To me comes down to the cost. The defense worries me, and typically offense-only players cost more than they are worth.
Absolutely. We need him and our defense will complement him for sure. Jalen Green, Van Vleet and picks for him please
The great thing about him is a scorer with great vision and IQ. He's extremely confident and so fun to watch
The only reasonable impact player I can think of that's on the market and fit the Rockets is Brandon Ingram. Guys like Fox, Booker, and LaMelo aren't actually available even if there are rumors. Zion and Sengun don't work together. Butler and most stars that tend to become available are too old. Ingram makes sense assuming it's a minimal cost (expirings + a lottery-protected 1st round) because it solves at least some of the offensive problems, and he's motivated to play well for his next contract. While the Rockets can then relegate Jalen to 6th man role and reduce FVV's offensive load.
Jalen Green can't be traded this season unless it's a really really really really complicated trade (Poison Pill Contract). Which doesn't kill my hope.
I think the complicated nature of the poison pill is overstated. Basically, it will cost draft capital to get some team to used their MLE or for Detroit to use cap space. It just comes down to is losing the draft capital worth having whoever the Rockets get this playoffs instead of next season.
LaMelo is a tier 1 target for me (not midseason ofc, but over the next couple seasons). There’s big risks for sure: immaturity, a history of ankle issues, and weak actual defense despite being 6’7 and mobile. But LaMelo is 23 and should mature, has the size to be good defensively, is under cheap contract until 2029, and most importantly… his offensive talent level is just crazy high. Like, I’m no LaMelo stan at all. But IMO he is just a better offensive basketball player than guys like Fox or Booker. The advanced stats say the same thing. LaMelo is a better shooter and better playmaker than either. He’s basically 6’7 Trae, except a better shooter and he doesn’t foul bait. To win a championship you need to take upside risks and hit. LaMelo is one of the only players I could envision Houston acquiring who could be a top 10 or even top 5 offensive player on the planet. You can’t win a championship without that.
Thoughts? Rockets can do this without losing any key assets besides Cam Whitmore. Sure, Jimmy isn't on the timeline, and yeah, I'm hesitant about swapping Brooks 3 pt shooting for Jimmy's low volume shooting, however, this makes us much more competitive this year, while also avoiding us giving up much of value besides Cam. Heat get a good piece for their team and Pelicans get at least a return on a player that's going to leave them this summer anyways.
I suggested something similar without Cam included (replaced with a 2025 HOU FRP). As the season continues to develop and Pellies remain in the basement, I think they will want to move BI for less compensation just to get something.
Ingram is back to shooting more threes this season and hitting them at a high clip, 37% 37% on this team would be like shooting 80%, a welcomed sight. When the Pelicans played good team defense, Ingram did his part. Sengun Ingram Jabari Green FVV (30 minutes only!!) Brooks Amen Eason Reed Aquaman
I'm totally with you. He's actually my fave player but the only immaturity I see is shot selection (too confident...good/bad thing) and a penchant for foul trouble but he's extremely coachable and wants to win. I truly believe he's one of the most talented and unique players in the league that can catapult us towards the top of the league and into prime time television
We’ve already locked up significant cap room with the Jalen and Sengun extensions. If we want to extend Bari and Tari I’m worried we aren’t gonna have much flexibility going forward. I think we have to trade Jalen and that’s gonna have to be done in the offseason. I’m only expecting marginal moves using expiring contracts by the deadline, but maybe including a draft pick could get us an impact player. what do folks think it would take to get Collin Sexton?
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: +6.9 ppg, +8.0 rpg, and +6.2 apg. Incoming Players Jakob Poeltl 29 year old, 7-0, 260 lb C from Utah 15.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.7 apg in 32.1 minutes in 2024-2025 Davion Mitchell 26 year old, 6-0, 202 lb PG from Baylor 6.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 5.0 apg in 26.8 minutes in 2024-2025 Ja'Kobe Walter 20 year old, 6-5, 180 lb F from Baylor 7.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.5 apg in 19.3 minutes in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Dillon Brooks 28 year old, 6-6, 225 lb F from Oregon 12.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.6 apg in 31.3 minutes in 2024-2025 Jock Landale 29 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's 3.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg in 11.1 minutes in 2024-2025 Cam Whitmore 20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova 5.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.5 apg in 9.9 minutes in 2024-2025
Why would the Hornets do this??? They have 2 young cornerstone players in B. Miller and LaMelo...more than anything they'll be trying to poach Jalen Green from us.
Are you suggesting Ingram as a 2 rather than a 3/4? If he doesn't work out as a 2 you've compounded your problems at the 3 spot that is already a logjam with Brooks, Tari & Cam being sent to RGV, now what? He's a pretty bad defender. Yeah, I think he'd be an upgrade offensively .... They'll be well over the 1st apron with him under contract next year with ~12 players on the roster (including FVV) & don't forget both Tari and Jabari are extension eligible next offseason. No doubt that this offense is struggling and needs a shot in the arm ..... hard to win with your starting guard tandem shooting .308 from 3 (Jalen & FVV combined), I think I might look to upgrade FVV between now and the deadline, the contract seems easier to move than Jalen right now and would have a bigger overall impact on the offense. The other reason - you can't go into next year with him as your starter making $45.8m shooting so poorly.
