Running it back is what’s going to happen. Let’s stop playing fantasy GM and throwing EGs name in trades and get him all upset. Let’s put a positive spin on things though. We are NOT losing a single rotation player this season. When was the last time we can say that. Russ will be healthier and him and Harden will have more experience with one another again. Ditto for Roco. EG didn’t have a great year but then showed some life in some playoff games so it wasn’t his age. Danuel House will have solved his marital issues for better or for worse come next season. Russ Harden EG RoCo PJ House McLemore That’s a 7 man rotation we had at one point last year. Now let’s hope we can keep Jeff Green and add a veteran Center for cheap (Nerlens Noel); preferably one more big guy and maybe Rivers comes back on the minimum (though I’d rather a Teague (I’d actually like playoff Rondo but not happening)) EDIT: I would throw the whole mid level at Gallo on Day 1 after saying he would take a pay cut to compete but I’m still certain he did not mean I’ll play for Houston for $5Mil when he said that. Then Day 2 I would try and execute what I just said Russ Harden RoCo PJ Noel Teague EG McLemore Jeff Green
I’ve been thinking about it and was wondering what you think about getting Vucevic instead of AG? Basically the same trade scenario that you have outlined with Indy but with the Rockets receiving Vucevic instead of AG. Vucevic isn’t much of a rim protector and can’t really switch but he gives the Rockets pretty much everything else. He’s a good rebounder and a legitimate threat from 3 or in the post. He can give Harden a break in the half court and facilitate some offense from the high post as well. I think Harden likes having a big that can help him on offense even more than he likes having another all star guard. It allows the offense to be less predictable and giving a skilled big as much space as Houston’s offense generates is an easy score almost every time down the court. One big problem for the Rockets would be that Vucevic would increase the play roll unless they sent out EG and Tucker. I think the Rockets can get close enough to Vucevic’s salary to make the deal work without including PJ but it would take some creativity. AG fits the Magic’s timeline better than Vucevic does so maybe they would be more willing to trade the latter. It would free up time for Bamba, Isaac and AG to play as a rotation. They can still get the scorer that they want to play alongside Fultz and sending out Vucevic instead of AG would free up more space to resign the incoming player. Westbrook/Rivers Harden/McLemore House/Nwaba RoCo/Green Vucevic
Why would Magic trade away their best offensive player and only All Star? Especially one on a great contract. And AG is not a first option. Vucevic is better in that role for Magic and on Rockets, AG would be 3rd option. And Vuc is also a better fit with Jonathan Isaac (Magic franchise player) on offense and defense. AG plays same position as Isaac as well as their other 1st round pick, Chuma Okeke. Okeke fits both Vuc and Isaac better than AG. AG is the piece that Magic will trade away to increase their need for more 3P shooting and spacing. And Bamba has been limited by injury/ stamina and unable to beat out Vucevic. Likely Bamba is traded before Vuc is.
Still believe Rockets best trade is a package to get AG & Bamba. ORL: Victor Oladipo, Ben McLemore IND: Eric Gordon, Danuel House, Luc Mbah a Moute, Rockets FRP HOU: Aaron Gordon, Mo Bamba Westbrook Harden/Nwaba RoCo/Tucker AG/Green Bamba/Bruno MLE to replace Rivers like Langston Galloway or Tyler Johnson. Vet min signing options: Jeff Green, Bruno Caboclo, Ryan Broekhoff, Justin Anderson, Jonah Bolden, Josh Jackson *Russ Westbrook deadline trade options: 1) Russ to PHX for Oubre/Rubio 2) Russ to DET for Kennard/Wood 3) Russ to NYK, DSmith/Portis/Knox to MIA, Herro/Iggy/Harkless/Robinson/Nunn to HOU 4) Russ to WAS, Wall to CLE, Drummond/Garland/Cavs FRP/Wiz FRP
Two part shuffle to get younger and continue to contend. Trade One with Philadelphia Rockets trade: Harden, Gordon, Tucker 76ers trade: Simmons, Richardson, pick(s), filler. Philly new roster is title worthy Harden Gordon Tucker Harris Embiid with Milton, Thybulle, Horford off bench Trade Two with Magic Rockets Trade Westbrook and pick Magic Trade Aaron Gordon, Bamba, filler Rockets 2020-21 roster Simmons Richardson Covington/House Aaron Gordon Bamba Plus potential cap room for free agents
Gordon for James Johnson. Sign Ibaka MLE... resign the Greens... Westbrook, Rivers, Clemons Harden, McLemore, G Green Covington, House, Nwaba Tucker, Johnson, Caboclo Ibaka, J Green, Hartenstein Rocket powered thunder vipers! Resign Canaan if Rivers leaves too lol That 10 can compete without getting manhandled.
Fair enough, just think Miami will make a move to bring in another big name. They cannot stay pat if they are serious in contending for a ring. Unlike Tilly and his "run it back" for less mantra.
If we are keeping the team as is, then we just need to add on a few bigs that can shoot and block shots. Mo Bamba and Thon Maker would fit with us perfectly. These 2 players will allow us to keep the status quo as far as spreading the floor. My favorite part about these players is that they wont cost us alot to get them. Thon Maker is a restricted free agent and we can trade for Mo bamba without giving up alot. Mo bamba is on his rookie deal at the max we would have to match $5Ms. These players are TF proof. Low risk, High reward. If y'all don't like these moves, then y'all don't know basketball.
Yea if there was no need to match salaries in a trade. 1.25x + $100,000 Eric Gordon is paid $17 million and can be traded for incoming salaries of up to approximately $21.3 million. DeRozan makes $28 million. Tilman will drop salary not add it. Minnesota , New York, or Detroit are the most likely places for Eric. Keep that in mind when thinking of where to dump him. They all have space and may be willing to take a flier.
I think Horford and u add a FRP to him for Derozan is a good move for the Spurs. Because they can raise his value again having him on the team for a couple years with the young guards getting more mins. Then net more assets for Horford.
I mean, I wouldn't say no lol I think Ibaka is probably the more likely one to accept such team friendly terms. Plus you got a team of bruisers to put on AD/Lebron while they still have to be accountable as defenders against Harden and Russ. Harden doesn't have to switch onto AD or Lebron every play. Further, depending on how you convince Ibaka to come...maybe you say it's a one year gig from the beginning. Then he, Johnson, Tucker and McLemore are all coming off the books at the same time and there's actually cap room to sign a big name next offseason.
All reports say Ibaka will get more than MLE and Wood will get the MLE. I was with you a few weeks ago thinking the opposite.
