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

Let's not exaggerate. Robinson's TS% is better than Herro's and he's been heating up lately.

 

No, you must be watching something else because he is scoring 20.7 points on 17.6 shots. This is the only thing he does which might be above average. For reference, Cristian Wood put up a much better 21 points on 15.6 shots (and almost 10 rebounds) last season. From a purely scoring perspective, Herro is just a decent scorer at 22.

Nothing noteworthy on passing, defense, rebounding. I guarantee you Riley does not want to pay him and will make it seem like he's painfully considering trading away something so special. Don't fall for it. KPJ is almost better than him already, Green and JC are both going to be at least as good in a a year or two.

We don't need the worst best player in the NBA. Pointless exercise. Let them get us all the picks he should be worth if he's all that.

 

43% on catch and shoot threes.
Nearly 60% of his shots come off 3 or more dribbles. He’s being used as the engine off the bench on arguably the best team in the NBA. Miami is incredibly high on him and will max him this off-season with no hesitation.

If the Rockets could get him for Wood, they would do it without a second thought. He’s not perfect but his work ethic is noted as high and his mindset is something you cannot take for granted. He’s not afraid of the big moment. I’d take him and play a three guard lineup during this rebuild.

Miami won’t offer him and if they did it would be done already.

 

Duncan Robinson?????

cmon - might as well trade for Joe Harris. What good would either do in our rebuilding situation.
This deadline will tell me a lot about what stone has (or hasn’t) learned on the job thus far.

 

and why would we want to help Miami Anyway? We would just undermine draft position for our 2nd 1st rounder this yr.

 

Tyler Herro is averaging 21 points on league average efficiency while providing basically nothing else. If Jalen is doing that in year 3, he’s a bust.

No one is going to, or should, max Herro.

 

it looks likely at this point the Nets will have a worse record than the Heat. which means the heat just keep their pick this season.

 

These two situations are not remotely equal, imo. If the Rockets don't get that frp for Gordon, they can keep him happily. Heck I'd be fine keeping him, exercising his final year, and playing him again next year. It's not ideal, but there's value there (as a guard vet) if the alternative is meh return. The only downside is you don't "do right" by EG... but them are the breaks sometimes.

 

I feel like Eric Gordon should be a better trade chip to a contender. He's proven playoff performer and a better all around player. And the last year of his contract is not even guaranteed.

 

No one thinks Miami is the best team in the nba. Are they even top 5?

 

Butler has missed 30% of the season and Bam has missed 50% of the season. They are in first in the East. Everyone just got healthy. They have the best coach in the NBA. A player playing an the MVP caliber season when healthy. A DPOY level guy. The shoe In for six man of the year. An elite floor general who was literally just an add on. I’d take them over anyone except a healthy Nets team in a 7 game series.

 

They’re trying to avoid the tax du lux. They might do Richardson which only works if Stone could pull a hare fry his hair shirt and insta

 

Totally disagree man, and you will find Heat fans on other boards saying that Herro is the starting point in any deal for Wood. I don't know why you're putting so much stock in a guy who overall gives you 20 points on 17 shots. Wood did better than the engine of the Heat's second unit. Riley is not maxing this kid. Would rather pick our own prospects.

 

I honestly was completely against Herro in a Harden deal. I thought he was inefficient and undersized.

If you can get him for Wood, I think you do it. You won't get anyone better and late draft picks aren't going to net you a better player likely.

He's 22 and could grow with the team.

Consider this.

Right now the Rockets have 0 roster spots and a guy in Daishen Nix who needs one. Rockets will have to waive DJ Augustin after the deadline to make a roster spot for Nix.

The Rockets have 2 draft picks in 2022 alone.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/HOU.html

Look at the situation at hand. You have to basically get rid of 2 guys without getting any back.
Wall is a candidate to be waived and Brooks can easily be waived. At that point you're looking at a roster with no spots and nowhere else to change the outlook of the team except to make trades. Not only that you have no cap space until Wall comes off the books. You have to get creative. The Rockets likely don't want to tank next year. Tilman isn't that patient.

Why not maximize Wood RIGHT NOW if Miami is amenable to offering Herro? ( I don't think they are and would love to see the board where Heat fans are open for it, Heat fans are not known to be the friendliest)

Christian Wood + David Nwaba + the Nets 2022 pick (swap with Miami negated) for Herro and Robinson. Agree to buyout Wall where he takes a discount of a small amount and Miami clears the rest.

Now you have taken the need to create 1 extra roster spot next offseason in a pick in the late 20s anyway and you give the Rockets needed shooting and a young guy who could potentially be a star. You can trade Eric for an expiring contract and a 2022 pick at that point and would be in an even more flexible situation.


KPJ/Herro/Green/Robinson/Sengun is going to score 140 points a night and give up 150. Great for tanking and great for ratings.

 

didn’t know 5 boards and 4 assists a game is basically “nothing else”

 

Miami is a very good team. A year ago, we salivated the boat load of young talents they had. They are one year older and better. Bam has already been one of the best bigs. Robinson has dipped but looks to be bouncing back. Herro is having a big leap this season compared to the last one. Butler still maintains a high level game, although his health is a concern now.

The East is wide open this year. Any team can end up the top team (and 3rd on the whole league). The Heat pick is not looking like it will be a very attractive even if they turn out a spot or two below Brooklyn.

 

Yes, like I said, averaging 4 assists to 3 turnovers from a lead guard/“engine” is barely a value add. Herro is an average playmaker for that position and, again, not a max guy.

 

Both.

 

No defense or length.

Like NONE.

 

Paying Robinson starter money to be a rotation specialist is an anathema to me.

Robinson is NOT a starter, even on this putrid Rockets team.

Mathews does everything Robinson does but better, on both sides of the ball, and most importantly, CHEAPER.