JotCast | Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/31/2026

Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 8/31/2026

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Luke Adams

3:01

Thanks for all the early questions today, guys!

3:02

Before we get going here, a housekeeping note: My schedule is changing a little, so starting next week, the plan is for this chat to take place on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm Central time (2 Eastern) rather than on Mondays.

OK, let's dive in here.

Dominic

3:02

The Kings have been doing multiple tryouts for veteran guards, is there any movement on signing one?

Luke Adams

3:04

Haven't heard anything to suggest there is. For what it's worth, last year they signed Russell Westbrook on Oct. 16 and Precious Achiuwa on Nov. 4, so they're definitely comfortable having someone play regular minutes even if they weren't with the team for training camp and the preseason.

Still, I doubt they'll wait that long this year. A September signing or two seems likely to me.

AnthonyEdwardsHypeMachine

3:04

Simple question. With Kuminga in the fold are the Wolves ahead of the Thunder or Spurs in your view in the Western Conference?

Luke Adams

3:05

No. But their upside makes them as intriguing to me as any non-Spurs/Thunder team in the West.

Seamhead

3:05

So it sounds like the deadline for waive-and-stretch has passed and the Nuggets are still over the 2nd apron with 14 players. Safe to assume they'll start the season there and hope unlikely bonuses will drop them below by season end?

Luke Adams

3:07

I should probably double-check the exact CBA wording to confirm, but I'm 99% sure that the unlikely bonuses continue to count toward the aprons whether or not they're earned this season. So to duck below the second apron threshold, the Nuggets would need to make a trade.

Safe to assume we'll hear rumors about Zeke Nnaji again this winter. I could also see Julian Strawther emerging as a trade candidate. Moving Strawther at the February deadline without taking salary back and then replacing him with a minimum-salary free agent would be enough to duck out of the second apron.

Marky

3:08

Any landing spots for John Konchar? Was surprised Minnesota cut him instead of Williams.

Luke Adams

3:12

Their salaries were nearly identical, so yeah, the Wolves could've basically waived either one. I was a little surprised they chose Williams too. I don't think Konchar's anything special, but he has at least been a decent rotation player in the past. The Wolves must believe they can get more out of Williams than he's shown so far.

I think waiving Konchar would also make more sense if they're able to sign someone like Bruce Brown to fill the 15th roster spot.

As for landing spots for Konchar, Miami has been rumored as a possibility. There aren't a lot of teams around the NBA that have roster spots to spare, so his options might be limited. Maybe Washington or Sacramento? Possibly Toronto?

BLinn

3:13

I feel like at least one of the Lakers, Heat, Nuggets, and Warriors is going to be especially and surprisingly stinky. You agree? If so, they're each kinda stuck, right?

Luke Adams

3:15

I'm always wary when a team makes a ton of changes, since it often takes some time for new teammates to mesh. So I'm in wait-and-see mode with the Lakers and Heat. I still like the Nuggets' talent in general, but I don't think they're as deep as last year, so they really need their top guys to stay healthy. The Warriors' expectations are probably a level below the expectations for those other teams.

As for whether they'd be stuck... the Lakers, Heat, and Nuggets definitely wouldn't be in great spots, since they've traded so many draft picks. But the Warriors could actually pivot pretty easily if needed. They barely have any money on their books for next season and still have almost all of their future first-rounders.

Random NBA Fan

3:16

Now that Kuminga's deal is finally done, is the offseason basically over? Sure, Cam Whitmore will go somewhere, but there are no rumblings about a team still looking to address some major hole before the preseason is there?

Luke Adams

3:17

I'm still very curious to see what happens with Jalen Duren and the Pistons. And of course we're waiting on the Kawhi Leonard resolution.

Other than that though, there aren't a ton of major storylines to resolve. Mostly just some minor roster and cap crunches to sort out.

MaxDeal

3:17

Do the Nets have anyone on their roster who could be an All-Star or All-NBA selection in the next three years?

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