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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 7/3/2025
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Luke Adams
1:00
Hey guys. If we get any big news in the next hour, I might have to step away, but otherwise I'm here until 2 pm CT. Let's dive in!
CFV
1:01
At this point, it seems to be a forgone conclusion that Cam Whitmore will be dealt from Houston. Are they going to get less than what us Rockets fans believe he’s worth? Hard to stomach dealing a 20 year old, highly talented player for peanuts. What’s your thoughts on a return for CW?
Luke Adams
1:04
The Cam Whitmore situation reminds me a lot of the Bones Hyland one in Denver a few years ago. There were some rumors at the time that Hyland wasn't the most popular locker-room presence, which doesn't seem to be the case for Whitmore, but I get the sense that Whitmore (or at least his reps) feel he's being underused and want to see him elsewhere.

The return for Hyland ended up being underwhelming, since everyone knew Denver wanted to move him -- two second-round picks. Maybe the Rockets can get a little more than that for Whitmore, but I don't think it's going to be some huge haul. Everyone knows there's not really room for him in Houston.
Guest
1:04
I don’t see the warriors letting JK go for less value than he is worth.   What in your opinion is the final outcome for this saga.
Luke Adams
1:05
They definitely aren't going to agree to a trade just to get it over with. They'll have to get at least one piece they like in return. Still, I'm not sure they can expect to get 100 cents on the dollar back for him, given where things stand -- they won't settle for 40 cents on the dollar, but maybe 80.
Guest
1:06
How much cap space does nuggets still have?can they bring 8-10 mil/year player to their squad? I think they are that one piece away from winning it all
Luke Adams
1:07
They should still have the mid-level and bi-annual available, but I believe their salary is already hovering right around the tax line, just a few million from the apron. They've been a taxpayer a few years in a row and may want to avoid it this year to reset the repeater clock, so I wouldn't expect another addition above the minimum unless they can trade someone like Nnaji.
Guest
1:08
Is there a limit to how many exhibit 10s a team can sign outside affiliate player spots? Is it unlimited?
Luke Adams
1:08
A team can't carry more than six E10s at the same time, but I think they could theoretically keep signing and waiving as many as they want.
Chris V
1:09
wohld the nets have any interest in rockets whitmore? he does seem to fit there timeline and the nets have extra draft capital to send to houston not including their own picks
Luke Adams
1:10
There'd be a good deal of overlap between Whitmore and the Nets' own Cam (Thomas), who I still assume will re-sign. But they don't have a ton of scorers outside of Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., so I guess I wouldn't rule them out.
Los Spurs
1:10
Would it be in the Spurs best interest to bring Dylan Harper off the bench in order to display Vassell and perhaps trade him for before the deadline?
Luke Adams
1:11
I'd be a little surprised if Harper starts right away. You're not bringing Fox off the bench and I don't think you're starting Harper over the reigning Rookie of the Year from day one. And starting all three probably doesn't work. Showcasing Vassell would be an added benefit.
Memphis Laker
1:12
Lakers have found a center for cheap with Ayton.  Any other possible moves before the start of the season?  Also, any truth to this talk about LeBron possibly wanting to leave.  I believe he's stated that he wanted to finish his career in Los Angeles in the past.
Luke Adams
1:14
I imagine the Lakers will try to add at least one more center -- Ayton was a good get, but their only other real big man is Maxi Kleber. They need one more, and apparently still have interest in Al Horford.

As for LeBron, I get the sense that he recognizes this year might be his last and just wants to make sure he's in the best possible position to compete for a championship one last time. It may ultimately be the case that the Lakers give him the best chance to do so, since most teams would have to gut their rosters to pull off a deal for him. And I think you're right that he doesn't want to leave Los Angeles.

I'm not entirely ruling out a trade (it would be far less surprising than the Luka deal, that's for sure), but if I had to bet on where he starts the season, I'm guessing it's with the Lakers.
Macca!
1:15
Westbrook back to Denver still a possibility?
Luke Adams
1:16
There hasn't been any real chatter about it, but I suppose they could still use a backup point guard, unless they're confident in Bruce Brown's ability to handle that role. I wouldn't entirely close the door on it, though it does sound as if he'd like to play a little closer to home (L.A.)
Dave P
1:16
Which of the 3 remaining restricted free agents is most likely to bet on themselves and take the qualifying offer ?
Luke Adams
1:18
We've still got five RFAs left! Giddey, Kuminga, Grimes, Thomas, and Isaiah Jackson in Indy.

I think the odds are probably against any of them taking the QO, which hardly ever happens, but if I had to pick one, it's probably Kuminga.
I think Giddey and Grimes will get multiyear deals done with their current teams. Probably Thomas too. Jackson is a weird one -- I really didn't expect him to get a QO and maybe accepting it while he's coming off that Achilles tear is his best move.
Guest
1:19
Is there any new development regarding Damian Lillard and Wolves? Is it possible in terms of salary cap?
Luke Adams
1:20
I think the Wolves possibility for Lillard is just speculation at this point. We don't even know if he's going to sign anywhere for this season. If he did, Minnesota could offer the minimum or maybe a little above it using the taxpayer MLE.
buzz
1:20
The Hornets are really loading up on guards. Is this for seasonal depth, or do you think they are lining up a trade involving Melo? If a trade, who might be good targets (a big?)?
Luke Adams
1:21
I think the Hornets loading up on guards has been a little overstated. Mann is coming off a major back injury, Dinwiddie is a backup, and Sexton is more of a combo guard than a point guard. That seems like the right amount of ball-handling depth to complement a guy like Ball, who has missed more games than he's played over the past three years.
A.P.
1:22
Do you think New Orleans finally trades Zion Williamson?  I believe his contract for next season is down to 20% which around $7.9M.  If he didn't make any of his six weigh ins, he will have no guaranteed money for next season.  Some teams may want to take a chance on him.
Luke Adams
1:22
Joe Dumars hasn't been talking as if a Zion trade is on the table, and there has been no chatter about that possibility yet. I think his guarantee date is July 15, so we should get an update around that time, if not earlier, but I'd bet on him still being a Pelican to start next season.
JuJu Buluaani
1:23
Is Chris Paul still an option for the Clippers, knowing that he wants to be a starter? Is it plausible that he starts with the Clippers?
Luke Adams
1:26
It sounds like the Clippers really want him, maybe more than the Suns do. And it's not inconceivable that he could start in L.A. -- he and Harden have done it before, and a starting five of CP3/Harden/Jones/Kawhi/Zubac (or Dunn in place of Jones) could work.

Of course, it would make more sense to stagger him and Harden and have one of them running the offense at all times, but I think he could have a significant role there.
Guest
1:27
Any idea what's going on with Quentin Grimes? Is there anywhere he can still get more than the Non Tax Payer MLE?
Luke Adams
1:28
That seems like a situation that could drag out for a little while. The Sixers won't want to overpay him, given their cap situation, but he may not have many good alternatives to get the kind of contract he wants. I bet he and Philly ultimately work out something above the NTMLE but well below the $25MM per year one report suggested he wanted.
Kip
1:28
How are the Grizzlies going to clear space for JJJ's extension? Waive and stretch both Anthony and Konchar?
Luke Adams
1:30
I think just waiving and stretching Anthony would probably do it. That would reduce his cap hit from $13MMish to $4.4MM or something like that, and I think the Grizzlies only need to create about $7MM to get to JJJ's number.

I imagine they're exhausting the trade market for both of those guys before officially making any decisions -- if they can find a taker for Anthony without having to attach much of value, that'd be better than having his dead money on their books for three years.
Twins Forever
1:30
Will L Garza get a chance to be in the Celtics rotation?
Luke Adams
1:30
As the roster stands, definitely. Not much frontcourt depth there. We'll see if that changes in the coming days/weeks.
Guest
1:31
How much cap space does orlando magic have to sign players?
Luke Adams
1:33
They still have a couple open roster spots and are right up against the luxury tax line. They still have about $7.5MM in breathing room below the first apron, so they COULD sign someone for more than the minimum, but I'm not sure they will. I expect getting out of the tax at the trade deadline will be a priority for them if they haven't done it by then.
Trey
1:33
What is the most likely outcome for the Celtics:
  1. They trade Simons again
  2. They trade Hauser
  3. They trade Niang

Also, what other player around the league might the Celtics be targeting to add to the core.
Luke Adams
1:35
I get the sense they'd rather not trade Hauser if they can help it. Moving Niang would be easier than moving Simons, but I bet they'd love to turn Simons into a player making a few million dollars less than his $27.7MM if they could.
Jason
1:35
Pardon the pun, but what are the betting odds that Malik Beasley gets signed this offseason? (yes that was a joke)
Luke Adams
1:37
Don't see it happening until/unless he's cleared by investigators. No team is gonna risk signing a guy who might be banned from basketball a week later (not saying that's gonna happen with Beasley, but it's a worst-case scenario that can't be ruled out yet).

I hope he's cleared -- if he is, he'd make for a very interesting late addition to the free agent market, though it might take weeks or months.
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