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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 1/5/2023
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Trog
11:01
At this point in the season, are players with expiring contracts seen as having positive, negative or neutral trade value, regardless of how they are playing? (For example, would a team be more willing at this point to take on Russell Westbrook's huge expiring salary if it meant they could off load smaller undesirable multiyear contracts?)
Dana Gauruder
11:04
In a way, you have answered your own question. It varies from player to player, situation to situation. A contract like Westbrook's becomes more valuable to a rebuilding team now, as they'll offload that $47 million and get rid of players who still have guaranteed money for next season and maybe beyond. Conversely, a player with an expiring deal that contenders are interested in acquiring has less trade value now -- he's just a rental, unless the acquiring team is intent on signing him to an extension or when they become a free agent.
Guest
11:04
Hi, do you think the criticism the Laker front office has received for the Russ trade is making them hesitant to include those future 1st round picks in a deal?  If so, that goes against Jerry Buss philosophy that taking risks is necessary to be great....
Dana Gauruder
11:06
It's the only first-round trade chips they have at the moment, so they're hesitant to give them away unless there's a trade that's truly going to move the needle.
Dubs fan
11:06
Any chance the Warriors sign a Big Man on a 10-Day Contract ?  The team is awfully Small when Looney goes to the Bench and Wiseman has been out with a Sprainked ankle.  They could use a Hassan Whiteside to come in when Looney goes to the Bench.  Or Derrick Favors, or Tristan Thompson, or ......... the midget 3-Ring Circus lineups are getting Old.
Dana Gauruder
11:09
Sure. They have an open roster spot, so if they feel they need temporary help up front, a 10-day is the way to go. That being said, I don't see a team like the Warriors doing a 10-day unless they're actually going to throw someone into the rotation immediately. So they'd have to be convinced Whiteside or another veteran big is in top shape and ready to play.
KJ
11:09
With the Nets, now that they are running smoothly despite last night's loss, what would be the 1 thing they still need?  I say its another big, Claxton alone won't get the job done.  If Dallas was crazy, would you do Harris, Thomas and protected first for Woods?
Dana Gauruder
11:11
I would anticipate Dallas would not trade Wood unless the Mavs are convinced he's intent on becoming a free agent. From what I've heard, there have been some preliminary discussions on an extension. I would think Wood would like someone to give him long-term security -- he's bounced around the league quite a bit in his career.
KJ
11:12
With D-Lo unfollowing Minnesota, is he trying to force his way out?  If so, where could he go?  Strangely Washington might be a fit as they need a point guard and the Wizards has a surplus of forwards to help Minnesota get some depth back.
Dana Gauruder
11:15
I believe if the Timberwolves could fortify their rotation, they'd trade Russell. He's in his walk year and I doubt they want to re-sign him. But they could also just let the season play out and then use that cap savings elsewhere. In terms of Washington, would they look at Russell as an upgrade over what it already has? They might do it more for long-term cap purposes than anything else.
JazzFan
11:16
Do you think Utah will continue to pursue John Collins even after their recent stretch of poor games?
Dana Gauruder
11:18
I don't see Collins as a good fit next to Markkanen. I think the Jazz's interest in that proposed three-way deal is to get more first-round assets. So, I don't think wins and losses matter when it comes to pursuing that trade.
bcparkers@optonline.net
11:19
As GREAT a talent as Young is, wouldn’t the team be much better with a point guard such as  Halliburton?
Dana Gauruder
11:22
Young is a mercurial talent but he was terrific when they made it to conference finals a couple years back. It's a frustrating time for Hawks fans after they went all in on that Murray trade. I don't get a sense Atlanta is ready to give up on its franchise player. I also don't see Indiana doing anything but locking up Haliburton long-term. He's been everything they hoped he would be since acquiring him.
KJ
11:22
Since we are close to the 1/2 way mark of the season and teams have a good idea "They are who we thought they were"  Name 1 team who will probably make some trades or signings to make a playoff/playin push and name 1 team that is about to go into "2 for 1" discount sale mode
Dana Gauruder
11:26
I don't know about discounts these days -- not a good look for any front office. But I could see Chicago trading DeRozan and/or Vuc. Utah has incentive to make moves and hoard assets. As for an acquiring team, Memphis might see itself as the kind to get one more veteran piece in a title push.
Richie G.
11:26
Scoring seems to be at an all-time high. Do you believe the league will tweak any rules to create more of a balance and if so, what would be instituted? Or does the league like the game as it is?
Dana Gauruder
11:30
This is a sore spot for me, as I preferred a more physical style where teams were allowed to play a more rugged style of defense. Now, it's almost impossible to guard star players. But I don't see the league making any changes. They've marketed it as a star driven league and love having these hanging up 40 and 50 point nights regularly, plus all these 3-pointers.
Nick
11:30
Do the Hornets need to get one of the Top 2 picks in this year's draft to keep LaMelo from wanting out?
Dana Gauruder
11:32
I can't get into LaMelo's mind but generally he'd want to see the Hornets have real hope for the immediate future. I don't think he'd want to stick around on a team going into rebuild mode and being a lottery team for a few more years.
Raptors Decisions
11:33
Do you see a path in which management is able to keep Pascal Siakam and still be able to deal some ir all of Fred VanVleet, OG and Gary Trent? How long will it before this decision needs to be made to maximize potential asset returns? Thanks
Dana Gauruder
11:38
Siakam's contract expires after next season. I would think the Raptors would like to lock him up long-term but I would imagine he'd want assurances they'll be a perennial contender. If the Raptors continue on the path they're on and keep losing this month, management would have to seriously consider trading one or more of their starters. But I think that situation would mirror what Portland did last year -- they did some major retooling while giving Lillard assurances they weren't going into a full rebuild.
Cam
11:38
Based on how the season has progressed so far, do you see the trade market being more or less active than usual this season? Who do you think will be buyers and sellers at the trading deadline?
Dana Gauruder
11:40
It's been extraordinary quiet on the trade front thus far. Many of the players signed as free agents became trade eligible in mid-December and nothing happened. More of them will become trade eligible this month. Part of the issue is that there are only about 4 or 5 teams who aren't in the picture at least in terms of the play-in tournament. As we approach the deadline, more teams will have to face reality and looks for assets while others will be in buy mode. I expect a healthy market over the next month with quite a few trades.
David F
11:42
What are the Kings going to do? Does John Collins make sense for them?
Dana Gauruder
11:46
Well, if he wants to play for them, he gave them a nice audition by scoring 22 points vs. them on Wednesday. Bottom line for Sacramento -- is he a good fit next to Sabonis? If Barnes is included in the deal, is Murray solid at the 3 or is he more suited to being a 4? If Barnes isn't included in the deal, perhaps you could nice 3-man rotation at the forward spots. So, it's just a function of what they'd have to give up and whether he'd slot in well.
Dwight Howard
11:46
Slim chance DH12 leaves Taiwan for a mealy 10-Day contract, correct ?  He'd need some kind of Guarantee that it would convert into a rest-of-the-season Contract ?
Dana Gauruder
11:49
No idea how well Dwight is doing well out there at moment. I know he had a knee injury in late November and was going to miss a few weeks. Assuming he's healthy, I don't think he would come back to NBA simply for a 10-day. He'd have to get some assurances that the team would have some interest in signing him to a rest of the season contract.
magic
11:49
It feels like this is the year to try to trade away some pieces on the roster. But could they make a play for a superstar anytime soon?
Dana Gauruder
11:52
I wouldn't totally rule it out. If they could get a player like that in the next month to drop into the lineup that already includes Banchero and Wagner (obviously would have to be a guard or center), they should go for it. It would have nothing to do for how this season plays out but it would give them real hope for dramatic improvement next season and beyond.
Nuggets fan
11:54
Which defensive wing could Nuggets buy during the trade? Are there any possible names?
Dana Gauruder
11:56
Denver would definitely like to get an athletic, defensive stalwart at the wing. The problem for the Nuggets is that they don't have a lot of assets. Denver already owes other teams a total of three future first-rounders and the significant salaries they have are guys they're unlikely to move (Jokic, Murray, Porter, Gordon, etc.).
TTown
11:57
Here's a question as to what constitutes a good game by a player? Giannis had a triple double, which clearly is a good thing, but he also had 12 turnovers (which is close to the NBA record) Would this game, in real life (not fantasy basketball), be considered a good game or bad game for Giannis and his team?
Dana Gauruder
11:58
The bottom line would be -- did they win? A dozen turnovers, that's a ton. That would drive most coaches crazy. I'd rather have a much more efficient game with less usage.
TRaps
11:59
Is management and coach Nick Nurse on the same page as to how and fix this roster? Will this be another wasted season?
Dana Gauruder
12:00
I don't get a sense there's a disconnect there. I think Nurse would just like to have a healthy roster for a change. It's been a rough go with so many starters injured. As indicated earlier, if things don't improve soon, they'd have to seriously consider a bold move, trading FVV or Anunoby for a big package of assets.
12:01
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