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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 10/2/2025
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Luke Adams
2:00
Thanks for the early questions, guys! Let's jump right in.
Some guy
2:00
how would you rank the top 10 in the west today. People are sleeping on the Thunder for some odd reason
Luke Adams
2:04
The Thunder would definitely be in my top spot. It's easy to overlook the teams that weren't that active in the offseason, and OKC is the epitome of that -- they'll pretty much have the exact same roster this fall, with Topic now healthy and injured Sorber taking the place of Dillon Jones.

I'm not quite ready to rank the next nine on the spot yet, but I'd probably have the Nuggets second, with the Clippers, Rockets, Timberwolves, Warriors, and Lakers in the next tier after that. Then maybe Dallas at 8, with San Antonio, Memphis, New Orleans, Portland, and Phoenix in the next tier.
Edwill
2:04
If both fox and Harper both miss the start of the season do you think castle will be running the starting point guard spot for the spurs
Luke Adams
2:05
Yes, with the caveat that Fox shouldn't miss too much time to open the season. We haven't gotten a whole lot in the way of official updates on his hamstring, but I got the sense that it probably won't keep him sidelined for more than a week or two after opening night. We'll see if I'm reading between the lines accurately there.
theBigLip
2:06
Pistons 50+ wins, Cade top 5 MVP voting, Ausar DPOY, 1st round playoff series win. We’re good on all of this or am I just dreaming…
Luke Adams
2:08
I like the ambitiousness. I'd probably feel more comfortable betting against all four things, rather than for them, but I think 50 wins and a first-round series win are reasonable goals for this team and aren't out of the question, especially with a few of the East's powers diminished.
Ant MFn Man
2:08
You think I take that next step this year? Rumors says that I was working out, or at the very least seeking advise from my biological father Michael Jordan. I was also studying Kobe and Daddy, to add a post game, and am down to 3% body fat.
Luke Adams
2:10
With apologies to Cade, my top two picks for new names to enter the "top-five in MVP voting" conversation this year are probably Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama. And I'm more confident about Ant than Wemby for health reasons. I think Edwards is gonna have a huge year.
Sam
2:10
How do you feel about teams like the Lakers trying to preserve cap space for the 2027 free agent class specifically? Considering most of the biggest names either have player options or will be much older by then, do you think this will work out for them?
Luke Adams
2:13
It has been a while since a true superstar (ie. MVP-level guy) changed teams via free agency. The current system has incentivized those guys to lock in their money on extensions ahead of free agency and then request a trade if they decide they want a change of scenery.

In other words, I'd be surprised if we actually get to 2027 and guys like Giannis and Jokic are hitting free agency and considering changing teams. But I don't think there's any harm in teams preparing for that possibility now, just in case. We should have a pretty good sense within the next year whether either one is a realistic target, and if it turns out neither one is going anywhere, those teams like the Lakers who are keeping their options open will have plenty of time to pivot.
Wiggins
2:13
When the heat does trade him next year any chance the Heat can get 2 firsts?
Luke Adams
2:15
I'd be pretty shocked, unless they're taking some awful contract as part of the deal, or if Wiggins finds his All-Star form again this season.

Based on the current version of Wiggins, the Heat would be doing well to get a couple solid players on expiring or team-friendly deals, plus a protected first-round pick.
TPups5
2:16
Does Terrence Shannon Jr and Bob Dillingham finally get more minutes this year? I'd be shocked if Rob isn't starting with Conley coming off the bench. Or does Jayden step up and become that 2nd guy?
Luke Adams
2:18
It feels like the Wolves would love for some combination of Shannon, Dillingham, and Clark to step up and show they deserve regular minutes -- after all, the team hasn't really made it a priority to add another reliable veteran point guard like I thought they would this offseason.

My impression is that the Wolves will assess them in camp and the preseason in the hopes that at least one or two of them grab a rotation spot. If they still don't look quite ready, Minnesota would have room on its roster (and below the second apron) to add a vet PG like Monte Morris or Cam Payne for insurance purposes.
N.O.L.A. Concerned Citizen
2:19
Why do the Pelicans refuse to admit that Zion Williamson is a bust???  He didn't meet any of his Games Played triggers and probably didn't meet the weight requirement either and was down to a minimum of 20% of next year's salary (around $8M I believe).  They should've just cut him and ate the $8M cap hit.  It seems as if the front office is just hanging on are afraid they made a mistake in not drafting Ja Morant in 2019.  Do you think they maybe picked up next year's salary hoping they can find a taker for him during the season???
Luke Adams
2:24
Zion is only two years removed from a season in which he played 70 games and put up All-Star caliber numbers. He was available for most of the second half last year until the team threw in the towel on the season. I think it's reasonable for a new head of basketball operations (Joe Dumars) to come in and hope for the best rather than selling low.

That doesn't mean a trade won't happen at some point, but it's in the best interest of the franchise to do all you can to make it work with a 25-year-old who is capable of playing like a top-25 player when he's healthy.
Cowbell Kingdom
2:24
Where do the Kings turn now that Kuminga is settled in GS? It seems like they have a crowded back court, who's going to be the odd man out and will they be sold for pennies on the dollar now?
Luke Adams
2:26
While I'm not surprised that Kuminga didn't end up going to Sacramento, I've been curious to see what the Kings will do - if anything - now that they've officially missed out on him. It seems like they wanted to bring Russell Westbrook in, but are they just giving up on that idea now that they were unable to trade a guard? Or could Devin Carter or Malik Monk still be moved during the preseason? (For what it's worth, Carter would be the easier one to deal).

It wouldn't shock me if the Kings' roster today looks a little different than the one they take into opening night. And even if they don't make a move this month, this feels like a roster that could get blown up in February.
Aaron Nesmith
2:27
Is an extension getting done? 3/64 seems like a bargain for the Pacers. Should I wait and hit unrestricted FA in summer ‘27?
Luke Adams
2:31
Your extension window opened on Wednesday and will stay open until Oct. 20 (you'd be eligible again next summer if you don't sign an extension now).

If my math is right, it looks like your max deal now would be 3/$62.9MM. I wouldn't fault you if you decide to wait, but I also think it would make sense to lock in that extension now, especially if you can get a player option on the third year. It would almost double the $11MM per season you're making on your current contract. It also feels like it will be hard to improve your value much more this season without Haliburton setting you up and with another deep playoff run unlikely.
arc
2:32
What team still has a big hole to fill that would be willing to do a trade for a player?
Luke Adams
2:34
It's starting to get a little too close to the season for a team to do anything too drastic (even the Towns/Randle trade last year happened right BEFORE camp, not after it had started).

But if I had to pick one playoff/title hopeful to make a major trade before the calendar flips to 2026, I might pick the Bucks. They showed with the Lillard waive-and-stretch that they're all in on winning now. I don't think they would hesitate to shop a Kuzma+first-rounder package early in the season in the hopes of upgrading that spot, especially if Kuzma keeps playing like he did last year.
Coach Ben
2:34
Do you have any information about Jalen Hood-Schifino? If not, do you think he will have any interest? I don't understand why he disappeared totally, he was a good prospect and only 22 years old now.
Luke Adams
2:36
Our player archive for Hood-Schifino hasn't had any activity since March, which suggests the rumor mill has been very quiet (basically nonexistent) for him this offseason.

It's a little surprising. Obviously, he didn't play very well during his limited NBA action, but he's still just 22 years old and was a first-round pick two years ago. I'd think he'd have a shot at a two-way deal somewhere. Seems like he might have to start the season in the G League though and prove he deserves a call-up.
A rock and a hard-capped place
2:37
Houston is basically forced to run a 13 man roster with some 2 way help. If they have another injury, they either have to trade a value player just to make cap space to add 2 more replacement level players.
Luke Adams
2:39
The Rockets should be OK unless they have another 2-3 injuries early in the season. They can afford to lean heavily on their two-way guys at the start of the year, especially if they're comfortable swapping players in and out of those slots during the season to maximize the games-played limits. And it's not like they'll be using more than 10-11 players in the rotation on a regular basis anyway.

But yeah, another 2-3 injuries, especially if they affect important players, could be trouble.
Guest
2:40
If a team fills all 4 affiliate player spots, can a two-way contract player who was cut return and then be traded to a different G-League team? Or could that only happen if they have 3 or less affiliate players? I guess I’m wondering if having 3 or less gives them flexibility to get draft picks or rights of other players when sending to another team. Like Cole Swider returned, just to get his rights traded to South Bay, but then I saw Josh Christopher had to sign the into player pool since Utah had 4 affiliate players two seasons ago
Luke Adams
2:41
I believe they'd have to have designated three or fewer affiliate players to do that, since an in-season affiliate slot is only available to teams that didn't designate four prior to the season.
Kim
2:42
Russell Westbrook was one of my favorite point guards in the NBA especially during his OKC days. But his light seems to have diminished and it’s discouraging to see him play for so many other teams and not find that right fit. Is he going to find a team to play on this season and if so who is the best fit for him? I want to see him win a championship or at least bring his value back up. Thanks!!!!!!
Luke Adams
2:44
The issue with Westbrook at this point in his career is that he can only be used in a certain, specific way -- he's not a great off-ball player, so signing him means you're likely committing to having him run your second unit, which means surrounding him with players who fit his style. Most teams who are signing a minimum-salary player to fill that sort of role would prefer a plug-and-play guy who's more malleable and isn't so ball-dominant. I think it's the same reason why it's been tough for Ben Simmons to find a new home.

Having said that, it has certainly seemed since the start of free agency like the Kings are interested in Westbrook. I'd be a little surprised if he doesn't end up in Sacramento at some point this season.
Hornets
2:45
Do the hornets get in the play in?
Luke Adams
2:46
I wouldn't confidently bet on it, but I like a bunch of the pieces on their roster and don't view them as an obvious Eastern Conference bottom-dweller like the Wizards or Nets. A lot would have to go right (starting with better injury luck), but they're capable of being in that mix.
Forgotten nugget
2:47
Do you think its possible Holmes is a sleeper rookie of the year candidate? He didnt play a minute last year so he is still eligible and looked dominant in summer league.
Luke Adams
2:49
I think it'll be hard for him to win Rookie of the Year based on the role he'll likely be used in, even if he's really good in that role. But I definitely think he's being underrated. The Nuggets gave up a lot to move up and get him in last year's draft and, by all accounts, were really excited about using him right away. I expect him to play regular rotation minutes and be effective -- an All-Rookie spot absolutely seems achievable.
Kevin in Houston
2:49
Reed Sheppard - Sink or Swim as an on ball creator this season with Fred VanVleet injured?
Rockets
2:50
Do you think the rockets still have a chance this year given the FVV injury ?
Luke Adams
2:52
Whether Reed Sheppard is as good as the Rockets have been telling us he is will be a major defining factor in determining how their season goes. He doesn't need to fully fill that VanVleet role himself, but if he can give them 20-25 good minutes per game and Amen Thompson takes another step forward, I think they'll be just fine (though their ceiling is slightly lower without VanVleet).

I'm tentatively optimistic about what Sheppard will be able to do.
ZR... and not Zach Randolph
2:53
Do you think Zaccharie Risacher will ever be an All-Star? He has a very intriguing skillset that I think would make him a fit on every team, but I don't know that he ever becomes an 18-20 ppg player
Luke Adams
2:55
I'm not entirely bullish on his All-Star chances, but I think 18-20 PPG is within reach for him -- even as a rookie going through some growing pains last season, he averaged 18.4 per 36 minutes.

To me the more pressing question is how much he'll be able to do besides score. His rebounding and assist numbers weren't great as a rookie, but I expect they'll improve as he gets more comfortable on the court, and he has the tools to be a pretty good defender.
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