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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/20/24
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ARTHUR HILL
12:01
Welcome to this week's chat.
Kim
12:01
Good morning. I’m curious. What two teams lottery teams last season in the East and the West do you see being a playoff team? I say Memphis and Hawks. Thanks.
ARTHUR HILL
12:05
The Grizzlies are a good choice. With healthy seasons from Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart plus all the young talent they were able to develop last season, Memphis should be in the middle of the playoff race. The Warriors and Kings both missed the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament and the Rockets have a great collection of young talent, so there could be a lot of turnover in the West. The East is more stable and has more teams focused maximizing their draft picks. The Hawks could be a playoff team, but they'll need a strong rookie season from Zaccharie Risacher to make any improvement.
Dan'l
12:06
Are the Thunder good and interesting to the casual NBA fan? I get the desire to highlight the Timberwolves or Mavs or Nuggets, because the teams are good and Ant Edwards/Luka/Joker are good and interesting.
ARTHUR HILL
12:10
I think that as fans see the Thunder more often, they'll become more interesting to a national audience. SGA and Jalen Williams are really good, and Chet Holmgren could become one of the best big men in the West. Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein were great offseason additions. It may take time for more casual fans to catch on, but the Thunder are very talented and fun to watch.
Isaac Okoro
12:10
Am I going to eventually accept my qualifying offer or will I sign a longer term contract with Cleveland or another team?
ARTHUR HILL
12:13
It looks like Okoro will probably accept the qualifying offer and try again in free agency next summer, just like Miles Bridges did. There's hardly any cap space or playing opportunities left around the league, and the Cavs don't seem to want to make a long-term commitment. With a strong season, he can improve his bargaining position for 2025.
Dill
12:13
Which young underperforming team with a new coach will play better this year? The hornets or pistons? Either have a shot at the playin with the nets wizards tanking and bulls hawks raptors being confusing.
ARTHUR HILL
12:16
I expect them both to be improved, as they've both been stockpiling good young players for several years. I think the Hornets are a little farther ahead in their development, and they could be a surprise team in the East if LaMelo Ball can remain healthy. After several years of losing, there's incentive for both franchises to get better, which should help them move up in a conference where several teams will be tanking.
Dan'l
12:16
Chance the Clippers are a lottery team this year, and the Thunder get another high pick?
ARTHUR HILL
12:21
I think we're headed that way. The Clippers took a major step back by losing Paul George, and it's hard to see them snagging a playoff spot with so many talented teams in the West. Kawhi Leonard had to miss both the playoffs and the Olympics because of inflammation in his knee, and the Clippers could really nosedive if his health remains an issue. Plus James Harden could always decide that he's not happy in L.A. anymore now that he has his next contract.
Arcman
12:22
Do you see any big trades happening before the season starts since it looks like most teams don't want to go over the tax bill?
ARTHUR HILL
12:25
Tax penalties and apron restrictions have really limited the amount of salary that most teams are willing to absorb. There's a long time until the next CBA, but the league may want to consider whether its current rules are too restrictive. I expect some trades before the start of training camp -- the Pelicans still need a center, for instance -- but no stars are likely to change teams until closer to the deadline.
Guest
12:25
Can the Grizzlies return to the top four in the West this season or should we expect less from them after Morant's lost season and with their lack of C depth?
ARTHUR HILL
12:29
Morant has barely played in the last 18 months, so it's not guaranteed that he'll be back in All-Star form right away. Center is definitely a concern, and they may have been wiser to keep Steven Adams if they're hoping to be a title contender. Still, there's plenty of talent on the roster. Top four may be too much to ask, but the Grizzlies have a chance to be in the next tier of teams.
Drew
12:29
Will BI still be on the Pelicans on Opening Day?
ARTHUR HILL
12:34
My guess is that he will be. The trade market for Ingram hasn't been robust because he's got an expiring contract and teams are reluctant to sign him to a large deal next summer. The Pelicans have a chance to contend with their current roster, so they don't want to give him away cheaply. And it may be hard to find a deal worth taking even by February.
Pat Riley
12:34
Dan Le Batard was recently on with a notion that Anthony Edwards could follow T Wolves GM Tim Connely should he leave and there are ties to Miami. Any shot?
ARTHUR HILL
12:38
No, I don't think Edwards is going anywhere, regardless of what happens with the front office. The five-year extension he signed last summer will take effect this season, so he doesn't have any leverage to force a trade. Plus there's no indication that he's unhappy in Minnesota. The Wolves should be contenders for a long time, and Edwards will be the focus of the team. Le Batard may have been trying to get some attention during a slow news time.
Guest
12:39
Which of this year's top long-term free agent deals (PG13, Anunoby, Maxey, Siakam, Quickley) will be the biggest bargain and the biggest bust?
ARTHUR HILL
12:44
Maxey seems like the best deal. He's only 23 and is already a star. He should be even better in the Sixers' revamped lineup, and I expect him to get another max contract when this one runs out. The other deals all carry an element of risk because of age, injury history or doubts about Quickley's overall effectiveness. I'd say Anunoby is the biggest risk because of how much he tends to get hurt.
Just got done
12:45
Thoughts on the Dancing Bear to Philly.
ARTHUR HILL
12:49
He provides depth at power forward for a team that really isn't settled at that spot. Caleb Martin will likely be the starter, and KJ Martin is the only competition for playing time, unless the Sixers plan to use very small lineups. Yabusele looked like a legitimate player during the Olympics. He was able to compete with some of the best talent in the world and earned second-team honors. He's a good, low-cost pickup for Philadelphia.
Ben Simmons
12:49
What and where is the likelihood Ben Simmon aign as an unrestricted free agent after 2015-2026 season ? Spurs ??
ARTHUR HILL
12:53
Despite Simmons' recent history, someone is always willing to take a chance on talent. This is his last chance to prove himself before free agency, so he'll have added incentive to stay on the court and produce. If that happens, it's possible he'll re-sign with the Nets, who are more focused on rebuilding through the draft than winning right away. However, the idea of a vintage Simmons combining his talents with Victor Wembanyama would be spectacular.
Bob
12:54
Do you see a plausible way the Pelicans can acquire a starting quality center before the season begins or soon after?
ARTHUR HILL
12:56
It may not be a high-level center, but the Pelicans need to upgrade the position before the season opens. They signaled their intention to contend with the Dejounte Murray trade, so they can't count on getting by with Daniel Theis and Yves Missi. There should be someone available from a team that's looking to reduce salary.
Kick Flipowski
12:57
Why the hiccup on the Alpie Sengun extension? They have the guards and wings to mitigate the defense problem and if it does not work well, they have one of the top 4 5 most entertaining offense in a league of spread PnR. They’d sell tickets
ARTHUR HILL
1:00
The Rockets probably don't see an urgency to get an extension done with Sengun right away. He would be a restricted free agent next summer, so if they're going to commit big money to him, they can do it then. As you say, Sengun is talented and fun to watch, but Houston's front office may want to take one more season to determine how all its pieces fit together.
Thanks for another week of great questions. We'll talk again next Tuesday.
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