C - Chet Holmgren PF - Paolo Banchero SF - Jabari Smith SG - Jalen Green PG - Jaden Ivey Hear me out, this is ideal. No one asked for realistic. Backup plan number 2 in case number 1 doesn't work out: C - Deandre Ayton PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo SF - Jimmy Butler SG - Jalen Green PG - Ja Morant
This team has no cap space, so free agents aren’t in the discussion. It’s basically “who do you want to draft, and what would you like to receive in trade to bolster the roster?” Then, who do those players supplant as starters. BTW, I think any lineup still trotting out Tate or KJM as starters next year represents an offseason failure.
C Mo Bamba (3way S&T w Hornets for Wood) Sengun PF Jabari Smith Jr (first pick) Martin SF Tate Tari Eason (trade up with Nets pick + Garuba) SG Green Christopher PG Marcus Smart (trade for EGo) Porter
I think a lot of us, myself included, forget that Porter won’t even be 22 for another month. Yes, he’s an immature head case, but he does still have time on his side. I don’t think I will ever like him as a starting PG, but the talent to age ratio is still really REALLY good.
Im ok moving Wood for value if we can get a mid first rounder...otherwise ok taking his cap space to market in a year or moving at the deadline. We need rim protection and rebounding desperately... call me crazy, but I'm curious what Gobert would cost to hide the defensive shortcomings in our backcourt... Draft a big man and use them, Gobert, and Sengun... then sign a 3/D for sf... Tate/Martin/Christopher off bench...
If we don't make the play-in tournament next year with this line-up, it's time to start thinking about the real issue - coaching
Can't see Rockets getting BOTH Smith and Holmgren. That would like be going from the dump to the penthouse.
To Utah: Gordon, Wood, Nwaba, Brooklyn 2022 pick, 2024 pick top5 protected... To Houston: Gobert Porter, Kevin Green, Jalen Warren, TJ (mid level off foot surgery) Smith, Jabari Gobert, Rudy Bench: Sengun Tate Martin Christopher Veteran PG Gives us more shooting and defense... Also leaves us max cap space in a year when Wall falls off...
KPJ/Schroeder(don’t see him having much options Green/Christopher KMJ/3&D player with nets lotto pick Smith/Tate Sengun/Bruce Don’t waste a top 5 pick on a guard. Our front court is defensively embarrassing. Sengun IQ off the charts but I have hesitations on his physical abilities in the post. If we are getting rid of wood you better get a power forward who can pick up the defensive slack. Use Wood, Gordon, Tate, and our accumulated picks to guarantee Smith or Chet & turn that Brooklyn pick into a lotto 3&D wing If KPJ doesn’t work out then he can either agree to move to SF or we can go start throwing max money at point guards like morant with all that cap space we will have
Honestly, assuming we keep the Brooklyn pick and don't trade up/down I'd kind of like to see something like: C: Alperen Sengun PF: Chet Holmgren / Jabari Smith SF: Kenyon Martin Jr. SG: Jalen Green PG: Rookie PG (Washington or Kennedy, maybe) This is based on two truths I think most Rockets fans know already: 1. Wood is likely not part of this team's rebuilding core (and Tate might not be either). 2. KPJ is not a point guard and is better suited to be a combo guard off the bench. I know that lineup isn't likely by the start of next season, but it's what I'd like to see by season's end. Stop playing guys they know aren't part of the core long-term, start developing chemistry with the guys they know they want to be here in 4-5 years and maximize players at the roles they're best suited for. Edit: Also, this is based on the assumption that the Rockets are still trying to tank for one more season, so I'm not expecting any trades for big names like Gobert as others are suggesting. I think that happens in a year—no reason to start competing with such a young squad and one more year of your own draft pick.
FRP, Sengun, Martin, Green, Wall Top reserves Christopher / Garuba / Ferdinando Wood / Porter / Gordon / Tate / Mathews moved on draft day.
I would like to take another crack at the center position since we skipped on Mobley. All that said if I hear Rubio’s name one more time mentioned on clutch fans I think I’m gonna….@plowman
C: C. Wood F: J. Smith [Rockets Pick] F: J. Tate G: J. Green G: T. Washington [Nets Pick] BENCH: A. Şengün, K. Martin Jr, J. Christopher, K. Porter Jr. Washington may take some maneuvering to acquire but I think he would be perfect for this team. Wood and Tate fit the balance of offense and defense in this lineup but one or both may just be placeholders at the start of the season.
STARTING KMJ SG J. Smith JR PF Duran C Green SG Christopher PG BENCH Tate Schroeder Gordon Sengun Matthews Fernando
This is the best one I have seen. I was about to complain that KJ doesn't get enough love around here. The guy has done nothing but improve this year. He is shooting great, has freak athleticism, and plays great defense...Rubio is the perfect point guard for Green and KJ. We need a pass first guy running the show, and his shot is not broken anymore. Not to mention, he'll probably be on the market. I'm not a Chet guy, but plug him or Jabari into that lineup, doesn't matter. Mine would be: [Any legitimate proven PG] (I would say Jaygup, but to me he's gonna be a scorer) Green KJ Jabari Sengun
In my dreamed draft it's Chet + Tyty so the lineup would be: Tyty, Green, Tate, Chet, Sengun. That's a good combination of size, defense, playmaking, shooting, inside game, outside game. Balanced roles, great fits for your franchise guy. But that's a dream. I'm also Ok with drafting a SF with the Nets pick (moving up if needed with Wood/Gordon) and then signing Rubio to mentor Jalen like he's done with Donovan and Booker.
Put Wall in the line up. He still has value and is here. Wall is great shooter and even better passer. If his role is limited to say 20-25 minutes. He would really help this younger team.