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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 2/24/2022
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11:01
How glad is Memphis to have gotten Morant instead of Zion
Dana Gauruder
11:03
Sometimes it's better to have the second pick! I think any team in that draft would have taken Zion first. He is a dominant player when healthy and motivated. It's anyone's guess when that will happen again.
Gm
11:03
It’s June 2nd and the two teams playing will be???
Dana Gauruder
11:07
Glad that there's mystery to that. For a couple years there, you could have said Golden State and Cleveland and know you'd be right. The Warriors would be an obvious choice if Draymond is healthy for postseason -- that's a big if. The Suns have been so solid, too, and I feel like the Jazz have to breakthrough one of these years. In the East, I like the Heat. Butler, Bam, Herro, Lowry -- a tough-minded group. How about a Jazz-Heat Final? Not exactly a TV ratings winner.
Buyout market
11:07
How come only a few Players have been Bought-out so far?  The deadline is March 1st, correct?  Why are non-Playoff teams holding onto Veteran players that are not under Contract next season?  Might as well try and save some Money and let them catch on with Playoff teams, No?
Dana Gauruder
11:10
Actually, the buyout/waive has to occur a couple days earlier because players have to clear waivers by March 1st. I just don't see as many quality vets in that position. Others, like an Eric Bledose, have partial guarantees on their contracts, which makes them attractive trade pieces in offseason. My guess you'll only see a handful of players, at most, that will get bought out before deadline.
Eric from la
11:12
What’s the one feasible off season move the Celtics can make to become legit title contenders?
Dana Gauruder
11:14
If they're committed to the Tatum-Brown combo, which they seem to be, you'd think a top-notch point guard. You're not looking for another wing. But combing the list of possibilities, Lillard is the one that comes to mind that might become available this offseason.
Warriors doughnut in the middle
11:16
Hard to believe the Warriors haven't at least used one of their 2-Way Contracts on a Big Man like Freddie Gillespie.  Looney looks worn down from over-use.  Draymond has been out for a while and who knows what this team is going to get from James Wiseman, if he comes back at all.
Dana Gauruder
11:19
The Wiseman watch has been quite a test of patience. The latest rumor is that he'll make his season debut next week. If that occurs, the need for a stopgap will decrease. As one of earlier participants asked, they might be waiting to see what materializes on the buyout market over the next week.
Kings glut of Big men
11:22
Why don't the Kings buyout a few of their Big Men so that they can go and play for some Playoff teams?  I'm sure the Raptors could use any of Richaun Holmes, Damian Jones, Alex Len, Chimizie Metu or Neemias Queta.
Dana Gauruder
11:24
Is there one guy in particular you'd like the Raptors to sign? It won't be Holmes. They just re-signed him last summer and should have value on the trade market. They could conceivably waive one of the other guys but I'm not sure any of them would be immediately offered more than a 10-day.
aol Ted
11:24
who do you have in the final two play in spots in the East? The wizards/hornets have not been great this year, but the knicks seem to consistently collapse despite having the 10 seed basically gifted to them
Dana Gauruder
11:28
Really, the Hornets and Hawks should hang onto those spots if they play anywhere near their potential. The Hornets have enough offensive weapons with Ball running the show to win a majority of their remaining games; the Hawks have pretty much the same team that made the Eastern Conference Finals last year; they shouldn't be under .500 with that roster, even with some injuries along the way. The Knicks have roster issues, especially at point, and seem to already be tuning out Thibs; The Beal-less Wizards may still have enough pieces to hang around but I don't see them passing Charlotte or Atlanta.
Garland
11:30
Since we now know Darius Garland needs extended rest to heal his aching back, what type of load management do you see happening to get Garland through the playoffs?
Dana Gauruder
11:34
The Cavs have been kind of vague about Garland's injury -- they're just listing it as lower back soreness. So it's tough to know whether this will be a lingering issue for the next couple of months. But I think they'd like to avoid the play-in tournament, so if it's not a major issue, I don't see a major reduction in minutes for Garland. Having an experienced guy like Rondo helps, but they don't want to play him extended minutes, either.
Hector
11:34
As a Laker's fan we can see the writing on the wall. The team tries to please the King and he will be left with a roster disaster and he goes on to win somewhere with his son. Do you think there is any chance Lebron gets shipped out to OKC for say SGA or Jeremiah? The King is big but not bigger than the Lakers and it would be nice to strike first.
Dana Gauruder
11:40
I've gotten a few questions along this same topic. I can't imagine LeBron getting traded unless he asks for one and then he'll only go to a prime contender that can somehow fit him on the roster. This is a superstar driven league -- the stars run the show, not the execs. The AD thing is a tougher call but again, LeBron lobbied to get AD there. Maybe they finally do the Westbrook-Wall swap or something like that this summer but really, the Lakers are in a tough spot. I'd be stunned if LeBron was traded without him signing off on it.
Brian
11:41
Which teams should look to trade for Zion? Early thoughts include the Knicks, Wizards, OKC, and Pistons - they all have reasons to take on a risk like Zion
Dana Gauruder
11:45
All interesting possibilities Brian. Again, the first steps are -- does Zion want to be traded? And how bad is that foot issue -- is this another Greg Oden situation? But assuming Zion is traded and will be in good health, he'd be a huge boost for all those teams on the court. I don't know if his personality fits in NY -- he said essentially after being drafted by New Orleans that he's more of a smaller market guy. Pairing him with Cade in Detroit or him with SGA in OKC, yeah, would theoretically accelerate their rebuilds. But again, that's best case scenario.
Brian
11:47
Could the Pacers get John Collins with a package around Brogdon?
Dana Gauruder
11:51
Possibly but if the Sabonis-Turner thing didn't work in Indy, would Collins-Turner be an attractive pairing for Pacers? Or would they try Collins at center and trade Turner? Just don't know how much Carlisle and the Pacers front office values Collins. Brogdon would be an interesting fit with Young in an era where having 2 ballhandlers at the same time is preferred by coaches. In that scenario, do you make Hunter a four? Or do you go out and get an PF? I wouldn't dismiss that kind of a trade but wondering whether it would be preferred by both sides.
Anthony Edwards and Patrick Beverley
11:53
What is the chances we are the top 6 seed? Play in tournament? Miss the playoffs?
Dana Gauruder
11:56
I see the T-Wolves in the play in tourney. If Doncic and Jokic remains healthy, I don't see Minnesota passing the Mavs or Nuggets. On the flip side, I can't see them sliding out of the playoffs. The Spurs and Pelicans are tied for 11th place and they're eight games behind Wolves. I think they'll in the same spot -- 7th -- when the smoke clears and the playoffs begin.
Quentin
11:57
What are the chances the 2022 Portland first round choice co veys to the Bulls this year?
Dana Gauruder
11:59
It's lottery protected. So it depends on whether they have one of 14 worst records in the league. Even though they won four straight before the All-Star break, I don't see them winning a whole lot of games in the next 2 months. So, I see Portland keeping the pick.
Guest
12:00
Will the Knicks reshape the roster this off season. Possible Randle trade for a real starting  point guard… Rose is fine in back up role. What do you think?
Dana Gauruder
12:03
If the Knicks' roster next fall looks a lot like the one they have now, it won't be for lack of trying. I do think they're already having buyer's regret regarding Randle's extension but he'll be tough to move. The Knicks will have to sweeten that pot with some draft picks, same if they look to move Fournier. I think one good season clouded their thinking as to how close they are to being a true contender.
That's all we have for today. Sorry if I didn't get to your question. Join Luke Adams for his weekly chat on Tuesday.
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