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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 4/16/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:02
Welcome to this week's chat. There are plenty of playoff questions to get to, and we'll start with one on the Hawks.
Kim
12:02
I’m curious. If the Hawks lose tonight to the Chicago Bulls, how is the front office viewing this past regular season. Are we blowing it all up, making changes to front office or just making minor fringe changes to support either Trae or Dejounte. I’m assuming at least one or both will be traded. What do you think? My Hawks are not looking good. Thanks.
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
I don't think the Hawks did anything this year to justify keeping the current roster together. They searched for Dejounte Murray deals before the deadline and couldn't find anything to their liking. It's time to see what they can get in return for Trae Young. There are probably several teams, including the Lakers, that are willing to make generous offers.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:06
Bad draw for the Wolves. Do you give them a shot against Phoenix? KD and Beal sure did look like they enjoyed being the villains Sunday at Target Center.
ARTHUR HILL
12:09
Minnesota would have been better off if the Pelicans had kept the sixth seed, as the Suns will present a major challenge for one of the league's best defenses. With the late-season emergence of Beal, the blueprint for Phoenix is coming together as it's hard to control him, Durant and Booker. The Wolves will have to lean on their size advantage and control the paint to win the series.
Guest
12:10
Why does it feel like the Knicks are underdogs against either the Heat or the 76ers in a first round matchup? The Heat just have their number. The 76ers are back in elite form and with all players healthy, would have been the 2 seed at worst. The Knicks lost this series either way and if by some miracle win the dog fight, it is likely in 7 games.
ARTHUR HILL
12:15
Underdogs may be an exaggeration, but either series could be challenging, especially if Joel Embiid is reasonably healthy following meniscus surgery. New York wasn't afraid to step up and take the No. 2 seed on Sunday, and they may be the East's second-best team even without Julius Randle. I expect a tough series with either team, but I also expect the Knicks to advance.
Oh Deer
12:15
If Bucks lose in the first round what is the fallout? And how would they fix it?
ARTHUR HILL
12:20
The Bucks aren't good defensively on the perimeter, so that's going to be an area to address this summer regardless of how the playoffs turn out. There won't be another coaching change, and Giannis is under an extension so they won't have to worry about him leaving. He and Lillard should get at least one more season together before the Bucks consider major changes.
Connor
12:20
When will hornets ever be relevant again?🤣
ARTHUR HILL
12:23
The NBA tends to go in cycles, so even though the Hornets have been down for a long time, they'll eventually be back up again. Brandon Miller was a home run after several egregious draft mistakes in recent years. It will be fun to watch him and LaMelo Ball together, assuming Ball is able to put together a healthy season. With a new coach and a new front office, there's finally reason for some optimism in Charlotte.
JP
12:24
Hi, how do you think Mavs will do during the playoffs?
ARTHUR HILL
12:28
The Mavericks have been one of the league's hottest teams over the last month or so, and they appear to be in a good playoff bracket. If Kawhi Leonard's knee continues to be a problem, they could dispatch the Clippers quickly, which leads to a second-round matchup with OKC or a play-in team. The addition of Daniel Gafford as another rim protector has provided a huge lift to the defense, and Luka and Kyrie give them two very dangerous crunch time scorers. I could see Dallas making a long playoff run.
TrustTheProcess
12:29
When looking at  the Sixers-Heat matchup, who needs to step up from a scoring standpoint to help Embiid and Maxey? Is it Tobias Harris or Kelly Oubre Jr.?
ARTHUR HILL
12:32
I would suggest Buddy Hield, who was acquired at the trade deadline to provide a three-point threat. He and Joel Embiid didn't get a lot of minutes together during the regular season because of Embiid's meniscus injury, but he should see plenty of open opportunities tomorrow as Miami focuses its defense on stopping Embiid.
Teej-A
12:33
Coaches on the hot seat during the playoffs?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
J.B. Bickerstaff can't afford another first-round loss in Cleveland, especially after the Cavs appeared to throw away Sunday's game for a more favorable matchup. There have been whispers about Darvin Ham, and I would expect the Lakers to consider a coaching change if they don't get out of the play-in.  Keep an eye on Tyronn Lue as well if the Clippers are eliminated early.
Chartres
12:37
Can really the Celtics extend Derrick White's contract? Do you think it's likely or not? Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
12:39
The roster is becoming extremely expensive, but the Celtics seem willing to pay whatever it takes to be title contenders. White has been an excellent addition, and he and Jrue Holiday have formed one of the league's best backcourts. White is too valuable to part with, so I'd expect an extension, even with all the second apron penalties it would bring.
Chris Finch
12:40
What is going to happen to my roster if we are swept in the first round?
ARTHUR HILL
12:43
Next year is the first season for Karl-Anthony Towns' extension, which starts at $49.4MM and ends with a $61.2MM player option in 2027/28. The combination of Gobert and Towns has looked much better this season, but KAT remains an obvious trade candidate and the Wolves might start exploring those options this summer if a high team salary doesn't lead to playoff success.
St Patrick Riley
12:44
Heat making ECF again as the typical dark horse? Playoff Jimmy, healthy Herro, Bam playing well?
ARTHUR HILL
12:47
Don't forget Erik Spoelstra, who shows every spring why he's one of the best coaches in the league. The Heat dealt with injuries from the start of training camp and barely had a set starting lineup, but they still finished just one game out of fifth place. They're a dangerous playoff matchup for anyone.
Teej-A
12:48
How many legitimate contenders for the title are there?
ARTHUR HILL
12:53
The Celtics are clear favorites in the East and the Nuggets are probably in the same position in the West, even as the No. 2 seed. There are more contenders, but those two are in a separate tier. There are several teams that you can argue belong in the next group, but more than ever this year's playoffs are going to depend on matchups and health.
Capital Tankers
12:53
First round upset that you see happening?
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
Even without Giannis' injury, I thought the Pacers were a bad matchup for the Bucks. They were 4-1 against Milwaukee this season, including a win in the in-season tournament. Indiana has plenty of weapons to exploit the Bucks' defensive weaknesses, and we might see Tyrese Haliburton looking more like the elite guard he was earlier in the season. Milwaukee really hasn't been good since Doc Rivers took over. They need an offseason to regroup, and it might start early.
Keith
12:58
What do you think of Caitlin Clark, the #1 pick in the WNBA draft!
ARTHUR HILL
1:00
In addition to her obvious on-court talents, Clark has a star quality that goes beyond the game. That's a huge reason why the women's NCAA Tournament posted record ratings this year. She'll create interest among a lot of casual fans, which is just what the WNBA needs.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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