend and beyond either the first or second apron and how it might affect the trade deadline?
Luke Adams
2:13
Maybe, though for as much as we talk about it being harder for certain teams to make trades and for certain players to be moved under the CBA, it's worth noting that if you're not in apron territory, trades are actually easier than ever to make. As long as you're below the first apron, you can send out a player making, say, $8MM and take back someone making $15.5MM -- that's pretty forgiving!

So I think we'll still see plenty of deals. Some of the bigger ones may just require some of those non-apron teams to be roped in.
BeyondTheSnark
2:14
if the Heat are unable to trade Jimmy Butler before the suspension ends, will he play again for Miami this season?
Luke Adams
2:17
The messaging right now is that the Heat expect him to play once the suspension is over if he's still on the roster, but it's really hard for me to imagine that happening.

I'm actually very curious to see how it plays out, since there's no indication the Heat are going to get an offer they love in the next week or so, and the player participation policy prohibits teams from shutting down "star" players (Butler qualifies because of his recent All-Star nods). Maybe the league will make an exception in this case.
Jimbo
2:17
Are the Suns more likely to make a panic trade or stay the course?
Luke Adams
2:18
I'm not even really sure what a panic trade would look like for the Suns. It's so hard for them to make ANY trade, given their second-apron restrictions, and they only have one movable first-round pick -- I think they'll be careful about how they use what's essentially their final bullet in the chamber.
Guest
2:18
Cav's philosophy for the deadline: Nada-Don't mess with success, minor tinker, or major blockbuster?
Luke Adams
2:20
Definitely don't need a major blockbuster. A minor tinker would be fine if they think it'll make the team better, but unless they're 100% sure of that, staying the course is probably the best move. They haven't shown any real weaknesses through 36 games.
JP
2:20
Can Dallas swing a trade for Kyle Kuzma? Would Kleber, Hardy, and Prosper and 2 second round picks be enough. They need more offense with the injuries to Doncic and Irving? Your thoughts? Thanks
Luke Adams
2:22
It'll be tricky for the Mavs to trade for someone earning more than mid-level-ish money. Kuzma's cap hit ($23.5MMish) isn't huge, but he also has some unlikely incentives and a trade bonus that would count against the apron, and the Mavs don't have much breathing room below their hard cap, so even if Kuzma waives his trade bonus, they'd probably have to send out upwards of $28MM to squeeze him in. I don't know how they get there without giving up a key rotation piece.
Jeff
2:23
The Warriors look far from competing for a championship and while Kuminga shows promise he is looking for a near max deal.  I could see Golden State having to give a bad deal out or lose him for nothing to a team with cap space next summer.
Luke Adams
2:25
The Warriors should be in a pretty good spot with Kuminga next summer. If he finishes the season strong, you'll feel better about giving him something near the max. If he doesn't, the Warriors can probably play hardball, since there won't be many teams out there with cap room.

The only concern would be if the Nets (the only team currently projected to have max space) view him as a cornerstone to build around. If they don't, I'm not sure he gets a massive offer.
Bucks Fan
2:26
What will it cost (asset wise) to dump Connaughton to get below the 2nd apron?
Luke Adams
2:28
A first-round pick would be too much, but it would probably take more second-rounders than the Bucks have on hand to trade. The one wild card is that because trading Connaughton for nothing would get the Bucks out of second-apron territory, they could technically attach cash to him. Maybe $7MM + one second-rounder is enough?
KJ
2:29
Once OKC is fully healthy do we concede the West to them or do you think Memphis or someone else can challenge?
Luke Adams
2:30
I love the Thunder and view them as the favorite to come out of the West, but let's not get ahead of ourselves -- they've only won one playoff series and still have plenty to prove in the postseason. There are a few teams in the West with upset potential if they get hot at the right time.
guest
2:30
Who has the greatest odds of switching teams by the deadline. Butler, Lavine. or Ingram?
Luke Adams
2:30
I'd probably rank them...
  1. Butler
  2. Ingram
  3. LaVine
Arturas
2:31
Zach Lavine on the Magic without considering contract is an awesome fit right? but the bulls negotiations against themselves in the Lavine contract year have created an albatross
Luke Adams
2:32
Yes and yes. Would be fun to see but there's no way it happens. Just not the style of this Magic front office to trade for a contract like that.
KaiJonesStan
2:32
Do you think OKC could be in cap trouble in the future (2026-27 & beyond)? If JDub & Chet get max rookie extensions, Shai gets a supermax, and Caruso is in his 20M per year deal (along with 23M combined for Joe & Wiggins), I just wonder what implications that will have for them and retaining talent.
Luke Adams
2:34
I wouldn't expect Joe and Wiggins to both still be on the roster by the time J-Dub and Chet are on their next deals -- they might both be gone by then. The good thing about all the Thunder's first-round picks is that they can continue to add younger versions of the role players they can't necessarily afford to keep.
2:35
Which isn't to say the roster won't get expensive, but I certainly don't see them losing the equivalent of a James Harden this time around.
HeatBaby33!!
2:35
Please tell me you’ve heard something on the butler front. I know it’s difficult, but, I’m ready for him to leave and get the drama over with
Luke Adams
2:36
I've been offline for the last few hours but the last I saw this morning from Sam Amick was that the Heat are in no hurry to get things over with if it means taking a deal they're not happy with. I know it can be frustrating as a fan for these situations to drag on indefinitely, but that's probably the approach you want your favorite team to take.
JT
2:37
Hey Luke, do you see the Warriors making a big trade? You hearing of any other options outside of Jimmy Butler?
Luke Adams
2:39
I do wonder if they'll reconsider the Butler idea before the trade deadline. If not... I don't really see anyone out there who would be a real difference-maker for them and who fits into their salary/cap situation.
DubCity
2:39
Do you see the Warriors making a big trade soon? They could really use some help, are you hearing anything outside of Butler or Vuc?
Luke Adams
2:40
Vucevic is the other guy that has been connected to the Warriors and his contract situation is certainly more favorable than Butler's or Ingram's or LaVine's. I'm just not convinced he's a difference-maker. The price should be reasonable though, if they feel the need to do something.
KJ
2:41
I think we are all Butlered to death lol.  That being said who do you think will be the next star that will need to find their joy on another team
Luke Adams
2:43
Was convinced it would be De'Aaron Fox before the Kings' recent surge. I'd still keep an eye on that situation -- as good as they've been lately, the Kings are outside of the top 10 in the West, and Fox will be in a contract year in 2025/26.

Zion Williamson and Kevin Durant are a couple others I'd keep an eye on, though I'm not expecting anything to happen with either of them by Feb. 6.
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