FVV for shooting sure. Clyde did not have a good shooting form and actually looked at the ball when he was dribbling. Drexler’s not a bad comp for Amen though, but mentor no thanks.
Amen is in at 81, ahead of Mikal Bridges. More playing time next season is going to vault him up the board a piece. We really only need to add one of those top 50. Mitchell would be my choice, but I don’t think he will ultimately be attainable.
I would prefer Himmie, but if Zion could be had for Brooks + Londale + future FRP = count me in (same goes for Ingram + Isaac or long shot S&T for Paul George). As other posters have noted, Jonathan Isaac might be a really good fit (move Jabari to SF or let Isaac play SF). I think a good scenario might be a (1) a trade with MEM & then (2) CHI - ORl - HOU. It could be a 4 team trade, but that gets more difficult. But let's pretend a 4 -team deal: CHI - HOU - MEM - ORL. CHI: Brooks (HOU) + Landale (HOU) + Tate (HOU) + Ingles (ORL) + #18 (via ORL) + 2026 MEM FRP (top 10 protected) + 2026 HOU SRP Bulls move off of Levine's deal to begin rebuild by dropping 7 picks. Get FRP & SRP from HOU for Caruso. Bulls have bigly cap space in 2025. MEM: #3 (via HOU) + #44 (via HOU) Grizzlies give up #9, 2026 FRP to get their guy + free up cap space. ORL: Lavine (CHI) + #11 (via CHI) + 2027 HOU FRP (top 5 protected) Magic move up 7 spots for taking on Lavine's contract, plus he can be quality starting SG for them. They acquire lightly protected FRP from HOU for Isaac. Magic should have plenty of cap space by renouncing rights to Fultz + Harris. HOU: Isaac (ORL) + Caruso (CHI) + Kennard (MEM) + #9 (via MEM) + #39 (via MEM) Htown gets multi-tool 3 & D weapon. Caruso leads bench unit now supported by Kennard as 3 point sniper. Uses #9 pick on Kal'el Ware. #39 on AJ Johnson. I am perfectly fine including Brooks to CHI or ORL. FVV (27) - Caruso (69) - AJJ Thrilla (134) - Amen (81) - Hinton Bari (138) - Cam (170)- Kennard Isaac (61) - Tari (DNQ) - Uncle Jeff Sengawd (32) - Adams (DNQ) - Ware I expect a jump from Amen + Thrilla + Bari + Tari + Adams. That's a WCF IMHO
For the small contract he was paid, he outperformed it. It was a solid signing. From Rockets side, Ime did give him decent minutes on a number of games so he was showcasing his talent (enough audition for other GMs). Other teams should be interested.
That is fair, good luck to him, didn't mind him for another half year till trade deadline and Justin Holiday also played well in the Playoffs.
If we lose Holiday, our need for a consistent shooter becomes even greater. IMO, it is our greatest need even if he stays.
Yes. People didn't sag off of Aaron. Respected his jumper at least. Number of solid shooters still a need. I can see Ime doing a few options. 1. One is up the minutes currently existing: (Whitmore for example). Also with Tari coming back, sliding Cam to the SG spot, can allow Tari minutes on the 2nd unit. People were down on Bullock last year, so not sure on his situation. 2. Replenish with new talent. (Draft a Reed or sign another cheap vet). 3. Hoping for internal growth. This is a given, but also not much we can do then just wait and see. Maybe Sengun can go from a 1 tier scorer to two tier (mid range?). Jabari and Jalen being more consistent on their long bombs. Last summer: Stone/Ime went after FVV, Dillon and Lopez. If all had came that would have been 3 vets and 2 young cores. We ended up with 2 vets starting and 3 young cores... OK fine. But the bench, was Uncle Jeff, Aaron, Reggie, Jock... the vets sharing bench minutes along with Amen, Cam. So when Stone fielded the team he put out 50% vet as well. close ~50% vet for starters AND 50% vet bench. Not so much Landale, but Jeff, Aaron, and Reggie were all vets that other teams at least respected at the 3pt line. With Adams (non spacer) plugging in, we'll still be close to the 50% vet bench, but the spacing is down from before. Lastly, Aaron was a safety valve for Ime when Jalen played badly. Now Ime has fewer options B. Maybe Cam?... As far as Stone: i can see us still doing #1 and #3, but #2 above is still needed.
Adams, Amen, Tari and Whitmore are going to annihilate opposing benches. Defensively they will suffocate most benches. Might be Sheppard running with that crew who knows. Underrated advantage going into next season.
Trade Jalen Green, Nets 2026 FRP, Dillon Brooks and Rockets 2028 FRP for Mitchell. Draft Shepp at 3. Sign Jalen Smith to the full MLE. Sengun/Adams Jabari/Jalen Smith Amen/Eason Mitchell/Cam/Reed FVV/Amen/Reed
I don't like giving up the third pick and additional assets for [checks notes] guys who will only be on our second team. Seems foolish.
Role players I'd like the Rockets to target via trades: Jonathan Isaac (expiring) Alex Caruso (expiring) Jalen Smith (expiring) Chris Boucher (expiring) Luke Kennard (expiring) Robert Williams III Malcolm Brogdan (expiring) Matisse Thybulle Rockets assets to negotiate in trades: Dillon Brooks Jae'Sean Tate Jock Landale Jeff Green Lottery Protected Future First RP 2024 Second RP 2026 Second RP(s)
Was watching tape on a guy named Joel Soriano out of St. John's. He was the team captain the last two years, 6-11, very solid shooter, rebounder and shot blocker. Looks like a good fit for a 2-Way contract.
