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Hoops Rumors Chat With Luke Adams: 2/16/2017
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Luke Adams
1:49
Hey guys! The trade deadline is exactly one week away, so this seems like as good a time as any to chat about what's in store. Submit your questions and we'll get underway at the top of the hour.
1:59
Lots of questions coming in so far -- let's get things started! I'll be chatting until about 3:00pm central, so keep those questions coming.
Frank IV
1:59
Do you see any surprises coming by the deadline?
Luke Adams
2:00
Well, if I could see them coming, they wouldn't be surprises. But yeah, I think we'll see some guys moved that haven't been mentioned in any rumors up until now. The Blazers/Nuggets trade this week was a good example. We knew Nurkic would probably be on the move, but Plumlee hadn't really been considered a trade candidate.
Casey Becker
2:00
Thunder are in need of shooters... They have the second lowest shooting percentage. Any names that they could go after at the deadline.
Luke Adams
2:02
Lou Williams would make some sense for the Thunder, I think, though he's more of a scorer than a shooter. Doug McDermott is also out there. OKC's inability to trade a first-round pick until 2022 could be a problem if they're trying to get an impact guy.
Hornets fan
2:02
Hi guys from what you are hearing will the Hornets will be a seller at the deadline?
Luke Adams
2:03
I wrote earlier today about how the Hornets are in kind of a weird spot right now: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2017/02/trade-deadline-outlook-southeast-division.html
I don't think the Hornets are in the mindset of selling, but the further they fall in the standings, the less it makes sense for them to be a buyer. Will be interesting to see what they decide.
Portland
2:04
I know Portland has already made a move this month, but do you expect them to be involved in any other deals prior to the deadline? If so, do you get the sense they are looking for more picks, or to combine a pick with a player for someone who can come in and help now?
Luke Adams
2:07
Portland certainly isn't giving up in this season, even though it's been a disappointing one. But I think their top priority right now has to be making sure that any deals don't negatively impact their future cap situation. Dumping Ezeli on a team below the salary floor would make sense, though that wouldn't get them a pick. If they do move a pick along with a player, I think they'd be moving someone on a long-term deal for someone on a shorter-term contract, to create a little cap breathing room going forward.
Mainer
2:07
What do you think the price will be on Lou Williams- think he would be a great fit for the Celtics coming off the bench as a scorer- Jerebko and their 2018 1st?
Luke Adams
2:09
That sounds like a reasonable place to start. We've seen Kyle Korver and Mason Plumlee involved in deals with first-round picks so far this year, so there's no reason why the Lakers shouldn't be able to get a first-rounder for Lou Will. I think they'd prioritize a pick in the 2017 draft though, given how strong this year's class is (and just in case they lose their own pick).
Mike
2:09
Do you see the Warriors doing anything by the deadline? Would McCaw or Clark plus a future pick be something they might dangle for the right opportunity? Maybe for a decent quality 4/5 to back up Green in case of meltdown.
Luke Adams
2:10
I get the sense that the Warriors are happy to stand pat. With Durant and Curry headed for new max deals in the summer, it'll be important to keep cheap, team-controlled guys like McCaw around to fill out the roster. I could see Golden State waiting to see what surfaces on the buyout market after the deadline, rather than making a trade.
Chad
2:10
With the Ibaka trade to Toronto do you think there is added pressure on Ainge to make a splash at the deadline to improve the C's?
Luke Adams
2:12
I don't think Danny Ainge believes that. He's been a paragon of patience in recent years, refusing to cash in all those trade assets he has until he's 100% sure he's found the right deal. It's not like the Celtics' window is close to closing at all, so Ainge can afford to wait until the offseason or next year's deadline for the right piece.
Raymond Perakis.
2:12
Any coaches in danger of losing their jobs over the break?
Luke Adams
2:14
Most of the teams that are underachieving the most this season have new head coaches, so I think things will stay quiet on that front through the break. We may not end up seeing any firings until after the season.
Darwan
2:14
Will the cavs use their trade exception before it expires this Saturday? And who is it most likely used on?
Luke Adams
2:16
I think they'll probably let that exception expire. They were able to use more than half of it on Korver, so it has already paid dividends, and they created a new slightly bigger one in that Korver deal that they could use at the deadline if they need to.
I personally think Jameer Nelson would be a great fit for them, and he'd fit into that new TPE (but not the old one). No indication they're close to anything right now though.
Chris
2:16
The Rockets, last night excluded, are obviously the 3rd best team in the West. That said, they aren't that far off surprisingly. Is there 1 move you could see them making to push them into the conversation with the Spurs, if not the Warriors too?
Luke Adams
2:18
Based on comments from Daryl Morey and James Harden, it sounds like they're very wary about messing with the chemistry they have going, so if they do anything, I expect it would be something small. Adding another guard to improve backcourt depth wouldn't hurt, though I'm not sure that moves the needle in the West.
Kristaps Cheer
2:19
What is Derrick Rose's value around the league? Will he be moved?
Luke Adams
2:20
I don't think he has a lot of value right now. His $20MM+ salary and expiring contract makes him a bit of a tricky trade chip -- teams won't want to give up much for what might be a rental, but to match salaries, you'd have to give up at least one or two well-compensated players. I think he finishes the season with the Knicks (barring another AWOL-type incident).
Ivan
2:21
Do you see the T wolves finally trading Rubio and what deal do you see them making?
Luke Adams
2:22
I think the Wolves will eventually move Rubio, but I'm not convinced it happens this month. Makes more sense to me to do it in the offseason, so he doesn't have to go to a new team and learn on the fly how to run their offense.
Michael
2:23
Sullinger and two 2nd round picks for Pj tucker. Fair deal?
Luke Adams
2:25
The Raptors' second-round picks for the next couple years, barring a surprise, will probably be in the 50-ish range, and Sullinger hasn't looked good at all since he's been back, so I doubt that would interest the Suns much. But if they want to get what they can for Tucker before free agency, maybe they're willing to settle.
A cat
2:25
If the Clippers fail to make the conference finals again this year, does Ballmer shell out $350mm or whatever the max contracts will be to retain Paul and Griffin after they opt out?
Luke Adams
2:27
I think he does. CP3 and Blake have shown no signs that they're considering leaving and the Clippers - by all accounts - want to bring them both back. If they have an embarrassing first-round loss this year, maybe that changes, but I get the sense that the Clips still believe the current core (with one or two tweaks) is Finals-worthy if they can just stay healthy and get a little luck in the playoffs.
Chris
2:27
In a magical world where we could change the rules. Would you prefer an NBA where each team is limited to a single star player where team building is more imperative or today's NBA where you have a few super teams with 3 or 4 stars?
Luke Adams
2:29
My ideal rule change would be to get rid of maximum contracts. I think things would be a lot more interesting if someone like Kevin Durant had to decide between joining the Warriors on a $25MM salary vs. joining, say, the Nets on a $45MM salary. Teams would still be spending the same total money on players, but if they want to commit more of their cap to one or two guys, why shouldn't they be able to?
Elio
2:29
Anthony Davis, Solomon Hill, Omer Asik, and Tim Frazier to the Celtics, Grizzlies protected 2018 1st round pick(via Boston), Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Amir Johnson, and Etwaun Moore to the 76ers, and Boston's 2017 1st round pick (swapped with Nets), Nets 2018 1st round pick, Jahlil Okafor, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynk, Jonas Jerebko, Sergio Rodriguez, Tyler Zeller, Gerald Henderson and Nic Stauskaus to the Pelicans
Luke Adams
2:30
(reads "Anthony Davis") Okay, let me stop you right there.
In all seriousness, I don't think there's any way the Pelicans consider anything involving Davis anytime soon, though I admire the time that went into that list of names.
Marwan
2:31
Masai said they're looking for one more trade. Can you throw any names of some possible small forwards we're targeting?
Luke Adams
2:31
I sort of like the idea of the Raptors acquiring Doug McDermott just so they don't have to play against him anymore.
John Hammond
2:32
What is my next move? Tank it and hope to add another lottery ticket to this bunch?
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