You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 3/20/2025
powered byJotCast
Luke Adams
2:01
Thanks for all the early questions, guys! Let's jump right in...
Boldly Representing Sebastopol
2:01
A few weeks ago, a friend/foe addressed the fact that over the past quarter century there’s been just one instance where an NBA team added a major piece IN season and went on to win the title that same year - he was referring to Rasheed Wallace and the 2004 Detroit Pistons (I hate that team btw). Sure, trends can suddenly change course - but that’s a pretty big sample size, and my friend/foe is often correct when it comes to these types of things. So should I simply thank him for sparing me another LeBron/Lakers playoff failure and instead focus the majority of my sporting attention span on the juggernaut that is the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as the upcoming NFL Draft?
Luke Adams
2:04
I feel like Rasheed isn't the only one this century. Off the top of my head, the Marc Gasol trade was pretty crucial for the 2019 Raptors and P.J. Tucker played a pretty significant role for the 2021 Bucks.

Also, while it didn't directly lead to a same-season title, the Lakers' 2008 Pau Gasol helped propel them to a Finals appearance that year and titles in 2009 and 2010.

I don't think the Lakers are going to win this year's title, but I'm still pretty excited to watch the Luka/LeBron duo in the playoffs.
Sleepless
2:05
do you think Seattle gets a nba franchise in the next 10 years? would expansion or relocation be more likely?
Luke Adams
2:06
Yeah, I think it'll happen and I don't think it'll take as long as 10 years. I'd feel relatively optimistic about it happening within five. Expansion feels like it's an inevitability, with Seattle and Vegas the heavy favorites. The 32-team format has worked well for the NFL and NHL.
Coach of the Year
2:07
Who's your pick between Bickerstaff, Atkinson, Daigneault, Udoka, Redick?
Luke Adams
2:08
I don't think the gap between Atkinson and the rest of the field is as big as the betting odds suggest (I saw today that he's a -1400 favorite), but I still think he's the pick -- the Cavs' roster this season isn't much different than last year's group, but he's gotten a lot more out of it, especially offensively.
TrustTheProcess
2:08
Has Quentin Grimes shown enough to get a contract paying $6-8 million a year from the Sixers? Or would that be an unlikely scenario given the club's salary commitments for next season?
Luke Adams
2:11
Grimes is going to get paid more than that. He reportedly turned down something in the neighborhood of $9MM per year from Dallas last offseason, so I can't imagine him settling for less, given how he's played lately.

Of course, he'll be restricted, so if he can't find a team willing to give him an offer sheet, Philadelphia may be able to play hardball. But his qualifying offer will be worth at least $6.3MM and maybe as much as $8.74MM, depending on how much he plays down the stretch. If the Sixers are squeezing him too much, he could just accept that QO and become a UFA in 2026.
Everthing on the Line
2:12
Please assess the probabilities of the Cs resting Tatum over the next several games - thanks very much.
Luke Adams
2:13
If "next several games" = "between now and the end of the season," I think the odds are very good we see him sit out at least a couple more games to ensure he's fresh for the playoffs. If we're talking about the next 4-5 games specifically, it's hard to predict specifics. But once Tatum hits the 65-game mark and the Celtics lock up the No. 2 seed, there's not much reason to keep pushing him.
Expansion
2:13
If Seattle & Vegas get teams, do you think Memphis and Minny move to the eastern conference? Or maybe OKC?
Luke Adams
2:15
I think Memphis, Minnesota, and New Orleans would be the top candidates. You'd only need one of them to move to turn a 17/15 split into 16/16. Given the relative strength of the East vs. the West over the last couple decades, I imagine they'd all be eager to make their case for the move!
None of those teams have a long history of playoff success or long-established rivalries, so any of them would make sense. Not sure exactly how it'd be determined.
GN
2:15
Hi what contract does Bruce Brown get this off season?  Lack of games due to injury, traded midseason...seems like his value is down?
Luke Adams
2:18
It's a good question. He's clearly not going to get $22.5MM per year again, but his contributions to the 2023 Nuggets team didn't happen so long ago that they'll be forgotten. He'll probably be a good mid-level type target. The Derrick Jones/Naji Marshall/Kyle Anderson contracts from last year might be good comparisons. They were all in the range of $9-10MM per year.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
2:18
With the Timberwolves sh*tting the proverbial bed with this schedule do you see the off-season path a function of the playoff result? By that I mean if they get eliminated in the play in or first round the narrative is "the team needs a Big 3. Trade for Durant" or if they get hot and make a run to the WCF again the story is "this young team is coming together...they just need time ala OKC". If you're Tim Connelly what's your off-season consist of? Extending Naz, trying to trade Randle if he opts in, going after KD?
Luke Adams
2:21
Yeah, there are a few teams that fit that criteria and Minnesota is definitely one of them. I think the difference between "first-round exit" and "conference finals win" could also have a major impact on what teams like the Bucks, Grizzlies, Pacers, Rockets, Nuggets, and Clippers do this summer.

I'm on board with extending Reid and trying to trade Randle. Durant is a tough one since it's pretty hard to make the money work without decimating their depth and I'm not sure how many elite/healthy years KD has left. It would be a major risk.
Arcman
2:21
Is Garland the MVP on the Cavs team since without him they been struggling lately?
Luke Adams
2:23
This feel more to me like a blip on the radar for a team that doesn't have much left to play for until the postseason starts. Garland is probably underrated and maybe this little slump is a reminder of his importance, but I still don't think he's more than the third most valuable player on this roster, behind Mitchell and Mobley.

(For what it's worth, Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, and a few other Cavs still all have better on/off-court numbers than Garland this season.)
GrizzMan
2:24
Will Lebron be back in action by next Saturday?
Luke Adams
2:25
I'll say yes, with the caveat that I'm just reading the tea leaves. Redick has been referring to him as "day to day" all week. I'm not sure he could get away with that for another 10 days.
JP
2:25
Hi, what a disastrous year for the Mavs. Trading Luka is going to set this franchise back.  My advice just let young players finish out the season and trade veterans over the summer for draft picks and start over. Your thoughts? Thanks
Luke Adams
2:27
As much as I disagree with the decision to trade Luka, it's too bad about what's happened with the Mavs since then, since I actually think a healthy version of this team would've been a really tough playoff out. I imagine the front office still believes that and won't be ready to throw in the towel on the Kyrie/AD core so quickly after putting it together, so I'd be very surprised if they take the route you're suggesting, even though I can see the appeal of it.
Mike
2:28
Who is the best player in the NBA? SGA, Luka or jokic. I keep changing my mind
Luke Adams
2:28
I think it's Jokic, but hard to go wrong with any of those guys.
K1ngothwld
2:29
With Clingan and Camarra playing so well, it seems Grant and Ayton will surely be traded.  Where do you see them going?
... follow-up: Does Portland make a play-off run or do they try to keep their pick?
Luke Adams
2:34
Tough to suss out the market for Grant and/or Ayton. Most apron-conscious teams will want a bit more bang for their buck if they're taking on a $30MM+ player, so it's hard to see the Blazers getting much back for either guy unless they take back a worse/more expensive contract (and there aren't many of those).

Grant is the sort of guy who would make sense for the Suns if they could trade Bradley Beal. I like him as an on-court fit for Memphis but don't see how the Grizzlies could make the money work. I'd need to take a closer look at the options to come up with more ideas, but there aren't many obvious ones at first glance.

Assuming you're talking about next season for a potential playoff run and not this year, yeah, I think they'll try to go for it. That first-rounder is just lottery protected so they won't be forfeiting a top pick if they make the playoffs, and it would be helpful to get that commitment over and done with.
GrizzMan
2:34
Should Memphis be fighting for playoff seeding, or getting guys healthy?
Luke Adams
2:36
It's a balancing act -- they're not yet assured of a guaranteed top-six spot, so they won't want to risk that. But as long as they can finish in the top six, I'm not sure fighting to end up, say, fourth instead of fifth or third instead of fourth is a big priority. The health of their top guys is more important.
Lenny Picker
2:36
If the Lakers do well in the playoffs, might they retain Knecht and trade for another center less costly than Williams was, and than Kessler would be? If so, who fits the bill? Capela? Thanks
Luke Adams
2:39
Sure, that could make sense. Capela is an interesting one -- not only does his skill set match what the Lakers will be looking for, but he'll be available in free agency and wouldn't necessarily require any outgoing trade pieces.

Of course, if I recall their cap situation correctly, the Lakers are pretty limited in what they'll be able to offer, so he'd have to be willing to take a discount. Not out of the question, but hardly a sure thing.
2:40
I do think Luka has a unique ability to elevate the centers he plays with, meaning maybe giving up significant assets for someone isn't what the Lakers need to do. But on the other hand, they don't want to enter next season with, like... Thomas Bryant and Day'Ron Sharpe as their top two guys either.
Edwill
2:40
What team would you like to see cooper Flagg get drafted too
Luke Adams
2:43
The basketball sicko in me would be fascinated to see him end up in Philadelphia, but the Sixers don't really deserve him.

I also don't really want to see him end up on a team that has blatantly tried to tank its way to a top pick based on how they've used their top guys, like the Jazz or Raptors. Feels like it wouldn't be the right karmic reward.

This may be controversial, but I wouldn't hate to see him on the Bulls. The fans in Chicago deserve a win, and you can't say that the Bulls are blatantly tanking this year, even if most of their fans have been begging them to do so.
Chance 99
2:44
I find it somewhat surprising that Moses Brown never seems to stick as an end of the bench big. What do you think holds him back?
Luke Adams
2:46
He's a good rebounder and is OK offensively if you just need rim-running and don't mind his lack of shooting. But he's not a great defender and doesn't really have the size to capably match up with bigger centers.

Having said that, I'm a little surprised that he can't stick on a roster as a minimum-salary third center more regularly.
Unclemike 1526
2:46
If I were the Bulls I would: Trade Vujevic this summer. I think they could get a late first and a 2nd for him. The Bulls G pool is overflowing. I would trade Ayo. I think they can get a late 1st rounder for him also. Or at least multiple 2nds. He should have been a 1st rounder anyway and has only got better. I would also trade White while his ceiling is way high. I think they could get a mid 1st rounder and 2nds for him because he's good and inexpensive. Re sign Tre Jones , Giddey and move Collins and Huerter at the deadline. That's me. What would you do and am I realistic Thanks
Luke Adams
2:50
All three guys will be on expiring contracts next season, so their value might be relatively limited even though they're solid players. Packaging a couple of them together could help the Bulls maximize their return.

I agree that if the Bulls plan to re-sign Giddey after extending Ball, it doesn't make sense to bring back both White and Dosunmu again. Dosunmu would be easier to extend and White may have more trade value, so maybe that's the direction they go. I do think they could use more of a bottom-out year to give them a shot at a franchise player in the draft.
Load More Messages
Connecting…