ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Jazz 10/7/2024 (Preseason)

NGL.... I was excited in the 1st 2 Qs (esp. about team chemistry and Amen not hurting himself), but when I saw Tate... I just felt like all the momentum was gone at that point.

 

He overstayed .....his welcome.

 

I literally felt like he was doing too much... trying to prove he belonged. Even the new NBL dude (McVeigh) played better IMHO

 

He does a lot of little things but I do not think he has an elite skill. He is the least talented among a lot of guys.

 

I love Tate and he will always have a special place in my heart because in those dark years under Silas when the Rockets were an undisciplined AAU team full of players out to get their own, Tate was the one guy who played hard, tough-nosed team basketball to win.

Now...it's almost as if he's a reminder of a bygone era. I think he'd be a great role player on a championship team, kinda like Leon Powe on the '08 Celtics.

 

Good thing Tate isn't part of the regular rotation that will be played in the regular season.

 

Holiday and Tate proved one thing. They don’t belong in the Rockets rotation, period. So who is on the opening day 12? FVV, Jalen, Amen, Jabari, Sengun, Brooks, Sheppard, Tari, Adams, Landale, Cam, Green? Where is their room for Tate, Holiday, or Mcveigh. Doesn’t there have to be a trade incoming?

 

I genuinely think the smart move is to use Tate and Brooks as trade pieces now. Both should be good for a contender, if we can move them for either a little bit of draft capital or for roleplayers with different situational skills (shooters preferably) or injury insurance that would be a big win.

 

I'm glad Jalen turned that game around. He looked pretty awful in the 1st quarter. I think he had all 4 of his turnovers in that quarter. I do wish Ime would have left some guys in so we could win that. We've been so long without basketball. A win would have felt good. But it doesn't matter. They dominated until he started pulling guys.

 

I suspect they'll want to keep Dillon around in case a star they'd be interested shakes loose. His salary would really help in that regard, assuming you're not ready to move off of VanVleet.

 

Yeah it does make sense. I just feel like he's arguably the 3rd best option at his position now unless we're considering Tari a PF.

 

While I think odds are good the Rockets look to add draft capital with Tate, Brooks, and a few others, I don't think the Rockets should concede that this year isn't a contending year even if contending isn't likely. I'd consider Brooks and Tate injury insurance. I think Brooks will be worth more next season as a trade chip. Bucks are the only team that I see a good salary fit.

Also, this.

 

I do think we only need to keep one as injury insurance, they do arguably fit the same role on the team (with Brooks being slightly better at it.)

 

I believe McVeigh is a 2-way contract.

So Maker, Hinton, Nowell, and Samuels would be cut unless one of them blows everyone away in training camp, and earns a spot. Then you'd probably waive AJ Griffin first given his issues (which he might have to be waived anyways), or trade Holiday in a salary dump move if someone just went nuts, and made it a no-brainer move.

But most likely it looks like the roster is already set, those 4 guys get waived, the 3 two-way guys go to RGV, and Stone has the Tate, Holiday, and Jock salaries on the books if they need it for a mid-season trade. More than likely though they are just simply injury insurance, and a way to push guys like Reed in practice. Holiday will take Reed's backup PG spot if he doesn't work his tail off which I'm sure he will.

But still Tate, and Holiday have value as lock room, and bench insurance needs. Jock DEFINITELY is a player that they might very well need, but hope they don't. We have no idea how healthy Adams is going to be starting the season. He hasn't played in a very long time, and is getting up there in age as a NBA big. Great to have that insurance, and luxury if he has to sit for awhile, or maybe not play B2B's.

 

I would start JSJ and Amen at the 4 and 3. Tari (PF and some SF) and Brooks (some SF, some SG) would get the most minutes of bench players. As I still see Brooks as easily a rotation player, he's not injury insurance. Tate would be the injury insurance for the PF. Cam's minutes would increase for an injury to a SF or SG.

I'm also fine if Cam takes Brooks's role as primary SG/SF bench guy and Brooks becomes the 5-10 mpg guy.

As Brooks's salary does not hinder the Rockets in any way this season, I wouldn't trade him unless the Rockets are getting something. I am skeptical the Rockets can get something for him as teams are still trying to get space below 2nd apron.

 

Yeah it's fair take, can't dispute it really. I do think Brooks is the best candidate for trade if we were looking for a usable return, but your perspective is a very sensible and solid approach.

 

I'm wondering how Brooks would react to playing so little. I know he got his bag so he might not care as much but guys like Brooks have pride and I definitely know Brooks doesn't see himself as a 5-10 minutes a game guy.

 

what a fun game to watch in person. sure it's preseason... and the rotations are fluid... but watching my favorite team dunk all over the j!zz was awesome!

Al-P, Jalen, Amen, and holy smokes Cam whitmore - good times. should be a fun season baby!!

 

I just don't see a Brooks trade working for anything other than for a star or the Bucks. Too many teams have decided to try to capture the Flagg making it really difficult to move salary with 1st and 2nd apron teams limited to only taking back 100% of salary. I think teams will adjust to the new CBA, but this year has been more restrictive than I expected.

I'd guess Brooks wouldn't be happy. If he asks for a trade, I think the Rockets would tell his agent to find a FRP. He's too good to give away. The teams with the picks tend not to be the ones that want to win, have matching salary, and a need for his type of player.

 

As an add on, Brook Lopez makes slightly more than Dillon Brooks. With so many teams above the 1st apron, it is likely going to take a contract like that to be dealt for Brooks (for a non-star) as 1st and 2nd apron teams can't take on more salaries and 2nd apron teams can't aggregate. The Bucks would then be able to deal for either Adams, Landale or involve a third team that has a center with a contract less than $13.3M.

I don't think the Bucks would be too excited about moving Brook Lopez as he provides spacing for Giannis, but they could turn one starter and flotsom into one starter and a much needed starter/rotation player.

I don't see any better trade candidates than this for Brooks unless the Rockets are attaching picks. In those situations, it better be a star.