Myles Turner back on the trade block? Near perfect 5 for Banchero. But neither Turner or Banchero are plus rebounders.
The biggest challenge of a rebuilding team like the Rockets, or Thunder is converting assets- the plethora of "nice players" that losing teams accumulate- into difference makers. Atlanta is at this point. They are deep, but not great. I think Stone has shown himself to have a solid eye for drafting talent, but so far, his instincts with vets is pretty off. The rumored deal for Victor Oladipo was c-r-a-z-y, for example. I say they should gamble on upside and talent with any free agent, or trade they pursue right now. I take the Mo Bamba's of the world before I take on a Lopez brother.
An interesting tidbit from Paulo Alves on Clutch City podcast- YouTube. The Rockets tried to get the 12th and the 13th pick without success. No news about the 15th. Washington allegedly want Dyson Daniels at 10, they like TyTy. They might be willing to trade down, if Daniels is not available. That might help the Rockets. Stone should try and grab Mark Williams at 10 and pair him with Paolo in my opinion. Duren might be gone by then. All comments are welcome.
This might be said half in jest. Favoring someone because of geographical bias is a terrible reason. If I was Stone, this is not an insinuation I want out there. GM's job is to evaluates his players fairly. Who to trade, who to get paid. His decision affect people's lives. Should always be meritocracy. Conflict of interest or the appearance of it is bad culture. When a promotion, a boss should promote the best skilled not the one he likes/played golf with.
I do think Stone will look at the 3rd pick on merit. He may value offense more than defense and he may feel more comfortable with Paolo if he knows him from the past.
I have a question for you. Paolo seems to be a fairly good one on one defender when he sticks out his chest into an opposing guard/ forward. Won't that result in quick foul trouble, especially as a rookie in the NBA?
I don't have a strong opinion on this. Think all rookies have to adapt to the way is game called by refs in the NBA. Vets will have tricks, and it's on the young pups to learn and adapt. We saw this with Sengun, he improved on that. For Paolo, if he becomes a leading offensive option, there will come a time where he'd weigh how agressive a defense vs staying on the court. If he's plays at the 4, and he only has to worry about his man, maybe some weak side rim protect, it won't be too demanding. But if Silas decide on a small ball, where he's the 5, his defense and fouling will be tested. In today's NBA, muscling is less important than having quickness to beat your guy to the spot and having your length to bother people.
There are options in 2023 for multiple positions. Rockets have top #3 now (2022) which is prime selection for skill/star player. I would get the ultra athletic' super quick first step guard....Big at #17. Then focus on SF, PF, and/or Center next seasons draft. Guards would be set in Ivey/Green..... Christopher/Mathews backups. Plus free agency as Wall/Eric Gordon come off the books. --------------------- Others here would rather go Banchero (now).....? at #17. Then Guard?, SF(Banchero?), PF (Banchero?), Center? But at what selection will be our pick. Many want us bad enough to get Wembanyama. I feel the Rockets will end up around #6 thru #9. ___________________________________________________________________________ Said it earlier that teams like to draft a position of a player up for free agency, in advance. Astros had Jeremy Pena in anticipation that Carlos Correa would want too much money. Gives the team leverage. Rockets negotiated with Wood and could not come to terms....thus traded today. So will the successor to Wood be Banchero, Chet (trade up?), Garuba/Sengun (PF)? or Are they maneuvering Ivey as future replacement for Porter jr.? Rockets are getting Trey Burke.....no need for another guard in Ivey? Rockets getting Chriss......waived or serves a purpose? Boban.......scored high in PnR (roll man) when Silas was there. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....options, options, options. Who will the Rockets target at #26.....or package the pick?
Portland has the cap room to take Wood ..... that's why I've always thought they were the best option to trade with. I like the idea of that .... but from what I've heard, "The locker room is Tate's" .... maybe he's your veteran influence on the younger players instead of EG and doesn't cost you $19m.
Atlanta issues is they have one star in Young and then everyone else is just role players, I don't want to leave the tank early just for the rockets to turn into a treadmill status team with one star in Jalen that can carry you to the playoffs but lose to better build teams with more stars.
