Not straight up, but if you get at least one unprotected pick from a team that you expect to be terrible it’s a strong asset
I was trying to agree if that didn't come off right. I think if the Rockets actually use cap space, it will be for a trade or to extend FVV early. On the trade itself, I'd want something else than just the one pick. I don't think FVV is on an over market deal. He's currently better than almost a third of the players that are higher paid than him. I'd much rather be paying FVV his contract than most of the non-max, non rookie deals. Sure nearly 2/3s of max deals are a lot better, but that is because teams weren't allowed to offer more than the max.
I like it and would do it, but FVV will be instrumental for them to get to the playoffs. It is a big gamble that Amen or Sheppard could step into that roll effectively. It’s a worse gamble that Russel could.
The last thing the Rockets need to do is trade a championship winning PG. That would be dumb at the moment.
But it could be smarter long-term. They could get a FRP nor for FVV now, then they could look to move Dlo at the deadine for an additional FRP. Making the playoffs isn't make-or-break for me right now. They need to be getting minutes for the young guys and positioning themselves to get a player even greater than FVV. Holding onto him to scratch and claw you way into the playoffs when he could net more picks would be the dumb move, IMO.
If Phoenix is failing to be better than last year by the deadline then: Rockets in: K.Durant | G.Allen Why? Get aging but still great Hall of Famer efficienct scorer and one of the best current 3 point shooters. Keep 2029 PHO and/or DAL picks. More minutes for A.Thompson and R.Sheppard at point guard. Playoffs! Suns in: B.Simmons (expiring) | B.Brown (expiring) | PHO 2025 1RP back from Nets | extinguish 2025 swap with Rockets | PHO 2027 1RP back from Rockets Why? Save money after 2024-2025 season to avoid 2nd apron and get back some of their draft capital. Start the rebuild. Booker is likely not going anywhere akin to his idol Kobe. Raptors in: D.Brooks Why? Instead of potentially losing B.Brown for nothing next off-season, get a Canadian born 3 and D player who will likely want to stay. Nets in: F.VanVleet Why? More reliable player than B.Simmons and also brings championship experience. Could still decline his option for 2025-2026 but the team lacks stars and leadership. Have plenty of 2025 1RPs and could do this as a favor for the Rockets helping facilitate the M.Bridges trade.
Ya I would probably want a pretty strong return, but those lakers picks are pretty tempting. They have absolutely nothing once james is done, and AD gets traded
At what point do we stop the FRP carousel though. We've been there and done that to death by now. We have drafted enough to make a run for contention. Ime is not a stock up on picks kind of coach. He is a winning now coach. They are just coming off of Imes first season as coach and it ended positively. They had to fully get the Silas kinks out. I say make a run with this squad for another full season and watch Imes system truly unfold like it did in Boston.
You get off that carousel when you push them all in. I’m not suggesting we get picks to draft. But unless the plan is to not pick up FVV’s option and renegotiate a long-term deal at a lower salary, they need to be looking at getting something in return for him. I would be all for that long-term FVV plan. I would not be in favor of keeping him here another year to try to make the playoffs, then declining the option so we can absorb extensions for Sengun and Green. If his contract is ultimately just a placeholder, they might as well go ahead and trade him.
I agree on the Green side but their hope is to get Booker. I think they will be offering the obvious FVV Expiring along with all of the Sun's picks it takes to bring him over. If they have to throw in Jalen they will now that they have Sheppard. The Kentucky backcourt would be pretty damn cool to watch. PG - Sheppard SG - Booker SF - Thompson PF - Smith Jr ..C - Sengun 6th / 7th Man - Eason and Whitmore
I'm not pro Jalen as I'm on the fence. I doubt the Rockets lose Jalen for nothing. They might trade him, but I doubt they relinquish a cap hold.
Three team trade: HOU - BRK - TOR TOR: Brooks (HOU) + Finney-Smith (BRK) + 2 2026 SRPs (via HOU) Raps get Canadian basketball legend TM + depth piece + 2 SRPs in 2026. BRK: Brown (TOR) + Boucher (TOR) + Tate (HOU) + 2026 TOR FRP (lottery protected) Nets clear out cap space for the tear down & 2025 rebuild plus pickup a 2026 FRP HOU: Cameron Johnson (BRK) Rox get another player that helps push the team toward 2025 playoffs and a potential second round appearance.
Welp, apparently Nets want 2 FRPs for Johnson OR Finney-Smith https://www.si.com/nba/kings/sacram...er-reveals-asking-price-2-kings-trade-targets
(1) they tipped their hand after trading Bridges (tanking & clearing space) (2) DFS is definitely not worth 2 FRPs (3) Cam Johnson could be worth 2 FRPs but the team that would offer them = they would be picks in the 20's anyway (4) Knicks were desperate and had a plethora of picks
