If Fred comes back this season, our team would be so deep. I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to use him without messing up the chemistry. It’s a damn nice problem to have for sure.
Considering : - current team chemistry (rockets are winning and doing well) - validating future vision of reed /amen as possible rockets PG (while gram continue winning) - displayed playmaking skills growth among reed,amen, Sengun that will make rockets more dynamic and unpredictable offensively. - more playmaking need for the 2nd unit. - untested FVV on his fitness, rust, etc. Prefer to continue reed starting and FVV comes in the 2nd unit. Reevaluate after some 10+ games Unless, the team starts loosing badly.
Sorry but that was a tiny sample size. Although FVV is a solid defender, his 3 point shooting has really dropped off and he is pretty inefficient at this stage of his career. We've seen how bad some guys are the first month or two back from injury, not really worth experimenting late season for a Top 200 player on a contending team.
Is there even a remote chance that this could be relevant? If you can actually guarantee that he can be something like 80% productive and not at risk to be reinjured, then yeah that's a player the Rockets would love to have. Especially because they need another ball handler and someone who can play defense. I didn't like him much as a starter who plays 35mpg, but if he's just splitting time with Reed ala Kenny Smith and Sam Cassell, then yeah that's great.
With Reed’s progression the only reason they would need that skill set is for insurance of a Reed or Okogie injury. If Amen gets injured we are cooked anyway. FVV was a bottom five starting pg last year (and that’s being generous because of his defense), he is not even an elite backup pg at this stage of his career.
Clearly the Rockets don't think he's that bad. They gave him $10mil/yr more than the max he could've gotten on the FA market and a player option that made him half untradable to boot.
Rockets give JSJ starting spot and good extension. See JSJ is great. Rockets started FVV and then gave him a good, but short contract. FVV sucks, and the Rockets are idiots. That said, JSJ is having a great year. i would not put him with Amen and Sengun as part of the core yet, though.
There are a number of reasons they did that: 1. They wanted to preserve his salary to make matching trades. 2. They were hedging their bets that Reed would be capable (another reason they signed Okogie). 3. They thought at worst he would be good insurance as a backup. 4. Ime wouldn’t allow it.
I can't see a trade considering being hard capped at the apron and the available salaries. But as a "buy out" Denis Schroeder or CJ MacCollum? Possible I suppose. Denis has another year on his deal so not sure he will be bought out but CJ is expiring and is more likely.
Not even a question - if he’s performing like he did pre-injury, he’ll reclaim his starting spot as he should, unless one of Amen or Reed takes a huge leap - which is unlikely. The truth is no one has been able to fill in for him. Amen has been horrible as a PG and isn’t projecting to be a championship caliber one, and Reed needs more time. Rockets will probably go looking for a PG otherwise.
I mean - if I'm being honest Fred's been a fairly mediocre PG in recent memory BUT he does something that is valuable when most of your team is young - he sets the offense and minimizes TOs. The good thing is - you don't have to be at your peak offensively to bring that to the team. I think if Fred returns, his slow it down and play methodical style will be utilized by Ime when the game gets tight provided Fred doesn't get even more exposed defensively than Reed.
And yet, with the increased turnovers our offense is performing better than last year and our defense is still in the top five. Some of the best pg’s in the league have high turnover numbers. Prime example, Harden year after year. Setting the offense is learned and Ime, Reed, and Amen have all talked about it as something they are working on. Maybe all fans are impatient as ours, but man it is irritating how impatient this board is when the true core is all under 23 years old and will still probably be at least a top 4 seed if not top 2.
IMO he probably needs about 20 games to get back into game shape, shake off the rust, really strengthen that ankle, and develop chemistry especially with Durant. If he tries to come back in the middle of the playoffs or with only a few games left in the season I think we'll see Udoka try to use him only realize he's more of a hindrance.
Westbrook is healthly and he is still quick enough. He is playing under control. Will he want to join KD as a buyout candidate at the February deadline?
It’s virtually impossible for Fred to help us on the court this season given when the injury occurred, recovery timeline, and the ramp-up time to be game-ready for the playoffs. Especially at his age, it’s best for all involved if he takes the full season and offseason to come back healthy and ready next yr.
