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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 4/9/26
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ARTHUR HILL
11:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with a question on the Bulls.
SpidaRoon
11:01
It looks like Bulls ownership wants to retain Billy Donovan for next season. Will that make it more difficult to find an elite president and general manager?
ARTHUR HILL
11:09
Executives who take over teams like to have as much say as possible in structuring the organization, but I don't see Billy Donovan as a deal breaker. He built up a lot of respect from his time in Oklahoma City, along with the two national titles at Florida. He's been the victim of a bad roster since he was hired in Chicago, and the Bulls' poor record is mostly the fault of the front office. I view the Chicago job as extremely attractive for elite-level front office candidates because they'll have a flexible roster with a lot of cash to spend in free agency, along with a big city setting and a loyal fan base. It's the type of situation that could eventually attract big-name free agents if new management can make the team successful.
Jon Horst
11:09
Can I be trusted to navigate the Giannis situation this summer or should the Bucks hire a new GM to trade him?
ARTHUR HILL
11:19
Horst's unwillingness to move Giannis while opting for unwise gambles in attempt to keep him happy have led the Bucks into a desperate situation. He's now publicly feuding with the organization over who's telling the truth about his desire to return from an injury. A forward-thinking GM would have already traded Giannis to set the team on a path for its future. The best time was probably two years ago instead of acquiring Damian Lillard then making the reckless decision to waive and stretch Lillard after the Achilles injury. The Bucks have a below-average roster apart from Giannis with very little young talent, and they don't control their own first-round pick until 2030. Horst's dismissal should be part of an offseason housecleaning in Milwaukee, and a new GM should handle the Giannis deal.
Guest
11:19
Who has a better chance of being traded this offseason: Giannis or Kawhi?
ARTHUR HILL
11:27
I think it's Giannis by far, but he may need to issue a strong public trade demand to make it happen. Shams Charania reported this week that Giannis and his agent conveyed their wishes to move on to another team early this season, but the Bucks weren't very aggressive about trying to make it happen. Milwaukee doesn't have many avenues to improve if Giannis stays for another season, and a trade is the best outcome for both him and the team. Kawhi will be entering the final year of his contract, but he's been outstanding while remaining healthy. I think the Clippers view him as part of their future as long as they aren't forced to part with him in some type of Aspiration case settlement.
Cale
11:28
I saw Jake Fischer say there could be 8-12 coaching changes this year. Does that seem high to you or do you think it'll end up in that range?
ARTHUR HILL
11:37
Doc Rivers in Milwaukee is almost certain, while the Pelicans and Trail Blazers both have interim head coaches and are likely to conduct searches before making a final decision. Jamahl Mosley rumors have already started in Orlando, Doug Christie could be easily be replaced in Sacramento and Jason Kidd could be moved into the new front office in Dallas. Things can change in the playoffs, but I don't think there will be many beyond those six. The Sixers could part with Nick Nurse, or Ty Lue and the Clippers could mutually agree to part ways, but they're both established coaches who've done a good job handling challenging situation. I don't expect to see 10 coaching changes, and it will probably be fewer than eight.
Just Curious
11:37
I have questions about exceptions. Using the Lakers as an example, let's say Ayton and Smart both opt out, they keep a cap hold on Reaves and have about $60M in cap space. They trade Vanderbilt for Paul George, a 1st and two 2nds (proposal courtesy of Sam Quinn), flip the 2nds for Wendell Carter, and are now just $1M shy of the cap. Next they sign Reaves to a max contract and trade him to Detroit for Robinson, Sasser, Reed and another 1st and two 2nds. First question: Even though Lakers finished over the cap, because they used their cap room, they would only get to use the room exception, not the full mid-level, correct? (And also no BAE?) Second question: Since the Pistons trade sent out $42 million and brought back $27 million, would the Lakers get a trade exception for the $15 million, that they could use to sign, say, Sexton?
ARTHUR HILL
11:50
It's a complex question with a lot of moving parts. Even if the Lakers exceed the cap, they'll have access to the taxpayer mid-level exception as long as they stay below the second apron. It's projected to be around $6.1MM next season, so the value is limited, but it can be a tool to add another veteran player to the roster. They used the bi-annual exception this season to add Marcus Smart, so it won't be available again until 2027/28. And yes, the Lakers could structure the theoretical Detroit deal to create a $15MM trade exception, but using it could affect their apron status and take the MLE off the table.
Bulls
11:50
Which players on the current Bulls roster are keepers for the new GM?
ARTHUR HILL
11:57
The old regime conveyed its intentions to rebuild around Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and first-round pick Noa Essengue, but the new front office might see things differently. To me, Buzelis is the only sure thing on the roster, and I'd mark him down for a definite extension when he becomes eligible next summer. Giddey has a tradeable contract at $25MM for each of the next three seasons, and the Bulls might be able to find his replacement in a guard-heavy draft. Essengue's injury cost him a valuable year of development, and he'll have to prove himself to the new GM next summer. I don't see any other long-term keepers in the current group, and whoever takes over should be prepared for a complete overhaul.
KJ
11:58
Thinking of Chris Paul's retirement earlier this season, which player or players do think this might be their last playoffs this year?
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
The obvious answer is LeBron, who has been very guarded about whether he intends to play another season. Bad injury luck will probably doom the Lakers to another first-round exit, and he may decide to call it quits instead of trying to make another run at a title with a different team next season. Kyle Lowry barely plays anymore, and it appears his long career will officially end whenever the Sixers are eliminated. Another name to watch is Mike Conley. He's still contributing to the Wolves, but he's 38 with an expiring contract and may decide to hang it up.
LBJ
12:05
Does it make sense for me to sit the rest of the season since Luka and Reeves might be out 1st round and I'm going to be logging a lot of minutes
ARTHUR HILL
12:11
Not at this point, but that could change. The Lakers can still wind up with the third seed, holding a tie-breaker over Denver, which finishes the season with the Thunder and Spurs. Even without Doncic and Reaves, having home court advantage in a 3-6 matchup against Minnesota is likely their best chance to move on and give those players a chance to heal. If the Lakers lose tonight at Golden State or tomorrow against Phoenix, then it becomes more advantageous to rest LeBron, who'll be counted on to handle big minutes in the playoffs.
12:12
Thanks for all the great questions. We'll talk again next week.
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