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Hoops Rumors Live Chat: 9/4/2025
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Luke Adams
1:01
Thanks for the early questions, guys. Let's jump right in!
Qbert
1:01
How do you see the QO getting revised in the next CBA? It is something the players association would want bargained out.
Luke Adams
1:03
The QO amount is based on a percentage of the player's prior salary -- seems to me like bumping up that percentage would be an easy fix. It would likely result in fewer QOs being handed out to begin with (freeing up players for unrestricted free agency) and would make the ones that are issued more appealing to players than they currently are.
Hawks
1:03
Any other moves the Hawks might make to the roster before the start of the season? I'd love to see them bring in another veteran PF as insurance in case Jalen Johnson is out for an extended absence (which regularly seems to happen to him).
Luke Adams
1:06
The Hawks definitely have the flexibility to make some changes if they want to -- they have 15 players on standard contracts, but only 11 of them are fully guaranteed.

Safe to assume Vit Krejci and his $1.5MM partial guarantee will be on the roster, but I'm not sure the spots for Caleb Houstan, N'Faly Dante, and Mouhamed Gueye are set in stone, so Atlanta could bring in someone else if they want to.

Still, unless they like Precious Achiuwa or Trey Lyles, the power forward options on the free agent market are pretty limited. Wouldn't surprise me if they start with the current group and maintain the flexibility to waive one (or two) of those non-guaranteed contracts before the league-wide salary guarantee date in January.
Tao~of~Hoop
1:07
What pathway do you see for Amir Coffey surviving the the Bucks’ roster logjam?  He could be a potential starter for them considering youth, fit and production, but he also has the the most perilous contract status, being merely an Exhibit 9 non guaranteed.
Luke Adams
1:10
Unlike in the past few seasons, the Bucks are operating well below the luxury tax line, so they may be more comfortable this season with the idea of waiving a player on a guaranteed deal and eating that salary.

If so, Coffey's best path to a roster spot is probably beating out Chris Livingston. I was pretty shocked that Livingston got a new guaranteed contract after being waived -- I know he's still young, but he hasn't really shown anything at the NBA level to suggest that he's on the verge of becoming a rotation player.

Some sort of two- or three-for-one trade could also open up room on the roster for Coffey (and maybe Andre Jackson) but those deals are less likely to happen in Sept/Oct than in February.
Qbert
1:10
Are you surprised by any of the free agents who remain unsigned? There are some handshake agreements with the Warriors we know of. But beyond that? Brogdon, Burks, Lyles and Martin have all been rotation players for much of their career. Westbrook and Simmons are former stars.
Luke Adams
1:12
This sort of thing happens every year, where all of the sudden a few guys who have been NBA mainstays for years and years can't find work.

But yeah, it does feel like there are a few more than usual this offseason. I do think several of them will find work between now and opening night, but I'm a little surprised that Precious Achiuwa, Russell Westbrook, Malcolm Brogdon, and Trey Lyles aren't on rosters already.
Ron
1:12
If Kevin Love buyout with Jazz, can go to Lakers and if he sign, who will be in danger to be waived?
Luke Adams
1:14
The Lakers don't have room to sign a free agent right now, unless it's to a training camp (ie. Exhibit 9 and/or Exhibit 10) contract that wouldn't carry over to the regular season -- not enough flexibility below their hard cap. Barring some sort of cost-cutting trade or buyout, they'll have to open the season with 14 players on the standard roster instead of the full 15.
Wolves Fan
1:14
What are your thoughts on my Wolves for this year? Losing NAW hurts but I'm really impressed by TJ. I think he can really help us. I liked what I saw from Clark in the summer league, his tenacity on D was great! I think he can help pick up some of what we'll miss from NAW on that end. I'm hoping Dilly gets some more playing time and can work with Mike as a mentor. PG is our biggest weakness. I'd love for us to get another veteran for when Mike is out. Ant always brings something new to his game each year, I'm hoping that's the case again this year.
Luke Adams
1:16
They really need some of those young guys to step up. If at least two of Dillingham, Shannon, and Clark can give them quality rotation minutes, I like their chances to be just about as good as they've been the last couple years, though I agree that another veteran PG would help -- I've said it before in these chats, but Brogdon or Payne would make a lot of sense to me.
GrizzMan
1:17
Does the OMP signing move the needle for Memphis?
Luke Adams
1:17
Don't think so, but it's a worthwhile low-risk move.
Qbert
1:17
Which three players on standard contracts do you see Charlotte releasing prior to opening day?
Luke Adams
1:20
If I had to guess... DaQuan Jeffries, Nick Smith Jr., and Pat Connaughton.

Doesn't mean those are the three worst players on the roster, but their contract situations make them somewhat expendable. Moussa Diabate could also be at risk due to his non-guaranteed deal but it sorta feels like they need him up front.
Royal
1:20
If the Knicks don’t end up signing Landry Shamet, where could he realistically end up?
Luke Adams
1:22
Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit, Golden State, and San Antonio are some of the teams with the roster space + spending flexibility to add another veteran. Shamet makes more sense for some of those teams than others. I don't hate the Cavs as a match, with both Garland and Strus injured to start the season.
T
1:22
Opinion on Clippers salary controversy
Luke Adams
1:25
Gonna be very interesting to see what comes of that investigation. As compelling as the facts presented in Pablo's report are, there's no obvious smoking gun like there was in the Joe Smith case. If the investigation doesn't turn up that smoking gun, I'm curious how severe/lenient Adam Silver will be based on compelling circumstantial evidence.

The court of public opinion has already made up its mind, so I imagine a lot of people will be unhappy with the NBA if they just give the Clippers a slap on the wrist.
Kim
1:25
Good afternoon. Is there a world where Dyson Daniel’s gets an extension before Trae Young? And if so, will we have an unhappy Trae this season until he does? Thanks!!!
Luke Adams
1:28
We could definitely see that happen -- the deadline for a Daniels extension is October 20, whereas a Trae Young extension could happen at any time during the season. Deadlines spur action, so the Hawks will probably feel more compelled to get something done with Daniels next month.

We should get a better idea how Young feels about his lack of extension once he reports to camp and starts talking to the media, but I don't think an extension for Daniels would make the situation any worse -- by all accounts, Young is a good teammate, so I think he'd appreciate seeing Dyson get paid.
Ted
1:28
Why do you think the Nets took on MPJ? They basically built a ragtag group of shot chuckers. Do they hope they can flip Cam or MPJ for picks or a promising young player?
Luke Adams
1:30
No disrespect to MPJ, who is a great shooter and talented scorer, but I think the Nets made that trade because they wanted the unprotected first-round pick attached to Porter, not because they were specifically targeting him.

If they can trade him for positive value at some point before his contract expires, it would be a bonus.
Bruce_Wayne
1:31
how do the cavs sign as their 14th spot
Luke Adams
1:33
I mentioned Shamet earlier -- I feel like a guard or wing makes some sense, given their early-season injuries. De'Anthony Melton would be a great fit, but it sounds like he's going to Golden State. Maybe Alec Burks or Cody Martin.

If I were them, I'd probably try to get a guard or wing on a partially guaranteed deal (maybe $1MM or so), so that they'll be able to reevaluate what their most pressing need is by the January salary guarantee deadline and maybe make a change at that point.
Guest
1:33
Giannis Antetekoumpo is a no get traded right
Luke Adams
1:33
Right. Would not count on a Giannis trade in 2025.
Thomas
1:33
What are some names that could be in trade rumors this coming season? Zion, Trae, Bam, maybe Garland?
Luke Adams
1:37
Those are all possibilities, especially if those teams struggle at all. Same goes for the Bucks -- Giannis is staying for now, but if Milwaukee is under .500 at Christmas, safe to assume the speculation will kick into high gear again. Celtics are in this category too. If they struggle, I bet there will be some Jaylen Brown and/or Derrick White speculation.

Lauri Markkanen is worth watching. We'll see how long he's willing to stick it out with a not-good Jazz team.

LaMelo Ball, Domantas Sabonis, and Ja Morant are a few others to keep in mind if their teams aren't looking great.
ChicagoTimberSpurs
1:37
Do you see the QO acceptance by Cam Thomas influencing the outcomes for Giddey and Kuminga? Will they feel more empowered to do the same?
Luke Adams
1:40
I'd be pretty shocked if Giddey goes that route. Thomas and Kuminga weren't/aren't getting offered more than one guaranteed year by their current teams. Giddey has a real long-term offer on the table. It'd be as surprise if he passes that up.

I still think Kuminga would be better off accepting the Warriors' reported offer (two years, $45MM, second-year team option, waiving no-trade clause) than accepting the QO, but he may not see it that way.

As for whether Thomas' decision affects what those guys are thinking... I doubt it. They'll do what they believe is best for themselves.
Qbert
1:40
With Cam Thomas reportedly accepting the QO, what will Brooklyn do with their remaining roster spots? The unofficial agreements of Ziaire Williams and Ricky Council IV would put them four men over the opening day roster limit for standard contracts.
Luke Adams
1:44
14 of those 19 contracts will be guaranteed, and not many of those 14 guys are candidates to be waived -- maaaybe Dariq Whitehead and Haywood Highsmith.

But I imagine most of the odd men out will be the ones on non-guaranteed contracts. Council likely won't make the team. Keon Johnson and Jalen Wilson played a lot last year but weren't amazing in their minutes. I could see Timme being cut and brought back on a two-way.
Sam
1:45
Which lottery teams from each conference do you think will make it back to the playoffs this year, and why?
Luke Adams
1:47
Atlanta and Toronto are my top candidates in the East. Dallas and San Antonio in the West.

The Hawks should've made it last year and will have a better roster this season. The Raptors are a little underrated, in my opinion -- they won 30 games while trying to tank and without Brandon Ingram playing a single game.

The Mavs' chances will hinge on their point guard play -- their frontcourt is definitely playoff-worthy. The Spurs will need Wembanyama to stay healthy, of course, but this feels like it could be the year he starts becoming a perennial MVP candidate.
Ted
1:47
Are the trailblazers a sleeper pick
Luke Adams
1:48
If I had to choose one of the remaining five Western teams (Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento, New Orleans, Utah) to make the playoffs, I think I'd probably take the Blazers. But it doesn't help their 2025/26 chances that they used their entire MLE on a guy who won't play at all.
Black Ace57
1:49
About the players who are/might accept qualifying offers, how much of a story will it be for the teams involved (Warriors, Sixers, Nets, Bulls) and how much of a locker room issue might it be if Kuminga, Grimes, etc don’t get the playing time they want ahead of FA?
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