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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 4/7/2022
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Gabriel!
11:01
If healthy, which are Warrior’s chances to win the ring?
Dana Gauruder
11:05
They've still got 3 guys named Curry, Thompson and Green, that's a pretty good start. The lack of interior power could have an impact and you have to wonder how much rust Curry will have to scrape off after missing a few weeks. They need him to be special to have any chances of plowing through the rugged West. I certainly like the way Poole has been playing and Kuminga could be kind of an X factor. Overall, though, I would be surprised if they get past the second round.
Jeremy
11:05
Whys the NBA.com ROTY ladder have Cade ahead of Scottie? I don’t get how it isnt Scottie=Mobley>Cade
Dana Gauruder
11:08
I wouldn't read too much into that. Cade has been outstanding in the second half of the season and there's been a lot of buzz around Michigan that he deserves the MVP. He's also gotten high praise from guys like KD and Doncic in recent weeks. That being said, if you look at Vegas Insider, for example, Mobley is a solid favorite for the award with Barnes second and Cunningham a distant third. The fact that Mobley and Barnes have been impactful players on playoff teams really enhances their candidacy. They are all future All-Stars and franchise-level players but if the oddsmakers are correct, Mobley is going to take the hardware.
Guest
11:09
Your take on the Lakers trading A D and Westbrook and trying to rebuild around LBJ. ,Maybe trade all three why build around a player that looking to play elsewhere.
Dana Gauruder
11:15
Easier said than done. Westbrook's salary number is so huge that it's very difficult to shed that contract without a sweetener, and the Lakers have traded so many of their first rounders they have to dig deep to do so. That's why John Wall was basically the only player they could swap for Westbrook. That could still happen this offseason. AD would obviously be much more desirable on the trade market, but his frequent injuries would be a cause for pause for many front offices. He's signed through the 2024-25 season (with an early termination option). A contender trading for him would be rolling the dice that he could stay on the court for at least a majority of the games in the next few seasons. I think there will be plenty of LeBron drama this offseason, even if he signs an extension. Again, it's going to be VERY INTERESTING offseason for the Lakers.
Robert
11:15
Here is a scenario.  Clips win the first play in game. They somehow beat Memphis with Powell and George back. Then kawhi comes back for the next series. Could they somehow have a shot to win it all? I know it is a longshot. But not impossible
Dana Gauruder
11:17
I think you have kind of spelled out the best case scenario. One thing I like about the Clippers, even though they've played without their stars most of the season, is that they're a tough minded group. No deficit seems to be too large for them. However, it's tough to expect Kawhi to jump right in there and play near his peak level after missing the whole regular season. But I certainly wouldn't put it past them to win a first round matchup.
Number man
11:18
Will LeBron just ball hog the next 3 games just to win a scoring championship playing 40 plus minutes a game or will he be smart and take the next 3 games off?
Dana Gauruder
11:20
I would be very surprised if LeBron took the court again this season. If he couldn't go before the team was officially eliminated, why bother playing now that they're out of it? I don't see it happening.
Chance99
11:20
Are you surprised OKC waived Olivier Sarr? He seemed to be developing & young bigs are hard to find. Moses Brown 2.0?
Dana Gauruder
11:23
Not at all. These last few weeks, particularly for lottery teams, are glorified exhibition games. You see a lot of them signing G League and Euro guys to rest of the season or 2 way deals. They can try to re-sign them during the offseason. OKC, with all those future picks, wants to maintain roster flexibility so they can do a lot of horse trading before or during draft night.
DC
11:24
Everyone wants to know what LAL is going to do this off-season.  What personnel changes can they make?  First is jettison all those aged vets:  Ellington, Augustin, bazemore, Ariza, bradley ...
Dana Gauruder
11:25
In terms of the remainder of the roster besides the Big Three, most of those vets signed one-year deals and will be free agents. There will be a lot of roster turnover, whether or not they deal Westbrook, AD, LeBron. They know they need to get younger and more athletic.
Lloyd E
11:26
Other than Vogel which other coaches are on hot seat?
Dana Gauruder
11:30
I don't see a whole lot of coaching changes this offseason. The Kings will be looking for someone -- not sure if they'd consider retaining Gentry, I think they'll look for a younger candidate. Other one to watch, obviously, is Utah. If the Jazz don't reach at least the conference finals, I have to think they'll shake things up.
KC3
11:31
What kind of return would PJ Washington get if the Hornets decide to trade him?
Dana Gauruder
11:34
Maybe another young player that the Hornets think would be a better fit for their frontcourt? Or perhaps a protected first-rounder? Seems that Washington didn't take a step forward this season as Charlotte may have hoped.
Number man
11:34
With LeBron saying he wants to play with Curry what are the chances of him taking a minimum deal to sign with the warriors when he is a free agent since Curry is not leaving the warriors and they can't afford Lebron.
Dana Gauruder
11:36
LeBron taking a veteran's minimum deal just to play with another star? That's never going to happen.
Guest
11:40
What are the chances Kessler Edwards is on the playoff roster? who would the nets cut? Blake?
Dana Gauruder
11:43
Steve Nash kind of hinted that Edwards might be on the postseason roster but at the same time said the team expects to have the same 15 guys they have now. Two way players are not eligible for the postseason, so you are correct that they'd have to free up a spot. I guess Blake Griffin would be a possibility, but that would be a cold way of treating a former All-Star after having him on the roster all season.
Cisco
11:47
What is the realistic possibility Ayton is traded and not given the max? If traded who makes sense?
Dana Gauruder
11:48
Ayton will be a restricted free agent if the Suns extend a qualifying offer, which they're expected to do. He then could look for the best offer sheet possible. Phoenix could then decide to match or let him walk.
Connor🏀
11:49
Best case for hornets?
Dana Gauruder
11:54
To get out of the play-in tournament and participate in the first round. It would help their cause if they could win their last 3 games and perhaps move up a notch or two from 10th place. You've got to be able to get stops in the playoffs and Charlotte isn't a good defensive team. The Hornets have given 144 points in back to back games! Even some of these lottery bound teams holding out a lot of their regulars are not giving up that many points.
Joe
11:55
How seriously do the Bulls explore moving Vuc this off-season and what would be a reasonable return?
Dana Gauruder
11:59
He'll have an expiring contract of 22 million, so if they wanted to go in that direction, they should be able to trade him. The fact that he could become a free agent after the season would lessen the package they could get for him. And what Chicago would need back? Another center. If you trade Vucevic, you have a giant crater in the middle. So essentially, they'd have to value another borderline All-Star center that they could acquire for Vucevic.
Trent
12:00
Now that the Raptors have clinched a playoff spot, who should they be rooting for as a first round opponent?
Dana Gauruder
12:02
If they stay in the 5th place, they'll get either the Sixers, Bucks or Celtics. I'd say they'd want to avoid Giannis, so either Celtics or Sixers. The Williams injury makes Boston most vulnerable but Harden's inconsistency could give Raptors an edge vs. Sixers.
That's all the time we have for today. Please join Luke Adams on Tuesday's chat.
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