There's no other way around it. The Rockets are better than the average playoff team, but not a real contender. They're an aging group, and have no ability to improve their roster (for this year AND the forthcoming years) Their ceiling will always beneath the class of the top teams (Lakers Clippers and Bucks this year, GSW next season. Rockets are never beating Draymond's free safety defense anyway.) Either Harden stays a Rocket and never wins a title in his prime or he goes to Philly (for Ben Simmons), to Milwaukee (for picks, Middleton), to Lakers if AD leaves. Or even GSW. Trade Harden then unload RWB to wherever he wants to go (he's at the most of his trade value now, game has improved as of late) And the Rockets rebuild.
How’s Jeremy Lin doing these days rocketschamp, ashleym, texasasianfan, hardensbeard, beardnAtion15 and whoever many other ids you use
I mean, I was working the trade machine for Russ, Capela, Gordon, Tucker etc. Then I just realized that there's no way for them to immediately improve their roster, they're no longer contenders anyway, on the way down, with NO long term solution. It's the best time to start over. And I can't stand seeing JH without a title.
And you have to consider the fact that MDA is 100% gone by this year (so a new coach, new system that's unlikely to be better), and maybe Morey next year as well. I'd rather just accelerate to the end.
Unless Harden demands a trade midseason, we gotta ride this group out. I don’t necessarily believe this team is championship material but the team was in a worst position last season, yet they ended up going toe to toe with the Warriors by the time it was said and done....
For this owner it's not about winning a championship, but about making money. So if his most marketable star is traded (which may set off a trade demand from his other star), you have to at least be reasonable in getting back someone as marketable in return.
dude do you realize trading means giving up? Teams don’t just trade away players who are once a generation talents and get something equal in value that never happens unless there’s no light at the end of the tunnel and the player is on the verge of free agency etc such as the case with AD. If the team doesn’t win this year it’s ok. Still have 2 superstars a center and couple bench guys. Just need to get players from free agency or smaller trades etc. but trading your superstar is not an option really especially a guy who puts up historic numbers. Stop the craziness please.