WOJ: BREAKING Westbrook to Houston for CP3 & Picks!!!

Here's the thing, he probably does know they are important. But...in his mind.....are they worth going into the LT for?

That's what we are talking about that is making us frustrated.

 

I mean he could think of it this way: "We're going into LT because of Harden's deal. If we didn't have Harden, we'd be way under the LT. But you gotta have stars to win in this league and I am prepared to go into LT for James Harden"

 

On a positive note... I’m thoroughly excited to see Westbrook and Gordon play uptempo against other team’s second unit. (Assuming House starts).

 

In the simplest terms, it's possible that not signing House last year to a deal that would have snuck us into the LT conceivably caused us a championship. We lost games we should have won, which would have changed our seeding, Danuel was visibly nervous and maybe extra reps in the big leagues would have made him more comfortable during the post season.

 

I have it in my signature. Not signing House cost us 5 games and the #1 seed. Factor all the ripple effects of that.

Moves at the margins make a difference when you are close. And they all have ripple effects.

 

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2019/07/more-details-on-draft-picks-traded-from-rockets-to-thunder.html

• Rockets’ 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected)
  • If this pick falls in its protected range, the Thunder will instead receive Houston’s 2024 and 2025 second-round picks.

• Rockets’ 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected)
  • If this pick falls in its protected range, the Thunder will instead receive Houston’s 2026 second-round pick and $1MM in cash.
  • While that $1MM is conditional, it technically must count toward the Rockets’ traded-cash limit for the 2019/20 league year

• The right to swap first-round picks with the Rockets in 2021 (top-four protected)
  • Since the Thunder also own the Heat’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick, Houston will receive the least favorable of those three first-rounders, while the Thunder will receive the two most favorable picks (unless the Rockets’ pick falls in the top four).

• The right to swap first-round picks with the Rockets in 2025 (top-10 protected)
  • This pick swap was originally reported as top-20 protected, but the protection is actually 1-10, meaning it could still end up being a lottery pick.
  • The Thunder also have the right to swap first-round picks with the Clippers in this draft, so they won’t necessarily swap with Houston even if the Rockets’ pick falls outside the top 10 and is more favorable than Oklahoma City’s pick.

 

The pick swaps are kind of worthless. I don't see the Rockets being worse that OKC during those times. I think the 2026 1st is the most damaging asset that was given up.

 

We have no players under contract by 2024 so who the hell knows what kind of team we will be by then. Daryl most likely is gone by then so at least we'll have a few of his drafts before these convey.

 

I am not in the camp that says *Daryl is most likely gone.*

 

We should find out very soon. I think all of his kids being out of school is going to have him re-evalute his next step. Hinkie doesn't seem to be in too big of a hurry to enter back into the NBA. There are much less stressful jobs out there with much better pay.

 

Do you know what our record was when House was out?

House played when we lost to OKC at the buzzer in the last game.

If House is this great difference maker doesn't that mean we will have a better team since he is signed all year?

 

I actually do believe that having Austin Rivers and Danuel House for an entire year will make us a better team. Other than the sorely needed 3&D wing/forward that we are ALL clamoring for, I don't actually see any real holes on this team.

 

House showed in the playoffs that he wasn't ready for prime time yet, after playing extremely well during the regular season. And, Shump wasn't fully recovered.
Don't get me wrong, as I believe in my Cougar brother over the long haul as a pro.
And, I have complete faith in Shump's ability as a 3 and D guy, for reasons explained earlier...not just on the defensive side.

 

Had about a 5 minute conversation with Russell at post oak and he was very short but expressed interest teaming up with his long time buddy. Said he’s going to be “taking turns with harden” and appreciates the opportunity he has here

 

Would like another wing with size somebody who can play 3/4.

 

The 3D wing that can play 3/4 is a huge hole. Huge.

Even if you like House to be the best version of himself, Tucker right now is the only 4 on the roster and you're also expecting him to play the 5 in Tuckwagon lineups.

 

we'll probably wait till buyout season to see if such a player becomes available. and if not, there's always next year!

 

I agree with you. But looking around the West, there isn't a single team that doesn't have its flaws.

Clippers - ball distribution and scoring
Lakers - health and chemistry
Nuggets - star power and tenacity
Blazers - health
Jazz - star power

I agree that the optics are bad, and it appears as though Tilman cheaped out on us at the worst possible time, but the optimist in me refuses to COMPLETELY blast ownership until Shumpert walks for nothing. I also agree that until we address the 3&D wing, we probably can't be considered favorites to come out of the West over anyone else, regardless of their flaws.

 

The thing that bothers me the most is we haven't learned from last year... Our owner hasn't....

Us waiting to add depth and talent may cost us a poor start again and be the difference between a 1 seed or a 4 seed?????????

F LTS!!!