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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/13/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat. We'll get started with a question about one of the stars of the French national team.
dancing bear
12:01
What are the respective odds that you think Yabusele joins an NBA team this year or next year?
ARTHUR HILL
12:03
It seems like the time is right for Yabusele to return to the NBA. He's a much more complete player now than he was in his days with the Celtics, and he showed at the Olympics that he can compete with the best players in the world. He said he wants to try the NBA again, and I expect someone to sign him before the start of camp.
Mark
12:04
Have the Sacramento Kings completed adding to their roster?  It seems to me that there is not enough strength existing at power forward.
ARTHUR HILL
12:07
I wouldn't expect any significant additions before the start of the season. Adding DeMar DeRozan and re-signing Malik Monk were their major moves for the summer. They may not be a strong interior team, but the Kings should be fun to watch this season. They'll play an up-tempo game and they have a lot of guys who can score.
NBA Olympians
12:07
Likelihood of Olympic teams coming together in NBA - Schroder to Magic; Bogdan & Micic to Nugs; Any of the French team linking up. Guys seem to have more chemistry (joker especially) and would think GMs would look at performance in Olympics and try to make it happen.
ARTHUR HILL
12:12
Dennis Schroder to Orlando makes a lot of sense. The Magic could use an experienced point guard, Brooklyn is rebuilding and he has obvious chemistry with the Wagner brothers. With their uncertain bench, the Nuggets could also find roles for Bogdan or Micic. I'm not sure why GMs don't make a stronger effort to unite international teammates.
Cavs
12:12
The Cavs apparently want a "cost-effective, playable, end-of-bench veteran" for their 14th roster spot. Who should they be targeting? Does a reunion with Marcus Morris or Cedi Osman make sense?
ARTHUR HILL
12:15
Morris played very well for Cleveland late in the season, and he would be a good veteran big man to have off the bench. He has other options though, and may wind up returning to his hometown of Philadelphia. The Cavs are in the mix, but it's his choice as to where he wants to play. Osman would provide shooting depth, but he might be reluctant to join a team that doesn't give him a path to consistent playing time.
Markelle Fultz
12:16
Will I be on an NBA roster on opening night?
ARTHUR HILL
12:19
I expect someone to give Fultz a chance. He's only 26 and hasn't been bad for Orlando the last two years, although his poor outside shooting limits his upside. He's still an NBA quality player, and he should be in some team's training camp.
Edward w
12:19
How surprised are you that the thunder won’t get a Christmas Day game this year.
ARTHUR HILL
12:22
Very surprised. They may be the best team in the West, and they have a legitimate star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I understand that the league has a lot of young stars to feature and likes to showcase its major markets, but the Thunder should have been included. I'd bet we'll see them next Christmas.
GrizzMan
12:23
Will Marcus Smart live up to his contract?
ARTHUR HILL
12:28
Smart will be an interesting player to watch. He only saw 20 games with Memphis last season before getting hurt, so it's hard to measure his impact on the team. I expect him and the Grizzlies to bounce back strong, and he'll likely be the same fiery defender and veteran leader he was in Boston. So I think he'll be worth what Memphis is paying him.
Guest
12:28
Please tell me the Bulls are not going to be as bad as I think this year.
ARTHUR HILL
12:32
The Bulls are transitioning from an older, veteran team whose ceiling was the play-in tournament. They'll keep trying to move Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, but they may not get a strong offer for either player. Chicago is rebuilding around Josh Giddey and Coby White, and that may take time. I can't tell you they'll exceed your expectations this season, but they may be heading in the right direction.
Brandon Ingram
12:32
What team am I on as of Feb. 7 2025?
ARTHUR HILL
12:37
The trouble with finding a taker for Brandon Ingram is that teams are reluctant to extend him ahead of his upcoming free agency next summer. He's only 26 and he's still a very dangerous scorer, but there are limitations to his game and rival teams don't want to make him their first or second-highest paid player. Depending how the Pelicans' season plays out, it's very possible that he's still in New Orleans after the trade deadline and the two sides will try to work out either a new contract or a sign-and-trade next offseason.
Kim
12:38
Good morning, are the Hawks planning to make any more moves and do you anticipate them being competitive this year or a lottery team again? Also what is their starting line up? Thanks!
ARTHUR HILL
12:42
It wouldn't be surprising to see Atlanta back in the play-in tournament, considering the quality of the East after the first eight teams or so. The roster is kind of average, but it could get a boost if Zaccharie Risacher is ready to contribute right away. There have been rumors about a Clint Capela trade all summer, and with a few teams needing centers, I could see that happening before the season starts.
Jazz
12:42
Are collecting Frontcourt players like candy.  Tshiebwe, Filipowski added to Markkenan, Kessler, Collins, etc.  Do u agree with this old school approach?
ARTHUR HILL
12:46
Tshiebwe seems like a good gamble to me. He was Rookie of the Year in the G League last season and was a blue-chip player coming into college so he has the pedigree to succeed. Even after extending Markkanen, there's decent chance that the Jazz will opt to tank at some point this season, so investing in young talent at any position is a sound strategy.
Nate Rambis
12:46
What are the Heat going to do? Are they content to be the 6th or 7th best team in the East? That miracle run they made to the finals bought them last years 'run it back' but this team can't compete, right?
ARTHUR HILL
12:50
Pat Riley likes to chase stars, and there really isn't a star on the market right now. He'll keep his assets in place until the next opportunity arises. With its current roster, Miami should be a middle of the pack team in the East, maybe a little better if Jimmy Butler plays more than he did last season. The Heat will likely be active at the trade deadline in hopes of making another playoff run, but it's hard to see them beating one of the East's top four teams in a seven-game series.
Connor
12:51
Hornets expectations? If any..🤣
ARTHUR HILL
12:53
They should be on the rise, but a lot depends on getting a full season out of LaMelo Ball. Ball, Miller, Bridges and Williams are a good foundation, and having a new coach should help. There's likely going to be a surprise team in the East's play-in tournament, and it could definitely be Charlotte.
Andrew Wiggins
12:53
Do you envision a rejuvenated Andrew Wiggins for the Warriors?  On paper, he should get more touches with Klay gone.
ARTHUR HILL
12:56
A comeback season from Wiggins is one of the best things that could happen to the Warriors. Somebody has to take over Klay's shots, and he has the experience of multiple years in that offense alongside Curry and Green. His contract is likely too expensive to trade and he's got three years left, so Golden State needs him to produce.
barron_hudson
12:56
Should we expect the Pistons to still try and trade Jaden Ivy or Jalen Duren before the season starts??
ARTHUR HILL
12:58
I don't think Detroit will be in a rush to break up its young core. There's a new coaching staff in place and a new man running the front office, so I expect them to be patient and see how things work out. Duren and Ivey seem like long-term pieces to me, but the Pistons have to find shooters to play alongside Cade Cunningham.
Dill
12:59
When will the full schedule be released?
ARTHUR HILL
1:02
The in-season tournament schedule will be announced this afternoon, and Marc Stein reported that the full schedule may be coming on Thursday. Even though we're still in the middle of summer, basketball season isn't that far away.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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