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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 3/10/2022
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Orlando fan
11:02
Do you envision a Contract extension for Mo Bamba?  They just spent tons on an Extension for Wendell Carter, so I am not sure it is wise to tie up so much Money in the Center spot.   What kind of package could Bamba fetch in a Sign-and-Trade scenario?
Dana Gauruder
11:07
Once they committed to Carter and didn't extend Bamba last offseason, the Magic pretty much tipped their hand. You can only hand out so many big contracts and Orlando has to look down the road and decide what other players are keepers (Anthony, Suggs, Wagner, etc.). Bamba's qualifying offer (10-plus mil) and cap hold (22-plus mil) are quite large. I don't think it's a slam dunk Orlando will make him an unrestricted free agent but it will be tough to pay him a multi-year pricey contract with all the other decisions they have in coming years. A sign-and-trade is possible but I wouldn't count on it.
Knoicks fan
11:10
Did we blow our chance at Signing Mitchell Robinson to an Extension during the year?  Now he is an Unrestricted Free Agent.  How does the "Gilbert Arenas Rule" apply to him being a 2nd Round draft pick?  Are we able to Match any Offer and be able to keep him, or are we going to get shafted, like the Warriors not being able to match Arenas' offer from the Wizards in order to keep him?   How does that work?
Dana Gauruder
11:13
Robinson will be an unrestricted free agency. Most experts projects he will receive multi-year offers starting with the full mid-level exception. That would be around $12-13 million. The Knicks do own Robinson's Bird Rights, meaning they can exceed the cap to resign him. Yes, if they want to hold onto him, they could have saved themselves a major free agency headache by reaching an extension last offseason. However, now they are faced with having to essentially compete for his services in the open market, though holding the Bird Rights give them somewhat of an edge.
El Majesty
11:14
The MVP battle this year is looking really tough with Jokic, Giannis and Embiid having mostrous seasons. Who is your frontrunner right now? This kept me thinking about previous MVP's and i really belive R. Westbrook is the worst MVP of the last three decades at least, i think Nash was a better MVP than him, im wrong on this one?
Dana Gauruder
11:18
In Westbrook's case, it was hard to ignore the monster numbers he put up that year -- I believe he averaged 31 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, somewhere in that neighborhood. You are correct, this MVP battle is a spirited one. I think the edge goes to Embiid, just from the fact Jokic and Giannis have already won it, so the voters may feel it's Embiid's turn, so to speak. Plus, the Sixers didn't fall apart despite the Simmons drama and a lot of credit goes Embiid having a giant season. Playing with Harden should only enhance his stats and the Sixers' record down the stretch. I'd like to give honorable mention to DeMar DeRozan, who has been a terrific add and a big reason why the Bulls will be one of the top seeds in the East.
Australian League
11:22
When does the Australian League end and are their Players eligible to come over here and Sign 10-Day contracts?
Dana Gauruder
11:23
I don't follow the NBL closely but I believe the regular season continues into late April with the playoffs in May. So, I would not see a window of opportunity for NBL players to sign 10 day contracts unless they're released from their clubs.
Cavs Fan
11:25
What do you think Colin Sexton gets offered in free agency?
Dana Gauruder
11:28
That's a tough one, due to his health status. He's not expected to return this season as he rehabs from the knee injury. There were reports prior to the season that Sexton was seeking a multi-year deal in the 100-mil range. He can forget about that. The qualifying offer for Sexton, which would make him restricted FA, is around 9 mil. I would expect the Cavs to extend the QO and let Sexton explore an offer sheet. It wouldn't surprise me if Sexton signed the QO and tried to reestablish his value next season when presumably he'll be back to full strength.
jamoche1
11:29
Darius Garland has come back from his back injury  in a big way, leading the Cavs to two wins. Where do you rank Garland among point guards?
Dana Gauruder
11:35
Garland has really raised his stock this season. In terms of young point guards, I think he's in the second tier. Not up to the level of franchise players/prolific scorers like Doncic, Young, Morant but in that next tier with SGA, Jamal Murray, Fox and the Ball brothers. Put it this way -- I wouldn't hesitate to pay him big money to keep him around long-term.
HandsomeStan
11:35
Is it time to take the Celtics seriously, or are we still looking at the results of a weak schedule and some anomalous performances? Can't shake the feeling that the first game with real adversity could knock the train off course.
Dana Gauruder
11:39
Well, if Jayson Tatum keeps playing like he has lately, you have nothing to worry about. He's been unstoppable -- 42 PPG in March! I don't think he'll keep up that pace but he's got a pretty good sidekick in Brown. What's really helped the Celtics is they've established a defensive ID -- R. Williams, Horford, Smart give them a solid core of defenders around their top scorers. I liked the D. White pickup, though they may have given up too much, but the bench isn't particularly deep. If the Celtics have their core players healthy in postseason, they're going to be a tough out.
A cat
11:39
What is Beal’s most likely destination next season- PHI, BOS or back home?
Dana Gauruder
11:42
I don't think he's going anywhere. From all indications, he hasn't moved off his stance of staying put. Moreover, it would be in his best interests, as he could make 60 mil more by signing with a five-year deal with Washington. If the Wizards fail to improve in the next year of two, Beal might push for a trade. But you can expect him to be wearing a Wizards uniform next season.
Russell
11:43
Who is the most likely to win the East?
Dana Gauruder
11:47
I don't think there's a "likely" favorite at this point, which makes the playoffs more exciting, don't you think? I've maintained that Miami, with all their pieces intact, has the best chance to make the Finals. But the Heat certainly don't have a talent edge. The Bulls probably need another year together to develop championship chemistry but I could see the Sixers, Bucks, Nets (with or without Simmons) or the Celtics getting hot and reaching the Finals. Sit back and enjoy the ride -- I think you'll see a lot of the East playoff matchups go the full 7 games.
Nuggets fan
11:47
If the reports are true, that MPJ and Jamal Murray come back before the playoff begin, how far do you think the Nuggets can go in the playoff?
Dana Gauruder
11:53
Best case scenario, I'd say the conference finals but that's a stretch. They're more likely to be eliminated in the opening round. It's hard to envision Murray and/or Porter returning and playing at their previous form after such a long layoff. You can't expect them to play heavy minutes. Jokic's brilliance alone makes the Nuggets a scary team. Even so, I still think the Suns, Warriors, Jazz and Grizzlies would hold the edge over Denver.
HandsomeStan
11:53
For Western teams without a true big, does a FA role player even help them? Or are players like Jokic, Ayton, AD so good that you need to find other ways to beat them anyway?
Dana Gauruder
11:57
You make a good point Stan. The Warriors are a case in point. They seem to be pinning their hopes on Draymond being healthy a playing some minutes at the 5, rather than going out and signing a FA vet. But most of the Western contenders have true centers (Grizz have Steven Adams, Jazz have Gobert). In crunch time situations, you're going to put your best five players out there, regardless of position.
Nets fan
11:57
With the Nets likely being in the play-in game, do you think it is at all possible they do not make the playoffs? I can't imagine they lose 2 games in the play in to not make the playoffs. Their first-round opponent will likely be PHI, MIL, or MIA. I think they can beat any of them. Agree?
Dana Gauruder
12:01
Unless the Cavs suddenly nosedive, the Nets seem destined for the play-in round. It's not a given they'll get out that round -- Raptors, Hornets, Hawks aren't pushovers. But I do see them advancing, IF Durant and Irving are healthy and available. And yes, no one will be eager to face an opponent with Durant and Irving in the lineup. But the Nets have to figure out a coherent rotation around them as well -- they still appear to be sorting through their options at all positions, especially up front.
Dan
12:02
The most disappointing team in the NBA this season is who? Has to be the Lakers right
Dana Gauruder
12:03
There are some other candidates -- Hawks, Knicks, Pelicans, Kings, Blazers. But given their star power, the Lakers absolutely rank at the top of the "disappointing" list.
12:04
That's all the time we have for today. Please join Luke Adams Tuesday on our next live chat.
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