JotCast | Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/1/2025

Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/1/2025

Luke Adams

1:00

Appreciate all the early questions today, guys. Lots to get to. Let's jump right in...

BeyondtheSnark

1:00

Do you see Luka Doncic signing a 4-year, $229 million extension this offseason? Or will he wait until the 2026 offseason to ink a new deal?

Luke Adams

1:03

Could go in a number of different directions, but I think the most likely scenario is that he agrees to a three-year extension that eliminates the 2026/27 player option, replacing it with two guaranteed years and a '28/29 option.

That would put him in position to get to 10 years of experience by the time he tacks on another contract in 2028, allowing him to maximize his earnings going forward. It's also a good way to commit to the Lakers this summer and avoid entering next year on an expiring contract without necessarily signing the longest possible deal.

Anthony Edwards Hype Machine

1:04

Assuming Denver takes out LA does the depth of the Northwest Division(having three of the final four in the West) make it the best division in the NBA?

Luke Adams

1:06

Portland and especially Utah drag it down a little -- I'd still be tempted to take the Pacific if we're talking 1-through-5. But the Northwest probably has the strongest top two, top three, and top four teams of any division right now.

Edwill

1:07

Do you think the Cavs will have a tough time with the pacers in the next round.

Luke Adams

1:08

It'll certainly be more of a challenge than round one was for them. I actually think both the Cavs and Pacers are still a little underrated -- there's a sense among a lot of fans that Cleveland isn't as good as its 64-win record and that Indiana lucked into an ECF appearance last spring. Both notions are misguided, in my opinion.

I'm taking the Cavs in that series, but it should be a good one.

Cowbell Kingdom

1:09

Would a trade Kuminga for Derozen make sense for both the Kings and Warriors?

Luke Adams

1:11

Not really sure DeRozan is the sort of player the Warriors need after acquiring Butler, and the salary-matching would be tricky (a signed-and-traded Kuminga would count for different amounts for incoming and outgoing purposes based on the base year compensation rule). Don't hate the idea of Kuminga as a King, but I think it'd probably be a long shot to pull off.

Ted Knox

1:12

Luke, how likely is it that James Harden turns down his option and leaves L.A. should Denver win the series? Where would be a good destination for him should he do so?

Luke Adams

1:17

Based on the circumstances of Harden's Philadelphia exit, it seems safe to assume that if he really wants to leave Los Angeles, he's more likely to pick up the option and then force a trade -- turning it down would leave him as a free agent in a landscape where hardly any teams will have cap room.

That said, it's a little hard for me to envision either way. He's playing for his hometown team, he's gonna turn 36 this summer, and there's no obvious landing spot out there. I guess you could make a case that a Houston reunion makes some sense, given their offensive shortcomings, but the Rockets weren't interested when Ime Udoka was first hired and I'm not sure that's changed.

Buckets

1:17

Is Naz Reid going to want a starting spot AND a decent contract ($20mil+ per) this offseason?

Luke Adams

1:19

Lot of factors that players take into account when they reach free agency and have some leverage -- money and role are definitely two big ones, but familiarity/comfort level, family considerations, market, and a chance to contend for a title could all come into play too.

I do think the Wolves will be in position to offer him a lot of those things, especially if they don't bring Randle back. And yeah, a $20MM annual salary is definitely in play for Reid.

Jeff

1:20

Safe to assume Kuminga will not be back next year. Any chance of getting say a useful role player and a first round pick outside the lottery?

Luke Adams

1:24

His value has really taken a hit late in the season here with these DNP-CDs. That doesn't mean no team will be willing to take a chance on him, but I doubt they'd also give up multiple valuable assets for the right to commit big money to Kuminga.

Getting back a useful role player would be a win for the Warriors -- I wouldn't expect a first-round pick on top of that.

1:25

How is it a professional sports league like the nba has rules that are applied differently depending on the time of year?? 'They dont call that in the playoffs'.!!...and somehow fans and players have been brainwashed to accept this? Crazy! can you imagine if the nfl said it wasnt calling penalties in the playoffs!? How come the league hasnt been sued by a player injured in the playoffs cause the refs dont call fouls in the playoffs? cant wait for mlb to call balls and strikes with tech 100% so i can ditch the nba and its ridiculous, fraudulent officiating.

Luke Adams

1:27

The NBA and NHL take a somewhat similar approach in that regard -- games are more physical and fouls/penalties are generally called less frequently than they would be in the regular season. I don't always love it, but I get the thinking -- as much as possible, you want the game to be decided by players making plays, not referees making calls.

Terry R

1:27

Who do the Magic pick up in free agency.

Luke Adams

1:31

I believe the Magic will have the full mid-level exception available, but it wouldn't surprise me if they're more active on the trade market than in free agency. Their roster is getting more expensive with the Wagner and Suggs extensions going into effect, but they really need an offensive upgrade and can afford to give up some defense to get it.

If I were running their front office, Coby White and Devin Vassell are a couple players I'd be calling about.

Mike Dan Tony

1:32

Do you expect any EuroLeague players to make the jump to the NBA this year?

Luke Adams

1:36

Yeah, we usually get at least a couple players making the leap in a given offseason. I'm not fully on top of everyone's contract situation (it can sometimes be hard to keep tabs on who has NBA opt-out clauses), but I know Filip Petrusev has expressed interest in returning to the NBA. Isaia Cordinier and Nadir Hifi are a couple others to watch (though I think Hifi might have one more year on his contract).

sbag SPORT INC.

1:37

Putting the outcome of the present series that his team is currently engaged in aside... If Nikola Jokic were 2 communicate 2 mgmt & ownership that he wanted out, which destinations would U consider 2B a seamless fit w/o gutting the incoming ballclub's most appealing assets? In our humble opinion, Ballmer-land AKA LAC seems like a great landing spot if merely parting w/ Zubac, Harden, + matching salary &/or draft compensation is an acceptable path to completion of the deal. Granted, there would be league-wide competition 4 The Joker's services, but having the 2 best Euros in the game battling 4 supremacy of Los Angeles may very well B 2 tempting 4 the League 2 pass over... What's ur take, Luke?

Luke Adams

1:41

If we're talking about not gutting a team, the first thing that comes to mind is a team that could put together a package heavy on draft picks without sacrificing a ton of talent off of its current roster. OKC and Houston qualify -- even though they have up-and-coming stars at center, Jokic would still obviously be an upgrade over Holmgren or Sengun.

Brooklyn and Utah have a ton of draft assets but there's not much talent on those rosters to play alongside Jokic.

The most fun fit might be in San Antonio, given that the Spurs have a bunch of draft assets and the idea of a Jokic/Wemby frontcourt is incredible to imagine.

Having said all this, a Jokic trade remains a pipe dream for now.

Anthony Edwards Hype Machine

1:41

Talk to me about Giannis to the Rockets if he requests a trade. What's Milwaukee's ask? Not worried about the Rockets counter. Thx.

Luke Adams

1:45

If I'm the Bucks in that scenario, I'm asking for Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, and a bunch of draft picks. The Rockets would say no. Assuming they wanted Giannis, they'd also want to get it done without including either of those guys. That would probably mean a package centered around Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Jalen Green, and a ton of draft assets.

Benson Breathes Basketball

1:46

I’m still trying to figure out how/why the Clippers are down in this series. They’ve got the stabler coaching, more scoring threats, in general a deeper roster, and were playing much better down the stretch than Denver. It’s gotta be more than something like James Harden curse. Can you try pinpoint for me and the readers what the heck is going on here?

Luke Adams

1:51

The Nuggets still have arguably the best player in the world in Jokic, and they've mostly gotten the version of Jamal Murray they need. You're right that the Clippers are deeper, but teams are generally just playing 7-8 guys in the postseason, and the Nuggets still have a really strong top-heavy roster that features a bunch of the same guys they won a title with two years ago.

I still think the Clippers will win tonight and force a Game 7, but my sense coming into the playoffs was that these teams might be the top two in the West after OKC. The outcome won't necessarily be an indictment of the team that loses.

Fernando

1:51

As things currently stand, which teams do you think are most likely to blow up their roster this offseason and attempt to rebuild?

Luke Adams

1:54

Phoenix comes to mind first. That roster will probably look quite a bit different next season.

The Kings are the second time that popped into my head. I'm not sure they'll raze things to the ground entirely but something's gotta give there.

Atlanta wouldn't really qualify as a "blow-up" because they have some foundational pieces already in place, but I could see them trading their ostensible "star" in Trae Young and committing to building around those younger guys.

New Orleans and Memphis are a couple others that come to mind, but it wouldn't surprise me if they give their respective cores at least one more season.

Keith

1:55

Would a trade of Jaylen Brown plus two 1st round picks be enough to trade for Giannis? The Bucks can get a new younger star, plus picks. The Celtics get a healthy big man, for helping move for the 3-peat.

Luke Adams

1:57

I might be wrong, but if Giannis asked out, I think the Bucks would probably be hitting the reset button (add them to the list of candidates above, I suppose) rather than looking to swap one star for another.

The reason Giannis would (hypothetically) want out would be because there's not enough there in terms of talent or trade chips to make the Bucks a contender in the short term, and I don't think downgrading to Brown and adding a couple first-round picks would change that.

Guest

1:58

Denver better than Minnesota?

Luke Adams

1:59

The Wolves are in that conversation for next-best team in the conference after OKC, and certainly strengthened their case with that first-round series vs. the Lakers. They had consistency issues this season but when things are going right for them I'd probably give them the edge over Denver. It's close, as last year's seven-game series showed.

HeatBaby

2:00

In your opinion, Giannis or bust this offseason? What kind of realistic moves do you see the Heat going after? Decent amount of expiring contracts.

Luke Adams

2:02

The Heat will definitely be in the bidding if Giannis ends up on the trade block, but they're not really in position to make the strongest offer.

I know Riley loves star-hunting, but they might have to be patient and set their sights a little lower this offseason. Their assets would be better suited for a star whose value is somewhat distressed, like a Zion Williamson or Ja Morant (Kevin Durant would also be doable, but I don't know that a 37-year-old makes much sense for the Heat).

Thanks for all the great questions today, guys. Have a great week and we'll do this again next Thursday. Enjoy the rest of the first round!

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