JotCast | Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/15/2025

Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/15/2025

Luke Adams

1:01

Lots of early questions today! Let's jump right in and get to as many as we can in the next hour.

Gregg P

1:01

So as my first act of basketball president I got a big decision to make. So what should I do should I draft Harper and worry about it later,, trade down a a bit and get a Bailey or edgecomb or do I trade it out for immediate help and if so who could I get

Luke Adams

1:04

You've actually had that president title for a while! (Though Brian Wright was doing a lot more of the day-to-day front office work).

As for the No. 2 pick, I think passing on Harper would be a mistake unless you're using that pick as the centerpiece in a trade package for a superstar (someone like Giannis). Harper has been a bit overshadowed by Cooper Flagg this year, but he's an awesome prospect who would've easily been the No. 1 pick in last year's draft.

Obviously, the Harper/Fox/Castle fit isn't ideal, but I'd at least see how they work together before deciding if a move needs to be made (and who the odd man out should be).

Unclemike1526

1:04

When is the start of the new league year as far as making trades and signing players? I have no idea how the Confusing Basketball League does business and trades. Thanks

Luke Adams

1:06

Teams can technically start making trades as soon as their seasons are over, but it's rare for any to happen until everyone's season is over.

While many trades will be completed between the end of the Finals and the end of June, free agents can't be signed until July -- agreements can be reached before then, but they won't be officially signed until at least July 6 (the day the July moratorium lifts) in most cases. Certain signings (draft picks, minimum-salary contracts, two-way contracts) can be completed starting July 1.

cmac1973

1:06

Whether the Celtics win the NBA title or not, what's ahead for them in the offseason with Jayson Tatum likely out for most or all of next season? Will they completely blow it up or try to keep the team together, apron be damned, to try to make another run in the 2027 playoffs with Tatum back at (mostly) full strength?

Luke Adams

1:09

I'd be shocked if they completely blew it up. There's still a lot of talent on this roster, as Game 5 showed. Maybe not enough to win another title without Tatum, but in a pretty weak Eastern Conference, they still might have a top-five roster.

Having said that, I don't think it makes sense to pay a monster tax bill (they'll be subject to repeater tax penalties next year that will be bigger than ever because of CBA tweaks) for a team that could maybe win a first-round series. I wouldn't be surprised if players like Porzingis, Holiday, and Hauser are involved in trade rumors this summer as the Celtics look to shed some salary and do a slight reboot before Tatum is (hopefully) back to full strength in 2026/27.

1:09

The only team with major cap room will be Brooklyn and I believe San Antonio and Detroit will have a little tap room but nothing significant, because of the lack of available funds what player or players do you think is going to have to take a lower than market deal by default

Luke Adams

1:12

I think we'll see a lot of free agents re-signing with their own teams for this reason -- safer to hang onto your Bird rights and stick with a team that can go over the cap to bring you back than to take your chances on an open market where most teams won't have much money to spend.

Last year, the types of players we saw get squeezed in free agency were guys like Gary Trent Jr. and Tyus Jones -- players who have 1-2 really positive traits (shooting for Trent, taking care of the ball and organizing an offense for Jones) but who might be a weak link in a playoff-caliber lineup. Those are the sorts of players I'd be worried about on the open market this year.

Taylor

1:12

Prediction for Thunder/Nuggets tonight. I think we get a game 7.

Luke Adams

1:13

I'm hoping for a Game 7 and wouldn't be surprised if we get one, but this also feels like it could be a sort of "we've arrived" game for OKC -- winning a close-out game in one of the toughest road arenas in the league. I'll pick the Thunder and would feel pretty good about their title chances if they pull it out tonight.

Myles Turner

1:13

I’ve played well all year. I’m a value shot maker and solid defender who’s vital to my teams success. I see players like Jarrett Allen getting $30M per year. With limited cap space available this summer, what’s a realistic expectation for how much I can make in free agency?

Luke Adams

1:16

While the lack of cap room around the NBA will hurt certain lower-level free agents, I don't think it will have a significant effect on a two-way impact player like you. If, for whatever reason, the Pacers won't pay you a fair deal, there will be teams lining up to figure out a way to do it.

I do think the Pacers are ready to pay up, given that they didn't seem to seriously entertain the thought of trading you at the deadline. Something in the neighborhood of $35MM per year seems reasonable to me. I think Indiana should be prepared to move off some depth pieces (Toppin? Walker?) to accommodate that sort of raise without zooming into apron territory.

Mike

1:16

do You think teams will stop tanking? It’s clear to me that doesn’t help get the top pick

1:17

What would have to happen for the league to seriously reconsider the current CBA - specifically in regards to roster construction and the draft lottery? I don't think any interested party is fond of how limited roster construction has become or the results of the lottery (Unless your San Antonio or Dallas of course) and as a fan, I'm really not looking forward to the next 5 years if this is how it's going to be. Put another way is anyone even defending or happy with how roster construction and the draft is impacting the league currently?

Luke Adams

1:22

Many questions today along these lines. I've seen a lot of anger/displeasure about the lottery results, but if I were the NBA, I'd be cautious about overreacting to one wonky year.

Despite the fact that the 2019 tweaks to the lottery format flattened the odds, we went several years (2020-23) with one of the worst teams getting the top pick, even if it was never the very worst team. Minnesota (2020), Detroit (2021), Orlando (2022), and San Antonio (2023) all had a 14% chance, and it's not like that's a murderer's row of big-market teams either.

Even when Atlanta jumped to No. 1 from No. 10 last year, we didn't have this sort of outcry, since there wasn't a prospect like a Wembanyama or a Flagg. It's crazy that the Mavs lucked into Flagg after trading Doncic, but this sort of thing doesn't happen every year, and it's the sort of thing that happens every now and then in a lottery.

I'm open to the idea that the system could be altered -- I just don't think this year's outcome is a good reason to do it.

1:25

For what it's worth, prior to this week, when lottery reform was brought up, a lot of fans proposed ideas where teams that miss the playoffs are rewarded with high draft picks based on their ability to win, not to lose (e.g. a tournament of non-playoff teams where the winner gets the top pick, or basing the order on non-playoff teams' winning percentage after being eliminated).

By that metric, the Mavs actually seem pretty deserving -- they were trying really hard to make the playoffs! Injuries crushed them and they were still trying really hard, ultimately coming one play-in win away from doing it.

Ben Simmons

1:25

Am I done this summer or is someone going to take a flyer on me in free agency

Luke Adams

1:26

You'll get another deal. And I actually think public opinion might shift in your favor if you're healthy and playing like you're capable of on a minimum-salary contract rather than a max deal.

Guest

1:26

Will the Rockets be able to pursue Giannis without giving off Sengun or Thompson?

Luke Adams

1:27

In theory, maybe. They have lots of good assets beyond those two guys. In practice, I think it actually might make sense to include one of them in a package, especially if it saves you a few other assets -- a Giannis/Sengun/Thompson lineup would be pretty brutal for floor spacing.

Matt in Cape Town

1:27

Hi, I love your NBA, NFL and MLB coverage. But I’m curious - why does Teade Rumors have no WNBA coverage? With the popularity of the league exploding, I would think now would be a good time to invest more resources in covering it.

Luke Adams

1:30

That decision is above my pay grade. Hoops Rumors itself is NBA-focused and our relatively small team doesn't have the time, resources, or, frankly, the knowledge to cover the WNBA like it deserves to be covered, which is why we've always stuck to the NBA. But a spin-off under the Trade Rumors umbrella run by WNBA experts would be fun.

Shane

1:31

Is this offseason a make or break year for the Bulls front office and Billy Donavan? Feels like late last season they started to play much better with the fast pace.

Luke Adams

1:32

This Bulls ownership group has historically been more reluctant to make major front office/coaching changes than most other NBA owners, so it's hard to say. Now that they've taken a step back and sort of launched a soft rebuild, I'm not sure what next season would have to look like to get them fired -- if they continue to take a step back, they could just spin it as leaning more into the rebuild.

Steph

1:32

So ESPN has said I'm getting no more rings with the warriors. What says you?

Luke Adams

1:33

Never say never, but the odds are certainly against it. Of course, I sorta felt that way before the 2022 run too.

1:33

Speaking about the man who traded Luca, if Nico did the unthinkable and legitimately listen for offers for the number one pick what type of packages and or players could he get

Luke Adams

1:36

Would be absolutely shocked if the Mavs traded the pick, but it'd be one of the most valuable trade assets in the sport and would allow them to get their foot in the door on almost anyone.

Like, when we talk about a Giannis trade package requiring all sorts of good players and picks, we're not talking about a No. 1 overall pick in a draft where there's a clear-cut No. 1 prospect. Crazy as it may sound, that pick's trade value would go a long way toward matching Giannis' trade value on its own.

The Fort Mill Shrill

1:36

Acknowledging KD and Giannis - and the colossal impact those two getting traded would have on the league (slightly moreso with Giannis, of course) - are there any other players you’re already gearing up for in anticipation of them potentially transitioning this summer to a new team via trade or free agency?

Luke Adams

1:39

There's a second tier of stars with question marks like Zion Williamson (health), Trae Young (defense), LaMelo Ball (health), and Ja Morant (health + off-court stuff) that feel like they're close to end up on the trade block. Like, if it doesn't happen this summer, it might just take 2-3 bad months to start next season for it to happen.

There may be some chatter about Jaylen Brown following the Tatum injury, but I don't see that happening. I think the Celtics will let him take the reins on next season's team to see what he can do as the No. 1 guy.

Domantas Sabonis is one to keep an eye on. Still lots of years left on his contract, so maybe there's no tipping point there this summer, but I don't get the sense he's thrilled with the direction in Sacramento.

Giannis

1:40

How 'bout the Thunder? Me and SGA would be awesome, and I'd be a great fit up front with Chet. Use Hartenstein as a salary anchor, and then plenty of picks and players to round out the trade and the roster. Why not?

Luke Adams

1:42

This may sound silly, since we've been talking for years about how the Thunder have the assets to trade for basically anyone they want to, but if SGA, Williams, and Holmgren are off the table, there's probably not a blue-chip player in the Thunder's proposal, and a lot of their future draft picks aren't as high-upside as some of the ones owned by other teams. I think they could be outbid.

If they're willing to include Williams or Holmgren, then I could see it, but they're already the title favorite this year without Giannis -- let's see if they end up even needing another piece to push them over the top.

BeyondtheSnark

1:43

Do you see the Warriors using a sign-and-trade involving Jonathan Kuminga in order to get something in return for him?

arcman

1:43

If Warriors trade kuminga how much can they bring back in players if Kuminga does a sign and trade for let's say 5/$150?

Luke Adams

1:47

Quite a few Kuminga-related questions today, including these two.

I do think, with the Warriors seemingly committed to the Curry/Butler/Green core for a couple more years, it might not make sense to hang onto Kuminga at this point. As tantalizing as his potential is, he's just not a great fit in lineups that include Butler and Green and it's sort of unfair to ask him to wait another two years for his opportunity to play a bigger role.

Having said that, a sign-and-trade is easier said than done. It would require there to be a team that legitimately wants to invest big money in Kuminga (I'm not sure about 5/$150MM, but his performances against Minnesota probably helped rebuild his value a little) and for the Warriors to find a way to get a couple role players they like as part of the return (like they did last year by acquiring Anderson and Hield via the Thompson sign-and-trade).

1:48

It will be tricky, and if a good return doesn't materialize this summer, I could see them simply re-signing Kuminga and trading him down the road (sort of like what they did with D'Angelo Russell, who wasn't a fit on that roster but who had enough trade value after signing that they were able to turn him into someone who was).

1:49

As for how the salary-matching would work in a Kuminga sign-and-trade, the base year compensation rule is the one to remember. That means if his new salary is $25MM, he'd only count for $12.5MM (50%) in outgoing salary from the Warriors' perspective, limiting what Golden State could bring back.

Black Ace57

1:49

Bailey or Edgecombe? Who do you think would be better for the Sixers thinking both short and long term to pick? Do you think they would let concerns over Bailey not being as NBA ready affect the pick?

Josh

1:49

Where do you land on Ace Bailey? Can't pass up future star? High end role player? Or something between?

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