this is the most delusional dude on the planet, and he genuinely sucks on offense…but some of y’all want to bring him here lol dude is such a problem Memphis let it be known they wouldn’t bring his ass back under any circumstances took 16 shots a game last postseason shooting 35% from the field…took 13 shots this postseason shooting 31% is a scrub who was doing all that talking, then skipped out on the media 3 straight times like a coward so he got fined 25k…couldn’t even own his embarrassment complete clown show teams don’t even bother to guard him…they’re fine letting his delusional ass chuck up shots while shooting garbage percentages
That train has left the station. Someone who is going to be older than 27 years old, looking for 20+ million and for 13-16 FG Attempts is not going to miraculously tone it down for a 1 year coach. I am sorry but I do not believe Udoka is an antidote for everything NBA. He is not exactly a kid or someone who is out for redemption.
Brooks makes sense for the mavs They need bodies and defense Brooks and kyrie on the same team though luka will have. A head ache mid season
Part 1 https://theathletic.com/4481178/2023/05/03/rockets-james-harden-free-agents/ Austin Reaves (RFA) Profile: Secondary ballhandling wing Age: 24 2022-23 earnings: $1.5 million 2022-23 stats: 13.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.4 apg The skinny: Reaves’ strong performances in his first playoff campaign are catching the attention of the NBA world but he’s been quite the productive player for the Lakers since entering the league in 2021. Just a smart basketball player. Can run an offense in extended stretches with his underrated playmaking and vision. Has the size to be an impactful individual and team defender whose teams fare better with him on the floor. Good shooter, great locker room presence. Team-first, gritty combo player. Can thrive as a low-usage option or shouldering offensive responsibilities in stretches. Similar to Cam Johnson, hard to imagine the Lakers letting someone like this go in restricted free agency. From the scouts: “Austin’s intriguing. He’s showing he can defend a bit, showing he can make shots. He’s aggressive getting to the basket. I think he has a competitiveness and confidence to him, willingness to do a lot of different things. Some versatility as well. The question is can he take that jump? Right now, he’s really appealing on his deal because of where he was signed and not picked. Now, if you’re paying him a certain amount, can he outkick his coverage? That’s where again, they’re going to have to figure it out. Can he be a starter on a good team or bad team? Is he gonna be Alex Caruso who’s doing alright in Chicago but they’re stuck in the middle? Good role player but they’re trying to figure out how good can he be.” James Harden Profile: Playmaking combo guard Age: 33 2022-23 earnings: $33 million 2022-23 stats: 21.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 10.7 apg The skinny: Harden at age 33 isn’t as durable and explosive as he once was but he’s still one of the game’s elite playmakers and led the league in assists this season, taking a backseat to MVP candidate Joel Embiid. Still has the ability to carry a team and flip the channel back to scoring mode like we saw in his 45-point effort against the Boston Celtics without Embiid in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal. Immediately raises the floor and ceiling of a half-court offense. Needs quality defenders around him to keep his offensive contributions from being a net loss but has grown into his leadership role over the years and understands exactly what he brings to the table. From the scouts: “Ha! I think you can answer that one better than me. You gotta figure out how much is left in the tank, how healthy he is, how committed he is to his strength and conditioning. Ultimately, you gotta put a lot of talent around him because he’s getting older. Not that you didn’t before, but his reputation and résumé speak for itself. He’s getting older and not as durable as he once was. That’s where it’ll be interesting to see with expectations. It’s gonna be a tough one. But it’s a necessary one. Obviously, I know he wants to come there. It would be a step in the right direction. Also curious of him setting the tone as a role model for those young guys, how that would go?” Khris Middleton Profile: Wing scorer/ballhandler Age: 31 2022-23 earnings: $37.9 million 2022-23 stats: 15.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.9 apg The skinny: Has thrived next to Giannis Antetokounmpo for years as a second fiddle but endured a rough, injury-riddled season that ended with a first-round catastrophe. When healthy, one of the game’s better two-way wings, a hard-nosed defender, necessary secondary playmaker and ballhandler that can thrive with second units and lead primary units when called upon. Three-level scorer and typically a quality shooter on great volume (outside of this season). But are you really prepared to commit upwards of $35 million moving forward for a player that hasn’t shown they can be a go-to guy over the course of an 82-game season? From the scouts: “I don’t know, I’d have to look at his contract. I can’t remember what he’s making.” The Athletic informs the scout that Middleton is making $37 million this season. “He’s making 37. How many more years?” The Athletic informs the scout this is the last year Middleton is making $37 million. He has a $40.4 million player option for the 2023-24 season. “I think he would definitely help the Rockets. I think he would help them win more games. With where they are and their timeline, when you combine that with Middleton’s and his health, I’m not sure that’s a perfect marriage. But anytime you can add a player of his caliber, it’s something you gotta do.” Harrison Barnes Profile: Slashing wing Age: 30 2022-23 earnings: $18.3 million 2022-23 stats: 15.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 apg The skinny: Barnes didn’t have quite the impact the Kings would have hoped for against the Warriors in the first round, but he’s been a positive influence offensively since his arrival. Good size and IQ at the wing position you want to see from a third or fourth option. Don’t think his outside shooting ability is talked about as much as it should, Barnes can light it up and has done so throughout his career. Still a good driver of the ball and can finish around the rim. You know what you’re getting in the veteran — a willing competitor, a decent scorer and an average defender. From the scouts: “Ideal 3-and-D guy. Not gonna be someone who rocks the boat or plays above or below that fifth starter on a team. Perfect in terms of attacking a closeout or making an open 3. A solid enough defender. Not a good defender but decent enough. Brings steady leadership as far as by example. A really solid veteran presence.”
Jakob Poeltl Profile: Playmaking rim-finishing big Age: 27 2022-23 earnings: $9.4 million 2022-23 stats: 12.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.7 apg The skinny: After being freed from the doldrums of the San Antonio Spurs, Poeltl landed on his feet with the Raptors and fit like a glove from day one. It’s hard to find a player who’s been able to have as substantial of an impact on both ends of the floor in a limited time as Poeltl was with Toronto for the second half of the season. The Raptors were a whopping 14 points better with him on the floor, including nearly 10 points defensively. He’s light on his feet, can finish around the rim, protect the rim and also can function from the boxes and elbows as a paint playmaker. Given his age and current earnings, Poeltl is going to make a lot of money once free agency rolls around. Should be talked about more in league circles. From the scouts: “You got someone who can really protect the rim. Someone who can defend, can finish around the basket, is a legitimate starting center in the NBA. Could be a solid defensive anchor.” Gabe Vincent Profile: Combo guard Age: 26 2022-23 earnings: $1.8 million 2022-23 stats: 9.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg The skinny: Smart offensive player making a name for himself with Miami’s unprecedented playoff run. Better off-ball threat than pounding the rock, fits well with other frontcourt playmakers who can alleviate pressure. Not as good of a shooter as you’d like but he’s a gamer — capable of taking and making the big ones that count in meaningful games. Not sure how his production translates to a rebuilding team and is a bit undersized which naturally limits his defensive contributions but he’s a fighter. Important culture guy. Can operate in the pick-and-roll and understands angles better than most reserve guards. From the scouts: “Another one that falls in the category of good role player who you have to see if there’s more to him. Obviously, we saw much more of him this year with Miami and Kyle Lowry being out. Thought he did a solid job considering the role. But is he good enough to take on a starting role? That to me is going to be the interesting case study here. Does a good job of getting to the basket, can shoot it, can play pick-and-roll, solid passer, makes others better. Little undersized and has his defensive limitations but will compete. Can probably be a fringe starter in this league, but what do you have around him? I thought he did a solid job in Miami this year considering the circumstances. Is he best as a backup? Probably.” Draymond Green Profile: Playmaking forward Age: 33 2022-23 earnings: $25.8 million 2022-23 stats: 8.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 6.8 apg The skinny: A fire-breathing Swiss Army knife of a power forward. Green has made the most noise this season for his antics — stomping on the chest of Kings forward Domantas Sabonis and punching his teammate Jordan Poole — but on the court, there aren’t many better defenders around. Could have easily been a legitimate candidate for defensive olayer of the year with his impact on that end of the floor. Can switch one through five, has the vision of a point guard and attacks the glass relentlessly. He’ll never shoot it at the level you’d like for a player that handles the ball that much but with two of the greatest shooters of all time, he doesn’t need to. But how does that look on a team without Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? That is yet to be seen. There’s no doubt a team like Houston could use his leadership and intangibles, though. From the scouts: “I’m on the fence with Draymond. He’s a veteran and knows what it takes to win, but he’s not necessarily a stabilizer and if he got frustrated with Poole, I can see him struggling with the same stuff with the Rockets.” Tre Jones (RFA) Profile: Lead ballhandler Age: 23 2022-23 earnings: $1.8 million 2022-23 stats: 12.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 6.6 apg The skinny: One of the better playmakers you don’t hear about often, given where the Spurs are organizationally. Became a full-time starter this season and showed an ability to command an offense, capable of operating in the half court at an efficient level. Silky ballhandler, can run in between the lines but struggles with his outside shot. A smart team in need of playmaking upgrades will throw him an offer sheet. Defensively, like Vincent, his lack of size routinely hurts him but his effort is typically there. Is he better running second units like his brother, Tyus? From the scouts; “Solid backup point guard to me. I don’t think he’s as good as his brother but I’m curious if he would take the next step. It’s tough because he hasn’t been playing truly meaningful basketball, at least this year. But more of a steady backup to me. Doesn’t rock the boat, willing defender, makes his teammates better, knows his role and can bring some leadership. I think he’d be a solid addition but I don’t quite see him as a starting point guard.”
Really hope we go after Poeltl. That’s the guy that stands out to me on this list. He fits the timeline, his fits a need for rim protection, defense, and size. He would solve a lot of problems for us defensively and he’s one of the best rebounders in the nba. he’s also got a good offensive game in the paint.
I like Poeltl, too, but I’m sure there’s a team closer to contention that can make a more appealing offer.
I'm assuming he'd be wanting to start (and probably could start on other teams). Also would be a pretty expensive backup center I'm guessing. I do like him, but not sure he fits, especially if we want Sengun and Jabari getting major minutes at the 4 and 5. I tend to look more towards the Naz Reids, Mason Plumlees, etc for that backup big role.
Maybe posted elsewhere, but I thought this was a good watch. They went with the current draft order, so that's not too exciting for Rockets specifics in this mock (Rockets draft Scoot, also get Jalen Hood-Schifino @ 20). I did like what they said about the Thompson Twins and Cam Whitmore. For some reason, I mostly ignored Cam, but yeah he seems....pretty good. I'm just trying to get excited about 6-7 guys so I can lie to myself and pretend that Draft Night is a huge success no matter what!
I like the idea of Poeltl. Brook Lopez is a good alternative if he's willing to play for a non-contender. I like Cam Johnson. Tre Jones would immediately give us a real point guard. Not too thrilled if we drop a big, long contract on guys like Middleton or Porzingis who might be one injury away from being done as NBA players. Also don't love the idea of paying what FVV will probably command; if we're going to overpay a point guard, do it for Jones who profiles similarly and might be just about as good next season if his post-ASB three point shooting was for real, and is only 23 instead of 29.
I believe Budenholzer and Udoka were assistants together in SA. Maybe he could be an assistant here if he doesn't get another HC job this offseason.
Cam Thomas you bet... Cam Johnson is just a dime a dozen stretch 4. I use the space for stars or someone who might become one. We have role players...
Holy sh#t; Budenholzer is a good coach. This guy won a championship very recently. His 2nd best player was hurt most of the season. I think this is crazy, but someone else will get a good coach. Doubt he’s gonna have to settle for an assistant position but we can sure hope. Man, it’s a cut throat world.
