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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/10/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a Julius Randle question.
Julius randle
12:01
Should I be worried about me being possibly traded I mean this summer has been all about the Nova Knicks and there hasn't been much mentioned about me and how my rehab is going and conversely I haven't said too much about the trade
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
The Randle situation will be worth watching in New York. He's the Knicks' only effective low-post scorer, but he's not the focus of the offense like he was in years past, and the team can put a good five-man lineup on the court without him. I think the front office will take some time to see how he fits in before considering a trade. Randle can decline his player option and become a free agent next summer, so the Knicks could be shopping him by the deadline if they don't reach an extension.
Shawty
12:05
Who are your way-too-early MIP candidates?
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
With three MVP awards in four years, Nikola Jokic is always a candidate, but I think Denver might decline this season, which opens up the field. My early favorites are Luka Doncic if the Mavericks can stay at the level where they finished last season and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander if the Thunder clearly become the best team in the West.
RocketsGal
12:08
I am curious on the Rockets. How playing time for all will work. Amen, Cam and Tari probably all 2nd team. How will Reed work in. Also contracts of Jeff Green, Landale and Tate. Tate hardly saw last season. Will these 3 see time. Will they use their money to find someone. Finally Jalen and Sengun. Do they remain with Houston. The talk on their contracts. What do you see as to their future
ARTHUR HILL
12:12
The starting lineup will probably stay the same as last season, which means reserve roles for Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason, who should form a dangerous bench along with Reed Sheppard, Steven Adams and others. Jeff Green, Landale and Tate were all effective at times last year, but they were mostly kept around in case their contracts are needed for trade purposes. I expect Jalen Green and Sengun to both sign near-max extensions next summer and remain part of the team's future, but it's also possible that Green could be moved at the deadline if the other young guards play well enough to make him expendable.
jDubster
12:12
Other than the mid-season trade deadline,  are there any other dates between now and then after/before which a trade becomea leaa likely?
ARTHUR HILL
12:14
Once the season starts, December 15 is the date to watch. That's when most, but not all, of the free agents who signed this summer will become trade eligible. That's considered the unofficial start of trading season, but things usually don't heat up until late December or January.
Sean Marks
12:14
As of right now my nets next summer will be the only team with significant cap space as GM what should I do?  1) splurge for Ingram or Butler 2) pay cam Thomas A minor increase but take enough to get either flag Bailey or Harper or 3) trade Thomas get and additional draft pick increase the odds of getting one of the big three draft picks tank another season and then draft high again maybe Carlos boozer and then use the cap space to get a star
ARTHUR HILL
12:18
The Nets reacquired their first-round picks for 2025 and 2026 in a trade with Houston, so they should be focused on the next two drafts. That means no short-term fixes like Butler or Ingram, who are going to want max contracts next summer and won't make them contenders in the East. I would keep Thomas and hope he can become more efficient under a new coach, but the priority is drafting future stars in the next two years, not the won-loss record.
KJ
12:18
So there's been reports that the bulls are trying to repair their relationship with Zack how do you do that or what do you say if your the Bulls?
ARTHUR HILL
12:22
It's a tough situation in Chicago because the whole league knows that the Bulls have been trying to trade LaVine since last fall and would have accepted any halfway decent offer. Both sides need to be professional and do what they can to keep him on the court and increase his trade value, but it will be hard to ever fix that relationship. That's unfortunate, because the Bulls are probably stuck with him for at least another year or two.
Magic Johnson
12:22
Aside from the two rookies the Lakers have done absolutely nothing this summer so how do you convince the fan base that they're going to contend for a championship this year??
ARTHUR HILL
12:25
It's a tough sell. Lakers fans were expecting a roster upgrade to come along with LeBron's new contract, but the front office barely changed the team at all. Add to that the surgery that will sideline Christian Wood for about two months and the weekend report that Jarred Vanderbilt might miss the preseason, and the panic level should already be high in L.A.
Guest
12:25
Will the next trade for center before the season starts?
ARTHUR HILL
12:28
It's hard to forecast the timing of trades, but I feel like the Pelicans have to find a quality center before the season begins. The rest of the roster is too talented to try to get by with Daniel Theis and rookie Yves Messi in the middle. New Orleans could be a sleeper contender in the West, but they have to upgrade their center rotation.
Jeff
12:28
Do you see the Warriors playing Wiggins at the 2 spot so Kuminga can play the 3?  Feel like Kuminga is the future and Wiggins is not reliable/ they would trade him if he had positive trade value.
ARTHUR HILL
12:33
I agree that Kuminga is the future and should be prioritized ahead of Wiggins. However, I don't think trying to make Wiggins fit in as a guard is the answer. The Warriors are very high on Brandin Podziemski after a strong rookie year, and he figures to be Stephen Curry's new full-time backcourt partner. Wiggins' role will likely diminish, but Golden State is probably stuck with him considering his contract.
bravesfan since 1966
12:33
I am not sure why the so called experts think the Magic are a 45 win, middle of the road team. Barring major injuries I expect the Magic to win 50 games or more this season and contend for the Eastern Title. Boston is the favorite in the east and should be but the Magic are as good or better than the Bucks, Knicks & the Cavs. What say you?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
The Magic are coming off a 47-win season, and there's no reason to think they'll regress. There's a chance that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will become the missing piece on a legitimate contender, just like he did when he joined the Nuggets. I agree that Orlando's win total should be closer to 50 than 45.
Wonba Womba
12:38
With cp3 presumably taking another long break around all star weekend (every past 3 seasons he sat for 20+ games with a minor injury - probably in order to maintain his health prior to playoffs), will we see tre jones slide into the starting lineup or will we see Stephon castle make his bid for ROY during this stretxh?
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
Ideally it will Castle, who will spend the first part of the season learning from one of the best point guards in NBA history. I don't expect the Spurs to be in the playoff race by then, so they'll want to turn the position over to their lottery pick. Castle has to overcome questions about his shooting, but the rest of his game looks legitimate and he should be among the leaders for Rookie of the Year.
Jeff
12:41
I am really excited with the additions the Mavs made at the trade deadline last year and the new players in the off season. If they can stay healthy, I hope for another finals run. Thank you!
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
Klay Thompson brings more outside shooting and a wealth of championship experience. He'll get plenty of open looks set up by Doncic and Irving, and he could wind up being one of the most important moves of the offseason. Dinwiddie, Grimes and Marshall make the Mavericks' bench even deeper. The front office had a great summer, improving the roster instead of resting on the Finals appearance.
Ron
12:45
Brogdon would be a starter for Wizards?
ARTHUR HILL
12:48
It looks like he might be, and it should be beneficial to have an accomplished veteran at the helm of a very young team. He'll likely be on the trade market by the deadline as contenders look for backcourt help, but he'll be an asset for Washington as long as he's there.
Po
12:49
If you were the Rockets GM, which young players would you consider trading?
ARTHUR HILL
12:52
This is the year to work that out, as Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are both extension eligible right now, and Jabari Smith and Tari Eason will join them next summer. If they don't see Green and Sengun as starters on a title contender, then they should be shopped by the deadline. I think Houston would listen to offers for anybody, but the direction of the team will be shaped by how everyone performs over the next few months.
dubber
12:52
Dont you think the warriors could offer whatever it takes to get LaMelo?    it could be exactly what theyre looking for
ARTHUR HILL
12:55
I can see the attraction of having LaMelo Ball in the Warriors' system, but I don't think he's on the market just yet. The Hornets should take at least one more season to see if he can stay healthy and watch how he performs under the new coaching staff. There will be plenty of takers if Charlotte does decide to move him, so I'm not sure if Golden State can make the best offer.
DubsFan
12:56
What is your over / under that the Warriors chemistry will be good this year? Two years ago it got messed up by the punch and then Klay regressing added a dark cloud. I love the assistant coach adds so I'm cautiously optimistic - what's your take?
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
That's one area where the Warriors should be improved. Getting Jordan Poole off the roster was important after the incident with Draymond, and the impending loss of Klay Thompson hung over last season. The vibes should be better this fall, but there's a lot of competition the West.
JamalHempel
12:58
What is the earliest Denver may regret that Jamal Murray extension?
ARTHUR HILL
1:02
There's a chance it could happen right away. He didn't look like his usual self in the playoffs or the Olympics. I understand why the Nuggets gave him the money. He's been their second-best player for years, and his chemistry with Nikola Jokic can't be replaced. But $244MM over the next five years is a huge gamble if Murray's decline continues.
1:03
Thanks for the great questions this week. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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