Why did the Rockets hone in on Banchero? Because that is who they had to hone in on because 99% have said Banchero is the one who would drop to 3.
A different way to look at it: Good: using the market to get what you want Better: creating the market to get what you want Instead of waiting for teams to put their respective big men on the trading block (and thereby lowering Wood's value even more), Stone created his own market and took the best deal offered. Best: creating the market to get what you want, forcing another team to spend more on your depressed asset
I know you aren’t new, far from it, but back when I started lurking here in 1999, before the Francis trade, I quickly figured out that @aelliott was one of the really knowledgeable guys around here. What he says now makes sense to me. I’ll add that @Clutch and a large number of us are absolutely thrilled that Wood has moved on, not all for the same reasons, but thrilled, nevertheless. According to sources @Clutch obviously trusts, Stone started trying to move Wood back in 2021. That should tell you something. Since the transaction can’t occur until the draft, or shortly after, there’s talk that Stone may be attempting to expand the deal beyond the initial Dallas/Houston trade. As @aelliott posted, that sounds pretty smart. Sounds that way to me, as well. Whatever happens, I don’t think we have very long to wait until the shoe drops. I hope it fits.
Banchero has been rated the #1 prospect by many as well. His value has been rising the closer we get to draft day and all I'm saying is if that's the Rockets pick, why play your hand before draft night. Why not wait until after you made your pick at #3, then announce the trade for C. Wood and #26?
Orlando and OKC: "What a team below us wants a certain player? Well we can't have that. Let's just scrap our draft board and select the player the team below us wants!!! Genius. 3-D chess!"
You're overthinking it, this is reportedly the first offer for Wood involving a first round pick, so Stone took it before Dallas wised up.
If there is one thing I can promise you is that Presti isn't over thinking his pick and he isn't sweating it. He has drafted ..... Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Jackson, Adams, Giddey over the last 15 years. Oddly enough, teams that have traded for his draft picks have had some luck as well.... almost all the picks were late 1st and 2nd rounders .... but he has dealt the picks for.... Landry, Glen Davis, Bledsoe, Brandon Clark and Sengun and Quickley.
My questions then would be; 1) Why would the Magic want to work him out if they are sold on Smith? 2) Is Paolo fearful that the Magic might take him, however he favors the Rockets?
Most likely Banchero isn't the first choice of the Rockets. If Orlando would take him #1, I think the Rockets would be ecstatic. Since Banchero still hasn't even worked out for Orlando, I don't think that there's much chance of them drafting him. Why not wait until after you draft? 1) because it doesn't matter 2) you can't necessarily stop that info from getting out. We have no control over Wood and his agent or over anyone on the Dallas side. Likewise for the 4 guys coming over from Dallas. Ever since the lottery, Hardisty has been running a campaign to pump up Paolo's perceived value in hopes that he'll be drafted in the top 2. If that were to actually occur then it would be a party around here.
1) it's called "due dilligence". The idea is that you explore all options before making a decision. 2) I think Paolo would love to be the top overall selection.
Let's assume that's true. My only question is, why did he have to be announced, when the trade doesn't become final until after draft night. It could've been announced after the #26 pick was made.
1) Due diligence. That's simple enough. A closer look at a player who's obviously one of those at the top of the draft. 2) (my opinion) No, I don't think Paolo is fearful about being the #1 pick. He just doesn't think he will be, and if he isn't, I believe that he'd rather be 3rd with the Rockets than 2nd with OKC.
So the Magic, who pick 1, are suddenly going to pick Banchero because they found out the Rockets, who pick 3rd, wanted him? Thats 8D chess
Wasn't this meeting with Banchero days prior to the Wood trade? If so, I think this further backs up my arguement. After meeting with Banchero, Stone orchestrated the Wood trade, which means he played his hand w/o WAITING until he firmly made the Banchero pick. However, I hope it works out.
