[Probasketballtalk] The Inbounds: Houston We Have a Solution

Good Read

Thanks for the post.
naismith

 

Really good read

The writer really knew our team except when he said "Royce White leaps like Lebron James".

Few players in the history of the league can leap like Lebron, and Royce White isn't even close to one of them.

Was the writer thiking of James White?

 

This one confuses me.

There are no more stars to chase after for a while. Our best chance is to hope our rookies reach their potential.

 

Not understanding your question. it says trades for a star.. not that we would get one in free agency. Any of these pre Madonnas can ask for a trade or their owner can get tired of their antics.

 

Good read. Only problem I saw was that the author apparently didn't bother to look up what Lowry was traded for.

 

Coach Bad-lee asking wanting to keep the rookies as opposed to go after the proven players, what a shocker.

But as far as players that are available, considering the trend seems to be trading a guy who has at most 2 years left on their deal before he becomes a problem, these players "are available":
U=Unrestricted, R=Restricted, ETC=Early Termination Option, P=Player Option

Chris Paul (U)
Tyreke Evans (R)
Ty Lawson (R)
Stephen Curry (R)
Jrue Holiday (R)
Eric Maynor (R)
James Harden (R)
Iggy (ETO)
Monta Ellis (ETO)
Manu (U)
Josh Smith (U)
Paul Millsap (U)
Al Jefferson (U)
Devin Harris (U)
Taj Gibson (R)
O.J. Mayo (P)
Nick Young (U)

I would say that there are at least "a few" people who "are available".

 

Hmmm

I've never thought about making a run but

Jeremy Lin
James Harden
Parsons
Josh Smith
Asik?

 

In a perfect world, we are not on championship level even if we can trade our team for the best of that list: CP3, Harden, Smith. In reality, any one of them is almost impossible to get. Any move should prepare us for at least 5 seasons later, when Lakers/Thunder/Heat may not dominate the league anymore.

 

That is a VERY interesting team. I can see J. Smith being available, I am just not sold on OKC dealing Harden until absolutely necessary which I don't think comes for another years or two. I think OKC pays Harden and Ibaka next offseason - that gives them this year and next to make their run. I think they pay the luxury tax 1 year before breaking up that core.

 

It's funny, hypothetical moves like these that obviously improve the team and push the needle don't even excite me (nevermind that I'm not a Smith fan) because of what it takes to compete nowadays. In other words, you just made a list of 4 guys that wouldn't start for the Heat or Lakers.

 

Good article.
Idiot commenters on that site, though.

 

Yeah, that's a pretty sick starting 5. I'd take that in a heartbeat.

 

13th-15th seed. If healthy, this team will compete on a nightly basis with Jeremy Lin setting up a cast of unbelievably mediocre players (for now, some of these guys have huge upside). However, the lack of a true star at the end of games along with desperation for size aside from Asik will leave us in the same position we were in at the end of some games last year.

 

...or thunder.


and because of that it's worth skipping this era. don't try to compete now because none of the b list players we could only hope to get will actually help us win in the event we actually land one.

instead, give the young guys major playing time. develop them so they can reach their potential by the time the lakers and heat pass their respective primes. build through the draft. we have plenty of time to find a legit franchise player to build around... if we are willing to shoot for a top 3 pick every year until we find one. you can't find one at #14 even if you draft there every year (and we've tried).

the heat, lakers, and thunder will win the championship repeatedly for the next 5 or so years. without a way to become better than them in that time, we have to start harvesting young talent, rather than trying to make the playoffs now.

 

This is a reboot. Not sure you could tell where a second reboot would start and the first one stops.

And, he neglected to mention the 5th gamble -- getting a high lotto pick.

 

Unless aldridge and/or becomes available for whatever reason, we should keep the young team core as-is.

 

fixed