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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 3/26/2024
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the NBA's hottest team.
Silver
12:01
The Rockets are coming together at the right time, it seems. Do you feel like they'll make the play-in, and if so, how do you like their chances?
ARTHUR HILL
12:04
What the Rockets have done since the injury to Alperen Sengun has been remarkable, but it has also come at a soft spot in their schedule. The games get much tougher over the next two and a half weeks. Golden State's schedule is slightly easier, and the Warriors hold the tie-breaker against Houston, so they're in a better spot for the 10th seed. Still, it would be a lot of fun to watch this Rockets team in the postseason, especially if there's a chance Sengun might return.
Dill
12:05
What happens if it comes out the Jontay Porter was betting and rigging his stats? Do they throw the book at him? Kick him out of the league?
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
Gambling is a very sensitive topic in the NBA right now, as evidenced by the $100K fine levied at Rudy Gobert for making the "money" sign at officials and suggesting that some of their calls are influenced by the point spread. I think the punishment would be very harsh if the allegations against Porter can be proven. Maybe a banishment of multiple years, if not for life.
Felix
12:07
The Portland Trail Blazers' record is 19-53.  But the teams' record when Malcolm Brogdon plays is 15-24.  Besides a possible head coaching change, do you foresee any significant roster moves for Portland in the offseason?  The top 8 players under contract for next season total over $150 million.
ARTHUR HILL
12:11
Several teams were interested in Brogdon at the trade deadline, and I expect Portland to revisit that this summer. It doesn't make sense to keep him for another year on a team that's clearly rebuilding. There may be a market for Robert Williams as well if teams aren't scared off by his injury history. Otherwise, the Blazers need to be content building through the draft, because the huge contracts for Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton are going to limit their flexibility for several years.
Go Cavs
12:11
Do you think the Cavs will sign Marcus Morris Sr for the rest of the year? I think him and Tristan Thompson bring some energy and toughness off the bench, which they really need!
ARTHUR HILL
12:14
I don't think Morris would have signed with Cleveland if he didn't have some indication that the arrangement would last through the end of the season. He's been playing rotation minutes for them and brings veteran depth to a team that's dealing with injuries. His first 10-day deal is about to expire, so we'll have our answer soon, but I expect him to be with the Cavs in the playoffs.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:15
To me the C's are a bit weak. I know they've killed the regular season, again, but the East is weak and those wins are a byproduct of the conference imo. I see the Heat or Knocks, if fully constituted, knocking them out. They're tougher teams mentally and physically. Thoughts?
ARTHUR HILL
12:19
A fully healthy version of Miami or New York would be a difficult matchup for the Celtics, as injuries have pushed both teams into seedings that are below their talent level. For all their dominance, late-game execution has been an issue for Boston, and that could be magnified against teams like the Knicks and Heat that know how to play tough, gritty playoff defense. Losing a 30-point lead last night probably isn't a major warning sign for the Celtics, but the inability to recover and close out the Hawks in a close game might be.
Oscar
12:19
In their last 30 games, the Utah Jazz record is 7-23.  Do you believe keeping their 1st round pick (top 10 protected) was the organization's priority or do you think the Jazz roster is as bad as Washington and Toronto's over these 30 games?
ARTHUR HILL
12:22
Watching Danny Ainge become a seller rather than a buyer at the trade deadline was an indication of which way Utah's season was headed. There was a pretty clear top 10 in the West at the time -- although it may have turned into a top 11 -- and Ainge believed his best move was to keep building for the future. He'll continue to collect assets and young talent until he gets the chance to bring another star to Utah.
Arcman
12:23
last year with the new CBA the warriors were handcuff not able to plug holes with free agents which has cost them this season. With Thompson and CP3 coming off the books will they have some money to sign some midlevel free agents?
ARTHUR HILL
12:27
The commitment to keeping Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green together limits what the Warriors can do with the rest of the roster as those three become more and more expensive. I expect Klay to be re-signed and Chris Paul might be back as well, although at a much lower salary. Golden State is still setting records with its luxury tax payments, and the team will eventually have to make room for a new deal with Jonathan Kuminga. Any offseason additions will likely be the modest, one-year types.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:27
If you're the Wolves who do you not want to see in the playoffs? For me it's the Pelicans. The inside size has given them trouble vs the Pels in the regular season. I don't see much outside of Denver and N.O. that present a problem in a best of 7. You see it any different?
ARTHUR HILL
12:33
The Nuggets will always be everyone's nightmare matchup in the West. Outside of them, you're correct that the Pelicans are a difficult team for Minnesota to face because of their size and physicality. The uncertainty over Karl-Anthony Towns' availability following knee surgery makes it tough to predict how the Wolves will fare in the first round. Without his scoring, there are several potential opponents with more playoff experience that could give them trouble.
Rivers
12:33
Can the 76ers make it to the second round in the playoffs if they finish with the 8th place?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
The eighth seed would be the worst possible outcome for Philadelphia because it presents a nightmare matchup with Boston with limited time to adjust to (hopefully) having Joel Embiid back in the lineup. The Sixers have been trying to create a new identity without their MVP, but it hasn't been successful so far. Any first-round matchup is going to be difficult, but I don't see how they could survive being the eighth seed.
Nate
12:37
Are we buying that this is finally the Jalen Green breakout we’ve been waiting for? Or is this another flash in the pan like the last few years? Seems he looks legitimately different now
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
Rockets coach Ime Udoka talks frequently about the improvement in Green's judgment -- his ability to read the defense and make the right play, whether that results in a shot for himself or his teammates. That's something that Green wasn't doing earlier in the season, and something he really wasn't taught during his first two years in the league. Last night's game against Portland was a perfect example. Green wasn't effective early, but he eventually figured out how to attack the Trail Blazers' defense. The influence of Udoka, Fred VanVleet and others have rubbed off on Green, and I'm confident that his recent improvement is legitimate.
Dried Up Klay
12:41
As the warriors close the book on a disappointing season, how much do they look to rebuild over the summer into next year? None of their top picks translated to franchise guys, so what do they even build around? Or is the organization happy to pay a "loyalty" tax and focus on winning a championship for real maybe 2, 3 years from now when the baggage is gone?
ARTHUR HILL
12:47
I think the sentiment is toward keeping the core of the championship team together, and the recent extension for coach Steve Kerr is evidence of that. Curry, Green and Thompson will want to play together as long as they can, and the progress from Jonathan Kuminga and a promising rookie season from Brandin Podziemski gives them a couple young players to build around. This group may not have another dominant regular season, but they'll address some problems this summer and should remain somewhat scary as a playoff opponent.
LENNY
12:47
Too late in the season to try to fit Gabe Vincent into the rotation? It was a much-praised signing that hasn't had a chance.
ARTHUR HILL
12:50
Vincent is making progress in his return from arthroscopic surgery and hopes to play again before the end of the season. However, he's missed so much time and hasn't had the benefit of playing alongside his teammates. It's hard to expect him to contribute much in this year's postseason, but he'll be a nice asset for the Lakers if he can stay healthier next season.
Playoff Schedule
12:51
When will the playoff schedule (dates/times) be announced?
ARTHUR HILL
12:54
Some of the schedule is already in place. The play-in games will take place from April 16-19, and the first round will start April 20. Tentative dates are also set for the beginning of the conference semifinals and finals, but those can be adjusted depending how long the early series take. The Finals will start June 6.
Wilt the Stilt
12:54
All the previous Laker rumors had them upgrading at PG.  However, his play this year looks like he would be able to opt out for a bigger deal rather than becoming a key trade chip.  What do you think happens?
ARTHUR HILL
12:56
D'Angelo Russell is in a very good situation with the Lakers, who give him a lot of freedom in the offense, but he's in position to easily exceed his $18.7 player option for next season if he hits the open market. He should put his concerns ahead of the team and opt out this summer.
Dalen Terryble
12:57
Who’s the draft prospects likely available for non competitive teams who lose in the play in tourney range this year? #selltheteam
ARTHUR HILL
12:59
Draft experts don't have much agreement on a top five this year, so it's more difficult than usual to project the lower end of the lottery. Some names to watch in that range include Purdue's Zach Edey, Duke's Kyle Filipowski and international big man Tidjane Salaun.
Go Cavs
12:59
Do you there is any chance that LeBron comes back to Cleveland to finish out his career?
ARTHUR HILL
1:01
It would be a great story, but I expect LeBron to re-sign with the Lakers this summer, probably at close to the amount he wants in a multi-year deal. He likes L.A. and is a good bet to finish his career there.
Thanks for the great questions. We'll do it again next week.
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