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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 4/18/2023
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HoopLA
1:00
More likely to advance to Round 2: Clips or Lakers?
Dana Gauruder
1:03
Right now, you'd have to say the Lakers. Morant's hand injury is a big concern for Memphis, which is already missing Adams. Who picks up the scoring slack if Morant's is out or limited? The Lakers' supporting cast has been really upgraded -- got to give their front office credit. Clippers' win the other day was solid but can they win the series without PG? The Suns still have KD, Booker and Chris Paul and I don't expect them to go quietly.
Better be Better
1:03
What path do you realistically see the Bulls taking to improve? What does a trade return look like for Demar? It’s been 15 years since we had lottery luck, do we get a top 4 pick?
Dana Gauruder
1:07
The odds are that pick is going to the Magic. I wouldn't count on them getting into the lottery. Can't depend on Ball coming back, so I think they'd have to make a big deal. If a star player like Trae Young or Lillard becomes available, I think they have to be proactive. Trading DeRozan independently would be more of an "asset" move, getting some picks from a contender that might view him as missing link.
EonADS
1:07
Cavs bounce-back tonight? The Knicks exposed their flaws in Game 1, but they had about a dozen shots just refuse to go in when they should have.
Dana Gauruder
1:09
I was surprised how quickly Randle was able to return from that ankle injury. He played 34 minutes. However, Hart is a key guy and he's questionable to play. I see that series going the distance, barring a major injury along the way, so I definitely see Cavs evening the series tonight.
Josef
1:09
Suns and Clippers: Will it be another battle or do you think it will be a blow out in favor of the suns?
Dana Gauruder
1:09
Tonight? Not sure if it'll be a blowout but I do think the Suns will respond and win the game.
EonADS
1:10
What kind of contract is Westbrook looking at in the offseason? I'd say non-taxpayer middy (about 11 mil a year) for value over 3 years sounds about right.
Dana Gauruder
1:12
I thought he was playing himself out of the league but seems to be reviving his career with the Clippers. You'd still have to put up with his subpar shooting but when he's locked in, he can make winning plays like he did the other day. A mid-level seems reasonable, though he may have to settle for a taxpayer's ML to stay with a contender. Cannot see him signing with a team that doesn't have obvious title aspirations.
EonADS
1:13
Any RFA's you expect to see change teams over the offseason?
Dana Gauruder
1:15
Let's take a quick scan at the list. Cam Johnson and PJ Washington are a couple of guys that jump out at me. Lakers will have to figure a way to hold onto both Rui and Reaves -- the latter, especially, could be tough to retain given how much he's pumped up his value.
TrustTheProcess
1:16
Do you think the league will suspend both Domantas Sabonis (for instigating last night’s incident) and Draymond Green?
Dana Gauruder
1:17
Doubt they'll suspend Sabonis. He might get a fine. Given Draymond's history, I think there's a good possibility he'll get hit with a one-game ban.
Robert s
1:18
I still think phx should be favored but i think clips have a fighting shot. Your thoughts?
Dana Gauruder
1:19
I spoke about that series earlier but the big thing for the Clippers is Kawhi looks like the guy who carried Raptors to a championship. He's all the way back from that injury. But I'd still lean to the Suns with KD, Booker and Paul leading the way.
EonADS
1:19
Have the playoffs this year been poorly officiated? I've seen a lot of complaining from people, and I didn't feel like the Cavs-Knicks game was well done.
Dana Gauruder
1:21
There are always complaints about the officiating, deserved or not. The ability to review calls has made some of the late-game issues but certainly not all of them. Plus, a lot of the veteran officials have retired -- there are more younger, less experienced guys with the whistles these days.
EonADS
1:21
Should the Thunder make an immediate trade for a big man, or see how Holmgren shakes out?
Dana Gauruder
1:23
We posted a quick update yesterday on Holmgren. He says the rehab process is pretty much over with. Got to get him steady minutes next year and reap the benefits of his skill set. However, it would not surprise me if OKC dipped into its assets and brought in an impact vet or two. The Thunder are ready to make the next step and it would be a great idea for the front office to send a message that they're ready to win regularly from now on.
EonADS
1:24
Is Deandre Ayton a disappointment as a former #1 overall pick? He's stayed the same player since his first year in the league, and that player wasn't necessarily impressive.
Dana Gauruder
1:26
The Suns were kind of caught in a tough spot when he became an RFA. They couldn't really give up on him, considering they were already a contender, but they had to overpay to retain him. With KD and Booker, he doesn't have to score a ton. They just need him to pound the glass and play solid D. If he could develop that mentality, he'd be a much greater asset.
Wannes
1:27
should draymond be punished? And does this significantly impact his contract for next year?
Dana Gauruder
1:30
I have a number of Draymond questions here. As stated earlier, I do think he'll draw a suspension. As for his contract, he doesn't have to leave $27-plus million on the table. He could decide opt in. If he opts out, I think there are teams out there who would put up with his antics in order to get his fiery attitude, defense and unselfishness on the offensive end on their side.
Doncic
1:30
Luka to the Knicks. RJ+7#1’s. Who says no?
Dana Gauruder
1:32
I'll believe Mark Cuban will go into rebuild mode when I see it. He's never operated that way and I don't see him giving the OK to trade his best player for draft assets.
Dee
1:32
Are you surprised that more teams did not tank to get the top draft spot?
Dana Gauruder
1:36
Not really. The play-in tournament has encouraged more teams to keep pushing. Plus, the bad teams were REALLY bad this year. The Pistons were in white flag mode most of the season. Pretty much the same with the Spurs and Rockets. Those teams essentially locked up the best spots in the draft order by the All-Star break. The Hornets had the fourth-worst record, mainly due to fact that Ball was out a good portion of the season, rather than tank mode. Actually, it's a good sign for the league going forward that more teams are actually trying to win.
Goyo
1:36
What's the best plan ahead for the blazers? Rebuild with young players or trade Dame (if he wants out)?
Dana Gauruder
1:39
Cronin is in a tough spot, unless Lillard makes it easier for him by requesting a trade. My gut tells me they'd actually be better off going into the full rebuild. But if Lillard does want to stay, they'll have trade some young guys (Simons and/or Sharpe) to get a proven All-Star level player and they'll have to be active on free agent market, re-signing Grant and probably another solid rotation player.
Rusty Nail
1:39
A specific ref has a problem with a specific player and biased calls reflect regularly that. Is that real or just imagined? If real, how big of a problem is it?
Dana Gauruder
1:42
There have been over the years certain players who have run-ins with specific officials. The Chris Paul-Scott Foster (he's doing Game 2) jinx is an example -- Paul's team never wins when Foster officiates. However, the league doesn't factor that kind of stuff into their assignments. Officials are constantly evaluated and the ones who grade out the best get the plum postseason assignments.
Awooo
1:42
Which teams might be considered the best fits and/or most likely to be an offseason landing spot for Naz Reid in the offseason, does he project as a probable starter or 6th-man by teams on the market?
Dana Gauruder
1:45
It was a shame Reid got hurt right before the postseason. He was having a breakout season at the right time. I definitely could see teams out there who view him as a starter. He'll get paid this offseason and I'm sure the Timberwolves will try to re-sign him. I think he'll get someone's full mid-level if he chooses to go elsewhere.
Ted Knox
1:45
Dana, which online resources do you have up for quick access when you do these chats? I've always wondered about what you and Luke use.
Dana Gauruder
1:47
Generally, our own website! We have a lot of resources there. I might take a quick look at ESPN's player pages for stats and game logs and Spotrac is an excellent source for contract specifics for players and teams.
Big Ole Shoes
1:47
Is the Kawahi/PG experiment a failure, or has Ty Lue actually led them to overachieve given all the injuries/bad luck?
Dana Gauruder
1:49
Ty is an excellent coach and the Clippers aren't devoid of talent beyond the top two. They've got some solid rotation pieces. I've been impressed how he's juggled all those point guards (Westbrook, Hyland, Mann) and found ways to get them on the court.
Optimistic Kings fan
1:49
What are the chances the Dubs get swept by the Kings?
Dana Gauruder
1:50
Well, they do have to play the next couple on the Warriors' home court. Regardless of Draymond's status, I don't think the Splash Brothers will get swept out of there. Golden State has been lousy on the road all season but they're a different team at home.
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