KPJ seems the most likely given that he's really a 2 playing PG and he's got the highest salary on the team for matching salary purposes. But that being said, a lot will depend on where and who the Rockets draft and what players they can get in free agency. If they luck out and get the No. 1 pick, as much as it pains me to say, I do think Sengun could be at risk for getting dealt. But more than likely they don't and they look to add a PG in the draft or free agency, making KPJ an obvious trade candidate.
This is how I generally feel as well. I keep seeing trade threads suggesting the Rockets trade every young piece of the core for some second tier star, and I kind of don't get it. What was the point of tanking if we're just going to trade all the top drafted players for a bunch of No. 2s and settle for a 45-win team the next 5 years? A team of Jaylen Brown and Mikal Bridges surrounded by role players is not a contender. I'd just assume wait for the kids to develop and just add pieces along the way.
I can’t imagine a big trade the doesn’t include KPJ, if only from a contract perspective. He’s the only moderately-sized contract on the roster.
Tate and/or KJ You canNOT trade: Christopher Gusman TyTy There is just no knowing who they are as NBA players.
They don't have to take back matching salary in a trade while they have cap space. If they are sending out KPJ or anyone else for salary matching that means they spent the $64m already.
C'mon guys... KPJ had more to do with keeping us in games and sometimes winning than ANY player on the roster. So many blinded by bias that it sounds like you don't know hoops or what you're seeing...at all. Folks outside this forum...fans of other teams get it. Other players get it. Yes, we have players that are going to be monsters, but right now, he's the Man...or Head Honcho if you like. We have a ton of big time talent. Just Chill. He has value out there ( talent & contract)... But, again....he compliments what we have in a big way. Much of the offense will run through Sengun. All this said, he still has more value to US than anyone else. It would be idiotic to move him now.
While that's a well thought out and intelligent take, you have to realize that many here are far too invested in their narratives to see things clearly. When you see the fact that KPJ was double teamed more frequently than Lebron last season....AND was a better catch and shoot 3 point shooter than Steph Curry, you realize that those who fail to see that value are simply blinded by cognitive bias. If a team is trying to get better, they don't trade a soon to be 23 year old guard who is the best on and off ball player on your roster.
Well, it all depends on what trade presents itself. I don't think anyone is untouchable if say Luka demanded a trade. Because of the cap space I wouldn't think the salary would factor as heavily into who gets traded as much as who will have a place on the roster after the draft and summer free agency moves. I think Tate is the odd man out. I just don't see a world where he's getting PT and we're any good. Even people who hate KPJ can see a world where he's a 6th man type SG off the bench. Tate is a hustling 6'4 SF/PF. He couldn't beat out KJ/Tari/Jabari for those minutes last year so he played a lot of backup PG. I don't see that happening again.
I’m against us getting Harden (based on money only) but if we do get him the biggest beneficiary will be KPJ.
I really don’t get the Garuba needs to slim down thing. That has been a holdover from when he came back out of shape last summer. He lost the excess weight and is one of our most active players on the court. Not saying his talent level merits a long leash, but his physicality and ability to guard the perimeter and run the floor would suggest he is in fine shape.
I would agree that he is very talented and in a different role would be very valuable. It comes with a big “if”. If what Nook has reported and he does not go the extra mile in practice, is a disruptive locker room presence, and continues his on-court immaturity he needs to go. If the personality issues are real, then now is the time to trade him while his physical gifts are valued by other teams as opposed to waiting until you have to, because of said personality issues.
That is for teams over the cap but not over the tax line. Cap space can be used in free agency or taking salary via trade. That's how teams rent cap space for assets. There's no need to match until you exceed the cap.
I agree 100% that if this was true, it's time.... But, it's not. This is old "news". In fact, he has made dramatic improvement in these areas over the course of the season, and IS going the extra mile across the board. I can assure you the powers that be are MORE than happy with him.
KPj + KJ + Tate for a real 3 and D SF. Could see a team with a better culture take on KPj as a Ben sparkplug with an incredibly short leash. Maybe Brooklyn for Cam Johnson and KPj can be their new tank commander.
You don't have to trade for Cam Johnson, you can just throw a contract at him that the Nets can't match. So you could get your real 3 and D SF and not give up your only competent guard to do so. Win/win
I think fans here are more worried about his body language and throwing things than his basketball hog problems. I do not mind him but I think you do not pay him 20 million a year for riding the bench are you? And he will be riding the bench if better players come along. That is semi automatic.
