Zach Randolph + Kosta Koufos + 2019 1st + 2020 2nd = Ryan Anderson. Sac isn't in the playoff picture so they need to bring in fans and accumulate assets in the mean time. Kosta and Zach are expendable and will only stunt the growth of young people behind them. Ryan is a local who might get a lift from heading home and could help spread the floor giving the rest room to move. Worst case, is they give more PT to their young guys, get a higher 2019 pick of their own to go an additional late pick in a deep draft and get a 2020 expiring to trade if desired. Is that really that bad of a scenario? I hate to give up the 2019 but the Rockets are in the win now mode. Kosta can back up Clint. Zach can add some depth and beef to the front line. Both are expiring and would be tradable near the deadline for the teams wanting to hit the reset button.
I would love this trade but Sac wouldn’t bite. They’d be delaying cap space for another year. I know we would all respond with “well it’s sacramento it’s not like anyone will sign there” but that’s not the attitude a front office can have. Getting a first rounder is key because they may not have theirs if it’s high enough (can’t remember the protection; top 3?), but that also goes against your point of them getting a higher pick of their own. Koufus can get you more so I’d say it would have to be Z-Bo and Iman but still the kings wouldn’t bite I don’t think.
They would be delaying their cap space for another year but who...oh wait...you finished that. This is Sac's front office. When is the last time they signed a max UFA contract? 90s? Their best bet on making the playoffs is draft picks. The more and the higher the pick, the better. Also they need to get plenty of playing time to their prospects and they can't have 29 and 37 year olds taking away playing time. Now could they get a better offer for Koufus? Maybe. But they need to clear out space for their young players. And they will never have to worry about playoff Ryan for the 2 years remaining.
For all of you disappointed James Johnson fans, here's the next best thing: JaMychal Green Houston trades: Anderson, Nene Houston receives: Harkless, Leonard, Green Memphis trades: Parsons, Green Memphis receives: Anderson, Nene Portland trades: Harkless, Leonard Portland receives: Parsons The basis of this trade is every team gets to move a radioactive contract (Anderson/Parsons/Leonard). Each team has a well documented history of wanting to part ways with the aforementioned. It would likely take some sweeteners on Portland's end, but I think a deal like this gets accomplished without involving any first-rounders. Houston does this to get two players that are playable against GS. With Green, the intangibles component is through the roof and he can defend multiple positions. Similar strengths to James Johnson. Harkless is a true SF, a decent 3&D option and likely rotation-worthy. Leonard is a non-factor. Memphis does it to dump Parsons and take back $7M less in salary. Portland does it to dump Leonard and Harkless. Plus, maybe they're gullible and believe Parsons is finally healthy. No superstar is going to walk through their door anytime soon, so maybe it's worth it to them to deal two finished products (Harkless - okay 3&D player, Leonard - garbage, lazy and injury prone) for a player with CP's skill level. Salary-wise, none of these deals go beyond next season.
This isn't a trade idea, but hopefully a future addition. Thanasis Antetokounmpo. 3 and D with a touch. His shooting can get better in Houston. He has improved in Greece. Still explosive and long. His shot blocking is amazing.
It's unrealistic in my opinion. It's certainly not in favor of the Heat. The Wizards get EG, but lose Porter. This is one way to move RA, but it might not be enough for them. It's skewed in Houston's favor.
Would be interesting to have Thanos and his Infinity Gauntlet on the Rockets. Alphabet's big bro is not nearly as long but still so uber athletic and great fit on this team. May be a better 3 point shooter too.
Anderson, Birch, Hou 19 & 21 1st to Kings Shumpert, Kings '20 2nd to Magic Simmons to Rockets It's a slight overpay for Houston, but the Kings are the only team who can provide enough cap space for this type of deal, and they would presumably have to buyout or waive both Koufos & Randolph just to clear minutes for Anderson. This would dip the Rockets below luxury tax (with signing Melton, and even one more vet min or rookie deal) while landing a decent 3&D wing in Simmons, who also only has 1 million guaranteed on his contract next season if things don't work out. So super deal for our tax and situation. Roster Paul / Williams Harden / Gordon Simmons / Ennis / Green Tucker / Anthony Capela / Nene G-League: Melton / Qi / Hartenstein
If we get zach Randolph, we will become champion in the playoff. I can hundered percent sure, we can beat warriors. Morey does it now.
Mark Deeks speculates that if Luol Deng is waived/stretched by the Lakers that the Rockets could be a landing spot for him on a vet min deal. That said, considering his declined speed concurrent with the NBA's increased pace of play, Deng's days of playing the small forward spot in the NBA are likely over. Going forward, then, he figures to be either a slow four that does not stretch the floor as much as his peers, or a very undersized five who protects the perimeter better than the basket. Nevertheless, if he can make the adjustment to a small ball centre, or a power forward in the right match-ups, he can extend his career. Perhaps with this in mind, the Houston Rockets would be the place to go. After losing frontcourt depth and key contributors with the departures of Trevor Ariza and Luc Richard Mbah A Moute, the Rockets have opted for a patchwork option in the form of Carmelo Anthony, yet even prior to these departures, they lacked for front court depth. Tarik Black is also gone, Nene looked considerably slowed last year, Ryan Anderson fell off even faster, Zhou Qi is not ready and may never be, and Isaiah Hartenstein is an untested rookie. Notwithstanding the excellence of their back court of James Harden and Chris Paul, the versatility of P.J. Tucker and the perfect fit that is Clint Capela, Houston could use someone in the Mbah A Moute role. With their spacing at four positions, and Capela to cover for him at centre, they are well equipped to handle a cutter, prober and defender who can take match-ups when Tucker needs a rest. In theory, Deng could be it. In theory, after a year of sitting unwanted on the sidelines and of being thought of primarily as a contract rather than a person, he could find himself not only back in the league as a player, but on a pretty good team. In theory, the Luol Deng Career Redux will soon commence.
Ok, now that the Rockets have Brandon Knight and Chriss on the roster, it gives the Rockets some more options "trade matching-wise" to make moves. One example is Chriss' 3M contract. Would you do a Chriss+1st for Kelly Oubre (and a 2nd)? Their contracts perfectly matches up. (I added a 2nd because....Morey ). I could see the Wizards potentially being interested since Oubre will be looking for a payday and they have Porter already on board and Brown was just drafted. They don't have any "young" big/rim runners and that was something they were looking to add. Could be a win/win for both teams. Just spit balling.
Spoiler: additional context Presuming Brandon Knight is to be flipped before his salary could be aggregated, the Rockets could only receive returning salaries amounting to $18,389,062 (maximum). There's only one player other than Bazemore directly under that max salary: Goran Dragic. The next group of players (excluding 'bigs') below that are Evan Turner, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Jackson, Evan Fournier, Gary Harris, and DeMarre Caroll.
Therein lies the dilemma. He has one season left in the tank. Do you use it in the knowledge that he will be done in a year or two or do you develop the younger guys? Just gave him the benefit of the doubt for one season, might be a lesser Joe Johnson at 36.
