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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 2/1/2024
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Luke Adams
10:01
Lots of questions in the queue already. Almost as if the trade deadline is a week away!
Let's dive in...
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
10:02
What's the biggest 'big name' that's not on anyone's radar that could get moved? Seems like there's always something that comes outta nowhere.
Luke Adams
10:04
Often the surprises come when the best player on an underachieving team decides to request a trade. Someone like Trae Young or Mikal Bridges could be a candidate for that -- reports this week have suggested Bridges would be very popular on the trade market, and it's safe to assume the same is true of Young. I don't expect either one to go anywhere, but they're the type of candidates who fit the bill.
Actually the most notable player who falls into this category is LeBron James, but he has never requested an in-season trade and I wouldn't count on it happening for the first time now, entertaining as it would be.
Cap relief
10:05
Seems with higher contracts there should be a exit clause for each team that could be used say once every three years. A team could terminate a bad contract or contract with felony issues that would give cap relief. What do you think?
Luke Adams
10:07
Sounds like you're arguing for the return of the amnesty clause! As entertaining as the amnesty era was, I don't love the idea of giving teams the ability to erase their own mistakes without any real consequence. Plus, the increasing size of contracts these days is a result of huge salary cap increases, so those contracts are taking up the same percentage of the cap as they always have and shouldn't hamstring a team's flexibility any more than they have in the past.
10:08
It's a little bit more justifiable for a team to get some sort of cap relief for a major injury or a player arrested for a felony-level crime, but the league already has some systems in place for that sort of thing.
Not Steph
10:08
Are you taking the over or under on 3 current Warriors players that will be on other teams in March
Luke Adams
10:09
I'd lean toward the under. I could see a player like Paul or Wiggins being dealt and maybe a younger player attached to them, but I'm not counting on a roster overhaul or anything.
Old Wizard
10:09
Are the Wizards realistic on what may be offered for Jones, Kuzma, Gafford et al?  What Wizards do you think will be done by Feb 8?
Luke Adams
10:11
Not sure there have been any reports identifying exactly what the asking price for Gafford is. It's said to be two good first-rounders for Kuzma and one good first-rounder for Jones, with a "good" first-rounder defined as one beyond 2024 that could turn into a top-20 (or better) pick. That's probably a little high, and I wouldn't expect them to get it for Jones, who's on an expiring contract and wouldn't be a starter on most teams.
10:12
But asking prices can be hard to define, since a team has to weigh the value of a package based on what contracts are included, whose first-rounders they're getting, what protections are on those picks, etc. I could see the Wizards getting two first-rounders for Kuzma if at least one is heavily protected and the salary they take back isn't especially team-friendly.
jamoche1
10:12
If Donovan Mitchell isn't traded and plays out his contract with Cleveland, do the Cavs have an advantage over other teams as far as the amount of money they can offer when he hits free agency.
Luke Adams
10:13
They'd be able to offer 8% raises (instead of 5%) and five years (instead of four), which certainly adds up over the life of a long-term deal. That's why stars who want to change teams typically push for a trade before they reach free agency -- their Bird rights get traded with them, giving their new team the ability to do up to five years and 8% raises.
Wannes
10:13
Do you see Lakers or Sixers ducking below luxury tax to be able to sign some free agents like Lowry given the new CBA rules?
Luke Adams
10:15
Those two teams would actually already be able to sign anyone on the buyout market, including high-salary guys like Lowry, Hayward, etc., since the new rule only applies to teams above the first apron, not the tax line. The Sixers and Lakers are above the tax line, but below the apron. More details here: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2024/01/clarifying-the-nbas-new-rule-on-bu...
10:16
(Having said that, it's not great business to finish the season $2-3MM over the tax line, since - in addition to paying a small tax penalty - you're forfeiting the eight-figure payout that non-taxpayers will receive, so if the Sixers and/or Lakers can find a way to duck below the tax while also upgrading their roster, I imagine they'd be very interested!)
Mk
10:16
How likely is it that Bruce Brown gets traded, and where will he end up?
Luke Adams
10:18
The odds of Brown trade are probably at least 50/50, but I don't view it as a lock. His $23MM team option is a slight overpay, but the Raptors would be able to trade him next season on an expiring deal, so they're probably won't settle for just a second-round pick or two at this point. I think they'd be justified in pushing for a protected first-rounder or a promising young player.
10:19
It just so happens that the Knicks - who I think would be a great fit for Brown - have both (Quentin Grimes + a few protected first-rounders from other teams), plus a big expiring contract in Evan Fournier. That's my favorite Brown fit, but I could see him as a logical Plan B for the Lakers too.
Joanne the plumber
10:20
No one will ever be happy about how games are called, but especially with the baggage the NBA carries in this particular area, is the 2 minute report a weak effort to show they're doing "something"? Do they need to be doing more? Or is this bad reputation overblown.
Luke Adams
10:23
I don't envy NBA referees -- given how physical a game basketball is and how fast they play at the very highest level, it's essentially impossible to get every call right. Still, now that they've partnered with sports betting companies, the NBA owes it to the public to be as diligent and forthcoming about its officiating as it possibly can. A 48-minute report might be excessive (and sorta pointless) but I wonder if the league should be more public about rewarding or demoting referees based on performance.
OKC Fan
10:23
The Thunder have a talented team with potential to reach the Finals.  This is why we have all of these draft picks.  They're not going to stand pat, are they?  If they don't go all in, it feels like mismanagement - do you agree?
Luke Adams
10:25
I don't think there's any urgency in OKC yet. I know a front office shouldn't take a chance to contend for granted and assume more chances will follow, but... it really seems like the window for this Thunder team should be open for a long time, given how young most of their best players are. They have enough excess draft picks that they could make a move or two without going "all-in" but I'd still be wary about being too aggressive this year, while Jalen Williams in his second season, Chet Holmgren is in his first, and we haven't even seen this Thunder team in the playoffs yet. There will be plenty of time and plenty of opportunities to bolster this group in future seasons.
Walleye Wade
10:26
I don’t feel the Timberwolves need to do any drastic changes to be a powerhouse in the playoffs. But what if any small additions could be made?    Backup pg???   Or a 3 pt SG ?
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
10:26
Wolves are legit championship contenders if they do what at the deadline?......
Luke Adams
10:28
Backup point guard looks to me like the most obvious spot for the Wolves to address. A reliable backup who could play when Conley sits, maybe play alongside him, and be a solid insurance policy in the event of an injury would be ideal. I've mentioned guys like Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, Monte Morris, and a couple others in past chats. Jones would be the perfect target if not for his $14MM cap hit, which would be a bit trickier for the Wolves to match with smaller salaries than someone like Morris ($9.8MM) or Wright ($8.2MM).
EddieH
10:28
The Celtics have a great record but struggle against great teams - in January they lost to Denver, OKC, LAC, and Milwaukee.  Minnesota was their only quality win.  How concerned should we be?
Luke Adams
10:31
I wouldn't worry too much about results in January, and frankly losses to really good teams worry me less than duds against lottery teams. They're not going to go 82-0 -- they have to get beaten by a few teams! Porzingis was missing for one of those games, a couple were on the road. Not a big deal.
Suns fan
10:31
Do you think the Suns will make any moves before the trade deadline or wait until the buyout market comes around?
Luke Adams
10:32
Would be surprised if they don't package Nassir Little with a minimum-salary player or two and some second-round picks for an upgrade on the wing. It sounds like Miles Bridges and Royce O'Neale are their top two targets. Both are on expiring contracts and are within the Suns' price range (in terms of salary matching). I think they have a decent shot to get one of them.
ShaqAtaq
10:33
What’s up with the rumors around Orlando possibly trading Wendell Clark? Is it just a matter of him having value, or do they truly feel his production can be replace with Wagner and Bitadze?
Luke Adams
10:36
Love the idea of Orlando trading the old Toronto Maple Leafs captain, but I'm gonna go ahead and assume this is a Wendell Carter question. In which case: I think there's a case to be made that Wagner and Bitadze can give the Magic what they need at the five for a lesser price than Carter, and he'd probably bring back a solid return on the trade market. Orlando played some of its best basketball of the season when Carter was injured in the fall, and his net rating is the worst of those three guys. There was a report yesterday suggesting that the Magic aren't all that interested in trading Carter anyway though, so it could a moot point.
Derek
10:36
Are the Bulls seriously considering not making any major moves at the deadline?, what a bad decision that would be!
Luke Adams
10:37
It's really something that we've gone from all sorts of Bulls trade rumors back in November/December to barely anything out of Chicago these days. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a LaVine trade, especially if the Pistons' front office gets desperate. And some moves affecting players around the edges (Drummond?) wouldn't surprise me. But still nothing to indicate that guys like DeRozan or Caruso will be available.
MW
10:38
Seems like Daniel Gafford would be a perfect fit in OKC, either alongside or behind Chet on the frontline. OKC gives up one of their plethora of FRPs and a non-core prospect. Who says no?
Luke Adams
10:39
That's a fair return for Gafford, though I do wonder if potential OKC trade partners will squeeze them in trade talks, knowing how many draft assets they have. "Come on, you won't even notice this other pick is gone!"
Timberwolves Back Up PG
10:40
Who am I come playoff time?
Luke Adams
10:40
Monte Morris. For Shake Milton, Troy Brown, and two second-round picks. (Obviously this is just a guess, but I think it makes sense for both sides.)
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