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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 2/2/2026
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Luke Adams
2:01
72 hours until the trade deadline! Today's chat should be a good one. Thanks for your early questions and keep them coming. We'll get underway in just a minute.
Billie
2:02
Will the Bulls tear it down? It's no way they can continue to try to compete for just the play-in right?
Luke Adams
2:04
There's not really a lot to "tear down." I think they'll definitely consider moving vets like Vucevic, Collins, Huerter, etc., and it sounds like they're open to dealing more valuable players like Coby White too. But all of those players are on expiring contracts and could be gone this summer anyway, so I expect major changes will be coming in Chicago soon regardless of what they do at the deadline. They're gonna be building around Giddey and Buzelis going forward.
Trog
2:04
Who are the teams that can currently afford to take on salary in trades?
Luke Adams
2:06
Nets are obviously the first one to watch. They're the only team that still has cap room.

The Jazz and Wizards are well positioned with various exceptions and expiring contracts to take on a bunch of salary.

The Pistons, Hornets, and Grizzlies are also well below the luxury tax line and could accommodate salary-dumps, though I imagine Detroit, at least, will be focused more on adding players who could actually help them win.
Sad Kings fan
2:06
what were the kings thinking trading Ellis and Schroder for Hunter and sacrificing a 2nd (even if it’s late)? I just think with the record and the early stages of a rebuild collecting assets (a couple of 2nds) would be better suited than acquiring a 28 year old wing who is not a very good defender and doesn’t fit the timeline. The kings shouldn’t be adding sweeteners to get off bad contracts just ride them out the extra money isn’t going anywhere anyway. Am I crazy to think this?
Deandre Hunter keeps getting pegged as a 3 and D guy. I know his shooting is down and it should regress but his defense has never been good. Hes graded poorly every year of his career outside of year 2 in a 23 game sample size. Can you provide some insight on Deandre Hunter as a defender please? Is it fine or is it more the idea of his frame being the key driving factor in the belief of his defense?
Luke Adams
2:09
I get why that trade doesn't excite Kings fans, but I don't dislike it from Sac's perspective. Keegan Murray was their only real two-way wing with size, and while Hunter isn't a lock-down defender, his size and switchability mean he's definitely not a liability on that end of the court.

You could certainly make the case that a decent role player like Hunter won't make much of a difference for a team like the Kings that's so far away from contention, and that's fair. But Hunter is the kind of player who could rebuild his value in the next few months and potentially be flipped for a positive return in the summer or at next season's deadline. He was highly sought-after just a year ago.
Lou
2:09
Do the Pacers find their Myles Turner replacement before the deadline?
Luke Adams
2:10
I'd say it's about 50/50, or a little less. Definitely sounds like they're looking, and Bennedict Mathurin seems like an obvious outgoing piece in the event they find a deal they like. But also no real urgency to do it now -- it can wait until the offseason if need be.
Taylor
2:10
What do you see the Wolves doing at the deadline: standing pat, adding around the margins, making a solid addition, or doing something significant?
Luke Adams
2:11
I think they'll use Dillingham and/or Shannon to try to add one more reliable rotation player in the backcourt. Wouldn't entirely rule out the possibility of something bigger though -- Tim Connelly has surprised me before.
Unclemike1526
2:11
Hey Luke somebody just posted a curious thing to me. He said that if the Bulls trade Ayo Dosumnu that when he becomes an UFA next year the Bulls can't re sign him that there's some NBA rule against it? That would make the U in UFA not true then? Look the NBA has 5 good rules and 5000 stupid ones so I'm deferring to an expert like you to set me straight. Thanks
Luke Adams
2:13
I actually saw that comment thread and have posted it in with some additional info -- the short answer is no, that's not the rule. There IS a rule that prohibits a player from returning to Team A if he's traded from Team A to Team B and then Team B waives him. But the same restriction doesn't apply when a player's contract simply expires at the end of the season.
Mr E Team
2:13
I get that the Warriors are in position to trade for Giannis.  What I don’t understand is how they can extend him.  How does the math work for that?
Luke Adams
2:15
Any team that trades for Giannis now would get his Bird rights, so extending him wouldn't be a problem for his new team once he becomes extension-eligible in October. For certain teams already operating with high payrolls, it would just be a matter of the tax penalties they're willing to pay -- but no cap complications.
Hawks
2:15
Will the Hawks make any more large moves? I'd love to see Sabonis join the team to help with rebounding
Kim
2:15
The Hawks have about $71 million in expiring contracts. And they need a center badly. What are they going to do before Thursday? Nothing or something? I say nothing. They aren’t contenders at this point. Even getting Giannis won’t push them into contention because while they may have enticing picks and young players, too much will have to be given up to him. Right? Thanks!
Luke Adams
2:17
I think the Hawks are still looking to see what they can do with some of their expiring contracts (especially Porzingis'), but yeah, they're three games under .500 and might be in danger of losing their play-in spot to Charlotte pretty soon. They're clearly not in win-now mode, so any deal they do make would have to help them in the future. Very possible they have a relatively quiet week and see what they can do this summer when Porzingis and Kennard come off the books and they potentially get a very good draft pick from the Bucks/Pelicans.
BBall br
2:17
Does Jordan Clarkson get traded from the Knicks? He's completely out of the rotation and I'm sure he has some value
Luke Adams
2:19
His value would be very limited. Maaaybe you could squeeze a second-round pick out of a team.

But even if they're just able to move him without attaching any assets themselves, a trade could be advantageous from a cap perspective, given how close the Knicks are from their hard cap. Being able to replace Clarkson with someone on a prorated minimum-salary deal would give them a lot more breathing room and potentially allow them to fill their 15th roster spot sooner rather than later (depending on what else they'd do).
Herb not Herb
2:19
Where does Ayo end up?
Luke Adams
2:20
I think he's more likely to stay in Chicago than to be moved, but the Timberwolves would be a pretty ideal fit.
DAWG19GONE
2:21
Do Warriors trade Kuminga by trade deadline IF the Giannis trade doesn't happen ?
Luke Adams
2:23
There's been some speculation that if the Bucks keep Giannis for now, the Warriors might hang onto Kuminga too, so that they could potentially exercise his team option and put his expiring contract in a summer offer for Giannis.

That makes some sense, but the Warriors would have enough salary to make an offseason Giannis offer without Kuminga, so I still think he could be moved on or before Thursday. And obviously, if Giannis gets dealt elsewhere this week, the Warriors would be less incentivized to hang onto him.
Tulsa Time
2:23
If OKC makes a (minor) trade and uses their MLE to take on additional salary, will it start the repeater clock this year? The Thunder are just a million or so below taxpayer status I think. I'm a little confused by the MLE and disabled player exceptions.
Luke Adams
2:26
The "non-taxpayer mid-level exception" is a bit of a misnomer, since some teams still have access to that exception even if they're taxpayers. Using the non-taxpayer MLE hard-caps a team at the first tax apron, not the tax line itself.

So yes, the Thunder could use that exception to take on a little salary (they're about $8.5MM below the first apron) and could end up in tax territory. In that case, yeah, their repeater clock would start this season. Repeater penalties are based on how many seasons a team has been in the tax, not above the aprons.
Celtics Fan Here
2:26
There have been rumors that the Celtics have asked about JJJ.  Do you think the Celtics might trade Tatum to get immediate and long-term help, whether for JJJ and a pick or some other combo? Maybe Nets or Wizards?
Luke Adams
2:27
Tatum won't be traded. Would also be shocked if JJJ is dealt anytime soon. You never know, I guess, but that seems like more of a down-the-road possibility.
Bob
2:28
Nets can certainly be there to help the Cavs get under the 2nd apron by taking on Strus. The Nets would want at least a swap jumping them about 8 spots in the coming draft. Cavs are at 28 (now) and the Nets 2nd is 34th or 35th. Think this is viable? I assume the Nets would send a lower cost player back like Ziaire Williams. This doesn’t get the Cavs all the way. They would still need to move Lonzo.
Luke Adams
2:31
I'd need to know more about Strus' ankle injury (will he actually be back to 100% in a few weeks or is his season in jeopardy?), but unless they feel really good about his medical situation, I suspect Brooklyn would probably want a bit more than that. The contract structure for second-round picks is generally more favorable than first-rounders, and moving up 6-7 spots at that stage of the draft isn't all that meaningful. It would only really make sense for them if they felt confident they could flip Strus for positive value later, which is far from a sure thing.
Terry
2:32
Any big move for the Sixers?   What's realistic?  Can George be dealt in a deal while suspended? (I think yes)
Luke Adams
2:33
He could be, but the Sixers would be selling low. Can't see them doing that (or anything big, really). I expect they'll do something minor to duck the tax and maybe try to make an upgrade around the edges in the process. Should be a bit easier to make changes in the offseason.
Luke Ridnour
2:34
What trade options, besides Giannis, do the blazers have that could set them up for a legitimate run when Dame comes back in next year?
Luke Adams
2:38
I dunno if this is the right time for them to do anything too significant. They should be hoping for better health luck down the stretch to get a sense of what this roster looks like when it's closer to full strength and what exactly their needs are when Scoot is playing alongside Jrue, etc.

Of course, if they could find a way to get off Jerami Grant's contract and add more shooting without giving up their most valuable draft assets, I wouldn't be opposed to it.
sad tormented neglected bucks fan
2:39
Do the raptors make any big trades
Luke Adams
2:42
Sabonis has been getting linked to them all season long, which makes me think there might be something there, even though I'm not convinced he'd be a great fit. They're not a good shooting team, so any major addition should probably be made with that in mind.

Anyway, I wouldn't rule out something big, but if they want to use the Quickley and/or Poeltl contracts to make it happen, they'll need to be prepared to pay a big price, since those deals have negative trade value and would cost a draft pick or two just to move off of them.
Jason
2:42
What guard that could be dealt would the Pistons be most interested in?
Luke Adams
2:45
The Bulls' guys (Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones) immediately come to mind. I'd probably call the Sixers about Quentin Grimes if I were them. Bennedict Mathurin is a little intriguing but his contract situation is the same as Ivey's (RFA eligible this summer), which isn't ideal. Collin Sexton is somewhat interesting too, but his salary wouldn't fit in their TPE, so that's a trickier match.
Who says "no"?
2:46
Who says no?     Hawks give the Bucks first choice on the 2026 Bucks and the Pelicans pick, they take second, along with Cleveland's 2026 1st round pick, 2 top 8 protected future picks, and matching salary for GA and TA.     Hawks could walk out with Giannis and a top 8 2026 pick
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