Chris Broussard said a league source told him Paul George to the Rockets is a possibility

Didn't PJ turn down more $$ in Toronto to come after being heavily recruited by James? Not sure if it's one of those situations where tax implications even things out -- but the optics of trading away a guy who *just* sacrificed to be here aren't great, IMO. If I'm a FA going forward, I'd think twice (and several more times) about leaving money on the table to come to Houston. "It's a business," so on and so forth -- but ijs. Cold world.

 

So trade away Ryno, just so we can give Zhou Qi some minutes?

 

That's probably the right attitude to have. You can't be too high on a player unless you're giving away fringe pieces.

But no one wants Ryno for the salary cap. They want him as a buy-in for other players, EG for example.

In the end, Morey's attitude is probably the same as yours, and hence, no trade will be done.

 

I feel sorry for those who's mentioning Qi in this conversation...... yall don't realize how shltty and raw the guy is

 

No way PJ gets traded. If anything, you package him with others to get a ridiculously good superstar, and nothing less.

 

I mean, but that's also taking Chris' word at face value. I'm hesitant to believe it. I think what PJ brings to the table is not easily replaced.

 

Would trade Ryan Anderson & first rounder to get him for sure. Not only we get better defensively, we get a reliable 3pt shooter & cap space for LeBron if George leaves after the season (if I'm not missing something, and I probably do). But we all know Thunder won't do this.

 

Now if you told me we were dealing him for LBJ... Well, at that point all bets are off. You send everyone but James and Paul and hope you can bargain bin shop to fill that team up.

 

no way OKC giving up Paul without Gordon, they aint that dumb.

 

But choosing to roll with a team that is 15-0 currently isnt a win now move?

 

Why? If they are doing it for fear he walks in FA, they will get 25/50 cents on the dollar here. That's Ryno and a bag of chips right there.

Also, with both teams over the cap, Ryno and EG would have to net the Rockets more than PG. Roberson isn't trade available until January, and unless the Rockets wouldn't mind also getting PatPat and Singler I'm not sure who else they would want on that roster to make the money work.

 

All things considered, Deng & Ingram wouldn't be an awful outcome for OKC. They'll have to figure out how to dump salary afterwards, however, or hope Melo waives his NTC for the Lakers.

Other than that it's Houston, Cleveland or standing pat.

 

You're assuming they're in fear of losing Paul.... they might be looking to trade him but they're not desperate and stupid. Keep dreaming, ryno and bag of chips.

 

That's a great point. I was spit-balling about getting a 3-team or 4-team blockbuster trade done for PG. When you need to involve Ryno, can't do anything without offering more and getting back more.

But from the perspective of the LAL, they also can't just sit and watch when PG can get sniped by a serious contender in the Rockets. It's the biggest threat to PG heading to LAL.

If OKC decides to trade PG (which I guess is low in probability now), HOU is very likely to be in the mix. Along with CLE.

 

So you're telling me that they are totally ok with letting Paul walk after dealing Oladipo and Sabonis? Really?

Or... do actually believe that OKC, Westbrook, and the Thunder are enough to get PG13 to stay if they gave him the decision?

In either case, I don't agree. Him walking out and them getting nothing in return is a huge huge hit to them. I get that they can still turn it around, but nothing would be a bigger hit to them than a 1st round playoff exit followed by PG becoming a laker. Again, when you take big risks like this and they fail, you aren't getting 90 cents on the dollar back.

 

I agree & I don't really buy the report. I'm just surprised at how many people (here and on other social media) would be happy to part with PJ.

 

A lot of people felt the same way about Battier. Then again, Shane was one of my favorite players of all time.

 

I agree that OKC needs to figure if PG is going to stay so they may be trying to put feeler's out there to see what he might be able to bring. Right now, I think it's just kicking the tire...

 

There is a zero percent chance the Lakers trade Ingram for Paul George.. What are you even saying... Magic has said many times Ingram is untouchable, and why would they trade him if they know Paul George will sign with them without giving anything up.