You are correct. Just think the Nets believe they can get more for him, unless they like Jalen way more than I think they should.
It would have to be a 3 way deal with us receiving more. I don't really want anything from BKN. Miss me with Bridges. Let some other team give them a bunch of late firsts for him. (perhaps a contender)
I'm honestly looking to trade out of this 2024 draft class if I can get a good value. I think this upcoming pick (only this one) is more valuable to us as trade bait than as a player added to our roster. It's a weak draft. Any center we pick is doomed to come off the bench for us indefinitely--not a good value for that high of a pick. Any new rookie point guard or wing is going to have a tough time beating out Amen and Cam. I don't like Bridges that much, but I think if it were just Jalen + the 2024 pick that's a good enough value. We can probably flip him to another team later and get that level of value back fairly easily. I would consider the 2025 pick to be virtually untouchable for anything but a young proven all-star. A legitimate shot at Cooper Flagg... damn. He a would be an amazing fit on this roster to take over the starting role from Dillon after his rookie season.
Too much to give up for Bridges & Sharpe IMO. I'm guarding that 2025 pick with my life if I'm Stone. You gotta come at me with a real star to get it out of my grasp. How about this instead? Deni is a good defender, ballhandler, and passer, and his shot has really come along this season. I'll bet develops into at least as good of a player as Mikal by the time we're ready to contend, and he is already locked up to a good long-term contract. Gafford solves the backup center problem for us.
You keep the Nets picks as found money. The Rockets have a lot of young talent that is blue collar style. Sengun, Smith, Tari are blue collar workhorses that have incredible ability to be perennial all-stars. Dillion and Fred are overachievers who have justified and solidified themselves as legit NBA starters. Jalen Green is an athletic freak, that is eating humble pie this season, but he’s staying within the game plan. He isn’t having the successful season most of us would like, as quite literally he’s sucking at being effective and efficient. But he’s sticking to the game plan, and not hoisting up errant shots. He’s a way better shooter than he’s showing, but it’s probably because he’s winded from playing defense and overthinking to stick to the game plan. As his conditioning calibrates to a system style, his shooting will improve by leaps and bounds. The coaches see him shoot in practice, so they obviously know if his shot is NBA quality, and Ime says that Green is earning his minutes. I brought up Green because everyone is just about ready to give up on Green. But I don’t think the book is closed on Green just yet. And even if Green was on his last strings of opportunity, the Rockets still have Amen and Whitmore who are oozing talent who could step right on into the spot. So, I say keep the picks, which may be middle 1st round picks, or they could be top 3 picks? Which if this rebuild falters, the Rockets could make quick adjustments without having to tank all over again.
Nets are in a similar position. The more they lose the more Bridges value drops. And what are they going to ultimately get? Maaaybe 3 FRP's from a contender that project to be in the 20-30 range? I think Jalen + 2024 FRP + 2026 Pick Swap is more than fine. Guarantees two high level picks that are in the Nets control during development years and they can kick the tires on Jalen for a couple of years and him/Simmons can be off the court socialites in Brooklyn.
Not sure how much value Jalen even has anymore. It's hard to say for certain, but he's looking more and more like a sunk cost.
To be clear, I would trade Jalen (and his speculative value) for Bridges, maybe throw in a late first rounder or something. But, I wouldn't add any of the BKN picks with that, and I'm assuming that's what they'd be looking for. If that's not enough, no deal. Again, perhaps a 3 or 4 team deal with enough coming back. I'm not averse to moving 2024, but we better get a lot, as this pick could be anywhere from 1-7.
In this hypothetical scenario you are holding on to what idea exactly? Waiting for a disgruntled SG to pop up next year that's better than Bridges? Draft and groom again? Or just keep stockpiling assets and let Cam/Amen develop? I'm genuinely curious not trying to be combative.
The 4D chess move is to use the crappy '24 pick to help Brooklyn trade Bridges because that would then improve the '25 pick in an actually very good draft.
Combining both our pick and Brooklyn's pick 39% chance of a top 4 pick 9% chance of a #1 pick 7.1% chance of a top 4 and a top 10 pick 2.3% chance of 2 top 4 picks
Our pick is going to OKC if it's not in the top 4. And I still expect the Rockets to put together another win streak and finish close to .500
Rockets should end up with around 45 wins. They would need to go 24 and 14 in their last 38 games. I think it’s doable, as they are playing games tighter (they are being more precise and competitive); most importantly they are constantly getting positive experience.
