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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 3/21/2023
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GP2
2:31
Only 9 Games left.  Doesn't Payton need to get in some Run before the Play-in / Playoffs start ???
Dana Gauruder
2:33
The Warriors announced early last week that he was making progress and would be reevaluated in 10 days. I know from experience that when they say "reevaluate" that player won't immediately start playing. They are optimistic he'll return before the regular season ends, so maybe he'll get 3-5 games in before postseason.
Wiseman
2:33
Regrets already in San Francisco?  This trade is looking Horrible, especially with Looney looking worn-down and not much behind him on the Warriors bench.  Meanwhile, Wiseman is allowed to play through Mistakes without getting yanked off the court after the first one.  Is Kerr becoming Don Nelson, and unable to develop any Big Men ( Damian Jones, Jordan Bell, Marquese Chriss, Wiseman, etc. ).
Dana Gauruder
2:35
They were looking for the more immediate help they'd get Payton, until they realized he was still hurt. They almost scuttled the entire deal. Yes, Wiseman's much more comfortable and putting up numbers with Detroit. But know that half of the PIstons' roster is out -- somebody's got to score and rebound. The real test for Wiseman will be how he blends next season with Cade, Ivey, Bojan, etc. And what if Pistons win the VW sweepstakes -- can Wiseman play alongside him?
EonADS
2:36
Realistic contract expectation for Austin Reaves? I realize the Gilbert Arenas rule makes it complicated, but what's most likely?
Dana Gauruder
2:39
Shams Charania reported this week that four years and $50 million is increasingly becoming Reaves' "marketplace." I don't know if there are franchises who believe he's worth that much but the cap is going to rise over the next few years. Alex Caruso got some nice coin from Bulls to bolt L.A,, perhaps Reaves will get a similar deal.
EonADS
2:39
Is Dillon Brooks truly a rotation-caliber player? Or just a rotation caliber annoyance? His shooting splits look like the worst of Josh Smith.
Dana Gauruder
2:41
There is a fine line between being an irritant who gets under the other team's skin and a liability by being kind of a loose cannon. He's racked up a bunch of techs, but if the Grizz believes he can be a difference maker at the defensive end, he'll continue to play.
Rerry Jeinsdorf
2:41
If the Bulls make a run (winning the 7 seed looks possible), maybe even score an upset against a team like the Celtics, think Bulls management can sell the narrative that Pat Bev made a big difference so this team can compete next year if they keep the team together and then keep Vuc and maybe Coby?
Dana Gauruder
2:43
That's the type of stuff that happens when a team makes a surprising run in the postseason. In this case, it's a big IF. Celtics, Bucks and Sixers will be tough outs, unless they're banged up come playoff time. In terms of Beverley, they like what's he brought to the table and locker room. I could see him re-signing there, but I still think they'd be in the market for another point guard this offseason due to Ball's knee issues.
Big Ole Shoes
2:43
Who is more likely to not be on their current team next year: Jaylen Brown, Luka Doncic, or Jimmy Butler?
Dana Gauruder
2:46
I can't conceive on Doncic goes anywhere. I know Brown talked about not knowing what the future holds for him but can't see him going anywhere until the Celtics flame out in the first or second round. Butler's more likely but that's a hefty contract extension, a lot of assets would have to be involved. Not impossible, but tough to make a deal. Still, more likely than the other two.
Joey JoJo Jr. Shabadoo
2:46
If the Rockets draft Wemby, how do they clear the logjam of Alpy and Jabari in the starting lineup?
Dana Gauruder
2:48
I think they'd love to have that dilemma. Can you play him at center or is he strictly a PF? Or will it matter at all? Just see how he fits in with the rest of the roster -- Smith and Sengun will have trade value if you need to move one of them, particularly Smith.
SPD
2:49
Would it be possible for a team such a the Rockets to agree to trade their pick before the lottery?  If so what could you see a team giving up for it?  Thanks
Dana Gauruder
2:50
Wouldn't make sense to deal a lottery pick before you know where it stands. You'd want to get maximum value if you choose to deal it. Even if you have a marginal chance of getting the top pick, or in the top three, you are not going to give up that lottery ticket until you know its true value.
Chris D
2:51
It seems like the Wizards are intent on trying to keep Kuzma and Porzingis after this year. Doing so would limit the options for improving over a team that wasn't very good when those 2 and Beal all played together. The only obvious path would be adding an impact PG in the upcoming draft. Do you think the same core PLUS an impact rookie PG would allow the Wiz to contend for a 6 seed (since that seems to be all they want anyway)?
Dana Gauruder
2:53
They're going to have to pay a hefty price to retain Kuzma. If you make that type of commitment, you would logically target a top-level PG to run the show. There are 3 PGs projected in the top 10, so it's possible but it's a lot to ask of a rookie to come in and make that type of impact.
Big Ole Shoes
2:54
With it being easier to score points now more than ever, is the Kings fast-paced, offense forward, defense be damned style of play the future of the league, like we saw with Warriors and the advent of 3 pt/spacing? Or is it just a blip that will become irrelevant once the playoffs begin and the game changes?
Dana Gauruder
2:56
The game has changed dramatically. You used to see teams score in the 80s and 90s in regular season and even moreso in postseason. I think you have to play some semblance of defense and get key stops but you can't expect to hold teams to 35-40 percent shooting to win four games in a playoff series. You've got to have offensive answers. Sacramento has got some of those -- they could certainly win a playoff series, maybe even 2. The Kings' biggest issue is lack of playoff experience -- it's a different kind of pressure than winning regular season games.
David
2:57
If both L.A. teams make the playoffs with healthy rosters who has the longer run?
Dana Gauruder
2:59
On paper, either team could make a nice run in postseason. The Lakers with AD and LeBron, Clippers with Kawhi and George. I'd lean toward the Clippers, if for no other reason than they're in a much better spot. The Lakers will be in the play in tourney if they make it, while Clips are sitting 5th in West.
Bob
2:59
How many roster spots does GS actuaLLY have? Wiggins out,Igodela out?
Dana Gauruder
3:01
They have the same amount of roster spots as everyone else -- 15 on regular roster, 2 two-ways. And they have a full roster currently after signing Lamb to a standard contract. Wiggins and Iguodala being out doesn't matter -- can't expand your roster.
TedKnox
3:03
I have a couple questions about the Hoopsrumors Best Available Free Agents listing. What are the criteria for inclusion on the listing? How long can an FA remain unsigned before he is taken off? I see a number of players on there that are looking unlikely to be signed at this point. Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, for example.
Dana Gauruder
3:05
I would mostly defer to Luke Adams, who compiles most of those lists. He'll be doing a chat on Thursday. As far as I know, at the moment we just list all the available players by position. There are some vets like Rondo and Aldridge who haven't officially retired on those lists, whether or not they're actively seeking to be signed.
Heat Fan
3:06
when do the Heat feel the heat and think about moving jimmy? Right now they are just trying to avoid the play-in.
Dana Gauruder
3:10
Well, they gave him a pretty hefty extension back in 2021. And in this current NBA climate, usually the star players ask to be moved before they get dealt. Let's say for argument's sake they pursue a deal this summer. His contract is estimated to be $45 mill plus next season, so their trade partner would have to match salaries. And they'd REALLY have to want Butler on their team to use that much of their cap space on him. Contract estimates to go up to $48 and $52 mill the following years.
Arcman
3:11
Where do you see Bob Myers ending up after the season? Looks like he has 1 foot out the door already.
Dana Gauruder
3:13
That's an interesting dynamic. If the hold up is truly a money matter, I don't understand why the Warriors' wouldn't make him one of the highest paid execs, if not the highest paid exec. Ownership has no qualms about paying luxury taxes, so why go looking for another GM? Perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes than we know about.
Iguodala
3:15
Why haven't the Warriors waived Iguodala and signed a new Player?  Its Pointless to keep him on the Roster if he is having Surgery and not Available for the Playoffs.
Dana Gauruder
3:16
We shall see how the Warriors handle that situation. But is there a guy out there they'd actually play in postseason? Most coaches shorten their rotations come playoff time.
3:19
I noticed when I glanced at the standings an interesting development -- no team in the league except the Sixers has won more than seven of their last 10 games. And only two teams -- fading Trail Blazers and injury-riddled Pistons -- have won fewer than three of their last 10. It speaks to the parity (mediocrity?) in the league.
4th starters
3:20
Are we or the league learning any new info from the dramatic differences we've seen this year on teams when their high-level role players are or aren't there (eg lonzo, Wiggins, poeltl, and even guys like Delon Wright and Caruso / bulls Bev)? Ofc fit and d always mattered but it seems like in recent years a lot of teams trusted their stars to elevate p much any rotation-level players. Whose trade / fa market might this affect?
Dana Gauruder
3:24
Not quite sure what you are driving at here -- that franchises won't value players as much beyond their top three guys? You need to right "glue" guys around your stars. Do the Warriors win it all last year unless Wiggins. Looney and Poole really step up and shine in key moments? And do the Celtics make it to the Finals last season without major contributions from guys like Smart and Grant Williams? Yes, your stars need to carry you in the postseason, particularly in the scoring column. But it is often the players around them making key plays that prove to be the difference.
3:27
FYI - In case you didn't see this item, Willis Reed died. He was part of those great Knicks teams with Clyde Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, Earl "The Peal" Monroe and yes, Phil "Action" Jackson -- as Marv Albert called him during his playing days. It is incredible that the Knicks franchise has gone 50 years without a championship.
Warriors fan
3:28
At what point, if any, do the Warriors owe their fans an explanation of the Wiggins situation? We pay good money to see these stars out there
Dana Gauruder
3:30
If it's a mental health issue, there's not a whole lot the organization can reveal unless the player wants to speak publicly (or use social media) to provide details. I'm in Detroit area and the Tigers had two players (Austin Meadows, E. Rodriguez) who were dealing with personal issues during the season. Very little was disclosed until the players talked about it.
3:31
That's all the time we have for today. Please join Luke Adams on Thursday for our next live chat.
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