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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/6/2022
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Luke Adams
12:01
Thanks for all the early questions, guys! Just sorting through them, then I'll dive in...
Some Guy
12:02
Does Caris LeVert start for the Cavs? Given their massive frontcourt, they might prefer Okoro, who is actually a good defender.
Luke Adams
12:05
I think they probably have enough offense in the starting five without needing LeVert in there, especially if Mobley continues to expand his offensive game. It makes more sense to me to have LeVert in the second unit leading the offense there. But they have options, and they'll have more later in the season when Rubio is ready to return.
Ross
12:05
What's Portland's situation now with the players they signed to exhibit-10 & 2-way contracts? Portland doesn't have a G-League team, so where would those players be sent to?
Luke Adams
12:07
I've been a little surprised that the Blazers are signing so many players to Exhibit 10 contracts this offseason, given their lack of G League affiliate. Those deals can still be converted into a two-way contracts, so I guess that's the plan -- to have a few camp invitees competing for the second two-way slot, which is still open. The players that lose that competition won't have the option of reporting to Portland's G League team, so they'll have to find an opportunity elsewhere.
Nick
12:07
Have there been any updates on the Bridges situation?
Luke Adams
12:09
Nothing recently. We're mostly just waiting for the legal process to play out at this point -- I believe his preliminary hearing is this week.
12:10
I've seen some people suggest that Bridges should accept his qualifying offer from the Hornets, since he's not going to do any better than that, but I don't think he's in any rush to do that -- the Hornets can't withdraw it at this point, and once he's under contract, the NBA can place him on administrative leave.
Taylor
12:11
What can the Jazz expect in return for Mike Conley and who might he be traded to?
Luke Adams
12:13
Conley is still a solid player, but his contract isn't an especially team-friendly one -- his cap hit is sizeable, and he's owed a significant chunk of guaranteed money in 2023/24. I don't get the sense he has positive trade value. If the Jazz want to move him and try to get something decent back, it would make sense to include him in a deal for an even worse contract (ie. Russell Westbrook's).
Randy
12:14
Hi,Do you think there is anymore Hawks moves in the near future
Luke Adams
12:15
You never know, but with 14 players on standard contracts and two on two-way deals, the Hawks' roster looks pretty set for the season. I wouldn't count on any major changes until closer to the trade deadline.
Eric from LA
12:16
Who can we replace Gallonari's offense/minutes with?
Luke Adams
12:17
I assume "we" here is the Celtics. I'd expect Grant Williams to play a much more significant role -- he's not the shot creator Gallinari is, but he can hit a three-pointer and he's a better defender. Keep an eye on the training camp battle for the final few roster spots. If someone like Noah Vonleh or Bruno Caboclo really impresses and earns a regular season roster spot, maybe they could even sneak into the rotation too.
Walter
12:17
Clips over/under 60 wins?
David
12:17
Who wins more games (assuming a fully healthy roster all year): Lakers or Clippers?
Luke Adams
12:19
I'll take under 60 on the Clippers -- in fact, I think I'd take under 60 on every NBA team this season, since I'm not bullish enough on any one team to make that bet. But I do have the Clippers above the Lakers in the year-end standings. If the Clips really can stay healthy, the gap could be substantial.
Chris
12:19
I'm curious about your view on Kyle Kuzma. The analytic types don't care for him at all. 538's recent ratings using its RAPTOR metric rate him as a "scrub"  and his value as only slightly above the minimum. It seems like the Wizards value him as potentially a 3rd option and have had extension talks with him. What's your take?
Luke Adams
12:23
It's a boring answer, but I'm somewhere in the middle on Kuzma -- he's better than the analytics suggest, but not as important as his scoring numbers might indicate. If he could consistently get his 3PT% up to .360+, I'd be a lot more bullish on him, since he does certain things pretty well (he was one of Washington's better rebounders and play-makers last season). But his inconsistent three-point rate and his less than stellar defense hurt his overall value.
Cam
12:23
What do you see as a realistic return for the Rockets for KJ Martin? Seems like he’s on the outside looking in for minutes even though he’s a solid young player.
Luke Adams
12:24
The Rockets would be doing well to get an expiring contract and a second-round pick for him. I can't see a team giving up more than that for a young player who's having trouble cracking a rebuilding team's rotation.
Joel John
12:25
What impact could a defensive minded coach like Mike Brown have on the kings this coming season, does his previous two outing with GSW in the playoffs leave a lot to be desired?
Luke Adams
12:27
Brown could theoretically help the Kings' defense, but they still need players capable of executing his game plan. Keegan Murray, Davion Mitchell, and Harrison Barnes are a start, but the stars (Sabonis, Fox) and the new additions (Huerter, Fox) aren't exactly known for their defense. Turning them into a top-20 D would be a realistic starting goal.
Connor🏀
12:27
Will the hornets sign/trade for anyone good?🏀
Luke Adams
12:29
I knew the Hornets had had a quiet offseason, but I was still a bit surprised when writing up our Southeast over/unders post today to realize that Mark Williams is essentially the only player they've added this offseason. The fact that they were involved in the Donovan Mitchell sweepstakes is a sign that they're still exploring ways to upgrade their roster and might still have something up their sleeves, but the Bridges situation really hurts them -- the uncertainty about whether he's in their future plans really affects how aggressive they should be in pursuing upgrades.
Please Answer Luke
12:30
Any updates on AJ Griffin's health?
Luke Adams
12:30
I haven't read or heard anything within the last few weeks on the foot issue that was affecting Griffin in July, but it didn't sound at the time like it was anything serious -- hopefully he's good to go for training camp.
Charlie’s Mom
12:31
The east looks insane this year. What would you predict as the biggest surprises (up and down)?
Luke Adams
12:34
I always have a hard time making predictions at this time of year, when everyone's pretty enthusiastic about what their teams did in the offseason. But I'll pick the Raptors to exceed expectations and the Celtics and Bulls to fall short of theirs (I still think Boston will be good, but they're being projected to have the NBA's best record -- I'm skeptical of that).
Will T
12:34
Could/Would the Celts make a trade for someone like Rudy Gay to replace Gallo's mins?
Luke Adams
12:35
Any player the Celtics acquire would cost them exponentially more in tax penalties, so I bet they lean on in-house (min-salary) options first. They could make a move at the trade deadline if they have to.
Traditional Bigs
12:36
Any teams linked to Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins or Hassan Wihteside?
Luke Adams
12:37
It's continued to be very quiet on the rumor front for those guys. I still think it's just a matter of time before at least one or two land somewhere, but it might require a preseason injury or two to open a door for them.
Xmas Day games
12:38
Knicks and Lakers?  Really?  All the other Teams playing on Xmas Day made the Playoffs this past season ..  just sayin'.
Luke Adams
12:39
It sorta feels like the Knicks and Lakers games are the NBA's Christmas equivalent of the NFL's Cowboys and Lions games on Thanksgiving -- they show up on the schedule year in and year out due to tradition (and, in the case of the Knicks and Lakers, marker size) rather than merit.
Evans
12:39
Out of the three main Jazz guys left Bogey, Conley, and Clarkson who has the most value and who is most likely to be traded before camp?
Luke Adams
12:41
Conley is the least valuable of the three. You could make a case for either Bogdanovic or Clarkson as the most valuable depending on a trade partner's needs and cap situation. I'll say Bogdanovic is the most likely to be dealt sooner rather than later, since he's the only one of the three on an expiring deal -- Utah could afford to wait on Conley and/or Clarkson if necessary.
Julius Randle
12:41
Any chance I will get traded before the season starts?
Luke Adams
12:42
I'd be shocked. Doesn't seem like the Knicks have seriously entertained the idea this summer after your value dipped in 2021/22. Maybe down the road if you have a nice bounce-back season.
Lakers
12:43
Do you have to 34-Years old or Older to play for the Lakers?  Or, are they going to Join the Big-3 League ?
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