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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/18/2023
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Luke Adams
10:01
Thanks for the early questions, guys! Let's dive in...
EonADS
10:02
What can Ayton realistically bring back in a trade? I've seen lots of takes where he gets an all-star or two, and that's ridiculous.
Luke Adams
10:04
Yeah that's not realistic. I haven't looked too closely at specific packages that might work, but if the Suns can get back two solid rotation players for Ayton, that'd be a win. A first-round pick would be a bonus, but I'm not sure they should count on that. Ayton was a No. 1 overall pick, but his offensive game is somewhat limited and he's on a $30MM+ per year contract. His value is positive, but it's not massive.
ElMajesty
10:05
If im Portland im drafting Scoot and moving Lillard wherever he wants to. Simons+Scoot+Sharpe seems like a really good start for them.
Luke Adams
10:08
I'm not the world's biggest Simons fan, especially in a backcourt with another small-ish guard, but I do like Sharpe. And whether it's Scoot or Miller, there will be a great prospects available at No. 3 -- plus whatever you'd get back in a Lillard package. I certainly see the argument, but I'm skeptical they'll go that route. It would put them in a tough spot with Jerami Grant too -- ideally, if you're rebuilding, you'd want to be able to trade him in addition to Lillard to get more young players and picks, but if you launch a rebuild this summer, he could walk in free agency and leave you nothing.
Mavs 4life
10:08
All of these coaches looking for jobs have to better than Jason Kidd? Please tell me the Mavs are looking at Doc, Monty, or Budenhozer  as a replacement.
Luke Adams
10:10
You never know, but I think if the Mavs were going to make a coaching change, they would have begun that process by now -- their season has been over for more than a month. It's pretty rare for a coaching change to take that long to materialize unless it's the coach's decision (like Quin Snyder in Utah last spring).
Herro
10:10
Does Herro make an impact if he can return for the finals if Miami does advance past Boston?
Luke Adams
10:12
I wouldn't count on it. Even if Miami advances and Herro makes it back, he may not be able to shake off the rust quickly enough to make a real impact, and the Heat may prefer just to stick with what's been working so far this postseason.
Sandman
10:12
Now that the Magic are selecting at #6 with their first pick in the lottery, my personal big board for them is Ausar, Whitmore then Hendricks. What do you think?
Luke Adams
10:16
I like that list. Orlando's front office loves guys with length and a lot of upside, and Ausar Thompson and Taylor Hendricks definitely fit that bill. Ausar's ability to handle and pass the ball is appealing. I wonder if there's any chance Hendricks might still be on the board for them at No. 11.
HarryCks77
10:16
Could Sixers be able to get compensation for Harden with a sign and trade?
Luke Adams
10:17
In theory, yes. In actuality, if he leaves for Houston, I don't see it happening -- the Rockets are one of the only teams in position to give him a max deal with cap room, so there'd be no need to give up assets.
EonADS
10:17
How does Maxi Kleber, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Josh Green? The Suns get a replacement for Saric, a true 6th man bench piece, and a versatile young player with good defense. Dallas gets an actually good Center.
Luke Adams
10:18
If the Mavs are willing to offer that package for Ayton, the Suns should take it and run. It's the exact sort of return they should be looking for, one where they can add a couple wings and a center who doesn't need the ball as much as Ayton does.
Arcman
10:19
How valuable is Kuminga as a trade value?  Could the warriors trade him for a young big man that has a lot of talent?
Luke Adams
10:22
Like a James Wiseman type? (Sorry, too soon?) It may be tricky for the Warriors to find the sort of versatile young big man they'd want. Those sorts of players cost a lot to acquire, and the more traditional bigs (like Wiseman) don't really fit the Warriors' system. Kuminga has real trade value, but Golden State should keep him as long as they're willing to play him.
AKME
10:23
What kind of return could we expect if we make Demar available in a trade?  Similarly, does Vuc have any value in a sign and trade scenario?
Luke Adams
10:25
As good as DeRozan is, he's on an expiring contract and will turn 34 this August. Expectations on the trade market should be kept in check -- he could bring back a promising prospect and a first-round pick, but you're not getting you the No. 3 pick and Anfernee Simons or anything.
10:26
As for Vucevic, it depends on where he wants to go. With the right trade partner, the Bulls could probably extract at least a rotation player on a neutral-value contract. But no team's giving up a first-round pick for the right to give Vucevic a big contract.
Eric in MN
10:26
If you're the Timberwolves GM and you have KAT as a trade chip, who are you (realistically) going after to pair with ANT ? The number 3 pick and filler or another impact player?
Luke Adams
10:31
The Wolves want to compete in the short term and would probably prefer not to lose KAT's salary slot without getting an impact player in return. But what team is giving up a high-salary star straight up for KAT, and would the Wolves' new owners be willing to commit to paying the tax for a roster that hasn't proven much so far? Incorporating the No. 3 pick into a deal is an interesting idea if Portland is open to it. Minnesota could potentially flip that pick for a player who's a better fit alongside Ant and Gobert (maybe one of the Raptors forwards?).
Common Anomaly
10:31
Chris Paul - $30.8 million - 15.8 million guaranteed.  If you were the Suns, would you pick up the other $15 million?  Do you believe there would be any interest from any other team for $30.8 million?  San Antonio Spurs?
Luke Adams
10:33
I'm actually planning to tackle this subject in my weekly newsletter for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers today. There are a lot of teams that could theoretically benefit from acquiring Paul, but it's hard to put together many packages that make sense for both sides. The Clippers might be the best fit, but if the Suns don't find a taker, they should probably go ahead and guarantee the remainder of that $30.8MM -- unless they can get a point guard back for Ayton, there's no great path to acquiring a replacement for Paul. Plus, he'd essentially be on an expiring contract (his 2024/25 salary is fully non-guaranteed), so you might be able to move him at the deadline.
Noot Noot
10:33
Does a Siakam for Simons and the 3rd pick framework make sense?
Luke Adams
10:35
I definitely expect the Blazers and Raptors to talk. We'll see if they can agree on the value of that No. 3 pick and players like Simons, Siakam, and Anunoby. With Sharpe, they theoretically have a path to making a play for both of those Raptors.
Dan
10:36
What's next for the Sixers? I think they should let Harden walk
Luke Adams
10:38
After the way he played in the Sixers' losses to Boston (and given his postseason history), I understand that view. But from a roster-building perspective, it would leave Philly in a tough spot, since his departure wouldn't open up real cap room. I imagine Morey's preference would be to bring back Harden and to try to find a way to get value back by Tobias Harris for multiple guys on smaller contracts.
AOL Ted
10:39
Beal and Deni for simons/4? Gets money off the books and gets dame a costar
Luke Adams
10:43
I don't see Beal as a target for Portland. The Blazers will be targeting a wing or big to complement Lillard. Also, as much as I respect Dame's and Beal's games, having them on the same roster over the next few years would be a cap disaster. Their players options in 2026/27 (when Lillard will be 36 and Beal will be 33) will be worth a combined $120MM+.
Cuban
10:43
What's the best deal I can get for #10 and Bertans?
Luke Adams
10:46
Bertans has negative value, so he would reduce the appeal of the No. 10 pick, but you could probably find a taker if you're talking to teams not concerned about competing immediately. Utah, for instance, though the Mavs probably wouldn't be all that enthusiastic about getting Kelly Olynyk, and I'm not sure about Collin Sexton's fit in Dallas.
Common Anomaly
10:46
Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, and Onyeka Okongwu are all extension eligible.  If Murray declines your best offer and indicates that he is interested in pursuing unrestricted free agency next offseason, what would you do?  Saddiq Bey has comparable numbers to De'Andre Hunter.  Hunter signed a 4 year, $90 million contract on 10/17/22.  Do you believe the Hawks would offer Bey something similar or just wait a year when he is a restricted free agent?  One more year of Capela and Okongwu splitting the 48 minutes?
Luke Adams
10:49
I wouldn't worry much about Murray waiting until free agency. Based on the structure of his contract, it makes sense for him to wait even if he wants to re-sign with the Hawks, since his max extension will be well below his max FA salary. (The fact that they'd have to wait until free agency to negotiate his next deal was one reason the Spurs traded him in the first place -- the fact that the Hawks acquired him signaled that they were comfortable with that scenario.)
10:50
Bey has only played 25 games for the Hawks, mostly off the bench. They might make him an extension offer, but I doubt they're putting $90MM on the table for him at this point.
10:51
I do think something's gotta give with Okongwu and Capela pretty soon. If they decide to roll with Capela, Okongwu would be a great trade chip to add help elsewhere on the roster. If they're confident in Okongwu's ability to take on a bigger role, shopping Capela would make some sense.
Nick
10:51
Obviously SA won't trade the pick, but what are the short list of players that would even theoretically get the pick in a 1-for-1 swap?
Luke Adams
10:53
There honestly might not be one. Obviously if the Spurs were offered someone like Luka or Giannis or Jokic for that pick, they'd have to think about it, but given how much further along those players are in their careers (not to mention in pay rate), I actually think the Spurs would say no. They envision Wembanyama as the face of the franchise for the next 15-20 years in the same way that Duncan was.
Pistons Guy
10:54
Although it would be great to have gotten the top pick in the lottery, I belive this is a blessing in disguise considering the fact that Cade didnt play much last year, so we will have to get him back in the flow along with 2nd year development from Jaden Ivey who both are offensive focused players. Getting Vic i think would have cluttered the progression of our main guys. Am i the only person in the world feeling this way?
Luke Adams
10:54
You might be, but I respect the positive spin!
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