Trade 1: Jalen Green to Sacramento for Malik Monk and Keon Ellis (Ellis' 25/26 option would need to be declined and he would need to be signed to a new deal that would make the numbers work and keep him under contract for longer) Why Sac does it: Jalen is a name and is local so he gives them something to sell their fans on after dealing Fox this season and having no FRP in the draft. Why Houston does it: Jalen is probably the best player in this deal but I think Monk gives more consistency and Ellis is the 3 (43%) and D shooting guard this team needs. After pulling off Trade 2 either of them are candidates to be moved next summer for draft ammo or kept as they would both be on reasonable deals. Trade 2: #9 + Cam Whitmore to move up to for VJ Edgecomb FVV/Reed Ellis/Monk/Edgecomb Amen/Brooks/Eason Smith/Eason Sengun/Adams
This thought is highly implausible, but in the 1-in-whatever huge number chance that Jokic asks out and puts Houston on his short list (they'd have to get bounced by OKC here obviously), what do you think it would take to get him? Would Sengun + Reed + Cam + Tari + a massive haul of draft picks get it done? Would they stand firm on Amen being included, and if they did, would you trade him? Just entertaining wild fantasies. Obviously Jokic makes any team good, but I can't help but think how absolutely perfectly he would slot into this roster in Sengun's place.
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -1.6 ppg, -1.0 rpg, and +1.6 apg. Incoming Players Andrew Wiggins 30 year old, 6-7, 197 lb F from Kansas 18.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg in 30.7 minutes in 2024-2025 Jaime Jaquez, Jr. 24 year old, 6-6, 225 lb GF from UCLA 8.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 apg in 20.7 minutes in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Dillon Brooks 29 year old, 6-6, 225 lb F from Oregon 14.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.7 apg in 31.8 minutes in 2024-2025 Jock Landale 29 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg in 11.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Cam Whitmore 20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg in 16.2 minutes in 2024-2025
Houston Rockets Trade Breakdown Change in Team Outlook: -12.7 ppg, -8.7 rpg, and +2.0 apg. Incoming Players Tyler Herro 25 year old, 6-5, 195 lb SG from Kentucky 23.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.5 apg in 35.4 minutes in 2024-2025 Nikola Jovic 21 year old, 6-10, 205 lb F from KK Mega Bemax (Serbia) 10.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.8 apg in 25.1 minutes in 2024-2025 Outgoing Players Jalen Green 23 year old, 6-4, 186 lb SG from NBA G League Ignite 21.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg in 32.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Jabari Smith, Jr. 21 year old, 6-10, 220 lb F from Auburn 12.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.1 apg in 30.1 minutes in 2024-2025 Jock Landale 29 year old, 6-11, 255 lb C from Saint Mary's 4.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg in 11.9 minutes in 2024-2025 Cam Whitmore 20 year old, 6-7, 230 lb F from Villanova 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg in 16.2 minutes in 2024-202
I know it will never happen. As It makes too much sense for them to actually just do this trade green/brooks for brown (hopefully no pics needed but if there is add one to the mix) sign Malik Beasley to full MLE sign Fred to lower annual 3-4 year deal that lines up no longer than browns contract do whatever it takes to sign Steven Adams and contend
If Celtics meltdown and look to pivot, Jaylen Brown is a guy to go all in for. I can see 3 young players and picks be enticing for them....
If Boston moves one of their top players in Tatum or Brown (more likely)....that should be first option. Hou: Jaylen Brown Bos: Cam Johnson, Jock Landale, Tari Eason, 2025 HOU (PHX), 2027 PHX, 2 HOU Swaps Brk: Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Reed Shepard, HOU Swap Removal, 2027 HOU First and 2025 1st BOS and Houston gets a go to player who has experience with Ime and locked in for several years Boston picks up young talent who can contribute, waive Landale, and picks to retool either by trade or draft Brooklyn uses their cap space for young talent and picks.
If you are taking on the brown contract you have to get picks in return. Jalen/brooks for that contract is a nonstarter without multiple firsts from boston.
I like him more than Zion/Morant/Durant of course. But that comes with a huge cost. He is the 6th highest paid player in the league. I do not think he is the 6th best player though. Maybe 15th or so. And you are giving up. 2 phoenix picks: 9th this year likely top 10 again in 2027 Brooklyn swap: likely another top 15 pick Houston Picks: 2 swaps 1st round pick 4 of the 7 young guys gone poof vanished Jalen Green Reed Sheppard Cam Whitmore Tarie Eason I dunno. I think I would rather let the players grow if costs that much and see if you can get another top 4 pick from the Nets/Suns/Mavs and use that for the basis point to bring down the cost. You have 5 shots at winning the lottery and getting a top with those swaps and picks. Then you are not giving 3 1st round picks, 3 swaps and more than half of the youth on the team away for the 6th highest paid player that is not the 6th best player.
What's interesting is that the reason he is the 6th highest paid player is because he made an all-nba team. But that is just one time in 8 years. If he makes it this year it is 2 times in 9 years. The fact is it's hard to find the ideal player much less a perfect trade candidate. They are too old, too injury prone, or just not avaliable at all etc
Ya, at a 25% max he’s tolerable, at 30% it’s pretty bad. At 35% he’s a massive albatross. I’m not opposed to taking on bad salary as long as we get multiple unprotected firsts from boston though.
