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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 6/15/2023
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Luke Adams
11:28
Thanks for all the early questions, guys. Let's chat! Our hour starts... now.
Trog
11:28
Reports have the Mavs seeking to trade the #10 pick for a veteran. I don't believe there is value there and it seems like the draft offers plenty of young defensive and complementary players at that position that would serve Dallas better (ex: Anthony Black, Taylor Hendricks, Ausar Thompson, Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore) both short and long term. Thoughts?
Luke Adams
11:31
Several of the players you mentioned will likely be off the board at No. 10 and there will be a lot of guys in that range who won't be ready to contribute right away. The fact that Dallas has never really built through the draft except for the Luka/Brunson year is a little worrisome, but I certainly understand the thinking behind turning that pick into a proven veteran talent. They have a limited window to show Luka they're serious about contending and convince him that he wants to stay in Dallas long-term. They don't want to risk drafting someone there who won't be ready for a rotation role for years, if ever.
11:32
(A cautionary tale here is the Wizards, who had and kept a bunch of picks in the 10-15 range in recent years and have had a hard time maximizing the value of those picks.)
Arcman
11:32
If Pelicans offer Zion for the #2 pick in the draft why wouldn't you make the trade knowing you have a player that makes a difference on the court?
Luke Adams
11:33
The injury concerns are the obvious reason. Even if you feel OK about Zion's health going forward, there are financial concerns to account for too. You'll be paying the No. 2 pick waaay less than what you'd pay Zion over the next four years, which would make it easier to build the rest of the roster.
Noot Noot
11:34
Do you think both Charlotte and Portland will trade their lottery picks?
Luke Adams
11:35
I think it's more likely they both keep the picks than they both trade them -- it's been a while since we got a really big, top-of-the-draft trade, especially one that didn't involve teams just moving up or down a couple spots (like the Fultz/Tatum and Luka/Trae deals). So I'm in "I'll believe it when I see it" mode.
I'm also not convinced there are teams that will pay the price it would take to move up for Brandon Miller. If the No. 2 or No. 3 pick is traded, I think it'll be a team moving up for Scoot, with the other pick staying put.
Guest
11:36
Do you think Houston have the assets to move up to #2 or #3. From what it looks I doubt Portland would be interested as they only want win now vet players. But I see Hornets entertaining the idea of taking #4 and one of Martin Jr, Porter or Christopher?
Luke Adams
11:37
It would take much more than that for the Hornets to consider it. The perceived gap between No. 2 and No. 4 is too big to be filled by just a decent role player.
WhatNowMasai?
11:37
There have certainly been lots of rumours about Pascal to Portland to team up with Lillard - why none about the reverse?  Lillard in Toronto would be amazing.  Any indications that he definitely would refuse such a move? (although he technically doesn't have a say, without a no movement clause)
Luke Adams
11:39
I doubt he'd refuse to report (too much money at stake), but I don't know that Toronto has the appetite or the assets for a move like that unless they go in a really unexpected direction and decide to move on from Scottie Barnes.
Guest
11:40
Of all the big time  player trade rumors so far, which do you think is most likely to actually happen?
Luke Adams
11:42
Beal seems most likely, but Lillard could pass him in about a week if the Blazers hang onto that No. 3 pick. For what it's worth, having been arguing for the last two years that the Wizards should be considering moving on from Beal and launching a rebuild, I also think Portland should be taking the same route. The No. 3 pick + Sharpe + whatever they get back for Lillard would be a really promising foundation.
Kelly
11:42
Who's favorite for the next expansion city? Cincinnati? Louisville? Vegas?
Luke Adams
11:43
I'd put Seattle at No. 1 and Vegas at No. 2 until I see compelling evidence that they shouldn't be there. The NBA has a history in both cities (SuperSonics, Summer League) and they both have arenas ready to go.
Silver
11:43
In the long run, do you think the new CBA will be The Dynasty Buster?
Luke Adams
11:45
You could make an argument that the last CBA (2017) would have done that if not for the big 2016 salary cap spike that allowed the Warriors to get Durant. We've had five different champions over the last five years. But yeah, it'll only get harder for teams to have sustained success in the new agreement.
Nets/Hawks
11:45
Who says "no"?  Collins for O'Neal and DFS
Luke Adams
11:46
Nets. They could get at least a first-rounder apiece for O'Neale and DFS (probably more for Finney-Smith), which is more than Collins is worth.
Guest
11:46
Any way for the Lakers to keep LeBron, AD, and Austin Reaves, and trade for Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby? Include the 2029 pick, this year’s 17(I think we’d have to pick for them prior to free agency).
Luke Adams
11:47
VanVleet isn't entirely out of the question if you can squeeze his salary under a hard cap, but I don't see any way the Lakers have the assets for both of those guys.
Pels12
11:47
What would be an appropriate trade package between CHA and NO for scoot and Zion? Assuming Hayward is the salary match, what are the ancillary items to make it fair?
Luke Adams
11:48
I think the No. 2 pick has more value than Zion straight up. Hayward probably doesn't have positive value even now that he'll be expiring, so that brings things a little closer, but I imagine the Pelicans would still have to include at least one more asset -- either this year's No. 14 pick or a future first-rounder.
WhatNowMasai?
11:49
Regarding the comment above about expansion - if Seattle and Vegas were both added, they would presumably be in the West - which 2 teams get moved to the East?
Luke Adams
11:51
You'd only have to move one to the East to even things out. Minnesota or New Orleans would be the best candidates -- not only geographically but because they don't have a history of deep Western Conference playoff runs.
Keith
11:51
Thoughts on the Celtics getting in on the possible trade for Towns? Trade Robert Williams, sign and trade Grant Williams, plus one of their surplus of guards? Give the Celtics a big man to go with the 2 J's.
Luke Adams
11:52
Don't really view that as a great fit for either team. The hit the Celtics' defense would take would offset any offensive gains. And I don't see how Robert Williams could be effective alongside Gobert.
Silver
11:53
Another cap question -  after this season when teams will really be scrambling to avoid the severe penalties, what does a team like Golden State do?
Luke Adams
11:56
The easiest way for those teams like the Warriors to get under the second tax apron would be to divest themselves from one of their $20MM+ guys. Poole is probably the best candidate for Golden State -- you'd probably have to accept a pretty modest return to move him to a team with cap room.
I am curious though to see just how aggressive teams will be in trying to get under that second tax apron right away, since I don't think it's necessarily AS punitive as we've made it out to be. Here's what I mean by that...
11:57
Teams above the second tax apron won't have access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, won't be able to sign certain free agents who meet the "buyout" criteria, won't be able to send out cash in trades, won't be able to aggregate salary in trades, and won't be able to trade their first-round pick that's seven years away, among other restrictions.
11:59
Of those restrictions, only one (ability to use the taxpayer MLE) would've impacted how the Warriors operated in 2022/23. The restrictions definitely make it harder to continue upgrading your roster once you're spending big, but if you like the team you have any can fill holes with minimum-salary guys, it's sustainable to stay above that second apron for two or three years at a time.
Jamie
11:59
Any chance Washington would be able to get 2 players for contract matching purposes,and 2 unprotected 1st round picks for Beal?
Luke Adams
12:01
I don't think his value will be that high. The $50MM+ annual salary and the no-trade clause really limit the Wizards' leverage. I think they'd be doing well to get a return like the one they got for Westbrook a couple years ago (a couple quality role players - KCP and Kuzma - and a No. 22 pick).
Double up
12:02
Why do you think we don't see more teams trading around to get two draft picks in a similar range? If they're investing time and focus in scouting in that range just to make their main pick, doesn't it make some sense to target their second choice too and make the most of that knowledge and that time investment ?
Luke Adams
12:03
Interesting theory -- hadn't thought of it that way. I do believe that front offices prepare so thoroughly for all scenarios that they're not necessarily just focused way more on certain sections of the draft, especially outside of the top 15-20, when picks start getting more unpredictable because teams value players very differently.
EonADS
12:03
Is trading Darius Garland for the potential of a defense backcourt and wing upgrade something the Cavs would do? Scenario would be a 2 guard and a wing, and just slide Mitchell to the point. I've heard it suggested and I hate it.
Luke Adams
12:04
Can't see them considering that this summer. Maybe next year if they don't make tangible progress (ie. winning a playoff series), but they're still heading in the right direction for now and don't need to do anything drastic with their core players.
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