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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 2/18/25
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ARTHUR HILL
11:02
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question on the Bulls.
Unclemike1526
11:02
So the Mock drafts are out already and the first one I saw has the Bulls taking the 7'2"  C from Duke. That would be a fine pick IMO. I would take that because if they take another G somebody could cause a riot. If the Bulls took a C ( Maybe another guy) they could then have The draft C and Smith and could then deal Vujevic. They need to either take a C or a PF right? They can't be stupid enough to take another G or 3 right? He said hopefully. Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
11:11
The Bulls are currently set to pick at No. 8 unless they get lucky in the lottery. That may be a little higher than Duke center Khaman Maluach is projected to go, but Chicago has to start thinking about roster construction with Nikola Vucevic likely to be traded this summer.  A lot of guards and wings are projected to go in the top 10, and the Bulls are already set at those positions. Depending on how the rest of the NCAA season and the pre-draft workouts turn out, there are a couple other big men to watch. Maryland's Derik Queen has been moving up draft boards, and he could be a long-term answer at power forward. Georgetown's Thomas Sorber has been impressive as a freshman and may be a better prospect than Maluach. The draft is still four months away, so a lot can change, but the Bulls have to be focused on finding interior players.
JD
11:11
Will Ben Simmons be the most impactful player to hit the buyout market this year? Any chance of Boucher or Brogdon or Bruce Brown shaking loose?
ARTHUR HILL
11:17
All of them are worth watching as we approach the March 1 deadline for players to reach buyouts and still be eligible for the postseason with their new teams. Boucher in Toronto, Brogdon in Washington and Brown with New Orleans don't make sense on their current teams, which will be focused on developing their young players and jostling for lottery position. I like Brown the best of out that group, but any of them could be successful with the right team. Regardless, Simmons looks like he'll be the top prize on this year's buyout market. He had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists in his debut with the Clippers, and his new teammates and coach Tyronn Lue were raving about what he brings to the team. He could turn out to be a long-term addition in L.A.
KMan
11:17
Which couple of guys have the highest offensive ceiling next season (going forward)? Camara, Sochan, Simmons, Sarr, Mathurin, Jabari Smith.
Thanks!
ARTHUR HILL
11:25
I would pick Mathurin, who has shown he's capable of being a reliable NBA scorer since he entered the league three years ago. He can score in a variety of ways, and he's become more efficient this season, raising his shooting percentage from the floor to 47.5%. If he were the featured scorer on a bad team instead of one of several weapons for the Pacers, his numbers would be more impressive. I'd take Anfernee Simons second out of that group. He can take over a game with his scoring and he's a dangerous weapon in crunch time, but he's still a low-percentage shooter, which isn't likely to ever change. Camara, Sochan, Sarr and Smith are likely to be just components of the offense as their teams improve, rather than standout scorers on their own.
Guest
11:25
With Butler extended, who's the best 2025 free agent who could actually change teams? Kuminga? Myles Turner? I feel like Lebron and Kyrie probably aren't going anywhere even though they technically could
ARTHUR HILL
11:29
I agree that LeBron and Kyrie aren't changing teams. LeBron is going to really enjoy playing alongside Luka Doncic, and Kyrie talked extensively at All-Star Weekend about how happy he is in Dallas. The Warriors seem committed to Kuminga, and there are reports that they're willing to commit big money to re-sign him as a restricted free agent. I think the Pacers will spend to keep Turner as well, regardless of what it does to their cap sheet. He has been an important part of their success, and they don't have another reliable center to replace him.
11:33
Josh Giddey might be a name to watch in free agency, although I think the Bulls are probably in a situation where they have to pay him. Chicago needs a major roster overhaul, and I'm not sure Giddey is someone to build around. If Giddey gets a big offer this summer, the Bulls will at least have to think twice about matching it.
Kevin Durant
11:33
Which team am I playing for next season?
ARTHUR HILL
11:39
Bovada put out odds this week listing the Rockets as the clear favorite to trade for Durant this summer. It somewhat makes sense because Houston needs a reliable go-to scorer, and the Rockets own the Suns' first-round picks this year as well as 2027 and 2029. However, GM Rafael Stone has said repeatedly that he wants players who fit the timeline with the rest of the roster, and Durant, who'll be 37 by the start of next season, obviously does not. The Knicks are listed as second, even though they don't have much draft capital left to offer after adding Towns and Bridges, and the Warriors are third, but it doesn't sound like Durant ever wants to return to Golden State and I don't think Phoenix would trade him against his wishes.
11:43
I think the team to watch is Miami, which is fourth in Bovada's odds. The Heat have come up short in their recent pursuit of stars, and I expect Pat Riley to be super aggressive following a disappointing season. Miami seems like a place that Durant would enjoy late in his career, and teaming him with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro would be a quick way for the Heat to get back to relevance.
Raptors
11:43
I don't mind the trade and extension for Brandon Ingram on its own but it doesn't really make sense with the rest of the Raptors' roster does it? Will they trade Barrett and/or Quickley in the off-season to build around Scottie, Ingram, and the young players?
ARTHUR HILL
11:51
It's a big gamble for someone who has struggled to stay on the court throughout his career, but I can understand why Toronto did it. When healthy, Ingram is an elite scorer that the offense can be built around. He and Scottie Barnes can be an effective combination that gives the Raptors a path back to contention, especially if they can land one of the top prizes in this year's draft. I expect Barrett or Quickley to eventually be dealt for someone who better fits the roster, but that's not a decision that has to be made right away. There's also a downside where Ingram misses half of next season and the Raptors are back in the lottery, but they're willing to take that chance.
Guest
11:52
What would your ideal All Star weekend look like?
ARTHUR HILL
12:02
The NBA has struggled with that question for more than a decade. The biggest problem is that every innovation quickly becomes old and loses its appeal. The Elam ending had an impact the first time it was tried, but it fizzled out soon after. Having captains draft their rosters was fun for a while, but the novelty wore off. Last year's Curry-Ionescu shooting contest got a lot of attention, but the even the league didn't think it was worth repeating. The same thing would probably happen with a one-on-one tournament, a U.S. vs. the World competition or any of the other ideas that have been suggested. This year's format was widely panned, so I don't expect to see it again. The traditional 48-minute East vs. West game doesn't excite anyone, not even the players who are involved. Maybe the only solution is to keep changing gimmicks every year to at least create some level of interest from the media and the public.
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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