Lots of talk about possible multiple all-stars coming out of this draft. A lot deeper than people realize.
While its generally good practice to spend any resource that is going to expire (in this case, the $7.24M that the Rockets are allowed to send out in trades for the 2024-2025 league year), the returns have generally not been great for nearly every one of these moves where you "move back into the draft." This analysis, penned last year, is pretty enlightening: https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/lessons-and-trends-from-draft-night
CMB not making it past #12. Maluach not making it past #9. Carter Bryant not falling out of the lotto. Those are the 3 prosoects we interviewed at the combine and had interest in. None are likely to be realistic targets to trade back into the draft. who else do folks think we really like in this draft that could realistically slip into the mid-late 20s? I’m hoping for Walter Clayton Jr, although word is he has a promise and shut down workouts recently. I don’t want to give up a future 1st for Hansen Yang or Kaulkbrenner, but I’m intrigued. Drake Powell could be a nice swing in the late 1st as well. We could also grab Jace Richardson and then try to ransom him to the Suns for whatever they have left
Also guessing Beringer being one of the five prospects identified by the Rockets. He was the highest ranked prospect to have worked out with the team (#17)
I hear a lot of teams like him and he’s now projected to go much earlier than previously thought. But seems like a great Euro-stash.
Whitmore and future 1sts(2027 phx/brk) seem like our only realistic ammo to trade back into a 1st rd pick. Its hard to justify trading either for anything worse than a lottery pick
Apparently the 2027 draft is supposed to be like the 2024 draft…pretty weak. But with both the Brooklyn swap and Phoenix pick we greatly increase our chance of hitting that #1 lotto jackpot. So I wouldn’t want to break up those 2027 picks/swaps.
Everyone go eat at Landry’s before Wed. Cf can pay for a second round pick with **** food and drinks. @Jontro @J.R. @Snow Villiers
Those 3 prospects have the lowest ceiling. CMB needs a lot of work. Short tweeners are 3 years away from being good. Maluach looks like a taller Garuba and one cheeseburger away from hell breaking loose. Bryant takes nothing but jump shots fading away. Give me Clayton and Fleming. These 2 have the highest ceiling
Draft talk is just irresistible but I'd be careful talking yourself into the Rockets getting back into the draft.
I think it makes sense for the Rockets to try and pick up some talent in the late 1st or early 2nd due to the price of the contracts. Going to have a few spots to fill.
Being apart of these 3 team trades, the Nets now have 5 first round picks in this draft. I know they don’t like us, but it would be nice if Stone can work some magic to get one of their later picks.
Derek Queen will be a perennial all-star, but we would’ve passed him up for a scrub like Carter Bryant anyhow, so no big deal. Hearing the Rockets have NO desire to be in this year’s draft and will not make any offers tonight. They are trying to lose some salary to avoid the 2nd apron.
Instead of trading Cam. I’d consider 19th or 22nd FRP Future FRP for Relinquish the 2027 Swap with BKN.
