Adrian Woj: Free Agents would love to play for Ime Udoka

https://sports.yahoo.com/bucks-epic...e-budenholzers-coaching-future-154246003.html

Houston’s long-rumored potential reunion with Harden, the 76ers guard who holds a player option for 2023-24, in addition to the Rockets’ chances at landing other primary free agents and top-billing trade targets this offseason, were repeated themes throughout Houston’s conversations with coaching candidates, sources said. Middleton has been another potential target discussed throughout the Rockets’ coaching search, sources said. Udoka spent time with Harden as an assistant during the All-Star guard’s first season in Brooklyn. And Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown, whom rival executives are closely monitoring as he becomes extension eligible this summer, has been one of Udoka’s most public supporters after Boston suspended the coach following an improper relationship with a Celtics staffer. The Rockets, sources said, also addressed the idea of including second-year guard Jalen Green, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, as part of a package for acquiring established star talent.

 

Please no Draymond.

 

Kyrie seems like a Tilman guy. That terrifies me.

 

Delete

 

@clutchfans, great list, but why no Jakob Poeltl?

 

Cam Johnson and Brook Lopez as a pair make a lot of sense but Lopez age and back scare me.

 

Spoiler: Bev, Brooks & Green

 

I doubt it. Irving misses a lot of games with his various shenanigans and Tilman seems to hate being taken for a sucker

 

Rockets would go from completely irrelevant to the most hated team in the NBA

 

Being on the island of relevancy as the villain is what most champions come to be after the hero phase wears off

That would really bring the term ''goon squad'' to the next level, though I don't know think the Rockets are signing all three, maybe they grab one of them if all else fails

 

If we had Green, Brooks and Bev we would high-key be great to watch,

 

Not too much to be afraid of with Brook IMO! He would be a 2 year rental to kind of be a coach on the floor and in the locker room and help us add some wins. If he gets hurt or declines dramatically I don't think it causes too much organizational damage as long as they don't go up to 3 years (which I don't think any team in the league will do for a 35+ year old non-superstar).

 

I don’t see how Brook Lopez signs here. He’s looking to be with more competitive teams at this point in his career. Also, the Lakers and Nets aren’t letting Reaves and Cam Johnson go; they just aren’t. Very skeptical Josh Hart leaves his Villanova teammates in New York to sign with a rebuilding Houston without a massive overpay. So I don’t see those guys as realistic options for Houston. Sucks cause those are some of the best FAs/RFAs.

 

I see a lot of people mentioning Cam Johnson but not much about Austin Reaves. Both are in a similar situation this off season.
We have the cap space to offer both the max and i believe we would still have some room. An overpay as they arent superstars but their teams would match anything less.
Both players are young enough that they fit our timeline and they give us the boost to our shooting that Ime said we need. I can see Ime using Reaves similarly to how he used Smart in Boston. They both bring a willingness and ability to defend first which would fit our coach's philosophy.

 

Not a FA but…..

 

Totally was unaware of her Celtics fandom.

 

I like this idea but I think we'd have to sweeten the offer a little but. Probably add a 40-50% guaranteed 3rd year.

I really like Draymond's fit in this role too if he's up for it. Can play off both Jabari and Sengun, run offense for Green like he does with Curry. Lots to teach Sengun, Jabari and Garuba. Helps the offense and defense, brings championship experience. Obsessive winning mentality. He would elevate the team a lot and give Udoka the confidence to run offense through big men for a large chunk of the 48 minutes. Similar playing style to Udoka. We'd probably have to offer him $30m/season for the Warriors to back off. I wouldn't worry about paying that though if he's going to lead the defense and set up the offense - that usually requires two different players. The only problem is that I despise him but objectively speaking I think he would do wonders for this team even while declining.

 

I would be happy with either one honestly !

 

how you a multimilionaire with nasty teeth like that jb