You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/23/2022
powered byJotCast
Luke Adams
12:16
Thanks for all the early questions, guys. Let's dive in...
Kj
12:16
Good afternoon. So should we believe the quote on quote we will move forward statement by the Nets that everything worked out on its own or is it more of the fact that the owner finally put his foot down and said either you play or you can sit for the next 4 years and we fine you? Truth be told no matter what, that's going to be a awkward training camp
Luke Adams
12:18
It's hard to know exactly how Durant feels until he specifically addresses it (and even then, who knows if he'll be 100% truthful). But the Nets wouldn't put out a statement like this if they didn't feel fairly confident that they're in a good spot with KD. I think we can put the drama to rest for at least a few months.
Stan
12:18
I saw the report of 5 picks (2 unprotected) and players to get the Knicks and Jazz trade done and I think that’s an overpay. What’s your idea of a fair value for Mitchell?
Luke Adams
12:21
I think we're too quick to draw conclusions about the first-round picks offered in a trade without a better sense of what those exact picks are. I think it's safe to assume the unprotected picks the Knicks are offering are their own 2023 and 2025 selections, which probably won't be top-10 picks with Mitchell, Barrett, and Brunson on the roster. And some of the protected picks they can offer aren't all that appealing -- if you're the Jazz, you're not getting too excited about Dallas' 2023 pick or Milwaukee's 2025 pick, since they'll likely be in the 20s.
In other words, I'd need to know more about the specific offer the Knicks made, but I think it's reasonable for the Jazz to want more.
Some Guy
12:22
Which trade for Westbrook + Picks would you rather have if you were the Lakers? Hield + Turner from the Pacers, or Clarkson, Bogdanovitch, Bevery, and Beasley (or some combination of the four)?
Luke Adams
12:24
I doubt you'd be able to get all four of those guys from the Jazz, but Beasley, Bogdanovic, and Beverley would be a really nice return. All are on expiring contracts (or pseudo-expiring deals, in Beasley's case), and you'd get a nice combination of shooting, scoring, and defense from those three.
Would I feel comfortable giving up my unprotected 2027 and 2029 picks for that trio or for Hield/Turner? I'm not sure. But if I could get protections on one of the two, I think I'd pull the trigger.
12:27
One factor that's sort of been overlooked when discussing those 2027 and 2029 Lakers first-rounders is the fact that it's really tricky to protect picks that far out because the Lakers aren't allowed to commit to trading a 2030 pick at this point because of the "Seven-Year Rule." So if, say, you want to put top-10 protection on the 2029 pick, your trade partner would likely have to agree to take your 2029 second-rounder if it falls within its protected range -- you can't say you'll give them your 2030 first-rounder instead.
Evan
12:27
With Kevin Durant backing off his trade request, will we see more signings and trades? It seems like teams have been waiting.
Luke Adams
12:28
There will probably be a few, but I don't we should expect a flurry. There aren't actually many teams around the NBA that have more than one open spot available on their projected regular season rosters.
Orlando tragic
12:28
Seems like every recent draft pick for the Magic has gotten hurt and missed extended time. Is this just bad luck or something else?
Luke Adams
12:30
It feels like a combination of bad luck and a lack of urgency. The Magic have been extremely cautious with some of their injured guys (Jonathan Isaac hasn't played in over two full calendar years!) because they're still in tank mode and there's no incentive to rush those guys back to try to win more games.
Joel John
12:30
Would fox be able to make the jump that garland made last season and become an all Star this season?
Luke Adams
12:32
It's not inconceivable, but it feels like he'll need to improve his outside shot a little to reach that level.
Evans
12:32
Is Mitchell more than likely getting traded now that Durant is staying?
Luke Adams
12:33
I don't get the sense that one is directly tied to the other, given that the suitors for the two players don't overlap a ton. We'll see if that changes now that Durant is off the board, but if anything, the Jazz might start asking for more, knowing that teams looking for an impact player probably don't have any other options this fall.
Ross
12:34
In your opinion who do you feel is the biggest sleeper currently signed on a two-way contract that can breakthrough this season & surprise a lot of people?
Luke Adams
12:36
I'm a little bummed that two of my favorite two-way signings (Collin Gillespie and Justin Lewis) are going to miss most or all of the season due to injuries. I guess now I'm all-in on Kenneth Lofton of the Grizzlies, though that's more of a heart-over-head choice -- he's just really fun to watch.
Velociraptor
12:36
Now that the Nets have managed to hold their fissioning reactor core together for another year, do you think the Raptors finally get around to signing Christian Koloko? How many years do you think they give him?
Luke Adams
12:37
Yeah, we should find out soon how much of the delay on Koloko was Durant-related. I'd be a bit surprised if the Raptors don't give him three or four years. It'll hard-cap them, but they have enough breathing room below that hard cap that it shouldn't be a major issue this season.
Lobo
12:38
Luke: Good Afternoon. You good with the Heat offering Duncan Robinson, Max Strus and a future 1 for John Collins?
Luke Adams
12:39
Yep, I think that would make sense for the Heat. Not sure the Hawks would go for it, but after losing Huerter, Robinson might appeal more to them than he would to a lot of other teams.
Josh
12:40
Why does no one want Collin Sextons more than a year ago he avg 24 ppg
Luke Adams
12:41
It's not that no one wants him. There are just a lot of complicating factors. He's coming off a major injury, he's a restricted free agent, sign-and-trades are tricky because they create hard caps and because of the base year compensation rules. He's just in a tough spot.
Sexton
12:42
What happens if he doesn't sign his QO and it expires? Does he become unrestricted?
Luke Adams
12:42
No, he stays restricted but he doesn't have the QO as a fallback. I'd be surprised if it gets to that point.
Kim
12:42
Why would the Lakers have interest in bringing Dennis Shroeder back?  Also wasn’t there chemistry issues with him and Westbrook while they played in OKC together. If they are going to run it back with a player, why not Carmelo Anthony who seems to be good for team chemistry???
Luke Adams
12:43
Marc Stein's report today didn't make it clear, but I suspect Schröder may only be an option for the Lakers if Westbrook isn't in the picture.
Stan
12:43
how many teams do you feel are legitimate title contenders? I say 8
Luke Adams
12:46
Eight sounds about right to me. You could even talk me into 10. I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics, Bucks, Sixers, or Nets came out of the East, or the Warriors, Suns, Clippers, or Nuggets in the West. And I could maybe be convinced to add the Heat and Grizzlies to that group.
Guest
12:46
Any chance the Knicks can get Randel into the Mitchell trade. It looks like they jumped the gun on giving him the big extension.
Luke Adams
12:47
The Jazz won't want him, so it'd have to be at least a three-team deal, and those can get pretty complicated. I expect the Knicks to hang onto him and try to rebuild his value a little after an up-and-down year.
Troy
12:47
Will the league ever add more than two two way spots
Luke Adams
12:48
I could see the NBA and NBPA discussing a third slot during the next CBA negotiations. They're sort of a win-win (30 more jobs for players, but teams get a ton of control and don't have to pay them much).
Nets
12:48
What are expecting from Ben Simmons this season? He's reportedly healthy and working towards 5 on 5 play. Does he still want to play?
Luke Adams
12:49
The off-court stuff with Ben and the focus on his lack of shooting during the 2021 playoffs has made people forget how good he is when he's healthy and playing at his best. He might be among the top five best passers and defenders in the NBA. If he can get right mentally, I think he'll be an awesome fit alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but it's admittedly a big if.
Barrett
12:50
What’s your prediction for RJ’s next contract? Will he get an extension? There’s a pretty big gap between how advanced stats rate him (poor efficiency) vs. how he’s generally perceived (former No. 1 prospect, No. 3 pick, good counting stats).
Luke Adams
12:52
I think an extension like the one Jaylen Brown signed with the Celtics (slightly below the max, but with some incentives that allow him to earn near the max) makes sense for the Knicks with Barrett, but I'm not sure he'd accept that -- he might rather take the Ayton route and play himself into a max contract in 2022/23. If he wants to go that route, the Knicks should let him do it. They'll control the process in restricted free agency, like the Suns did with Ayton.
Load More Messages
Connecting…