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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 1/4/2024
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Luke Adams
10:00
Thanks for the early questions, guys! Let's dive in...
John
10:00
I remember that OKC said they want to see how the core does and not make big swings. However, with their great start, they have too many picks and young players where some decent prospects will just get cut each year. They have to consolidate a little bit for upgrades, right? I bet they can use Giddey+ to make a serious improvement
Luke Adams
10:03
I suspect any trade partners will try to squeeze the Thunder for an extra asset or two beyond the usual asking price, knowing OKC can afford to give up an additional draft pick without even noticing it. So if they don't find a deal they like this season, I don't think a consolidation trade necessarily has to happen now.
10:04
I do think it'll happen sooner or later, but it's worth remembering that the new CBA doesn't exactly reward a team that loads up its roster with expensive talent for a two- or three-year run. The Thunder are in a unique position where their young core and their future picks line them up well to become a contender for the next decade-plus. So they won't be in any rush to give up major assets for a minor upgrade.
10:05
Also worth noting that even though Giddey would be the most obvious trade chip from an on-court perspective, the off-court investigation kills his trade value for the time being. No team's gonna want to acquire him until there's some (positive) closure there.
Dan Gilbert
10:05
Now that Rubio is off the books, we have some cap room. Who should we look at signing or trading for to fill that hole? Personally, I'd prefer a better backup C than Damian Jones.
Luke Adams
10:07
We'll need to see the exact details on Rubio's buyout to get a better sense of how much more flexibility the Cavs have. In all likelihood, it will be enough to add a minimum-salary free agent (or maybe two) but not much more than that. Our list of notable free agents, which can be found here, isn't particularly inspiring. But if you're looking for a center, there are some options -- Derrick Favors, Meyers Leonard, Nerlens Noel, and Khem Birch, among others.
Nebraska Tim
10:08
I don't understand why the Raptors won't just sign Siakam. He seems like someone who's game will age well, and without a contract his trade value seems diminished anyways. What are Masai and Bobby doing in Toronto?
Luke Adams
10:09
I wouldn't necessarily assume that Siakam is just waiting to sign and the Raptors aren't putting a deal on the table for him. He knows that he can still qualify for a super-max if he remains a Raptor and makes an All-NBA team. That may not look particularly likely at the moment, but you never know how Toronto might respond with the new-look lineup (so far so good) and how many All-NBA candidates may end up falling short of the 65-game requirement.
John
10:09
I'm loving the sixer's depth this year. I feel like the 2 stars + premier role players could work well in the playoffs like several recent champions. As the playoff rotations shorten, what can the sixers do to bring some up some of the role players to quality 2 way players? I feel like the names out there are not moving the needle much.
Luke Adams
10:12
Atlanta is worth calling -- someone like De'Andre Hunter or Saddiq Bey could be a decent fit. Utah too, with Clarkson, Olynyk, etc. Delon Wright is an interesting trade candidate to me too, though his game might overlap too much with De'Anthony Melton's. You're right that there likely won't be many major needle-movers out there, especially if the Sixers want to preserve their major assets for a potential offseason splash (it might be easier to use their projected cap room to trade for someone than to sign a free agent).
CoachinCarolina
10:12
Assuming that their respective teams don't offer a new contract, do you see Kira Lewis and Chuma Okeke having a solid market due to their potential upside  Injuries have slowed both.  Secondly, do you view Taylor Hendricks as a poor man's Jabari Smith Jr.?  They seem like similar players.
Luke Adams
10:13
Would be a bit surprised at this point if either Lewis or Okeke gets more than a minimum-salary offer next summer, but we'll see whether they get more opportunities in the second half.
10:14
Haven't really seen enough of Hendricks yet to make an education prediction about his upside. I do hope he's able to crack the rotation in the second half, maybe after Utah trades a couple veterans -- not a great sign when a lottery pick barely plays as a rookie.
Jalen Johnson
10:15
Am I the Hawks 2nd best player?
Luke Adams
10:16
If the Hawks roster were re-drafted today without salaries being considered, I still think Trae and Murray go ahead of you, but your contract, your age, and your skill set definitely make you the sort of asset that every team would have interest in.
Keith
10:16
Could the Celtics make a trade with the Bulls for Andre Drummond using their TPE plus draft picks? Would the Bulls accept the offer?
Luke Adams
10:18
Drummond would fit into the Celtics' TPE, certainly -- he's only making $3.36MM and the Celtics' biggest TPE is worth $6.2MM. It would just be a matter of how much Boston would have to offer to make Chicago trade the league's best backup center to a conference rival, and whether the C's have any better alternative uses for that TPE. I don't think Drummond for a couple second-rounders is an unrealistic deal.
Guest
10:18
What’s a possible trade Houston can get for some names like Landale Oladipo Bullock &/or draft picks included?
Luke Adams
10:19
That would be about $19MM in outgoing money, which means they could bring back someone earning up to about $26-27MM.
10:20
Add another small salary and maybe Jerami Grant makes sense as a target? I dunno, off the top of my head, there probably won't be a ton of players in that salary range who are both available and are the kind of player Houston wants (smart, defensive-minded, etc.)
10:21
De'Andre Hunter and Bojan Bogdanovic are a couple other options, though neither is a perfect fit.
Ian In Indy
10:22
What will it take for the Pacers to get Siakim?
Luke Adams
10:23
Based on what the Raptors got for Anunoby, it's clear they're valuing players over draft picks. I imagine they'd ask for Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker, and Buddy Hield might be needed for salary matching. Zach Kram proposed an interesting three-way trade involving all those players this week: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/1/3/24023061/nba-rumors-pascal-siak...
10:24
I don't necessarily think the Pacers would give up as many assets as he suggests, but the Raptors would be justified in pushing for that sort of return, given Siakam's resume.
Justin
10:24
Everyone thinking Siakam is the next domino, but it could be Trent or Schroeder. They have 4 solid rotational guards on their roster, haven't seen this since 2019.
Luke Adams
10:25
Definitely. I'm curious about what's going on with Trent -- there were reports near the start of free agency that he was nearing an extension, but it never happened and the latest rumors are that they haven't even talked about a new deal lately.
10 9 8 76ers
10:25
Lauri Markkanen to the Sixers the best use of the Harden draft picks?  Mikal Bridges would work as well.  Do you think either guy puts them on par with Celtics and Bucks?
Luke Adams
10:27
I don't think the Sixers realistically have the assets to get either player. The Grizzlies offered four first-rounders for Bridges last season and didn't get anywhere. And it sounds like the Jazz won't seriously consider moving Markkanen unless they get a Gobert-esque haul, which Philadelphia probably can't give them.
David F
10:27
Do the Kings surprise everyone and make a big move?
Luke Adams
10:28
If they keep losing games to teams like Portland and Charlotte, they'll likely feel compelled to do something! I really like the idea of Siakam on that roster, but without Keegan Murray on the table, I don't know that they'd be able to offer the sort of players Toronto would want. Might have to be a three-team deal.
Big Al
10:28
Do the Bucks have assets available to add a meaningful defensive upgade? Or are they better off waiting for internal improvement and the return of Crowder from injury?
Luke Adams
10:30
Their assets are pretty limited. I imagine they'll probably stand relatively pat -- maybe make a minor deal to add a borderline rotation player for depth purposes. But they're very good as is. It doesn't even feel like they've really hit their stride this season and they're still at 24-10, which puts them ahead of all but two teams in the NBA.
Arcman
10:30
What are the 2 teams that could benefit from a trade this year at the trading deadline? I pick Celtics and OKC. Both could move up to be top contender for a championship with a trade.
Luke Adams
10:33
Those are good choices for teams that may just be one move away. In terms of struggling teams that had higher expectations, it feels like the Lakers need to do something. Their wings don't space the floor well enough, so they could really benefit from adding a player who can make threes and hold his own on defense.
The Sixers are another team that I think could be a legitimate title contender with the right move, but as I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure the right player will be out there in the next few weeks for the assets they have.
Bey
10:34
Last year, Atlanta sent five second-round picks to Golden State for Bey. Do you see anyone being traded for that many 2nd rounders this year?  Are 2nd rounders valuable?
Luke Adams
10:37
It's been an increasing trend in recent years. Josh Richardson got traded for four second-rounders at last season's deadline. Rui Hachimura went for three. Jae Crowder ended up getting folded into the Durant trade, but the Bucks essentially gave up five 2nds for him too. I think certain teams are willing to throw those picks around like candy, knowing that they won't be that hard to reacquire in future seasons if necessary. So yeah, we'll probably see a couple more deals like that at this year's deadline.
Donny Ainge
10:37
Could you see the Jazz trading for Dejounte Murray? They have the assets to go get him and they really need a true PG to lead the offense.
Luke Adams
10:37
Don't see Utah looking to consolidate their assets yet. Maybe next year.
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