Trade FVV expiring contract, Cam, Rockets 26 FRP for Lamelo. Then, we can trade Dillon, Jabari, Suns picks for KD. We'll be true contenders with this starting 5: Sengun Amen KD Jalen Lamelo
Wouldn’t be enough for Lamelo and way too much for Durant. I’m still on board on 1 year of Durant for 1 pick and FVV, but nothing more. Lamelo is a bad fit for our team. We need 3&D players, not more backcourt players that don’t shoot well.
Lamelo would be an upgrade from FVV...Agreed on trade package for KD, probably would only trade their 25 FRP with Dillon and Jabari...I think we need to move on from Jabari and not get trapped on overpaying him on an extension just to keep him on the team.
People treat it as a joke but I think LaMelo to Houston has legs. I’ve talked about it before from the CHA angle, but from the HOU angle: - You have to take swings to win a title. I’d rather take this kind of swing on the “impossibly talented guy in a bad situation + weak ankles” than on a “not worth his supermax” guy or an undertalented guy - LaMelo actually fits our timeline. He’s the same age Jalen / younger than Tari. He should be significantly better in two years just from the normal aging curve. LaMelo is the best player under 25 that’s reasonably acquirable this summer, by a wide margin - If our plan is to acquire only Ime guys forever, we’ll never win anything. Most players with elite offensive skill in the league are not Ime guys. It’s an impossible team building constraint. At least LaMelo is 6’7 - LaMelo’s top line shooting efficiency is mid this year, similar to Jalen. But look deeper - advanced metrics are very very good and his offensive on/off differentials are at the top of the league. Jalen’s are gross. To be clear, I’m talking about a trade package like Jalen + Whitmore + 2nd most favorable 2027 FRP of PHX/BKN/HOU, not some godfather package.
It all comes down to effort and discipline with Udoka. If Ball is willing to work reasonably hard and is consistent in his habits, he and Udoka will do very well together. The offense likely would be turned over to Ball as well. Green didn't fit the culture either at first and now does. Ball current is horrendous at defense, there is zero accountability there --- really I think it comes down to what is inside Ball's heart. He has the physical and intellectual ability to adjust fast, but it requires effort. I don't know if Ball is even a possibility - but he does likely offer the highest potential ceiling for the Rockets if he pans out. Ball and Green and Thompson could cause serious issues for teams at the 1-3.
At that price I wouldn't hate it. I just don't think he's worth a king's ransom when he can't seem to stay on the court and his impact on winning does not appear to be as big as his statistical profile would suggest.
I haven't heard this - it is my own opinion, but I firmly believe that the Rockets would trade a lot of assets for Ball because of the age, relative production and upside. Thompson and Green likely would not be involved in a deal - but I do think Sengun could be and a draft pick or another younger player going to CHA.
The “staying on the court” part is the risk for sure (and why he’s attainable). Frequent ankle sprains seems pretty innocuous as far as long term health concerns go though. As far as impact: he’s a +10 on/off for CHA this year, even while opponents are having really good 3pt shooting luck with him on. Jalen is a -10. Those are really very big on/off differentials for guys playing starter minutes. I’ll admit, part of me just wants to watch elite offensive skill on the Houston Rockets again… the sticky CTE ball is getting to me. I imagine Lamelo would be good for Tilman’s pockets too.
Yeah, his on/off numbers are good, but his team still isn't managing a winning record when he's on the court, is my biggest issue. I just feel like a guy with truly elite impact can pull his team above .500 like Harden was always able to do. It's clear to me that LaMelo is not at that "superstar" level, he's more around the level of a guy like Booker, if even that. There's a hard limit on what I'm willing to trade for a player I can't count on to stay healthy, especially if he's not a top 10 player in the league. If he costs a De'Aaron Fox level package I guess I don't mind trading for him. Wouldn't be thrilled because I expect him to miss a ton of games, but I'd get it. Anything much more than that and I'm a hard pass though.
Fair, my line would be trading so much for him that we don’t have enough left for the *big* trade down the line. So something less than Fox. IMO it would have to be a player consolidation trade to make sense for us, not sending our premium future picks. He’s definitely not a superstar or top 10 player. Neither is Booker. The difference is LaMelo’s prime is 3 years from now. Booker’s was 2 years ago. And LaMelo wouldn’t be the *big* trade in terms of assets, Booker would be. And LaMelo will make $45M in 2029 and be 27. Booker will make $75M and be 32.
He actually really tries on defense but is just not naturally good at it. His reputation is from before the NBA and his early years in the league. I watch most of the Hornets games the last couple of years. If we have a chance at him we need to capitalize
Yes and then we need to trade for Embid, Kawhi, and Zion. We would be awesome for about 30 games a year. What a terrible idea!
Lonzo is better fit for Rockets than LaMelo. Lonzo is not ball dominant, much better defender + 3P shooter (4 seasons at 40% + zero seasons under 36%). Lonzo also is excellent initiating + defending fastbreak. Most importantly, LaMelo is a turnover machine + black hole on offense. LaMelo has shot under 36% 3P the last 2 seasons, currently shooting 33% for season.
Anybody here who calls Jalen an inefficient chucker and wants this guy needs their big, fat head examined. Also, LaMelo's games played the last 3 seasons: 36, 22, 47. Lastly, he's signed for 4 more years, $168 million. Maybe the most overrated young player in the NBA. DO! NOT! WANT!!!
meh…LaMelo is inefficient, but he also gives u 5 boards and 7 assists…he has a lot more upside than Jalen he has played for an absolute joke of an organization his entire career…put him somewhere with some structure and competence with actual good players around him and he could thrive the main knock against him is he misses so many games and is unreliable health-wise…say what u want about Jalen’s play, but he at least actually plays and doesn’t miss games
I’d be fine with Reed, Cam Whitmore, and a pick for LaMelo and roll into next season with a SL of LaMelo Jalen Amen Jabari Sengun with Tari as 6th man Melo would have much less responsibility here, and I think Ime could get him to play serious, winning basketball…he wouldn’t have to jack up so many shots and wouldn’t be allowed to hoop like he’s at the park or LA Fitness
Yeah, I have a desire for something like this as well. Having a lineup where Jalen is your shortest player could be a tough team if Ball were buying into Udoka's defense. Add a switchable rim defender to that squad and it's lights out. Could you imagine what we could do if we could add a Jonathan Issac to that team?
I imagine the Rockets will pass on Ball and it's completely defensible. On the other hand, this is a great buy low opportunity. If you think Ime can turn him around, a tall PG who can shoot and pass unlocks so much for this team and frees up Amen to play in the front court. A Ball, Green, Thompson lineup with any other combination would be the most athletic in the league. They could run teams right off the court.
