Report: Houston Rockets have been searching market for ‘franchise centerpiece-worthy player

These were just examples of the higher end talent that might be available. Like the Harden trade, you hope whoever you are trading for has an extra gear or level to be unlocked.... or just take professional basketball seriously (Zion). Jaylen Brown has 2 years $54 million remaining after this season, that's potentially a steal if he levels up. We hope Jalen Green reaches LaVine's tier, why not just get him? These are hypotheticals I hope the FO is discussing.

I am for being flexible...... I am on board to bottom out this season and next while remaking the roster but I also think it is prudent to be making calls regarding the top 20/top 30 players. I think we got so spoiled with the Harden trade and the development of Harden, we've forgotten the risks involved.

 

I don’t like these takes. Having these young guys learn from an established vet like a Kawhi or whoever has pedigree would be important to the Rockets franchise as a whole.

Also, wanting this means Tillman is allowing Stone to search for that star. Rebuild could be over sooner than expected.

 

I don't see anyone except LaVine on the 2022 FA list worth a max contract. I think focusing on a franchise player right now is a bad move, as Morant and Anthony Towns caliber players are few and far between. Best to focus on team ball with strong rotations like Silas is working on presently.

If we can find a way to get Holmgren who is falling at #3 and Ty Ty Washington or Jean Montero, I will be pleased. Do you think the Knicks will take Gordon and Theis for #11? Or just Gordon for #11 and #23 pick swap?

 

Your post is a good one, but the Knicks probably won't give up such a high 1st round pick for two older but valuable playoff veterans imo. Gordon might be able to entice them into giving up the 23rd pick if we're lucky.

 

I get it, but I am very weary of paying guys top tier money and hoping they level up.

I realize how lucky we were with Harden and I would hate to be stuck in purgatory trying to get the next Harden.

I hope Green is better than Lavine, I think he is a perfect example of empty stats and he has not been worthy of that contract at all.

 

I agree with most of what you're saying - but we're not the Lakers... We dont have the talent draw that LA does... so we gotta play the course we're on...
and imo, building a culture helps lay the foundation to maximize any future opportunities...
When we first got Harden, we were alright... other than a couple isolated instances (KM laughing on the bench during a blowout) we had a pretty decent culture... everybody worked hard, everybody seemed to be on the same page regarding team goals...
Harden, Lin and Parsons even had their little pregame ritual - good team building...
Then as time went on... we just gave Harden the reigns - do whatever you gotta do to go win games for us.... and we'll just turn a blind eye to defense, and Khloe distractions and talk of 'cornerstones vs role players' (as opposed to 1 team) and forcing shots rather than relying on teammates... to you dont have to travel with the team, to deciding what days we weren't going to practice to showing up late for film sessions and meetings... and the downward spiral continued on until we had a toxic environment all designed to cater to one guy - instead of the team as a whole...
There's a laundry list of talent that never won a championship... Iverson, Nash, Stockton & Malone, Barkley, Payton, Starbury, etc, etc etc... and some of those were even strong culture org at the time (Utah)... Talent alone usually isnt enough... a strong culture alone isnt enough... even talent + culture can still come up short... but you do what you can to put yourself in the best situation...

What was the quote Morey liked to cite "Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor..." No, no its not... which is why you get the systems (culture) in place NOW - so when that opportunity does present itself we are ready to maximize it!

If we had a couple guys catch fire... maybe JC is the real deal, maybe Sengun starts revolutionizing the position, maybe Garybird gets to a point where he cant miss, maybe we get the #1 pick next year... if that stuff happens - we're not in a position to maximize it... cause we're coddling developmental projects (KPJ) and allowing guys to do what they want (Wood)...

Lay the foundation now... if we gotta allow for some leniency down the road for a 'generational talent' - then we can address that when we get there... in the meantime let's set some standards that we can hold everybody accountable to...

imo...

 

This franchise only bottomed out twice since Olajuwon's rookie year. Fans here are spoiled and the NBA season is long. Like being dehydrated from lack of water/wins will make a fan talk themselves into a Simmons trade. Since when did a point guard with no offense become a franchise player? Daryl Morey is a hustler. He works harder by calling people over and over and over again. By doing that he convinces other general managers how great they are and how Martin and Lamb will "get him in trouble with Les" because of how much we gave up for Harden. Minus the strange Theis signing, it seems like we got a good gm... possibly great.....stay the course and wait for that Harden or Drexler moment but don't jump the gun after one pre-season game or you will get fools gold.

 

good post. I’m not sure I’m with you on Stone possibly being a great GM. There have been other missteps beyond the Theis signing (Oladipo), but agreed that rockets fans ought to have more patience on the rebuild. I think how Stone handles this trade deadline will be determinative of general sentiment on his GM skills.

 

Kawhi to young guys:

"The most important thing to do is to give 110%, in the 35% of your team's games you play in"

 

I agree...

i think we need some vet leadership to help mold these yung'uns... not just expecting the blind to lead the blind - and then hoping everyone comes to fruition at the same general time.... if Wall doesnt want to do that - move him on for the carcass of some other vet on the downturn that wants to help in development... maybe somebody that has coaching aspirations down the road... We dont necessarilly need productive minutes from Wall's roster slot - but assisting in the development of the kids would be beneficial...

and yeh, we should be doing our due diligence at every turn... we can follow 'the process' as a baseline - but doesnt mean we shouldnt be seeking out other opportunities... Personally, i think we should be showcasing Wall up to the trade deadline trying to create some interest - and hoping somebody is desperate enough to do something stupid... lol

 

exactly this

 

Yes, that is why I would say evaluate the position that you need as well.

 

Simmons for John Wall and a SRP.

 

SUPERSTAR!!!!

The kind that only come out once a millennium.....
or until next year's draft. Whichever comes first.

 

Ironic is your member name followed by your post. Lol

 

Haha

 

Facts!!

 

If you can get Simmons you absolutely do it. It's a no brainer.

Wood+Gordon+2022FRP for Simmons but probably need to find a 3rd team for Harris.

 

Yeah but I doubt this next draft will be as good as the 2021 draft. Not hearing much buzz about it. By this time last year we were already hearing and talking about the top 3 players at least.