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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 10/15/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on Paul George.
TrustTheProcess
12:01
Does the news about Paul George's hyper-extended knee make it less likely the Sixers can be a top-4 team in the East?
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
George and coach Nick Nurse don't seem to believe that it's a long-term injury, but it's a reminder that the Sixers have to be especially careful with two of their three stars. Joel Embiid already said this week that he's focused on being healthy for the playoffs rather than playing enough games to qualify for individual honors, and the team will probably adopt that same strategy with George. And yes, that might push Philadelphia out of the top four in the East as there are likely to be quite a few regular season games without George, Embiid or both.
Orioles
12:06
Good Afternoon!Will the Wizards keep all their high priced starters all season,or trade them at the deadline for future draft picks?
ARTHUR HILL
12:10
They'll have opportunities to trade Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas by the deadline, so it's a matter of getting offers that are satisfactory for all the parties involved. The Wizards had a deal worked out last February to send Kuzma to Dallas, but he wanted to stay in Washington. I think there's a good chance that both players will be moved by the deadline, but they're probably stuck with Jordan Poole.
Guest
12:10
Can a team sign more than 6 players to exhibit 10s? Is there not a limit? I've seen the Jazz and Wizards have signed more than 6 players to exhibit 10.
ARTHUR HILL
12:13
Teams can only have six Exhibit 10 contracts on their roster at a time, but there's no total limit for the offseason. At this time of year, many teams cycle through Exhibit 10 deals to secure G League rights for the players. Now that all 30 teams have G League affiliates, it seems like we're seeing more Exhibit 10 contracts that ever.
BLinn
12:14
Which team(s) do you think has the greatest variance this year between their projected best and worst win totals? (E.g., Team X could easily finish with a top-5 or a bottom-5 record.)
ARTHUR HILL
12:19
It would have to be somebody in the West because the hierarchy in the East appears to be more set. The Suns seem like a team with a lot of variance. They have the talent for a top five finish, but there are still questions about their defense and they probably can't survive an injury to Durant or Booker. I see the Pelicans as another potential top-five team, but they have to work out their center issue and I don't think playing Herb Jones in the middle is a long-term solution. The Grizzlies might be in that group as well. If everything goes right, they could be one of the best teams in the West, but there's no guarantee with so many players returning from injuries.
jDubster
12:19
Why did Orlando sign 3 young centers?  All of them need minutes to develop, but only 1 can be happy.
ARTHUR HILL
12:23
The Magic have a fine center rotation with Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze both playing effective minutes last season and Moe Wagner able to fill that spot as well. None of them are stars, but they're all good role players on a team that should be a real contender in the East this year.
12:24
Our list of questions for this week has run dry. I'm going to take a brief break to seem if any more come in.
12:30
OK, we're back.
Kris
12:30
What are your thoughts on Salaün's expectations for the season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:33
The Hornets obviously believe in Salaun's long-term future since they took him with the No. 6 pick, but I'm not sure he'll make much of an impact this season. It's a tough transition for a 19-year-old to go from France to the NBA --learning the culture and the terminology while adapting to facing the best players in the world. He looked good in Summer League, but he'll probably be brought along slowly with the chance to earn a greater role as the season wears on.
Dylan
12:34
I agree that the top 8 in the east seems set. But if you had to pick a surprise team to make it, who would it be? My vote the hornets. Not saying they will be great but maybe 40 wins?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
I think the Hornets are probably the best bet outside of obvious top eight. The new ownership, front office and coaching staff have resulted in a culture change, and there's enough talent on hand to start winning. It may not even take 40 wins to crack the top eight. The Hawks may be worth watching as well. Dyson Daniels could be a better backcourt partner for Trae Young than Dejounte Murray was, and No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher has looked promising in the preseason.
Goyo Oregon
12:37
Once the season starts.....what team coach is in the hot seat? I feel like Portland needs a new voice?
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
There have been rumors for some time that Chauncey Billups is in jeopardy. But the Trail Blazers know they won't be contenders, so they might let him finish out the season and save their coaching change for April. The Bulls seem committed to Billy Donovan, but the team continues to move in the wrong direction, so he may be worth watching. It's also possible that Tyronn Lue and the Clippers make a mutual decision to part ways if things get off to a bad start in L.A.
Fan
12:41
Do you think Tyler Kolek gets any minutes in the Knicks bench rotation or is he only going to get garbage minutes. It seems with Duece and Payne he is blocked.
ARTHUR HILL
12:42
The Knicks have been raving about Tyler Kolek since the draft. Don't expect him to play right away, but his role might increase during the season. He's the kind of tough, smart guard who's perfect for Tom Thibodeau's system, and he might take minutes away from Payne before long.
Notaninsider
12:43
Which rookie is going to have the biggest impact for their team this year.
ARTHUR HILL
12:48
A lot of them will make impacts in different ways, but I don't think there's going to be an obvious Rookie of the Year once the season ends. Alex Sarr and Zach Edey could both be defensive anchors for their teams, but they may not score enough to impress voters. Houston needs outside shooting, but Reed Sheppard's minutes may be limited because there's so much young talent on the roster. Zaccharie Risacher and Dalton Knecht can score, but it's not clear how much they can contribute in other ways. The ROY race should be much closer than it was last season.
Bem
12:48
What player do you think makes the biggest leap this season? My guess is Jaden Ivey
ARTHUR HILL
12:52
Ivey is a good candidate because of the coaching change in Detroit. He seemed miscast under Monty Williams, and J.B. Bickerstaff should be able to unlock his offensive talents. The Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga is probably in that race, too. He won't face any questions about playing time heading into this season.
dtownbobo
12:52
Any trade buzz on the Pistons Isaiah Stewart? With so many teams needing a solid center his trade value may never be higher.
ARTHUR HILL
12:56
Bickerstaff was able to make a double big-man lineup work in Cleveland, so we'll see much he wants to use Stewart and Jalen Duren together. If Tobias Harris gets most of the power forward minutes, then Stewart becomes more expendable and there should be lots of interest on the trade market. The Pelicans are the obvious team that needs a center, but there's no shortage of teams that could use Stewart.
Philly Phil
12:56
It seems like the Sixers will need more support for the regular season and potentially a high-impact rotation player for the playoffs. Which players might they target in a trade using KJ Martin's contract and draft picks?
ARTHUR HILL
1:00
It depends on whether Caleb Martin is able to become a dependable full-time power forward. If not, that will become the obvious position of need. It's hard to say who it might be at this point, but KJ Martin and draft picks should be able to land them a useful rotation piece by the deadline.
Ron
1:00
Because of impressive performances, can THT of Bulls and Lonnie of Celtics would secured 15th man roster?
ARTHUR HILL
1:02
It's going to be tougher for Walker because of the Celtics' tax position, but he's clearly made an impact during the preseason. Even if he gets sent to the G League, there's a chance he'll be back in Boston by the end of the season.
griffia
1:02
Do you think any trades will happen before opening day?
ARTHUR HILL
1:04
It seems like all the trading is done for now, but Minnesota and New York gave us a surprise with the KAT deal, so you never know for sure. I would guess that the trade market stays quiet until December 15, when most of the free agents who signed this summer become eligible to be dealt.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday for the start of the regular season.
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