Rockets deal for Dillon Brooks (4 yrs/$86 million + incentives)

Villainous

 

Yeah it makes no sense unless Brooks was literally threatening to take the mid level elsewhere unless the Rockets just unloaded an insane contract his way.

If that’s the case it tells you how unattractive Houston was to him in the first place which begs the question of why you’d want to severely overpay a guy who didn’t really want to come here in the first place??

I get that the Rockets had to use case space this summer but I just can’t accept that this was the only option left to get a vet who can defend, help with the culture, and whose contract will not gum up the cap in a couple years when rookie extensions start coming into play.

With all the evidence we have it seems much more likely that he’ll be both a problem in the locker room and with the cap sheet along with being a very marginal help on the basketball court. Signing him in this way just screams desperation.

 

SnT is still always an option

 

Still can't believe we locked up Evil Danny Green to such a ridiculous contract

 

Not always. Only if the player’s former team wants what is being offered. Memphis got a significant trade exception and JC in the deal. A deal with other teams would likely have required them taking back unwanted salary and would have been a non-starter.

 

How does Udoka even coach the dude?

"Be an enforcer. But not a thug. Enforcer not thug. Repeat it. 'Enforcer not thug'."

 

Just had a thought, maybe Brooks was overpaid because it came with the agreement that he was not to complain about minutes, with the understanding that he would lose some playing time to develop the young players. Basically, we're treating you like a starter and paying you like a starter but we're not promising you minutes.

If this is the case would we only know it by him being cool? If he ends up playing 22 mpg because Tari is kicking ass and Brooks doesn't complain... Maybe that's the only way we'd know.

 

that would make the Rockets look even worse

And what would stop Brooks from complaining about minutes? His contract is fully guaranteed.

 

What would stop Brooks? Nothing but honoring an agreement—one which might not exist. My theory is that he got paid a lot of money not only to play but to also be a good teammate, meaning no complaining about diminished minutes. But the contract is guaranteed so even if my theory is correct it still depends on Brooks being a good guy. And he seems like an *******. Hopefully he'll be a good guy for the Rockets.

 

You don't need to pay 80 mil for a good teammate, especially someone who historically has been the opposite. Jeff green got paid 8 mil to be a good teammate, not 80

 

How about for 2023 NBA All-Defense 2nd Team?

 

Y’all are overthinking it. We didn’t pay him 20 mil contingent on a side agreement that he wouldn’t complain about minutes. We paid him 20 mil because (1) we had the space, (2) we needed a starting SF, (3) we need to drastically improve our defense, and (4) much better teams like the Mavs and Lakers were interested.

 

Evil Danny Green lol! That’s a contender with 1 to 5 DB.

 

Officially baked post, Andre approves.

 

Yes. Believe or not, a defender that can switch all 5 positions has value. Brooks can defend his azz off, all the other stuff doesn't bother me. All he needs to do is be a more athletic PJ Tucker, which he's very capable of

 

If basketball was like football and he ONLY played defense it would be one thing, but unfortunately he has to play offense as well. If he was a bad offensive player it would also be one thing, but he's probably the single most damaging non center, and obviously doesn't bring the defensive value of a center or anything close to that.

 

Right. At least we now have one guy (two, perhaps: VV) who won't look on defense like roaches scurrying for a hidey-hole when the lights go on.

Swear to God I nearly developed TMJ screaming at the TV or gnashing my teeth when KMJ / Green / etcetera would be ten feet off their man and go running back just in time to give up an open three. All the while Silas with arms folded over chest + mousy overbite; he had fewer facial expressions than ICE-T trying to act.

 

Remember when people were mad when Tillman didn’t re-sign Ariza, and he signed with Phoenix for $15 million/year?

Well, Dillon Brooks is a much better player than Ariza, both on offense and defense, all for just an extra $5 million a year.

 

In Arizas season immediately after leaving Houston at age 33 well on his downside, between Phoenix and Washington posted a .052 win shares 48 minutes for a total of 2.5 win shares for the year.

Last season Brooks, age 27, in the meat of his prime posted a .034 win shares per 48 minutes for a total of 1.6 win shares on the season.

It could easily be argued Ariza brought more value.