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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/18/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:00
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question about expansion.
Hoosierdaddy
12:00
If the nba expands and 2 teams are added to the west, do you really think there will be a huge fight on who goes east? I think it would be a major benefit to go east honestly, although it's evening out a bit in the last few years.
ARTHUR HILL
12:06
It's hard to say what the competitive balance will look like by the 2027/28 season, which appears to be the debut for the two new teams, according to a report yesterday. There's good young talent in both conferences, and the next 2-3 drafts are believed to be loaded. There are arguments for Minnesota, Memphis or New Orleans to be the team moving East, and it will almost certainly be one of those three. It will be interesting to see if the NBA goes with unbalanced divisions once it has 32 teams or if it copies the NFL model of eight four-team divisions, since divisions don't matter much anyway.
CuriousFan
12:06
Why are people sleeping so badly on the Cavs? They didn't do any worse than any other Eastern Conference team in the playoffs, they've got a coach that can actually make use of their guys offensively, they're an elite defensive team, and they weren't fully healthy at any point last season, yet everyone sees them regressing? Is it just that they didn't make some kind of splash despite no available players (besides Bridges, who was dead-set on the Knicks anyway) fitting their roster?
ARTHUR HILL
12:09
The Cavaliers are being overlooked because they didn't make any exciting player moves this summer. The team is virtually the same, except for the new coaching staff, and sameness isn't exciting in a league where things are constantly changing. I don't expect them to regress. Kenny Atkinson is an innovative coach, and I think he can solve the overlapping talent issues of Mitchell and Garland in the backcourt, and Mobley and Allen up front.
Kj
12:09
So with the clippers taking a major blow losing Paul George for basically nothing and the Lakers more or less doing absolutely nothing in the off season which La team do you think is not going to make a playoffs this year
ARTHUR HILL
12:12
I think there's a better chance that the Clippers miss the playoffs, although both teams might fall short of last season's win totals. Paul George is a major loss, and there are reasons to be concerned about Kawhi Leonard's health after his knee forced him to miss the playoffs and the Olympics. The Lakers can always rely on LeBron and AD to keep them competitive, but I'm not as confident in Leonard and Harden at this stage of their careers.
Pat Riley
12:12
Given the age of Jimmy Butler his availability the last couple of years and his last year of his contract what would be the percentage that Jimmy actually gets traded in February
ARTHUR HILL
12:15
Butler has already said he wants to test free agency next summer rather than sign an extension, so the Heat will at least consider moving him if won't make a long-term commitment. Team president Pat Riley has called on Butler to be available for more regular season games this year, and his health will play a major role in both his trade value and the Heat's willingness to re-sign him. A lot depends on how Miami's season plays out, but it appears Butler will be a name to watch at the trade deadline.
Kevin in Houston
12:15
Will the Rockets logjam at small forward be resolved by a Dillon Brooks trade?
ARTHUR HILL
12:20
The return of Tari Eason, who missed most of last season with injuries, and the volume of young talent could eventually make Brooks replaceable. A lot depends on how Houston wants to use Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, and there's a chance they could both be better than Brooks by midseason. Brooks still has three years left on the four-year, $86MM contract he signed last summer, but his salary declines each year, so it shouldn't be that hard to trade him if the Rockets decide that's what they want to do.
KJ
12:20
If you were taking a guess how do you think the Brandon Ingram situation is going to work itself out are they going to trade him before the season starts, trade him in February, or resign him in the off season I'm guessing trade in February
ARTHUR HILL
12:24
He could be traded by February, but the Pelicans tried to move him all summer and couldn't find an offer they liked. Any team that trades for Ingram will have to be willing to pay him when he becomes a free agent next summer, and there may not be anyone willing to give him a max or near-max contract, especially with the apron restrictions. My guess is that he stays will New Orleans all season, and the parties try to work out a new deal or a sign-and-trade when he hits free agency.
Justin
12:24
Who are your dark horse teams from each conference who didn’t reach their respective finals last summer.
ARTHUR HILL
12:28
The best teams that didn't reach the conference finals last season are the Thunder and Knicks, who could both be No. 1 seeds this year. But they really don't count as dark horses. The Magic are a team that could rise to that level in the East. They got their first taste of playoff action in April, and I really like the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who could be the missing piece in Orlando just like he was in Denver. There are several good candidates in the West. I'll take the Pelicans, but only if they can trade for a starting-level center.
Just got done
12:28
Who plays powe forward for the sixers.
ARTHUR HILL
12:32
The job is Caleb Martin's heading into training camp. He certainly had in moments in Miami, but he never proved he could handle being a full-time NBA starter. KJ Martin and Guerschon Yabusele are the current backups. Power forward is the number one concern in Philadelphia heading into the season, and the Sixers could wind up using a lot of small lineups.
Ron
12:32
Lastly, Can Billups remain as Coach for Blazers depending on his performance this season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:34
This is probably the last season for Chauncey in Portland. It's unfortunate that he didn't get to coach the team he was expecting because of the Damian Lillard trade, but that's part of life in the NBA. The Blazers are likely headed for another high lottery pick, and they'll want a fresh voice next season to manage all the young talent.
Ted
12:35
Anybody heard anything about Mac McClung? I’m not sure if he actually signed an exhibit -10 with Orlando. He’s not listed on their training camp roster.
ARTHUR HILL
12:38
There was a report two weeks ago that he agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal with the Magic, but the team hasn't made a formal announcement. There's no reason to think it won't get finalized, though. He has a history with the organization, and you can expect to see him once training camp begins.
Clark
12:38
With the WNBA announcing a third expansion team that's like what three teams in 3 years. Is that a smart move? Do you wait and see or you just strike while the iron is hot? My biggest concern is as big as the star Clark is what happens if the novelty wears off in 3 years or so example look at Sabrina from New York she was the end thing and now she's just kind of there.  Thoughts?
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
This is an unprecedented boom time for women's basketball in general, so it makes sense to try to capitalize on it. Caitlin Clark is the most marketable star in WNBA history, and she has a long career ahead. I think they'll be fine with one more expansion team.
Bill
12:41
Obviously injuries happen and are unpredictable, though which teams do you think are at the biggest risk of injuries derailing season hopes?
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
I would put the Clippers at the top of that list, although their season hopes are modest. Kawhi Leonard has a long injury history and has been experiencing knee pain dating back to last season. The Clippers are a much different team when he can't play. The Sixers rank high as well, considering the injury histories of Joel Embiid and Paul George. You also have to look at teams that are relying heavily on older players, like the Suns with Kevin Durant and the Lakers with LeBron James.
Pat Riley
12:46
What can we expect to get via a Jimmy trade, assuming that happens?
ARTHUR HILL
12:51
The Heat will only part with Butler if they create a pathway for their next star, either by getting one in the trade or clearing cap space for next summer. Even though he misses a lot of games, Butler is still an elite talent capable of making a difference in a playoff series. It's hard to set a price this far away from the deadline, but the decision whether to seek immediate talent or draft assets will depend on how competitive the Heat are this season.
GrizzMan
12:51
Scottie Pippen, DRose, or outside acquisition? Who backs up Ja this year?
ARTHUR HILL
12:54
I think Rose will get the first shot off the bench, but it's hard to say how long his body can hold up. The backup point guard minutes may go to Marcus Smart, who showed he's capable of handling that role in Boston.
Connor
12:55
Hornets expectation this year?
ARTHUR HILL
12:59
The Hornets should be in contention for a play-in spot, especially if they can get close to a full healthy season from LaMelo Ball. Brandon Miller was a great pick last year, and he should be even better in his second season. Mark Williams will return from injury and provide an inside presence that the team was missing. Chicago and Atlanta got worse this summer, and a lot of the East is going to be tanking. The Hornets are in a good position to capitalize.
No more Woj bombs ….
12:59
gonna miss hm
ARTHUR HILL
1:02
Adrian Wojnarowski was probably the most significant figure in NBA media. Nobody broke more stories or was more respected when it came to trade rumors. Even the players knew what a "Woj bomb" means. We'll miss him at Hoops Rumors and wish him the best of luck at St. Bonaventure.
Thanks for all the great questions. The chat should be back on its normal day next Tuesday.
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