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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 10/1/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the biggest story of the week.
adennns
12:01
thoughts on KAT move?
ARTHUR HILL
12:06
The injury prognosis on Mitchell Robinson left the Knicks reluctant to enter the season without a reliable starting center. They have been pursuing Towns for years, and were willing to meet Minnesota's asking price. The trade is a shakeup for both teams, and neither one may be better right away. It will take some time for the Knicks to settle on their best lineups, and the Wolves will suffer from not having Towns as part of their offense. I like the trade a little more for New York, but both fan bases may have to be patient.
Kevin in Houston
12:06
Any thoughts on the rumors in the Houston Chronicle that Sengun and the Rockets might get an extension done before the season starts?  Sengun would probably be extending for less than the Max?
ARTHUR HILL
12:10
I think he'll have to accept a below-max deal if he wants an extension before the season starts. That probably reflects his market value because even with Sengun's offensive gifts, there are still questions about his defense. It's also the best outcome for the Rockets if they can start signing their young players to reasonable deals. They have two more first-round picks who'll become extension eligible next summer and two more in 2026, so they'll have to be careful about handing out max contracts.
Ron
12:10
This season, after ending his rookie year without Rookie Honors, can Scoot will improve or he will be bust this season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:13
I think Henderson should be better in his second year. He showed some improvement throughout last season, and now he's the Blazers' clear No. 1 point guard. There's too much talent there for him to be a bust.
KJ
12:13
So now media day is here so the summer is more or less over so what team had the best off season and what team had the worst off season
ARTHUR HILL
12:18
The Knicks shook up the foundation of a team that was already in contention for the top spot in the East, but Towns and Bridges are both excellent additions. The Sixers also did very well by signing Paul George and reaching long-term deals with Maxey and Embiid. Both teams should be legitimate challengers to Boston for years to come. The Clippers probably had the worst offseason between losing George and renewed worries about Kawhi's knees. I can easily see them missing the play-in tournament. The Lakers' inactivity was also disappointing as they have virtually the same roster as last season.
Mile High City
12:18
Is Nuggets still a top 3 team in the West?
ARTHUR HILL
12:23
The Thunder, Mavericks and Wolves seem like the top three to me, although Minnesota may be shaky after parting with Towns. The Nuggets are still capable of reaching that group, but the starting five doesn't look nearly as good without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Russell Westbrook addition will be fun to watch. Michael Malone has been raving about the energy he's brought to the team, and he could become the leader of the second unit. I see Denver on the edge of the top three, but not a sure thing like in recent years.
KJ
12:23
So with the versatility of the new Knicks when everybody is healthy what is the best lineup? I mean Mitchell is mobile enough to guard for so you might roll out Robinson cat Bridges OG and Bronson but if you were coach what will be your best lineup
ARTHUR HILL
12:29
If they can get by defensively without Robinson's shot blocking, the best lineup is probably Brunson, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby and Towns. Anunoby has shown an ability to guard bigger players, but that still might leave them vulnerable to the East's top big men like Embiid and Giannis. If they need to keep Robinson on the floor, they may have to use a larger lineup and keep Hart on the bench. Tom Thibodeau will have to do a lot of experimenting to see what works.
Kevin in Houston
12:29
Will any of the Geriatric Four (GS, LAC, LAL, and PHO) be a top 6 seed this year?  It seems like the older teams tend to underperform.
ARTHUR HILL
12:35
The rigors of a long season are difficult for older teams, but the Warriors, Lakers and Suns should all be in the mix for playoff or play-in spots. Despite their advanced ages, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant haven't shown many signs of slowing down. Injuries to any of them would sink their respective teams, but otherwise they'll all be fine. I'm less confident in the Clippers, but they'll still contend for the postseason if they get relatively healthy years from Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
Captain Cav-Man
12:35
Do you think running back the same roster with a new coach and philosophy was the right move for the Cavs or do you think they may continue to struggle and deal at the deadline??
ARTHUR HILL
12:38
Cleveland has been a solid playoff team for two straight years, so I don't think there was a need to break up the current group. Kenny Atkinson deserves a chance to see what he can do with the Mitchell-Garland backcourt pairing and the Mobley-Allen tandem up front. If Atkinson can't take them to the next level, there will be plenty of options if they want to shake up the roster next summer.
Kevin in Houston
12:38
Thoughts on Bridges extension for the Knicks?  I just don't see him as a max player, so I think it comes in at $35 million/year.
ARTHUR HILL
12:42
The Knicks are becoming a very expensive team after the Towns trade. I think Bridges will enjoy being back with a contender and will be reasonable in his demands to help keep the roster together. He's not the best player on the team like he was in Brooklyn, so something in the $35MM range seems fair.
Bass
12:42
How do you see the whole Zach Lavine situation playing out in Chicago & which teams could you possibly envision pursuing him?
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
There's currently no trade market for LaVine, or he would already be out of Chicago. The only way that changes is if he starts the season healthy and productive, and even then, the contract seems like a huge gamble. The Lakers are always the first team mentioned as a potential LaVine destination, but they would have to be desperate for a change to pull the trigger on a LaVine trade.
Flagg
12:46
I know it's early but based on the projected lottery teams this year what team or teams if I get drafted to we're going to the playoffs next season
ARTHUR HILL
12:49
Maybe the Pistons, who already have a good young nucleus in place. Flagg could fit in nicely with Cunningham, Ivey, Duren and Ron Holland. The Raptors also have a decent core they could put around Flagg. Maybe the Clippers if they have a serious injury to Kawhi or Harden and their season falls apart.
Guest
12:50
If you were an expansion team’s gm, entering the league this upcoming season.. and you were somehow given the choice between drafting a 20 year old Luka or Wemby - who’d you pick?
ARTHUR HILL
12:51
Luka is an amazing talent, and he's already proven he can lead a team to the Finals, but I think all 30 teams would take Wembanyama because of the unmatched combination of size and skill.
Zac
12:52
With the new CBA are we going to see teams less willing it offer the super max? It seems alot of teams have ended up making a deal to get out of the contract before it kicks in
ARTHUR HILL
12:54
I think we're already seeing the trend, which is teams giving their stars max contracts so they don't lose them in free agency, but then trading them before the most expensive years of those deals kick in. The Timberwolves' handling of KAT will probably become a blueprint for smaller-market teams.
Username
12:54
Raptors future?  Looking pretty bleak?
ARTHUR HILL
12:55
Bleak isn't always bad in the NBA, especially with a loaded draft or two coming up. If the Raptors can land Cooper Flagg or another top five pick, their prospects may look much better this time next year.
jDubster
12:55
Can Houston extend both Jaylen Green and Sengun?
ARTHUR HILL
12:57
The Rockets have a lot of financial flexibility, but they have to decide who they want to it spend on. I think the team has a price that it's willing to pay for both Green and Sengun, and the extensions will only happen this year if they agree to accept it.
Edwill
12:58
Are the magic being overlooked in the east. I think they are a dark horse contender in the east
ARTHUR HILL
1:00
Orlando had a really good offseason, and the pieces are in place for a move up the standings. Last season's playoff experience should also help. The Magic, Pacers and Cavs could all be dark horse contenders in the East, but I think Orlando has the best case.
1:01
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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