I don't think he could be traded this deadline if he signs an extension. Kinda like how EG wasn't eligible to be traded last season.
Cousin and Woods are unproven at this point. Tuckers has proven his worth and is a one-man defense. We would be crazy to rely on a guy that may be a flash in the pan and a guy that hasn't played in 2 years.
We're win now. We need someone to be able to consistently hit a dang 3... like a 3 pt specialist? He's also got a really quick shot.
@BimaThug can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a trade could be made with an extension agreement already in place between PJ and the new team. He would then sign the extension after the trade is complete.
UPGRADE AG doesnt just bring high flying dunks and lockdown defense. But also PACE and PASSING. https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2020/...-passing-key-aaron-gordon-jonathan-isaac-duo/ https://www.nba.com/magic/magic-taking-advantage-aaron-gordons-playmaking-abilities-20200229 https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2019/...n-passing-unlock-his-game-orlando-magic-game/
Really dont know what your fascination is with AG bro. Dude's a 31% 3 pt shooter and a tweener making 18M a year and extremely injury prone. Regardless whether we continue with Harden, reset with Wall/Cousins, or blow it all up and rebuild he has no place on this team IMO.
There are those who say otherwise. If Bimathug, Nook and quite a few other knowledgeable posters agree that AG is a good fit then I'm good. You go with your opinion, I'm quite satisfied with mine.
Watching a bit more of his game, here are my takeaways. THE GOOD 1) he’s a very good 1v1 defender. Watched him guard Harden and Westbrook...he’s got everything you want from a top shelf defender. 2) not sure he’s got the awareness for weak side support, but he’s a good shot blocker. 3) he’s a VERY good rebounder. This is something I hadn’t read much about, but it’s clear from the tape. Definitely someone that gives other teams fits in the paint. 4) For his size, he’s a very good ball handler...good enough to trust bringing it up the floor. 5) obviously an elite finisher at the rim NOT SURE 1) he can pass, but it’s more pocket passes. He’s not a guy that makes them on the move, like a Harden or Lebron. In the offense we’ve run for the last 4 years, I don’t think that would’ve worked with Harden. Maybe now with Silas, but would need to see what it looks like. Also, the lack of shooting and spacing in Orlando makes it hard to know how else they could operate. NEEDS WORK 1) he’s not a natural shooter. Just isn’t. Having said that, there is some hope that he can be a functional shooter. His stats on catch and shoot, 0/1 dribble, <2 seconds touch and wide open are all about average over the last 3 season (with a small dip last season). This may point to a guy that can hit open and catch and shoot 3s at an average clip. What he shouldn’t do is is pull-up 3s or off the dribble...he will never be that kind of shooter. After looking at all of this, it’s clear to me that his development has been significantly hampered by Orlando’s personnel. He is not Lebron or Giannis as far as a creator off the dribble. He needs to be an ELITE role player. he needs to slash to the rim with or without the ball. PnR with someone that can shoot and has the handles to keep a defense honest. He needs to develop a really solid corner 3 like PJ. Maybe work on some 4/5 game. Basically, he needs someone to set him up. He COULD potentially fit with Wood and Cousins if those 2 can provide consistent spacing. But he would definitely benefit from playing with Harden and Wall.
AG would be lethal as a short roller, passing to corner or finishing above the rim. He is not an elite passer but he is much better than many realize, I've always referred to him as a secondary ballhandler talent but on the Rockets he just needs to be the tertiary ballhandler when Harden and Wall on floor together. Having a big with his ball handling skills + his elite iso defense would be a difference maker in the postseason. With AG, Wood, Cousins - Rockets can play 2 big defenders the ENTIRE game vs. teams like Lakers, Bucks, Nuggets, 76ers, Clippers, etc.
that’s a good point at the end. The ability to stay big WITH SKILL against the Lakers would be huge, so long as he can be a functional shooter. If he turns into Russ, where they play 10 feet off him, that’s a concern. That’s why the corner 3 would be a great addition to his game. In Houston, playing with Harden and Wood, there’s going to be times where he needs to be providing them space. Right now all of his time is spent above the break or in the post. In Houston, we have Harden and Wall occupying that space, ie he doesn’t always need to be there like he does now. Have him pick for either of those guys, slash to the rim, then slink off to the corner.
He can also screen and go off ball or reverse pick and roll with either Harden, Wall or even Cousins. The offensive versatility would be devastating especially with the gravity that Harden creates. AG would go bananas with that much space, similar to Uncle Jeff - except AG is much more decisive and his game is much more physical and FAST.
Trading Tuck would be silly. Same with EG. If you are not getting back a very good player trading them just to trade them is stupid. Especially if you are trying to win. Plus that would be a good way to further shatter that relationship with Harden.
No chance to get Tyler Herro unless we trade Harden for him. Even in that case, Heat might still deny the trade.
Green is a good prototype. in general having more guys that can play off of what makes Harden great is a good thing. Having a guy besides Wood that can provide vertical spacing gives a different kind of “depth”. I do start to worry about the shooting on this team though if you add Gordon. We HOPE Wall will improve to a league average shooter. We HOPE what Wood showed from 3 last season wasn’t a fluke. We hope Gordon can be an average shooter in open and catch and shoot situations. but that’s a lot to place in hope.
Worked for the Heat. Until it didn't. Also, Lakers were not a great 3ball shooting team either, they adapted. Skilled size gives you all sorts of offensive options to win. Especially if team is good defensively as well. I would take my chances with AG over EGo. EGo lost his 3ball in postseason AND could not finish OR defend bigs. Give me a skilled 6'8 player over skilled 6'3 player all day every day. And remember, Green's 3ball improved (both Gerald & Jeff - same with House & BMac) playing in Rockets system and with Harden's gravity. Wide open 3's are much easier to hit.
