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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 4/2/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:02
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a March Madness question.
Dill
12:02
Any one in particular helping their draft stock with their March madness performance?
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
The obvious answer is UConn center Donovan Clingan, who has looked dominant throughout the tournament, especially in the Elite 8. Clingan is projected at No. 3 in ESPN's latest mock draft, and some NBA personnel believe he can become a Rudy Gobert type on defense. Tennessee's Dalton Knecht is also reportedly moving up draft boards.
Timberwolves
12:05
What is the positive for us with the Glen Taylor situation?
ARTHUR HILL
12:08
It's a complex fight that could go on for a long time and will likely be decided in the courts. Wolves players and coaches may say it's not affecting them, but it still presents a huge distraction that can't be ignored. If there's anything positive, maybe it's the speculation that the team has become so good -- and the future looks so bright -- that Taylor had second thoughts about wanting to sell off his majority interest.
Kim
12:08
As a Hawks fan, I’m seeing great team ball now and some increased winning with Trae Young out on injury status. Now, he’s still my favorite player and a star in my eyes. But clearly he is not a good fit for the Hawks or certainly not alongside Murray. What do you think will be the plan this off season? At this point now that we have had sufficient games to see possibilities will they still just sit and wait for Trae to ask out? I know he fills seats but cmon give us some hope here for some type of future other than what we Hawks fans have been going through.Thanks.
ARTHUR HILL
12:12
I definitely expect the Hawks to explore the trade market for Trae Young this summer, and he's among the most likely players to be on the move. As exciting as he can be to watch, Atlanta has enjoyed limited success with Young as the focus of the team. They should be able to get a nice package of talent in return, and teaming that that Jalen Johnson and Dejounte Murray probably gives them a better future than the current roster.
Detroit Pistons
12:12
What is a positive for us this summer?
ARTHUR HILL
12:15
There are more positives in Detroit than you might expect for a team with a 13-62 record. There's already a good young core of talent in place, led by Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren. The Pistons will add to that with another high lottery pick this summer. And they have plenty of cap room to go shopping in free agency. They may not make a huge jump like the Rockets did, but those are all assets that Houston had heading into last offseason.
St Patrick Riley
12:16
What are your thoughts on the Heat's chances come playoff time? Flirting with the play-in, 17-24 record against winning teams. I feel like outside of the Grizzlies (the worst injury bug I've ever seen), Miami hasn't had a fully healthy roster all year. Love, Duncan, and soon to be Herro are all approaching being 100%. Enough time to mesh and play the underdog/dark horse again?
ARTHUR HILL
12:18
Assuming a somewhat healthy roster by the time the postseason arrives, Miami can be as dangerous as anyone. We know Jimmy Butler turns up his game several levels in the playoffs, and Erik Spoelstra is able mix and match players to create effective lineups as well as anyone. Last year was a reminder that we shouldn't put too much stock in regular season performance when we evaluate the Heat.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:18
Talk to me about a KAT for Ben Simmons trade. Simmons has one year left so it's a salary dump for the Wolves in getting rid of KAT and if Ben gives you anything it's a bonus. KAT back home to the tri state area and the Wolves clear $10M for 2024-25 and $40M for 2025-26 keeping the window open.
ARTHUR HILL
12:22
It's an intriguing premise, but I think the Wolves would want actual assets if they trade Towns, rather than taking a flyer on Simmons. Cap considerations definitely figure into the equation, but even with Towns' hefty contract, Minnesota could get far better trade offers if they make him available. Plus, can you imagine the reaction of Wolves fans who've waited so long for their team to be good if they trade one of their best players and all they get is Simmons?
Toronto Raptors
12:23
Where do we go from here?
ARTHUR HILL
12:26
It's a rebuilding project in Toronto for the foreseeable future. That was signaled with Masai Ujiri decided to trade Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby at midseason. The Raptors are doing everything they can to avoid losing their (top-six protected) first-round pick to San Antonio, so they're probably not actually as bad as they've looked during the 13-game losing streak, but it might be a few years before we see them in the playoffs again.
TrustTheProcess
12:27
Assuming Joel Embiid returns before the playoffs, do you see the team making it to the second round?
ARTHUR HILL
12:31
The Sixers looked as good as anyone early in the year, and this version of Embiid may have been the best we've ever seen him. He's an elite player on both ends of the court in a conference that has few centers who can match up with him. Matchups obviously matter in the playoffs, and it will be tough for Philly if they face Miami in the play-in or Boston in the first round, but they're a scary opponent with a healthy Embiid on the court.
Ted
12:31
How would you recap Rajon Rondo's NBA career?
ARTHUR HILL
12:35
In case anyone missed it, Rondo recently appeared on a show hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson and confirmed that his NBA career is over. Rondo should be remembered as a fierce leader and someone who got the most out of his talent. Shooting was an issue for him from the time he entered the league, but he still managed to play 16 seasons and win two titles. He might not have been as successful if he were born 10 years later because of the increased importance of three-point shooting, but he maximized his talents in his era.
Guest
12:36
Tom Thibs does well during the regular season but in the playoffs has been outcoached repeatedly. He does well against bad teams but against great coaching he falls short. He is too stubborn with his lineups and gives minutes to good players despite the matchups or adjustments by the opposition. The Knicks have a ceiling because of this and I don't think they ever make it out of the second round. As great as he has been with defense and establishing an identity, the Knicks are a bit stuck in their current position of being a good team but not great because of Tom Thibs. What do they do?
ARTHUR HILL
12:40
The Knicks have built their roster around Thibodeau's philosophy, so it's hard to imagine a coaching change even if there's another early playoff exit. Health concerns will make it tougher to evaluate Thibodeau based on this postseason because there's a real chance that OG Anunoby and Julius Randle may not be available. Thibodeau defines the identity of the organization, and it's much more likely that he gets an extension this summer than gets fired.
DC
12:40
How realistic is it for LAL to trade A. Reeves for 3rd star this off season.  LeBrons championship window closing fast.  Thanks
ARTHUR HILL
12:44
The Lakers will be aggressive about adding a third star this summer, but I don't expect them to move Reaves unless it's absolutely necessary to land the player they want. Reaves is still young, he's got a team-friendly contract and he's familiar with Darvin Ham's system and the unique challenges that come with being LeBron James' teammate. The Lakers weren't interested in moving him at the deadline, and there's no reason for that stance to change.
Andy Larsen
12:44
During last week’s chat, you stated, “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.” Selling Simone Fontecchio, Ochai Agbaji, and Kelly Olynyk has resulted in a record of 3-20 since those trades. Do you believe the Jazz organization should be fined like the Dallas Mavericks last year for $750,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league.”?
ARTHUR HILL
12:49
Last year, the Mavericks had a roster that was clearly capable of reaching the play-in. They lost games late in the season that it appeared they shouldn't have, including a pair to Charlotte, and the league believed it was intentional to avoid losing their first-round pick. What the Jazz are doing is more of a time-honored tradition of using young players and losing over a long stretch. It's still tanking and it's still detrimental to the league, but the NBA has never punished it in this form.
Put me in, Loggins
12:49
What will it take for Joe Mazulla to earn respect as a head coach? Is a championship the only proof? Even then, people still question Doc's abilities. Or is it Sysephean due to the less obvious work being done in contrast to countable buckets, assists, etc?
ARTHUR HILL
12:53
Mazzulla will always have the stigma that he inherited a championship-level roster and that anybody could win with the Celtics' talent. He's done an impressive job this season with developing his bench and knowing when to provide nights off for his six best players. It may take an NBA title for him to get the recognition he deserves, but he's definitely improved over last year.
MVP
12:54
Has Dallas' recent surge -- and Doncic's elite play all season -- changed your opinion on who should win MVP? Who would you pick to win right now? And who do you think will end up winning?
ARTHUR HILL
12:57
One problem with MVP voting is that narratives develop early in the season and some voters don't deviate from them. Nikola Jokic established himself as the MVP favorite during the winter, especially once Joel Embiid was sidelined after meniscus surgery. Doncic has been amazing, and the Mavericks' move up the standings should get him some votes. I still expect Jokic to win, but Doncic and SGA are legitimate contenders.
Paul George
12:58
Do you expect me to stay with the Clippers? It's probably a long shot, but a return to Indiana would be an interesting story and seems like it would be a great on-court fit.
ARTHUR HILL
1:01
The longer George goes without an extension, the more the rumor mill is going to heat up. Going back to Indiana would be a great story, but the Sixers have cap room and may give him his best chance to compete for a title. I expect Steve Ballmer to eventually pay whatever it takes to keep George in L.A., but it will be a story to watch, especially if the Clippers have another early playoff exit.
Thanks for the great questions again this week. I'll talk to you next Tuesday.
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