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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/24/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on the Grizzlies.
Silver
12:01
I was surprised at the poll picking the Grizzlies (by a convincing margin) to go under 47.5 in wins. I know "if" is a huge word, but if they can stay healthy, I can see 50 or more wins this season. Your thoughts?
ARTHUR HILL
12:04
The talent is certainly there to become a contender again. Memphis won 56 and 51 games the two seasons before last year's disaster. But there are too many variables to say that topping 47.5 wins is a good bet. Ja Morant has barely played in the past 18 months. Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart are coming off injuries as well. Plus there are questions in the middle with Steven Adams no longer there. The Grizzlies should be in the playoff race, but I can understand why the majority of our readers are skeptical about reaching their over/under.
Ron
12:05
Which team will end up as worst record? Blazers, Wizards or Bulls
ARTHUR HILL
12:08
I don't think the Bulls belong in that conversation. They'll take a step back without DeMar DeRozan, but there are plenty of teams worse than Chicago. The Wizards are still early in their rebuilding process and I expect them to have a worse record than the Trail Blazers, even though the West is a tougher conference. The Nets may finish at the bottom of the East, but there will be several teams tanking considering the quality of next year's draft.
Orioles
12:08
Good Afternoon!I have a two part question.Will the Wizards have a top 1st round pick in 2025,or will that pick be flipped to meet the trade with the Knicks?
ARTHUR HILL
12:11
The pick that Washington is sending to New York is top 10 protected for next year and top eight protected in 2026. There's virtually no chance that the Wizards won't be one of the 10 worst teams this year, and very little chance that the pick will convey in 2026 unless they hit the jackpot in next year's draft. After that, Washington's obligation to New York becomes a pair of second-round picks, which is the most likely scenario.
Just got done
12:12
Any chance we see Drummond at the 4 with JoJo.
ARTHUR HILL
12:15
Nick Nurse doesn't mind experimenting, but I think the Sixers are more likely to use small lineups than a twin towers approach. Embiid and Drummond aren't mobile enough to be effective together defensively, and they're likely to get in each other's way on offense. Power forward is an obvious question mark in an otherwise strong Sixers lineup, but neither Drummond or Embiid really fits that position.
Pjq
12:15
Do the knicks make a trade or signing before training camp
ARTHUR HILL
12:20
The news that Mitchell Robinson won't be ready until December or January caused some panic among Knicks fans. But it's tough to make a trade right before the start of training camp, especially when all the other teams know that you're desperate. I expect the Knicks to try to solve their center issues internally and hope to get by until Robinson can return, hopefully completely healthy this time. A free agent signing is more likely, but there aren't many competent big men left on the market.
Trog
12:21
Your thoughts on Derrick Rose's departure and what Memphis does with that roster spot?
ARTHUR HILL
12:26
Rose asked to be let out of his contract, so it will be interesting to watch his next move. He seemed to have a good situation in Memphis, where he was the backup point guard for a team with a chance to be a contender. Scotty Pippen Jr. seems likely to get promoted to a standard contract to fill that role. The Grizzlies have tax concerns, so they may leave a roster spot open at the start of the season.
Trog
12:26
Mavs have enviable guard depth with Hardy, Dinwiddie and Grimes all coming off the bench. Would Dante Exum fetch back an unprotected 2nd round pick?
ARTHUR HILL
12:29
Exum was a nice comeback story last season after a string of injuries derailed his NBA career. As you mentioned, he'll face more competition for playing time with Dinwiddie and Grimes both on the roster. I don't see much of a trade market for Exum right now, but if he has another solid season, there might be a team willing to give up a second-rounder for him by the trade deadline.
Davey
12:29
With Wiggins, Looney and Payton 2 taking up so much salary while their roles are being diminished by Kuminga, Jackson-Davis and Podziemski, and Post still not signed, do you foresee GSW angling to make a big trade very soon, or at least before 2024 ends?
ARTHUR HILL
12:33
The Warriors may want to part with those contracts, but teams have become especially wary about taking on added salary under the apron restrictions. The Wiggins deal is particularly burdensome because it's probably going to last three more seasons while his role continues to diminish. The Warriors will likely keep all three of those players on their roster, unless they're willing to give up draft assets for someone to take their salaries.
Guest
12:33
Do you think the kings can be a dark horse contender in the west
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
They'll certainly be fun to watch. Re-signing Malik Monk and adding DeMar DeRozan should make the Kings one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. DeRozan and De'Aaron Fox are both great clutch scorers, so Sacramento will win more than its share of thrillers. The West looks loaded and the Kings' defense is still shaky, so that may limit their ceiling, but I like them to win more games than they did last season.
Zac
12:37
Are there any teams willing to give up a young prospect or picks for Anfrenee Simmons?
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
I haven't heard any fresh rumors, but there should be plenty of teams interested if Portland decides to move him. Simons is already a proven scorer, and he has two seasons left on a reasonable contract. The Blazers will be able to get a nice return if they decide he's not part of their future.
Keith
12:41
What are the Pelicans going to do at the center position. If they want to be a contender, they need to make a trade for a competent big man.
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
I'm surprised they haven't done something already. Training camp is a week away and their best options are Daniel Theis and rookie Yves Missi. It's hard to make a deal at this time of the year. Maybe their best option is that a decent big man gets put on waivers when teams make their final roster cuts.
Trog
12:46
With all NBA teams now having a G league team, do you think a future CBA will allow franchises to recall and option players and have an IL like MLB? It is so strange to me to have a G League team in which 80-90% of players on the team can't be developed for the parent club.
ARTHUR HILL
12:50
Any change would likely have to be made through collective bargaining, and the players probably prefer the current system. Except for a handful of designated players, anyone who stands out in the G League is free to sign with any NBA team. That provides a lot more opportunity for advancement and removes the risk of being trapped in the minor leagues with little chance to be called up to a talented NBA club.
UncleMike1525
12:50
When are the Bulls going to hire a coach who can figure out that Patrick Williams will never be a 4? That's when I'll care again.
ARTHUR HILL
12:55
Williams is what used to be called a "tweener," who isn't really a natural fit as either a power forward or small forward. That's less of a concern than it used to be, but it doesn't seem like the Bulls are getting the most out of Williams with the way they're using him. Matas Buzelis was a good draft addition who may be able to help with that. Also, don't look for Billy Donovan to be replaced soon. The front office seems committed to him and wants him to oversee the rebuilding process.
Dennis Smith Jr.
12:55
Who is signing me?
ARTHUR HILL
12:57
Maybe the Grizzlies now that they don't have an experienced backup point guard. Smith is too talented to still be a free agent this close to camp. He can still help somebody.
po
12:57
So now that AJ Griffin is gone from the Rockets, are the Rockets going to sign somebody or save that spot when maybe a trade happens?
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
The Rockets already have a deep roster with plenty of competition for playing time. I think keeping the spot open is most likely.
Keith
12:58
Why do you think that the Cavaliers are resistant to trade J. Allen to the Pelicans for B. Ingram? The money works, except for the extension needed for Ingram. Cavaliers are in search of a SF, and Pelicans are desperate for a C.
ARTHUR HILL
1:00
I see that as a better deal for the Pelicans than the Cavs. Ingram isn't a perfect fit for Cleveland's lineup because he'd be one more guy who needs the ball in his hands, along with Mitchell, Garland and Mobley. That also creates a very expensive team once Ingram has to be re-signed next summer.
Frustrated Bulls Fan
1:00
Since the same person owns both the Bulls and White Sox, does this mean the Bulls won't be contenders for a very long time
ARTHUR HILL
1:02
The Bulls aren't at White Sox level of futility, but there's not much on the roster to suggest they're anywhere near becoming a contender. Hopefully Caleb Williams and the Bears can give Chicago something to cheer about.
1:03
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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