You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 10/13/2025
powered byJotCast
Luke Adams
2:00
Hey guys, some housekeeping updates before I get into today's questions:
2:01
The plan for the coming season is to move my weekly chats from Thursday afternoons to Monday afternoons, so this should be the regular time going forward (maybe give or take an hour).

Arthur's weekly chats for Front Office subscribers will be moved from Tuesdays to Thursdays. That will start either this week or next.
Without further ado, let's jump in...
Edwill
2:02
How much of a chance are you giving the magic to win the east. Also the magic are projected to be a second apron team next season. What moves do you think they need to make to get out of the second apron
Luke Adams
2:03
I'd put the Magic in the second tier of Eastern Conference contenders below the Cavs and Knicks.

I think a lot would have to go right for them to come out of the East, given that this core still hasn't won a playoff series together, but that doesn't mean it's impossible -- I would've considered the Pacers just as long a shot last year, and everything came together for them!
2:05
The second apron question is trickier. I'm assuming they won't do anything with Banchero, Wagner, Suggs, or Bane. Something may have to give with the centers -- this may be the last year for the Carter/Bitadze combo. I also won't be shocked if they decline Jett Howard's 2026/27 option this month.
arc
2:05
What will Utah do with Kessler? Trade or resign?  Will they trade for young players instead of more draft picks?
Luke Adams
2:08
I do think they're in position to comfortably re-sign him as a restricted free agent next summer, even if they don't get an extension done now (and it seems like they won't).

Having said that, it will depend in part on what he wants -- it sounded, based on his recent comments, that he wasn't especially thrilled with the way the negotiations had played out. Having seen what happened with the Warriors and Kuminga, the Jazz presumably recognize that - while the team has the leverage in restricted free agency and can keep a player if they really want to - it also doesn't really serve anyone well if the relationship continues when neither side is all that happy about it.

That isn't to say the Jazz are there with Kessler, but if they get a sense this season that he's disgruntled, a trade might make some sense. They should be able to get at least the return the Hornets did for Mark Williams, and maybe more. In that scenario, I assume they'd take the best offer available, whether it's more player- or pick-heavy.
Cowbell Kingdom
2:09
Now with Keegan Murray out for 6 weeks, can you see the Kings extending him at a discounted rate?
Luke Adams
2:10
I don't think that injury (which shouldn't have any lasting effects) will impact the negotiations that much.

If anything, I wonder if Murray could actually benefit from it in a weird way -- with him not available, the Kings' options at forward suddenly get awfully limited. The injury could be a reminder of how important he is in terms of balancing their roster.
Kim
2:11
Good afternoon. Terry Rozier. He seemed to peak with the Celtics, disappeared with the Hornets and now is a shell of himself in Miami. He’s had injury issues and an investigation that seems to be keeping him off the court. What’s to become of his career?   Him being on an expiring contract, I think this is his last year in the NBA. Do you agree? Thanks!
Luke Adams
2:14
I'm not ready to write him off quite yet. He was bad last year, and maybe the investigation played a part in that. But IF nothing comes of that investigation and he's fully cleared, I think he's a bounce-back candidate.

Now, I don't think he'll ever again sign the sort of contract that he's on now -- even with a good year in 2025/26, he'll take a pay cut next season. If he's just OK, he's probably a minimum-salary player going forward. But he's only one year removed from averaging 20 points per game and he's still 31 years old. If his head is right, I expect him to stick around in the NBA at least 2-3 more seasons.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
2:14
Talk to me about the stability of the Wolves off-season. I believe you had them sixth or so in the West but to me that seems light. I get bigger names changed places and all but there's something to be said for continuity. Celtics and Thunder basically got improvements and development from within their title years. Thanks for your thoughts.
Luke Adams
2:19
I don't believe I've projected them sixth in the West -- I think I've grouped them in a tier below OKC and Denver with a few other teams (Clippers, Lakers, Rockets, Warriors), but they could absolutely end up being the best of that tier (or, with some bad luck, the worst -- 3rd and 8th place were separated by two games last season, after all).

Anyway, yeah, they should absolutely benefit to some extent from continuity. Alexander-Walker is a tough loss and they really need something from the young guys this year. But if Dillingham, Shannon, or Clark has a breakout season, I think they're well positioned to be as good as or better than they were last season. I like Edwards to take another step forward and be in the MVP conversation. Randle/DiVincenzo should be more comfortable. Maybe McDaniels has another level too. They'll be a good team.
Hornets fan
2:19
Our center position is weak. Should we be trading some of our guard depth for a starting center?
Luke Adams
2:21
Maybe something like Collin Sexton for Jusuf Nurkic? Or a couple draft picks for Mark Williams?

I kid, I kid. But it's worth noting that the Hornets were willing to make those trades without an obvious starting center lined up to replace those guys. It seems like they want to see what they have in the Plumlee/Diabate/Kalkbrenner trio to open the season. If the rest of their roster is effective and the center position is what's holding them back, I could see them making a minor in-season deal to upgrade it. They're not at the point where they want to be attaching draft assets to get a short-term solution or anything, but if the team shows it's capable of being in the play-in mix, I think the front office will try to help.
Black Ace57
2:22
If you could give one bold or hot take for something unexpected you believe will happen this season what would it be?
Luke Adams
2:24
Oh man, putting me on the spot here. I feel like everything crossing my mind right now is either not quite bold enough to meet the criteria or is something I don't fully buy myself.

How about Domantas Sabonis not finishing the season with the Kings?
JP
2:24
Can the Mavs make a deep run despite Kyrie's injury situation? Thanks!
Luke Adams
2:26
If Kyrie is back for the playoffs? Maybe. Without him? I can't really see it. Not unless Cooper Flagg exceeds all expectations and becomes an above-average point guard as a rookie.
Guest
2:26
With the new G-League CBA, how could this change the G-League?
Luke Adams
2:28
Too early to say until we get more details on what's actually in that CBA. But it'll be nice to have more structure to the G League's rules. It's felt a bit like the wild west trying to figure out what's allowed and what isn't at the G League level.
egg
2:28
prediction about how Tatum's injury will be handled? Do they risk rushing him back?
Luke Adams
2:31
If he comes back, it won't be something he or the team considers "rushing." He'll have to feel 110% and have the full confidence of the team's medical staff. I think it'll depend in large part on how the Celtics perform without him. If he's in position to ramp up to return in March but the team is 30-34 and ranks 9th in the East, is it really worth it? In that scenario, I think they probably just say "Let's save our franchise player for the fall."

If the Celtics are competitive and battling for a top-five seed without him? I wouldn't be shocked if he's back before the end of March.
Luxary Tax
2:31
I would so prefer the MLB style trades/salary/luxary tax applied to NBA , the extending etc with years to go that gets to become regrettable and stars wanting out is laughable. MLB has this so much better as a structure !
Luke Adams
2:34
I haven't kept up with the MLB system as well in recent years, but aren't they headed for a likely lockout and a fight over a potential salary cap in the next year or two?

I feel like the NBA system itself isn't the reason why more players seek trades than in MLB (assuming that's true). It's more about the fact that a star NBA player can make a greater impact on a team than an MLB star can, which gives those star players more leverage in the NBA.

I will say the fact that the NBA caps contracts at 5-6 years also plays a part. You don't really have any leverage to seek a trade as an MLB player when you've just signed a 12-year contract.
Hornets
2:34
Expectations for our rookies this year?
Luke Adams
2:35
I could see Kalkbrenner making an immediate impact, given the pathway to minutes at center. And Knueppel should get plenty of opportunities. McNeeley and James may have to spend more time in the G League to get regular playing time.
arc
2:35
How many games do you feel LeBron James plays this year? I am saying under 50.
Luke Adams
2:37
His current injury is definitely a concerning one, and not the kind of thing that just fully clears up and goes away in a couple months. If you made the over/under 50 games, I'm probably with you in taking the under, though I hope I'm wrong -- especially if this is going to be his last season. Would be a bummer to see him go out like that after he's been so healthy for most of his career.
2:39
Thanks for the questions today, guys! I've exhausted the queue -- looks like there will be a bit of adjustment period while everyone finds us on Mondays.

I'll plan on doing this again next Monday, though that's a big day in terms of roster/extension deadlines, so I may have to do it a little earlier in the day before things get too busy.
Have a great week!
Connecting…