Thing is I kinda don't want to touch Randle with a 10 foot pole. If he were expiring sure, but that player option... The player I'd want from them is Naz Reid. I think Naz + Donte works (Donte is also a good fit by the way) but would Minny do that? That's a big hit to their depth.
Most of the fans know that aside from staying healthy and having OKC & SA both incur injuries, we would be substantial underdogs to make the finals. The problem is that Stone/Udoka are in "win now" mode, because they could easily be on the chopping block next summer. They will likely make decisions that maximize wins in '26, but they won't punt on '26 to try to build for 3-5 years from now. The best move for the franchise is to showcase players and sell high, rinse/repeat over the next 3 years. Stick that "make me move" sign in the yard and wait for someone to overpay. If you can get that deal for KD this summer or at the deadline, you do it. But Stone/Udoka won't, because they want wins to save their jobs.
I think the organization is definitely at a Cross Road and its all due to the KD TRADE last yr. Now its time to make a more critical decision since the KD TRADE in my opinion didn't work, because you got no further than you did the previous yr. In my opinion, you have two options; 1) Trade Sengun and keep KD to add another star player. However, I don't think Sengun will garner much by himself, so you will have to add other pieces, in the way of young players and draft picks 2) Trade KD and get younger pieces. This will however put the organization in a win later mode.
ANT is the only poss I'd hate to dump Sengun now with his value this low. Just look at Jalen Brown, he was widely considered to be a negative contract last summer, and after a year of being showcased, he's now back in positive territory with folks saying multiple FRPs. Sengun needs a year to repair his value before we cash in. KD is probably at his high point, so I wouldn't be upset if we got a team to go all-in and give us a good deal. If we stick with the team and run it back healthy, I'll enjoy watching this year, but 2027 HAS to go in a rebuild direction.
see... u keep putting these expectations on him - and then are pissed that he doesnt live up to them... He wasnt brought in to be the vocal team leader and mentor... he wasnt brought in to run the offense through... he was brought in to get buckets - particularly in the clutch... U keep saying he's "just a shooter, then" - YES, thats his A#1 job! Fred was supposed to facilitate... Steven was there to get boards... Alpi gives u an inside threat... Amen is your defensive dawg... Jabari is supposed to spread the d... Reed is there to hit 3s... and KD was going to keep the scoreboard moving. Obviously, everybody has additional tasks and responsibilities - but those are the primary roles. Did KD give up too many tov? fk yeh... same w Alpi... Now did these tovs happened bc he was placed in role of facillitator? fk yeh they were - but u call that an excuse... no, its the reason. If KD is the problem - then Ime is the reason - lol! and i think KD plays reasonable d for a big man... yeah, he gets the occasional blowby - but i've also seen him run down a few breakaways for the block from behind... not great, but reasonable... Morgan Wallen "I'm the problem" with Eminem
KD and FVV with Ime is the problem. We are not playing modern NBA basketball. It’s not just the coach and it’s not just the players. If this team has a vision, it’s Ime’s and that is a serious problem.
Idk if it’s the only problem, but I do think this is the group of thinkers leading the discussion of how we approach the game.
there may be validity to what u are saying... but the whole "modern NBA" is a huge trigger for me... lol That was the reason we had to chuck so many 3s - even though we didnt have shooters... bc u had to "outshoot GSW" That was the reason that defense supposedly no longer mattered... That was the reason we went small ball and gave up on rebounding... Now maybe its just bc I'm old... but I dont believe there's only one way to play the game... I liked what we had going on early... I know many dislike the double big and the rebounding focus - but it was working for us... until Adams went down... I'm a firm believer in play to your strengths and devise your gameplan to utilize the players that u have at your disposal... not just try to copy the flavor of the month... It's like "the only way u can build a contender is through the draft bc no one is going to give u a star..." - but the Knicks are in the Finals - and it aint with a bunch of high draft picks that they tanked for... sorry to rant... but as i said - its a huge trigger for me... lol and i do think Ime needs an offensive assistant...
I've been thinking for awhile that Alpi is the one to go... which sux bc i do like him... His mediocre defense just doesnt fit - not as our primary rim defender... If he could shoot and be a stretch 4 - thatd be great... but i aint holding my breath... I know that everyone covets a stretch 5 - idc, i just want a strong defender holding down the paint. I'm pretty much in favor of running it back with an improved bench - and hoping to stay healthy... Then next year we got 2 frps which should give us more options to enhance - or pivot if a screaming deal develops - im all over it... but i aint holding my breath... lol
Pretty sure Ime and the FO would love it if Amen and Sengun were better shooters. Or Jabari was the type of elite 6'11" 3&D putting up 40% on high 3 point volume.
...umm, FVV and KD space the floor. The reason the Rockets aren't playing modern basketball rests on Amen, Sengun, and Stone for drafting those two. The team with Amen and without another non-shooter sucked. The team with Sengun and without another non-shooter sucked. The team with Adams and without another non-shooter was okay, but had limited minutes. Also, not really viable in playoffs. The team with Capela and without another non-shooter was okay, but had limited minutes. Also, not really viable in playoffs. With FVV hurt, and DFS hurt/sucking, Ime had no option to play a modern NBA offense well. Though, a modern NBA offense trend is to go for offensive rebounds while tagging the oppoents to prevent teams from getting in transition. The Rockets lead the playoffs in offensive rebounding and are 3rd best in transition defense. Rockets severely lacked shooting and playmaking last season, partially because of injuries, partially because two of their best 3 young players can't shoot. Getting the offensive boards didn't help with offensive deficiencies elsewhere.
Naz was the hold-up in the proposed trade for KD from Phoenix. Minnesota is not going to give up Ant, McDaniels, or Reid. They see that as their baseline core. The only way any of them gets moved is if one of them forces a trade and only Ant has that power currently. Randall, Shannon, and the 26th pick is the maximum I think they would go for KD and I’m not even sure that’s on the table. If we can’t haggle a better pick from somebody, I would pull the trigger on that trade and flip Randall at the deadline if possible. Shannon’s a pretty good young player, but Randall is not a fit, because of his poor 3 pt shooting. He is a good rebounder and passer, but our offense would still be stuck in the mud, but we would get significantly younger.
Udoka is the coach. It is part of his job to win games. Stone is the one whose job it is to build the roster. I don't think Stone will punt '26. I find it highly unlikely that Stone tries to maximize wins in '26 unless Stone can get a star at a reasonable price or the Rockets are dominating leading up to the deadline.
I don’t think there is only one way to win and I have argued that there are ways to win with two non 3 pt shooters on the floor, but 90’s slug it out basketball will not work in today’s NBA. We have to be a better offensive team to compete. Our coach and GM doubled down on let’s play defense and rely on offensive rebounding to stay in games. Getting FVV and Adams back is not going to magically make us a better offensive team and there is a high chance that any or all of FVV, Adams, or KD misses significant amounts of the season or playoffs. Do you see any indication that Ime is going to change his offensive strategies? If he doesn’t, it is foolish to believe Sengun or Amen are going to have a runway for significant improvement. I’m sure as hell not for tanking, but I am for adjusting to the realities of how NBA teams are being successful. It’s not by relying on guys in their mid to late 30’s with injury resumes. Because of how this roster was built, we do need a re-set and a realistic time-frame for competing. Trading old guys for younger players or draft picks is about the only way to do that re-set.
These are 2 very contradictory questions. First question basically asks is Ime is going to bench Amen as that is really the only way to open up the offense with only non-shooting centers. I don't think Amen gets benched. On Sengun and Amen having runway, Ime gave Amen more runway than most head coaches not named Silas would give Amen. Sengun, I think Ime has a love-hate relationship with Sengun. There are things Ime losves about Sengun, but it also causes Ime to go nuts when Sengun makes a mistake. The Rockets are relying on the young guys. The plan was likey to have some vets with the young core for 25-27. Then try other vets with the core from 28-30 while draft picks start coming in again. 31 on would be mostly the remnants of the young core, draft picks, and guys signed with exceptions. Option was always to get a star if one became available. The problem is that while Amen and Sengun developed great with FVV, those two regressed a little last season (mostly Sengun). 28-30 looks a lot weaker now than it did after last season in my opinion and it has nothing to do with KD. KD is the only old guy that probably has any surplus value in a trade, but that value is likely inconsequential for a reset. If the Rockets want to reset, it has to involve a trade of at least one of Sengun and Amen. You can trade KD, but don't call it a reset. It resets the vets around Amen and Sengun, but long-term, it does not reset the roster, as KD was always meant to be a short-term disposable piece. Amen and Sengun are still here if KD is traded only. The Rockets current plan has been to swap out vets as Amen and Sengun get older, better. I don't see the old guys hurting the young guys. I see the old guys giving the young guys a chance. For the most part, I expect the Rockets not to spend resources to move old guys unless it is as part of a star trade or a really good starter.
You keep mixing up cause and effect. If Green was a more consistent scorer/shooter, he'd be on the Rockets. FO/Ime most certainly want shooters.
