We’re at a crossroad. I think it’s safe to say this team is not only a playoff team, but has a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. Our ceiling appears to be around a 5-6 seed, with plenty of assets on deck to improve the team even further. However, the expectation was to be in asset accumulation mode after trading Harden. I’d even bet that the tanking conversation has at least been brought up in front office meetings. But with how special this group is chemistry, talent, and coaching wise, Stone has some tough decisions to make.
I voted for asset accumulation and moving PJ, EG, Dipo at the trade deadline. I have no idea what the Rockets are looking for, but I'm certain TF will always remain below the LT.
honestly I think this is a tough one. I could see voting for "all of the above," meaning "any of the above." they're all about equal in my mind, pluses and minuses for each one.
I'm fine with any of the options except for pure "asset acquisition," if by asset acquisition you mean additional draft capital. We have plenty of that. If we're making a move, we need to upgrade or get younger.
Trade House/Tucker is the deals are right. I'd seen low on House just so we can see more from our rookies. I really want to keep Dipo here. He's a great two way player but not worth max money. If he's willing to take a Wood type deal I'd be super happy but I don't he'd say yes to that until after this season. Again, If we get a really good offer we should take it though. House and Mac are toast to me. They can both go. PS: No-one is trading for Gordon unless he leaves with picks stapled to his jersey.
I thought about just trading pj and house but I think it is going to be hard to get superstars to come to houston so that cap space we get for dipo will not be out to good use. We need picks and young talent to develop/draft our stars. I think the only stars we get are players with star talent but have not been in that role (harden, wood) or someone who likes a player or two on our team (not seeing many there )
We can do both. I say if we do really well over the next 20 + games we should make the playoff push. Only do the Dipo deal if it is an absolute no brainer. As in, we win the trade, but a contender is betting the mortgage. I am open for an asset accumulation deal for Tucker regardless. (Sorry PJ). Same with House. In fact, I really hope we can get rid of House. Also, I don’t know if there will be a deal for Gordon, but if there is, take it! No matter our record.
I really like this team, and Oladipo is a great player. But paying him over 30 million a year in our current status is simply not smart. If for whatever reason a late 1st is the best offer on the table, I may go ahead and let it ride to see how it plays out. I'm also OK keeping Tucker if we can't get a 1st. I'm fine trying to win this season if the best return we can get is mediocre assets. We could almost certainly get a mediocre asset via SnT with Oladipo. Expending any significant assets to win now should be completely off the table
I hope we move Oladipo so we don't lose him for nothing. Same for Tucker. Really, us moving Allen for a bad FRP only makes sense if we are in a big-time asset accumulation mode. And I've not seen anything from Oladipo that would justify changing the course of the franchise. I'm in less of a hurry to trade Gordon. I think he's good enough to have positive value on his current contract, so if that isn't the case now then just keep him until it is.
This team was put together with James Harden and title contention in mind. It is no longer a contending team. I think teams like Philly, Boston and Miami are perfect trading partners for the Rockets as each has entered into title contention after accumulating their own assets. I could come up with 8 or 10 players from these teams in deals for Dipo/Tucker/House/McLemore that I think would fit better on this Rockets squad. If I am the Rockets I want guys who will help Wood to lead the team to relevance as soon as next year but for the next few years. I am not as confident that this is a bad team post harden deal but I am far from confident in their ceiling as a team that can make noise in the playoffs.
I think all of those are viable options this year, honestly, depending what is offered. However, I disagree with your proposal to trade picks and other assets for Zach Lavine. I know his numbers are good, but his teams are perennial losers with him as the best player. I think it would be a big mistake to cash in a lot of assets for someone like that. The last thing we need is to lost assets and flexibility for a max contract guy that doesn't help you win (in fact may stunt the development of other better players).
the good news here is that any way you slice it, there will still be plenty left over for the haters to hate
Yes. But the keyword there is ‘few weeks back’ .. when we were 4-9 and the tanks were strong. Things might have changed.
Tucker should be traded and while House has been solid off the bench I think you move him too. Primarily to get minutes for Mason and Martin. I’m fine with WOW for a few years while we wait for the Nets to implode and get those picks. I’m also ok if Stone blows it up and trades everything but Wood. We will know a lot by the trade deadline.
