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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 11/26/24
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ARTHUR HILL
11:02
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on the surprising Nets.
D-Rock in BKLYN
11:02
What up, what up. First time here in a live chat. I'm a HUGE Nets' fan. Sean Marks should have a couple handfuls of options in trades. What returns represent the best case scenario for the Nets?
ARTHUR HILL
11:08
The Nets are looking dangerous after back-to-back road wins against the Kings and Warriors, and they may be a real contender for a postseason spot in the East. A lot of credit goes to new coach Jordi Fernandez, who has done a masterful job in his first month in Brooklyn. As you point out, the Nets have a lot of trade assets, but I would hesitate to part with anything significant right now unless the trade market improves by February. The options will likely be better in the offseason, including the chance that Giannis will ask out of Milwaukee. If that happens, Brooklyn will be among the teams with the best chance to deal for him.
Kevin in Houston
11:08
Is Jalen Green's shot broken?  Or just small sample size bad luck?
ARTHUR HILL
11:12
It's been discouraging, especially after the Rockets rewarded him with a three-year extension just before the start of the season. Green is in his fourth year -- and his second under Ime Udoka -- so this is when he should be emerging into a star if he's capable of reaching that level. Instead, he's shooting career-worst marks from the field and from beyond the arc. The Rockets will be making some long-term decisions between now and the start of next season, and trading Green could be an option if he can't become more reliable with his shooting.
EonADS
11:13
Are the Heat more real or more a mirage at this point? Adebayo looks good, and Herro has clearly taken a step forward at attacking the rim and hitting the open man, but there's a lot of flags. Herro's almost certainly not going to continue hitting 43% of his threes, Butler hasn't been healthy or looked engaged offensively, and past those three (plus Robinson off the bench), the team starts to flounder.
ARTHUR HILL
11:17
Herro's improvement has been the most encouraging thing that's happened in Miami this season. Even if he doesn't stay around 43% from downtown, he's still an improved offensive weapon. He and Bam provide a solid foundation to build around as the Heat determine which of their young guys are keepers. I think it's time to part ways with Butler, and Miami is probably ready to do that before the deadline if any stars become available on the trade market. I see them as around a .500 team with an early playoff exit if they keep the current group together.
Matt
11:18
Randle isn't a fit for Wolves. What are the chances of he being traded and what could they get for him?
ARTHUR HILL
11:22
I think the chances rise as Minnesota continues to flounder. Everybody said the right things after Thursday's spat between Randle and Gobert in Toronto, but it's still a red flag that their new partnership isn't going great behind the scenes. Randle has a player option for next season, so the Wolves should explore what they can get for him now. It won't be anything close to what they paid for him, as that trade with the Knicks is looking like a huge mistake.
Orlando Fan
11:22
Normally when your best player goes down you take a slight hit but in this instant it looks like Orlando is actually playing better without Banchero. No obviously when he comes back I'm not suggesting that you bench him but if your coach what do you do because your team is in such a rhythm and now you have to kind of integrate Banchero when he comes back
ARTHUR HILL
11:26
Who knew Franz Wagner was capable of this? He has stepped right into the Banchero role and is running the offense beautifully. There will be an adjustment whenever Banchero returns, but it should be a good problem to have if Jamahl Mosley handles it right. He can have at least one productive point forward on the floor for the entire 48 minutes, and Wagner and Banchero will have the rest of the season to work out their responsibilities when they're on the court together.
Taylor
11:26
The east stinks. How many legitimate contenders are in that conference... 3? (BOS, CLE, NYK)
ARTHUR HILL
11:31
The Magic should be in that group too. You can make arguments for the Bucks, Pacers and even the Sixers eventually getting there if everyone ever gets healthy at the same time, but right now there's a very small group at the top. We knew the East was going to be bad, but it's actually been worse than anyone expected.
A.P.
11:31
New Orleans is in last place in the Western Conference.
ARTHUR HILL
11:35
It's been a disaster of a season for the Pelicans so far, with virtually all their rotation players being sidelined by injuries at some point. But this still a very talented roster that has a chance to make a run at the play-in tournament if everybody can get on the court. Dejounte Murray's return this week should help. The good news is that New Orleans is only 5 1/2 games out of the 10th spot and there's still a lot of the season left to play. One hot streak could put them back in contention.
D Morey
11:36
What should we do about the season cuz we're at a catch-22. OKC controls our picj if it's lower than six so if we rebound enough to make the playoffs and such we're not going to have a first round pick next year and PG and Embid not getting younger. But in order to keep our pic we would have to not only tank but tank really bad
ARTHUR HILL
11:40
The Sixers won't consider tanking. Embiid, George and Maxey haven't played together enough to develop any kind of chemistry, and the results should be much better once that happens. Philadelphia is only three games away from the play-in tournament in a very weak Eastern Conference. They may not be title contenders like they hoped when they signed George, but I think we'll see them in the postseason.
bargzzz
11:40
Are the Knicks better off learning how to defend with KAT solely at the 5, or should Thibs be giving him a look next to another center? Eventually we'll want to see what he looks like next to Mitch, is it time to jump start that experiment now?
ARTHUR HILL
11:43
I think it's worth trying now for at least a few minutes per game. Ideally, Towns will spend a lot of time at power forward next to Robinson, much like the role he had with Gobert in Minnesota. He's better suited for that position because you don't want to have to rely on him as your rim protector in the playoffs.
KJ
11:43
In your opinion what is the biggest reason for the Cavs hot start? Is it health? Is it the fact that they've been together for over a year now and that chemistry is coming to the forefront? Is it Kenny Atkinson has done such a masterful job that the coach of the Year is already wrapped up and it's not December
ARTHUR HILL
11:48
Continuity is underrated in the NBA, as everyone is always trying to upgrade their roster. This is the third season for the Mitchell-Garland-Mobley-Allen core, and they've made a lot of progress in learning how to play together. Adding a fresh perspective from a highly qualified coach like Atkinson has helped with that development. He's clearly the Coach of the Year favorite, and the Cavs should remain one of the East's few elite teams.
Guest
11:48
Is there any trade value in Marcus Smart's contract? Would there be a team that would be interested in his contract or give the Grizz some help, maybe even pick?
ARTHUR HILL
11:51
There's only one more year left on Smart's contract, so it shouldn't be hard to move. A team that needs defensive help on the perimeter, like Milwaukee for instance, might have some interest by the deadline. The return might not be outstanding, but I think Memphis could find some takers if they want to clear cap room for next season.
ChiCapo33
11:52
I’m hearing that Josh Giddey may think he’s worthy of a $30/year extension. If everyone thinks that Zach’s $40/year is ridiculous (it isn’t btw), how could the Bulls possibly entertain this?
ARTHUR HILL
11:55
Hopefully the Bulls have learned their lesson about handing out huge contracts to players who aren't stars. They believe in Giddey's future enough to part with Alex Caruso, but that would be a huge overpayment.
Insert Witty Name Here
11:55
Watching the Nuggets, it seems like they know expending energy this early in the season is more of a detriment than not.  I know the media has to get their clicks and quotes, but can we just be real about this and admit the players don’t care about the early season? Murray is going to ease into it and then morph into playoff Murray come May/June.
ARTHUR HILL
11:57
Murray is a traditional slow starter, but concerns are heightened after his disappointing performance in the playoffs and Olympics. He should be fine by spring. The Nuggets ran out of gas in last year's playoffs after spending all season chasing the top seed. With questionable depth, I think they'll take things easier this season and be content to face the playoffs from the middle of the pack.
Chauncey B
11:58
Have I done enough to keep my job to the end of the season or am I getting fired by All-Star break?
ARTHUR HILL
11:59
Billups has the Trail Blazers playing hard every night and they've been surprisingly competitive. If this keeps up, there's no reason he shouldn't last all season.
Insert Witty Name Here
12:00
Why does Thibs insist on playing his starters when they’re winning by (approximately) 75 points with 5 minutes left to play?
ARTHUR HILL
12:01
That's been Thibodeau's philosophy since he started coaching. Fans have complained about it everywhere he's been, but it's never going to change. Hopefully the Knicks have learned how to deal with it.
Thanks for all the great questions. Happy Thanksgiving!
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