[The Athletic - Kelly Iko] Rockets Trade Deadline notebook 1.0

And after every call, non-call, shot, turnover, and drive to the rim he has ever taken or received

 

I wouldn't do that trade.

For one it adds another young unproven combo guard to a team overladen with players 6'6 and under.

And two, Gordon is the superior player (intangibles, scoring, defense) right now AND next season. Gordon is a starter, Hampton is not.

I actually like RJ Hampton but I'm surprised you are so high on him.

RJ is the same size and length as Green who also lacks strength but his game is more similar to KPJ (who I know you are not fond of).

But only way I'd take RJ Hampton for EGo is if Rockets get a FRP on top of that (even late FRP).

And there is no way I'd swap EGo for player like Ty Jerome.

 

Iko also gives you tidbits that FO wants to seed or steer discussion.

 

Man, hope this isn't true.

Hard to trade a guy with that kind of rep.

Remember Dipo?

 

We have to be patient and wait (hope) for one of the contending teams to want EGo bad enough to make a good deal. As much as I think he should be on a contender, it takes a contender to make a good deal with us in order for us to move him. Can't blame Stone for that part. And maybe they are working with Gordon on such deal to get his opinion of where he may go. Makes no sense to send him to another bad team, which i'm sure he doesn't want to do. So maybe Stone and tillman are not going to do that to him since he has been nothing but good for us while he has been here. We are rebuilding so we got time on our side.

 

Maybe Stone is lying. Perhaps he hasn't been offered a FRP for Gordon.

Stone has lied about this before.

See Oladipo.

 

Now you're talking!

Green package for Brown!!!

 

He plays well when he is complaining.

 

He plays well.

Period.







When healthy.

 

Offers for Gordon aren't gonna get better in the summer, nor is he as a player.

This is strictly posturing to maximize deadline value or Stone is an idiot.

 

So you're telling us that Silas is just a nice guy who likes almost everyone.

 

We also need Gordon off this team to improve our tanking. They had a metric on one of the last several games that basically whenever Gordon scores 18+ we win. Without him we are like 0-8.

Really want a top two pick so we can get one of Banchero or Smith.

 

trade gordon & wood ASAP

fire silas & kpj ASAP

 

Its typical posturing at this point.

Simple fact is, Gordons value isn't going to get better, and we have incentive to be as bad as possible.

He will be gone for best offer.

 

I'm not terribly high on Hampton honestly. I just don't see much use in having Gordon on the Rockets.... they are better off having as many lottery balls as possible and giving their young players more minutes. Gordon is a professional but he doesn't want to be on the Rockets either.... I would personally rather trade him while he has some value.

Hampton isn't anyone I would target.... I would want a late #1 if I had the choice, I would just go into the deadline dealing Gordon for whatever the best offer is.

 

Gordon doesn't really have a bad reputation around the league. He will come to practice and he plays hard. He is just a bit of a complainer after awhile when things don't go well. If I were a good playoff team I wouldn't be concerned, he will likely be fine for the remainder of his contract.

 

I really hope the Rockets don't wait till the last moment to dump Gordon and Wood, as the trade deadline draws closer, I worry that they'll get desperate and end up taking a lowball offer. I think it's best to try and work something out early, setting a deadline that is before the actual league deadline so they can be sure to have the deals done with some time to spare.

 

Screw you.

 

Ouch

 

Stone is posturing, deadline isn't until 2/10, so he's trying to increase the bidding war.

Could backfire given EG's injury history.