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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 4/9/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question about the Knicks.
Chase
12:01
Without Randle coming, it feels like the knicks have a ceiling in the postseason. Do you agree? I don't think Brunson can carry them all the way through he playoffs and thowe great teams by himself without that solidified #2.
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
Randle's injury seems like it puts a cap on the Knicks' playoff hopes. The offense is too limited without him in the lineup, and Jalen Brunson can only do so much, especially under playoff conditions. Knicks fans can take comfort in how the team played when everyone was healthy and look forward to next season when that group will be together again.
Wilt the Stilt
12:05
With the Lakers roster coming together nicely with a lot of them on multiyear deals do you see them standing pat?  Or using the 1sts and some salary to get a star?  I see it being more likely they stand pat but then they are not maximizing the picks in LBJ's last years.  What happens?
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
When the Lakers negotiate LeBron's next contract this summer, I expect them to provide some assurance that they'll be aggressive in chasing a third star. He won't want to keep carrying the offense well into his 40s, and picking up another scorer would save a lot of wear and tear in the regular season. GM Rob Pelinka will be very busy on the trade market.
Go Cavs
12:08
I wanted to ask your thoughts on the Cavs, I think if they don’t go very far in the playoffs, they will make 2 moves, they will move on from Bickerstaff and they will move on from either Mitchell or Garland, what’s your thoughts?
ARTHUR HILL
12:12
There were rumors that Bickerstaff's job was in jeopardy after last year's first-round exit, and those will surely reemerge if the Cavs are bounced early again, even though he has several years left on his contract. Mitchell might become the top name on the trade market this summer if he doesn't sign an extension. Rumors will always focus on the New York teams because that's where he grew up, but the Heat may be worth watching as well. I agree that the Cavaliers won't keep the current group together if they can't advance in the playoffs.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:12
With 4 left to play who takes the West? OKC's schedule is all at home but the opposition is tougher(MIL/DAL/SAC and maybe a Spurs team that has some spunk). For me it's DEN even if they lose tomorrow. Easier schedule even if on the road. If MIN and DEN end up tied is conference record or division record the tiebreaker?
ARTHUR HILL
12:15
The West could be decided tomorrow night when the Wolves travel to Denver. The Nuggets' other three games are against Utah, San Antonio and Memphis, which seem like certain wins. I expect the defending champs to close out the season strong and head into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed again.
Rockets Fan
12:15
After his revival at the end of the season,  is Jalen Green a part of the future or still a potential trade chip?
ARTHUR HILL
12:19
Any trade talks the Rockets had regarding Green at the deadline were likely more exploratory than serious. He's still only 22 and has the physical tools to become an elite scorer. This was his first year playing for Ime Udoka, so in a way it was like a second rookie season. He has improved his decision making and his defense and looks like he'll be a cornerstone for the Rockets for a long time. He's much more likely to sign an extension this summer than to be traded.
Doc's Residency
12:19
What team's playoff performance will have the biggest impact on their off-season? E.g. if Celtics lost in the first round would they actually blow it up? If Cleveland makes conference finals does Mitchell still dash? If Bucks lose in 4 does Doc have a job on the team...or in the media?
ARTHUR HILL
12:24
The Bucks aren't going to give up on Doc Rivers so quickly after hiring him at midseason. They're already paying Mike Budenholzer and Adrian Griffin, and they're not going to add another ex-coach to that list. They'll likely address the roster this summer to improve the perimeter defense no matter what they do in the playoffs. There are many teams whose approach to next season will depend heavily on what they do in the playoffs. I wouldn't expect the Celtics to blow things up, but several other teams will.
Guest
12:25
Who (if any) of free agent eligible sixers roster do you see being resigned the off-season other than obviously Maxey?
ARTHUR HILL
12:29
It's too early to predict without knowing what they'll be able to do in free agency. The Sixers will make a strong run at Paul George if he doesn't reach an extension with the Clippers, and if that doesn't work out they'll pursue other stars before focusing on their own roster. Like so many teams, those decisions will depend heavily on how the postseason plays out.
Nelly
12:29
It appears that John Collins suffered a season-ending injury on 03/29 during a 1-point loss by Utah. It also was Collins’ best game of the season (30 points on 10-14 FG, 4-5 from 3). The unofficial reason why he missed the last 4 games and is already ruled out for tonight’s game is “too hot.” Since 03/29, the Jazz have not only secured their 1st round pick but improved their lottery odds.  Your thoughts?
ARTHUR HILL
12:33
The Jazz don't have anything left to play for, so there's no reason to take any risks with a veteran like Collins. It's better to put the young guys on the court and see what they can do. Collins might become a trade chip this summer if Utah wants to move off his $26.6MM contract for next season. He has a player option for 2025/26, so he may not be a part of the team's long-term future.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:33
With the talk of KAT being back before the end of the regular season heating up how does Finch address the rotation? Naz has been ballin' and the ball moves better with him on the floor but KAT would take the constant double and triple teams ANT is seeing away as most teams can't play KAT 1 on 1.
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
I expect Towns to be back in the starting lineup, at least by the beginning of the playoffs. His outside shooting puts pressure on opposing defenses and makes it much harder to commit an extra defender to Edwards. Reid provides a huge advantage for the Wolves coming off the bench and will be a nightmare matchup for other teams' second units.
Demarr
12:38
Zach Levine traded this off-season true or false?
ARTHUR HILL
12:41
It depends on how cheaply the Bulls are willing to part with him. They scoured the trade market last fall before his latest injuries and didn't find anything to their liking. LaVine still has two years left on his contract at about $89MM, plus a $49MM player option for 2026/27. That price tag and his injury history make teams wary to give up anything of value. I'm guessing he'll still be in Chicago when training camp opens.
Boston fan
12:42
if kp doesn't pick up his level of play in the playoffs the C's are not gonna win it all I think it all rides with him. What's your thoughts.
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
Porzingis is a major reason why the Celtics will enter the postseason as title favorites. His low-post game brings another dimension to Boston's offense that hasn't been available in recent seasons. Barring injury, which you always have to say when talking about Porzingis, I think he and the Celtics are headed for a long playoff run.
Guest
12:46
Right before the season started I was on here and predicted a minimum of 45 wins for the Magic and a playoff berth, not a playin chance. Do you think they can win 1-2 playoff series and barring injuries how good can they be next saeason.
ARTHUR HILL
12:48
There's no clear second-best team in the East right now, so Orlando's argument is as strong as anyone's. They have an elite defense, and Wagner and Banchero are two dynamic forwards that are very difficult to match up with. I think they're going to be really good next season and beyond.
Bulls fan
12:49
Will Chiago get rid of Billy Donavan? Also do you think he will be interested in Kentucky job?
ARTHUR HILL
12:52
Donovan signed an extension before the start of last season, so I don't think the Bulls are considering a coaching change. Their problems stem more from roster construction than anything Donovan has done wrong. He's an interesting name for Kentucky, but Donovan's success at Florida was a long time ago. I think the Wildcats will have better options, and unless they can't land any of them, I don't see Donovan as a legitimate candidate.
Clyde Crashcup
12:52
Westbrook still have a shot at the exclusive 10,000/10,000/10,000 club?
ARTHUR HILL
12:57
It would be an appropriate designation for someone whose career has been defined by triple doubles. He's already there in scoring by a wide margin and has 9,453 career assists. Considering he's only 35 and still in excellent shape, that seems reachable. Rebounds are much tougher since he's only at 8,292, but I wouldn't bet against him because he seems like he has several years left in the league.
Snoopy doo
12:57
Will Chicago ever win an NBA championship in the next 5 years?
ARTHUR HILL
1:00
Things can change quickly in the NBA, but it's hard to see anything on the Bulls' roster that suggests they're on a championship trajectory. If they re-sign DeMar DeRozan this summer, they'll probably be back in play-in territory next season. If they lose him, their best option will be to start rebuilding around Coby White and the other young talent.
1:01
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
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