1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Should the Rockets pursue KD in Summer 2025?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by HealthyHamstring, Mar 5, 2025.

?

Rockets pursue KD?

This poll will close on Sep 1, 2025 at 9:29 PM.
  1. Yes

    7 vote(s)
    5.5%
  2. Depends on the Trade Price

    31 vote(s)
    24.2%
  3. Depends on the Extension

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. Depends on both Trade Price & Extension

    47 vote(s)
    36.7%
  5. No

    43 vote(s)
    33.6%
  1. HealthyHamstring

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2018
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    396
    Might as well consolidate the conversation to one thread since this will be the main offseason question for the us until KD is traded

    My answer to the both is depends on both trade value and extension

    I think a package of Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith, Landale (contract filler) and the #12 pick in the 2025 draft would probably get it done. Anything over that and I begin to question. I have a feeling whoever trades for KD is gonna pay under market for him, which plays into our advantage

    As far as extension, I view this as more of a hang up. I would only be willing to trade for him if he signed a 1 year extension, I’m not willing to offer a 2nd year on the extension.

    Curious to hear everyone’s opinions and counter arguments
     
  2. JangleJ33

    JangleJ33 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2023
    Messages:
    225
    Likes Received:
    202
    No, no, no.
     
    roslolian likes this.
  3. StrouDaWay

    StrouDaWay Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2023
    Messages:
    44
    Likes Received:
    57
  4. HealthyHamstring

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2018
    Messages:
    214
    Likes Received:
    396
    FWIW, if I had to choose a binary answer, I’d be way closer to choosing no than yes
     
    roslolian, xaos and kspires999 like this.
  5. groovemachine

    groovemachine Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    3,108
    Likes Received:
    4,859
    It’s certainly an intriguing question, KD on this current team might be the 2nd best team in the west.

    the price will likely be too high given his age but we could conceivably be a contender for 1-2 years if we can keep Jalen, Amen, Alpi, and Jabari in the deal
     
  6. Good Times

    Good Times Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2003
    Messages:
    261
    Likes Received:
    383
    Ideally if you can do it with a sign and trade of FVV, Brooks and the 2025 pick. FVV and Brooks were expected to be vet rentals, their job is close to done and would have been good to have them for one more season but KD can fill this void. It would open up mins for Amen, Reed and possibly Cam. We don’t really need another draft pick if we can keep all our young guys. But we all know this trade is likely for a one year KD rental, so after next year the goal is for the young core to win on their own.
     
  7. coachbadlee

    coachbadlee Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2010
    Messages:
    29,634
    Likes Received:
    10,098
    That would be great! Then we'll have two top 5 picks from 2007!!
     
    BallSoHarden and topfive like this.
  8. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    128,538
    Likes Received:
    38,763
    Of course but you don't break the bank for him.

    DD
     
  9. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 1999
    Messages:
    15,273
    Likes Received:
    18,486
    Depends on if we can put together a roster that is a KD away from contending…and of course the asking price.
     
    Corrosion and luckyman76 like this.
  10. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 1999
    Messages:
    15,273
    Likes Received:
    18,486
    If we bring in Harden and KD we can solve our shooting problem and contend. It should be possible to make this happen.
     
    #10 Aruba77, Mar 5, 2025
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2025
    PatBev and luckyman76 like this.
  11. Mathloom

    Mathloom Shameless Optimist

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2008
    Messages:
    21,008
    Likes Received:
    22,414
    First offer: FVV, Williams, Holiday and our choice of one of their picks

    Final offer: FVV, Williams, Holiday, one pick of their own that they choose, our own mediocre near-future pick

    I don't think it's a bidding war so price is not the issue. They allowed him to veto a trade midseason and they will have even less leverage this summer. We will practically choose his destination by refusing to extend with teams he doesn't like. In the same situation Kyrie was traded for 1 pick and a player.

    It's about convincing him that at this age he has to come carry the 28th worst TS% offense in the NBA because it's a great defensive coach and team. We're not even locked into home court right now. Without that, don't even dream about a star demanding to come here.

    No one is forcing themselves to a difficult situation unless there's some nostalgic reason. Guys like that want to join a team that the coach believes contains stars already. Our coach and front office apparently don't believe that. So what are they even pitching him? Come carry the offense for some young non-stars and play defense for the never-happy Ime Udoka in a medium-interest market?

    Also to be honest, I'm not sure Udoka has ever experienced having a star who understands basketball better than him and is willing to tell him to his face. Udoka's ability to handle stars and accept criticism worries me.

    OTOH maybe we need a counter weight to Udoka because neither the players, Stone or Patrick seem to be strong enough to give him the benefit of constructive criticism.

     
    luckyman76 likes this.
  12. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    64,999
    Likes Received:
    32,703
    Definitely Conf Championship minimum

    Rocket River
     
    conquistador#11 and luckyman76 like this.
  13. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 1999
    Messages:
    15,273
    Likes Received:
    18,486
    5)Sengun?
    4)KD
    3)Amen
    2)Jalen?
    1)Harden

    not sure Jalen and Sengun fit but there’s a lot to work with to configure a really good roster.
     
    luckyman76 likes this.
  14. Hemingway

    Hemingway Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    Messages:
    10,631
    Likes Received:
    13,840
    I want Amen to be our starting PG, but man the Harden/Amen alley oop would be special.
     
  15. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    64,999
    Likes Received:
    32,703
    I think KD can be had for FVV and a Pick
    Harden can be had for FVV Money (Probably less)

    Sengun - Bari - Landale/Dante? (Adams and Unc Jeffy)
    KD - Bari - Amen
    Amen - Tari - Cam - Brooks
    Jalen - Brooks - Cam - Reed
    Harden - Reed - Holiday

    I can see contention in that lineup.
    While they may not be what they were - Harden and KD were a shoe size from a championship IMO
    HArden and CP3 were a hamstring away - From beating a team with 4 hall of famers in their prime

    Let the Young bulls push them through the season
    Let KD be your closer

    I think it would be a good mix of offense and defense
    Could definitely be top 10 in both . . .maybe even top 5

    Harden (35 minutes a game) and KD (37 minutes a game)
    can ease up a bit during the season

    Rocket River
     
  16. luckyman76

    luckyman76 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2016
    Messages:
    1,591
    Likes Received:
    2,032
    It's funny how people have the sunk cost fallacy around FVV. Bite the bullet, admit you were wrong and move forward. We rented a TON of cap to FVV and Brooks. They were not worth the money and imperfect options available that HELPED us. Harden was the better choice. Bring them home. If you find a way to get Harden here I think Durant becomes a fait accompli and vice versa. They only got to play 16 GAMES together. Having a final home for both might mean more to them than people think. Both are over 38 players. Do you think if they build a championship team here either want to leave?

    People are underestimating the impact of Harden and Durant synergizing with the young blood. None of their teams previously had this. The young guys can focus less on offense and focus on Ime dirty work that made them hard as hell to beat early in the season. Stop jacking up 3s and focus on reducing TOs and playing smart ball. Harden and KD alone will force that reality and the athleticism on the roster moving to the basket will only make us more efficient. Cutting, screens, operating above the hoop. Our issues with spacing, GONE. Sengun, Capela-boosted. Harden would look like a damn magician out there.

    Your post also brings back a lot of unfinished business and this would be justice. This could be so cathartic for both players and certainly us.
     
    Dobbizzle and Terror-Trips like this.
  17. iJHolmes

    iJHolmes Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,533
    Likes Received:
    463
    if we can keep our core and dump FVV and green, then its a no brainer. We dont need green if we have KD
     
    DaDakota likes this.
  18. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    64,999
    Likes Received:
    32,703
    I like FVV. I think he is doing ok.
    However . . . even at this point and time. . . Harden is better.
    He is a better set up man

    Fred 14.4 ppg 5.8 asst 3.9 rpg 82.4 ft% 34 3pt% 36.8 minutes per game 46 games played
    James 22.1 ppg 8.6 asst 5.8 rpg 87.5 ft% 33.9 3pt% 34.8 minutes per game 57 games played

    Is Fred a SIGNIFICANTLY better defender than James?
    I don't know if I would say that

    Is Bari a SIGNIFICANTLY better defender than KD?
    I don't know if I would say that either

    James and KD would simply make the game easier for the youngsters
    The Cost is minimal and at most a year
    I dunno . . . I feel it is less of a risk (and more easier to make happen)
    than trading major peices for Zion . . . and depending on the trade even LaMelo

    With KD and HARDEN do we go like 1-13 down the Stretch?
    Do we go 13-26 from the free throw line?

    Rocket River
     
    Terror-Trips likes this.
  19. highpost1388

    highpost1388 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2019
    Messages:
    393
    Likes Received:
    781
    Yeah Harden and KD make a lot of sense if they're interested. They need a team of young guys who will get after people and do the dirty work, and our roster is full of guys like that. We can cover for James' defensive woes like we did when he was here. He's not the same offensive threat, but he can still pop off, run a competent offense, and KD would help offset the shooting issues we have right now.
     
    Terror-Trips likes this.
  20. topfive

    topfive CF OG

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2002
    Messages:
    19,838
    Likes Received:
    39,459
    The 2011 championship will be OURS, baby!

    Seriously, though, is anyone even considering the $100M that would be tied up in contracts for just those two guys? Or are we once again in that ClutchFans dream world where great players take discounts to play for our team?
     
    #20 topfive, Mar 6, 2025
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2025
    roslolian, Dobbizzle and Terror-Trips like this.

Share This Page