There's a trade kicker? Seriously? Did not know that - then it is definitely a foul ball by Stone. I assumed that he could be added to a deal at some point to make the money work, or to bring the Rockets in as a 3rd team. That kind of thing, but the trade kicker complicates that. I don't think he's a "bad" player, and he probably doesn't deserve some of the criticism he gets here, but he should of been had for less, or Stone should have just dropped the idea.
Signing Theis was the dumbest move Stone has made by far during his tenure. Still don't understand it and he's taking away minutes from guys we should be developing - he's also a terrible fit with Wood.
We just have more depth there than we expected at the position. Worst case we get an expiring and a 2nd, who cares that's Tilman's money in a non-contending year. Doubt it will hinder us in the future (his contract).
he would look a lot better if he played against the 2nd unit. i don't think Stone ever anticipated him starting every game.
I think Theis signing was a bad move. Not sure why it was done. We're not going to be competitive so no reason to sign some one to a 4 year contract that is not going to be a long term difference maker. Ok veteran and an ok contract, but no reason to sign him and thus a bad move.
Who did Stone think he was competing against when it came to signing Theis? 3 guaranteed years and a trade kicker for what?? you’d swear Theis was some hot commodity and not the mediocre bench big that he is… Stone, ya fcked up Nwaba was 1 of those “I’m signing this guy just cause” type of signings too…Nwaba is a dime a dozen low skill vet min guy, but Stone gives him 3/15…at least the last year is an option
It's not a positive asset but it doesn't matter. Having cap room is irrelevant when your organization is a dumpster fire; no one worth getting is signing here anyway. Free agency is basically dead. Kevin Pelton (IIRC) had a good article on this recently. The best players leave with one or two years left on their deals.
I don't think contenders are blowing up the Stonephone for Theis. I just don't. I will be happy to eat the crow on this one but it would seem a longshot at the very, very best. I think they wanted to give Wall-Gordon-Tate-Wood-Theis a go and it turned to ash in their hands the second JW demanded a trade. Sengun playing this well is putting pressure on the situation as well. And your light at the end of the terrible contract tunnel IS??? A draft pick project.
Just because I don't think it will happen doesn't mean I can't also hope it happens. I do hope it happens. I just think I've set myself up to be disappointed.
I think we may have to wait until 23-24 trade deadline before we can turn his contract into an asset. Maybe a season sooner if Wood is traded in the next few months. I I don't really think he's worth anything, but that may not be his fault. If Wood gets traded this season, then the offense can run through Theis, similar to Olynyk last season. I'm not sure Theis can shine the way Olynyk did, but if he could replicate it enough, I'd love to nab a 2nd rounder for him.
Good player, great guy. With Sengun on deck, and Garuba in the wings, it is time... We have found our stabilizers in Tater Thot & Garry Bird. Those two will keep us in line and allow our rookies to grow with optimal floor space. Gotta move EG/Theis so we can maximize playing time for our young horses. I truly believe that KPJ/JG/KJ/Sengun are ready to shine now that we have the requisite shooting in place. It is an exciting time to be a Houston Rockets fan.
Come on ya'll.....Theis isn't a terrible player - just a bad fit for this roster...that being said, the trade kicker is absurd for a player with as little clout as him but maybe Houston figured he was still worth it as a sign and stash guy to trade for future assets later on when a contending team gets some bad injury luck and gets desperate. I mean - let's get real, Theis and Nwaba are just relatively low risk/cost, walking contracts on 3yr deals because we KNOW we aren't going to be contenders for at least 3 years - these guys are just here to fill out a roster, or maybe get thrown into a trade for some pick considerations later on. Since we are a lotto team (no one signing here), they are just $1 lotto cards in NBA terms - maybe they help you land something of value by some stroke of good luck, but probably they are just a waste of money and what were you going to buy with that $1 that was going to be more productive for you anyway? It's just a low risk calculated gamble for a team that is trying to generate value anywhere it can because no game changing players are going to sign with Houston anytime soon so you take those risks, try to collect draft assets and hope a few of them hit.
