Thybulle is a trap asset, he's 24 years old and hasn't improved on his offensive capabilities in his 3 seasons in the NBA, but is up for an extension after next season. The Rockets definitely do not want to be the ones offering him a contract, especially since they already extended Tate. Thybulle will also be additional competition at the 2/3 spot.
If Thybulle gets similar contract to Tate it would be a steal. At end of contract he'd still be 28. Tate is already 26. He would be pushing 30.
I’m shocked he was waived. Have always liked him. There is a lot of potential in him. It would be madness if we don’t pick him. He can back up Smith or play next to him. At the very least we could give him time to develop and get some value for him down the line. He has very fluid movement for his size. He has decent skill and can hit a jumper. Pretty solid athlete too, can run on the break.
It would be a decent contract, but the problem is there likely aren't too many scenarios where that happens. If he plays well, there will be competing offers, potentially at above market price from other teams that are looking for defensive specialists. On the other hand, if he plays poorly, the Rockets really do not have incentives to keep him when there are other players to work with. The Rockets will definitely need at least one unprotected FRP to justify taking back Thybulle on this trade. The Rockets ideally want to avoid taking back players that need minutes. The roster as it is already have 5 guards that will command minutes assuming Gordon is traded (KPJ, Green, Washington, Nix and Christopher), 5 forwards (Matthews, Martin, Tate, Smith and Eason) and two PF/center (Sengun and Garuba).
I'd take Thybulle over Tate, KJ or Matthews. And this is tangential to discussion but in time Rockets will need to make decision on 2 of 3: Jaygup, Nix, TyTy
I think the Rockets are content with throwing out the Sengun-Jabari front court. Worst case scenario, they get abused for 82, we lose a lot of games a games and get another top pick. Stone thinks he’s being slick
I really the Rockets are content to sit out the trade market until the deadline if not all year, although I’m sure they are always actively trying to get a steal or get picks as a facilitator. Gordon is hard to trade and they see no reason to give him away.
I think every FA knows that the Rockets rotation is mostly finalized at this point. Not a whole lot of minutes and some individuals either want the chance to compete for a starting spot (i.e. Hartenstein, Claxton, McGee) or chance for a solid role to play for their next contract (i.e. Dieng). I am not surprised that we will have to scrape bottom of the barrel for our back up center.
I don’t think Stone gives a flip about signing a backup center this year. We have an ample amount of bigs and if he really wants a traditional center for a couple of mins a night he can retain Boban or re-sign Fernando (which would be my preference).
I agree, but we do have our full MLE. Offer him a 1 year 10 mill deal with no state income tax, that's only a 1 hr flight from his kids in Dallas, might not be something he considers. His job would be to give a good 15-20 mpg off the bench and help develop Sengun and Smith.