You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 5/7/24
powered byJotCast
ARTHUR HILL
12:02
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll start with the team that everyone is talking about this morning, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards Hype Machine
12:02
National media seems to be accepting the Wolves as legit title contenders. Barkley last night being the most recent convert along with Stephen A. I'm biased, but I think they're the favorites. They have 'the guy', the depth, the defense, and the coaching. I don't believe in Boston. Not tough enough. What say you?
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
They sure looked like the favorites last night. The defense was smothering, even without their anchor in Rudy Gobert. Denver may not have enough weapons to make it a competitive series. And there's no question Anthony Edwards has arrived. He may be the biggest star in the league by the time the playoffs are over.
HeatBaby!!!
12:05
Do you think there is any realistic chance the Heat trade Jimmy.  Philly? Is it too far gone to maybe get Maxey in the deal?
ARTHUR HILL
12:09
Butler will be eligible for an extension in July. If the Heat can't sign him to a new deal, then I expect them to start exploring trade options. Philadelphia is a natural rumor because he played there before and is friends with Joel Embiid, but considering Butler's age and injury history, the Sixers will have better options in free agency. And there's no chance that they'll trade Maxey.
Magicmania
12:09
Who would be the better fit for us, Paul George or Klay Thompson and why?
ARTHUR HILL
12:11
George is the better player at this point in their careers. If he doesn't reach an extension with the Clippers, then the Magic and Sixers will likely be his prime suitors. Orlando is short on outside shooting, so Thompson would fill that need, but George would be their first choice.
Ojdidoit
12:12
Demar and monk look better to me in a sixers jersey than a paul george or Jimmy Butler, what you say ?
ARTHUR HILL
12:14
DeRozan would be a nice addition, but I think the Bulls are going to pay him whatever it takes to keep him. Monk would be an excellent option. As a sparkplug for the offense, he could give the Sixers everything they hoped to add when they traded for Buddy Hield.
Wolves fan
12:14
Barring a complete collapse, it looks like we are going to the WCF.  Who would we prefer to meet?  I would say o k c.  Not only would we have a general size advantage overall but but good as Chet is That's gonna be a tall order banging with Our three bigs
ARTHUR HILL
12:18
Gobert, Towns and Reid would put constant pressure on the Thunder's undersized front line. I could see the Wolves dominating the boards in the series, plus Gobert would help shut down SGA's drives to the basket. But Minnesota also has the perimeter defense to challenge Luke and Kyrie if they face Dallas. I think the Wolves would be favored in either series.
Kj
12:18
If westbrook truly wants to start next year and willing to accept the vets minimum where could he go that would make sense? Miami?  Even at this stage of his career,  I would take Wes over Terry any day of the week
ARTHUR HILL
12:21
Westbrook would be a natural fit for Heat Culture with how hard he plays the game. And Erik Spoelstra might be the best coach to maximize what he can still do. Miami needs a lead guard, and I agree that Westbrook is a better option than Rozier.
Kj
12:21
Do you honestly believe the Sun's owner when he says they can just run it back?  It's going to be the same issue as this season.   No cap room, no depth, injury prone players only a year older.
ARTHUR HILL
12:24
Running it back may not sound great for a team that just got swept in the first round, but the Suns don't have many options. Trading Durant or Booker isn't going to make them better, and it would be nearly impossible to find a team willing to take Beal's contract. Mat Ishbia has committed to the current version of the Suns with his free spending, and I expect he'll keep them together for at least another year or two.
KJ
12:24
I know it's early, but as a prediction Name one team that will not be in Cancun next year and one playoff team this year that will be.  I'm guessing Houston and New Orleans
ARTHUR HILL
12:29
It's hard to judge the Pelicans for next season without knowing what they're going to do with Brandon Ingram. There's still a lot of talent on the roster, and I can't see them missing the playoffs if Zion Williamson stays healthy and in shape like he did during this regular season. Maybe the Heat fall out of the playoffs if they trade Jimmy Butler? Maybe the Lakers if LeBron leaves or he can't remain elite at age 40? Maybe the Clippers if they don't keep Paul George? There are too many things that can happen this summer to say for sure. But the Rockets seem like a great choice for a 2025 playoff team. Maybe the Spurs, too, if they put the right pieces around Wemby.
KJ
12:29
Punishment for Murray will be.....
ARTHUR HILL
12:32
Probably a hefty fine. The crew chief said he wouldn't have been ejected even if he had been caught throwing the heat pad at the time, and I think the league will be reluctant to suspend him for a relatively minor infraction.
They Don’t Fear the Deer
12:32
Does Milwaukee correct their mistake and trade Lillard this offseason?
ARTHUR HILL
12:36
Do you think the Bucks view it as a mistake? It seems too early to bail on such a major move. Give Giannis and Lillard a chance to work together through the summer and see how they function together next year. Part of the thinking behind trading for Lillard was to acquire another star to keep Giannis happy. If Milwaukee decides to trade Lillard, it needs to get someone better in return.
Pete v
12:36
Do the Cavs have any hope of beating the Celtics ?
ARTHUR HILL
12:39
If there's a hope, it might be the Porzingis injury. Cleveland is getting a Celtics team that's missing one of its most important components, and the Cavaliers have enough size to make things difficult for Boston, assuming Jarrett Allen can play. Otherwise, it's a very tough matchup. The Cavs will have to get consistent offense from someone to help Donovan Mitchell.
Sixers fan
12:39
Do you see Kelly Oubre Jr back with the sixers next season?
ARTHUR HILL
12:42
I expect the Sixers to be very aggressive with their cap space. Daryl Morey has always been known for chasing stars, and this is his one chance to add another elite player to Embiid and Maxey. So Oubre's future might depend on who they're able to get, but he played well enough to bring him back at the right price.
Edward w
12:42
the nuggets have to improve there bench in the offseason. Plus need a back center behind Jokic.
ARTHUR HILL
12:45
Going with a young bench was always a gamble, but it worked out fine until the Minnesota series. They could definitely use some veteran depth for next season, and there should be plenty of free agents who would take an MLE offer to play alongside Jokic.
KJ
12:45
If you are James Jones and Sam Presti calls you and says Giddy, Williams and Dort and any 2 1st rounds picks between now and 2031 for KD. Do you hang up or invite him for dinner?
ARTHUR HILL
12:49
Assuming you mean Jalen Williams and not Jaylin Williams, I would definitely be interested. It's a way for Phoenix to escape its salary cap nightmare and acquire a potential future star to pair with Devin Booker. Plus the idea of a KD homecoming would be an incredible story. I don't think Mat Ishbia would consider it, though. He's not going to part with Durant.
Kj
12:50
If you were the lakers GM And you can get any coach that's not currently signed.Who would you get
ARTHUR HILL
12:54
It has to be someone compatible with LeBron, which is why Tyronn Lue would be my first choice if he doesn't work out a new deal with the Clippers. Mike Budenholzer is an experienced coach with a championship pedigree, so he should be getting another job soon, but would LeBron want to play for him? That's going to be a factor with LeBron having the power to opt out.
LeBron J
12:54
If if I follow through with my Plan to play with my son.
Besides the lakers.What team am I praying drafts my son
ARTHUR HILL
12:55
Recent reports have downplayed LeBron's desire to be Bronny's teammate, but who knows for sure? How about Dallas as a wild card? LeBron could stay with a Western Conference contender and still reunite with Kyrie Irving.
SUFFERING HORNETS FAN
12:56
In the miracle that we get the first pick. Who would make the most sense for us to get?
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
I like Alexandre Sarr for Charlotte. He's a big guy with a scoring touch and he would be a nice fit with the rest of the roster.
Deek
12:58
Will the Spurs be Spurs and continue to build patiently or will they make a non-Spurs like move in free agency?
ARTHUR HILL
1:01
After what Victor Wembanyama accomplished in his first season, there's no argument for being patient and building slowly. Beyond the exceptional numbers he put up, he makes several plays a game that seem impossible for anyone else. The Spurs need to adopt a win-now mentality and start building a playoff team around him.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday.
Connecting…