Rockets can get to another level with one roster tweak

Bench or trade PJ.

PJ hitched his entire offensive game on the Harden wagon, where Harden did everything and he only had to sit in the corner to wait for wide open corner threes. Without Harden and under Silas system, every player now has to pull their own weight. PJ looks absolutely lost on offense and his declining defense does not make up for the Rockets playing 4 v 5 on offense whenever he's in.

Tate is everything PJ is but a 2.0 version that actual can attack closeouts, finish at the rim and is a terrific passer. Put House at SF(has impressed with his passing), Tate at PF, and this team gets to another level immediately even if we got nothing back for Tucker. Think back to cp3's first year here when they eventually started PJ over Ryno and the team took off(because PJ fit next to Harden and cp3). Same will happen here if House or whichever SF we trade for starts over PJ(because he no longer fits).

 

The opposite actually. He's been living off that reputation for years even as it has severely fallen off especially this year. Look up any advanced metric, rapm, bpm, raptor...PJ has been one of the worst players in the entire league this year. Partly because of age and just falling off, maybe partly disgruntled from lack of extension, but imo mostly because he is just a severely limited offense player that has gotten exposed without Harden creating all his open shots.

We are going to trade PJ for a couple of second round picks and people here will think we are tanking but in fact it will be the greatest addition by subtraction. The reason why Tate and Nwaba have the best two man net rating on the team is not only because Nwaba is awesome, which is true, but also because Tate is allowed to play his natural position at PF when Nwaba is in and be awesome himself as well. PJ in the starting lineup is cockblocking Tate's development because Tate is not a SF.

 

Its not just about shooting. Tate is a much much more dynamic offensive player compared to PJ. Tate can attack closeouts off the dribble, finish at the rim, or make the correct reads and passes. PJ can only stand in the corner. Swapping them would completely open up the offense.

 

The opposite actually. He's been living off that reputation for years even as it has severely fallen off especially this year. Look up any advanced metric, rapm, bpm, raptor...PJ has been one of the worst players in the entire league this year. Partly because of age and just falling off, maybe partly disgruntled from lack of extension, but imo mostly because he is just a severely limited offense player that has gotten exposed without Harden creating all his open shots.

We are going to trade PJ for a couple of second round picks and people here will think we are tanking but in fact it will be the greatest addition by subtraction. The reason why Tate and Nwaba have the best two man net rating on the team is not only because Nwaba is awesome, which is true, but also because Tate is allowed to play his natural position at PF when Nwaba is in and be awesome himself as well. PJ in the starting lineup is cockblocking Tate's development because Tate is not a SF.

 

We are a bottom 10 offense. I don't doubt that PJ is the best communicator and qb of the defense. He can be one of the assistant coaches then. I'm fine with pj staying until the deadline to tutor the young guys, especially Tate who will be taking his place. I'm just saying when he inevitably does get traded the team will take off to another level.

 

House has actually been good at being decisive and moving the ball which is what Silas is looking for, i would actually like to see him replace PJ in the starting lineup if we don't get any players back. Mclemore is straight ass, needs to be packaged but doubt anybody wants him.

 

For sure another level doesn't mean contender. Maybe that was a poor choice of words. But we will get better, which may be counterintuitive. Tate is playing out of position right now, and PJ is stunting the offense. Classic addition by subtraction. Would be a totally different story if Harden or another ball dominant superstar was still here, then PJ would be invaluable. Not meant to be a complete knock on PJ even though I do think he's fallen off due to age, it's more to do with the new system and player fit we have.