we don't need a PG as much as you guys are clamoring for one. Sengun/Amen/KPJ is a lot of ballhandling duties as is. We will sign a cheap vet FA PG but that's about it. The priority needs to be a tall 3/4 that can play a lot of 4 spot and can shoot because whether you like it or not, Jabari Smith will play a lot of small ball 5 this year. While we don't have a lot of "Shotblocking", we will be really athletic and force opponents into a lot of tough shots. I evension a lot of this lineup in the future when Sengun sits: Amen - Green - Tari - [Free Agent Signing] - Smith Cam Johnson / Rui would be nice additions. The fact that we are linked so much with Brooks really strikes me that KJM/Tate will not be here when the season starts. Adding a future first makes sense as we don't have that many future picks and should restock the cupboard. If we are smart with our money, then adding a bad contract for assets would be my preferred move. I'd throw up to 120$ million at Cam Johnson since he is such a good fit for this team and obviously puts the Nets in a tough spot. Other than that, I don't really mind who else joins. Any of the linked FA's are going to make us a better team. I'm really excited to see what Stone has in store for us. At the end of the day. as long as we are improving the roster we should be at minimum at 35+ w team next year and hopefully OKC and the Nets struggle a little.
The thing is I'm not sure what the league can do about it since the teams are willingly giving these players the money and like I said, it might not feel like it benefits the teams but it does. Wizards could have lost Beal for nothing and instead they did get something for him, it might not have been much, but it was something and they still get the cap relief they would have gotten had he just left any ways. So I see it continuing.
If we're getting a veteran PG to just play around 25 minutes a game, I'm still banging the drum to get in there and take Lowry's contract off Miami's hands, since they're reportedly looking to move on and upgrade at the 1. I don't know how fond his memories are of his time here, but I'd love to have him back to close out his career with the same franchise where he broke out as a starter.
Maybe, but he will be really expensive and will want a long term deal. Is he that type of player? They could do worse - but I also can see the appeal to signing players to shorter deals and in two seasons be in a position to try and sign a long term star type player. The Rockets won't do it, but they should consider taking on 2-3 year old contract another team wants to move and in exchange get future draft picks. This is probably it for lottery picks the Rockets will add to the roster and there is a lot of upside with what the Rockets have, but also a lot of uncertainty.
They presented it as though it is something that would have to happen. Definitely not true, or maybe something got lost in translation. We could consider a SnT with them if Cam agrees to sign our offer sheet and they can’t match it, but only if it benefits us. For example, if that were to happen, maybe we agree to send them Tate and Garuba. Since they are already over the cap, something is better than nothing, so they take what they can get. They get some serviceable players back with some upside. We get to open up additional cap space to sign other players or more room to trade into. Again, we only do it once they have determined they won’t match and it’s a trade that benefits us.
I personally would see if I can get a deal done for Tyus Jones. He doesn't help me a lot defensively because of his size, but he is a very stable table setter and does the little things well.
Yeah, Tyus would be great too. Anybody who has one year left on his deal and is just a smart floor general who plays "the right way".
That is why I want Simmons...kick the cap space down the road - and get another asset from them as we are taking on their dead weight. And if Simmons beats the odds and comes back ....bonus. DD
He is due $38,000,000 this season and then $40,000,000 next season. I would agree to take that money if I were the Rockets, but I would want a few of the NETS picks from the SUNS. That should allow the Nets to be more active in free agency and it gives the Rockets future draft picks. Having said that - I don't think that ownership for the Rockets would do it. they are too concerned about losing their pick to the Thunder and also they seem determined to try and win 40+ games this year. I personally think that the Rockets should still play their young guys - add a quality veteran point guard and trust Udoka.
All the current Rockets youth knows is pick chasing and not prioritizing winning. I don't think taking on someone like Simmons for picks is the best use of a majority of their cap space. I'd be surprised if Udoka wanted the headache that is Simmons thrown into a situation where he has 6 young high upside guys that need minutes. The Rockets really need guys on the court that have NBA experience and can help coach though example. I think one of the best things that happened for the Thunder's rebuild was the year with CP3, Schroeder, and Gallo.
if we are trying to create good culture, how can we rationalize adding Ben Simmons…even if he comes with future assets?
Players with 3-4 years left that I haven't heard anyone talk about (not listing some obvious names I've seen like Jrue Holiday/etc.) and could be looking to get salary relief: Bogdan Bogdanovic - 4 Years, 68 million remaining (last year is a TO) Donovan Mitchell - 3 years, 163 million remaining (last year is a PO) Jarrett Allen - 3 years, 60 million remaining Andrew Wiggins - 4 years, 195 million remaining (last year is a PO) CJ McCollum - 3 years, 100 million Jordan Poole - 4 years, 128 million remaining The Wiggins and Bogdan contracts are interesting. With the Warriors looking to bring back Draymond, feels like they might want to shed that Wiggins deal for a few "productive" players (whatever that means). Bogdan is 31 years old and would provide immediate shooting off the bench. Maybe the Hawks are looking for something else as he's getting older and has been a little banged up.
I used to like the idea of signing Fred VanVleet, but does it make sense now that we've drafted Amen Thompson to be the PG of the future? It may be best to see if there are cheaper options that can serve as PG for 1-2 years until Amen is ready. I have doubts about Amen, but Rockets took him with a top 5 pick. Would we even be talking about bringing FVV on board if we drafted Scoot?
I don't think drafting Amen should really change the need for FVV minus the length of the contract. Amen might not be ready to run the offense in year 1 so FVV can help bridge that gap. Plus with Amen's positional versatility he can play alongside FVV.
If the idea is to get better defensively I get it. Sounds like Dave has some intimate knowledge going on with how he lays it out. I dont agree with any of it either, but you have to admit this lineup with Ime Udoka could do enough to find itself as 1st round fodder which would be a step up from laughingstock.