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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 3/12/2024
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question about the draft.
Capital Tankers
12:01
Who’s #1 on your draft board? Seems like there’s no definitive guy in this year’s class
ARTHUR HILL
12:04
It's hard to remember when there was so much volatility at the top of the draft. With no clear No. 1, or even a clear top five, team needs could affect the final decision more than usual. My guess at this point would be Alexandre Sarr, but a lot can change by late June.
SGA
12:04
What can I do to win MVP this year
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as a serious candidate with about a month left in the season. The best way to bolster his case is to keep playing at his current level and have the Thunder finish as the No. 1 seed.
PG
12:06
Percentage wise.  What is the chance I resign with LA
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
I think it's high, maybe 80 or 90 percent unless something unexpected happens. George wanted to come to L.A., and he's surrounded by a talented team and a veteran coach. Money won't be an issue for Steve Ballmer, who will want to keep George as one of his attractions when the Clippers move to their new arena this fall.
KJ
12:08
The nets are making a big deal now Thomas is back thar they can make at least the play in.  Do you see that as feasible?
ARTHUR HILL
12:11
In spite of everything that has gone wrong for Brooklyn this season, they're still in the running for the No. 10 spot at 3 1/2 games behind Atlanta. The Hawks are already trying to survive without Trae Young and they just lost Saddiq Bey for the rest of the season. The race could get much closer if the Nets can stay around .500 for the rest of the season.
DRAFTKING
12:11
Very strong chance OKC and MIN will finish 1 and 2.  If your life depended on it, who would you bet will get eliminated first?
ARTHUR HILL
12:14
Karl-Anthony Towns' torn meniscus comes at a terrible time for the Wolves. He's set to be reevaluated in about a month, but there's no way to predict whether he'll be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Both teams may wind up with tough first-round matchups even if they finish 1 and 2, but I see Minnesota as more vulnerable.
Bulls Fan
12:15
So there are reports Ball is ramping up his recovery but just overall if you are the Bulls Gm, what are you doing this summer?   Resign Demar? Extend Williams?  Trade Lavine?
ARTHUR HILL
12:18
The gamble the Bulls took on giving big money to LaVine is backfiring in a big way. They'll likely try to trade him again this summer, but interest around the league may be even lower considering how little he's played this season. With his contract and Vucevic's, the team isn't in a good position to rebuild. I would try to keep DeRozan and Williams, but another .500 season seems to be the best-case scenario with the current core.
Jalen Green
12:19
What would you do with Jalen Green after this season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:23
Green is probably the most divisive topic for Rockets fans. He's had to adjust his game since Ime Udoka took over as head coach, and it's been an up-and-down process. Some nights he looks like the elite scorer he was projected to be before the draft, and other nights he's on the bench for the entire fourth quarter. The Rockets are in position to offer Green an extension this summer at a bargain rate -- well below the max number that he's eligible for. If he won't accept that, they can wait until next offseason and deal with him as a restricted free agent.
Arcman
12:23
Where does Chris Paul sign next year? I say the Spurs or Clippers.
ARTHUR HILL
12:26
Either situation sounds promising. Paul could be the ideal point guard to develop a once-in-a-generation talent like Victor Wembanyama, and the rest of the Spurs roster could benefit from his leadership as well. A return to the Clippers would be a great story, but he may not want to team up with James Harden again after the way their partnership ended in Houston.
Insert Witty Name Here
12:27
Should the league add a fourth ref?
ARTHUR HILL
12:29
I'm not sure that a fourth ref would improve the quality of officiating. Most likely, it would be one more person with a whistle would feel compelled to make calls and slow down the game even more. There have been complaints about referees since basketball began, and we may have to accept that the level of officiating we have now is as good as it's going to get.
BULLJIVE
12:30
How serious a contender are the Thunder?
ARTHUR HILL
12:33
We're about three-quarters of the way through the season, and OKC has passed every test that has been thrown at them. They're at the top of a tough Western Conference with the second-best record in the league, and they look as good as anyone heading into April. Obviously they're still unproven in the playoffs, so winning a tough series is the next step for the current roster, but there's no reason to doubt their talent.
CAM THOMAS
12:34
Am I a lock for MIP?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
Tyrese Maxey is a heavy favorite in the current betting odds, and he's probably going to win Most Improved. There are plenty of good candidates, such as Coby White, Jonathan Kuminga, Jalen Johnson, Jalen Williams and others, and Thomas definitely deserves to be on that list. Even if he doesn't win MIP, he's a bright part of the Nets' future.
TrusttheProcess
12:38
If Joel Embiid returns before the end of the season, do the Sixers  have a strong chance of reaching the Eastern Conferrncre finals?
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
Before the Embiid injury, the Sixers looked to be as strong as anyone as a challenger to the Celtics. If he's fully healthy by the start of the playoffs, it's not hard to imagine them in the conference finals. However, it's worth pointing out that Embiid has a long history of playoff injuries. Even if his current injury heals, it's not a safe bet that he'll stay healthy throughout the postseason.
Joe Prunty
12:41
Kindly explain your comment from last week's chat where you stated, "[Atlanta Hawks] management couldn't have expected much more than a team that's around .500 and battling for a play-in spot."  Then why would Hawks management  hire Quin Snyder on February 26, 2023, when their record was 31-30?
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
Atlanta wanted to make a coaching change, and Snyder was the best available candidate. By hiring him in February, they were able to get him under contract before other attractive jobs -- such as the Bucks and Sixers -- opened up in the offseason. I believe Hawks management is realistic about the need to shake up the current roster before they can compete for a title. That's why there have been so many trade rumors regarding Dejounte Murray and now Trae Young.
KJ
12:46
So a lot of people have really begun to say that charlotte should really consider trading ball. What would be the pros and cons?
ARTHUR HILL
12:50
There are concerns about Ball's ability to stay healthy after injuries limited him to 22 games this year and 36 last season. It's an expensive contract for someone who can't stay on the court. As spectacular as he can be, there are also reasons to question whether Ball's game is efficient enough to build a winning team around. On the other hand, he's definitely shown some star power, and he could turn into the type of player who could attract other stars to Charlotte. I think the Hornets will give him at least one more season before considering a trade.
KJ
12:51
Considering divisions, champion aspirations etc, hypothetical would it make more sense for Lebron to stay with a semi oft injured AD and somewhat solid role players or go to Philly with a semi oft injured Embiid, superstar in the making in Maxey but unknown as far as what would be left/obtainable bench wise
ARTHUR HILL
12:54
I think LeBron likes being in L.A. and playing for one of the world's most glamorous teams. The Sixers' cap space makes them a bargaining chip that he might use in negotiations, but I expect him to get at least close to what he wants from the Lakers in his next contract. There's an argument to be made that he would have a better chance to win a title with Embiid and Maxey in Philadelphia, but he'll likely retire as a Laker.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:55
My man Naz Reid is killing it since KAT went down. Any chance he's the starting 4 next year and we save $51M and go get some high end role players(Monk, Norman Powell types) and have a more well rounded roster in 2024-25?
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
The Timberwolves recognized what they have in Reid, which is why they were willing to give him a contract extension with Towns and Rudy Gobert already on the roster. There has been speculation about a Towns trade for a while because of the sheer size of his contract and the effect it will have on Minnesota's cap sheet. Reid's performance of late should get those rumors started up again.
RB
12:58
There certainly seems to be a lot of injuries this year - season-ending injuries to stars. Any thoughts on why injuries at least appear to be more prevalent this season?
ARTHUR HILL
1:01
The incredible athleticism of NBA players also makes them more vulnerable to injuries. They're moving so fast and jumping so high that they constantly put themselves in precarious positions, plus the physical play under the basket adds another level of risk. Load management didn't get rid of major injuries, so there may not be a way to reduce them.
Thanks for the great questions in this week's chat. I'll talk to you again next week.
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