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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 12/22/2025
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Luke Adams
2:00
Lots of questions in the queue already, but keep them coming and I'll get to as many as I can during the next hour!
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
2:01
I kinda see these Wolves like the last couple year's teams. Can compete with and beat anybody on any given night but missing the one piece(established but younger PG) to really have a legit shot. Can they get Garland if CLE doesn't shape up or are they gonna roll with Bones until the games gets away from them and then have Conley come in for 5-7 minutes and right the ship? Thanks.
Luke Adams
2:03
I don't really think they have the pieces to acquire Garland without giving up a player they don't want to give up (ie. Jaden McDaniels). Julius Randle doesn't make sense in a Cavs frontcourt with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and a three-team trade involving two apron teams would get complicated.

I do think you're probably right that they need to address that point guard spot, but their lack of draft picks and bigger expendable contracts makes it tricky. A half-measure like a Coby White seems more viable.
Justin
2:03
Minnesota can’t get Giannis with a package centred around Gobert right?
Luke Adams
2:04
No.
Guest
2:04
Are there any teams looking to trade for Buddy Hield now that he has falledn out of teh rotation for the warriors?
Luke Adams
2:06
Haven't heard anything along those lines yet. And I doubt there would be a whole lot of league-wide interest. Hield has spent a decade-plus in the NBA due to his incredible shooting, but he doesn't do a whole lot else -- and his shooting has been the worst of his career so far this season.

His value wouldn't be significantly negative on the trade market since his contract isn't too bad (his next two years after this one aren't fully guaranteed), but you'd need to attach him to a better player or draft asset to get anything of real value.
Kim
2:06
My Atlanta Hawks are on a losing streak. They can’t count on Porzingis because he is ill. They need a big man. Do you think they will wait, make a trade or reshuffle their starting lineup? I say they make a trade before the deadline to upgrade the roster. Thanks!!!
Luke Adams
2:10
I definitely expect them to try to trade Porzingis. Unless his availability drastically changes in the next few weeks, it seems pretty clear he can't be counted on from game to game (I feel bad for him, but from a team perspective, having to account for his ongoing illness issues in addition to the usual injury risk is problematic).

The question to me is whether they're willing to roll the dice on a higher-upside player who has availability issues of his own (ie. Anthony Davis) or if they'd focus more on someone more consistently available who is a lower-ceiling guy.
Unclemike1526
2:10
So now that the  Bulls have shown exactly what they are and will be in the future( Play in material), Have there been any whispers about trades or players being traded? They surely aren't going to play this out until April right? I mean other than the stupid one I just read about the Knicks today. Hey thanks for the chat.  Merry Christmas!
Luke Adams
2:14
I know this isn't what many Bulls fans want to hear, but the fact that they've been pretty good lately (four wins in five games) probably points toward them continuing to be patient and waiting until closer to the deadline to make any decisions.

They've had stretches this season where they look like a solid team, and while I agree that they're probably not better than .500/play-in material, the front office probably recognizes that there's no need to rush into anything now, so they'll take advantage of having another month-plus to assess everyone and everything.

By the time things start to heat up closer to the deadline, I expect at least half the Bulls' roster to be very much involved in trade rumors, with only Giddey, Buzelis, and Essengue fully off the table.
Vince
2:14
Will we see a blockbuster trade like we did last year?
Luke Adams
2:16
I can't imagine the Luka trade gets topped (this year or for many years beyond it!), but I still think we could see some fireworks. It's worth noting that the Jimmy Butler stuff was only starting to percolate at this time last year, and we had no indication this early that guys like De'Aaron Fox or Anthony Davis would be on the move.

In other words, still plenty of time for a Giannis trade request, or for things to go south in certain situations around the league.
Trog
2:16
Could you see a scenario in which Klay Thompson or D'Angelo Russell would be traded to the Knicks to give NY a veteran backcourt player they are seeking?
Luke Adams
2:19
Tricky (but not impossible) for those two teams to work something out, since they're both operating so close to the second apron. A Klay deal, in particular, I can't really see.

The idea of the Knicks and Mavs swapping taxpayer mid-level mistakes (D-Lo, Yabusele) is sorta fun though. I think someone like Alvarado would probably be higher on the Knicks' wish list, but maybe there's something there.
Philly Phanatic
2:19
How valuable are the Clippers picks that the Sixers hold [2028 unprotected 1st and 2029 pick swap]?Should the Sixers be willing to move these picks for someone like Giannis or hold them to continue building around Maxey and VJ?
Luke Adams
2:23
On one hand, the fact that Ballmer is always willing to spend big on the roster and probably isn't gonna sign off on a full rebuild limits those picks' value to some extent.

On the other hand, that's been the philosophy all along, and the Thunder have already gotten some pretty solid picks out of the Clippers and are well positioned to get another one in 2026. So yeah, some real value there for sure (worth mentioning that the 2029 swap is top-3 protected, but that's still a nice asset).

I don't hate the idea of the Sixers pursuing Giannis, but I feel like the contract they'd have to include (Embiid or George) would be viewed as such a negative that they'd have to give up way too much to make the full package strong enough for the Bucks to accept it. I say be patient for now.
Dunleavy Jr.’s assistant
2:24
Glad to see you still doing this, Luke. The trade machine is no doubt in motion over here in our Bay Area offices. We’re working on lots of proposals, as you can imagine, and we’re fully prepared to pivot elsewhere if Milwaukee doesn’t let us know soon about Giannis. I’m wondering: we love the idea of Steph and Giannis teaming up - but if we have the chance to add not only Bam Adebayo but Trey Murphy III as well for essentially the same amount of roster gutting it would take to bring Giannis here (Kuminga, Green, Hield or Moody, and likely Podziemski), do you think we would be better served to go that route instead?
Luke Adams
2:26
Trying to imagine what those two packages would look like and having a hard time picturing the Warriors having enough to get both guys. The asking prices would be astronomical and even if Golden State included all of its tradable first-rounders, I just don't think guys like Kuminga, Green, and Podziemki have the same sort of trade value they did a year or two ago.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
2:26
Free Malik Monk! What are the Kings doing with Ellis over Monk? Is it a feature for the deadline so other teams can further evaluate him?
Luke Adams
2:28
Feels like Christie is willing to try anything in the hopes of getting the Kings on track. I wouldn't be surprised if Monk is back in the rotation within a few games.
Dirk
2:28
Do the Spurs Trade Sochan? And if they do, then who do they replace him with? They have great chemistry, so is any change right now a risky one?
Luke Adams
2:30
Wouldn't be shocked if the Spurs trade Sochan -- he's in a contract year, his minutes have dropped significantly, and he hasn't been all that great in his limited role. He wouldn't have much value on the trade market, so probably more likely he just finished the season with the team.

I find it hard to picture the Spurs doing anything too splashy on the trade market this season. Feels like this year is just about seeing how the young core fits together, and they'll be in position to make moves in the offseason once they have more info.
The consensus
2:30
The consensus among analysts and sportsbooks, Lakers and Rockets are widely considered legitimate title contenders in the 2025-26 season. What is your take?
Luke Adams
2:33
I don't really see it with the Lakers. Their underlying numbers have been much worse than their record and it feels like they're missing a piece or two.

The Rockets feel like a more viable contender to me, especially if the young guys (Sengun, Thompson, Sheppard) continue to gain confidence and get comfortable in their current roles. If I were betting on the team to come out of the West, I'd still probably have them behind OKC and Denver, but I think they'd be third.
Robert
2:33
Clipper fan since 1984. When will they blow it up?
Luke Adams
2:34
This summer could be a good time to do it. Lots of money coming off the books, plus lots of guys with player options.

Blowing it up is less appealing when you don't control your draft picks though. I expect they'll do all they can to make it work with this group.
Buy Sell Hold
2:35
No mention of Onyeka, who is 🤫 better more consistently??
Luke Adams
2:37
Re: the Hawks' center situation, I really like Okongwu and expect him to continue playing a regular role in their frontcourt, but the fact that Atlanta went out and acquired Porzingis and has started him when he's healthy suggests the team doesn't view Okongwu as its permanent solution at the position.
DDOS
2:37
Do you see any chance for a trade sending AD to the Spurs for a package around one of their young guards (Vasell, Castle or pref. Harper)? AD and Wemby could increase their odds for a title run drastically given both healthy and they do have sort of a logjam on the guard positions. Mavs finally set up for the future
Luke Adams
2:38
Can't see it. No need for the Spurs to take a risk like that when they're set up so well for the future now. They can afford to be more patient and conservative.
Chicago
2:38
Will Donovan get fired?
Luke Adams
2:39
Given that he's kept the job this long, I don't see why management/ownership would feel compelled to make a change now. This roster doesn't have as much established veteran talent as some of the groups that he's posted similar records with. It's not like they're underachieving.
New Orleans
2:39
What could New Orleans realistically get for Trey Murphy?
Herb Jones?
Luke Adams
2:43
Multiple first-round picks is probably the absolute minimum you'd need to put on the table to have a conversation about either player.

I think the price tag on Murphy would likely be higher than on Jones, who is an awesome defender but still hasn't really developed much of an offensive game.

The Pelicans would be justified in seeking a Desmond Bane-type haul for Murphy, given the respective career trajectories of those two guys. I don't think any team would pay that price at this point, but maybe they could get 80% of that.
Draymond Green
2:43
Where is my best fit if the Warriors trade me?  Am I an upgrade on Tobias Harris even tho I’d hurt the Pistons’ spacing?
Luke Adams
2:47
I don't really think you make sense for the Pistons, as fun as the Michigan connection would be. The spacing issue is real (Detroit already ranks near the bottom of the league in 3-pointers).

This might be a little sacrilegious, but I'm kinda into Boston as a fit. Spacing wouldn't be an issue there, they could use a defensive frontcourt anchor, and the Anfernee Simons contract is a near salary match (though not exactly a match, given both teams' cap/apron situations).

To be clear, I can't see any way that happens. I assume the Warriors would only trade Green if they absolutely had to as part of a package for a star who can be part of their long-term future (like Giannis).
Chris in Houston
2:48
Do you expect the Rockets to look for a veteran PG, or will they roll with the ups and downs of a 3rd year player who isn't really a PG, but has a lot of talent and upside, and a pretty raw 2nd year guard who has shown flashes of brilliance as a PG?
Luke Adams
2:50
Think they'll roll with what they have. Those guys should only get better, and there's not a lot out there -- it doesn't make sense for them to roll the dice on a risky, high-salary guy like Trae, LaMelo, or Morant. And the players in the tier or two below that might not even be a clear upgrade on Amen and Reed.
Penny
2:50
Why Ty Lue chair is not shaking? Clearly this team wasn't great selected, but there's also fault on a TL for a lousy enter in a season.
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