First off, let me say...I was for acquiring Slim Reapa...at the right price. But, I've been concerned that once we get one of these guys, it would accelerate our timeline to the point, our window would be shortened big time. With the addition of one of these stars comes the need to shore up with some cheap vets if we're going to contend. (Brogdon & Williams) What I don't want is more star chasing, or other unwise longterm commitments that hinder us in the future. I assume we'll benefit from vet minimum ringchasers/buyouts. What about y'all? Do you think Stone will strike the right balance...keeping flexibility?
Everybody's window got shortened with the aprons. Also everybody has the chance for thiem to open again. Rockets should push it all in, if it blows up, so be it, trade Thompson for some picks and start over.
I still think Cam is on the trade block for the a Role Player. With Jock and Holiday added for salary matching.
If not the Rockets, other teams are doing it......some team called the Mavs even did it to a 25 year old superstar from Slovenia.
window was never even open wasting time with Jalen Green for the next 3 years many on this board didn’t even want top 3 player Giannis because he’s 30 and “doesn’t fit the timeline” What do y’all even want atp? Rockets are now the 2nd best team in the West and have a chance to compete against OKC, and we barely gave up anything in the process. the expectation is now HOU-OKC in the WCF…the Rockets have been to only 2 WCF in almost 30 years people keep holding onto this fantasy that we basically make no significant moves and have this magical mystical 10 year window
I think the deal for Durant proves that Stone is very much aware of this. He kept basically our most promising assets. I could see us adding a player or two, but it that's how every single contending team operates, they trim the edges periodically. If we do make a big splash, it'll likely be with the intention of being the favorite, which is reasonable
I think how Stone approached the KD negotiations shows he’s not interested in making deals that shorten our window. Our “window” will be open for a while so long as we don’t make any dumb moves.
We had no window before, we didn't have a good enough team, we had a CHANCE at getting TO a window. That is what we did, we now have a window wide open for at least 3 years and if our young guys develop maybe longer. DD
At least with this trade , yes the right balance was there KD is older but he's not the type of star that forces you to go all in . He's the best safety valve you could ever imagine. Even at an old age , he will get a good look . Think dirk. He's always been pretty good on defense and playing with so many strong defenders around him should help cover for the age and injury effects. What we need help with is offensive pressure.
This is very true and almost no one talks about it. The NBA has made it so expensive to keep a great team together, that dynasties may be a thing of the past. Unless the owner just has money to burn, teams will have to choose to pay the rest of the league to stay on top or scrap a contender and rebuild. Those second apron penalties & restrictions are no joke.
We gave up Green. That was the only guy from the core 7 that was moved and he was the weakest link in my view. The youth window is still in full effect. Starting next season. Cam Whitmore - 21 Reed Sheppard - 21 Jabari Smith Jr - 22 Amen Thompson - 22 Alperen Sengun - 23 Tari Eason - 24
I don't think we'll be star chasing like the Suns did a couple years back unless it was for a under 30yo star guard. Let's say one of Luka, Ant or maybe Ja becomes available then I'm sure Stone will put the right package to get him without losing Amen and Sengun. The media will say the Rockets are in "win now" mode but I don't really think we are. Even with KD, I don't think anyone in the west is touching OKC's dominance. We just have to bet on Amen taking a big leap the next 2 years and Reed being as advertised. These 2-3 years with KD will give us time to see if those guys can be superstars while remaining competitive in the West.
The current CBA runs through the 2029/30 seasons. I think it likely that they loosen some of the restrictions. Fans don't want their teams blown up every 2-3 seasons. I want the Rockets to stop at Durant and nibble around the edges for the next 2 seasons. Let Amen, Sengun, and the other young guys mature and then reassess the future before the 2027 draft.
The question of the moment is: are we an all in KD vehicle now? Or was KD brought in to as a star complement to our young core's aspirations? If the former, we should be trading Jabari, Reed, Cam, probably Tari and all the PHX / BKN / DAL picks this summer for win now players in their late 20s and 30s. This season is the best KD will ever be again. If the latter, we will be playing Jabari, Reed, and maybe Cam minutes this season that are still at least partially developmental. Giving Amen on-ball reps that are developmental. We will be leaving wins and championship equity on the table for this season. I would have thought that this team still "belongs" to the young core, similar to OKC bringing in Caruso and Hartenstein to support their guys (and not trading away Wallace / Topic / future picks to push the chips in this year), or PHX when they brought in CP3 (before they pushed their chips in for KD and destroyed themselves). But I might be wrong. I think the KD / Ime power axis may mean we trade all the picks and young players to go down the all in superteam route.
I agree with one caveat... With Durant on board, the Rockets are one SGA injury away from having a wide open opportunity to win a Championship.
While I'd like to see Cam prove it on the court as a Rocket, it does make sense that he has high trade value. If you could add an experienced, complementary player, that would be a huge boost.
KD was/is literally the perfect player for this current era. Sengun and Amen are still figuring stuff out. Jabari and Cam are still projects and Reed still has a ways to go. By the time KD is ready to hang it up the Rockets will know which of the youngins is ready to be the guy in crunch time or if we still need to get that guy. Beyond what KD brings, what's even more exciting is the fact that Jalen is no longer going to be taking shots away from other guys.
Yeah Cam is a great player. I only question his BBIQ. Him and Jalen had to have the lowest BBIQ on the team.
