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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 3/28/2022
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LukaLegend
1:00
If the Mavs miss the playoffs, it’s not my fault. Blame Jason Kidd for not putting us in a position to succeed. Mostly true? Or mostly false?
Dana Gauruder
1:03
There's plenty of blame to go around, and Jason Kidd has been a part of it for not getting more out of the players he has. But the bigger fault with dropping a proverbial bomb onto the team at the trade deadline. The deal for Irving has messed up their chemistry and stripped them of role players who did the dirty work. I understand that it's a superstar-driven league but I never thought a Luka-Kyrie was going to make them a stronger contender.
Big Ole Shoes
1:03
A week ago I asked whether Jimmy Butler, Luka (Doncic), or Jaylen Brown would be the most likely player to be on another team next season. You said Butler. With recent Brown interviews and Mavericks precarious slide, is your answer still the same?
Dana Gauruder
1:07
I would, but it's a lot closer. I don't understand why Brown, even if he says his comments were taken out of context, would want to bring any contract concerns to the forefront when you're on a serious contender at this stage of season. I think another trip to Finals would erase that. Luka is clearly frustrated with what's going on in Dallas -- he said as much last weekend. What I don't see is Cuban bending to his wishes and hitting the reset button.
Derek
1:07
Who are some realistic trade targets for the Bulls this off season?
Dana Gauruder
1:09
Hard to say without seeing how this season plays out. I would think it's the other way around -- would they consider breaking up the DeRozan-LaVine duo? If they decide to keep them, then they'll look for another point guard and possible a center if they don't re-sign Vuc.
GG
1:09
I am a little concerned that the 2nd best player for the Raptors has consistently been Poertl since the trade deadline. Does this mean that the Raptors are not very good? I never thought of him as a #2 option. Is there something wrong with the coaching?
Dana Gauruder
1:12
I think he fits a role very well in a system that he previously played in. That's why they're intent on re-signing him. Now that they've got a relatively healthy team, they're playing better -- winning 5 out of 7. They could be a dangerous team if they emerge from the play-in. As for the coaching situation, there seems to be some rumblings regarding Nurse. If they have a short stay in postseason, wouldn't shock me if they part ways with him.
Hawks fan
1:13
Is Trae Young hurting or helping the Hawks? His turnover rate (not the team, but his own) is really high
Dana Gauruder
1:15
His turnover rate has always been pretty high. Looking at it season by season, he's turning it over about the same as he always does. You can live with some of that if he's producing points and assists at a high rate. One of the reasons Snyder was brought in was to bond with Young and get him to be a more efficient player. It's generally accepted that the Hawks are basically going through an evaluation period the rest of the way -- which players Snyder wants going forward and who needs to go. Would be surprising if they trade Young but not out of the question.
Please Answer
1:16
Is it safe to say that we learned Jerami Grant can't be a legit 2nd option this season?
Dana Gauruder
1:18
He hasn't played a bunch lately but I don't know about him being a No. 2 scoring option. I think you look at him for defense and rebounding as much as being a 17- to 20-point scorer. No doubt Portland has been hugely disappointing this season. The Blazers either need more talent or perhaps Lillard finally gives the go-ahead for a trade and they hit restart button.
JC
1:19
Can Dallas mess be fixed or should they start over?
Dana Gauruder
1:19
I just don't Cuban signing off on a full rebuild and watching them lose badly for a few years.
Billiken
1:20
With Towns back in the lineup, how far can the Timberwolves go in the playoffs?
Dana Gauruder
1:23
Is there a team in the West that truly scares everybody? It's as wide open as you can imagine. The standings are juggled on almost a daily basis. Right now, I believe they're sixth and Kings are 3rd. Sacramento has had a breakthrough season but who knows how they'll react to postseason? Other teams -- Suns and Clippers -- have major injury concerns. Minnesota could get out of the first round. I doubt they could go any further but maybe this year the NBA will be as unpredictable as this year's Final Four.
Matt
1:24
Looking at the West playoffs, assuming the top 4 are DEN, MEM, SAC, and PHX in some order, which of these feels vulnerable to the lower seeded teams and to what extent, i.e. SAC may be a threat to get upset in 1st round to multiple different teams in the bottom half just based on experience, etc. Are Warriors good enough to upset any one of those top 4 given their experience/talent, how many of them could 'healthy' Clippers or Wolves realistically beat?
Dana Gauruder
1:26
I think I pretty answered that with the previous question. You'd think Memphis will be a tough out if there's no more issues with Ja. Denver will have a lot of pressure as the top seed but they should make a deep run. The Suns, if KD can stay on the court, are capable of making the Finals. I don't see a repeat by the Warriors -- they've been far too inconsistent and so poor on the road this season.
Just Fowl
1:27
Does Embiid ask out if Sixers don’t get to Eastern finals at least? Heard he wants to go to MIA.
Dana Gauruder
1:31
I'm sure Pat Riley would welcome his presence but even if Embiid wanted to go there, the Sixers don't have trade him there or anywhere else. He's got a big extension kicking in and in his prime. What could the Heat give up to get back -- send Butler back kicking and screaming to a city he already bolted? Let's see how far the Sixers get this postseason before speculating about Embiid.
Rodeo clowns are athletes!
1:32
How early of a playoff exit gets Michael Malone fired?
Dana Gauruder
1:34
He got an extension about this time last year, so I don't know if they'd move on from him that quickly. If they got bounced in the first round, you'd think he'd be in the hot seat. If they lost in conference semis, would depend on the opponent, untimely injuries, length of the series, etc. That being said, I think his job is safer than most NBA coaches.
Just Fowl
1:34
With rumblings that Lillard and Beale might part ways with their clubs, and the questions surrounding Brown and his commitment to BOS after next year, do the C’s make a move for either player to keep the competitive window open for the duration of Tatum’s contract (another issue to be dealt with in two years)?
Dana Gauruder
1:37
With a team like Boston, I don't see the Celtics worrying about that right now. Really, their fans shouldn't be concerned with it, either. They've got a championship level team. They made the Finals last year and, on paper, have better depth with the addition of Brogdon. Just enjoy the playoff ride and if they fall short, then they can concern themselves with bringing in a Lillard or Beal. And is Beal an upgrade from Brown? I don't think so.
GG
1:37
Any draft prospects you are high on after the top 6 consensus ...
Dana Gauruder
1:42
Obviously Wembanyama, Henderson and Miller (if the gun incident doesn't scare teams away) are in that group. Would you say the Thompsons and Walker are the next tier? Jordan Hawkins might be the best pure shooter in the draft, great stroke from 3. Hood-Schifino should be a real good pro and Jackson-Davis is underrated. Real solid all-around college player, I think he'll be a steal late first-round or early second-round.
Wolves Fan
1:42
Is my team finally starting to get it together? They've looked pretty good since KAT came back. Please give me some hope.
Dana Gauruder
1:45
You've got hope! They're not only in postseason picture, they've got a good chance to finish in the top six. Conley has settled their point guard issues in the short run and Reid is a nice frontcourt piece to have behind Towns and Gobert. He's having a breakout season -- hopefully for their sake, they can re-sign him. They had a taste of postseason last year, so the stage should not intimidate them.
Guest
1:45
If Luka was to be shopped, what teams would be at the front of the line? My guess would be Denver
Dana Gauruder
1:48
Again, I don't think Cuban will sign off on a Luka trade unless things got real ugly there this offseason. But if for argument's sake the Mavs feel compelled to trade them, they're going to ask for the moon and stars for him -- tons of first-round picks, plus at least one or two quality young players. Could Denver satisfy those conditions? Doubt it.
Guest
1:48
How does Hoopsrumors determine the veterans who are on the site Free Agents listing? Is there a limit on how long a player can be on there after their last NBA game? In other words when they are effectively retired even though they've not made it official?
Dana Gauruder
1:50
There are a lot of players who haven't officially called it quits but have yet to find an NBA home this season. You might see a few players on the master list sign a 10-day contract or something of that nature with the season winding down. But time's running out for everyone in the group.
GG
1:50
Do the Knicks or Heat have any chance of advancing to the Conference finals?
Dana Gauruder
1:53
If you're in it, there's a chance. In their cases, I'd say slim. The Knicks are a much more dangerous team than when Atlanta knocked them a couple years ago. Brunson and the development of their young players make them much more diversified. The Heat haven't really put it together all season but they have plenty of playoff experience and play a style conducive to the postseason. That being said, I think Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia are just better. A key injury here or there to those teams could change that but I doubt Knicks or Heat can reach the conference finals.
teej-A
1:53
Does Carmello Anthony or DeMarcus Cousins ever play in the NBA again?
Dana Gauruder
1:55
If no team wanted to sign them this year, I don't see how the landscape changes at all next season.
hiding in plain sight?
1:55
This year we've had a few fourth-starter type players on their 2nd contracts break out after trades. Bridges, Lauri, Brunson (although he was on his way) became stars, and then Poeltl/ Kennard / Hart are all still role guys but more optimized now. Have you seen anyone this year who looks poised for that kind of a trade boost for 23-24?
Dana Gauruder
1:57
Wow, I'd have to go through it team by team to pick out players who could fulfill that role. How about Terry Rozier as a sixth or seventh man for a contender? Kind of Lou Williams-style instant offense player.
1:59
That's all for today. We'll hold our next chat once again on Tuesday afternoon. By then, maybe we'll have a little more clarity regarding the playoff seedings and who's in and who's out!
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