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Hoops Rumors Live Chat 8/22/2023
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Jeremys7484
2:00
Do you think Lonzo will play in the nba again?
Dana Gauruder
2:02
I do. Seems like he's been around longer than this but he's still only 25. He seems quite optimistic that the latest surgery will alleviate his knee issues. The comparison may not be perfect but I think of Grant Hill and all the surgeries on his ankle/foot. He finally got back into the league and was an effective player, if not the star he had been before the injuries.
Anon
2:03
What the heck is up with the Knicks v. Raptors lawsuit? That  statement the Raptors issued sure didn’t sound like a denial.
Dana Gauruder
2:05
Boy, that came out of nowhere, didn't it? It's a fascinating case. I think the most interesting, or controversial, aspect is the alleged involvement of the new head coach. The lawsuit sure made it sound like he was an active participant. I don't think this issue is going away anytime soon, to put it mildly.
Guest
2:05
What is next for the Pistons? Is their regular season roster set or will they clear a logjam at the guard and/or center spots?
Dana Gauruder
2:10
I fielded a similar question last week. The Pistons don't have to do anything right away. They can let Monty try to sort things out -- they're paying him 13 mill to do so. If a deal comes along where, say, they can get a future firster for Bogdanovic, they might bite. But they can take that group into the regular season with the knowledge they still have some tradeable pieces (Bogie, Burks, Harris, etc.). That $19.9 mill expiring deal Harris has, for example, is still going to have plenty of value during the regular season. I will say the Pistons' roster doesn't look too bad for team that had the worst record last year.
Jeremys7484
2:11
Will the Mavericks make any more moves? Do you think they have the talent to make a playoff run?
Dana Gauruder
2:13
The Mavs are still in the market for upgrades at forward/center. Whether they can pull off a deal before opening night remains to be seen. They do have Doncic/Irving and you'd think with more time to develop chemistry, they could be the most dangerous offensive backcourt in the league. So they're definitely in the playoff mix but I don't think they have enough surrounding pieces at the moment to be considered a serious title contender.
Steve
2:13
As training camp approaches, does the Blazer’s GM get active in dealing Lilliard, or a circus atmosphere exists in training camp… with age and contract Lilliard becomes a depreciating asset like a car… teams need a training camp to integrate him into a new team…. If Hero comes back to the Heat, along with Duncan Robinson and both start out strong, Heat’s offer to Blazer’s would be less than now during season… or may loss p interest totally…  What is your take? Thanks!
Dana Gauruder
2:17
It may get uncomfortable but the conventional wisdom is that Lillard, considering his competitive nature, will report and play hard until things sort themselves out. I don't see him as a "depreciating asset" unless he suffers a significant injury. Durant wanted a trade last summer and the Nets couldn't find a deal to their liking. Then when he asked out again before the deadline, they got a significant return from the Suns. I still think they'll get something done with the Heat by opening night, if not before training camp, but we're still a month away from training camp, so the Blazers are in no rush to make a trade.
Mike B
2:17
What is the best option for the Hornets regard PJ Washington? Sign him to offer sheet, sign long term contract, or sign and trade?  Is he too redundant with Bridges and Brandon on the roster? Would they rather have Washington than Bridges long term?
Dana Gauruder
2:20
That QO is on the table and I think it's more Washington's call than anything else. Most teams have already eaten up too much cap space for him to get an offer sheet. It would be a better scenario for him that a team comes along with the desire for a sign-and-trade. The most likely outcome is that Washington accepts the QO, as Bridges did, and then he can head into free agency next summer without any restrictions. Charlotte would have a pretty good forward mix with Washington, Miller, Bridges, Hayward. Bridges could play some '2' as well.
Jojo
2:20
Why do the clippers need a harden please explain.
Dana Gauruder
2:23
They don't. They need Leonard and George to stay out of the trainer's room. The only thing about Harden is that as long as he doesn't expect a longterm contract, you could see how things work and if they fail to get to the Finals, you've got that cap space. But If I were in Clippers management, I'd stay away from that situation.
humps
2:23
Mavs traded Porzingis to please king Luka. However, the following year, they signed another ‘Dirk wannabe’ in the form of c-wood. This shows that the Mavs have little understanding of what type of big man can compliment Luka. A guy like Jakob poeltl would bring the tough mentality that Luka needs from his big.
Dana Gauruder
2:26
I wonder if they would still make that deal with Washington if they knew Kristaps would play 65 games, as he did last year. I think the Mavs got impatient with Kristaps' health issues. Poeltl signed a nice extension with the Raptors, so he isn't going to Dallas. As indicated earlier, the Mavs are still in the market for frontcourt upgrades, so you may get your wish in the near future.
Arcman
2:27
Why is the Western conference always so much stronger than the eastern conference?
Dana Gauruder
2:31
I don't think you can pinpoint any one reason for that. It appeared that things were starting to even out in recent years -- Milwaukee won the title a couple of years ago and Boston, Philly and Miami have become steady contenders in recent seasons. Golden State's general dominance in the West, and other teams in the West trying to catch up to their franchise, is one big factor.
John kitna
2:31
When can we expect to see NBA expansion
Dana Gauruder
2:34
If you go by what Adam Silver has been saying, it'll come sometime after the next series of broadcasting contracts are signed. Honestly, I think the league should have added a couple more teams by now. There is enough talent out there to stock a couple more teams. It would be surprising if the next 2 teams aren't in Las Vegas and Seattle.
KJ
2:35
So obviously right now one of the biggest problems of the NBA is Superstars signing and Max contract at 9:00 and then demanding a trade at 10:00 if you were commissioner how would you solve this problem
Dana Gauruder
2:39
The league and owners thought in the past that by making it easier for teams to retain their best players, it would lead to more parity. It's proven that even lucrative extensions and max contract are not deterrents to trade demands. There's little that a commissioner can do in these situations, especially now with an new CBA in place. Ideally, you'd have sort sort of rule where a player signing a max or highly lucrative extension couldn't be traded for a couple of years but that wouldn't fly with the Players Association.
KJ
2:39
Where do you project the Knicks ending up this year? Essentially they really didn't do anything except for giving up Toppin and signing Donte.  So unless there is some internal Improvement I see them at the same spot as this year second round
Dana Gauruder
2:42
I don't know if the Knicks are done making moves -- certainly, they'd like to clear Fournier off the roster -- but you are correct, they have had a quiet offseason after making a number of big moves last summer. For now, they're banking on continuity, chemistry and internal improvement, along with having Hart on the roster for a full season. I don't think they can win a championship with the roster as currently constructed but you figure they'll be in the playoff hunt and they can make a big move before the trade deadline. As has often been pointed out, they have the young talent and extra first-round picks to trade if the right deal for a star player comes along.
Chris D
2:44
I saw that the Wizards will not be bringing over Vukcevic this season. This means they still have FIVE vets on expiring contracts (Tyus Jones, Delon Wright, Shamett, Gallinari, and Muscala) who seemingly would not have a logical role on the team after this year. So I guess this year will be mostly about showcasing those guys for trades at the deadline. Do you think I'm missing something because that doesn't seem very interesting to me as a fan?
Dana Gauruder
2:49
They currently have 16 players on standard deals, so at least one has to go. They could add Vukcevic on a two-way because they have an opening there. Among those players you mentioned, Jones projects as the starting point, Shamet and Wright should get regular playing time, as will Gallinari if he's healthy. Those expiring contracts could fetch some draft assets before the trade deadline and that's really where the Wizards are at now -- in the early stages of rebuild, looking to accumulate as many as assets as possible.
Guest
2:49
Hi, if the Kyrie experiment isnt working by Dec 15th could you see Dallas being interested in a swap for DLo and Rui?
Dana Gauruder
2:52
Do the Lakers really need to do that? The have the Big 2, and Reaves has turned into quite a player. I see the Lakers as having a pretty good roster, I don't see them doing anything that radical unless their season is on the brink at the February deadline.
Connor💪🏼
2:52
Who’s ur favorite to win it all?
Dana Gauruder
2:57
According to the Vegas oddsmakers, Celtics, Nuggets, Bucks and Suns are taking the most action. The Nuggets deserve to be the favorites and the Celtics should be the favorite in the East with Tatum, Brown and Kristaps. However, I never underestimate the Warriors. I think it will be fascinating to see if they can turn Paul into a sixth man. And the Lakers, to me, are dangerous as long as LeBron and AD are healthy in the postseason.
Worldwide wes
2:58
rank these possible future Knick most likely to least. I see it as Joel, Luka, Giannis, KAT
Dana Gauruder
3:00
KAT, Embiid, Luka, Giannis. Towns has that big extension but I think he's more "gettable" than the others. If Embiid issues a trade demand, the Knicks have the capital to make a big offer.
Chicago
3:00
Jevon Carter is starting at PG right? He makes way more sense in that role than Coby White, Ayo is terrible, Caruso is needed to close defensively
Dana Gauruder
3:01
Right now, I'd agree. I think they want to limit Caruso's minutes, so it makes sense that he comes off the bench.
That's all the time we have for today. Please join Luke Adams for our next chat on Thursday.
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