The Nets are gonna be bad anyway .... They aren't getting anything but salary matching and low picks in return for KD and they aren't getting anything but Westbrook for Kyrie. They won't have a choice but to suck
I had the same thoughts, what about working with Brooklyn to have them tank? Trade one of their earlier picks back to them and have them tank, then once they secure a top pick trade them the rest of their picks back for that top pick. Would only work if they were committed to tanking for several years, and if there was a generational talent available they may end up just keeping him instead of trading him back.
Considering that KD's camp keeps releasing statements of who he wants to play on each particular team, means that a whole lot of players are in play right now and Nets can play teams off each other and not pay too much attention to KD's demands. Toronto's Masai has been known to swing for the fences before and KD can certainly push the needle for them. KD mention of Barnes specifically means that Nets aren't particularly interested in tanking.
I made an earlier post in this thread as to why Nets are done regardless of what they get back because they have $80M+ tied up in several players not including KD and Kyrie or the rest of the team. Everyone needs to do a cap and CBA analysis to understand the implications. I think Nets have to take middling picks now and still tank because no assets will make them any better than what we were after Harden trade. From here until after 2027 they are a high lotto team like Detroit and Orlando. The main question here is the Rockets. ROCKETS. Window may actually be a highway because it is Christmas Day around here but it is quickly approaching a critical decision that can derail everything. What do we do with our $80M+ next summer OR CAN WE WAIT THAT LONG? I want to use that FREE MONEY so we, unlike every other team in this position, can keep all of our assets for future moves and not be depleted like every star does in every other situation and closes their window. This FA season has seen some massive shakeups that alter our pristine looking 2023 FA offseason. It wasn't this one we were interested in, it is the next one. Now that landscape is drastically different. Many have signed extensions and it is becoming the norm with young players. Tank for Wemby is easy but the hard part is that $80M+ for two max FAs. Who are we after AND WE BETTER KNOW THAT NOW? Harden looks to sign a 1+1 to be a FA next year. He is about the only one that MIGHT sign with us if things don't go his way in Philly. Doubtful to see him wanting to leave there. **** on it all you want but he would be the PG. Who else could we OR SHOULD WE target? Middleton, why does he leave? Next year's opening is a one time thing because we have to sign KPJ likely. For those of you thinking a player averaging over 20 points with the assists and decent D don't think he will get a suitor, Dejounte Murray says hello. If we don't, we lose an asset and are just kicking the can down the road like in Morey's tenure. KPJ's destiny is EGo and was always 6th man because we are not signing a center on a max which leaves wings. If we cannot sign anyone that means we need to scour all of the trades that are about to happen. Ignore broken down Durant. There is about to be a huge shakeup. Mitchell is leaving, Lillard is probably not settled. Many more will follow. What about the young stars and RFAs? The NBA has recognized the major realignment taking place now and next year. Screw LeBron, screw KD. Kawhi, PG13, Buckets, AD, Kyrie, and that group are mostly washed or not moving. They are going to begin making their exits and on last contracts. Where do we put our money while we can still use it for FREE to operate above the cap and resign our own players with Bird rights. Harden MAYBE and... PS. Realize that Harden is a pipe dream and not necessarily the ideal option anyway. Give me better ones, preferably YOUNGER. The last time we did this KILLED A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. EGo GOOD, Ryno FATAL. Happened because BOSH renegged. We have a history of not sticking the landing on this ****.
In a situation of strength which the Rockets are in right now. You have to be patient and flexible. They shouldn't take any long term contracts until after next year's draft. You will have effectively secured your future in regards to draft capital. As Tilman has mentioned, the Rockets won't start going for it until after the 2022 season. Do you give someone like Middleton a 3/4 year Max to pair with your rookies. Have to be patient and understand the NBA is a fluid environment. Big names can become available at any moment. Houston needs to remain flexible with their cap until after next season. I would look at guys like Kris Middleton next year to pair with Jalen and Jabari. Shooting, shooting, shooting. Fun times ahead.
Why would Kris Middleton leave a perennial championship contender to play with the baby Rockets? Milwaukee can pay him just as much or more than us. So why?
I would take green and Jabari over Simmons easily right now. Mental midget bad back simmons is trash who’s on a contract that he’s nowhere near worth. That dpoy talk means absolutely nothing to me
The only way I can see Simmons making it back on this board is that D-Rock created himself some burner accounts.
Rockets need to Save Money now, Pay Our Own Players after their Rookie Deals in 3 to 4 years the Rockets Need to keep this Core for a Long Time. Keep and Pay them Jalen Green Jabari Smith Alperen Sengun Tari Eason Tyty Washington Josh Christopher Waiting to see if he can play PG and defend quicker Guards Daishen Nix Maybe traded Kevin Porter at some point traded or 6th man, if he cares Kenyon Martin cant play lateral defense, undersized Center, that can shoot 3s
Agree. I would rank Green, Sengun, KJP and all three of this year's picks over Simmons. Don't want him on this team at all. Brings back memories of Royce White.
The two big suitors in the Suns and Heat can offer a bit, either their own assets or getting a third team involved. Nets aren't accepting a poopoo platter of salary filler and picks..... not sure why you would think that when they have Durant on a 4 year contract? Nets also aren't going to "suck" but be mediocre at worst.
To some extent yeah. I just hope regardless it still blows up in their faces. It’s fun to root for a team to lose while you in the coming years root for the rockets to do well. If not and then time comes to off load the picks I hope it’s for an exceptional player.
Well sure, but that doesn't mean you need to suspend reality to do so as you might end up disappointed.
Nah. Everyone knows the Nets are over a barrel. Durant will get his way and be in Phoenix, unless he has a change of heart and will consider Toronto. I’m pretty sure this is the way this works out. Ayton plus mediocre filler plus draft picks for Durant. Westbrook and 2027 Lakers frp for Kyrie.
