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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/14/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:04
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on the Bulls.
UncleMike1526
11:05
OK so the Bulls are singing the same song and dance about wanting to win. Well they've actually been pretty healthy and they still stink. LaVine has been doing what he's supposed to, Vujevic is his same steady self, Ball is even back( Never thought I'd see that). I think it's time to keep Giddey and Buzelis, maybe Phillips and White. If I could get a late 1st for Ayo I'd do it otherwise I'd keep him. makes no sense to move him for a 2nd because he was one they hit on already. They can't seriously be playing to be in the 10th spot or play in round again can they? The roster construction is God awful right? You have like 7 SF's and 6 G's and no PF's. Who fields a team like that? Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
11:11
It's a good point that there are a lot of best-case scenarios in play for the Bulls and they're still just 18-21. Zach LaVine's numbers are comparable to what he did in his All-Star seasons. That was never expected after they virtually tried to give him away this summer and couldn't find a taker. Nikola Vucevic is having maybe the best offensive season of his career, and certainly since he came to Chicago. Lonzo Ball's recovery has been amazing; he's exceeded all expectations and hopefully can stay healthy for the rest of the season. Giddey has been a valuable addition, and Buzelis seems like a steal with the 11th pick. But what has it got them? If this is the best the team can be with so much going right, maybe it is time to start over.
11:18
As you point out, the problem is roster construction. You can't just add the best players you can find. The roster eventually has to make sense as a group. The lack of a power forward is a major weakness, and it doesn't look like Patrick Williams is ever going to grow into that position. There are way too many guards for everyone to get the playing time they need, and there's not a proven big man to take over if they trade Vucevic. The Bulls aren't in position to get real value for their trade assets. They might take the best offers they can get for LaVine, Vucevic or Ball, but it's not going to change the direction of the franchise. They're headed for another finish in the middle of the pack, probably a loss in the play-in tournament and another pick in the late part of the lottery. The league tends to reward teams that are either really good or really bad, but the Bulls are stuck in the middle with no obvious way to get better.
Kat Batknickstick
11:18
The Knicks really need a bigger 3 and D wing to back up Bridges and Anunoby.  Is there a realistic path forward for them this season?  And if so, who and how?
ARTHUR HILL
11:26
Three-and-D wings come at a premium price this time of year, and the Knicks probably don't have the assets to land a really good one. Dorian Finney-Smith would have been a nice addition, but the Knicks probably couldn't have topped the Lakers' offer of three second-round picks. Maybe they can get an under-the-radar guy like Jae'Sean Tate from Houston, but the Rockets might also want to keep him as insurance for their own playoff run. There's also the concern about giving up assets for another bench guy when Tom Thibodeau leans so heavily on his starters. Would you want P.J. Tucker as a post-deadline buyout?
Monte McNair
11:26
What sort of player could I realistically acquire using Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles, and a 1st round pick? Is that enough for Cam Johnson? Adding another 1st rounder or Devin Carter seems like an overpay for Johnson.
ARTHUR HILL
11:36
It might take an overpay to get Johnson, considering the number of teams that are interested and his value to the Nets if he doesn't get traded. Johnson has always had a great all-around game, but he has emerged as an offensive leader this season, much the way former teammate Mikal Bridges did when he arrived in Brooklyn. Lyles has an expiring contract, but Huerter is owed nearly $18MM next season, and the Nets are reluctant to take on long-term salary and lessen their cap space for this summer. They're better off keeping Johnson, who provides a lot more production at a slightly higher cost. They don't need to get rid of everyone to tank, as their recent record shows. Brooklyn has been firm about wanting two first-round picks or the equivalent in exchange for Johnson, and I don't think they're going to lower that price.
Celtics
11:36
The Celtics got Tillman and Springer at last year's deadline. Will they target vet min type guys like that again or stand pat?
ARTHUR HILL
11:42
It depends on what low-cost options emerge by the deadline. I could see Tillman or Springer being sent out to plug a hole in the roster, but I also think the Celtics are confident with their current group if they don't make a move. One of the Boston writers recently mentioned Javonte Green, a Pelicans swingman who started his career with the Celtics a few years ago. That could be a sensible addition. Boston has also been carrying an open roster spot for tax purposes since the beginning of the season, so there will eventually be an opportunity to upgrade even if it doesn't happen by the deadline.
Bradley Beal
11:43
Where will I be playing on Feb 7?
ARTHUR HILL
11:49
It's largely up to you. Beal is one of the few NBA players with a no-trade clause in his contract, which gives him plenty of leverage in a potential Jimmy Butler deal or any other trade. There aren't many teams willing to sacrifice their financial flexibility by taking on Beal's contract for the next two seasons, and even if the Suns can find someone, he may not want to go there. I think Beal enjoys playing alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on a somewhat glamorous team after his years in Washington. The Suns are hoping to thread the needle on Butler, but there are too many obstacles in the way. My guess is that Beal stays in Phoenix.
UncleMike1526
11:49
When is the League going to get smart and put a stop to all these idiotic trades where the 1st round pick is top (?) protected where the purpose is obviously to skirt the money matching quirks in the trade policy and that will never actually get moved? I mean the Bulls supposed 1st Round pick from Portland is never going to get here right? Not to mention it has got to be an accounting nightmare. Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
11:55
The Bulls-Blazers trade is an excellent example of the issue that you bring up. The pick is lottery protected in each of the next four drafts, and it eventually becomes a second-round selection in 2028. Portland doesn't show many signs of developing into a playoff contender in a tough Western Conference, so a second-round pick is probably the most likely scenario. I'm sure the practice makes life tough for accountants, and it limits the ability of teams to trade other future first-rounders, but the league doesn't seem to mind, so it's probably going to continue.
ROY
11:55
I saw at least one betting site is listing Alex Sarr as the rookie of the year favorite. Do you think he's a good pick or would you bet on someone else?
ARTHUR HILL
12:02
Skepticism about the 2024 draft class has been justified, as there really haven't been many standout rookie performers. Zach Edey is probably my ROY pick right now as he's starting at center and putting up decent numbers for a good Grizzlies team. Teammate Jaylen Wells, Pelicans center Yves Missi and Spurs guard Stephon Castle are also worth mentioning. If you're betting on Sarr, make sure you get good odds.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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