Does the Pelicans pick really matter to you at this point of the season?

They asked Dallas Cowboy Duane Thomas if the Super Bowl is the Ultimate Game, he said if it was the ultimate game then why are they going to play it again next year.

As a Rockets lifer the quality of team over the long haul is a concern for me. I absolutely hated being stuck in the 'also-ran' years with no success and no draft picks. We need to draft a young PG who will be a quality part of this team for the next 5 years and this is a year when a #14 will get you one. You need some components that play well on their rookie contracts (though it's less of a concern knowing the cap is going way up... but you could say teams will be bidding more for the few great players and the situation will be the same for the depth)

I'm loving this year, but I always have one eye on the future.

 

No you don't, because nobody will give you the 5th pick for that.

 

The overall goal is to win a Championship(s).

Still the difference between 14 and 18-19 can be a huge difference.

It can be the difference between getting someone like Kris Dunn (physically has long term starter/all star talent) and getting a player like Tyus Jones (physically limited).

Ultimately there isn't much the Rockets can do, they did their part beating the Pelicans last night.

 

careful throwing that name out there, people will hang you if you say he's a decent player. I know first hand.

 

Thunder play the Blazers, TWolves

Pelicans play the TWolves, Spurs

Best case is Thunder win out, Pelicans lose to the TWolves, still have a hope and beat the Spurs... But miss the playoffs since Thunder win out. That's ridiculously unlikely though.

The likely case which includes the Pelicans losing to a Spurs team that needs to still win is ok. Hopefully the Thunder win out and the Pelicans miss the playoffs.

But in also ok with both the Thunder and Pelicans winning out. I'd rather the Pelicans not make the playoffs... But if they do so by helping true Rockets secure HCA in first round then that's fine.

If Morey REALLY wants someone in that 5-15 range of picks there are assets to do so. The Pelican pick at 19 plus DMo for example - I love DMo but I also live in reality... Trade him and pick up an equally competent big in FA is fine if Adam sees a path to that. I don't think that would happen but just pointing out there are options.

At this point Rockets HCA is priority one, even if it means rooting for Pelicans to win.

 

Yes. You control what you can. Its really just the fault of OKC who should have been the better team this year. Its not the Rockets fault but maybe knowing this outcome makes Morey do different things back at the trade deadline.

So yeah, grand scheme of sustained success for the future, 14 and 18 is a huge difference and it absolutely matters. Is there anything we can do about it, Morey could do about it, or McHale could do about it? No. Other than beat the Pelles, or lose on purpose to the Thunder which you really don't want to do. Playoff positioning is more important than playing that game.

 

Looks like the lowest the pick can be is 18?

 

yep. if OKC, NOP, GS, and HOU win tonight, the last day of the season will have the Rockets playing for either the 2nd seed and 18th pick or the 5th seed and 14th pick depending on whether the Spurs or Pelicans win.

 

it would be our consolation if its another first round exit for our team

 

Give me the 2 seed and 18th pick. Not much difference in the draft pick. Just remember, Terrence Jones went 18th. You could argue Henson is better, but that's very debatable and the 2nd seed is worth so much more.

 

Of course it matters when you're wheeling and dealing!:grin:

 

D-Mo's trade value has taken a plunge with his back injury. Jones is our best trade asset, if he plays well in the playoffs. I don't want to trade either of them honestly, but if we can move up to grab D' Angelo Russell I would be very tempted to do that. The chances of that happening are remote I admit.

Let's see what the future holds for us. The 19th pick plus the NYC 2nd rounder doesn't sound too bad.

 

Funny how one Anthony Davis game winner changed this whole pick...