You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 7/23/24
powered byJotCast
ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a Lauri Markkanen question.
TrustTheProcess
12:01
Do you think the Jazz will sign Lauri Markkanen to an extension on August 6?
ARTHUR HILL
12:04
That's where we seem to be headed. No one has been willing to meet Danny Ainge's asking price so far, and there's only two weeks left until Markkanen becomes extension eligible. Markkanen has to sign his extension by August 6 so he can be traded by the deadline, and it's in the best interests of both him and the Jazz for that to happen.
Heatbaby33
12:04
Barring health issues, where will the Heat land in the conference?  Is Josh Christopher able to make some noise for the Heat this season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
The current roster looks like about a .500 team, so they'll probably be in the play-in tournament again. In the East, there are about an equal number of teams aiming for the playoffs and trying to tank, so the Heat should land somewhere in the middle. Christopher was great in the Summer League, but he's still a long shot to make the roster.
Dirk
12:08
What are you hearing on the Lari M trade front and is he someone the Spurs would use their highly valuable draft picks to get knowing who is in next years draft?
ARTHUR HILL
12:10
The Spurs don't seem inclined to make that kind of win-now move. There are too many blue-chip prospects in next year's draft, and if they can land one of them to go with Victor Wembanyama, they'll have a chance to build another dynasty.
Guest
12:10
Will Randle and Robinson be starting for the Knicks on opening night or do you think the Knicks have one more trade in them this offseason to improve the team.  
ARTHUR HILL
12:13
I think the current roster is going to be more or less what you'll see for the opener, with Randle and Robinson both in the starting lineup. There's not another obvious star likely to hit the trade market who's worth breaking up the team's core. Tom Thibodeau might do a lot of experimentation early in the season to figure out the best way to use Mikal Bridges.
Lenny Picker
12:13
What is the likelihood that the Lakers can free roster spots by trading Wood, Reddish and/or Hayes, and add a  better big?
ARTHUR HILL
12:16
I don't see much of a trade market for any of them. Rosters are more or less set now, and teams with openings are more likely to focus on the remaining free agents or undrafted rookies rather than trading for the Lakers' deep reserves. Plus their salaries may become useful for L.A. to make a significant deal by February.
Scott
12:16
Is Alex Sarr a bust? Or he is not, He is better defensively but very bad offensively. I think a guy like john wall will help Alex via spoonfeeding? Did the wizards made a mistake and they should have drafted Ware or Clingan? Or the rockets 3rd pick instead? Will it look bad if they place sarr on go go gleague team? Will kuzma, jonas, bagley, and holmes help? Or one of them must go?
ARTHUR HILL
12:19
It's way too early to consider anyone a bust after Summer League. A lot of players have struggled in Las Vegas and have gone on to have fine careers. Sarr has a lot of work to do on his offensive game, but the Wizards knew that when they drafted him. He's a mobile, athletic defender who gives them a rim-protecting presence that they didn't have last season. Be patient with him and wait for the offense to develop.
Tyus Jones
12:20
I want a starting point guard role and a descent salary, I am ok with 14 million or 15 million 3 years, Should wizards sign and trade me to detroit? Or brooklyn? Maybe Utah? Lakers? Or magic?. Going back to wizards is ok with me but they have brogdon now, I can make good assists to alex sarr though. Where should i go?
ARTHUR HILL
12:23
It's hard to understand why there wasn't more of a market for Tyus Jones. He's only 28, he doesn't turn the ball over and he's coming off the best season of his career. He wants to play for a contender, but I can't see a trade to the Lakers or Magic that works for both teams. His best option may be to re-sign with Washington and hope to be traded later.
Arcman
12:23
Bronny starts in the G league. Yes or No?
ARTHUR HILL
12:27
That's probably the best move for him, and he said recently that he wouldn't object to it. Bronny needs consistent playing time, and he's not going to get it with the Lakers. He only played one season at USC, and the start of his college experience was limited because of health concerns. There's no shame for a late second-round pick to begin his career in the G League.
Kuminga
12:27
What kind of extension can I expect?
ARTHUR HILL
12:30
Kuminga may not get a rookie scale extension this summer. If the Warriors are making him available in trade offers, like they reportedly are for Lauri Markkanen, it makes sense to leave his contract alone and let his potential new team make that decision. He'll eventually get a big payday, even if he has to wait until 2025.
Guest
12:31
With the reporrs that the Hornets are waiving R. Jackson, is V. Micic still in the Hornets plans or is he going to be let go as well?
ARTHUR HILL
12:35
Micic played well after coming to Charlotte last season and he should remain on the roster. He's a steady backup for LaMelo Ball who can play expanded minutes whenever Ball is injured. Especially with Jackson now gone, I don't think the Hornets will be looking to move him.
Alex. Kostas, & Thanasis
12:35
Do you think the Bucks' additions can help them be realistic contenders, if Giannis can ever get through the 1st round healthy?
ARTHUR HILL
12:40
Despite their limited resources, the Bucks had a really good offseason, adding a lot of veteran depth at affordable prices. Gary Trent Jr. was a great bargain who can take the offense to another level. They're capable of a long playoff run, but Giannis' health will be the question as always.
Tim Monaghan
12:41
do The Magic have a legitimate shot at the eastern conference finals or am I getting ahead of myself?
ARTHUR HILL
12:44
There's a lot of reason for optimism. It's possible that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could have the same impact in Orlando that he did in Denver, improving the starting lineup on both ends of the court. Boston, Milwaukee, New York and Philadelphia look like a solid top four in the East, but Orlando has the talent to challenge any of those teams in the playoffs.
Tim Monaghan
12:44
What lottery teams in the west are most likely to make the playoffs next season? My best guesses are the Sacramento kings and Memphis grizzlies.
ARTHUR HILL
12:49
Assuming they don't have the same level of injuries, the Grizzlies seem like a sure thing. Center remains a concern, but the core of the lineup formed one of the best teams in the West when it was healthy. I like the Kings' addition of DeRozan a lot. He can help them return to the level they were at two years ago. The Rockets may be in that mix as well. Reed Sheppard looks like he can be a rotation player, and Tari Eason and Steven Adams are both returning from injuries.
Chad
12:50
Do you think the mavs will sign Gordon Hayward to booster the bench
ARTHUR HILL
12:52
Their agreement with Spencer Dinwiddie probably makes that impossible. Markieff Morris is expected to return, which will be a 15th guaranteed contract. Somebody will sign Hayward, but there isn't room in Dallas.
Dan'l
12:52
Do the Thunder have a psuedo-2 year window for a championship, before the roster gets very expensive and they're dealing with cap issues?
ARTHUR HILL
12:55
The Thunder will have extension decisions to make, but that doesn't limit their title window to two years. SGA, Holmgren and Williams are a strong young core to build around. Sam Presti is very good at managing the roster, and he still has a wealth of valuable draft picks. OKC should be in the title mix for the next decade or so.
Druuu
12:56
Who finishes with the better record, Bucks or 76ers?/
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
It's close, but I like Philadelphia's roster a little better if everyone stays healthy. That's a lot to expect for a team built around Joel Embiid and Paul George, so the Bucks might be the better bet to get a higher seed.
2024 Paris
12:58
Easy gold or bust?
ARTHUR HILL
1:01
Team USA was 5-0 in exhibition play, but three of its last four games were very close. There are too many good teams built around NBA talent to expect the U.S. to dominate anymore. Even if they win the gold, it won't be easy.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
Connecting…