while Jabari is a nice player, I wouldn’t prioritize keeping him above any of the young core. Love his 3 & D potential but damn it sure seems Amen and Tari provide more production when playing the PF spot and the team seems to be able to rack up wins in this starter’s absence. Jabari is the only core young piece that even when out of action has minimal negative impact on the team.
at least one of your controversial posts actually make sense now. he's always been our greatest trade chip, but only for the right package. pump and dump. he'd bring back the most.
We don't have to trade anybody yet... we have our veterans in FVV, Dillon, Adams and Jock who of course could all be traded. And we have some young guys who could have several teams interested. But right now I would only do a trade for a star level player, and those are hard to come by. Other than that, we could trade Adams or Jock and maybe Dillon, when we have trust in Tari to stay healthy. I still like FVVs leadership and the stability he provides and I am intrigued by our young players, that I would like to see more of them.
Have to agree with DD that outside of a salary dump move like with Jock or Tate, Sengun is the big piece that I could see getting dealt in a trade. I think the Rockets love the guy, and he is a big part of their offense. However defensively, I think they see him as a big liability moving forward with the way they want to play. Jabari at the 5 is likely what Ime probably wants to go with if they can put a few more pounds on him this offseason to better handle the physicality of a few of the bigger big guys in the league. I don't think it's likely he'll get dealt at the trade deadline though. This Summer is when I could see it, and they'd probably need a star like offensively gifted player coming back in the trade, or being signed in the offseason because Sengun is hard to replace offensively right now.
"Let's see what CF ideas I may consider." On a more serious note: The move might just be a non-move. Yes we have some flexible vet bench contracts, but they were supposed to be for salary matching purposes in big fish hunting. It's also possible some of the bench guys are used in a third team deal if maybe we get a 2nd round pick or something.
Brooks shoots a decent clip from three though. He was our best shooter for much of the early season stretch. I think keeping Brooks just for the culture and leadership/discipline would greatly benefit this team. For me the only one we could upgrade is FVV or atleast sign him to a team friendly contract (not 40+ million a year)
Jalen and Amen's current form fundamentally changes everything. Most likely to be traded are the vets (not Fred) and the picks for a Caruso type. I dont think any of the young guys are going anywhere.
I had us at: 49 wins More (if Sengun was hurt for more than a month). Amen has kinda unlocked the Jalen-Sengun tandem. League was supposed to be a blood bath but it's not. Bunch of teams tanked for Wemby and now a bunch are tanking for Flagg, Harper, ACE, Denim. I had the Rockets near the path the Thunder have taken. Somewhere around play-in; but are closer to Thunder jump of last year. Right now Its iffy for the Rockets to beat (in a playoff series): Thunder....Cavs Grizz.........Celtics Kings.......Hawks One more key player like Cam Johnson could put us over the top. *Thunder could get better as Chet and Hartenstein play together. *Lakers will make some trades *Will Warriors make a trade or get healthy? *Grizz trade? *Knicks trade? *Pacers trade? *Kings upgrade? Teams will want to force us in to half court offense (take away transition points) and pack the paint trying to crowd things against Jalen Green and Sengun. Reducing high efficiency 2-point baskets near the rim...plus reducing Rockets offensive rebounds (second chance points). Another 3-point shooters would help combat teams throwing some zone at us or packing the paint. Teams shouldn't fear making the Rockets a jump shooting team and seeing if Dillon, Amen, Tari, Tate can beat them by making 6 attempts or more (each player) from 3. Have you ever seen a young player make it to the finals and interviewed saying, "they thought it was easy and felt like they would do it every year." Never returned (with that same team). Atlanta Falcons come to mind who started 3 or 4 rookie players on defense. Never went back. Rothlesberger went to the Superbowl as a rookie but never returned again. Sometimes the windows close quicker than you think. I say strike now.....we might never be in this good a position again. There can only be one!!
Not to diminish your point, but Roethlisberger went to three super bowls with the Steelers, winning two. I think of the 2012 OKC Thunder or the 1995 Orlando Magic. Seemed like budding dynasties, but never reached that level again.
Interesting take but I have a hard time believing the organization would dump Alpi at this year. Can’t see him being traded before this year’s deadline but possibly down the road if the organization’s current trajectory takes a sudden downturn.
In order of likelihood: Jock Hinton Tate Tari Brooks FVV Adams Shepherd Jabari Amen Sengun Green I only put Tari up there because depending on what’s really up with his injury, Stone may choose to roll the dice and sell high. I don’t see us making any trades though. FVV absence was very noticeable in Sac. Amens absence was noticed in his absence. Jabari’s absence has been noticed. This team, while lacking reliable shooting, is extremely complementary. I’m sure there are players you could swap and be just as good or better, but none come to mind that would be available without a massive price. I hope we stand pat.
I agree with this. Most likely nothing or minor deals involving non-rotation players. If there is a move involving rotation players, expect it to be for a very good three point shooting forward or a star guard.
The defense has declined, but the offense has improved. Not sure if the latter is due to Jabari's absence. It's possible, i.e. the theory that Amen is helping unlock Jalen's game. I think the main reason for our offense improving and our continued success in Bari's absence, though, has simply been that JG has been playing like a superstar scorer for over a month, whereas the first couple months of the season he was a below-average starter. In any case, I wouldn't underestimate the defensive impact of having a 6'11" switchable PF on the floor. Jabari is very important to our defensive identity this season. Whether he goes back to starting or plays big minutes off the bench, I do think he's an important part of the young core.
Huh? You realize we won most of our games without Tari right? Jabari is vital to providing spacing to Sengun, Jalen and Amen so they can drive in the paint. He also helps a lot on defense, when he was health Rockets had the 2nd best defensive net rating now they have slipped to 4rth.
I think Jalen is unleashed, because FVV is off the ball more which is enabled by Amen in the starting line-up. Amen brings the ball up a lot and is sharing more of the initiator role with Jalen and Sengun. FVV is playing a good role as a spot up shooter and occasional steady hand when the young guys are struggling. Its just better chemistry. Jabari and Dillon pretty much are a push on offense. I would like Jabari to start, because he is better as a rebounder and weak side blocker than Dillon.
It's a good theory, and there may be some truth to it. It could be the primary cause of Jalen's explosion as a scorer, or it could just be one part of the equation--how large a part, I don't know. In any case, I'm not as fussed about who starts as I am about minutes distribution and how often guys play together. I still think people overstate the importance of starter status in and of itself. I also do agree with the general idea that Jabari is below Alpi, Amen, and Jalen in importance, but I still think his rebounding, defense, and shooting ability are very valuable assets.
