Just let Garuba do it and we will also mix in some small lineups where Smith is the small ball 5. No need to add vets right now just play all the young guys. Next summer is when we start making roster moves to add veterans to the young core. For now keep that dry powder cap space.
I'm thinking Smith or Garuba play the most minutes at the 5 besides Sengun. I think a Nix/Green/Gordon/Eason/Smith lineup my be interesting if Gordon isn't traded. I don't expect Gordon to be with the Rockets long, but I think Rockets will want to see Green/Eason/Smith with a playmaker and a 3&D wing in which all 5 players can hit open threes.
I wonder what the story is with Bruno. If he was willing to come back and there were no internal issues, it seemed like a no brainier to me.
I'm pretty sure Bruno wasn't kept because his skills likely are viewed as great in garbage time, but would not translate against better players. The Rockets likely felt opposing big men camping under the basket would negate his offense as well as clog up the lane for the other Rockets. Considering he likely knew Rockets didn't view him as a long term piece, I'd guess he would only come back to the Rockets for more money than he could get elsewhere.
The Rockets don't need a back up 5 this year. They are not competing for the playoffs and they have guys that need minutes. Sengun should press for 30 minutes a night at the 5 next year. Garuba needs playing time at the 5 to see what he can do. Jabari Smith and even Eason will likely see some time as well.
Jabari Smith should play zero minutes at 5. Boban, Chriss should be let go. I feel like the plan for Garuba last year was G league seasoning and a late season call up. I'm going to say faultlessly, he got an incomplete on his season and progress. I think he's still on a similar track this season, get in shape, sharpen the blade in the GL and callup later this season. I do wonder if Martin could pull it off as a smolbol 5. Otherwise his dad may be right in saying his son is not good enough to outplay Eason and Smith.
Really surprised Bruno would sign with the Rockets as he didn't appear to like his spot in depth chart last season.
Might be that he has been told there is a spot as the backup 5 in play, and he can earn it in training camp. I like him as a 10-15mpg rim rolling 5. Sengun probably gets as close to 30mpg as he can play (before fouling out) Smith will probably play 10mpg at C when we go small Boban is probably just here to mentor the young guys and may not play much(if at all) Garuba REALLY needs significant minutes in the GLeague to see if he has anything to offer, so perhaps he is best at RGV That leaves around 10mpg (and more when Sengun is in foul trouble early) Why not Bruno??
To me it seems like the Rockets are the ones who were exploring other options. Doesn’t appear Bruno was in position to be turning down any offer from any nba team given the amount of time he’s been available and the contract he signed.
That's very likely how the minutes play out. Bruno should be good enough to cover for Sengun on the days he gets in early foul trouble or is nursing an injury. As for Boban, with 20 guys currently signed isn't it likely he gets cut or bought out?
We are going to have the majority of the roster at 22 and under. They need SOMEONE who can sit on the bench, cheer, bring good vibes to the locker room (etc) and play spot minutes here and there. Boban seems to fit the niche. I could care less from a contribution on court point of view, but is it possible Boban has something to offer from a "this is how you manage yourself over 82 games" point of view? (maybe not? I dunno, but he seems like a good value bench guy in that regard)
I like Holman... but i figured we'd use Boban and Garuba - since Tilly is already payin em... and id figure leaving a couple holes in the roster would be advantageous at this stage... would allow our guys to go all out and push em - while at the same time keeping us in the lotto to some degree... couple our next lotto pick w an asset or two to move up for 1 more nice piece... and we got tons of cap space to spend to fill holes... then we're ready to rock next year!
Good point, just not sure who goes if Boban is kept KMJ? Nwaba? Mathews? Of course there could still be a trade to clear some guys as well.
The 15th guy on your bench is really not worth much angst, but I doubt Boban or any of the Dallas guys are on the team by the start of the season. Fernando will get garbage minutes if Garuba is at RGV.
