I think many folks on this thread are really underrating Tate. I think the most likely comp for what Tate becomes is a more versitile PJ Tucker (who I loved), who at 6’5” is similarly undersized, but is still a plus defender on almost every position. Tate is strong, has heart, and has a low center of gravity on defense that makes up for some of his lack of size. He also has better handles and passing than PJ, and is a much more crafty finisher at the rim. If he gets a little stronger and brings his 3PT% up a bit, I don’t see why he can’t be a starter on a championship contender, we just saw PJ do that with a more limited game. Think back to every playoff series we’ve had PJ on our team. We could have easily used two or three of those kind of players, especially if they had a little bit of ball handling too. I don’t understand people here being all ‘meh, Tate is only 6’4”, next please!’. We need multiple players of the PJ & Tate mold who are willing to do the dirty work to pair with the Greens/Porters/Woods if we are going to be a legit good team.
A glue guy on a 17 win team? SMDH Now's not the time for a glue guy. Now is the time to try to find stars. Ask yourself how hard is it to find a Tate vs say a mid round pick like Horry? I'm more than willing to take this risk since the chances of the Rockets being a championship contender in the next 3-4 years are slim.
If the Pacers are really offering 13 for Tate and the 24 you take it. That’s value and Tate is 25. We’d be doing him a favor.
I wonder if good 2 way glue guys are hard to find? I wonder if stars develop faster with good role players around them? I also wonder if the Pacers are offering the 13 pick for Tate?? Why would they do that...
I love Tate dont get me wrong. And i would love to keep him on this team during the rebuild process (same as Wood) to eventually be the "vet" leaders on the team and build on continuity. However. If you get the chance this early in a rebuild for a lottery pick in exchange for what could be a great role player on this team.. i pul the trigger. Tate, Gordon, 24 for 13, whatever contract the want to give up.
And none of our guys will be out of the league in 3-4 years, right around the time Mobley will be turning into a superstar. Its time to develop our guys, for 7 years we brought in older unwanted talent that were either injury prone or had a major flaws. Like fitting a bunch of random puzzle pieces that don't fit and were never meant to fit. They almost stumbled into a finals appearances but at the price of a complete disaster. We have young good players with upside, does anyone think we can find the production from KMJ, Tate, KPJ and Wood in this draft? I doubt it, it could be years before we find the same output.
I think we want to look to the 23-24 season and hope to return to playoffs that season. That is probably best case scenario though.
I wonder if the sun is going to come up in the East tomorrow. To answer your question, the franchises are in different places. Wall,Brown, Augustin etc... could fill this role. To think that Tate, who I like, is off limits is laughable. IMHO
I'd say that they want to do it because they don't want to spend time on a project player. They may feel they have enough first- and second-year players and are trying to take the next step and it's time to start adding those glue guys. The Rockets need to be taking as many chances as possible. Tate is a fine player, and an overachiever, but he was undrafted for a reason. His ceiling is limited. Knowing what we know now, Tate would probably be a late first round pick, certainly not #13. It's true that there are players taken at #13 that will never be as good as Tate, but there is the possibility to get someone far better. It's a gamble worth taking, and right now is the time for the Rockets to take it.
Then they better give us another franchise player. It's like maybe keeping lamb and Kevin martin instead of getting Harden. If any of those players give you anything truly legit then go for it.
No it does not. (Neither does the #1 pick some years for that matter), but the #13 can give you a chance at a player as good as Kawhi, Giannis, Booker or Donovan Mitchell. I'd also add that having an amazing roleplayer like Tate just isn't that valuable for the next two seasons we have him because we will SUCK both of those years. I'd rather get something for him now than lose him for nothing when he gets paid on his next contract.
