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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 8/20/2022
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David
12:01
Are we soon going to find out that a big reason LeBron agreed to an extension is that the team promised to trade Westbrook?
Dana Gauruder
12:04
Doubt that had anything to do with it. LeBron signing an extension had long been expected. He was more interested in structuring the contract so that he'd have flexibility when Bronny is eligible to be drafted. He wants to go out as a father-son duo. Also, LeBron wanted to be in L.A. so that he could pursue movies and other projects. If the front office had a good offer for Westbrook, they'd have already made the deal, regardless of LeBron's situation.
K.D. Fake Twitter Account
12:04
In your opinion, will Steve Nash still be head coach when training camp opens?
Dana Gauruder
12:07
Yes. The owner threw his support behind Nash and Marks. If Tsai backed down just to appease KD in the short run, it would set a terrible precedent. I could very well see the KD situation dragging out through training camp and he'll have to make peace with Nash if he actually wants to play this season.
Stormy
12:07
What are the chances the next CBA does anything meaningful to stop the Ben Simmons and KD’s of the world?
Dana Gauruder
12:11
The owners could insist on some sort of penalties for players who sign extension and then demand trades shortly after but I doubt the PA would go along with that. I don't see the owners drawing a line in the sand over that issue. The league tried to encourage players to stay with their teams via extensions, supermaxes, bigger money to remain put rather than signing with another team. It hasn't always produced the desired result. So who's to say another rule in the CBA will change that?
light in a bottle
12:11
When do you think NBA free agency will start to pick up again?  It seems like there are several players still available.
Dana Gauruder
12:12
Probably a couple of weeks before camps open. That's when there's more of a sense of urgency on both sides. Some of these vet free agents will have to settle for minimums and/or non-guaranteed deals just to get on a roster.
Number man
12:14
Is Mark Cuban already trying to recruit Wiggins to the Mavs with all that praise? Seems like he is going out of his way to recruit Wiggins in next year's free agency?
Dana Gauruder
12:16
Those were interesting comments made by Cuban, saying that Wiggins was the reason Mavs lost in the playoffs. It will be also interesting to see if the league deems those comments to be tampering in some way. Wiggins is eligible for an extension but with Warriors' tax issues there's a pretty good chance he'll be a free agent next summer.
Silly
12:16
Will Keegan Murray become the best player in this draft?
Dana Gauruder
12:19
I think Murray might be the most impactful in the short run. He was generally considered the most NBA ready prospect prior to the draft and his Summer League performances confirmed that. As for the long run, way too many good players in this year's lottery to make any assessment but he's not the most dynamic player. It will be especially interesting to see Holmgren's development -- he's such a unique player.
Penny Pincher
12:20
What was your opinion of the Kevin Huerter trade in regards to the Atlanta Hawks?
Dana Gauruder
12:24
Looked to me like the Hawks wanted to clear Huerter's contract, which ran through 2025/26 season, even though the numbers were reasonable. They also decided to dole out his minutes elsewhere. With Murray on board, he was going to be a highly-paid backup. Plus, they got a future first-rounder in the deal. I think he'll be in a better situation out West.
Russell Westbrook
12:24
What’s the best case scenario for him? I can’t see any team aside from Washington being able to use him effectively anymore, Beals shooting and Westbrook’s whatever can probably get to the play in for the next few years
Dana Gauruder
12:27
He's not going back to the Wizards, as they added 2 point guards this offseason, plus his first stint there didn't work out that well. Really, best case scenario in terms of his career would be that he doesn't get traded and then gets off to a good start with the Lakers under their new coach. If he gets traded, it'll just be a salary dump and he'll get bought out and then have to find someone willing to give him a shot to revive his career.
Confused Citizen
12:27
Why don’t the Clippers get the respect they deserve, Kawahi, PG13 alone make them a top west team. but their team overall especially with the addition of Wall they should easily be in the convo to win the West. Yet they don’t get air time, and the media is flooded with Lakers, Nets, Knicks who all probably won’t even make the PO. I just don’t get it.
Dana Gauruder
12:30
All that chatter is due possible trades of major players and all the drama created by KD, Irving, etc. When they actually start playing the games, the Clippers will definitely be in the hunt for the championship. The obvious caveat being good health for Leonard and George, particularly when the postseason hits. It'll be fascinating to see how Wall blends his talents with them, particularly after sitting out a season. They've also got some really good depth at forward. Serious contender for sure.
B. Simmons
12:31
With Rui Hachimura missing the first 39 games last season due to undisclosed personal reasons, which player do you believe the Wizards should keep for not only this upcoming season but for the future, Kuzma or Avdija, since other teams might be reluctant to acquire Hachimura?
Dana Gauruder
12:34
I'd lean strongly toward Kuzma, simply because I think he's a more impactful player. That could change if Avdija becomes a more consistent offensive threat. Avdija played a full season and his offensive numbers were subpar, especially 3-point and FT shooting. We'll see if those things improve with Beal (hopefully) playing a full season and the upgrades at the point.
Nick the Quick
12:35
So before the extension it was Kyrie was not moved because the Lakes would not give up two 1st's.  Now after the extension the Nets are not interested in the Lakes two 1st's.  Any idea what the truth is??
Dana Gauruder
12:38
I think the Lakers' thinking has changed since the trade deadline last season. It was pretty apparent even then that the season was in a freefall and they were reluctant to part with future assets. Now the thinking is we'll move those picks if it helps us shed Westbrook and/or brings in some solid rotation players around LeBron/AD to make another serious run at a title.
13morgs13
12:39
Could the sixers acquire KD without giving up Maxey?  I say no, my friend thinks otherwise. Solve this debate, please
Dana Gauruder
12:43
I can't see the Nets making any KD deal with Philly unless Maxey was part of the package and even that might not be enough. Remember, they turned down a Celtics KD deal for Jaylen Brown and other assets. Is there another highly desirable young player that the Sixers could include to go with Maxey in a KD proposal? I don't see one.
Kj
12:43
Realistically. since KD is under contract and the Nets are in no rush to trade him. What percentage chance does KD hold out during the season?
Dana Gauruder
12:46
After the bridges that he burned with the "fire the coach and GM" reported demand during his meeting with the owner, I don't see KD showing up for camp. If he does, it will be a very awkward situation for all involved. As I noted, he'd at least have to make peace with Nash. I think it'll be a dragged out showdown that will be resolved by a trade sometime late in camp or during the season.
Super Teams
12:46
Does the NBA have a problem with the salary cap luxury tax when you look at GSW building their team through the draft and keeping their talent, yet they get penalized for it? As in all things NBA, the hypocrisy is obvious!!
Dana Gauruder
12:51
You could make a good argument that since most of the Warriors' high salary players were homegrown, so to speak, that the penalties should be reduced. The luxury tax was mainly put in place to prevent teams from snapping up too many star players via free agency and trades and creating an imbalance, the kind you see to some degree in MLB with the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, etc. That being said, I doubt that will be a major point of the next CBA negotiation since it only impacts a small minority of teams.
Jalen Smith
12:51
Whose 2023/2024 team option won't be exercised in October 2022: Killian Hayes, James Bouknight, and/or Kai Jones?
Dana Gauruder
12:53
Is there an "all of the above" option? I think out of that group, Hayes would have the best chance to be retained. He seemed to settle in as a second-unit player after an injury-plagued rookie season. He could be a valuable piece as the primary backup to Ivey and Casey has stated all three might play at the same time. The other two have a lot more to prove.
Connor🏀
12:54
What will the hornets do? Will we make the play offs this year?🏀
Dana Gauruder
12:59
Everything is still in a holding pattern with the Hornets. The Bridges situation kind of wrecked their offseason. What major upgrades has Charlotte made? Unless Bouknight turns things around and Hayward can play a full season, I see them as a lottery team. The Wizards, Knicks and Pistons have upgraded their rosters and at least one or two of those teams will reach the play-in round.
Stormy
12:59
Does Lebrons kid go in the first round so whomever drafts him gets lebron as well?
Dana Gauruder
1:01
It appears Bronny will go to a college as a one-and-done prospect, then enter this draft. In an ideal world, at least in LeBron's mind, the Lakers would acquire a first-round pick in 2024 and draft his son. However, there are so many variables right now, it's impossible to predict how this will all shake out two years down the road. Bronny has to prove he's that good and perhaps another team will pick him even if the Lakers add a pick. It will be intriguing, for sure.
That's all the time we have for today. Please join Luke Adams on Tuesday for our next live chat.
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